Space Weather and Close Approaches Mark 17 September 2026
Today's space weather is calm, but several Starlink satellites are experiencing close approaches. No launches are scheduled.
| Active satellites | 15,722 |
| Starlink active | 9,839 |
| Catalogued objects | 31,363 |
| Predicted re-entries | 30 |
| Active close approaches | 15 |
| People in space | 10 |
Space weather conditions remain calm today, with a Kp index of 0, indicating minimal geomagnetic activity. Solar wind speed is measured at 472 km/s, and the density is 3.7 protons/cm³. These conditions suggest a stable environment for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO). Orbital Radar's space situational awareness toolkit provides real-time updates on these metrics.
Close Approaches in Orbit
Several close approaches between satellites and debris are being monitored today. Notably, STARLINK-2017 and STARLINK-32147 are expected to pass within approximately 1.39 km of each other. Meanwhile, FENGYUN 1C DEB and NOAA 16 DEB have a predicted minimum separation of just 0.34 km. These events underscore the increasing congestion in orbit, with 15 active close approaches currently tracked. For more details on satellite positions and potential collisions, visit the Orbital Radar debris map.
Starlink Operations Update
As of today, 9,839 Starlink satellites are operational, according to Orbital Radar tracking data. The Starlink constellation continues to expand, with 946 satellites currently raising their orbits and 343 in the process of deorbiting. This brings the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 11,128, including 7,534 V2 Mini models. The constellation's growth highlights its role in global broadband coverage.
What to Watch
No launches are scheduled for today, but space enthusiasts can look forward to upcoming events by checking the Orbital Radar launch schedule. Additionally, the predicted re-entries of 30 objects provide opportunities for observation. With 50 re-entries expected this week, these events offer insights into the lifecycle of satellites and debris.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Starlink satellites are currently operational?
What is the current space weather condition?
📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). Space Weather and Close Approaches Mark 17 September 2026. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-17"Space Weather and Close Approaches Mark 17 September 2026." Orbital Radar, 17 September 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-17.@misc{orbitalradar_orbital_briefing_2026_09_17,
title = {Space Weather and Close Approaches Mark 17 September 2026},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-09-17}}
}
