Associated Press
Russia launched a military satellite aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket, adding another mission to the country’s military space activity. The launch highlights the continuing role of Soyuz vehicles in deploying payloads for national-security applications.
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation
Latest source-backed stories
Russia launched a military satellite aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket, adding another mission to the country’s military space activity. The launch highlights the continuing role of Soyuz vehicles in deploying payloads for national-security applications.
High activity
President Donald Trump bought as much as $50,000 worth of SpaceX shares on June 23, according to a public financial disclosure. The investment came roughly two weeks after the Elon Musk-led company’s record-setting IPO and gives the president a financial stake in a major government contractor.
High activity
SpaceX plans to retire Falcon 9, one of the most-flown launchers in history, after bringing its next-generation Starship vehicle into operational service. The transition could materially alter launch capacity, competition and customer options across the commercial launch market.
High activity
SpaceX is set to establish a new rocket-reuse record early Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, during its 100th Falcon 9 flight of the year. The launch will be livestreamed, offering a direct view of another milestone in the company’s high-cadence operations.
CesiumAstro plans to launch its first Element satellite in October, marking a precursor mission for a planned constellation of more than 700 spacecraft. The launch will provide an initial step toward the company’s broader satellite deployment strategy.
High activity
ESA is planning modifications to Ariane 6 to support future Argonaut lunar missions carrying radioisotope power systems. The adaptations would enable the launcher to accommodate missions with nuclear power sources, linking Europe’s heavy-lift launch capability to longer-duration lunar exploration objectives.
Portal Space Systems has signed a launch contract with SpaceX for a Falcon 9 mission in 2028, supporting the company’s Motus Via Sol demonstration mission. The flight will be the first mission for Portal’s Supernova spacecraft platform, marking a planned in-space demonstration of the system.
Create a free account to see more recent Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
