The history of the rocket stretches back far longer than most people realize. Long before spaceflight, early civilizations experimented with gunpowder‑powered projectiles, discovering—sometimes accidentally—the basic principles that would one day send machines beyond Earth. These humble beginnings laid the groundwork for centuries of innovation.

It was a record year for spaceflight in California at the Vandenberg Space Force Base, and even more rocket launches should be ahead in 2026.

(This story has been updated with the latest launch date information.) Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is very much a Brevard county creation. It's one of the biggest rockets launching in the world today. And for its second mission, the Blue Origin crew is ...