Satellite Surprises and Space Shake-Ups: Weekend Roundup (July 12–13, 2025)
SpaceX conducted a secret Falcon 9 launch from Florida on July 13, 2025 carrying Israel’s Dror-1 communications satellite into geostationary transfer orbit, a $200 million “smartphone in space” project that will provide Israeli communications for 15 years, with the first stage landing on a droneship for the rocket’s 13th successful reuse. China rolled out Long March-7 Y10 and Tianzhou-9 to the Wenchang launch pad on July 12, 2025 to deliver about 6.5 tons of supplies to Tiangong for the Shenzhou-20 mission, including two upgraded spacesuits and a backup Long March-7 within three months. Rocket Lab launched its HASTE suborbital rocket
