Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX Starship Upper Stage Destroyed in Texas Static-Fire Explosion

SpaceX’s next Starship upper stage exploded in a static-fire test at its South Texas Starbase on June 18, destroying the prototype and prompting company engineers to investigate the “major anomaly.” While all personnel were safe, the accident stalls progress toward the 10th flight attempt.

2025-06-18T23:23:08.167767-07:00

Wall Street Journal

SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed in static-fire test

2025-06-20T02:39:32.840458-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9, surpassing 9,000-strong constellation

2025-06-17T23:13:52.971303-07:00

SpaceNews.com

China’s Next-Gen Lunar Crewcraft Completes Zero-Altitude Pad Abort Test

2025-06-17T01:21:18.076013-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

Los Angeles Times

'Your bones rattle': Lompoc emerges as launch-viewing hotspot for rocket enthusiasts Lompoc, about 22 miles north of Santa Barbara, has emerged as a day-trip destination for aerospace enthusiasts chasing rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Visitors gather along the coastline to experience windows rattling and a bone-deep rumble as boosters ignite, turning this quiet town into a launch-viewing hub.

2025-06-20T07:21:18.716045-07:00

'Your bones rattle': Lompoc emerges as launch-viewing hotspot for rocket enthusiasts

Reuters

HAL secures bid to manufacture India's SSLV small satellite launch vehicles Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has won a bid from India’s space regulator to build the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle, marking New Delhi’s biggest move yet to open its fast-growing space industry to private participants under the IN-SPACe framework.

2025-06-20T03:59:23.889928-07:00

HAL secures bid to manufacture India's SSLV small satellite launch vehicles

Wall Street Journal

❗️

SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed in static-fire test SpaceX’s next Starship prototype, Ship 36, was destroyed Wednesday night at its South Texas Starbase during a static-fire test. The vehicle suffered a major anomaly and exploded in a fireball while loading liquid methane and oxygen for its tenth flight attempt; all personnel were safe.

2025-06-20T02:39:32.840458-07:00

SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed in static-fire test

SpaceNews.com

Landspace completes nine-engine static-fire test of reusable Zhuque-3 rocket Chinese launch startup Landspace has conducted a nine-engine static fire test of the reusable Zhuque-3 orbital launcher at its engine test complex, marking a critical milestone ahead of its first orbital mission and underscoring rapid progress in China’s emerging private space industry.

2025-06-20T02:13:26.352116-07:00

Landspace completes nine-engine static-fire test of reusable Zhuque-3 rocket

Space.com

Rocket Lab to Launch Secret 'Symphony in the Stars' Satellite at 3:15 a.m. ET Friday Rocket Lab will send the classified "Symphony in the Stars" satellite to orbit aboard its Electron rocket at 3:15 a.m. ET Friday (June 20). Details on the payload and customer remain undisclosed, highlighting Rocket Lab’s expanding role in small-payload, rapid-response space missions.

2025-06-19T23:24:16.642082-07:00

Rocket Lab to Launch Secret 'Symphony in the Stars' Satellite at 3:15 a.m. ET Friday

Spaceflight Now

❗️

SpaceX Starship Upper Stage Destroyed in Texas Static-Fire Explosion SpaceX’s next Starship upper stage exploded in a static-fire test at its South Texas Starbase on June 18, destroying the prototype and prompting company engineers to investigate the “major anomaly.” While all personnel were safe, the accident stalls progress toward the 10th flight attempt.

2025-06-18T23:23:08.167767-07:00

SpaceX Starship Upper Stage Destroyed in Texas Static-Fire Explosion

Universe Today

Study warns tenfold annual rocket launch surge could erode ozone layer Researchers warn a tenfold increase in annual rocket launches could significantly erode the stratospheric ozone layer, according to a study in Nature. The analysis shows chlorine and nitrogen oxide emissions from exhaust plumes may accelerate depletion, posing fresh environmental and regulatory challenges for a scaling space-launch industry.

2025-06-18T08:12:52.913474-07:00

Study warns tenfold annual rocket launch surge could erode ozone layer

European Spaceflight

Arianespace and Avio urge EU to enforce European launcher preference Arianespace and Avio have urged EU institutions to mandate European-made rockets for government and institutional missions, warning that predictable, long-term procurement is vital to sustain Ariane 6 and Vega-C production, secure cost-effective launch capability and preserve Europe’s strategic autonomy against US and Asian competitors.

2025-06-18T07:39:36.393290-07:00

Arianespace and Avio urge EU to enforce European launcher preference

Create a free account to see more recent Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation stories.