Browse the complete archive of aerospace journalism with contextual analysis
On November 22, 2025, SpaceX launched its 150th Falcon 9 rocket of the year from Cape Canaveral, carrying 29 Starlink V2 satellites to a 170×162 mile orbit. This launch marks the ninth Starlink mission this month and the 109th Starlink delivery run for the Falcon 9 in 2025.
Blue Origin has successfully passed a critical development milestone for its Blue Ring spacecraft, a maneuverable in-orbit transport vehicle designed to support national security missions, with its first operational mission projected for spring 2026. The spacecraft is capable of delivering, hosting, and transporting payloads in geostationary Earth orbit, highlighting significant advancements in dynamic space operations.
NASA and Boeing have announced a change in the Starliner-1 mission, shifting from a crewed flight to a cargo-only mission to the International Space Station, with the revised mission now scheduled for April 2026. This adjustment follows earlier issues encountered during the Crew Flight Test mission, which impacted the spacecraft"s thrusters.
On November 23, 2025, SpaceX launched a brand new Falcon 9 booster from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, deploying 28 Starlink satellites into orbit. This mission marks the 110th Starlink delivery flight of the year and further expands the company"s satellite constellation.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center, marking the 100th launch of the year from Florida's Space Coast and carrying 29 satellites for the company's Starlink internet service. This milestone highlights the increasing activity and importance of the Eastern Range as a hub for space launches.
SpaceX launched a batch of 29 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on November 18, marking the company's first early-evening flight since the FAA lifted restrictions on commercial launches. The mission was carried out by a Falcon 9 rocket and marked the 99th launch from the Florida spaceport this year.
On November 17, 2025, SpaceX launched the Sentinel-6B satellite on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marking a significant collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency, EUMETSAT, and NOAA to monitor sea levels and track changes in the ocean. The satellite will provide critical data to improve public safety, city planning, and protect commercial and defense interests.
The Sentinel-6B satellite has launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking the beginning of a critical mission to monitor rising sea levels and predict flood risks. This international collaboration between NASA, ESA, Eumetsat, NOAA, and CNES will provide valuable data for scientists and policymakers.
On November 15, 2025, SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, deploying a total of 58 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the expansion of SpaceX"s Starlink constellation, which now comprises nearly 9,000 satellites.
On November 14, 2025, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the Starlink 6-89 mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, supporting the company’s Starlink broadband satellite internet constellation. The mission marked another successful launch and recovery for SpaceX, with the B1092 booster landing on the drone ship ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’.
On November 13, 2025, Blue Origin launched its New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral, carrying two NASA satellites destined for Mars as part of the ESCAPADE mission. The successful launch and subsequent first landing of the New Glenn rocket mark significant milestones in collaborative space exploration between private industry and government agencies.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a Letter of Intent to construct a new building for the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, with a total budget of 20 million euros, aiming to complete the project by the end of 2028. This expansion will create highly skilled jobs and strengthen European expertise in human and robotic exploration.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced the formation of an industrial consortium for the Argonaut programme, a lunar lander mission aimed at providing Europe with autonomous access to the Moon. This development marks a significant step towards supporting European-led missions to study the Moon and de-risk key technologies for human exploration.
NASA is set to launch the Artemis II mission in early 2026, which will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back, marking the first lunar mission with a crew in over 50 years. The mission builds upon the success of the Artemis I mission and paves the way for future human exploration of the lunar surface.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed arrangements with key industry partners to ensure the exploitation of its next-generation Ariane 6 and Vega-C launch vehicles, securing Europe"s autonomous access to space. This development marks a significant step forward in the agency"s efforts to maintain its position in the global launch market.
The Solar Wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (Smile) mission, a joint effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), has successfully passed its qualification and flight acceptance review, paving the way for its launch on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana between 8 April and 7 May 2026. This mission aims to study the Earth’s reaction to solar wind and radiation, providing valuable insights into our planet’s magnetic field and upper atmosphere.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed contracts with several companies to develop its lunar lander programme Argonaut, a key part of its lunar strategy to support future robotic and crewed missions. This programme will contribute to international efforts to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon.
The next mission of the Starliner spacecraft, scheduled to launch in April 2026, will carry cargo to the International Space Station, marking a significant step towards the vehicle"s operational use. This development follows rigorous testing and addresses previous development challenges faced by Boeing.
The first next-generation Super Heavy booster, a crucial component of SpaceX's Starship program, was damaged during a test on November 21, 2025, at the company's Starbase facility in Texas. The incident may impact the development schedule and has implications for NASA's Artemis lunar landing plans.
Rocket Lab has successfully completed 17 Electron missions, breaking its annual launch record, and is nearing the launch pad debut of its Neutron rocket. The company"s achievements have significant implications for the broader aerospace industry, with collaborations including a key role in supporting Firefly"s Blue Ghost mission to the Moon.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted its daytime launch curfew, while companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others continue to make strides in rocket technology and space exploration. These developments have significant implications for the aerospace industry, with potential advancements in areas such as hypersonic propulsion and space-based defense.
NATS Services and Bayanat Engineering have formed a partnership to deliver advanced air traffic management solutions across the Middle East and Africa, focusing on digital tower technology and modernised airspace systems. This collaboration aims to support the region’s growing requirements for efficient air traffic management.
Stoke Space is establishing a presence in the aerospace industry with its new launch site at Cape Canaveral and a focus on developing reusable rockets, having secured $9.1 million in seed funding and leased Launch Complex 14 from the US Space Force. This move marks a significant step towards the company's goal of achieving full and rapid rocket reuse.
Stoke Space, a newly established rocket company, has begun constructing its launch site at Cape Canaveral, Florida, with plans to launch its reusable Nova rocket, following the securing of $9.1 million in seed funding and the lease for Launch Complex 14 in 2022. This development marks a significant step for the company as it aims to enter the competitive orbital launch market.