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Reuters

China launches reusable experimental spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission

China launched a reusable experimental spacecraft atop a Long March‑2F from Jiuquan on Feb. 7, marking the vehicle’s fourth orbital flight since 2020. The anonymous spaceplane entered low Earth orbit for several weeks of technology verification aimed at developing reusable‑spacecraft capability under strict state secrecy.

2026-02-07T02:48:44.258329-08:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation

2026-02-07T00:33:51.287105-08:00

Reuters

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

2026-02-06T16:13:39.939476-08:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX moves Dragon flights from KSC LC‑39A to Cape Canaveral SLC‑40 as 39A is repurposed for Starship

2026-02-06T13:28:55.259770-08:00

News Timeline

Reuters

China launches reusable experimental spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission China launched a reusable experimental spacecraft atop a Long March‑2F from Jiuquan on Feb. 7, marking the vehicle’s fourth orbital flight since 2020. The anonymous spaceplane entered low Earth orbit for several weeks of technology verification aimed at developing reusable‑spacecraft capability under strict state secrecy.

2026-02-07T02:48:44.258329-08:00

China launches reusable experimental spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 on a return-to-flight mission after a brief stand‑down, carrying the Starlink 17‑33 payload of 25 broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. The flight expands SpaceX's megaconstellation, pushing its operational fleet past 9,600 satellites as deployment continues.

2026-02-07T00:33:51.287105-08:00

SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation

Reuters

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SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing SpaceX has shelved plans for 2026 Mars missions to concentrate on an uncrewed lunar landing now targeted for March 2027, a move attributed to NASA pressure and rising competition from Blue Origin while the company pursues a major xAI merger and a possible IPO.

2026-02-06T16:13:39.939476-08:00

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX moves Dragon flights from KSC LC‑39A to Cape Canaveral SLC‑40 as 39A is repurposed for Starship SpaceX is moving all planned Dragon launches from NASA’s historic Launch Complex 39A to Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and has begun physical modifications at LC‑39A — including erection of a Leibherr LR13000 crane Feb. 4 — as the pad is repurposed for Starship.

2026-02-06T13:28:55.259770-08:00

SpaceX moves Dragon flights from KSC LC‑39A to Cape Canaveral SLC‑40 as 39A is repurposed for Starship

Via Satellite

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Blue Origin targets satellite constellations with TeraWave as analysts assess competitive positioning Blue Origin is entering the satellite constellation market with a new offering, TeraWave, marking one of the year's biggest strategic pivots. Analysts are assessing its competitive positioning against established constellation operators and suppliers as the company expands beyond launch into spacecraft and services.

2026-02-06T11:40:17.967884-08:00

Blue Origin targets satellite constellations with TeraWave as analysts assess competitive positioning

Spaceflight Now

ULA offloads first Vulcan at Vandenberg, staging rockets on both coasts ahead of Cape launch United Launch Alliance has offloaded its first Vulcan rocket at Vandenberg Space Force Base after its R/S Rocket Ship barge arrived, enabling the company to stage vehicles on both the West and East coasts for the first time since November 2022 as it readies a Cape Canaveral launch.

2026-02-06T05:24:14.936589-08:00

ULA offloads first Vulcan at Vandenberg, staging rockets on both coasts ahead of Cape launch

Ars Technica

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SpaceX probes fourth Falcon 9 upper‑stage anomaly in 19 months as Amazon books 10 extra launches; Starship testing resumes SpaceX is probing an upper‑stage Falcon 9 malfunction — the fourth similar anomaly in 19 months — prompting scrutiny of the rocket's reliability and launch cadence. With near‑term launch capacity tight, Amazon booked 10 additional SpaceX missions and Starship testing has resumed.

2026-02-06T04:54:39.945490-08:00

SpaceX probes fourth Falcon 9 upper‑stage anomaly in 19 months as Amazon books 10 extra launches; Starship testing resumes

SpaceNews.com

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China to conduct in‑flight abort test of new Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week China will conduct an in‑flight abort test of its new-generation Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week, a critical validation of its crew‑safety systems and an essential milestone in Beijing’s human spaceflight programme. The trial will assess the vehicle’s ability to separate and protect a crew during a launch emergency.

2026-02-06T02:22:21.294454-08:00

China to conduct in‑flight abort test of new Mengzhou crew spacecraft next week

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

China launches reusable experimental spaceplane on fourth secretive orbital mission

SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

SpaceX moves Dragon flights from KSC LC‑39A to Cape Canaveral SLC‑40 as 39A is repurposed for Starship

News Timeline