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 43 published reports.
Exploring the Vastness: Earth's Energy from the Sun
The Sun delivers more energy to Earth every hour than we consume in a year. Explore this remarkable fact and its implications for our planet.
Parts of a Satellite: Systems That Keep It Working
Discover the key components and systems inside a satellite that ensure its operation in space, including power, thermal control, and communication.
South Atlantic Anomaly: Why Satellites Glitch
A weak patch in Earth's magnetic shield brings trapped radiation into the paths of low-orbiting spacecraft. Here is why satellites glitch and how operators protect them.
How Solar Storms Threaten Satellites and Power Grids
Solar storms can disrupt satellites and power grids by inducing geomagnetic currents and radiation, posing risks to technology and infrastructure.
How Satellites Are Tracked: From Radar to Orbit Predictions
Satellite tracking turns radar echoes, telescope images and radio measurements into orbit predictions. Here is how it works, where uncertainty enters and how to check a pass.
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.
SatNet reaches orbit: Orbital Briefing, 25 October 2026
China's SatNet LEO Group 28 has reached orbit aboard Long March 8A. Elsewhere, satellite close approaches warrant attention while geomagnetic conditions remain quiet.
This Week in Orbit
This week, the space community was abuzz with a mix of scientific discoveries and technical challenges. Notably, Blue Origin identified an engine issue that led to the New Glenn rocket explosion, marking a significant step in addressing the setback.
Unleashing the Sun: Understanding Coronal Mass Ejections
The Solar Dynamics Observatory captures a coronal mass ejection, illustrating the Sun's dynamic magnetic fields and their impact on Earth.
Unveiling Solar Secrets: The Sharpest Image of Our Sun
The Inouye Solar Telescope has captured the sharpest image of the Sun, revealing the elusive Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in stunning detail.
9,996 active Starlinks: Orbital Briefing, 28 October 2026
Starlink has 9,996 operational satellites following another successful Falcon 9 mission. Meanwhile, geomagnetic conditions are quiet ahead of SpaceX and ISRO launches.
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.