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 14 published reports.
Understanding Apogee and Perigee in Satellite Orbits
Apogee and perigee refer to the highest and lowest points in an orbit, crucial for understanding satellite paths and operations.
When the Moon Plays Tricks: The Blue Micromoon Phenomenon
Tonight's blue micromoon is a celestial rarity, appearing smaller and dimmer due to its apogee, and marking the second full moon this month.
Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit: Vanguard 1 and the Top Ten
Vanguard 1 remains the oldest satellite orbiting Earth. Its surviving companions include rocket hardware and early scientific satellites whose orbits explain their longevity.
Hohmann Transfer Orbit: How the Two-Burn Route Works
A Hohmann transfer connects circular orbits with two engine burns. Discover how it works, what makes it economical and why it is not always the cheapest route.
Types of Satellite Orbits: LEO, MEO, GEO and Beyond
Altitude is only part of an orbit’s story. Explore how height, tilt and shape determine what satellites can see, how they communicate and how long they remain in space.
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.
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.
Highly Elliptical Orbits: Understanding Their Role in Space
Highly elliptical orbits (HEOs) are elongated paths used for specific satellite missions, offering unique advantages for communication and observation.
Orbital Period: Meaning, Formula and Satellite Examples
Orbital period measures how long one orbit takes. Discover why higher satellites orbit more slowly, how to calculate a period and why an orbit is not the same as a visible pass.
Vanguard 1: The Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit
Launched on 17 March 1958, Vanguard 1 is the oldest human-made satellite still in orbit around Earth. It was part of the United States' Vanguard project, a programme aimed at launching the first artificial satellites during the International Geophysical Year (1957-1958).
Sputnik 1: the satellite that started the Space Age
Launched on 4 October 1957, Sputnik 1 became Earth's first artificial satellite. Its radio pulses announced a new technological era, while its brief mission helped scientists investigate the upper atmosphere.
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.