Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

NASA Spaceflight • Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera

SpaceX ramps up checkouts at Starbase Pad 2 as Giga Bay foundations near completion

SpaceX has stepped up testing at its second Starbase launch pad, conducting multiple system checkouts and tank‑farm tests as foundations at the adjacent Giga Bay site near completion. The intensified activity aims to validate ground infrastructure and move Pad 2 closer to operational readiness.

2025-09-30T05:33:16.032016-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg as Italy reevaluates reliance after California breakup

2025-09-25T23:02:46.663040-07:00

Space Policy Online

NASA mandates free‑flyer demo, delays Dream Chaser CRS debut to late 2026 and drops guaranteed ISS flights

2025-09-25T18:03:11.741271-07:00

skyandtelescope.org

SpaceX lofts IMAP plus two space‑weather probes on Falcon 9 to sharpen solar‑storm warnings

2025-09-24T10:52:35.758900-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

SpaceX D2D deal fuels investor optimism for Starlink and commercial space SpaceX's D2D deal has reignited investor optimism for Starlink and the wider commercial space sector. Investors see Starlink's direct-to-device approach as a scalable revenue driver for satellite broadband. Market watchers call the deal validation for Starlink's commercial path and a catalyst for renewed investment in space services.

2025-09-30T11:47:57.477699-07:00

SpaceX D2D deal fuels investor optimism for Starlink and commercial space

GeekWire

Portal completes full‑power vacuum test of Flare solar‑thermal HEX thruster and opens 50,000 sq ft Bothell facility Portal Space Systems said it ran its Flare Heat Exchanger (HEX) solar‑thermal propulsion system at operational temperatures inside a vacuum chamber, completing a full‑power qualification milestone for multi‑orbit spacecraft. The company also expanded manufacturing with a new 50,000 sq ft facility in Bothell, Washington.

2025-09-30T11:29:24.667019-07:00

Portal completes full‑power vacuum test of Flare solar‑thermal HEX thruster and opens 50,000 sq ft Bothell facility

SpaceNews.com

China schedules late‑2025 high‑stakes tests for crewed Moon programme and reusable launchers China plans a series of high‑stakes tests and launches in the final quarter of 2025 that are pivotal to its crewed lunar programme and to validating reusable commercial launchers. Results will influence taikonaut mission timelines and the commercial viability of China's reusable‑rocket sector.

2025-09-30T10:36:43.439105-07:00

China schedules late‑2025 high‑stakes tests for crewed Moon programme and reusable launchers

SpaceNews.com

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Boeing delivers ViaSat‑3 F2 on 702MP+ platform, bound for ULA Atlas V launch in October Boeing has delivered ViaSat‑3 Flight 2 (F2), the second 702MP+ spacecraft integrated with Viasat’s high‑capacity payload, to Florida ahead of a ULA Atlas V551 launch planned for mid–late October 2025. The GEO satellite joins Viasat’s next‑generation constellation, expected to more than double global bandwidth.

2025-09-30T07:08:38.318925-07:00

Boeing delivers ViaSat‑3 F2 on 702MP+ platform, bound for ULA Atlas V launch in October

Payload

UK Space Agency awards £150,000 for Autophage orbital transfer vehicle design review The UK Space Agency has awarded a £150,000 contract to fund a design review of Autophage, a new in‑space orbital transfer vehicle. The study will assess the vehicle's design, propulsion and mission interfaces and outline feasibility for transferring payloads between orbits.

2025-09-30T06:04:29.955965-07:00

UK Space Agency awards £150,000 for Autophage orbital transfer vehicle design review

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX ramps up checkouts at Starbase Pad 2 as Giga Bay foundations near completion SpaceX has stepped up testing at its second Starbase launch pad, conducting multiple system checkouts and tank‑farm tests as foundations at the adjacent Giga Bay site near completion. The intensified activity aims to validate ground infrastructure and move Pad 2 closer to operational readiness.

2025-09-30T05:33:16.032016-07:00

SpaceX ramps up checkouts at Starbase Pad 2 as Giga Bay foundations near completion

Space.com

SpaceX schedules Starship Flight 11 for Oct. 13 as Falcon 9 sustains Starlink cadence SpaceX has set Oct. 13 (US Central Time) for Starship Flight 11, with a USCG Notice to Mariners listing a tentative 6:15–8:22pm CT window; Flight 11 is expected to be the final launch of the current "Version 2" stack. Falcon 9 operations continue, deploying new Starlink satellites.

2025-09-30T01:33:32.222146-07:00

SpaceX schedules Starship Flight 11 for Oct. 13 as Falcon 9 sustains Starlink cadence

SpaceNews.com

Long March 2D completes 100th flight, lofts two Shiyan‑30 experimental Earth‑observation satellites China's Long March 2D completed its 100th flight Sept. 29 (UTC), deploying two Shiyan‑30 experimental Earth‑observation satellites into low Earth orbit from Xichang. The milestone highlights Beijing's rising launch cadence and continued reliance on the veteran vehicle for routine small‑sat delivery.

2025-09-29T22:23:34.939376-07:00

Long March 2D completes 100th flight, lofts two Shiyan‑30 experimental Earth‑observation satellites

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