Skip to content
Home Blog
LIVE FEED

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 113 published reports.

A bright X-class solar flare erupting from the sun's surface on March 29, 2014, with visible solar prominences.
Satellite Spotlight

Understanding Satellite Radio Propagation with Orbital Radar's Heatmap

Discover how Orbital Radar's Propagation Heatmap tool helps optimise satellite communication by analysing radio propagation conditions.

· 2 min
Technicians examine NASA's twin GRACE Follow-On satellites and dispenser at SpaceX, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Satellite Spotlight

Iridium NEXT: The Flash-Free Replacement Constellation

Iridium NEXT is a satellite constellation developed by Iridium Communications to replace its original satellite network. The constellation consists of 66 active satellites, with additional spares in orbit, designed to provide global voice and data communication services.

· 2 min
Colorful geological layers and formations illustrating diverse Earth science phenomena.
Orbital Events

Military Satellites: Comprehensive Guide to Their Role and Function

Military satellites are spacecraft used for defence and intelligence. They play crucial roles in communication, navigation, and surveillance.

· 2 min
Animation illustrating advancements in satellite altimeters for detailed sea height measurements over four decades.
Satellite Spotlight

The Evolution of EchoStar: From First Launch to Present

EchoStar has evolved from launching its first satellite in 1995 to becoming a key player in global communications technology.

· 2 min
Illustration of STS-43 mission's TDRS-E satellite in space with Earth in the background.
Satellite Spotlight

TDRS: NASA's Data Relay Network in Geostationary Orbit

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system is a network of American communications satellites operated by NASA. Designed to support space missions by providing continuous data relay services, TDRS satellites are crucial for maintaining near-constant communication with spacecraft in low Eart

· 2 min
NASA's SpaceX GOES-U rocket launching into a clear blue sky with smoke trails.
Satellite Spotlight

SpaceX AI Satellites: Pioneering Autonomous Space Operations

SpaceX's AI satellites are revolutionising autonomous space operations by enhancing satellite communication and navigation capabilities.

· 2 min
A TROPICS rocket launching into a clear blue sky with white clouds in the background.
Orbital Briefing

Rocket Lab Acquires Iridium, Expanding Satellite Comms Reach

Rocket Lab's $8 billion acquisition of Iridium signals a strategic expansion in satellite communications. Starlink satellites adjust orbits, and New Horizons observes solar wind changes.

· 2 min
Space shuttle on launch pad with clear blue sky background
Orbital Briefing

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.

· 2 min
Diagram showing TDRS 3 satellite orbit with perigee at 35623 km and apogee at 35948 km, based on radar data.
Satellite Spotlight

TDRS: NASA's Geostationary Data Relay Network

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system is a network of American communications satellites that form part of NASA's Space Network. Established to provide continuous, high-data-rate communication with spacecraft, TDRS supports a range of missions, from the Hubble Space Telescope to the In

· 2 min
Archival photo of Echo 1 satellite passing over Goldstone Tracking Station, August 12, 1960, managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Orbital Events

Understanding Satellite Look Angles: Azimuth and Elevation Explained

Satellite look angles, including azimuth and elevation, are crucial for tracking and communication. Learn how these angles are measured and their significance.

· 2 min
Colorful STS-70 mission patch featuring bald eagle and American flag with shuttle orbiting Earth.
Satellite Spotlight

Satellite Spotlight: TDRS — NASA's Data Relay Network in GEO

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system is a network of American communications satellites operated by NASA. Designed to support space missions by providing continuous data relay services, TDRS ensures that spacecraft and satellites have a constant link to ground stations.

· 2 min
📡
Stay in Orbit

Get weekly space intelligence delivered to your inbox — launches, events, and satellite analysis.