Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

NASA Spaceflight

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NASA’s Roman Space Telescope nears Aug. 30 launch after final integration and rehearsal milestones

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is entering the final phase of launch preparations at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, following its June arrival. Teams have completed several integration and rehearsal milestones ahead of the scheduled Aug. 30 liftoff, bringing the observatory closer to operations designed to expand space-based astronomical research.

NASA Spaceflight

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LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 Lands First Stage After Second Orbital Flight, Then Topples

LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 achieved a first-stage soft landing on a recovery pad in China’s Gobi Desert following its second orbital flight, marking a major milestone for Chinese commercial rocketry. The booster subsequently toppled, but the landing demonstrates progress toward reusable orbital launch capability.

Associated Press

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China postpones Chang’e-7 lunar south-pole mission launch over weather and reliability concerns

China has postponed the Chang’e-7 robotic mission just hours before its planned launch from Hainan, citing a storm near the launch site and the need for further safety and reliability assessment. The mission is intended to search for water ice and conduct extensive exploration near the lunar south pole.

SpaceNews.com

FAA seeks input on spaceport development and airspace access for launches

The FAA is seeking industry input as it implements elements of a new space transportation policy, focusing on the development of new spaceports and access to airspace for launch operations. The effort could shape future launch infrastructure planning and coordination between commercial space operators and aviation authorities.

Space.com

SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites on Falcon family’s 100th mission of the year

SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites from California on Aug. 22, marking the 100th mission of the year for its Falcon rocket family. The milestone highlights the continued operational tempo of SpaceX’s launch program and the ongoing expansion of its low-Earth-orbit broadband constellation.

SpaceNews.com

SpaceX scales back plans for next Starship launch, dropping planned upper-stage catch

SpaceX’s next Starship flight is now unlikely to attempt a launch-site catch of the vehicle’s upper stage, signaling a narrower test objective for the upcoming mission. The change reduces the scope of the next demonstration as SpaceX continues developing Starship’s recovery architecture.

Bloomberg

SpaceX is hiring a natural-gas trader to support growing fuel and power needs

SpaceX is seeking a trader to build and lead a natural-gas trading team, linking the launch company’s expanding spaceflight operations to energy-market procurement. The role indicates that fuel and power requirements have become significant enough to warrant dedicated trading expertise within the company.

Washington Post

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White House sets 2030 target for U.S. to support more than 1,000 annual launches and reentries

A new National Space Transportation Policy directs the Defense Department, NASA and other agencies to identify regulatory, operational, programmatic and technological barriers to faster, more resilient access to space. The policy also calls for expanded launch infrastructure, including evaluating a new federally supported spaceport for heavy-lift vehicles.