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 474 published reports.
Exploring Space: Insights from Orbital Radar Academy
Orbital Radar Academy offers comprehensive education on satellite tracking, orbital dynamics, and space debris management, equipping learners with essential space knowledge.
Artemis safety concerns: Orbital Briefing, 23 October 2026
NASA's safety panel raises concerns over Artemis IV and future access to low Earth orbit, while Dragon cargo reaches the ISS and satellite close approaches draw attention.
MMX launches towards Phobos: Orbital Briefing, 20 October
Japan's MMX mission is heading towards Mars to return samples of Phobos. Meanwhile, satellite close approaches and a busy launch schedule remain in focus.
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.
Low Earth Orbit: Why Space Is Busiest Below 2,000 km
Low Earth orbit hosts space stations, broadband constellations and Earth-observation missions. Explore how it works, why it is crowded and what keeps satellites flying safely.
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.
Orbital Mechanics Explained: How Satellites Stay in Orbit
Orbital mechanics govern how satellites remain in orbit, balancing gravitational forces and velocity to maintain stable paths.
Understanding Orbital Inclination: The Angles of Satellite Orbits
Orbital inclination is the angle between a satellite's orbit and the Earth's equator, crucial for mission objectives.
SatNet reaches orbit: Orbital Briefing, 25 October 2026
China's SatNet LEO Group 28 has reached orbit aboard Long March 8A. Elsewhere, satellite close approaches warrant attention while geomagnetic conditions remain quiet.
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.
How Often Do Satellites Maneuver? What Our Detector Sees
Orbital Radar logged 45,196 orbit-change events over the past month. Explore what those detections reveal about satellite activity—and why they are not a count of thruster firings.
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.