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 60 published reports.
Can a Falling Satellite Hit You? The Real Re-entry Risk
A falling satellite can hit someone, but the personal risk is very low. Explore what survives re-entry, documented debris strikes and what forecasts can actually tell you.
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.
Satellite Re-entry: NORAD 47752 Expected on 9 September 2026
NORAD 47752 is predicted to re-enter Earth's atmosphere on 9 September 2026 at 03:21 UTC. Track it live on Orbital Radar.
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 Many Satellites Reentered This Year? 2026 by the Numbers
Orbital Radar records 673 satellite and payload re-entries in 2026 so far, within 1,119 atmospheric returns across all object types.
How Many Starlink Satellites Fall Each Day?
1.5 Starlink satellites re-enter Earth's atmosphere each day, according to Orbital Radar data. Explore the reasons behind these controlled re-entries.
How Many Satellites in Orbit? Counts, Types and Tracking
Earth has 15,870 active satellites, but the wider catalogue includes debris and inactive spacecraft. Here is what the counts mean and how to explore them.
Why Is Landing on Mars So Hard?
Mars has enough atmosphere to threaten an arriving spacecraft, but not enough to land it safely with a parachute alone. Every landing must solve both problems autonomously.
Genesis Capsule's Fiery Return: A Solar Wind Odyssey
In 2004, NASA's Genesis capsule crash-landed in Utah, bringing back solar wind samples that unveiled secrets of the Sun's composition and the Solar System's formation.
This Week in Orbit
This week, the James Webb Space Telescope revealed a warped structure within the protoplanetary disk of TW Hydrae, a nearby star system, providing new insights into planet formation processes. Meanwhile, the U.S.
SpaceX Prepares for Starship's 13th Test Flight Amid Close Satellite Approaches
SpaceX is set for Starship's 13th test flight this week, while several satellites experience close approaches.
Starliner Eyes 2026 Cargo Mission Amid Close Satellite Approaches
Boeing's Starliner is poised for a potential 2026 cargo mission to the ISS, while multiple close satellite approaches underscore orbital congestion challenges.