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 25 published reports.
Understanding Apogee and Perigee: Highs and Lows of Orbits
Apogee and perigee are the highest and lowest points in an orbit, crucial for understanding satellite paths and operations.
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.
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.
Hayabusa2's Laser Success and Starlink Manoeuvres
Japan's Hayabusa2 completes a pioneering laser ranging experiment with an asteroid. Starlink satellites adjust orbits, and space weather remains stable.
Vanguard 1: The Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit
Launched on 17 March 1958, Vanguard 1 is the oldest artificial satellite still in orbit. It was part of the United States' Vanguard project, which aimed to launch the first American satellite as part of the International Geophysical Year (1957-1958).
Highly Elliptical Orbits: Understanding Their Role in Space
Highly elliptical orbits (HEOs) are elongated paths used for specific satellite missions, offering unique advantages for communication and observation.
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.
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 spherical satellite with a diameter of 58 cm and a weight of 83.6 kg.
Understanding TLE Format: A Comprehensive Guide
Two-Line Element sets (TLEs) are crucial for tracking satellites, providing data on orbit parameters and predictions.
Vanguard 1: The Oldest Satellite Still in Orbit
Launched on 17 March 1958, Vanguard 1 is the oldest artificial satellite still in orbit. Developed by the United States as part of the Vanguard Project, it was the fourth artificial Earth satellite to be successfully launched.
Chandra X-ray Observatory: Unveiling the High-Energy Universe
The Chandra X-ray Observatory, launched on 23 July 1999 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-93), is a flagship mission of NASA dedicated to X-ray astronomy. Named after the Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Chandra is designed to observe X-rays from high-energy regions of the universe, s
SpaceX Prepares for Starship Flight 13 Amidst Orbital Anomalies
SpaceX targets July 23 for Starship Flight 13. Satellite close approaches and orbital manoeuvres monitored.