Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Reuters • Eduardo Baptista

China Launches Tianwen-2 on 8-Year Dual Asteroid-Comet Sample-Return Mission

China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft lifted off aboard a Long March 3B, kicking off an eight-year expedition to collect surface samples from near-Earth asteroid Kamoʻoalewa, return them to Earth, then head back into the main belt for a first-ever flyby of comet 311P/Pan-STARRS.

2025-05-29T02:31:05.994368-07:00

The War Zone

Private Company Plans F-4 Phantom-Based SmallSat Launch System

2025-05-28T10:20:37.382843-07:00

CNN

SpaceX Starship Test Flight 9 Breaks Up on Uncontrolled Reentry

2025-05-27T16:45:41.810943-07:00

Space.com

China launches Tianwen-2 to return samples from near-Earth asteroid Kamo’oalewa

2025-05-28T02:06:44.636711-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

Reuters

❗️

China Launches Tianwen-2 on 8-Year Dual Asteroid-Comet Sample-Return Mission China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft lifted off aboard a Long March 3B, kicking off an eight-year expedition to collect surface samples from near-Earth asteroid Kamoʻoalewa, return them to Earth, then head back into the main belt for a first-ever flyby of comet 311P/Pan-STARRS.

2025-05-29T02:31:05.994368-07:00

China Launches Tianwen-2 on 8-Year Dual Asteroid-Comet Sample-Return Mission

The War Zone

❗️

Private Company Plans F-4 Phantom-Based SmallSat Launch System A private space launch provider is in talks to acquire decommissioned South Korean F-4 Phantom fighter jets to serve as airborne small satellite launch platforms. The proposal aims to deliver more flexible, responsive access to orbit than current ground-based rockets by deploying satellites directly from runway-capable jets.

2025-05-28T10:20:37.382843-07:00

Private Company Plans F-4 Phantom-Based SmallSat Launch System

kecofm.com

Oklahoma Advances Space Industry with Senate Bill 912 and Spaceport Upgrades Oklahoma has enacted Senate Bill 912, overhauling its Space Industry Development Act to create a centralized Space Development Authority, streamline licensing and expand tax incentives. The legislation dovetails with planned upgrades at the state’s lone spaceport to attract commercial launch operators and aerospace R&D.

2025-05-28T07:26:56.874643-07:00

Oklahoma Advances Space Industry with Senate Bill 912 and Spaceport Upgrades

Space.com

Rocket Lab’s Electron Set to Launch Private Earth‐Observing Satellite on ‘Full Stream Ahead’ Mission Tonight Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is scheduled to lift off tonight at 9:15 p.m. ET on its “Full Stream Ahead” mission, carrying a private Earth‐observing satellite into orbit and extending the company’s momentum in dedicated commercial small-satellite launches.

2025-05-28T06:08:03.687736-07:00

Rocket Lab’s Electron Set to Launch Private Earth‐Observing Satellite on ‘Full Stream Ahead’ Mission Tonight

Aviation Week

Space One Secures Japanese Defense Ministry Earth-Observation Satellite Launch Tokyo-based smallsat launcher Space One has secured a contract to launch a Japanese Defense Ministry earth-observation satellite into orbit, marking its first defense launch deal and underscoring Japan’s efforts to cultivate a domestic commercial launch sector and reduce reliance on foreign rockets.

2025-05-28T05:15:43.273496-07:00

Space One Secures Japanese Defense Ministry Earth-Observation Satellite Launch

Space.com

❗️

China launches Tianwen-2 to return samples from near-Earth asteroid Kamo’oalewa China on Thursday launched Tianwen-2 aboard a Long March 3B from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan, initiating its first asteroid sample-return mission. The probe will rendezvous with near-Earth asteroid Kamo’oalewa, a suspected lunar fragment, to collect and return surface samples to Earth.

2025-05-28T02:06:44.636711-07:00

China launches Tianwen-2 to return samples from near-Earth asteroid Kamo’oalewa

CNN

❗️

SpaceX Starship Test Flight 9 Breaks Up on Uncontrolled Reentry SpaceX's ninth Starship test reached space on May 27 but suffered a loss of attitude control during atmospheric reentry, causing the booster to break apart and the spacecraft to tumble uncontrolled. The incident follows debris-related disruptions from earlier flights and underscores further hurdles for Starship's development toward lunar and Mars missions.

2025-05-27T16:45:41.810943-07:00

SpaceX Starship Test Flight 9 Breaks Up on Uncontrolled Reentry

Aviation Week

Blue Origin Readies Prototype Lunar Lander Demonstration Mission in Rivalry with SpaceX Blue Origin will undertake a demonstration mission of its prototype lunar lander this year, stepping up its challenge to SpaceX's dominance in lunar payload delivery. The demo seeks to validate the lander’s systems ahead of potential NASA CLPS contracts and commercial lunar exploration opportunities.

2025-05-27T14:32:54.515388-07:00

Blue Origin Readies Prototype Lunar Lander Demonstration Mission in Rivalry with SpaceX

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