Satellite Encyclopedia In-depth profiles of notable satellites — from Vanguard 1 to Starlink.
Tracking 69 published posts in this series.
KH-11: The US Reconnaissance Satellite Family
The KH-11, also known as Kennan, is a series of American reconnaissance satellites operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). These satellites are part of a classified programme designed to provide high-resolution optical imagery for intelligence purposes.
Envisat: The Giant Dormant Satellite and Its Collision Risk
Envisat, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) on 1 March 2002, was one of the largest Earth observation satellites ever constructed. With a mass of approximately 8,211 kilograms and dimensions akin to a double-decker bus, Envisat carried ten sophisticated instruments designed to monitor the E
Sputnik 1: The Satellite That Started the Space Age
Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, marking the beginning of the Space Age. Launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957, it was a spherical satellite with a diameter of 58 cm and a weight of 83.6 kg.
GOES-19: The Newest Geostationary Weather Eye
GOES-19, the latest addition to the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) series, is a state-of-the-art weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Launched on December 1, 2021, aboard an Atlas V rocket, GOES-19 is part of the GOES-R
Sentinel-2: Europe's Copernicus Imaging Workhorse
Sentinel-2 is a high-resolution, multi-spectral imaging mission forming part of the European Union's Copernicus programme. Operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), Sentinel-2 provides vital data for land monitoring, including agriculture, forestry, and disaster control.
Iridium NEXT: The Flash-Free Replacement Constellation
Iridium NEXT is the second-generation satellite constellation operated by Iridium Communications. It serves as the replacement for the original Iridium constellation, which was known for its characteristic 'Iridium flares'—bright flashes visible from Earth due to sunlight reflecting off their antenn
Track the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse Live with Orbital Radar
Follow the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse live with Orbital Radar's Eclipse Tracker, offering precise timing and visibility data.
Fengyun-1C Debris: Legacy of the 2007 ASAT Test
Fengyun-1C was a Chinese weather satellite launched on 10 May 1999, designed to provide meteorological data for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The satellite was part of the Fengyun series, operated by the China Meteorological Administration.
GOES-18: Geostationary Weather Sentinel
GOES-18, also known as GOES-T prior to reaching its operational orbit, is a geostationary weather satellite operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It is part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) series, which provides real-time weather dat
OneWeb: The UK's Broadband Constellation
OneWeb is a global communications company, headquartered in the United Kingdom, that aims to provide broadband internet services worldwide through a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The initiative is designed to bridge the digital divide by delivering high-speed internet to remote
Satellite Spotlight: ISS — 25+ Years of Continuous Human Presence
The International Space Station (ISS) is a large, habitable satellite that orbits Earth, serving as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory. It is a joint project involving five participating space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA.
Satellite Spotlight: NASA's TDRS — The Backbone of Space Communication
The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system is a network of communication satellites operated by NASA to provide continuous, high-bandwidth communication links between ground stations and orbiting spacecraft. Established in the 1980s, TDRS has been instrumental in supporting a wide range of
Starlink: The Mega-Constellation Reshaping Orbit
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, designed to provide high-speed broadband internet across the globe, particularly in remote and underserved areas. As of now, it comprises 10,897 active satellites, making it the largest satellite constellation ever deployed.
James Webb Space Telescope at L2
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large, space-based observatory designed to complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope. Launched on 25 December 2021 aboard an Ariane 5 rocket, JWST is a joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space
Landsat 9: Earth Observation from 705 km
Landsat 9 is the latest satellite in the Landsat programme, a joint initiative by NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor Earth's surface. Launched on 27 September 2021, it continues a legacy of Earth observation that began with Landsat 1 in 1972.
GPS IIR-11: The Backbone of Global Navigation
GPS IIR-11, also known by its NORAD ID 26407, is a satellite in the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation, which provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on Earth. Launched on 6 November 2004, it is part of the Block IIR series, which comprises 21 satellites desig
Satellite Spotlight: COSMOS 1408 and the 2021 Russian ASAT Test Debris Field
COSMOS 1408, a Soviet-era satellite, was launched on 16 September 1982. It was part of the Tselina-D series, designed for electronic intelligence (ELINT) purposes.
NOAA-19: The Last of the POES Weather Satellites
NOAA-19, also known by its NORAD ID 33591, is the last satellite in the Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) series. Launched on 6 February 2009, it serves as a key component in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) mission to monitor weather patterns and environm
Hubble Space Telescope: 35+ Years of Discovery
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is one of the most significant astronomical instruments ever deployed into orbit. Launched on April 24, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31), Hubble has provided unprecedented views of the universe.
Vanguard 1: The Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit
Launched on 17 March 1958, Vanguard 1 is the oldest artificial satellite still in orbit. Developed by the United States as part of the Vanguard Project, it was the fourth artificial Earth satellite to be successfully launched.