January 2025 – Spaceflight Now

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center

January 21, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission is the first that will populate the 13th group of Starlink satellites in SpaceX’s megaconstellation. Liftoff from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center happened at 12:24 a.m. EST (0524 UTC).

SpaceX completes 400th Falcon booster landing on mission featuring 27 Starlink satellites

January 18, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will feature the most Starlink V2 Mini satellites launched on one mission. Liftoff from pad 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base is set for Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 7:45 a.m. PST (10:45 p.m. EST, 1545 UTC).

SpaceX successfully catches Super Heavy booster, loses Starship upper stage during Flight 7

January 17, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said that their initial assessment is that there was “an oxygen/fuel leak in the cavity above the ship engine firewall that was large enough to build pressure in excess of the vent capacity.” The company is pursuing a launch in February, assuming the Federal Aviation Administration accepts their mishap investigation report.

Launch preview: SpaceX to launch its Starship rocket on a 7th suborbital test flight from Starbase

January 16, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will launch the first big block upgrade to the rocket since its first flight in 2023. Liftoff from SpaceX’s Starbase facilities in southern Texas is set for 4 p.m. CST (5 p.m. EST, 2200 UTC).

History made: Blue Origin becomes first new space company to reach orbit on its first launch

January 15, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

Blue Origin was unsuccessful in recovering its first stage booster, but was able to achieve its primary goal of reaching orbit. Liftoff from pad 36 occurred at 2:03 a.m. EST (0703 UTC).

American, Japanese robotic landers share rocket launch to the Moon

January 15, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander will deploy first and is designated as the primary payload and ispace’s Resilience lander will follow about 30 minutes after. Liftoff from pad 39A happened at 1:11 a.m. EST (0611 UTC).

SpaceX launches 131 spacecraft on Transporter-12 Falcon 9 rideshare mission from California

January 14, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission features orbital transfer vehicles that are carrying 30 of the payloads with 14 being deployed after the initial mission launch. Liftoff from pad 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base happened at 10:49 a.m. PST (1:49 p.m. EST, 1849 UTC).

SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral

January 13, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission comes as SpaceX is preparing for a week that includes a rideshare flight; a dual-manifest, Moon bound missions; and Starship Flight 7. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is set for 11:47 a.m. EST (1647 UTC).

Blue Origin scrubs first New Glenn launch attempt due to “vehicle subsystem issue”

January 13, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

Blue Origin stood down from launch after multiple adjustments to the launch time. It ultimately determined that a technical issue was insurmountable in the time remaining on Monday.

SpaceX launches, lands first stage booster for record-setting 25th time during Starlink flight

January 10, 2025 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch includes 13 Starlink V2 Mini satellites that have Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station happened at 2:11 p.m. EST (1911 UTC).