Launch
Stories about the companies building a ride to space.
Space-Related Traffic Could Choke Port Canaveral
The rise of reusable rockets launching from the world’s busiest spaceport has led to an inconspicuous side effect on Earth: a traffic jam at Port Canaveral.
Lawmakers Direct GAO Review of FAA’s Part 450
“We’ve had complaints from launchers that they can’t get timely licensing for their permits to launch, so we definitely want to monitor the FAA’s progress in improving its licensing process for launch and reentry,” Babin told Payload.
China To Ramp Up its Launch Capacity in 2025
China’s space program had a busy start to the year, and it isn’t letting off the gas anytime soon.
Report Argues For More Competition In Launch Sector
America’s success is SpaceX’s success. More than five out of every six US launches is a SpaceX mission, according to the report.
US Launches 122 Defense Payloads in 2024, Europe Launches 1
The US launched 122 defense payloads in 2024, surging 184% YoY, according to data compiled by astronomer Jonathan McDowell. The upswing was driven by the National Reconnaissance Office’s deployment of 106 SpaceX and Northrop-built Starshield remote sensing recon satellites.
New Glenn Reaches Orbit On Its Maiden Flight
The rocket’s first venture past the Kármán line begins a new era in commercial heavy-lift launch.
Stoke Secures $260M Series C For Its 100% Reusable Rocket
Stoke Space raised $260M to continue developing its fully reusable Nova rocket and to complete the build out of its launch pad, the company announced yesterday.
Rocket Factory Augsburg Awarded UK License For Debut Launch This Year
The license means the company has cleared all regulatory hurdles for its RFA ONE rocket to launch from the SaxaVord spaceport off the northern coast of Scotland.
SpaceX Set to Debut Upgraded Starship Vehicle
Wednesday’s planned Starship launch may be the seventh test flight of the mega-rocket, but it also represents a couple of important firsts—the first flight of the new and improved second stage and the first time the rocket will attempt to deploy payloads.
Underutilized Capacity on Dedicated Customer Falcon 9 Rides: Payload Research
Based on publicly available data from 20 launches with published payload mass numbers over the past three years, dedicated customer LEO launches have averaged just 3,370 kg of payload, just 19% of total capacity.
Space Launch Delta 45 Breaks Launch Record in 2024
Despite the Space Force’s bold plans for 2025, many in the space industry believe that US launch capacity may be nearing its zenith.
2024 Orbital Launch Attempts by Country
In 2024, US (*ahem, SpaceX*) launch numbers grew, while China, Russia, and Europe plateaued.
