Space News Mission Log — Satellite Launches, Orbital Events & Analysis
Daily space news, satellite launch reports, orbital debris analysis and weekly roundups — grounded in live tracking data from our network monitoring 510 published reports.
Aqua: Tracking Earth's Water Cycle from Orbit
Aqua is a NASA satellite dedicated to the study of Earth's water cycle, launched on 4 May 2002. It forms part of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) and is tasked with collecting data on precipitation, evaporation, and the cycling of water.
Orbital Rendezvous and Docking: A Complete Explainer
Orbital rendezvous involves two spacecraft meeting in orbit, a critical skill for missions like those to the ISS. Learn the techniques and significance.
Omega Centauri: A Stellar Enigma in Our Galactic Halo
Omega Centauri, the largest globular cluster in the Milky Way, may hold clues to galactic mergers. Discover its mysteries and stellar populations.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Set for Classified Launch on 26 September 2026
SpaceX Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch a classified mission for the U.S. Space Force today. The Starlink network now has 9,940 active satellites.
Terra: NASA's Earth Observing Flagship
Launched on 18 December 1999, Terra is NASA's flagship satellite for the Earth Observing System (EOS). It plays a crucial role in monitoring and understanding Earth's climate and environmental changes.
Understanding GLONASS-K: Russia's Navigation Satellite
GLONASS-K is a series of Russian navigation satellites forming part of the GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) constellation. Developed by the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces, these satellites are designed to provide accurate positioning and timing information globally.
Geostationary Transfer Orbits: A Complete Explainer
A Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) is an elliptical orbit used to transfer satellites to geostationary orbit, crucial for communications satellites.
A New Lunar Crater: The Impact of McGetchin
McGetchin, a new lunar crater, has formed from a recent impact, providing fresh data on lunar surface dynamics and impact events.
Starship Prepares for First Orbital Flight on 24 September 2026
SpaceX's Starship prepares for its first orbital flight, with Ship 41 and Booster 21 undergoing key pre-flight tests. JUICE mission to swing by Earth on 28 September.
BeiDou-3: China's Global Navigation System
BeiDou-3 is the third generation of China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), which provides global navigation services. Officially completed in 2020, BeiDou-3 marks China's full entry into the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) arena, alongside GPS (United States), GLONASS (Russia),
Understanding Polar Orbits: Key Facts and Uses
Polar orbits pass over the Earth's poles, allowing satellites to scan the entire surface. They are crucial for Earth observation missions.
A Rare Triple Alignment: Plane, Space Station, and Sun
A stunning image captures a rare alignment of an airplane, the International Space Station, and sunspots against the Sun, revealing the intricate dance of celestial and terrestrial bodies.