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Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

NASA to attempt second full fueling test of its Space Launch System rocket

NASA will attempt a second wet dress rehearsal this week to fully load its Space Launch System with more than 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen during a launch countdown rehearsal. The operation begins with a call to stations inside the firing room as teams exercise ground procedures.

2026-02-16T16:36:23.392567-08:00

NASA Spaceflight

Firefly returns with 'Stairway to Seven' as SpaceX deploys 29 more Starlink satellites

2026-02-16T15:09:48.885902-08:00

Space.com

SpaceX conducts back-to-back Starlink launches; 29 satellites lofted from Cape Canaveral after earlier California mission

2026-02-16T07:50:54.045309-08:00

SpaceNews.com

The space nuclear power bottleneck — and how to fix it

2026-02-16T06:12:44.830314-08:00

News Timeline

Spaceflight Now

NASA to attempt second full fueling test of its Space Launch System rocket NASA will attempt a second wet dress rehearsal this week to fully load its Space Launch System with more than 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen during a launch countdown rehearsal. The operation begins with a call to stations inside the firing room as teams exercise ground procedures.

2026-02-16T16:36:23.392567-08:00

NASA to attempt second full fueling test of its Space Launch System rocket

NASA Spaceflight

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Firefly returns with 'Stairway to Seven' as SpaceX deploys 29 more Starlink satellites Firefly Aerospace returns to flight this week with its Alpha 'Stairway to Seven' mission from California, while SpaceX sustains a rapid Starlink cadence, most recently deploying 29 satellites on the Starlink 6-103 mission and scheduling additional launches in the same period.

2026-02-16T15:09:48.885902-08:00

Firefly returns with 'Stairway to Seven' as SpaceX deploys 29 more Starlink satellites

Space.com

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SpaceX conducts back-to-back Starlink launches; 29 satellites lofted from Cape Canaveral after earlier California mission SpaceX launched 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral at 2:59 a.m. EST on Feb. 16, following a Feb. 14 Vandenberg flight — part of back-to-back Falcon 9 missions that expanded the Starlink constellation. The Florida booster returned to the droneship after stage separation despite windy, post–cold-front conditions.

2026-02-16T07:50:54.045309-08:00

SpaceX conducts back-to-back Starlink launches; 29 satellites lofted from Cape Canaveral after earlier California mission

European Spaceflight

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Rocket Factory Augsburg readies SaxaVord for inaugural RFA ONE orbital launch Rocket Factory Augsburg has begun commissioning its SaxaVord launch pad as it prepares for the inaugural orbital flight of its RFA ONE rocket, advancing the German small‑launcher toward its first UK launch campaign. Teams are completing ground checks and pad integration ahead of liftoff.

2026-02-16T07:19:49.282076-08:00

Rocket Factory Augsburg readies SaxaVord for inaugural RFA ONE orbital launch

SpaceNews.com

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The space nuclear power bottleneck — and how to fix it This analysis identifies bottlenecks constraining spacecraft nuclear power — limited production of reactors and radioisotope sources, constrained test facilities, and regulatory hurdles — and proposes steps to expand manufacturing, testing and licensing. Accelerating these fixes is framed as essential to enable high‑power satellites, nuclear propulsion and future deep‑space missions.

2026-02-16T06:12:44.830314-08:00

The space nuclear power bottleneck — and how to fix it

SpaceNews.com

Zenk Space completes first-stage static fire of Zhihang-1 ahead of planned launch Low-profile Chinese launch startup Zenk Space has completed a first-stage static-fire test of its Zhihang-1 rocket, a key pre-launch milestone as the company prepares for a planned orbital mission. The test advances vehicle readiness and highlights rising activity among China’s emerging commercial launch firms.

2026-02-16T04:04:33.424059-08:00

Zenk Space completes first-stage static fire of Zhihang-1 ahead of planned launch

SpaceNews.com

Pentagon pauses portions of LEO constellation as acquisition reviews proceed The Pentagon has placed portions of its planned low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation on hold while acquisition reviews proceed, pausing contract awards and scheduled deployments. The hold delays program timelines and contractor selection as officials reassess procurement next steps.

2026-02-16T03:17:22.289906-08:00

Pentagon pauses portions of LEO constellation as acquisition reviews proceed

Bloomberg

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Artemis II crew to test Orion on first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years NASA will return astronauts to the lunar neighborhood for the first time in more than 50 years with Artemis II, a crewed lunar flyby that will validate the Orion spacecraft systems and operational procedures central to future Artemis lunar-return missions.

2026-02-15T19:59:39.920485-08:00

Artemis II crew to test Orion on first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

NASA to attempt second full fueling test of its Space Launch System rocket

Firefly returns with 'Stairway to Seven' as SpaceX deploys 29 more Starlink satellites

SpaceX conducts back-to-back Starlink launches; 29 satellites lofted from Cape Canaveral after earlier California mission

The space nuclear power bottleneck — and how to fix it

News Timeline