Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

Isar Aerospace is starting to build its backlog for launches ahead of the inaugural flight of is Spectrum rocket planned before year end.

Launch service providers are promising higher flight cadences—again.

As Virgin Galactic continues assembly of the first of its new Delta-class spaceplanes, the company has revealed an early research mission will be flown with an all-Purdue University payload crew.

Firefly Aerospace is looking at potential ways to secure a share of the space-based interceptor market emerging from the Pentagon’s Golden Dome effort.

Innospace says it has completed qualification testing for the Hanbit-Nano first-stage engine, clearing the way for the inaugural flight of the two-stage rocket.

SpaceX launched the National Reconnaissance Office’s latest mission to build out its proliferated satellite architecture in low Earth orbit.

South Korean rocket provider Innospace says it has signed an agreement to conduct two satellite launches for Media Broadcast Satellite.

The French Vortex spaceplane demonstrator program will aim to validate heat shield technology and different control capabilities once it takes flight.

Space access and satellite provider Rocket Lab is looking to raise $750 million gross from a share sale, according to a securities filing.

Amazon is preparing its fifth batch of Kuiper broadband satellites for launch next week.

MaiaSpace is on track for a first flight of its mini-launcher late in 2026, a first step toward creating a family of reusable rockets, its CEO says.

Colorado-based rocket engine developer Ursa Major is entering a new growth phase.

China’s Space Pioneer completed the first-stage engine test of its Tianlong-3 rocket on Sept. 15.

Latitude’s Zephyr microlauncher will fly at the end of next year, a one-year delay from its earlier schedule, commercial director Adeline Pitrois said Sept. 17.

As Ariane 64, the heavy-lift version of the Ariane 6, is nearing the end of its development, it will represent about half of next year’s launches.

Arianespace is speaking with other players, essentially startups, in the launch service industry to create a broader offering, the company's CEO says.

Launch service operator Arianespace will loft another two Ariane 6s this year.

Isar Aerospace has shipped the first stage for its second Spectrum rocket to Norway to gear up for a second launch attempt.

The dominance of government money in space infrastructure investment and the emergence of direct-to-device comms are to define sat manufacturing.

SpaceX sees its Falcon 9 launch cadence peaking as the company ramps up operations of its Starship launch vehicle, a company executive says.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Sept. 14 to send Northrup Grumman’s first upgraded Cygnus XL cargo ship on its way to the International Space Station.

Italian rocket company Avio plans to raise $470 million in capital in part to support its ambition to establish a U.S. solid rocket motor production facility.

High-speed test company Stratolaunch recovered its air-launched Talon TA-2 vehicle at Vandenberg Space Force Base after a hypersonic test flight on Sept. 3.

A distinctive new launch complex on the Virginia shore heralds Rocket Lab’s medium-class rocket.

Ascent Aviation Services has chosen Block Aero Technologies to digitalize its used serviceable material business and open doors to selling parts in China.