ESA Eyes Crew Transport as Tianhui Satellites Near Miss
ESA announces plans for crew transport amid close approaches of Tianhui satellites. 15,752 active satellites in orbit.
| Active satellites | 15,752 |
| Starlink active | 10,047 |
| Catalogued objects | 31,465 |
| Predicted re-entries | 37 |
| Active close approaches | 14 |
| People in space | 14 |
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced its intention to develop crew transport capabilities and establish space stations. This move comes as European launchers are set to come online, marking a significant step for ESA in expanding its human spaceflight programme. These developments align with Europe's broader ambitions in space exploration and autonomy in accessing space.
Tianhui Satellites' Close Encounters
A series of close approaches between Tianhui satellites has been recorded, with the most notable being between TIANHUI 5A and TIANHUI 5B, which came within approximately 0.42 km of each other. Such close encounters highlight the increasing density of satellites in orbit, raising concerns about potential collisions. Currently, 15,752 active satellites are tracked in orbit, according to Orbital Radar's live catalogue.
Space Weather and Orbital Environment
Space weather conditions are currently stable, with a Kp index of 0 indicating low geomagnetic activity. However, the solar wind density is elevated, marked as red, which could affect satellite operations. The estimated total mass of objects in orbit is 15,800 tonnes, with 31,465 catalogued objects including debris. Monitoring tools such as the Debris Map are essential for tracking these conditions.
What to Watch
While no launches are scheduled for the immediate future, space enthusiasts can look forward to the ongoing missions and developments from agencies like ESA. The Launch Schedule provides up-to-date information on upcoming missions, ensuring you don't miss any key events in the space sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tianhui satellites?
How many active satellites are currently in orbit?
📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). ESA Eyes Crew Transport as Tianhui Satellites Near Miss. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-04"ESA Eyes Crew Transport as Tianhui Satellites Near Miss." Orbital Radar, 4 October 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-04.@misc{orbitalradar_orbital_briefing_2026_10_04,
title = {ESA Eyes Crew Transport as Tianhui Satellites Near Miss},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-04}}
}
