Posted: Fri, Jun 18 5:32 PM ET (2132 GMT)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched a GPS satellite Thursday on the first National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission to fly a reused booster. The rocket lifted off at 12:09 pm EDT (1609 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The upper stage released the Lockheed Martin-built GPS 3 SV05 satellite about an hour and a half later. This was the first NSSL mission where SpaceX used a previously flown Falcon 9 first stage. The booster on this mission previously launched the GPS 3 SV04 satellite last November.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  Florida Today article
•  Spaceflight Now article
•  CBS News article
•  US Space Force press release

Posted: Fri, Jun 18 5:30 PM ET (2130 GMT)
China launched another group of classified satellites Friday. The Long March 2C rocket lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China at 2:30 am EDT (0630 GMT). It placed into orbit a ninth group of Yaogan-30 satellites. The inclination of the Yaogan-30 constellation suggests it may provide frequent revisits for electronic and signals intelligence, and optical and radar imaging, in areas close to China.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  NASASpaceFlight.com article
•  Xinhua article

Chinese crew launches to space station
Posted: Fri, Jun 18 5:29 PM ET (2129 GMT)
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Posted: Fri, Jun 18 5:28 PM ET (2128 GMT)
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Posted: Fri, Jun 18 5:27 PM ET (2127 GMT)
A Minotaur 1 rocket successfully launched three payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office Tuesday. The Minotaur 1 blasted off at 9:35 am EDT (1335...