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 22 published reports.
SpaceX Prepares for Starship Flight 13 Amidst Orbital Anomalies
SpaceX targets July 23 for Starship Flight 13. Satellite close approaches and orbital manoeuvres monitored.
Japan's H3 Rocket to Return with New Configuration
Japan's H3 rocket is set to return to flight with its lightest configuration, marking a significant step for JAXA's launch capabilities.
SpaceX's Starlink V3 Deployment on Suborbital Starship Flight
SpaceX prepares to launch Starlink V3 satellites on a suborbital Starship flight, marking a significant step in satellite deployment.
NASA Prepares for Astronaut Launch Amid Starlink Anomalies
NASA prepares for astronaut Anil Menon's launch to the ISS, while Starlink satellites show significant orbital anomalies.
ISS Crew Takes Shelter Amid Russian Segment Leak
ISS crew members took shelter following an air leak in the Russian segment. Blue Origin remains focused on future missions despite New Glenn anomaly.
Wally Funk, Space Pioneer, Passes Away; Starlink Anomalies Noted
Wally Funk, a trailblazer in aviation and space, has died at 87. Starlink satellites undergo orbital adjustments.
India's Private Rocket Success and Perseverance's Ancient Discovery
India's first privately-developed rocket has successfully reached orbit. Meanwhile, NASA's Perseverance Rover has uncovered evidence of ancient impacts on Mars.
Starship's 13th Flight and Wildfires Impact NASA's Madrid Facility
SpaceX's Starship completes a successful 13th test flight with a soft splashdown. Meanwhile, wildfires near Madrid impact NASA's Deep Space Network facility.
Astronomical Concerns Over Satellite Mega-Constellations
Astronomers express concern over satellite mega-constellations, while New Horizons approaches interstellar space.
This Week in Orbit: 2026-06-07
This week, the space community's attention was drawn to NASA's strategic decisions and operational challenges. The agency is set to select a new headquarters by the end of the year, a move that underscores its evolving administrative needs.
Close Approach of QIANFAN Satellites: Assessing the Risks and Implications
On 12 June 2026, two satellites from the QIANFAN series, QIANFAN-169 (NORAD ID: 69386) and QIANFAN-182 (NORAD ID: 69399), experienced a close approach event. The minimum predicted distance between the two satellites was approximately 1.67 kilometres.
High-Risk Conjunction: COSMOS 2581 and COSMOS 2582 Approach
The Russian satellites COSMOS 2581 and COSMOS 2582, with NORAD IDs 62902 and 62903 respectively, are projected to come perilously close to each other at a minimum distance of 0.42 km. This conjunction is scheduled for 24 August 2026 at 02:39:45 UTC.