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 24 published reports.
Geostationary Orbit: How Satellites Hover Over One Spot
Geostationary orbit allows satellites to remain fixed over a single Earth location, crucial for communications and weather monitoring.
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
Understanding Satellite Orbits: LEO, MEO, GEO and Beyond
Satellite orbits like LEO, MEO, and GEO define how satellites move in space. Each type serves unique purposes and has distinct characteristics.
Understanding Sun-Synchronous Orbits: Consistent Sunlight for Satellites
A sun-synchronous orbit allows satellites to maintain consistent sunlight exposure, crucial for imaging and Earth observation tasks.
Satellite Spotlight: BeiDou-3 — China's Global Navigation System
BeiDou-3 is the third generation of China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), designed to provide global navigation and positioning services. Officially completed in 2020, BeiDou-3 represents a significant advancement over its predecessors, BeiDou-1 and BeiDou-2, expanding coverage from regi
Comprehensive Guide to Every Active Launch Vehicle
Explore the full range of active launch vehicles, their capabilities, and their roles in deploying satellites and other payloads into orbit.
Orbital Mechanics Explained: How Satellites Stay in Orbit
Orbital mechanics govern how satellites remain in orbit, balancing gravitational forces and velocity to maintain stable paths.
BeiDou-3: China's Global Navigation System
The BeiDou-3 system is the third generation of China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), which provides global navigation services. Officially completed in June 2020, BeiDou-3 is designed to offer precise positioning, navigation, and timing services worldwide.
The Dance of Satellites: A Modern Celestial Ballet
Discover the intricate dance of 17,817 active satellites orbiting Earth, including 10,479 Starlink units, in a vast celestial ballet.
Recent Space Launch Roundup: A Quiet 48 Hours
In the past 48 hours, the global space launch calendar has seen an unusual lull, with no launches recorded from any major spacefaring nation. This pause follows a period of intense activity, where agencies and private companies have been pushing the boundaries of satellite deployment, crewed mission
Understanding Apogee and Perigee: Highs and Lows of Orbits
Apogee and perigee are the highest and lowest points in an orbit, crucial for understanding satellite paths and operations.
GOES-18: Geostationary Weather Sentinel
GOES-18 is part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) programme operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As a geostationary satellite, it is positioned to provide continuous weather monitoring over the Western Hemisphere.