September 6, 2026 5:40 PM

German space rocket reaches orbit in Europe’s first commercial launch

German startup Isar Aerospace on Sunday said it would rapidly expand satellite deployments after the first orbital launch of its Spectrum rocket from Arctic Norway, a milestone for Europe's efforts to secure independent access to space. The uncrewed Spectrum became the first commercial rocket to reach orbit from continental Europe, marking a breakthrough for a region where several countries are seeking a foothold in the fast-growing market for satellite launches. "Launch capability is right no...

November 14, 2025 9:34 AM

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket deploys Mars satellites, sticks booster landing

The giant New Glenn rocket from billionaire Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin launched from Florida on its debut mission for paying customers on Thursday, sending two NASA satellites toward Mars and nailing the return landing of its reusable booster for the first time. The powerful two-stage rocket's first flight since its inaugural launch in January and the successful booster landing at sea represented key milestones for Blue Origin in its quest to compete on a more equal footing with Elon...

November 13, 2025 12:31 PM

Blue Origin to renew Mars satellite launch bid as geomagnetic storm fades

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, carrying two satellites designed to measure space weather on Mars, is back on track for another launch attempt this week, the company said on Wednesday, after a string of delays forced by cloudy skies and a geomagnetic storm. The latest 90-minute launch window at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida was set for Thursday, starting a few minutes before 3 p.m. (2000 GMT), according to an update posted by Jeff Bezos' space venture on its website. The new la...