Within 15 years, plummeting satellites could alter winds, temps in stratosphere
(noaa.gov)
Estimates suggest satellite debris could rival the amount of naturally occurring meteor dust in the atmosphere by 2040.
Estimates suggest satellite debris could rival the amount of naturally occurring meteor dust in the atmosphere by 2040.
Falling satellites put the atmosphere at risk
(bloomberg.com)
Daily life increasingly depends on systems of satellites orbiting Earth. As fleets proliferate, ever greater numbers of expired units will hurtle back toward the surface.
Daily life increasingly depends on systems of satellites orbiting Earth. As fleets proliferate, ever greater numbers of expired units will hurtle back toward the surface.
We know a little more about Amazon's satellites
(arstechnica.com)
The first production satellites for Amazon's Kuiper broadband network launched earlier this week, but if you tuned in to the mission's official livestream, the truncated coverage had the feel of a spy satellite launch.
The first production satellites for Amazon's Kuiper broadband network launched earlier this week, but if you tuned in to the mission's official livestream, the truncated coverage had the feel of a spy satellite launch.
Fuzzy images are our first look at Amazon's super-secret satellites
(arstechnica.com)
The first production satellites for Amazon's Kuiper broadband network launched earlier this week, but if you tuned in to the mission's official livestream, the truncated coverage had the feel of a spy satellite launch.
The first production satellites for Amazon's Kuiper broadband network launched earlier this week, but if you tuned in to the mission's official livestream, the truncated coverage had the feel of a spy satellite launch.
Incinerating thousand of Satellites in the atmosphere releases toxic pollutants
(bloomberg.com)
Daily life increasingly depends on systems of satellites orbiting Earth. As fleets proliferate, ever greater numbers of expired units will hurtle back toward the surface.
Daily life increasingly depends on systems of satellites orbiting Earth. As fleets proliferate, ever greater numbers of expired units will hurtle back toward the surface.
Russian satellite at centre of nuclear weapons claims is spinning out of control
(theguardian.com)
A secretive Russian satellite in space that US officials believe is connected to a nuclear anti-satellite weapons program has appeared to be spinning uncontrollably, suggesting it may no longer be functioning in what could be a setback for Moscow’s space weapons efforts, according to US analysts.
A secretive Russian satellite in space that US officials believe is connected to a nuclear anti-satellite weapons program has appeared to be spinning uncontrollably, suggesting it may no longer be functioning in what could be a setback for Moscow’s space weapons efforts, according to US analysts.
There's a secret reason the Space Force is delaying the next Atlas V launch
(arstechnica.com)
Last week, the first operational satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper broadband network were minutes from launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Last week, the first operational satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper broadband network were minutes from launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Oldest Satellite Has Been in Space for 67 Years. Engineers Want to Bring It Home
(gizmodo.com)
An awkward-looking, spherical satellite the size of a grapefruit launched in March 1958, and was boosted into a high elliptical orbit. The satellite, named Vanguard-1, was a test of launch capabilities during the early days of the historic space age. Other satellites of its time have reentered through Earth’s atmosphere, burning up in a fiery death, but Vanguard-1 is still in orbit, silently zooming through the void of space.
An awkward-looking, spherical satellite the size of a grapefruit launched in March 1958, and was boosted into a high elliptical orbit. The satellite, named Vanguard-1, was a test of launch capabilities during the early days of the historic space age. Other satellites of its time have reentered through Earth’s atmosphere, burning up in a fiery death, but Vanguard-1 is still in orbit, silently zooming through the void of space.
FCC chair calls EU satellite strategy 'anti-American'
(telecomstechnews.com)
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has urged EU nations to reevaluate their satellite strategy amid concerns about relying on Starlink for services.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has urged EU nations to reevaluate their satellite strategy amid concerns about relying on Starlink for services.
Parcae Ocean Surveillance Satellites
(thespacereview.com)
On April 30, 1976, an Atlas F rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying a new type of satellite into space.
On April 30, 1976, an Atlas F rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying a new type of satellite into space.
European Gaia mapping satellite is retired but proves tough to kill
(theregister.com)
The last commands have been sent to the ESA's Gaia satellite and, after a dozen years scanning the galaxy, the spacecraft is shutting down its computers and boosting out into a retirement orbit around the Sun.
The last commands have been sent to the ESA's Gaia satellite and, after a dozen years scanning the galaxy, the spacecraft is shutting down its computers and boosting out into a retirement orbit around the Sun.
Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9
(spaceinafrica.com)
Botswana’s first satellite, BOTSAT-1, was successfully launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9—Transporter 13 rideshare mission on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, USA.
Botswana’s first satellite, BOTSAT-1, was successfully launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9—Transporter 13 rideshare mission on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, USA.
China is testing experimental 'dogfighting' satellites in space, US general says
(businessinsider.com)
China is testing experimental satellites capable of performing complex coordinated space maneuvers, a US Space Force general said this week.
China is testing experimental satellites capable of performing complex coordinated space maneuvers, a US Space Force general said this week.
Five Chinese satellites practiced 'dogfighting' in space, Space Force says
(breakingdefense.com)
US “near peer” adversaries are “practicing dogfighting” in space to simulate orbital combat in yet another step up their wide-ranging effort to develop capabilities to deny, disrupt, degrade and/or destroy US space capabilities, the Space Force’s second in command warned today.
US “near peer” adversaries are “practicing dogfighting” in space to simulate orbital combat in yet another step up their wide-ranging effort to develop capabilities to deny, disrupt, degrade and/or destroy US space capabilities, the Space Force’s second in command warned today.
US Space Force warns Chinese satellites are 'dogfighting' in space
(theregister.com)
China has practiced co-ordinated satellite maneuvers in space that resemble aerial combat, according to a US Space Force General.
China has practiced co-ordinated satellite maneuvers in space that resemble aerial combat, according to a US Space Force General.
Starlink satellite part hit a Canadian farm when it fell from orbit
(newscientist.com)
A fragment of an out-of-control SpaceX Starlink satellite smashed into a farm in Canada last year, New Scientist can reveal – raising questions about the risks of de-orbiting space junk.
A fragment of an out-of-control SpaceX Starlink satellite smashed into a farm in Canada last year, New Scientist can reveal – raising questions about the risks of de-orbiting space junk.
Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) Overview
(3gpp.org)
Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) are networks or segments of networks that use either Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) operating typically between 8 and 50km altitudes, including High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) or satellites in different constellations to carry a transmission equipment relay node or a base station:
Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) are networks or segments of networks that use either Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) operating typically between 8 and 50km altitudes, including High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) or satellites in different constellations to carry a transmission equipment relay node or a base station:
When Europe needed it most, the Ariane 6 rocket delivered
(arstechnica.com)
Europe's Ariane 6 rocket lifted off Thursday from French Guiana and deployed a high-resolution reconnaissance satellite into orbit for the French military, notching a success on its first operational flight.
Europe's Ariane 6 rocket lifted off Thursday from French Guiana and deployed a high-resolution reconnaissance satellite into orbit for the French military, notching a success on its first operational flight.
Eutelsat in talks with Euro leaders as they mull Starlink replacement in Ukraine
(theregister.com)
Talks are underway between European leaders and Eutelsat about a possible replacement for Starlink in Ukraine.
Talks are underway between European leaders and Eutelsat about a possible replacement for Starlink in Ukraine.
Ariane 6 performs first commercial flight with launch of CSO-3 satellite
(arianespace.com)
The first commercial flight of Ariane 6, operated by Arianespace, placed the CSO-3 Earth observation satellite in orbit for the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) and the French space agency (CNES) for the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE).
The first commercial flight of Ariane 6, operated by Arianespace, placed the CSO-3 Earth observation satellite in orbit for the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) and the French space agency (CNES) for the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE).
Unprecedented Starlink Reentries
(spaceweatherarchive.com)
Feb. 5, 2025 (Spaceweather.com): What goes up, must come down–which could be a problem when you’re launching thousands of satellites. Since 2018, SpaceX has placed more than 7,000 Starlink satellites into Earth orbit, and now they are starting to come down. In January alone, more than 120 Starlinks deorbited, creating a shower of fireballs.
Feb. 5, 2025 (Spaceweather.com): What goes up, must come down–which could be a problem when you’re launching thousands of satellites. Since 2018, SpaceX has placed more than 7,000 Starlink satellites into Earth orbit, and now they are starting to come down. In January alone, more than 120 Starlinks deorbited, creating a shower of fireballs.
China Rescues Stranded Lunar Satellites
(ieee.org)
China has managed to deliver a pair of satellites into lunar orbit despite the spacecraft initially being stranded in low Earth orbit following a rocket failure, using a mix of complex calculations, precise engine burns, and astrodynamic ingenuity.
China has managed to deliver a pair of satellites into lunar orbit despite the spacecraft initially being stranded in low Earth orbit following a rocket failure, using a mix of complex calculations, precise engine burns, and astrodynamic ingenuity.
Sky skimmers: The race to fly satellites at the lowest orbits yet
(bbc.com)
High in the skies of Earth, a new space race is underway. Here, just above the boundary where space begins, companies are trying to create a new class of daring satellites.
High in the skies of Earth, a new space race is underway. Here, just above the boundary where space begins, companies are trying to create a new class of daring satellites.
A tiny satellite showed it can take high-res pics from space
(theverge.com)
A satellite the size of a suitcase sent back these 2.5-meter resolution photos of the Earth’s surface.
A satellite the size of a suitcase sent back these 2.5-meter resolution photos of the Earth’s surface.
Carnarvon's NASA satellite dish receives first signal in almost 40 years
(abc.net.au)
A 29-metre-wide satellite dish that once aided NASA missions has received its first signal since being mothballed in 1987.
A 29-metre-wide satellite dish that once aided NASA missions has received its first signal since being mothballed in 1987.
Hypso-2 satellite monitors harmful algae from space
(phys.org)
It's slightly larger than a 5-liter water bottle, and is whizzing around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometers per second.
It's slightly larger than a 5-liter water bottle, and is whizzing around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometers per second.
Hacking yourself a satellite – recovering BEESAT-1 [video]
(media.ccc.de)
In 2013, the satellite BEESAT-1 started returning invalid telemetry, rendering it effectively unusable. Because it is projected to remain in orbit for at least another 20 years, recovering the satellite and updating the flight software would enable new experiments on the existing hardware. However, in addition to no access to telemetry, the satellite also has no functional software update feature.
In 2013, the satellite BEESAT-1 started returning invalid telemetry, rendering it effectively unusable. Because it is projected to remain in orbit for at least another 20 years, recovering the satellite and updating the flight software would enable new experiments on the existing hardware. However, in addition to no access to telemetry, the satellite also has no functional software update feature.