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 13 published reports.
Groundlink: Your Free Satellite Look Angle Calculator
Discover how Orbital Radar's Groundlink tool offers precise satellite look-angle calculations, accessible for free in your browser.
Understanding GDOP and PDOP in GNSS: A Detailed Guide
GDOP and PDOP are key metrics in GNSS, affecting positioning accuracy. Learn their roles and significance in satellite navigation.
Understanding Satellite Doppler Shift in Orbital Tracking
Satellite Doppler shift affects frequency changes in signals from moving satellites, crucial for accurate tracking and communication.
Tiangong: China's Permanent Space Station
Tiangong, meaning 'Heavenly Palace' in Mandarin, is China's permanent space station, a major milestone in the country's ambitious space programme. Launched in phases beginning in April 2021, Tiangong is designed to support long-duration human spaceflight and facilitate scientific research in microgr
Aqua: tracking Earth's water cycle since 2002
NASA's Aqua satellite brought clouds, rainfall, ocean temperatures and atmospheric moisture into a single observing mission, building a record of how water moves through Earth's climate system.
Galileo FOC: Europe's navigation constellation
Europe's Galileo FOC satellites carry atomic clocks around Earth at roughly 23,222 kilometres altitude, providing the timing signals behind independent European navigation and positioning services.
KH-11: inside the US imaging satellite family
The KH-11 family transformed American reconnaissance by sending electronic images from orbit rather than returning photographic film. Its capabilities remain classified, but its history and observable orbits reveal its enduring role.
GOES-19: the weather watch at 35,786 kilometres
Operating as GOES East since April 2025, GOES-19 watches Atlantic hurricanes, American thunderstorms and solar activity from a near-fixed position above the equator.
Satellite Ground Stations: The Backbone of Space Communication
Satellite ground stations are vital for receiving data from and sending commands to satellites, enabling global communication and navigation.
Understanding Satellite Look Angles: Azimuth and Elevation Explained
Satellite look angles, including azimuth and elevation, are crucial for tracking and communication. Learn how these angles are measured and their significance.
GLONASS-K: Russia’s navigation satellites explained
GLONASS-K modernises Russia’s satellite navigation system with longer-lived spacecraft and new radio signals, operating roughly 19,100 km above Earth.
Terra: NASA’s long view of a changing Earth
Launched in December 1999, Terra helped establish a continuous, planet-wide record of Earth’s atmosphere, land and oceans. Its legacy rests on observing those connected systems together.