Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Space.com • Josh Dinner

Japan completes first RV-X experimental reusable rocket flight test

Japan has successfully carried out its first-ever flight test of the reusable RV-X rocket prototype, demonstrating key aspects of reusability through a launch and landing sequence. The milestone marks an early but significant step for Japan’s experimental space launch capabilities.

1 Source

2026-07-18T07:15:12.000043-07:00

European Spaceflight

Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolè urges the EU to buy large blocks of Ariane 6 launches

1 Source

2026-07-17T07:44:18.605926-07:00

Via Satellite

Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit

8 Sources

2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00

European Spaceflight

ESA selects Ariane 6 for HENON CubeSat launch to demonstrate future solar storm monitoring

4 Sources

2026-07-16T08:16:12.287228-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

Space.com

1 source

Japan completes first RV-X experimental reusable rocket flight test Japan has successfully carried out its first-ever flight test of the reusable RV-X rocket prototype, demonstrating key aspects of reusability through a launch and landing sequence. The milestone marks an early but significant step for Japan’s experimental space launch capabilities.

2026-07-18T07:15:12.000043-07:00

Japan completes first RV-X experimental reusable rocket flight test

European Spaceflight

1 source

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Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolè urges the EU to buy large blocks of Ariane 6 launches Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolè urged Europe to place large, upfront block orders for Ariane 6 launches to de-risk production and sustain the program’s scale. The call frames demand commitment as the key lever for keeping Ariane 6 on track and maintaining Europe’s launch capacity.

2026-07-17T07:44:18.605926-07:00

Arianespace CEO David Cavaillolè urges the EU to buy large blocks of Ariane 6 launches

Universe Today

2 sources

FCC approves first test launch for Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite The US Federal Communications Commission has approved the first test launch of Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite, the initial step toward the company’s planned Reflect Orbital space reflector constellation. The approval clears the path for test-lifespan deployment under FCC authorization.

2026-07-17T04:51:29.219067-07:00

FCC approves first test launch for Reflect Orbital’s Eärendil-1 satellite

Via Satellite

2 sources

AST SpaceMobile pushes Direct-to-Device commercial launch to early 2027; raises $1B via share sale and flags potential vertical AST SpaceMobile has rescheduled its commercial Direct-to-Device (D2D) service launch to early 2027, moving it from a prior late-2026 timeline. The company also launched a share sale to raise $1 billion and said it may consider vertical integration in its launch efforts.

2026-07-16T13:50:47.084854-07:00

AST SpaceMobile pushes Direct-to-Device commercial launch to early 2027; raises $1B via share sale and flags potential vertical

Via Satellite

8 sources

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Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit SpaceX launched 21 satellites for the Space Development Agency (SDA) aboard a Falcon 9 on July 16, resuming the Pentagon’s first operational low-Earth-orbit military data network after a months-long pause. SDA cited software and hardware issues discovered on in-orbit units and delayed launches to address known problems.

2026-07-16T09:14:01.263011-07:00

Space Development Agency restarts Falcon 9 launch campaign, placing 21 data-transport satellites into low Earth orbit

SpaceNews.com

2 sources

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is soliciting commercial proposals for space-based “utility” power solutions—producing electricity in space and beaming it to spacecraft and, potentially, from orbit to Earth. DIU aims for a demonstration within two years and an operationally relevant transition by the end of the decade.

2026-07-16T08:44:48.269276-07:00

DIU seeks commercial proposals for space-based power-beaming demonstration within two years

European Spaceflight

4 sources

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ESA selects Ariane 6 for HENON CubeSat launch to demonstrate future solar storm monitoring ESA has chosen Ariane 6 to launch its HENON CubeSat mission, aimed at demonstrating a future capability to monitor solar storms. The launch will carry a deep-space smallsat payload designed to validate space-weather observation concepts.

2026-07-16T08:16:12.287228-07:00

ESA selects Ariane 6 for HENON CubeSat launch to demonstrate future solar storm monitoring

Space.com

4 sources

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SpaceX Starship Flight 13: launches 21 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites for U.S. military and deploys first Starlink V3 SpaceX carried out a Starship Flight 13 mission launching 21 U.S. military “Tranche 1 Transport Layer” satellites from California and said it would deploy the first Starlink V3 satellites for the first time. The mission also comes as SpaceX approaches 10,839 working satellites across its Starlink fleet.

2026-07-16T03:17:02.860166-07:00

SpaceX Starship Flight 13: launches 21 Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites for U.S. military and deploys first Starlink V3

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