Upcoming Space Launches — late summer → autumn 2025 (expanded)

Below is an expanded, thoroughly researched roundup of upcoming and near-term space launches (and the biggest recent test milestones you should know about). This is text-only (no images/icons) and includes direct links to primary tracking pages and mission pages so you can follow live coverage. I pulled the latest schedules, mission pages and news reports to ensure dates, launch sites and mission purpose are current.

Quick summary — the big threads right now

• Starship is making measurable progress. SpaceX’s 10th Starship test flight successfully lifted off in late August and for the first time deployed dummy Starlink payloads as part of hardware validation — a notable step toward the vehicle’s future heavy-lift and deep-space ambitions. Reuters+1

• A dense September manifest: September 2025 is packed with rideshare and constellation launches (multiple Starlink flights, Project Kuiper/Atlas V, NASA’s IMAP science mission, Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo, and several Rocket Lab missions). Next Spaceflight+2Next Spaceflight+2

• Space tourism still maturing: Blue Origin continues regular New Shepard suborbital flights (research/crew), while Virgin Galactic’s next-generation Delta-class program remains a 2026 prospect for full commercial ops. Blue Origin+1

Space tourism & suborbital flights — what’s coming

Blue Origin — New Shepard (NS-series): Blue Origin has been operating frequent New Shepard suborbital missions carrying research and (on crewed flights) paying customers. In 2025 NS-35 and related flights have targeted late-summer windows; Blue Origin’s mission pages list upcoming New Shepard missions and payload manifests. These flights remain the leading commercial suborbital option in the U.S. for short “above-Kármán” experiences and dedicated microgravity/education payloads. Blue Origin+1

Virgin Galactic — Delta-class update: Virgin Galactic continues aircraft/spaceplane testing and says its Delta-class vehicles could enter customer service in 2026, with late-2025 activity focused on test and development — so full commercial cadence for Delta remains future-facing. Space

(Why it matters) — suborbital operators are increasingly positioning flights as mixed science/tourism vehicles (student experiments, microgravity tech demos) rather than purely joyrides; watch the mission manifests for scientific payload lists. Space

Heavy & medium lift — major milestones and upcoming dates

SpaceX Starship (test program) — Flight 10 (Aug 26, 2025): SpaceX’s tenth integrated Starship launch in late August successfully executed key tests — including deployment of mock Starlink satellites and new heat-shield/booster recovery experiments — a significant step for a system intended for Moon/Mars missions and very large commercial payloads. Expect more incremental test flights (Flight 11 and following) as engineering issues are worked through. Reuters+2AP News+2

ULA / Atlas V — Project Kuiper (KA-03, NET Sep 25, 2025): United Launch Alliance is scheduled to fly an Atlas V 551 carrying another batch of Amazon’s Kuiper internet satellites (KA-03) from Cape Canaveral — a key commercial rideshare/constellation deployment for Project Kuiper’s build-out. Next Spaceflight+1

Vulcan Centaur (USSF-106) — recent milestone: ULA’s Vulcan Centaur conducted the first National Security Space Launch (USSF-106) in August 2025, marking the rocket’s entrance into operational national-security missions. That success expands options for large-payload government launches. ULA Newsroom+1

Constellation & commercial cadence — SpaceX and small launchers

SpaceX — Starlink flights (multiple in Sep 2025): SpaceX continued frequent Starlink launches in September (e.g., Group 17-10 on Sept 13; Group 17-12 slated Sept 17 and additional Group launches through the month). These routine Falcon 9 launches are the backbone of near-term LEO broadband expansion. If you track the constellation count or booster reuse stats, SpaceX’s official launch page and NextSpaceflight show the manifest and livestreams. Spaceflight Now+2Next Spaceflight+2

Rocket Lab — Electron / HASTE (JAKE-4): Rocket Lab’s HASTE suborbital variant and Electron manifest show several planned late-Q3/Q4 missions; the JAKE-4 (HASTE) government test mission is targeted for Q3/Q4 2025 (dates have been NET and occasionally re-manifested due to NOTAM/range/mission scheduling). Expect updates and final date confirmations from Rocket Lab and range sources. Next Spaceflight+1

Science and civil missions to watch

NISAR — NASA/ISRO (launched July 30, 2025): The joint NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite (NISAR) launched successfully on July 30, 2025, and is performing deployment/checkout of its large radar reflector — it will deliver global radar imagery to track ice, land motion, disasters and more. This is a major Earth-science milestone for 2025. NASA+1

IMAP (NASA) — launch targeted Sept 23, 2025: NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe — a heliophysics mission to map the edge of the heliosphere and study particle acceleration and space weather — is scheduled to launch on a Falcon 9 in late September 2025, carrying additional rideshare payloads for NOAA and other partners. This mission is important for space-weather forecasting and fundamental heliospheric science. NASA+1

Northrop Grumman Cygnus (NG-23 / Cygnus XL): Northrop Grumman’s upgraded Cygnus XL cargo vehicle flew a September resupply mission to the ISS; these logistics missions are critical to sustaining station science and ISS commerce activities. Spaceflight Now

What to watch in the next 60 days

1. IMAP launch window (Sept 23, 2025) — high-value science mission, with rideshares (Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, NOAA SWFO-L1). Live coverage via NASA. NASA+1

2. Atlas V / Kuiper KA-03 (NET Sept 25, 2025) — large commercial deployment for Amazon’s Kuiper constellation; watch ULA/Amazon feeds for final hold/GO timing. Next Spaceflight+1

3. Ongoing Starlink cadence — SpaceX’s near-daily/weekly Starlink rotation can shift, but expect several Falcon 9 flights in September from both coasts. Next Spaceflight

4. Rocket Lab HASTE/JAKE-4 — keep an eye on range NOTAMs and Rocket Lab’s Next Mission page for final dates. Next Spaceflight

How to follow launches (text-only resources)

• NextSpaceflight — full manifest & mission pages: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/ Next Spaceflight

• Spaceflight Now — live coverage & calendar: https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ Spaceflight Now

• RocketLaunch.live — daily updates: https://www.rocketlaunch.live/ RocketLaunch

• SpaceX launches page: https://www.spacex.com/launches/ SpaceX

• Blue Origin mission pages: https://www.blueorigin.com/missions/ (New Shepard) Blue Origin

• ULA mission pages (Project Kuiper, Vulcan): https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/atlas-v-kuiper-3 ULA

• Rocket Lab next mission: https://rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission/ Business Wire

• NASA launch pages (IMAP, NISAR, etc.): https://www.nasa.gov/ (search IMAP / NISAR pages) — e.g., IMAP event page. NASA+1

Notes & caveats

• Schedules are fluid. “NET”, range conflicts, weather, payload readiness and regulatory checks frequently move dates. The pages above are updated multiple times per day on launch day — treat NETs as tentative until a T-0 is announced. Next Spaceflight+1

• Security/secret payloads. Some government missions (classified rideshares or hypersonic tests) publish minimal public details and remain on “TBD/NET” manifests until shortly before launch. RocketLaunch.org

SPACE TOURISM LAUNCHES (UPCOMING)

1. Blue Origin NS-24 (New Shepard Suborbital Flight)
   Date: August 3, 2025 (tentative)
   Details: Suborbital flight for private passengers above the Kármán line, launched from West Texas.
   Link: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7444

2. Virgin Galactic Commercial Delta-Class Flights (expected)
   Date: 2026 for full operations; test flights may begin late 2025
   Details: Virgin Galactic continues fleet development; no current flights scheduled for 2025.
   Link: https://www.space.com/virgin-galactic-delta-spaceplane-progress

COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCHES (JULY–SEPTEMBER 2025)

1. Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 10-29
   Date: July 30, 2025
   Site: Cape Canaveral SLC-40
   Link: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7436

2. GSLV Mk II | NISAR (NASA/ISRO joint mission)
   Date: July 30, 2025
   Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India
   Link: https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

3. Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 13-4
   Date: July 30, 2025
   Site: Vandenberg SLC-4E
   Link: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7437

4. Electron | JAKE 4 (Rocket Lab)
   Date: July 31, 2025
   Site: Wallops LC-2, Virginia
   Link: https://rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission/

5. Falcon 9 | SpaceX Crew-11 (Crewed ISS mission)
   Date: July 31, 2025
   Site: Kennedy Space Center LC-39A
   Link: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7439

6. Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 10-30
   Date: August 4, 2025
   Site: Cape Canaveral SLC-40
   Link: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7445

7. Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 11-25
   Date: August 5, 2025
   Site: Vandenberg SLC-4E
   Link: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7446

8. Vulcan Centaur | USSF-106
   Date: August 9, 2025
   Site: Cape Canaveral SLC-41
   Details: Launch of experimental U.S. Space Force satellite
   Link: https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

9. Falcon 9 | CRS SpX-33 (Cargo Dragon ISS mission)
   Date: August 21, 2025
   Site: Cape Canaveral SLC-40
   Link: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7451

10. Starship | Orbital Test Flight 10
    Date: August 2025 (No Earlier Than)
    Site: Starbase, Texas
    Link: https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7453

LAUNCH TRACKING RESOURCES (TEXT ONLY)

NextSpaceflight (full manifest):
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/

Spaceflight Now (calendar):
https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

RocketLaunch.live (daily updates):
https://www.rocketlaunch.live

? Launch Countdown: What’s Ahead for Space Tourism in 2025

As the second half of 2025 unfolds, the global space tourism industry is approaching its most ambitious and exciting period yet. From lunar flybys and hypersonic tests to transparent balloon flights and orbital hotel modules, the launch calendar is packed with milestone moments that will reshape how humans experience the final frontier.

Here’s your detailed look at what’s lifting off between July and December 2025:

? July 27 – SpaceX Crew Dragon 10 (Mixed Crew Orbital Flight)

SpaceX will make history this month with its first integrated mission of astronauts and private tourists aboard Crew Dragon 10. The mission will orbit Earth for five days and feature a live-streamed art performance, a scientific plant growth experiment, and direct interaction with students via Starlink.
? Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center
? Crew: 7 (3 NASA astronauts, 4 civilians)

? August 9 – SpaceJetX Hypersonic Test Flight

Dubai-based aerospace startup SpaceJetX will conduct its first crewed suborbital hypersonic flight. Passengers will travel from Abu Dhabi to Perth in 45 minutes, touching the edge of space and experiencing several minutes of weightlessness along the way. This high-speed route aims to launch commercially by 2026.

? Launch Site: Abu Dhabi Hyperport
? Flight Range: 13,000 km in <1 hour

? September 12 – ZephAir Transparent Balloon Debut

Luxury stratospheric flight provider ZephAir will debut its fully transparent capsule for panoramic edge-of-space journeys. Floating at 100,000 feet, these pressurized balloons offer 360° views of Earth with luxury amenities, including reclining seats, gourmet meals, and ambient lighting for sunrise and sunset views.

? Launch Site: Marfa, Texas
?️ Seats: 6 per capsule
? Ticket Price: $195,000

? October 3 – Space Perspective Edge-of-Space Dining Flight

Following successful trial runs, Space Perspective is launching its flagship stratospheric dining experience. Guests will be served an eight-course tasting menu curated by renowned chef Lennart Domínguez, all while suspended above 99% of the Earth’s atmosphere. The capsule includes an onboard lounge, bar, and restroom.

? Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Spaceport
?️ Flight Duration: 6 hours
? Ticket Price: $125,000
? Dress Code: Cocktail casual — in zero gravity

? November – Axiom Space Micro-Hab Test Flight

Axiom Space plans to launch HabTech-1, a micro-habitat prototype that will attach to the ISS. This will serve as a crucial testbed for future orbital hotels. The 12-meter module includes private berths, smart climate control, and panoramic viewing domes. If successful, it will kickstart a second commercial habitat by 2026.

? Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9
? Features: 4 crewed chambers, lab, and galley

? December 15 – SpaceX DearMoon Lunar Flyby

After years of anticipation, the DearMoon Project is finally go for launch. Funded by Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, the journey will circle the Moon aboard a modified Starship. The eclectic civilian crew includes an astrophotographer, a poet laureate, an Olympian, and a former astronaut turned educator.

? Launch Site: Starbase, Texas
? Duration: 6 days
? Live Broadcast: Full 4K feed from Moon orbit

? What This Means for the Future

With six landmark space tourism missions in just six months, 2025 is expected to surpass all previous commercial launch records. These missions are not just tourist spectacles — they are laying the foundation for interplanetary travel, sustainable orbital living, and a new global space economy.

The rest of 2025 promises:

• New milestones in gender-inclusive crews

• Greater accessibility for non-millionaire travelers (via sponsored flights)

• More collaborations between private companies and space agencies

January 2025

January 23: Long March 6A | G60 Polar Group 04

• Operator: China National Space Administration (CNSA)
• Launch Site: LC-9A, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China
• Details: Launch of the G60 Polar Group 04 satellite cluster to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
• Time: 05:14 UTC

Image: A Long March rocket at its launch site.

January 25: Long March 8A | Test Payload

• Operator: China National Space Administration (CNSA)
• Launch Site: Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Center, Hainan, China
• Details: Maiden flight of the Long March 8A variant with improved payload capacity.

February 2025

February 14: Falcon 9 Block 5 | SPHEREx & PUNCH

• Operator: SpaceX
• Launch Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
• Details: NASA's SPHEREx mission to map the sky in infrared light, alongside the PUNCH mission to study the Sun's outer corona.
• Time: To Be Announced

Image: SPHEREx payload rendering.

February 20: Falcon 9 Block 5 | Bandwagon-3 Rideshare

• Operator: SpaceX
• Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA
• Details: Smallsat rideshare mission for multiple commercial customers to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

March 2025

March 5: Falcon 9 Block 5 | Crew-10 Mission

• Operator: SpaceX
• Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
• Details: Transporting four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for Expeditions 72/73.

Image: SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule in orbit.

March 9: Falcon 9 Block 5 | CRS SpX-32

• Operator: SpaceX
• Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
• Details: NASA Commercial Resupply Services mission to deliver cargo to the ISS.

For live updates and details on these launches, visit:

• SpaceX Launch Schedule
• NASA Missions
• CNSA News

Stay tuned for more news about the incredible advancements in space exploration! 

Here is a summary of upcoming rocket launches scheduled for December 2024:

SpaceX Falcon 9 | Bandwagon-2
Date & Time: December 21, 2024, at 3:34 AM PST (11:34 UTC) Location: Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA Details: This mission, known as Bandwagon-2, is a rideshare flight carrying multiple small payloads to orbit.

Next Spaceflight

 

Rocket Lab Electron | Owl The Way Up
Date & Time: December 21, 2024, at 6:17 AM PST (14:17 UTC) Location: Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B, Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand Details: Rocket Lab's Electron rocket will deploy a satellite for Synspective as part of their StriX series, aimed at Earth observation.

Next Spaceflight

 

SpaceX Falcon 9 | Astranis MicroGEO Satellites
Date & Time: December 22, 2024, at 5:00 AM UTC Location: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, SLC-40, Florida, USA Details: This dedicated Falcon 9 launch will deploy four Astranis MicroGEO communications satellites into geostationary transfer orbit.

Wikipedia

 

SpaceX Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 12-2
Date & Time: December 23, 2024, at 5:35 AM UTC Location: Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A, Florida, USA Details: Launch of approximately 23 Starlink v2 mini satellites, including about 13 with direct-to-cell connectivity, to expand SpaceX's internet constellation.

Wikipedia

 

SpaceX Falcon 9 | Thuraya 4-NGS
Date & Time: December 27, 2024, at 5:00 AM UTC Location: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, SLC-40, Florida, USA Details: Launch of the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite, a planned replacement for Thuraya 2 and 3, to provide advanced mobile communication services.

Wikipedia

 

SpaceX Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 11-3
Date & Time: December 29, 2024, at 1:35 AM UTC Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, SLC-4E, California, USA Details: Deployment of approximately 22 Starlink v2 mini satellites to a low Earth orbit, further expanding SpaceX's broadband network.

Wikipedia

 

SpaceX Falcon 9 | Starlink Group 12-3
Date & Time: December 30, 2024, at 5:00 AM UTC Location: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, SLC-40, Florida, USA Details: Launch of approximately 23 Starlink v2 mini satellites, including about 13 with direct-to-cell connectivity, to enhance global internet coverage.

Wikipedia

 

Please note that launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather-related factors. For the most current information, it's advisable to consult the official websites of the respective launch providers.