As expected, the FAA is requiring an investigation into Blue Origin’s New Glenn’s first stage failure during its descent towards an attempted landing in the Atlantic Ocean, and SpaceX’s Starship breakup over the Caribbean Seas. Both events occurred on January 16, 2025.
Space X’s Starship (L) and Blue Origin’s New Glenn (R) both had success full launches but faced challenges during Thursday’s flight tests. Images: Richard P Gallagher-FMN / Blue Origin
January 16th proved to be an emotional roller coaster for private space exploration. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX achieved notable successes tempered by huge challenges during their respective rocket launches from Florida and Texas.
Ghost Riders in the Sky logo. Photo credit: Firefly Aerospace
NASA’s latest Commercial Lunar Payload Program (CLPS) mission, “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” developed by Firefly Aerospace (Cedar Park, TX), was successfully launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Centers’s Launch Complex 39A in the early morning hours of January 15, 2025. This spacecraft, named Blue Ghost, is the first of three planned Ghost Riders spacecraft destined for lunar landings.
SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center on January 15, 2025. Photo: Richard P. Gallagher / FMN
A SpaceX Falcon 9 roared off the launch pad at 1:11 AM EST this morning from Kennedy Space Center carrying two lunar landers into orbit and on their way to the moon.
The countdown clock outside of the KSC’s media center displays the next launch. Image by Richard P Gallagher/FMN
Cocoa, FL – January 14, 2025
Looking for something to see or do while in Florida this week? You’re in luck! This week is witnessing a flurry of space exploration activities at Cape Canaveral and KSC, with multiple launches and historic feats by private aerospace giants. The excitement began with SpaceX’s ongoing efforts to complete their Starlink constellation and will culminate in the much-anticipated launches of the Blue Ghost lunar lander, Blue Origin’s first New Glenn Heavy booster launch, and hopefully SpaceX’s Starship IFT-7.
SpaceX successfully launched the Starlink 12-4 mission from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida this morning. This mission adds 21 new Starlink satellites to the company’s ever growing internet constellation. 13 of those satellites launched to low earth orbit today have Direct to Cell capabilities.
SpaceX’s Starship stands against a Texas sky in Boca Chica, TX . Photo- Richard Gallagher/FMN
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively investigating threats made against SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica Beach near Brownsville, Texas, according to a report by the San Antonio Express-News. on January 3rd, 2025. The threats reportedly involve plans by several individuals to target the Starship rocket planned to be launched from at the facility.
A SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launches from LC-40 at CCSFS in Florida to deliver a batch of Starlink satellites. Image by Richard P Gallagher / FMN
Los Angeles, CA — As the devastating wildfires continue to ravage California, leaving swathes of communities in darkness, disarray and without internet, a technological marvel is helping to restore service: Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service.
It’s Musk vs. Bezos in an epic Battle of the Billionaires. The competition between Musk and Bezos has been public and sometimes personal, with both taking jabs at each other’s technologies and strategies. The Musk-Bezos rivalry has not only pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in private spaceflight but has also revitalized public interest in space. Their companies have made space more accessible, reduced costs through reusability, and set ambitious goals for humanity’s future in space. While SpaceX has the lead in terms of operational experience and public visibility, Blue Origin’s methodical approach might yet prove equally impactful in the long term.
Starlink 6-71 ascending towards low Earth orbit on January 6, 2024 Photo: Ed Cordero / FMN
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 3:43 PM ET (2043 UTC) after several pushbacks in the window, presumably due to windy weather from an approaching cold front expected to arrive this evening on the Space Coast.
Elon Musk on X confirms that SpaceX is targeting January 10th for the next launch of Starship. This comes less than two months from flight 6, which occurred on November 19th. The agency was approved for flight 7 by the FAA with a modified launch license back in December.
IFT-6 ignition on 11-19-24. Image by Richard P Gallagher
Boca Chica, Texas – As the dawn of a new year breaks, SpaceX is poised to continue its ambitious journey with the seventh integrated flight test of its Starship and Super Heavy Booster system, scheduled to take flight from its Starbase facility in South Texas on January 10, 2025. This test, designated Integrated Flight Test 7 (IFT-7), brings with it a suite of advancements, new objectives, and cutting-edge technology, setting the stage for what could be a transformative year in rocket innovation and space exploration.
