Tag: Satellite Launch
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Rocket Lab Launches South Korean Disaster-Monitoring Satellite After Delay
Rocket Lab successfully launched a South Korean Earth-observation satellite from New Zealand on Thursday, placing a disaster-monitoring spacecraft into low Earth orbit about six weeks later than originally planned. A 59-foot Electron rocket lifted off from Rocket Lab’s launch site on the Māhia Peninsula at 8:21 p.m. EST (0121 GMT on Friday), carrying the “Bridging…
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EU Awards Ariane 6 Contract to Launch Next-Generation Galileo Satellites
The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has signed a new contract to launch second-generation Galileo navigation satellites using Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket, reinforcing the bloc’s push for independent access to space, the agency said on Tuesday. Under the agreement, the Ariane 6 launcher will deploy two Galileo L18 satellites. Ariane 6, developed…
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SpaceX Launches 29 Starlink Satellites From Florida Despite Marginal Weather
SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites from Florida on Sunday, overcoming weather concerns linked to a cold front moving across the peninsula. Forecasters with the 45th Weather Squadron, based at Cape Canaveral, had estimated a 60% chance of acceptable launch conditions at the opening of the window. The main risks included potential violations of launch…
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China Launches Algeria Earth-Observation Satellite From Jiuquan
Galactic Energy carried out the first private space mission in China in 2026 on Friday, successfully launching its Ceres-1 carrier rocket from a sea-based platform and placing four commercial satellites into orbit, the company said. The solid-fuel rocket lifted off at 4:10 a.m. from a mobile launch platform in the Yellow Sea, off China’s eastern…
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China’s Reusable Long March-12B Rocket Completes Static Firing Test
China’s reusable Long March-12B rocket has successfully completed a static firing test, marking a key milestone ahead of its planned flight missions, its developer said on Friday. The test was conducted at the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China and involved a full-duration engine firing while the rocket remained anchored to the…
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Firefly Aerospace Unveils Block II Upgrade for Alpha Rocket Ahead of Flight 7
Firefly Aerospace said it has introduced a Block II configuration upgrade for its Alpha launch vehicle, aiming to improve reliability, streamline production and enhance launch operations as demand grows across commercial, civil and national security missions. The U.S.-based space and defense company said Alpha Flight 7, targeted for launch in the coming weeks, will be…
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India’s PSLV Rocket Faces Possible Anomaly on Return-to-Flight Mission
India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) may have suffered a technical setback during its return-to-flight mission on Sunday, marking a potential second consecutive problem for the workhorse rocket after a failure last year. The PSLV lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on India’s east coast at 10:18 a.m. local time on Monday (0448…
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Taiwan Space Agency Awards Avio Launch Contract for FORMOSAT Earth Observation Satellites
Taiwan’s space agency has selected Italian launch provider Avio to deploy four Earth observation satellites under its FORMOSAT programme, strengthening international cooperation in satellite launch services and marking a key step in Taiwan’s expanding space ambitions. The Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) confirmed that Avio will be responsible for launching the FORMOSAT-8C and 8D satellites, as…
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SEOPS Books Dedicated 2028 Mission on Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum Rocket
SEOPS, a Texas-based small-satellite launch aggregator, has signed a launch services agreement with Isar Aerospace for a dedicated mission on the company’s Spectrum rocket, scheduled for 2028, the companies said on Monday. The deal marks a shift for SEOPS, which has relied exclusively on SpaceX rideshare missions since the retirement of Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket.…
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Boeing Confirms Second ViaSat-3 Satellite Healthy on Orbit After Atlas V Launch
Boeing said the second ViaSat-3 satellite has been confirmed healthy on orbit after launching aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket at 10:04 p.m. Eastern Time. Mission controllers established telemetry and command links shortly after spacecraft separation in geostationary transfer orbit, initiating a sequence of subsystem health checks. Built on Boeing’s high-power 702MP+…