Launch
Stories about the companies building a ride to space.
The State of Launch 2026
“You look at things like Golden Dome. There were a couple of capability gates there where you had to demonstrate capability by deadlines in order to be eligible to continue to compete,” Brian Rogers, Rocket Lab’s VP of launch, told Payload. “The constraints around launch can pick winners and losers there if you don’t have a way to get to space by a deadline.”
HyImpulse Signs Launch Agreement with SaxaVord
The second suborbital flight of HyImpulse’s SR75 is expected to lift off from SaxaVord no earlier than Q3 2026.
Modified Vulcan Expected to Launch This Summer
“There were some changes that we actually had in the works before the anomaly, just to improve margins in the nozzle and solid rocket booster,” Elbon said. “So we’re accelerating those, and focusing on getting those into place sooner.”
FAA Ends Part 450 Transition Period
The FAA announced Tuesday that US launchers had all transitioned to the five-year-old licensing requirements, leaving no one still operating under legacy regulations.
Canadian Launchers and Spaceport Get Funding Boost
Canada will invest in a spaceport and three young rocket systems as part of its push to build up sovereign launch capabilities, officials announced Monday.
Firefly’s Alpha Rocket Reaches Orbit
Firefly Aerospace’s ($FLY) Alpha rocket flew the first leg of a redemption arc Wednesday night.
What to Expect from Starship V3
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced the first launch of Starship V3 was “about 4 weeks” away.
Space One Rocket Fails Third Consecutive Flight
Japan’s dream of setting up reliable commercial access to orbit suffered a major setback this week.
PLD Space Closes €180M Series C, Eyes Flight Test This Year
The new funds give PLD a huge boost in its effort to clear significant milestones this year.
Neutron’s First Launch Slips to Q4
Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket won’t fly until the end of the year, the New Zealand launcher announced Thursday in its 2025 earnings.
Phantom Space Acquires Vector Launch Assets
Phantom Space just got a boatload of pre-owned toys to play with.
Orbex’s Troubles Open Opportunities for Skyrora
It seems Scotland’s two launch startups—Orbex and Skyrora—are playing by Highlander rules: There can only be one.
