Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

SpaceX Targets May 27 for IFT-9 Starship Launch with First Booster Reuse

SpaceX plans to launch Starship IFT-9 on May 27, reusing the Super Heavy booster from IFT-7 in a program first. The mission follows FAA closure of the IFT-8 probe and corrective measures targeting a Raptor engine anomaly detected during the eighth flight.

2025-05-23T16:22:16.872604-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

China’s Private Rockets Log Trio of Launches as Tianwen-2 Readies Liftoff

2025-05-23T13:58:31.208450-07:00

European Spaceflight

CNES Taps AndroMach to Hot-Fire LOX/Propane Engine for ENVOL Spaceplane

2025-05-19T07:37:56.415153-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Launch Roundup: SpaceX Kicks Off New Starlink Shell as China and Russia Prep Unidentified Payloads

2025-05-19T14:50:06.199409-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

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SpaceX Targets May 27 for IFT-9 Starship Launch with First Booster Reuse SpaceX plans to launch Starship IFT-9 on May 27, reusing the Super Heavy booster from IFT-7 in a program first. The mission follows FAA closure of the IFT-8 probe and corrective measures targeting a Raptor engine anomaly detected during the eighth flight.

2025-05-23T16:22:16.872604-07:00

SpaceX Targets May 27 for IFT-9 Starship Launch with First Booster Reuse

Space.com

SpaceX Sets May 27 for IFT-9 Starship Launch With First Re-flight of Super Heavy Booster SpaceX plans to launch its ninth Starship Integrated Flight Test on May 27 at 7:30 p.m. EDT (23:30 GMT), marking the first time the company will re-use a Super Heavy booster—the same one that powered IFT-7 and was caught by the launchpad’s mechanical arms.

2025-05-23T15:43:35.762598-07:00

SpaceX Sets May 27 for IFT-9 Starship Launch With First Re-flight of Super Heavy Booster

NASA Spaceflight

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China’s Private Rockets Log Trio of Launches as Tianwen-2 Readies Liftoff China’s commercial launch sector achieved three distinct orbital missions this month—including a key return-to-flight milestone—underscoring rapid private-rocket growth. Meanwhile, the China National Space Administration is finalizing preparations for the Tianwen-2 interplanetary probe, set to embark on asteroid and comet exploration.

2025-05-23T13:58:31.208450-07:00

China’s Private Rockets Log Trio of Launches as Tianwen-2 Readies Liftoff

SpaceNews.com

SES Signs Multi-Launch Deal with Impulse Space to Use Helios Kick Stage for MEO/GEO Deployments SES has become the first commercial customer for Impulse Space’s Helios high-energy kick stage, signing a multi-launch agreement to transport its satellites from low Earth orbit into medium and geostationary orbits more efficiently and reliably.

2025-05-23T12:26:30.790040-07:00

SES Signs Multi-Launch Deal with Impulse Space to Use Helios Kick Stage for MEO/GEO Deployments

Aviation Week

SpaceX Cargo Dragon Undocks from ISS for Pacific Splashdown The uncrewed SpaceX Cargo Dragon spacecraft departed the zenith port of the ISS Harmony module under ground command at 12:05 p.m. EDT and is set to re-enter and splash down off California’s coast around 5:45 a.m. GMT on May 25, concluding its latest Commercial Resupply Services mission.

2025-05-23T12:18:24.770062-07:00

SpaceX Cargo Dragon Undocks from ISS for Pacific Splashdown

European Spaceflight

ArianeGroup Completes Hot-Fire Tests of 3D-Printed 240-N Hydrogen Peroxide Thruster in EC’s SALTO Project ArianeGroup has successfully conducted hot-fire tests of a 240-N 3D-printed monopropellant thruster using hydrogen peroxide, marking a key milestone for the European Commission’s SALTO project. The trials validate additive manufacturing of green propulsion units tailored for small launchers and in-orbit satellite manoeuvres.

2025-05-23T08:06:07.659802-07:00

ArianeGroup Completes Hot-Fire Tests of 3D-Printed 240-N Hydrogen Peroxide Thruster in EC’s SALTO Project

SpaceWatch Global

Astrobotic Qualifies Flight Model of Lunar Wireless Charging System Astrobotic has completed acceptance testing of its wireless charging flight model designed for the lunar environment, meeting environmental and performance benchmarks. The qualification marks a critical step toward enabling continuous, cable-free power transfer to rovers and payloads on upcoming commercial and scientific lunar missions.

2025-05-23T03:02:12.125343-07:00

Astrobotic Qualifies Flight Model of Lunar Wireless Charging System

Aviation Week

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Dawn Aerospace Opens Sales of Aurora Rocket-Powered Suborbital Spaceplane Dawn Aerospace has opened orders for its uncrewed, runway-launched Aurora spaceplane, a rocket-powered vehicle capable of carrying small payloads on suborbital flights beyond the 100 km Kármán line. Customers can place orders now for first deliveries scheduled in 2027.

2025-05-22T10:21:37.625852-07:00

Dawn Aerospace Opens Sales of Aurora Rocket-Powered Suborbital Spaceplane

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