News

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA weighs switching Harmony satellites from Vega C to a two-booster Ariane 6

ESA is considering moving its two Harmony satellites off Vega C and onto a two-booster Ariane 6 configuration. The review highlights how ESA is actively balancing launch-vehicle options as it prepares the Harmony mission, potentially changing the mission’s lift profile and launch-provider mix.

2026-05-04T04:34:05.292634-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX to launch 45 satellites from California on May 3 (Falcon 9)

2026-05-02T09:39:35.973820-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Russia debuts Soyuz-5, completing first flight test ahead of entry into service

2026-04-30T15:04:20.219619-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

SpaceX targets mid-May for Starship Flight 12 as Flight 12 window notifications publish

2026-05-01T14:32:05.958913-07:00

News Timeline

European Spaceflight

❗️

ESA weighs switching Harmony satellites from Vega C to a two-booster Ariane 6 ESA is considering moving its two Harmony satellites off Vega C and onto a two-booster Ariane 6 configuration. The review highlights how ESA is actively balancing launch-vehicle options as it prepares the Harmony mission, potentially changing the mission’s lift profile and launch-provider mix.

2026-05-04T04:34:05.292634-07:00

ESA weighs switching Harmony satellites from Vega C to a two-booster Ariane 6

Space.com

❗️

SpaceX to launch 45 satellites from California on May 3 (Falcon 9) SpaceX is scheduled to launch 45 satellites into orbit from California in the early hours of May 3, with live coverage available. The planned multi-satellite deployment underscores continued cadence growth in orbital satellite delivery and constellation expansion efforts.

2026-05-02T09:39:35.973820-07:00

SpaceX to launch 45 satellites from California on May 3 (Falcon 9)

NASA Spaceflight

❗️

SpaceX targets mid-May for Starship Flight 12 as Flight 12 window notifications publish SpaceX is moving toward a Starship Flight 12 attempt in mid-May, with an official launch-window notification indicating windows could begin as early as May 12. The update signals the start of renewed attempt planning after the prior shift that pushed the next test flight from April into May.

2026-05-01T14:32:05.958913-07:00

SpaceX targets mid-May for Starship Flight 12 as Flight 12 window notifications publish

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX to launch Starlink V2 Mini batch on Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral (May Day) SpaceX is scheduled to kick off May with a Falcon 9 launch carrying a batch of Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff is set for Friday afternoon, continuing a high-cadence Starlink deployment run.

2026-05-01T05:34:39.880748-07:00

SpaceX to launch Starlink V2 Mini batch on Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral (May Day)

aero-defence.tech

Australia selects Northrop Grumman to formalize sovereign solid rocket motor manufacturing engagement On May 1, 2026, the Commonwealth of Australia selected Northrop Grumman for formal engagement to establish domestic solid rocket motor (SRM) manufacturing capabilities. The effort will also involve DefendTex, Black Sky Industries and Anduril Australia to explore novel manufacturing methods, positioning SRM production as a sovereign industrial capability.

2026-04-30T22:49:22.481218-07:00

Australia selects Northrop Grumman to formalize sovereign solid rocket motor manufacturing engagement

NASA Spaceflight

❗️

Russia debuts Soyuz-5, completing first flight test ahead of entry into service Russia conducted the debut launch of its new Soyuz-5 medium-lift rocket from Baikonur/Baikonur Cosmodrome, flying a suborbital demonstration with a dummy payload. State officials and Roscosmos reported the mission as successful, framing it as foundational work for follow-on Soyuz-5 projects intended to replace the Zenit launch system.

2026-04-30T15:04:20.219619-07:00

Russia debuts Soyuz-5, completing first flight test ahead of entry into service

SpaceNews.com

❗️

Cosmoleap raises $73 million for reusable rocket aimed at a 2027 debut, using tower catch recovery Chinese launch startup Cosmoleap has secured $73 million in funding to advance its reusable rocket architecture, targeting a first launch in 2027. The plan centers on tower catch recovery, positioning reuse and recovery as the foundation for its cost and launch-cadence strategy.

2026-04-30T04:58:25.408305-07:00

Cosmoleap raises $73 million for reusable rocket aimed at a 2027 debut, using tower catch recovery

Via Satellite

SpaceX completes Viasat’s GEO constellation with final ViaSat-3 satellite launch SpaceX launched the final ViaSat-3 high-capacity geostationary satellite, completing Viasat’s trio of GEO spacecraft. The mission closes out the company’s staged constellation build, positioning the network for continued service continuity from a full complement of three birds.

2026-04-29T14:53:05.219683-07:00

SpaceX completes Viasat’s GEO constellation with final ViaSat-3 satellite launch

Menu

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

ESA weighs switching Harmony satellites from Vega C to a two-booster Ariane 6

SpaceX to launch 45 satellites from California on May 3 (Falcon 9)

Russia debuts Soyuz-5, completing first flight test ahead of entry into service

SpaceX targets mid-May for Starship Flight 12 as Flight 12 window notifications publish

News Timeline