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Space.com • Josh Dinner

Artemis 3 SLS core stage moves into hardware integration ahead of 2027 lunar-landers test launch

NASA has raised the Artemis 3 SLS core stage into the Vehicle Assembly Building and is preparing for engine integration, advancing the rocket toward a planned 2027 launch. The step ties Artemis 3’s near-term hardware cadence to ongoing mission-profile planning as the agency readies for lunar landers validation.

2026-05-11T14:06:48.689628-07:00

SpaceNews.com

NASA appoints Brian Hughes as senior director of launch operations at Kennedy

2026-05-11T11:06:33.708474-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX to launch a batch of U.S. government spy satellites from California

2026-05-11T09:50:23.695247-07:00

Ars Technica

Skyroot and India’s private launch push: orbital rockets targeted “in a few years” as the commercial space sector ramps up

2026-05-11T08:55:10.010930-07:00

News Timeline

Space.com

Artemis 3 SLS core stage moves into hardware integration ahead of 2027 lunar-landers test launch NASA has raised the Artemis 3 SLS core stage into the Vehicle Assembly Building and is preparing for engine integration, advancing the rocket toward a planned 2027 launch. The step ties Artemis 3’s near-term hardware cadence to ongoing mission-profile planning as the agency readies for lunar landers validation.

2026-05-11T14:06:48.689628-07:00

Artemis 3 SLS core stage moves into hardware integration ahead of 2027 lunar-landers test launch

SpaceNews.com

NASA appoints Brian Hughes as senior director of launch operations at Kennedy NASA says Brian Hughes will return as senior director of launch operations, based at Kennedy Space Center. The move places a former NASA chief of staff in charge of launch operations and has drawn attention on Capitol Hill. Hughes’ assignment takes immediate effect within NASA’s launch organization.

2026-05-11T11:06:33.708474-07:00

NASA appoints Brian Hughes as senior director of launch operations at Kennedy

Space.com

SpaceX to launch a batch of U.S. government spy satellites from California SpaceX is set to launch a classified batch of U.S. government reconnaissance satellites this evening (May 11) from California. The liftoff is live-streamed, underscoring ongoing refresh and expansion of U.S. space-based intelligence capability alongside a busy launch cadence.

2026-05-11T09:50:23.695247-07:00

SpaceX to launch a batch of U.S. government spy satellites from California

Ars Technica

Skyroot and India’s private launch push: orbital rockets targeted “in a few years” as the commercial space sector ramps up India’s private space industry is positioning for near-term orbital launch vehicle development, with Skyroot cited at the front of the pack and an aim to reach an orbital launch capability within “a few years.” The push underscores how quickly new entrants are trying to convert capability into timetable-driven access to orbit.

2026-05-11T08:55:10.010930-07:00

Skyroot and India’s private launch push: orbital rockets targeted “in a few years” as the commercial space sector ramps up

SpaceNews.com

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China launches Tianzhou-10 cargo ship on Long March 7 Y11 to resupply Tiangong space station China launched the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft atop a Long March-7 Y11 rocket from Wenchang, docking with the Tiangong space station hours later. The mission is delivering supplies, equipment and experiments, plus propellant, along with a new spacesuit and fresh provisions including chicken wings and produce.

2026-05-11T04:30:09.956686-07:00

China launches Tianzhou-10 cargo ship on Long March 7 Y11 to resupply Tiangong space station

European Spaceflight

Italy completes air-launched suborbital rocket demonstrator test using Aviolancio and T4i HAX25 sounding rocket Italy has successfully completed a suborbital demonstration of its Aviolancio air-launched rocket using a T4i HAX25 sounding rocket. The test underscores progress toward an air-launched approach for fast, flexible suborbital flight campaigns tied to Europe’s growing launch activity.

2026-05-11T04:30:08.683788-07:00

Italy completes air-launched suborbital rocket demonstrator test using Aviolancio and T4i HAX25 sounding rocket

NASA Spaceflight

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SpaceX moves toward Flight 12: Booster 19 finishes full-duration 33-engine static fire; Ship 39 to roll out Booster 19 completed a successful full-duration, full-thrust static fire May 7, lighting all 33 engines. Its partner, Ship 39, is now scheduled to roll out to join the booster and form the Flight 12 stack ahead of this weekend’s Wet Dress Rehearsal.

2026-05-08T17:21:29.965735-07:00

SpaceX moves toward Flight 12: Booster 19 finishes full-duration 33-engine static fire; Ship 39 to roll out

CNBC

Rocket Lab stock jumps after record Q1 revenue; Neutron momentum drives $30M HASTE hypersonic contract and Motiv Space robotics Rocket Lab shares surged 34% in its best day ever after the company reported record quarterly revenue in Q1 2026 and momentum ahead of Neutron’s next steps. Rocket Lab also agreed to acquire Motiv Space Systems to deepen space robotics and won a $30 million Anduril contract for multiple hypersonic HASTE test flights.

2026-05-08T14:20:22.810713-07:00

Rocket Lab stock jumps after record Q1 revenue; Neutron momentum drives $30M HASTE hypersonic contract and Motiv Space robotics

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

Artemis 3 SLS core stage moves into hardware integration ahead of 2027 lunar-landers test launch

NASA appoints Brian Hughes as senior director of launch operations at Kennedy

SpaceX to launch a batch of U.S. government spy satellites from California

Skyroot and India’s private launch push: orbital rockets targeted “in a few years” as the commercial space sector ramps up

News Timeline