Flight Test Launch

• 

  SpaceX Starship Flight 9 Reuses Booster, Gathers Key Data Despite Loss

  SpaceX launched its ninth Starship test flight on May 27, showcasing bold advancements including the first reuse of a Super Heavy booster. Although both rocket stages were lost before completing all mission goals, the test delivered valuable data on reusability, aerodynamic control, and thermal protection. The upper stage reached space and attempte...

• 

  Elon Musk Reveals What Led To SpaceX Starship Crash Into Indian Ocean

  Billionaire Elon Musk's commercial space flight company, SpaceX, suffered another setback on Sunday after its ninth Starship test flight exploded over the Indian Ocean just 30 minutes after the uncrewed rocket was launched into space from Texas.

• 

  Elon Musk's Megarocket Fails, Starship Crashes After Its Farthest Flight

  Starship, the futuristic SpaceX rocket vehicle on which Elon Musk's ambitions for multiplanetary travel are riding, roared into space from Texas on Tuesday on its ninth uncrewed test launch.

• 

  Starship Flight 8 Explosion Traced to ‘Flash’ in Rocket Engines, SpaceX Investigation Confirms

  A sudden flash in one of Starship’s central Raptor engines caused the loss of Flight 8, SpaceX has confirmed. The engine malfunction led to cascading shutdowns and triggered the vehicle’s self-destruct system. FAA oversight has cleared Starship for its ninth test flight, set for May 27, marking the return of the world’s most powerful rocket s...

• 

  FAA Approves SpaceX's Starship To Return To Flight After March Setback

  The US Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday said it approved SpaceX's Starship to return to flight after its explosive testing mishap in March, allowing Elon Musk's space company to launch the Mars rocket's ninth test flight from Texas soon.

• 

  Venus Aerospace Tests Breakthrough RDRE Engine With First Flight in US

  Venus Aerospace has completed the first U.S. flight test of a rotating detonation rocket engine, proving its real-world potential. Conducted at Spaceport America, the test marks a breakthrough in scalable, high-efficiency hypersonic propulsion. The innovation could enable Mach 6 travel from runways, redefining the future of commercial and defense a...

• 

  SpaceX Fires Up Starship Upper Stage for Ninth Test Flight in Static Fire Trial

  SpaceX ignited all six Raptor engines on Starship’s upper stage in a 60-second static fire at Starbase, moving closer to its ninth test flight. The trial marked the third such test for this vehicle. While past 2025 flights failed mid-air, booster landings were successful. A launch date for Flight 9 has not yet been announced.

• 

  First Orbital Rocket Launch from Europe Fails as Spectrum Explodes Midair

  The first-ever orbital rocket launch from European soil ended in failure as Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum crashed after liftoff from Norway’s Andøya Spaceport. The rocket experienced an anomaly 18 seconds into the flight, leading to a loss of control before it plummeted back to Earth and exploded. The test was conducted to gather data, and no payl...

• 

  NASA, Boeing To Start Testing Starliner For Next Flight Aimed At Early 2026

  NASA said it was moving toward certifying Boeing's CST-100 Starliner for crewed flights later this year or by early 2026 after its inaugural mission to the International Space Station was marred by a system fault.

• 

  First Orbital Rocket Launch from European Soil Delayed Due to Winds

  Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket was set to launch from Norway’s Andøya Spaceport but was delayed due to strong winds. The maiden flight was scheduled within a three-hour launch window on March 24. The company confirmed that both the rocket and infrastructure remain unaffected, and a new launch window is being determined. The test flight, which ...

• 

  SpaceX Starship Flight 8: Booster Caught, Upper Stage Lost Again in Mid-Flight

  SpaceX launched its eighth Starship test flight from Starbase, Texas, on March 6. While the Super Heavy booster executed a successful landing and was caught by the launch tower arms, the upper stage suffered multiple engine failures and was lost mid-flight. This marked the second consecutive test where the upper stage failed to complete its traject...

• 

  SpaceX Delays Starship Flight 8 Launch After Technical Glitches

  The scheduled launch of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 8 on March 3 was delayed due to last-minute technical issues. The test flight was expected to evaluate the booster recovery system and deploy four Starlink satellite models. A previous test, Flight 7, saw partial success, with the booster landing as planned but the upper stage failing due to a prop...

• 

  SpaceX Starship Prepares for Next Flight After Successful Static Fire Tests

  SpaceX has successfully completed static fire tests for both the Super Heavy booster and Starship second stage at its Texas facility. The tests simulated real launch conditions, validating the engines ahead of the next integrated flight test (IFT-8), which could take place by the end of February, pending FAA approval. The previous test flight in Ja...

• 

  Blue Origin Prepares Second New Glenn Launch, Aims for Better Landing

  Blue Origin is targeting a late spring launch for the second flight of its New Glenn rocket, following a partially successful debut in January 2025. While the rocket deployed its payload, the booster failed to land due to fuel delivery issues. Engineers have identified key factors affecting the landing and are implementing upgrades to improve reusa...

• 

  NASA, General Atomics Test Nuclear Fuel for Faster Mars Missions

  NASA and General Atomics conducted key tests on nuclear reactor fuel at Marshall Space Flight Center. The fuel was exposed to extreme temperatures to assess its viability for nuclear thermal propulsion. With successful results, the technology could enable faster space travel, reducing risks for astronauts on long-duration missions. NASA and DARPA a...