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 12 published reports.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit: How Satellites Keep Consistent Light
Sun-synchronous satellites use Earth's equatorial bulge to keep a consistent solar schedule. Learn how the orbit works, why imaging missions use it and what it cannot guarantee.
AR Satellite Finder: Identify the Sky with Skylens AR
Point your phone skywards to connect satellite predictions with the view overhead. This guide explains Skylens AR, the science behind satellite positions and how to recognise a visible pass.
Why Do Rockets Launch From Florida?
Florida combines an eastward boost from Earth's rotation with open Atlantic launch corridors and decades of infrastructure. But the best launch site depends on the mission.
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.
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.
The Dance of Satellites: A Modern Celestial Ballet
Discover the intricate dance of 17,817 active satellites orbiting Earth, including 10,479 Starlink units, in a vast celestial ballet.