Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

International Space Station enters final five planned years as partners prepare 2030 deorbit; new commander named

Marking 25 years of continuous human presence, the International Space Station is entering its final five years of planned operations as NASA and international partners prepare an intentional deorbit around 2030. The station is also set for a change of command with a new commander taking the helm.

2025-12-05T07:00:52.037076-08:00

satnews

Department of the Air Force approves conversion of Cape Canaveral SLC‑37 for SpaceX Starship‑Super Heavy operations

2025-12-04T13:24:59.768622-08:00

SpaceNews.com

How a Strategic Shift Preserved American Spaceflight

2025-12-04T06:24:23.328980-08:00

Wall Street Journal

Sam Altman explored building or buying a rocket company to compete with SpaceX

2025-12-04T00:27:24.272969-08:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

Spaceflight Now

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International Space Station enters final five planned years as partners prepare 2030 deorbit; new commander named Marking 25 years of continuous human presence, the International Space Station is entering its final five years of planned operations as NASA and international partners prepare an intentional deorbit around 2030. The station is also set for a change of command with a new commander taking the helm.

2025-12-05T07:00:52.037076-08:00

International Space Station enters final five planned years as partners prepare 2030 deorbit; new commander named

SpaceNews.com

Northrop Grumman static‑fires two company‑built solid rocket motors under SMART Demo, first firing completed Dec. 4 Northrop Grumman conducted a Dec. 4 static‑fire in Promontory, Utah, of the first of two new solid rocket motors — SMASH!22 and BAMM!29 2.0 — developed and manufactured in 2025 under its SMART Demo program, achieving a successful firing in under 12 months and using new materials to speed and reduce costs.

2025-12-05T05:08:17.332492-08:00

Northrop Grumman static‑fires two company‑built solid rocket motors under SMART Demo, first firing completed Dec. 4

AeroTime

JAL Group and ispace deepen partnership to develop lunar transport systems and surface infrastructure JAL Group has deepened its partnership with lunar-services developer ispace to co-develop lunar transportation systems, surface infrastructure and logistics services aimed at supporting sustained human presence and commercial cargo operations on the Moon. The agreement targets transport, infrastructure and service layers for sustainable cislunar activity.

2025-12-05T04:07:51.968681-08:00

JAL Group and ispace deepen partnership to develop lunar transport systems and surface infrastructure

Space.com

SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on Falcon 9 — 156th Falcon 9 launch of 2025 SpaceX launched 28 Starlink internet satellites into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Dec. 4, using a Falcon 9. The flight marked the company's 156th Falcon 9 launch of the year and adds another batch to Starlink's growing LEO constellation.

2025-12-04T14:09:14.410630-08:00

SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on Falcon 9 — 156th Falcon 9 launch of 2025

satnews

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Department of the Air Force approves conversion of Cape Canaveral SLC‑37 for SpaceX Starship‑Super Heavy operations The Department of the Air Force has issued a Record of Decision authorizing conversion of Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station into a launch and landing site for SpaceX's Starship‑Super Heavy. The regulatory milestone clears a path for Starship operations from the Space Coast.

2025-12-04T13:24:59.768622-08:00

Department of the Air Force approves conversion of Cape Canaveral SLC‑37 for SpaceX Starship‑Super Heavy operations

SpaceNews.com

Celestis taps Stoke Space’s Nova tug for 'Infinite Flight' deep‑space memorial mission Celestis has selected Stoke Space’s Nova in‑space tug to carry its 'Infinite Flight' deep‑space memorial mission, pairing Celestis’ commercial memorial payloads with Stoke’s orbital logistics capability. It underscores growing commercial demand for dedicated deep‑space transport services.

2025-12-04T08:11:25.566606-08:00

Celestis taps Stoke Space’s Nova tug for 'Infinite Flight' deep‑space memorial mission

European Spaceflight

Loiretech delivers rear heat‑shield mock‑up to ArianeGroup for ESA’s ExoMars TPS testing Loiretech has delivered a rear heat‑shield mock‑up for ESA’s ExoMars mission to ArianeGroup, where the component will be used in initial testing of the spacecraft’s thermal protection system. The mock‑up will support early verification activities at ArianeGroup ahead of subsequent TPS qualification tests and integration.

2025-12-04T07:04:43.451537-08:00

Loiretech delivers rear heat‑shield mock‑up to ArianeGroup for ESA’s ExoMars TPS testing

Spaceflight Now

Orion hatch 'blemish' forces delay of Artemis 2 launch‑day rehearsal NASA delayed the Artemis 2 Nov. 19 launch‑day dress rehearsal after teams discovered a "blemish" on the Orion spacecraft hatch that prevented the four scheduled astronauts from boarding for the practice, Spaceflight Now reports. Agency engineers are assessing the defect and will set a new rehearsal date.

2025-12-04T06:46:41.577716-08:00

Orion hatch 'blemish' forces delay of Artemis 2 launch‑day rehearsal

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