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 35 published reports.
Military Satellites: Understanding Their Role and Impact
Military satellites are crucial for defence, providing communication, surveillance, and navigation capabilities. Learn how they function and their strategic importance.
What Are Spy Satellites? A Comprehensive Guide
Spy satellites, or reconnaissance satellites, are used for military and intelligence purposes, capturing high-resolution images from space.
How Many Satellites Are in Orbit: A Comprehensive Guide
As of 2026, there are 17,907 active satellites in orbit, with a total of 28,248 catalogued objects including debris.
Anti-Satellite Weapons: Understanding Their Impact and Risks
Anti-satellite weapons are designed to disable or destroy satellites. They pose significant risks to space operations due to debris creation.
Boeing Secures $2 Billion Contract Amidst Satellite Close Approaches
Boeing secures a $2 billion contract for satellite communications, while satellite close approaches underscore growing orbital congestion.
Understanding the BeiDou Satellite System: A Comprehensive Guide
The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, China's global GNSS, offers positioning, navigation, and timing services worldwide.
Understanding RAAN: The Right Ascension of the Ascending Node Explained
RAAN, or Right Ascension of the Ascending Node, is an essential orbital parameter that defines a satellite's path relative to Earth's equatorial plane.
Satellite Spotlight: COSMOS 1408 — The 2021 Russian ASAT Test Debris Field
COSMOS 1408, also known by its NORAD ID 13552, was a Soviet-era electronic signals intelligence satellite launched on 16 September 1982. It was part of the Tselina-D series, designed to monitor electronic communications and radar emissions from Earth.
Sputnik 1: The Satellite That Started the Space Age
Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth, marking the beginning of the Space Age. Launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957, it was a 58 cm diameter polished metal sphere with four external radio antennas to broadcast radio pulses.
Satellite Spotlight: COSMOS 1408 — The 2021 Russian ASAT Test Debris Field
COSMOS 1408 was a Soviet-era satellite launched in 1982, primarily serving as an electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) platform. Its mission was to intercept and analyse electronic communications, providing valuable intelligence during the Cold War.
GPS IIR-11: The Backbone of Global Navigation
GPS IIR-11, also known by its NORAD ID 26407, is a part of the Global Positioning System (GPS), a network of satellites providing geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth. Launched on 31 March 2003, GPS IIR-11 is one of the 31 operational satellites in the GPS
Space Force Expands GPS Network Amid Satellite Close Approaches
The U.S. Space Force has contracted Lockheed Martin for two additional GPS satellites, while several close approaches in orbit are monitored.