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 302 published reports.
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.
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.
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.
How Long Does It Take to Get to Mars?
Getting to Mars usually takes seven to nine months. The journey depends on where both planets will be at arrival, not simply how far apart they are at launch.
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.
NASA vs ESA vs CNSA: How the Space Agencies Compare
NASA, ESA and CNSA represent different ways of organising space exploration. Their budgets, responsibilities and partnerships matter more than a simple ranking.
Space Agencies List: Who Runs the World's Space Programmes?
NASA, ESA and CNSA are part of a much wider network of space organisations. Explore who runs national programmes, how responsibilities differ and where private companies fit.
Types of Rocket Propulsion: Chemical, Electric and Nuclear
Chemical engines deliver thrust, electric thrusters conserve propellant, and nuclear concepts offer different trade-offs. Here is how mission designers choose between them.
What Happens If Two Satellites Collide?
A satellite collision can leave fragments circling Earth long after the spacecraft are destroyed. Their altitude helps determine how long the danger lasts.
Why Can You Only See Satellites at Night? Twilight Explained
Satellites shine by reflected sunlight, not because night switches them on. The best views come when the ground is dark but the spacecraft overhead remains sunlit.
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.