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 65 published reports.
How Are Satellites Tested Before Launch?
Satellites face simulated launch loads and space conditions before flight. Thermal vacuum, vibration and acoustic tests expose faults that could otherwise end a mission.
Space Force Awards $60M for Satellite Network Tests
The US Space Force allocates $60 million for satellite network tests. TESS discovers a rare brown dwarf. Close satellite approaches monitored.
SpaceX Prepares for Starship's 13th Test Flight Amid Close Satellite Approaches
SpaceX is set for Starship's 13th test flight this week, while several satellites experience close approaches.
Satellite Spotlight: COSMOS 1408 — The 2021 Russian ASAT Test Debris Field
COSMOS 1408, also known by its NORAD ID 13552, was a Soviet-era electronic signals intelligence satellite launched on 16 September 1982. It was part of the Tselina-D series, designed to monitor electronic communications and radar emissions from Earth.
Anti-Satellite Weapons: Understanding Their Impact and Risks
Anti-satellite weapons are designed to disable or destroy satellites. They pose significant risks to space operations due to debris creation.
Fengyun-1C debris: the legacy of China's 2007 ASAT test
China's destruction of the Fengyun-1C weather satellite in January 2007 created a long-lived debris cloud. Its fragments remain a case study in how one interception can change the orbital environment for decades.
Space Debris: Understanding the Growing Threat in Orbit
Space debris refers to defunct human-made objects in orbit, posing risks to satellites and space missions.
SpaceX AI Satellites: Pioneering Autonomous Space Operations
SpaceX's AI satellites are revolutionising autonomous space operations by enhancing satellite communication and navigation capabilities.
Stoke Space Completes Key Test for Reusable Rocket Development
Stoke Space advances reusable rocket tech with Nova Stage 1 test. NASA and NOAA to discuss operational satellite systems.
Galaxies Warped by Cosmic Mirrors: A Webb Telescope View
The James Webb Telescope captures the galaxy cluster MACS J0454.1-0300, showcasing gravitational lensing effects that reveal distant cosmic phenomena.
Close Approach Alert: Objects B and C Near Miss in Orbit
A close approach between two space objects, designated as OBJECT B and OBJECT C, occurred on 30 June 2026 at 00:30 UTC. The minimum distance between the two was approximately 1.37 kilometres, which is considered a medium-severity conjunction.
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.