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 139 published reports.
How Satellites Are Tracked: A Comprehensive Guide
Satellites are tracked using radar, optical telescopes, and radio signals, ensuring precise orbital data for over 28,000 objects.
The Expanding Universe: Insights from Space
Delve into the science of satellite orbits and the effects of microgravity on astronauts, with insights from the latest data.
China's Tallest Rocket Debuts Amid SpaceX's Historic IPO
China successfully launches its tallest rocket, while SpaceX's IPO sees shares rise by 20%. Astronomers express concerns over orbital data centres.
Satellite Spotlight: Terra — NASA's Earth Observing System Flagship
Launched on 18 December 1999, Terra is a cornerstone of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS), serving as a vital platform for monitoring our planet's climate and environment. As a flagship satellite, Terra is equipped with a suite of five scientific instruments designed to study the interactions amon
Close Approach of QIANFAN Satellites: Assessing the Risks and Implications
On 12 June 2026, two satellites from the QIANFAN series, QIANFAN-169 (NORAD ID: 69386) and QIANFAN-182 (NORAD ID: 69399), experienced a close approach event. The minimum predicted distance between the two satellites was approximately 1.67 kilometres.
Comprehensive Guide to Orbital Radar's Satellite Directory
Discover how to use Orbital Radar's Satellite Directory for efficient satellite database searches, tracking 17,926 active satellites.
Military Satellites: Comprehensive Guide to Their Role and Function
Military satellites are spacecraft used for defence and intelligence. They play crucial roles in communication, navigation, and surveillance.
Venus and Jupiter's Celestial Dance Over Avebury
Venus and Jupiter's close conjunction offers a stunning view in the twilight skies, captured over the historic Avebury stone circle.
Tracking Deep Space Probes: Voyager, JWST, and Beyond
Discover how the Orbital Radar deep space probe tracker monitors humanity's most distant spacecraft, including Voyager and JWST.
Japan's H3 Rocket to Return with New Configuration
Japan's H3 rocket is set to return to flight with its lightest configuration, marking a significant step for JAXA's launch capabilities.
Satellite Spotlight: GLONASS-K — Russia's Navigation Satellites
GLONASS-K is the third generation of Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), designed to provide accurate positioning and timing information globally. Unlike its predecessors, GLONASS-K satellites are equipped with a new range of technologies, including a third civil signal and an ext
How Many Satellites Are in Orbit: A Comprehensive Guide
As of 2026, there are 17,907 active satellites in orbit, with a total of 28,248 catalogued objects including debris.