Get ready for an action-packed Tuesday in space! Three rockets launched today, including a brand-new SpaceX booster making its first flight and a secretive Chinese mission that caught everyone’s attention.
Launches
Agencies
Countries
Falcon 9 — Starlink Group 17-35
| Agency | SpaceX |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Payload | Communications constellation (25 Starlink satellites) |
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
| Launch Site | Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA |
| Time (UTC) | April 7, 2:50 AM |
| Status | Success — mission completed flawlessly |
SpaceX kicked off today’s launch activity with another Starlink mission from California. This batch of 25 satellites continues building the massive internet constellation that now serves millions of customers worldwide. The mission marks another step toward SpaceX’s goal of global broadband coverage.
What made this launch extra special was the debut of a brand-new booster. According to SpaceX, this represents continued expansion of their reusable rocket fleet.
Booster
First flight of B1103, which successfully landed on drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” after launch. This new booster joins SpaceX’s growing fleet of reusable first stages.
Minotaur IV — STP-S29A
| Agency | Northrop Grumman Space Systems |
| Rocket | Minotaur IV |
| Payload | Technology demonstration (military research satellites) |
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
| Launch Site | Space Launch Complex 8, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA |
| Time (UTC) | April 7, 11:33 AM |
| Status | Partial success — some mission objectives achieved |
The Department of Defense launched its STP-S29A mission carrying up to 200 kg of military research satellites. The main payload was STPSat-7, which hosts several technology experiments including a laser system designed to detect dangerous space debris. This mission helps develop new ways to track tiny pieces of junk that could damage other satellites.
The Minotaur IV rocket is built from retired nuclear missile parts, giving old weapons a peaceful purpose in space exploration. According to NASASpaceflight, this launch was part of ongoing military space technology development efforts.
Long March 8 — Unknown Payload
| Agency | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation |
| Rocket | Long March 8 |
| Payload | Unknown mission (details classified) |
| Orbit | Unknown |
| Launch Site | Commercial LC-1, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China |
| Time (UTC) | April 7, 1:30 PM |
| Status | Go — launch proceeding as planned |
China launched a mysterious payload today, keeping mission details completely secret. The Long March 8 rocket has a perfect success record with three previous flights, making it a reliable choice for important missions. This secrecy is typical for Chinese military or sensitive government satellites.
According to NASASpaceflight, China frequently launches classified payloads without revealing their purpose. The launch occurred while NASA’s Artemis II crew was making history around the Moon, showing how busy space has become with multiple nations pursuing ambitious missions.
What to Watch For
- SpaceX’s new booster B1103 completed its first mission perfectly, adding another workhorse to their reusable fleet
- The military’s laser debris-tracking experiment could help protect satellites from dangerous space junk
- China’s secret payload launch highlights the growing competition in space technology development
Today’s space launches show how routine rocket launches have become, with three different countries launching within hours of each other. As space becomes more crowded with both commercial and military missions, every successful launch helps push the boundaries of what’s possible beyond Earth.
Sources & Credibility
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82/100
Launch Roundup: SpaceX to start new Starlink shell; China, Russia to launch unknown payloads
— NASASpaceflight · Space Journalism · Independent spaceflight news community (not affiliated with NASA)
Scoring factors: Independent editorial (+); 20+ year track record (+); Community-driven, not government (-); Strong technical depth (+); Sometimes speculative on insider info (-) -
82/100
Launch Roundup: SpaceX on pace to hit 100 launches in 2023, Soyuz to launch Bars-M
— NASASpaceflight · Space Journalism · Independent spaceflight news community (not affiliated with NASA)
Scoring factors: Independent editorial (+); 20+ year track record (+); Community-driven, not government (-); Strong technical depth (+); Sometimes speculative on insider info (-) -
82/100
Launch Roundup: Rocket Lab conducts Electron reuse attempt, SpaceX flies two Starlink v2 missions
— NASASpaceflight · Space Journalism · Independent spaceflight news community (not affiliated with NASA)
Scoring factors: Independent editorial (+); 20+ year track record (+); Community-driven, not government (-); Strong technical depth (+); Sometimes speculative on insider info (-) -
98/100
SpaceX
— SpaceX · Launch Provider · Official company information
Scoring factors: Primary source (+); Official launch data (+)