Tag: launch

SpaceX Launches Classified U.S. Space Force Mission from Vandenberg

SpaceX successfully launched its latest national security mission for the U.S. Space Force on Thursday, sending the classified USSF-153 payload into low Earth orbit aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Spaceflight Now reports the mission carried “an undisclosed number of satellites” from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Because of the classified nature of the flight, SpaceX provided few details about the payload or its post-launch activities. The Falcon 9 first-stage booster successfully landed about 8.5 minutes after liftoff.
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)

Video

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launches September 2, 2026, from California (Launch occurs at the 30:12 mark).
VideoFromSpace; YouTube

Space Force Launch Plans Grow by 91 Missions and Nearly $17 Billion

Air & Space Forces Magazine reports the U.S. Space Force is preparing for a significant expansion of its launch program as demand for national security space capabilities grows. The service expects the scope of its main launch program to “grow by 91 missions and nearly $17 billion by fiscal 2032,” according to the latest National Security Space Launch selected acquisition report. The update puts NSSL’s total expected procurement at $76 billion for 337 launches between fiscal 2004 and 2032.
Full Story (Air & Space Forces Magazine)

SpaceX Falcon 9 Booster Completes 35th Flight in Starlink Launch

SPACE reports a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 27 Starlink satellites from California early this morning (Sept. 2). It was the 35th flight for the rocket’s first stage, Booster 1063, “just two shy of the SpaceX reuse record,” Space.com reports.
Full Story (SPACE)

Video

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launches September 2, 2026, from California (Launch occurs at the 30:12 mark).
Spaceflight Now; YouTube

Ariane 6 Carries Next-Generation European Weather Satellite to Orbit

SPACE reports “Europe’s most powerful rocket flew again today (Aug. 27). An Ariane 6 launched the MTG-I2 weather satellite from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana today (Aug. 27) at 4:10 p.m. EDT (2010 GMT; 5:10 p.m. local time in Kourou), right at the beginning of a 2.5-hour window.”
Full Story (SPACE)

Video

Ariane 6 rocket launches weather satellite August 27, 2026 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. (Launch occurs at the 0:12 mark)
VideoFromSpace; YouTube

SpaceX Caps Starlink Double Header With 24-Satellite California Launch

SPACE reports SpaceX launched 24 more of its Starlink global internet satellite constellation to orbit from “from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Aug. 12, at 12:46 p.m. EDT (0346 GMT; 9:46 p.m. local time). The mission, Starlink Group 17-49, carried 24 of the broadband spacecraft to low Earth orbit (LEO) to join SpaceX’s growing constellation of more than 10,000 satellites.”
Full Story (SPACE)

Video

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from California
Spaceflight Now; YouTube

SpaceX Marks 90th Orbital Mission of the Year with Starlink Launch

The Starlink 17-52 mission is SpaceX’s 90th orbital launch of the year so far. Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base occurred at 8:08 p.m….
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)

Video

Falcon 9 Carries 27 Starlink Satellites to Orbit From California

Spaceflight Now reports, “The Starlink 15-14 mission will add another 27 broadband internet satellites to the low Earth orbit constellation … Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East happened at 6:28:17 p.m. PDT (9:28:17 p.m. EDT / 0128:17 UTC).”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)

Video

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 27 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California (Launch occurs at the 29:59 mark)
Spaceflight Now; YouTube

SpaceX Breaks Rocket Reuse Record on 36th Falcon 9 Flight

Spaceflight Now reports, “SpaceX broke another rocket reuse record Thursday morning when it launched its most-flown Falcon 9 booster for a 36th time. It flew in support of the Starlink 10-42 mission, which added another 29 broadband internet satellites to the company’s low Earth orbit constellation.”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)

Video

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Launch occurs at the 1:00:20 mark)
Spaceflight Now; YouTube