Three rockets are ready to launch today, bringing space launches today into full swing with missions spanning from defense research to internet satellites.
Launches
Agencies
Countries
Electron — Curveball
| Agency | Rocket Lab |
| Rocket | Electron |
| Payload | Government/Top Secret suborbital test |
| Orbit | Suborbital |
| Launch Site | Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA |
| Time (UTC) | 04:00 |
| Status | GO – Ready to launch |
This mission is part of Rocket Lab’s HASTE program. HASTE stands for Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron. The rocket will test secret government technology in a suborbital flight path.
According to NASA, this marks another important milestone for the HASTE program at Wallops. The Electron rocket normally sends satellites to orbit, but HASTE missions fly lower to test hypersonic research equipment.
Long March 5 — Unknown Payload
| Agency | China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation |
| Rocket | Long March 5 |
| Payload | Unknown mission type |
| Orbit | Unknown |
| Launch Site | Pad 101, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China |
| Time (UTC) | 07:30 |
| Status | GO – Ready to launch |
China’s most powerful rocket is launching a mystery payload today. The Long March 5 can lift 25,000 kilograms to orbit. This heavy-lift rocket has completed all eight of its previous flights successfully.
NASASpaceflight reports that China often keeps payload details secret until after launch. The mission could carry a space station module, deep space probe, or military satellite.
Falcon 9 Block 5 — Starlink Group 17-44
| Agency | SpaceX |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Payload | Communications – 24 Starlink internet satellites |
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
| Launch Site | Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA |
| Time (UTC) | 15:04 |
| Status | GO – Ready to launch |
SpaceX continues building its global internet network with 24 more Starlink satellites. This launch will add to the thousands already in orbit providing internet service worldwide.
The mission launches from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. This location helps SpaceX reach polar orbits that provide better global coverage. The Falcon 9 has completed 591 successful launches out of 592 total attempts.
Booster
Booster B1071 will attempt its 34th flight today. The booster last flew 39 days ago on May 3rd. After launch, it will try to land on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific Ocean.
What to Watch For
- The HASTE mission at 4:00 AM UTC kicks off a busy day of rocket launches from three different countries
- China’s mystery payload could reveal new space capabilities when details emerge after launch
- SpaceX’s B1071 booster attempts to set a new flight record with its 34th mission
Today’s space launches showcase the growing diversity of missions worldwide. From defense research to global communications, these three launches demonstrate how space has become essential for modern life.
Sources & Credibility
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100/100
NASA Wallops Supports First Rocket Lab HASTE Launch of 2026
— NASA · Government Agency · Official U.S. government space agency — primary source for NASA missions
Scoring factors: Government accountability (+); Peer-reviewed data (+); Official mission authority (+); Taxpayer-funded transparency requirements (+); Primary source for all NASA programs (+) -
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 (-) -
68/100
Rocket Lab launches first HASTE mission
— Teslarati · Enthusiast · SpaceX and Tesla focused fan news site
Scoring factors: Dedicated SpaceX coverage (+); Fan-oriented editorial bias (-); Not traditional journalism (-); Fast breaking news (+); Sometimes speculative (-) -
45/100
RocketLab HASTE Launch Vehicle Selected for Multi-Billion Dollar US & UK Defense Programs
— The Launch Pad · Unknown · Source not found in credibility database — no verified track record available
Scoring factors: No editorial history on file (-); Cannot verify fact-checking processes (-); May still be accurate but unverifiable (-)