News

NASA Spaceflight • John Sharp

Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to send up more Starlink; New Glenn slated for a flown-booster mission

A busy week of six launches is scheduled globally, including SpaceX’s Falcon 9 mission deploying Starlink satellites and Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch with a flown booster. The run underscores how multiple providers are sustaining high-frequency access to low Earth orbit with operationally recycled hardware.

2026-04-13T13:34:42.658975-07:00

SpaceNews.com

China’s Long March 10B reusable rocket enters wet dress rehearsal phase after fueling test—debut eyed within weeks

2026-04-13T08:38:34.019094-07:00

European Spaceflight

ESA expands Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator scope and budget, using Ariane 6 as baseline launcher

2026-04-13T03:58:15.873485-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Starship Block 3 Ship 39 and Booster 19 roll out at Starbase for static-fire testing ahead of lunar-bound Artemis work

2026-04-12T06:16:45.396980-07:00

News Timeline

NASA Spaceflight

Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to send up more Starlink; New Glenn slated for a flown-booster mission A busy week of six launches is scheduled globally, including SpaceX’s Falcon 9 mission deploying Starlink satellites and Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch with a flown booster. The run underscores how multiple providers are sustaining high-frequency access to low Earth orbit with operationally recycled hardware.

2026-04-13T13:34:42.658975-07:00

Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to send up more Starlink; New Glenn slated for a flown-booster mission

SpaceNews.com

China’s Long March 10B reusable rocket enters wet dress rehearsal phase after fueling test—debut eyed within weeks China has conducted what appears to be a wet dress rehearsal for its reusable Long March 10B following a fueling test, positioning the vehicle for a potential launch within weeks. The milestone signals progress toward operationalizing China’s next-generation heavy-lift capability and reusability ambitions.

2026-04-13T08:38:34.019094-07:00

China’s Long March 10B reusable rocket enters wet dress rehearsal phase after fueling test—debut eyed within weeks

European Spaceflight

❗️

ESA expands Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator scope and budget, using Ariane 6 as baseline launcher The European Space Agency has published additional details on its Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator, defining project scope and budget while selecting Ariane 6 as the baseline launch vehicle. The update clarifies how ESA plans to validate abort-related capabilities ahead of future crewed missions.

2026-04-13T03:58:15.873485-07:00

ESA expands Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator scope and budget, using Ariane 6 as baseline launcher

European Spaceflight

ESA Publishes New Details on Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator

2026-04-13T03:58:15.873485-07:00

ESA Publishes New Details on C

NASA Spaceflight

❗️

Starship Block 3 Ship 39 and Booster 19 roll out at Starbase for static-fire testing ahead of lunar-bound Artemis work SpaceX has moved Starship Block 3 Ship 39 to Masseys and rolled Booster 19 back to Pad 2 at Starbase, signaling the next step in preparing for static-fire testing. The rollout follows the program’s recent return of Orion and keeps Artemis hardware development on track.

2026-04-12T06:16:45.396980-07:00

Starship Block 3 Ship 39 and Booster 19 roll out at Starbase for static-fire testing ahead of lunar-bound Artemis work

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab locks in three more Electron launches for Japan’s iQPS, extending multi-year partnership to 15 missions Rocket Lab has signed a multi-launch agreement with Japan’s Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) for three additional Electron launches. The follow-on deal extends a partnership that now totals 15 Electron missions, underscoring repeat customer confidence and sustained small-launch cadence.

2026-04-12T06:16:02.267419-07:00

Rocket Lab locks in three more Electron launches for Japan’s iQPS, extending multi-year partnership to 15 missions

Reuters

Russia says Soyuz-5 rocket is in final tests and “absolutely ready” for upcoming space launches Russia’s top space official says the new Soyuz-5 launch vehicle is undergoing its final tests and is “absolutely ready” for use in space projects. The update signals the end of preparation and a near-term path toward operational launch activity as Russia continues to refresh its launch fleet.

2026-04-11T15:57:34.784852-07:00

Russia says Soyuz-5 rocket is in final tests and “absolutely ready” for upcoming space launches

Reuters

New Russian space launch vehicle undergoing final tests, top official says

2026-04-11T15:57:34.784852-07:00

New Russian space launch vehic

Menu

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to send up more Starlink; New Glenn slated for a flown-booster mission

China’s Long March 10B reusable rocket enters wet dress rehearsal phase after fueling test—debut eyed within weeks

ESA expands Crew Launch Abort Demonstrator scope and budget, using Ariane 6 as baseline launcher

Starship Block 3 Ship 39 and Booster 19 roll out at Starbase for static-fire testing ahead of lunar-bound Artemis work

News Timeline