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5 rocket launches to watch in the next week in the US

Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance, SpaceX and Northrop Grumman are all preparing to launch rockets in the next week.
Credit: ULA, AP

Space traffic is going to be a bit busy in the next week.

Four of the biggest commercial aerospace companies are all set to launch rockets before the month is out, carrying various satellites, tech and tools to space.

It can be a lot to keep track of, especially since rocket launches can be scrubbed within seconds of liftoff because of weather or technology issues. And, launch target dates and liftoff times can be postponed or moved around to try to get the best possible moment to blast off tons of fuel and metal into space.

So, here are the ones tentatively set for the next week, including where to watch liftoff. 

Blue Origin

Rocket: New Shepard

Payload: Mission NS-13, carrying 12 commercial payloads, including a NASA-developed lunar landing sensor demonstration.

Launch time: SCRUBBED: 11 a.m. EDT Sept. 25, Blue Origin facility in Texas

The launch was a no-go on Friday because of a technical issue. Blue Origin said a new launch date will be announced soon. 

Where to watch: Blue Origin's live broadcast

Fun facts: This New Shepard rocket will fly for the seventh time, setting a record for reusable boosters. This is a suborbital launch, so it'll take about 12 minutes to get to the edge of space and land back at the same site.

Scrubbed: United Launch Alliance

Update: The ULA has scrubbed tonight's launch due to a problem detected seven seconds ahead of liftoff. It is unclear at this time exactly what the issue is or when the next launch attempt will be made.

Rocket: Delta IV Heavy

Payload: NROL-44, a spy satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

Launch time: 11:54 p.m. Sept. 30, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Where to watch: ULA's live broadcast

Fun facts: The Heavy is a triple-booster rocket and the largest of the Delta IV family. This launch will be the twelfth for the Delta IV Heavy.

RELATED: Everything to know about Mars 2020 Perseverance mission, just launched from Florida

SpaceX Starlink 12 

Rocket: Falcon 9

Payload: Starlink 12, the thirteenth batch of SpaceX-created broadband internet satellites. 

Launch time: Launch was a go for Starlink 12 at 9:29 a.m. on Tuesday.

Where to watch: SpaceX's live broadcast

Fun facts: This Falcon 9 previously launched the historic Crew Dragon launch of two NASA astronauts in May and the ANASIS-II mission.

RELATED: SpaceX launches 12th batch of Starlink satellites from Florida

SpaceX

Rocket: Falcon 9

Payload: GPS 3 SV04, a Lockheed Martin-built navigation satellite for the U.S. Air Force.

Launch time: SCRUBBED 9:43 p.m. EDT, Oct. 2, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Where to watch: SpaceX's live broadcast

RELATED: SpaceX successfully completes historic polar orbit launch from Florida's Space Coast in decades

Scrubbed: Northrop Grumman

Update: Tonight's launch has been scrubbed due to receiving "off-nominal data from ground support equipment." A new launch window has yet to be set.

Rocket: Antares

Payload: Commercial resupply mission with the Cygnus spacecraft ferrying NASA science, supplies and experiments to the International Space Station. 

Launch time: 9:38 p.m. EDT Oct. 1, NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia

Where to watch: NASA TV

Fun facts: The experiments, tech and supplies headed to the ISS include cancer therapies, a crop of radishes, a VR camera, Estee Lauder serum for marketing photography and a new space toilet.

RELATED: SpaceX, NASA targeting Halloween for Crew 1 launch

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