Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

NASA aeronautics enterprise awaits the 2027 presidential budget request with hopes for more stability and a renewed focus on flight research.

China is intensifying efforts to build reusable rockets it sees as integral to achieving its space power ambitions.

After a roll back to its hangar for a repair and servicing, the Space Launch System rocket was being prepared for another launch try.

Firefly’s rocket is flying again as the company aims to ease launch constraints while validating systems for a more capable configuration.

NASA was aiming to return its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B on March 20.

Innospace says a gas leak led to a combustion chamber rupture that caused the first flight of the Hanbit-Nano rocket to fail.

Isar Aerospace says it has secured the launch service agreement for the ELSA-M orbital debris removal demonstration.

The Swedish government is moving forward with efforts to build a local national security rocket launch capability as part of a wider push to enhance its military space capacity.

ESA is prepping to launch two low-Earth-orbit PNT demonstration satellites to lay the groundwork for an operational constellation to be lofted this decade.

Avio is considering how to speed up U.S. missile motor production, with wars in Ukraine and the Middle East pointing to demand greatly surpassing projections.

Firefly Aerospace launched its Alpha rocket for the first time in nearly one year on March 11.

Dassault Aviation has started building parts for its Vortex spaceplane demonstrator with the aim of building momentum for a project it wants to see flying as early as 2028.

Denver-based Lux Aeterna reports a "$10 million oversubscribed seed round" intended to accelerate the development of the company's flagship spacecraft, Delphi.

The Indonesian Defense Ministry says it has “entered an agreement with India” to acquire the BrahMos supersonic missile system.

NASA plans to switch contractors to supply the upper stage for its Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is projecting liftoff of the latest iteration of the Starship launch system in April, with vehicle testing underway.

French flow control, JAXA’s reusable rocket, hypersonic tunnel returns and laser link from GEO.

The new mission is intended to buy down risk for a Moon landing in 2028.

South Korean launch newcomer Innospace is exploring a planned spaceport in Nova Scotia, Canada, as a potential facility to expand operations to North America.

Russian space agency Roscosmos says it has completed repairs to a damaged launchpad critical to the International Space Station.

First flight of a small experimental version of a reusable launch vehicle has been scheduled for March 6 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.

NASA is rebooting its Artemis lunar exploration initiative, adding a new docking mission and scrapping plans for heavier-lift Space Launch System rockets.

Rocket Lab says a manufacturing fault caused the failure of a Neutron rocket Stage 1 tank in January and has now pushed the inaugural flight for the launcher to late this year.

Weapons manufacturer Mac Jee and Brazil's Institute of Aeronautical Technology have signed a partnership agreement to develop the RATO-14X space launch rocket.

Phantom Space, a would-be small rocket launch provider, has bought key assets and intellectual property from Vector Launch, another would-be provider.