NASA rolled out the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis 3 mission on April 20, 2026, from Michoud Assembly Facility to the Pegasus barge. This milestone advances preparations for the targeted mid-2027 launch, which will involve testing rendezvous operations with Orion and private lunar landers, including SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's Blue Moon.

SpaceX completed two launches on April 20 and 21, 2026. The first launch deployed 25 Starlink satellites using Falcon 9, marking its first stage's 8th flight. The second launch delivered a GPS satellite for the Space Force, with the first stage completing its 7th flight. This shift from ULA to SpaceX marked the fastest contract-to-launch timeline for the Space Force.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is set to launch the final GPS III satellite, designated Space Vehicle 10 (SV10), for the U.S. Space Force on April 20, 2026. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral is scheduled for 2:53:25 a.m. EDT. This mission utilizes booster B1095, marking its seventh flight, and aims for recovery on the drone ship 'Just Read the Instructions.'

Falcon 9 is set to launch GPS III SV10 on April 21, 2026, at 2:53 AM EDT, marking the final satellite of the first-generation GPS III contract. This mission features a Tesat-Spacecom SCOT80 optical communications terminal for a laser communications demonstration. Additionally, Falcon 9 will deploy 25 Starlink v2 Mini satellites on April 22, 2026, enhancing SSO coverage.

SpaceX achieved its 600th successful rocket landing with the recovery of Falcon 9 booster B1097 after deploying 25 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on April 19, 2026. This milestone marks the eighth landing for this booster and the 47th Falcon 9 launch of the year, contributing to over 10,275 satellites in the constellation.

NASA has invited media to cover SpaceX's 34th Commercial Resupply Services mission, targeting launch no earlier than May 12, 2026. The Falcon 9 rocket will deliver over 5,000 pounds of science, supplies, and hardware to the International Space Station. This mission includes experiments on microgravity effects and new treatments for osteoporosis, enhancing research capabilities in space.

NASA selected SpaceX's Falcon Heavy to potentially launch the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars by late 2028 for a reported $175.7M. However, the White House's FY2027 budget proposal suggests canceling NASA's participation in the mission, putting its future in jeopardy. This marks NASA's second attempt at an ExoMars partnership after previous cancellations due to budget constraints.

U.S. Space Force is evaluating the potential for Vulcan flights without solid rocket boosters under investigation, according to Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant. This adjustment could allow lower-energy missions to proceed while SpaceX handles critical national security launches. The situation impacts future National Security Space Launch contracts, emphasizing the need for a third launch provider amid current supply constraints.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 is set to launch the GPS III SV10 satellite for the U.S. Space Force on April 20, 2026, at 2:57 a.m. EDT. This mission marks the final satellite in the GPS III series, enhancing positional accuracy and jam resistance. The Falcon 9's first stage will return to Earth, marking its seventh flight.

SpaceX has secured its first Mars launch with NASA selecting its Falcon Heavy rocket to deploy the Rosalind Franklin rover in late 2028. This mission, part of the ExoMars program, aims to search for signs of life on Mars. NASA will provide crucial support, including a propulsion system and specialized instruments for the rover's scientific objectives.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is set to launch for the third time on April 19, 2026, utilizing a previously flown first-stage booster. The NG-3 mission will deploy the BlueBird 7 satellite into LEO. This milestone aims to enhance Blue Origin's reusability capabilities, positioning it against SpaceX's established rockets like Falcon 9.

SpaceX is set to achieve its 600th Falcon booster landing during the Starlink 17-22 mission on March 13, 2026. The Falcon 9 rocket, utilizing booster B1097 for its seventh flight, will deploy 25 satellites into LEO. Liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for 7:33:40 a.m. PDT, with landing on drone ship OCISLY expected shortly after.

Russia and China each completed launches on April 17, 2026. Russia's Soyuz-2 rocket deployed a classified military payload involving multiple spacecraft from Plesetsk, with debris falling into the ocean. China's Long March 4C launched a greenhouse gas detection satellite from Jiuquan, but details on the rocket's lower stages remain undisclosed. SpaceX leads with 46 launches this year.

NASA has selected a SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch the Rosalind Franklin Mars rover for the European Space Agency no earlier than late 2028. This decision follows a partnership agreement from May 2024, with ESA independently developing the mission after cutting ties with Roscosmos. ESA awarded a €522 million contract to Thales Alenia Space on April 9, 2024, for mission elements.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 is set to launch the Starlink 17-27 mission, deploying 25 satellites. Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex 4 East at 9:29:49 p.m. PDT. This mission continues the expansion of the Starlink constellation, enhancing global broadband coverage. The launch is part of SpaceX's ongoing efforts to provide reliable internet services worldwide.

NASA is increasingly optimistic that both lunar lander providers, SpaceX and Blue Origin, will participate in the Artemis III test next year. Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed growing confidence during a recent interview. The test will involve an Orion crew capsule practicing rendezvous and docking with the landers, aiming for two lunar landings in 2028.

SpaceX's Starlink 10-24 mission will deploy 29 additional satellites to the Starlink constellation, marking the 1,000th satellite launch of 2026. Liftoff is set for 5:33:10 a.m. EDT from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission continues the expansion of the low Earth orbit network, enhancing global broadband coverage.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 successfully launched the Cygnus XL S.S. Steven R. Nagel cargo spacecraft from Cape Canaveral on April 11. The spacecraft was captured by the ISS's Canadarm2 on April 13 at 12:19 pm CT, facilitating resupply operations. This mission underscores the ongoing collaboration between commercial launch providers and NASA for ISS logistics and support.

Falcon 9 launched the NG-24 Cygnus XL spacecraft on April 11, deploying it into low Earth orbit for Northrop Grumman's ISS resupply mission. The spacecraft, carrying 5,000 kg of cargo, is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on April 13. This mission continues Northrop's reliance on Falcon 9 following the retirement of its Antares 230+ rocket.

SpaceX is enhancing operations at Pad 2 in Starbase in anticipation of the return of Booster 19. These refinements are critical for optimizing the pad's readiness for upcoming missions. The focus remains on ensuring all systems are operational and efficient, aligning with the company's ongoing commitment to reusability and rapid turnaround times for its launch vehicles.

SpaceX's Transporter-16 mission successfully launched 119 payloads via Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This marks the 21st mission in the smallsat rideshare program, enhancing the company's capabilities in deploying multiple small satellites simultaneously. Liftoff occurred at 4:02 a.m. PDT, demonstrating continued operational efficiency in the rideshare segment of the launch market.

SpaceX successfully launched the Starlink 17-17 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, deploying a batch of satellites. Liftoff occurred at 4:03 p.m. PDT, marking another step in the expansion of the Starlink constellation. This mission continues to enhance global broadband coverage, contributing to the growing demand for satellite internet services in various regions worldwide.