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SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Rocket Lab completes first Electron launch of 2026 for Open Cosmos — 80th Electron mission

Rocket Lab completed its first Electron launch of 2026, marking the company's 80th Electron mission and carrying payloads for satellite operator Open Cosmos. The flight underscores Rocket Lab's sustained small-launch capability and continued support for commercial smallsat deployments.

2026-01-26T03:34:43.535115-08:00

SpaceWatch Global

U.S. launch infrastructure under strain as orbital cadence spikes

2026-01-26T03:18:12.352003-08:00

Spaceflight Now

USSF moves GPS III-9 onto SpaceX Falcon 9 after switch from ULA Vulcan

2026-01-25T17:12:43.968394-08:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into polar LEO from Vandenberg

2026-01-24T19:43:21.288781-08:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

JAXA's H3 failed after premature payload fairing separation Japan's H3 rocket failed in December after an apparent premature separation of the payload fairing, an unusual anomaly investigators say may have caused the satellite to separate from the launcher early. The premature separation likely led to mission failure and has prompted a focused investigation into the launch sequence.

2026-01-26T04:10:48.278732-08:00

JAXA's H3 failed after premature payload fairing separation

SpaceWatch Global

Rocket Lab completes first Electron launch of 2026 for Open Cosmos — 80th Electron mission Rocket Lab completed its first Electron launch of 2026, marking the company's 80th Electron mission and carrying payloads for satellite operator Open Cosmos. The flight underscores Rocket Lab's sustained small-launch capability and continued support for commercial smallsat deployments.

2026-01-26T03:34:43.535115-08:00

Rocket Lab completes first Electron launch of 2026 for Open Cosmos — 80th Electron mission

SpaceWatch Global

U.S. launch infrastructure under strain as orbital cadence spikes A sharp rise in U.S. orbital launch activity is straining launch pads, range and recovery infrastructure, creating scheduling bottlenecks and prompting concerns about an emerging low‑Earth‑orbit “traffic jam.” Range operators and industry face harder trade‑offs between sustaining cadence, safety and capacity.

2026-01-26T03:18:12.352003-08:00

U.S. launch infrastructure under strain as orbital cadence spikes

Spaceflight Now

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USSF moves GPS III-9 onto SpaceX Falcon 9 after switch from ULA Vulcan The U.S. Space Force will launch its ninth GPS III navigation satellite into medium Earth orbit Monday night aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 after reassigning the mission from a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket. The transfer highlights schedule pressure and procurement flexibility in national GPS sustainment.

2026-01-25T17:12:43.968394-08:00

USSF moves GPS III-9 onto SpaceX Falcon 9 after switch from ULA Vulcan

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into polar LEO from Vandenberg SpaceX will launch 25 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday, inserting the batch into a polar low Earth orbit. Falcon 9 will depart on a southerly trajectory to place the broadband payload into polar LEO.

2026-01-24T19:43:21.288781-08:00

SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into polar LEO from Vandenberg

European Spaceflight

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ESA awards Rocket Factory Augsburg two RFA One launches under Flight Ticket Initiative The European Space Agency has awarded Rocket Factory Augsburg a Flight Ticket Initiative contract to launch two missions aboard its RFA One rocket. The deal secures two dedicated flights for the German small-launch developer under ESA's commercial procurement scheme, supporting future orbital missions.

2026-01-23T21:11:29.526862-08:00

ESA awards Rocket Factory Augsburg two RFA One launches under Flight Ticket Initiative

SpaceNews.com

Startups book 2027 Falcon 9 rideshares to offer low‑cost memorial 'ashes in orbit' services Two startups are turning funerary services into rideshare payloads: Space Beyond has booked a slot on SpaceX's October 2027 Falcon 9 rideshare and will begin building its first memorial cubesat next week, while AstroRemains plans to place the ashes of 1,000 people into orbit in 2027 for $2,500 each.

2026-01-23T10:01:47.000520-08:00

Startups book 2027 Falcon 9 rideshares to offer low‑cost memorial 'ashes in orbit' services

SpaceNews.com

Launch operators are the rocket fuel required to galvanize spaceports in Europe Europe's nascent spaceports need committed launch operators to convert facilities into sustainable hubs. Consistent launch cadence, commercial customers and operator-led operational expertise are the catalysts that will attract investment, accelerate regulatory approvals and turn dispersed launch infrastructure into functioning access-to-orbit ecosystems.

2026-01-23T05:15:59.377468-08:00

Launch operators are the rocket fuel required to galvanize spaceports in Europe

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Rocket Lab completes first Electron launch of 2026 for Open Cosmos — 80th Electron mission

U.S. launch infrastructure under strain as orbital cadence spikes

USSF moves GPS III-9 onto SpaceX Falcon 9 after switch from ULA Vulcan

SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into polar LEO from Vandenberg

News Timeline