This Week in Orbit: 2026-09-06
This week, SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, marking a continued expansion of their satellite internet constellation. The launch, which took place from Cape Canaveral, saw the Falcon 9 booster land on a drone ship at sea, adding to SpaceX's impressive reco
Week Overview
This week, SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, marking a continued expansion of their satellite internet constellation. The launch, which took place from Cape Canaveral, saw the Falcon 9 booster land on a drone ship at sea, adding to SpaceX's impressive record of reusability. Meanwhile, in Europe, a German company achieved a milestone by launching the first fully commercial orbital rocket, signalling a growing competitiveness in the European launch market. Additionally, NASA has expanded its Deep Space Network with a new dish in California, enhancing communication capabilities for deep space missions.
Launch Activity
Despite a relatively quiet week for launches, the successful deployment of 27 Starlink satellites by SpaceX was a highlight. This brings the total number of Starlink satellites launched to 11,088, with 9,810 currently operational. The launch schedule can be checked for upcoming missions on Orbital Radar's Launch Schedule. Notably, no new launches were recorded from other agencies or commercial entities this week, reflecting a temporary lull in global launch activity.
Orbital Events
A series of close approaches were tracked this week, with the most significant being between INTELSAT 1002 and MEV-2, which had a minimum separation of 0.00 km, indicating a potential conjunction. Such events are critical for satellite operators to monitor to avoid collisions. The Debris Map on Orbital Radar provides a comprehensive view of these close approaches and the broader debris environment, which currently includes 29,473 tracked objects.
Space Weather
Space weather conditions remained largely calm this week, with a Kp index of 0 indicating minimal geomagnetic activity. The solar wind speed was recorded at 346 km/s, with a density of 5.8 protons/cm³. The F10.7 index, a measure of solar radio flux, was at 146, suggesting moderate solar activity. These conditions are reflected in the green risk levels for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and the International Space Station (ISS), while Geostationary Orbit (GEO) remains at a yellow risk level. For more detailed forecasts, the Space Weather section on Orbital Radar provides up-to-date information.
Notable Satellites
The active satellite count stands at 18,077, with notable activity in the Starlink constellation, which includes 9,810 operational satellites. The Tianhui series also saw close approaches, with Tianhui 5A and 5B coming within 0.63 km of each other. These satellites are part of China's Earth observation programme. For detailed information on these and other satellites, the Satellite Library on Orbital Radar offers a comprehensive catalogue.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, the focus is on upcoming launches and potential re-entries. With 16 re-entries predicted soon, satellite operators are advised to monitor the Re-entry Tracker on Orbital Radar for updates. Additionally, the expansion of NASA's Deep Space Network will support future missions, including those targeting the Moon and Mars. The Moon Globe feature on Orbital Radar provides real-time updates on lunar missions and the current phase of the Moon.
