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 11 published reports.
Understanding Orbital Decay: Why Satellites Fall to Earth
Orbital decay is the gradual reduction of a satellite's orbit due to atmospheric drag and gravitational forces, leading to eventual reentry.
Why Does the ISS Need to Be Reboosted?
Thin air still slows the ISS near 400 km above Earth. Periodic engine burns replace lost orbital energy and keep the station at a useful operating altitude.
How Long Do Satellites Last? A Comprehensive Guide
Satellites typically last between 5 to 15 years, depending on their mission and orbit. Factors like orbital decay and technological obsolescence play key roles.
Understanding Atmospheric Drag on Satellites: A Detailed Guide
Atmospheric drag is a key factor affecting satellites in low Earth orbit, influencing their speed and altitude over time.
Understanding Uncontrolled Re-entries: Risks and Realities
Uncontrolled re-entry occurs when a satellite or space debris re-enters Earth's atmosphere without precise control, posing potential risks.
Understanding Satellite Re-entry: What Happens When Spacecraft Return to Earth
Satellite re-entry involves a spacecraft descending through Earth's atmosphere, often burning up due to intense heat and friction.
How Solar Cycles Affect Satellite Operations
Solar cycles influence satellite operations by affecting space weather, which can disrupt communications and increase orbital decay.
Fengyun-1C debris: the legacy of China's 2007 ASAT test
China's destruction of the Fengyun-1C weather satellite in January 2007 created a long-lived debris cloud. Its fragments remain a case study in how one interception can change the orbital environment for decades.
Satellite Manoeuvre Detection: An Authoritative Guide
Satellite manoeuvre detection involves tracking changes in a satellite's orbit to ensure space safety and efficiency.
ISS: 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence
The International Space Station (ISS) is a habitable artificial satellite that serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory. It is a joint project involving five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada)
Explore Mars in Real-Time: Using the Live Mars Map
Orbital Radar's Mars Globe offers a live map of Mars, highlighting current orbiters, rovers, and weather conditions on the Red Planet.