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keeptrack.space

SpaceX conducts successful static fires on Starship V3/Ship 39 hardware ahead of the next flight-test attempt

SpaceX has fired Starship V3’s Super Heavy/Ship-related engines in static tests—including full-duration Raptor 3 firing on the vehicle—clearing hardware for the next test flight following earlier preparations for Flight 12 in May. Teams’ ground-campaign milestone execution continues to set the pace for the iterative Starship flight plan.

2026-04-15T02:14:55.066060-07:00

Via Satellite

Lonestar sets launch timeline for StarVault sovereign orbital data storage; Sidus Space expands payload deal

2026-04-15T11:01:08.256241-07:00

European Spaceflight

Sweden/FAA agree on launch licensing coordination for Esrange as SSC frames “freedom of action” for Europe’s New Space era

2026-04-15T04:12:28.790288-07:00

rocketlabcorp.com

Rocket Lab closes $155.3M acquisition of Mynaric, expanding its space systems push with laser optical communications terminals

2026-04-14T15:23:55.982820-07:00

News Timeline

Ars Technica

Space Force weighs using ULA Vulcan for lower-risk missions as it probes a Vulcan Centaur booster anomaly As the U.S. Space Force investigates the root cause of a booster anomaly tied to a Feb. 26 Vulcan Centaur launch, it is also exploring alternatives to still use the rocket for less-complex missions. Pentagon and USSF priority setting is likely to drive mission swaps to keep capability on orbit.

2026-04-15T11:59:28.168812-07:00

Space Force weighs using ULA Vulcan for lower-risk missions as it probes a Vulcan Centaur booster anomaly

Via Satellite

Lonestar sets launch timeline for StarVault sovereign orbital data storage; Sidus Space expands payload deal Lonestar says it will give a launch date for StarVault, billed as the first commercially operational space-based sovereign data storage platform. Sidus Space, meanwhile, is expanding its existing agreement with Lonestar Data Holdings to support additional StarVault Orbital Data Storage payloads, reinforcing momentum toward deployment.

2026-04-15T11:01:08.256241-07:00

Lonestar sets launch timeline for StarVault sovereign orbital data storage; Sidus Space expands payload deal

European Spaceflight

Sweden/FAA agree on launch licensing coordination for Esrange as SSC frames “freedom of action” for Europe’s New Space era Sweden’s space leadership has signed an agreement with the FAA to coordinate licensing for US rocket launches from Esrange Space Center, tightening cross-border launch governance at a key Nordic range. The move aligns with Swedish messaging that Europe needs greater independent capability as the satellite “race” accelerates.

2026-04-15T04:12:28.790288-07:00

Sweden/FAA agree on launch licensing coordination for Esrange as SSC frames “freedom of action” for Europe’s New Space era

keeptrack.space

SpaceX conducts successful static fires on Starship V3/Ship 39 hardware ahead of the next flight-test attempt SpaceX has fired Starship V3’s Super Heavy/Ship-related engines in static tests—including full-duration Raptor 3 firing on the vehicle—clearing hardware for the next test flight following earlier preparations for Flight 12 in May. Teams’ ground-campaign milestone execution continues to set the pace for the iterative Starship flight plan.

2026-04-15T02:14:55.066060-07:00

SpaceX conducts successful static fires on Starship V3/Ship 39 hardware ahead of the next flight-test attempt

Wall Street Journal

Bezos-backed satellites and rockets push into Starlink/SpaceX territory, intensifying the LEO broadband race Bezos-founded space businesses are accelerating plans for satellite connectivity and rocket launches—directly challenging SpaceX’s long-standing dominance in LEO services. The push adds competitive pressure across launch cadence and constellation buildout, building on the broader fight over spectrum, deployment timing and market access.

2026-04-14T21:24:04.824704-07:00

Bezos-backed satellites and rockets push into Starlink/SpaceX territory, intensifying the LEO broadband race

Spaceflight Now

Live: SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base to launch 25 Starlink satellites SpaceX is targeting a 9:29:49 p.m. PDT liftoff from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East for a Falcon 9 mission carrying 25 Starlink satellites. The launch is part of SpaceX’s high-cadence constellation deployment tempo as Starlink continues expanding in low Earth orbit.

2026-04-14T18:53:26.258895-07:00

Live: SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base to launch 25 Starlink satellites

SpaceNews.com

U.S. Space Force advances Blue Origin heavy-launch lease at Vandenberg after Dec. 30 RFI The U.S. Space Force selected Blue Origin to continue in the process toward a final determination of a lease in response to a Dec. 30, 2025 Request for Information. The decision advances Blue Origin’s work toward heavy launch capability development at Vandenberg.

2026-04-14T16:43:18.539662-07:00

U.S. Space Force advances Blue Origin heavy-launch lease at Vandenberg after Dec. 30 RFI

rocketlabcorp.com

Rocket Lab closes $155.3M acquisition of Mynaric, expanding its space systems push with laser optical communications terminals After regulatory clearance, Rocket Lab has completed its acquisition of German optical communications terminal (OCT) supplier Mynaric for $155.3 million ($5.3 million above the originally agreed price). The company plans to scale Mynaric’s production capacity to deliver lasercom at the volume and speed sought by commercial and government satellite customers worldwide.

2026-04-14T15:23:55.982820-07:00

Rocket Lab closes $155.3M acquisition of Mynaric, expanding its space systems push with laser optical communications terminals

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Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

SpaceX conducts successful static fires on Starship V3/Ship 39 hardware ahead of the next flight-test attempt

Lonestar sets launch timeline for StarVault sovereign orbital data storage; Sidus Space expands payload deal

Sweden/FAA agree on launch licensing coordination for Esrange as SSC frames “freedom of action” for Europe’s New Space era

Rocket Lab closes $155.3M acquisition of Mynaric, expanding its space systems push with laser optical communications terminals

News Timeline