Close Satellite Approaches Highlight Orbital Congestion
Close approaches between satellites underscore increasing orbital congestion, as Virgin Galactic delays flights to 2027.
Recent data from Orbital Radar highlights a series of close approaches between satellites, underscoring the growing congestion in Earth's orbit. Notably, TIANHUI 2-01A and TIANHUI 2-01B came within approximately 0.86 km of each other, while SUPERVIEW NEO-2 03 and SUPERVIEW NEO-2 04 approached to within 0.44 km. These events reflect the increasing number of active satellites, now totalling 18,550, and the challenges of managing space traffic.
Virgin Galactic Delays Commercial Flights
Virgin Galactic has announced a delay in the resumption of its commercial space flights, now projected to resume in 2027. This setback follows a series of technical reviews and adjustments aimed at ensuring passenger safety. The delay underscores the complexities involved in space tourism, a sector that continues to evolve with contributions from various companies. For more on space tourism developments, visit the Orbital Radar space tourism page.
What to Watch
While no new launches are scheduled for the immediate future, space enthusiasts can look forward to tracking the ongoing movements of Starlink satellites. Currently, 10,909 Starlink satellites are active, with 9754 operational and 890 raising their orbits. For real-time updates, check the Starlink Tracker on Orbital Radar. Additionally, the re-entry of 17 objects is predicted soon, adding to the dynamic nature of our orbital environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes satellite close approaches?
Why has Virgin Galactic delayed its flights?
Cite this article
Pick a style, then copy it or download it for your reference manager.Orbital Radar. (2026, August 13). Close Satellite Approaches Highlight Orbital Congestion. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-08-13
“Close Satellite Approaches Highlight Orbital Congestion.” Orbital Radar, 13 Aug. 2026, orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-08-13. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.
Orbital Radar (2026) Close Satellite Approaches Highlight Orbital Congestion. Available at: https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-08-13 (Accessed: 13 November 2026).
Orbital Radar. “Close Satellite Approaches Highlight Orbital Congestion.” Last modified August 13, 2026. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-08-13.
@misc{orbitalradar_blog_orbital_briefing_2026_08_13,
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
title = {Close Satellite Approaches Highlight Orbital Congestion},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-08-13}},
url = {https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-08-13},
urldate = {2026-11-13},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-13}
}TY - ELEC AU - Orbital Radar, TI - Close Satellite Approaches Highlight Orbital Congestion PY - 2026 DA - 2026/08/13 PB - Orbital Radar UR - https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-08-13 Y2 - 2026/11/13 LA - en ER -
Live figures change, so keep the date you accessed the page. How to cite Orbital Radar
