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 151 published reports.
Sun-Synchronous Orbit: How Satellites Keep Consistent Light
Sun-synchronous satellites use Earth's equatorial bulge to keep a consistent solar schedule. Learn how the orbit works, why imaging missions use it and what it cannot guarantee.
SOHO: the Sun-watching observatory at L1
Stationed around 1.5 million kilometres sunward of Earth, SOHO transformed observations of the solar interior, atmosphere and eruptions — and became an unexpected comet hunter.
Having a Blast at Kitt Peak: A Rocket Catches Sunlight
A Falcon 9 launch about 550 miles away lights up the sky above Kitt Peak. Its sunlit exhaust and a red-lit telescope dome reveal contrasting uses of light after sunset.
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.
Eclipses and Sunspots: A Solar Spectacle Unveiled
A captivating solar eclipse captured in 2012 reveals sunspots and the Moon's silhouette. Discover the science behind eclipses and upcoming celestial events.
A Rare Triple Alignment: Plane, Space Station, and Sun
A stunning image captures a rare alignment of an airplane, the International Space Station, and sunspots against the Sun, revealing the intricate dance of celestial and terrestrial bodies.
Parker Solar Probe: 6.1 Million Kilometres from the Sun
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe flies through the Sun’s outer atmosphere, using a carbon-composite shield and a carefully shaped orbit to investigate coronal heating and the solar wind.
How Far Away Can You See a Rocket Launch?
A rocket launch can be visible hundreds of kilometres away, especially around twilight. Your view depends on its trajectory, sunlight, weather and your horizon.
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.
Supersonic Dance: Falcon 9's Triple Shockwave Across the Sun
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket creates visible shockwaves as it crosses the Sun, captured in a rare and stunning photograph.
Sunspot Spectacle: AR 4478 Illuminates the Solar Surface
Discover AR 4478, a colossal sunspot group, its effects on Earth, and the science of solar activity.
Solar Observatory Spacecraft: Monitoring Our Sun
Solar observatory spacecraft are crucial for monitoring the Sun's activity and understanding space weather impacts on Earth.