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 22 published reports.
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.
Tracking Near-Earth Asteroids: Your Guide to Real-Time Orbits and Risks
Discover how to track near-earth asteroids in real-time, assess their orbits, and understand potential impact risks with our detailed guide.
Unveiling the Double Lobed Asteroid Torifune
Asteroid 98943 Torifune, recently imaged by Hayabusa2, reveals a double-lobed structure, offering clues to its formation and composition.
ESA and JAXA Finalize Apophis Mission Amid Orbital Close Calls
ESA and JAXA have finalized a mission to asteroid Apophis. Meanwhile, Starlink satellites experience a close approach.
Understanding Kessler Syndrome: Space Debris Chain Reaction
Kessler Syndrome describes a scenario where space debris collisions create a self-sustaining cascade, threatening orbital operations.
Satellite Spotlight: COSMOS 1408 and Its Debris Field
COSMOS 1408, a Soviet-era satellite, has gained notoriety not for its original mission, but for its role in a 2021 anti-satellite (ASAT) test conducted by Russia. Launched on 16 September 1982, COSMOS 1408 was part of the Tselina-D series, designed for electronic intelligence (ELINT) gathering.
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.
Understanding Mega-Constellations: The Future of Satellite Networks
Mega-constellations are large groups of satellites working together in low Earth orbit to provide global coverage. Discover their purpose and impact.
This Week in Orbit: 2026-07-19
This week, the James Webb Space Telescope has once again captured the scientific community's attention with its latest discovery on black holes. The telescope has provided new insights into how these cosmic giants feed themselves, a finding that could reshape our understanding of galactic evolution.
Understanding Orbital Decay: Why Satellites Fall to Earth
Orbital decay occurs when a satellite's orbit decreases over time due to atmospheric drag and gravitational forces, eventually leading to re-entry.
Close Conjunction of INTELSAT 1002 and MEV-2
On June 15, 2026, at 10:17 UTC, a close approach event is anticipated between INTELSAT 1002 (NORAD ID: 28358) and MEV-2 (NORAD ID: 46113). The predicted minimum separation distance is approximately 0.00 km, indicating a potential collision risk.
COSMOS 1408 and the 2021 Russian ASAT Test Debris Field
COSMOS 1408, a defunct Soviet-era satellite, became the focal point of global attention following a Russian anti-satellite (ASAT) test on 15 November 2021. Originally launched on 16 September 1982, COSMOS 1408 was part of the Tselina-D electronic intelligence satellite series.