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.
Zodiacal Light: A Celestial Glow from Interplanetary Dust
The zodiacal light, a celestial glow from interplanetary dust, is beautifully captured at Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, revealing Mars' role in this phenomenon.
SpaceX Expands Starlink Network with 27 New Satellites
SpaceX successfully launched 27 Starlink V2 Mini satellites, increasing the operational Starlink network to 9,835 units.
Sputnik 1: The Satellite That Started the Space Age
Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, marking the beginning of the Space Age. Launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957, it was a 58 cm diameter polished metal sphere with four external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses.
How Solar Cycles Affect Satellite Operations
Solar cycles influence satellite operations by affecting space weather, which can disrupt communications and increase orbital decay.
Exploring Messier 33: A Cosmic Yardstick in Triangulum
Messier 33, the Triangulum Galaxy, is a face-on spiral galaxy in the Local Group, serving as a cosmic yardstick with its well-measured variable stars.
China Advances Mars Sample Return Plans Amid Close Satellite Encounters
China progresses its Mars sample return mission plans, while satellite close approaches highlight ongoing orbital congestion.
Starlink: Current Status and Future Launches in 2026
Starlink has 9,839 active satellites as of 2026, with future launches planned using Falcon 9 and Starship vehicles.
GOES-19: The Newest Geostationary Weather Eye
GOES-19 is the latest addition to the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) series, managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This satellite is part of the GOES-R series, which includes GOES-16, GOES-17, and GOES-18.
Solar Observatory Spacecraft: Monitoring Our Sun
Solar observatory spacecraft are crucial for monitoring the Sun's activity and understanding space weather impacts on Earth.
Exploring Messier 33: A Cosmic Spiral in Triangulum
Messier 33, the Triangulum Galaxy, is a face-on spiral galaxy 3 million light-years away, offering insights into cosmic distances.
NASA Awards Launch for StarBurst Gamma-Ray Detector
NASA has awarded launch services for the StarBurst Gamma-Ray Detector, a significant step for gamma-ray astronomy. Starlink satellites continue to experience close approaches.
Sentinel-2: Europe's Copernicus Imaging Workhorse
Sentinel-2 is a part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Copernicus programme, which is the world's largest Earth observation initiative. The Sentinel-2 mission consists of two identical satellites, Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B, designed to provide high-resolution optical imagery for environmental m