{"id":358330,"date":"2026-08-27T17:23:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T17:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/spacedevs-next-launch\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T17:22:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T17:22:46","slug":"next-rocket-launch-tracker","status":"publish","type":"plugin","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/next-rocket-launch-tracker\/","author":23554551,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"version":"1.1.7","stable_tag":"1.1.7","tested":"7.1","requires":"5.8","requires_php":"7.4","requires_plugins":null,"header_name":"Next Rocket Launch Tracker","header_author":"catherdercam","header_description":"Shortcode that displays upcoming rocket launches from the launch locations you choose, using The Space Devs Launch Library 2 API.","assets_banners_color":"58798e","last_updated":"2026-08-27 17:22:46","external_support_url":"","external_repository_url":"","donate_link":"","header_plugin_uri":"https:\/\/github.com\/CatHerderCam\/Next-Rocket-Launch-Tracker","header_author_uri":"","rating":0,"author_block_rating":0,"active_installs":0,"downloads":40,"num_ratings":0,"support_threads":0,"support_threads_resolved":0,"author_block_count":0,"sections":["description","installation","faq","changelog"],"tags":{"1.1.7":{"tag":"1.1.7","author":"catherdercam","date":"2026-08-27 17:22:46","revision":3669287}},"upgrade_notice":{"1.1.7":"<p>Adds a GitHub link to the plugin header and readme. No functional changes.<\/p>","1.1.6":"<p>Shortcode tag changed from [next_launch] to [nextrlt_next_launch]. Update any posts\/pages using the old tag after upgrading.<\/p>","1.1.5":"<p>Renamed to &quot;Next Rocket Launch Tracker&quot; (slug: next-rocket-launch-tracker). If upgrading from the old &quot;next-launch&quot; slug, deactivate and delete that install first; your settings are unaffected.<\/p>","1.1.4":"<p>Adds an Elementor widget with the same options as the shortcode. No settings are changed by this update.<\/p>","1.1.3":"<p>Packaging and plugin-header metadata fix only. No functional changes.<\/p>","1.1.2":"<p>Plugin display name is now &quot;Next Launch&quot; instead of &quot;SpaceDevs Next Launch.&quot; No functional changes.<\/p>","1.1.1":"<p>Renames the plugin folder and main file to <code>next-launch<\/code> to match the plugin slug. Deactivate and delete the old <code>spacedevs-next-launch<\/code> install before activating this version.<\/p>","1.1.0":"<p>Adds a visual shortcode builder, light\/dark themes, and a slider mode. Fixes a location-search bug and a display bug that could show already-flown launches. No settings are changed by this update.<\/p>"},"ratings":[],"assets_icons":{"icon-128x128.png":{"filename":"icon-128x128.png","revision":3669344,"resolution":"128x128","location":"assets","locale":"","width":128,"height":128},"icon-256x256.png":{"filename":"icon-256x256.png","revision":3669344,"resolution":"256x256","location":"assets","locale":"","width":256,"height":256}},"assets_banners":{"banner-1544x500.png":{"filename":"banner-1544x500.png","revision":3669344,"resolution":"1544x500","location":"assets","locale":"","width":1544,"height":500},"banner-772x250.png":{"filename":"banner-772x250.png","revision":3669344,"resolution":"772x250","location":"assets","locale":"","width":772,"height":250}},"assets_blueprints":{},"all_blocks":[],"tagged_versions":["1.1.7"],"block_files":[],"assets_screenshots":[],"screenshots":[]},"plugin_section":[],"plugin_tags":[11659,277934,80,161402,162],"plugin_category":[40,43],"plugin_contributors":[277935],"plugin_business_model":[],"class_list":["post-358330","plugin","type-plugin","status-publish","hentry","plugin_tags-countdown","plugin_tags-rocket-launch","plugin_tags-shortcode","plugin_tags-spacex","plugin_tags-widget","plugin_category-calendar-and-events","plugin_category-customization","plugin_contributors-catherdercam","plugin_committers-catherdercam"],"banners":{"banner":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/next-rocket-launch-tracker\/assets\/banner-772x250.png?rev=3669344","banner_2x":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/next-rocket-launch-tracker\/assets\/banner-1544x500.png?rev=3669344","banner_rtl":false,"banner_2x_rtl":false},"icons":{"svg":false,"icon":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/next-rocket-launch-tracker\/assets\/icon-128x128.png?rev=3669344","icon_2x":"https:\/\/ps.w.org\/next-rocket-launch-tracker\/assets\/icon-256x256.png?rev=3669344","generated":false},"screenshots":[],"raw_content":"<!--section=description-->\n<p>Next Rocket Launch Tracker adds a <code>[nextrlt_next_launch]<\/code> shortcode that displays upcoming rocket launches, pulled from The Space Devs' free Launch Library 2 API. Point it at any launch site (or all of them), pick how much detail to show, and drop it into a post, page, or widget area.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><code>[nextrlt_next_launch]<\/code> shortcode with attributes for location, launch count, layout, color theme, and which fields to show (image, countdown, provider, pad, orbit, status, description).<\/li>\n<li>Three layouts (card, list, compact), each with an optional slider mode that shows one launch at a time with prev\/next arrows.<\/li>\n<li>Optional light or dark color theme that forces a matching card background, independent of the surrounding page or the visitor's OS preference.<\/li>\n<li>A visual Shortcode Builder screen (Settings &gt; Next Rocket Launch Tracker Builder) with toggle switches, dropdowns, and a live-updating shortcode preview you can copy with one click.<\/li>\n<li>A searchable, multi-select location picker backed by the live API, pre-populated with the most active launch sites.<\/li>\n<li>An Elementor widget (search for \"Next Rocket Launch Tracker\" in the widget panel) with the same options as the shortcode, for sites that build pages with Elementor.<\/li>\n<li>Launches never call the API during a normal page view: a WP-Cron job refreshes a cached copy on a schedule you control, and the last good response is served if the API is ever unreachable or rate-limited.<\/li>\n<li>Automatically filters out launches the upstream API still lists as \"upcoming\" moments after they've already flown.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>Where the data comes from<\/h4>\n\n<p>Launch data is provided by <a href=\"https:\/\/ll.thespacedevs.com\/\">The Space Devs' Launch Library 2 API<\/a>, a free, public, community-funded API. This plugin is not affiliated with The Space Devs. See \"External services\" below for what this plugin sends and when.<\/p>\n\n<h3>External services<\/h3>\n\n<p>This plugin connects to The Space Devs' Launch Library 2 API to retrieve upcoming launch data and launch-site names.<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Service:<\/strong> The Space Devs Launch Library 2 (<code>https:\/\/ll.thespacedevs.com<\/code>), or <code>https:\/\/lldev.thespacedevs.com<\/code> if the \"development endpoint\" option is turned on in Settings &gt; Next Rocket Launch Tracker.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What is sent:<\/strong> only the numeric launch-location IDs configured in the shortcode\/settings, and any text an administrator types into the location search box on the Settings or Shortcode Builder screens. No visitor data, personal information, or site content is ever transmitted.<\/li>\n<li><strong>When it's sent:<\/strong> on a background WP-Cron schedule (hourly by default, configurable) to refresh the cached launch list, and on-demand when an administrator uses the location search. The API is never called while a visitor is viewing a page.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Terms of Service:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/TheSpaceDevs\/Tutorials\/blob\/main\/faqs\/faq_TSD.md\">github.com\/TheSpaceDevs\/Tutorials<\/a>. Review their terms before relying on this plugin for a production site; the API is funded through Patreon and a credit link is appreciated.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Privacy Policy:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/thespacedevs.com\/privacy\">thespacedevs.com\/privacy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Development<\/h3>\n\n<p>Found a bug or want to contribute? The source is on GitHub: <a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/CatHerderCam\/Next-Rocket-Launch-Tracker\">github.com\/CatHerderCam\/Next-Rocket-Launch-Tracker<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<!--section=installation-->\n<ol>\n<li>Take a backup of your site first.<\/li>\n<li>Upload the plugin through Plugins &gt; Add New &gt; Upload Plugin, or upload the <code>next-rocket-launch-tracker<\/code> folder to <code>wp-content\/plugins\/<\/code>.<\/li>\n<li>Activate the plugin.<\/li>\n<li>Go to Settings &gt; Next Rocket Launch Tracker to set default locations, and Settings &gt; Next Rocket Launch Tracker Builder to build a shortcode visually.<\/li>\n<li>Place <code>[nextrlt_next_launch]<\/code> (or a customized version of it) into any post, page, or widget area that supports shortcodes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<!--section=faq-->\n<dl>\n<dt id=\"how%20do%20i%20find%20a%20launch%20site%27s%20location%20id%3F\"><h3>How do I find a launch site's location ID?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Use the search box on the Settings &gt; Next Rocket Launch Tracker screen, or the location picker on Settings &gt; Next Rocket Launch Tracker Builder \u2014 both query the live API and show real IDs. Don't guess; Cape Canaveral SFS and Kennedy Space Center, for example, are separate locations with separate IDs.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"will%20this%20slow%20down%20my%20site%20or%20get%20me%20rate-limited%3F\"><h3>Will this slow down my site or get me rate-limited?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>No. The plugin never calls the API on a normal page view. A WP-Cron job refreshes a cached copy on a schedule you control (15 minutes minimum), and the last good response is served if the API is ever down or rate-limited.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"what%20happens%20if%20the%20api%20is%20unreachable%3F\"><h3>What happens if the API is unreachable?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Visitors see the last successfully cached data instead of an empty box. Only if there has never been a successful response does the shortcode fall back to its configurable \"empty\" message. Errors are written to the debug log when <code>WP_DEBUG<\/code> is on, never shown to visitors.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"can%20i%20make%20it%20match%20my%20site%27s%20dark%20or%20light%20design%3F\"><h3>Can I make it match my site's dark or light design?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Yes. The <code>theme<\/code> attribute (or the \"Color surface\" option in the Shortcode Builder) accepts <code>auto<\/code> (blends into the page, follows the visitor's OS preference), <code>light<\/code>, or <code>dark<\/code>. The bundled CSS also exposes custom properties (<code>--nextrlt-border<\/code>, <code>--nextrlt-muted<\/code>, <code>--nextrlt-go<\/code>, and others) for deeper theme integration, or you can disable the bundled stylesheet entirely in Settings.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"does%20the%20slider%20work%20without%20javascript%3F\"><h3>Does the slider work without JavaScript?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Yes. Without JavaScript the launches simply stack vertically like the non-slider layouts, so nothing traps a visitor on a single item.<\/p><\/dd>\n<dt id=\"does%20this%20work%20with%20elementor%3F\"><h3>Does this work with Elementor?<\/h3><\/dt>\n<dd><p>Yes. If Elementor is active, a \"Next Rocket Launch Tracker\" widget appears in the widget panel (search for it, or find it under the Next Rocket Launch Tracker category) with the same options as the shortcode.<\/p><\/dd>\n\n<\/dl>\n\n<!--section=changelog-->\n<h4>1.1.7<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added: <code>Plugin URI<\/code> header and a <code>== Development ==<\/code> readme section linking to the GitHub repository.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.1.6<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Changed: every function, class, option, hook, nonce, shortcode tag, CSS class, and file name now uses the <code>nextrlt<\/code> prefix (was <code>sdnl<\/code>), per WordPress.org plugin review feedback about unique naming.<\/li>\n<li>Changed: the shortcode tag is now <code>[nextrlt_next_launch]<\/code> (was <code>[next_launch]<\/code>) so it carries a unique prefix too.<\/li>\n<li>Fixed: the location-search script on Settings &gt; Next Rocket Launch Tracker is now loaded with <code>wp_enqueue_script()<\/code> instead of being printed inline.<\/li>\n<li>Changed: the readme's External services section now links directly to the Launch Library 2 API's terms of service and privacy policy.<\/li>\n<li>Fixed: WordPress Coding Standards (PHPCS\/WPCS) issues \u2014 missing docblocks, array formatting, and the reserved word <code>default<\/code> used as a parameter name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.1.5<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Changed: plugin renamed from \"Next Launch\" to \"Next Rocket Launch Tracker\" (slug and text domain now <code>next-rocket-launch-tracker<\/code>), per WordPress.org plugin review naming\/trademark feedback.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.1.4<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added: a Next Launch widget for Elementor, with the same options as the <code>[next_launch]<\/code> shortcode. Only loads on sites that have Elementor active.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.1.3<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Changed: plugin header author updated to <code>catherdercam<\/code>; removed the <code>Plugin URI<\/code> header.<\/li>\n<li>Fixed: a zip-packaging issue where the plugin's main file could be extracted with an incorrect path, causing header detection to fail.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.1.2<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Changed: plugin name shortened from \"SpaceDevs Next Launch\" to \"Next Launch\" to match the plugin slug and text domain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.1.1<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Fixed: the plugin folder and main file were renamed from <code>spacedevs-next-launch<\/code> to <code>next-launch<\/code> to match the plugin's slug and text domain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.1.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Added: a visual Shortcode Builder admin screen with toggle switches, dropdowns, and a live, copyable shortcode preview.<\/li>\n<li>Added: a searchable, multi-select location picker backed by the live API.<\/li>\n<li>Added: <code>theme<\/code> attribute (<code>auto<\/code> \/ <code>light<\/code> \/ <code>dark<\/code>) for a forced light or dark card background.<\/li>\n<li>Added: <code>slider<\/code> attribute \u2014 shows one launch at a time with prev\/next arrows, compatible with all three layouts.<\/li>\n<li>Fixed: the location-search API endpoint was pointed at a path that returned a 404 on the current API version; location search now works.<\/li>\n<li>Fixed: the \"upcoming\" launch list could briefly keep showing a launch for hours after it had already flown; results are now filtered by status before display.<\/li>\n<li>Fixed: a box-sizing issue that could misalign slider frames by the width of their padding and border.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h4>1.0.0<\/h4>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Initial release: <code>[next_launch]<\/code> shortcode, settings screen with location search, WP-Cron-backed caching with stale-response fallback.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","raw_excerpt":"Shortcode widget showing upcoming rocket launches from the launch sites you choose, backed by The Space Devs Launch Library 2 API.","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin\/358330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/plugin"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=358330"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wporg\/v1\/users\/catherdercam"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=358330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"plugin_section","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_section?post=358330"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_tags?post=358330"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_category?post=358330"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_contributors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_contributors?post=358330"},{"taxonomy":"plugin_business_model","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/plugin_business_model?post=358330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}