Latest Space launches News

Commercial rocket trying to put a satellite into orbit explodes moments after liftoff in Japan

Mar. 13, 2024 03:05 AM EDT

TOKYO (AP) — A commercial rocket trying to put a satellite into orbit was intentionally exploded shortly after liftoff Wednesday morning in central Japan following a problem that's still under investigation. Space One was aiming to be Japan's first private sector success at...

Stratolaunch conducts first powered flight of new hypersonic vehicle off California coast

Mar. 09, 2024 17:40 PM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. aerospace company Stratolaunch conducted the first powered test flight of a new unmanned craft for hypersonic research on Saturday and called it a success. Hypersonic describes flights at speeds of at least Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. ...

Texas approves land-swapping deal with SpaceX as company hopes to expand rocket-launch operations

Mar. 06, 2024 19:24 PM EST

MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — SpaceX would acquire public land in Texas to expand its rocket-launch facilities under a tentative deal that is moving forward after months of opposition from nearby residents and officials near the U.S.-Mexico border. The tentative land-swapping deal moved...

4 new astronauts head to the International Space Station for a 6-month stay

Mar. 04, 2024 00:14 AM EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Four astronauts headed to the International Space Station on Sunday where they will oversee the arrivals of two new rocketships during their half-year stint. SpaceX’s Falcon rocket blasted off from Kennedy Space Center, carrying NASA’s Matthew...

Russian rocket successfully puts Iranian satellite into orbit

Feb. 29, 2024 03:55 AM EST

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian rocket on Thursday successfully put an Iranian satellite into orbit, a launch that underlined increasingly close cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. Russia's state-run Roscosmos corporation said that a Soyuz rocket blasted off from the Vostochny launch...

Toppled moon lander sends back more images, with only hours left until it dies

Feb. 27, 2024 11:14 AM EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A moon lander that ended up on its side managed to beam back more pictures, with only hours remaining before it dies. Intuitive Machines posted new photos of the moon’s unexplored south polar region Tuesday. The company's lander,...

Here's a look at moon landing hits and misses

Feb. 23, 2024 19:52 PM EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Landing a spacecraft on the moon has long been a series of hits and misses. Now, a U.S. company has become the first private outfit to achieve a safe moon landing. Only five countries have done it. A lander built by Intuitive Machines...

Turkey hails its first astronaut who returned from a 3-week mission to International Space Station

Feb. 12, 2024 05:11 AM EST

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey’s first astronaut returned home to a hero’s welcome Monday, portrayed as a symbol of the country’s advances in technology and aerospace. Alper Gezeravci was greeted by bouquet-laden children at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport as he returned from a private...

Private US lander destroyed during reentry after failed mission to moon, company says

Jan. 19, 2024 14:57 PM EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A U.S. company’s failed moonshot ended with a fiery plunge over the South Pacific, officials confirmed Friday. Astrobotic Technology said contact and then tracking was lost as its lunar lander reentered Earth's atmosphere Thursday, 10 days after...

US company's lunar lander will burn up in Earth's atmosphere after failed moonshot

Jan. 15, 2024 09:27 AM EST

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A U.S. company’s lunar lander will soon burn up in Earth’s atmosphere after a failed moonshot. Astrobotic Technology said its lander is now headed back toward Earth from the vicinity of the moon. Company officials expect the mission to end Thursday....