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 14 published reports.
How Do Satellites Get Power? Solar, Batteries and Nuclear
Most satellites turn sunlight into electricity and use batteries in darkness. Explore how spacecraft generate, store and ration power, from Earth orbit to deep space.
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.
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.
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.
Vanguard 1: the oldest satellite still in orbit
Launched on 17 March 1958, Vanguard 1 stopped transmitting in 1964 but remains in orbit. Its small aluminium sphere helped establish solar power in space and revealed new details about Earth's shape.
Military Satellites: What They Do and How They Work
Military satellites support communications, navigation, intelligence and missile warning. Explore how they work, what they can detect and what public tracking reveals.
Sputnik 1: the satellite that started the Space Age
Launched on 4 October 1957, Sputnik 1 became Earth's first artificial satellite. Its radio pulses announced a new technological era, while its brief mission helped scientists investigate the upper atmosphere.
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.
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.
Low Earth Orbit: Why Space Is Busiest Below 2,000 km
Low Earth orbit hosts space stations, broadband constellations and Earth-observation missions. Explore how it works, why it is crowded and what keeps satellites flying safely.
Biggest Satellite in Orbit: The Heaviest Objects Ranked
The ISS is the heaviest satellite in orbit, but catalogue rankings tell a different story. Explore the distinction between assembled stations, individual spacecraft and spent rocket stages.
Can a Falling Satellite Hit You? The Real Re-entry Risk
A falling satellite can hit someone, but the personal risk is very low. Explore what survives re-entry, documented debris strikes and what forecasts can actually tell you.