KeepTrack’ Articles

SpaceX Wins $4.16B Space Force Missile-Tracking Deal | KeepTrack X Report

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:06:16 GMT

Latest Developments

SpaceX is dominating both the military and commercial space landscape this week, having secured a $4.16 billion Space Force contract to deploy satellites capable of tracking airborne threats anywhere on Earth — the largest single defense award in the company's recent history. On the launch front, SpaceX is executing a dual-pad operation today, with 24 Starlink satellites lifting off from Vandenberg and 29 more from Cape Canaveral, the latter mission targeting a milestone 200th landing aboard drone ship Of Course I Still Love You. With 10,505 Starlink satellites currently in orbit and 10,489 confirmed operational out of 12,138 launched to date, the constellation continues its relentless expansion. Meanwhile, SpaceX's amended S-1 IPO filing is generating significant financial market turbulence, briefly pulling Tesla shares down 5% amid fresh speculation about a possible merger.

Space Safety

The current Starlink conjunction threat picture shows seven moderate-risk events concentrated over a 72-hour window from June 2-6, 2026, with no HIGH risk conjunctions currently assessed. The most critical event involves STARLINK-6258 and STARLINK-30487 on Jun 6 at 06:40 UTC with a maximum collision probability of 0.42 and minimum range of 22 meters, though both are Starlink assets with known orbital characteristics. Concurrently, four Starlink satellites are predicted for reentry within the same six-day period, with STARLINK-3729 presenting the widest decay window of 48 hours and STARLINK-1993 exhibiting a full 24-hour uncertainty band centered on Jun 5.

Risk	Starlink Sat	Other Object	Status	Min Range (km)	Rel Speed (km/s)	Max Prob	Time of Closest Approach
MODERATE	STARLINK-6258	STARLINK-30487	Partially Operational	0.022	9.82	0.4184	Jun 6, 06:40 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-33999	LEMUR-2-FURIAUS	Operational	0.013	8.137	0.3838	Jun 6, 09:26 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-1168	STARLINK-35164	Operational	0.026	1.383	0.3482	Jun 6, 04:56 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-3352	STARLINK-32700	Operational	0.033	10.43	0.2275	Jun 3, 02:07 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-3124	CZ-4B DEB	Non-operational	0.028	6.004	0.127	Jun 3, 17:10 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-31972	IRIS-F3	Operational	0.029	7.854	0.1181	Jun 4, 09:53 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-35328	CZ-6A R/B	Non-operational	0.021	14.86	0.1181	Jun 4, 19:04 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-34172	OBJECT C	Operational	0.024	14.721	0.09041	Jun 5, 05:35 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-31808	SL-4 DEB	Non-operational	0.030	12.955	0.08134	Jun 2, 12:01 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-37441	HAWK-13C	Operational	0.040	2.006	0.07178	Jun 3, 15:23 UTC

Satellite	NORAD ID	Predicted Decay	Window (min)	Inclination	Lat	Lon
STARLINK-3255	50201	Jun 3, 07:54 UTC	60	53.2°	-38.9°	17.8°
STARLINK-5384	54836	Jun 3, 21:51 UTC	240	43°	42.6°	213.3°
STARLINK-1993	47588	Jun 5, 08:53 UTC	1440	53°	52.4°	333°
STARLINK-3729	52135	Jun 5, 15:02 UTC	2880	53.2°	28°	53.1°

Detailed Coverage

SpaceX Bags $4.16 Billion Space Force Deal to Track Airborne Threats From Orbit

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a landmark $4.16 billion contract to develop and operate a constellation of satellites designed to detect and track airborne threats — including hypersonic missiles and advanced aircraft — anywhere on the globe. The contract underscores the Pentagon's accelerating push to move fire-control and surveillance functions into low Earth orbit, where SpaceX's manufacturing scale and rapid deployment cadence give it a structural advantage over traditional defense primes.

The award cements SpaceX's transformation from a launch services provider into a full-spectrum defense space company. Satellite trackers and analysts will be watching closely to see how these new national security payloads are registered and maneuvered, given the operational sensitivity likely to surround their orbital parameters and ground contacts.

Read the full story: Space.com

Falcon 9 Eyes Historic 200th OCISLY Landing in Back-to-Back Starlink Missions Today

SpaceX is running parallel countdowns this morning, with the Starlink 10-43 mission targeting a 6:11 a.m. EDT liftoff from Cape Canaveral's SLC-40, followed by the Starlink 17-47 mission departing Vandenberg's SLC-4E at 7:36 a.m. PDT. The Vandenberg booster's recovery attempt would mark the 200th successful landing aboard drone ship Of Course I Still Love You — a milestone that would have seemed implausible a decade ago. Together the two missions would loft 53 additional Starlink satellites, continuing the cadence needed to sustain constellation density and on-orbit sparing margins.

The back-to-back nature of today's launches exemplifies the operational tempo SpaceX has reached with Falcon 9, and the simultaneous use of both coasts highlights how the company has diversified launch infrastructure to avoid single-point bottlenecks. Tracking services will be busy cataloguing the new objects as they raise their orbits and slot into assigned planes over the coming days.

Read the full story: Spaceflight Now – Vandenberg | Spaceflight Now – Cape Canaveral

SpaceX S-1 Amendment Triggers Tesla Sell-Off and Merger Speculation

A single clause buried in SpaceX's amended S-1 IPO filing sent Tesla shares tumbling roughly 5% in a single trading session, igniting widespread debate about whether Elon Musk might engineer some form of combination between the two companies post-IPO. Analysts are divided: some read the language as standard disclosure boilerplate, while others argue it signals a deliberate effort to give SpaceX shareholders a pathway to Tesla equity — or vice versa. The episode has amplified scrutiny over Musk's cross-company financial entanglements at precisely the moment SpaceX is seeking public market validation.

The IPO itself, if completed at expected valuations, would rank among the largest U.S. public offerings in years and would formally separate Starlink's commercial balance sheet from SpaceX's launch business — a distinction investors and regulators have long sought clarity on. How the company ultimately structures its post-IPO capital allocation between Starlink infrastructure, Falcon 9 production, and Starship development will define its growth story for the next decade.

Read the full story: Teslarati

After the IPO: Will SpaceX Remain a Launch Company?

SpaceX's approaching public offering is prompting a fundamental question the industry hasn't had to ask before: once Starlink revenue dwarfs launch revenue, does the Falcon 9 business become a strategic liability or a crown jewel? Analysts note that Starlink already generates the majority of SpaceX's cash flow, suggesting that launch — despite its prestige — may increasingly serve as a cost center enabling constellation replenishment rather than a standalone profit engine. The IPO prospectus will force SpaceX to publish segment-level financials for the first time, giving rivals and customers an unprecedented window into the economics of reusable rocketry.

The piece also raises the longer-term question of what role Starship plays in the company's identity post-IPO. If Starship becomes the primary heavy-lift vehicle for both government and commercial customers, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy face an eventual sunset — and SpaceX would need to manage that transition without disrupting the manifest commitments that currently underpin its revenue.

Read the full story: Space.com

China's Long March 12B Debuts With No Airspace Warning — A Transparency Red Flag

China launched the first-ever flight of its Long March 12B rocket on June 1 without issuing the standard airspace closure notices that spacefaring nations typically file in advance. The rocket, which bears a strong external resemblance to SpaceX's Falcon 9 and features partial reusability, successfully completed its debut mission — but the absence of pre-launch notifications alarmed aviation safety officials and space situational awareness analysts who rely on those notices to deconflict airspace and prepare tracking assets.

The Long March 12B is designed to compete directly with Falcon 9 in the medium-lift market, and its unannounced launch hints at a posture in which China prioritizes operational surprise over international transparency norms. For the global SSA community, the episode underscores the growing challenge of tracking a launch cadence that may deliberately obscure its own timeline.

Read the full story: Space.com

Impulse Space Raises $500 Million to Build Fleet of Ultra-Mobile Orbital Tugs

Impulse Space — founded by Tom Mueller, the engineer who designed SpaceX's Merlin engine and was the company's first-ever employee — has closed a $500 million funding round to accelerate development of its Mach spacecraft, a highly maneuverable orbital transfer vehicle capable of delivering payloads across a wide range of orbital regimes on short notice. The investment reflects surging demand for last-mile delivery in space, particularly from defense customers who need to reposition assets rapidly without waiting for a dedicated launch. Impulse's vehicles could also play a meaningful role in debris remediation and on-orbit servicing as LEO congestion intensifies.

Mueller's pedigree gives Impulse credibility with both institutional investors and technical talent, and the $500 million raise positions the company to scale production well beyond its initial prototype fleet. With Starlink's 10,505-satellite constellation already redefining what LEO population density looks like, services that help payloads navigate a more complex orbital environment are becoming structurally valuable.

Read the full story: Space.com

Weekly Launch Preview: SpaceX and Chinese Megaconstellations Vie for LEO Bandwidth

This week's launch manifest is headlined by SpaceX's dual Starlink missions — detailed above — alongside Chinese commercial operators pressing their own broadband ambitions into low Earth orbit. NASASpaceFlight's preview counts six missions across five vehicles, a tempo that reflects how thoroughly megaconstellation replenishment has come to dominate the global manifest. The density of overlapping launches from multiple nations is itself becoming a space situational awareness challenge, as tracking networks must simultaneously catalogue new objects from providers with varying levels of orbital data transparency.

For SpaceX specifically, the week's missions keep the Falcon 9 fleet operating at a pace designed to sustain Starlink's service quality while also fulfilling commercial and government rideshare commitments. With Starship still maturing, Falcon 9 remains the indispensable workhorse — and each additional launch adds to a reliability record that now underpins a global communications network serving millions of users.

Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight

Constellation Status

No changes have occurred in the Starlink constellation since the last check. The constellation maintains its current totals of 12,138 satellites launched, with 10,505 currently in orbit, 10,489 operational, and 1,633 that have decayed from orbit.

Total Launched: 12138
Total On Orbit: 10505
Total Working: 10489

Track Starlink satellites in real-time: Track Starlink

Blue Origin's New Glenn Gantry Damaged; SpaceX Wins $4.16B Space Force Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:00:09 GMT

Satellite of the Day

FLOCK 4Q-20

FLOCK 4Q-20 is a 3U CubeSat technology demonstration satellite operated by Planet Labs PBC (PLAN) and launched on November 11, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This tiny satellite—measuring just 0.3 meters long and weighing a mere 5.7 kilograms—carries a Dove imaging payload designed to capture Earth observation data. Despite its diminutive size, the FLOCK 4Q-20 is part of Planet's larger Flock constellation, which aims to provide frequent, high-resolution imagery of our planet.

As a member of the Flock 4 generation, this CubeSat operates in a sun-synchronous orbit and is expected to maintain operations for two to three years. The satellite's lightweight design and standardized form factor make it an ideal platform for rapid deployment and cost-effective space missions. For satellite tracking enthusiasts and space domain awareness professionals, FLOCK 4Q-20 represents the democratization of Earth observation—bringing commercial remote sensing capabilities within reach of organizations worldwide while demonstrating the viability of CubeSat-based imaging systems.

Detail	Value
NORAD ID	58313
Operator	Planet Labs PBC (US)
Launch Date	November 11, 2023
Orbit	Sun-synchronous, 97.36° inclination
Purpose	Earth observation / imaging technology demonstration
Status	Active

Track this satellite in real-time: Track FLOCK 4Q-20

Upcoming Space Launches

June 3

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-43
- From Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (08:02 UTC) 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live Launch Preview
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-47
- From Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live Launch Preview

June 4

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 6A: Unknown Payload
- From Launch Complex 9A, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China (11:31 UTC) Likely carrying SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters, featuring two YF-100 engines on the first stage augmented by four solid rocket boosters, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology. First launched in March 2022 from Taiyuan's newly built Complex 9A. Launch Preview
Blue Origin New Glenn: Amazon Leo (LN-01)
- From Launch Complex 36A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (17:21 UTC) 48 satellites for Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), a planned 3,276-satellite broadband internet mega-constellation in low Earth orbit. Satellites will be distributed across 98 orbital planes at altitudes of 590–630 km, providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity to underserved and remote regions worldwide. New Glenn is a reusable 7-meter-diameter two-stage rocket by Blue Origin.

June 5

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8: Unknown Payload
- From Commercial LC-1, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China (06:25 UTC) Likely carrying SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites. The Long March 8 is capable of delivering up to 5,000 kg to a 700 km Sun-synchronous orbit, based on the Long March 7 first stage and a liquid-hydrogen upper stage derived from the Long March 3A family. It has been operational since its maiden flight in December 2020. Launch Preview

June 7

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-35
- From Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (10:30 UTC) 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live Launch Preview

June 8

Agency for Defense Development South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV: Demo Flight
- From ADD Offshore Launch Platform, Sea Launch (05:00 UTC) Demonstration flight of South Korea's Agency for Defense Development solid-fuel space launch vehicle to low Earth orbit. Launch Preview

June 10

Indian Space Research Organization GSLV Mk II: GISAT-1A (EOS-05)
- From Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (Time TBD) GISAT-1A is an Indian geostationary earth observation satellite designed to provide continuous imaging of the Indian subcontinent and enable rapid monitoring of natural hazards and disasters. The GSLV Mk II is India's largest operational launch vehicle, featuring an indigenous cryogenic upper stage and four liquid strap-on boosters.
China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3: Unknown Payload
- From Haiyang Offshore Launch Location, Haiyang Oriental Spaceport (00:30 UTC) Details to be confirmed. Smart Dragon 3 is a solid-fuel commercial orbital rocket developed by a subsidiary of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, first launched in December 2022.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H3-30: H3-30 Test Flight
- From Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan (00:53 UTC) Test flight of the H3-30 configuration featuring three LE-9 first-stage engines and no solid rocket boosters. The mission carries a dummy primary payload (Vehicle Evaluation Payload 5 / VEP-5) alongside five small hitchhiker satellites: PETREL, STARS-X, BRO-22, VERTECS, and HORN-L/R. The H3 is an expendable liquid-propellant rocket developed jointly by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and JAXA.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 5: Unknown Payload
- From Launch Complex 101, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China (06:00 UTC) Details to be confirmed. The Long March 5 is China's heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of delivering up to 25,000 kg to low Earth orbit, roughly matching the capability of American EELV heavy-class vehicles such as the Delta IV Heavy. It uses non-hypergolic liquid propellants and first flew in November 2016.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-44
- From Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.

SpaceX S-1 Tanks Tesla 5% on Merger Fear | KeepTrack X Report

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:06:16 GMT

Latest Developments

SpaceX's amended S-1 filing rattled financial markets this week, sending Tesla stock down 5% in a single session after investors zeroed in on language that reignited speculation about a potential Tesla-SpaceX merger. The corporate finance drama is unfolding against a busy operational backdrop: SpaceX is set to headline a packed launch week alongside Chinese competitors racing to build rival low-Earth orbit broadband constellations. With Starlink now counting 12,138 satellites launched, 10,508 in orbit, and 10,492 actively working, the constellation's operational density makes the S-1's valuation stakes all the more significant. Any structural corporate change involving SpaceX would carry enormous consequences for the world's largest commercial satellite network.

Space Safety

The current Starlink conjunction threat picture shows seven moderate-risk events concentrated within a 72-hour window from June 2-6, 2026, with no HIGH risk conjunctions currently identified. The highest probability event involves STARLINK-6258 and STARLINK-30487 with a 41.84% collision probability on June 6, followed by a conjunction between STARLINK-33999 and LEMUR-2-FURIAUS at 38.38% probability. Concurrent with this conjunction activity, six Starlink satellites are predicted to reenter the atmosphere between June 1-5, 2026, with decay windows ranging from 60 minutes to 48 hours, representing typical end-of-life disposal activity for the constellation.

Risk	Starlink Sat	Other Object	Status	Min Range (km)	Rel Speed (km/s)	Max Prob	Time of Closest Approach
MODERATE	STARLINK-6258	STARLINK-30487	Partially Operational	0.022	9.82	0.4184	Jun 6, 06:40 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-33999	LEMUR-2-FURIAUS	Operational	0.013	8.137	0.3838	Jun 6, 09:26 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-1168	STARLINK-35164	Operational	0.026	1.383	0.3482	Jun 6, 04:56 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-3352	STARLINK-32700	Operational	0.033	10.43	0.2275	Jun 3, 02:07 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-3124	CZ-4B DEB	Non-operational	0.028	6.004	0.127	Jun 3, 17:10 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-31972	IRIS-F3	Operational	0.029	7.854	0.1181	Jun 4, 09:53 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-35328	CZ-6A R/B	Non-operational	0.021	14.86	0.1181	Jun 4, 19:04 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-34172	OBJECT C	Operational	0.024	14.721	0.09041	Jun 5, 05:35 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-31808	SL-4 DEB	Non-operational	0.03	12.955	0.08134	Jun 2, 12:01 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-37441	HAWK-13C	Operational	0.04	2.006	0.07178	Jun 3, 15:23 UTC

Satellite	NORAD ID	Predicted Decay	Window (min)	Inclination	Lat	Lon
STARLINK-1363	45568	Jun 1, 21:31 UTC	60	53°	-31.8°	322.9°
STARLINK-3729	52135	Jun 3, 07:29 UTC	2880	53.2°	29.7°	49.7°
STARLINK-34110	63811	Jun 3, 09:28 UTC	1440	43°	-17°	171.9°
STARLINK-3255	50201	Jun 3, 09:41 UTC	1440	53.2°	20.4°	43.7°
STARLINK-5384	54836	Jun 4, 12:35 UTC	1440	43°	42.3°	350.3°
STARLINK-1993	47588	Jun 5, 07:03 UTC	2880	53°	2.4°	259.3°

Detailed Coverage

SpaceX's Amended S-1 Sends Tesla Shares Tumbling 5% in One Day

A single line buried in SpaceX's amended S-1 registration filing was enough to move markets dramatically, wiping roughly 5% off Tesla's share price in one trading session. Analysts and retail investors alike began parsing the language for signals that Elon Musk's two most valuable companies could eventually be combined — a deal that would reshape both the electric vehicle and commercial space industries simultaneously.

The merger conversation has resurfaced periodically for years, but the proximity of a formal public offering process gives it new urgency. SpaceX's Starlink business, now operating 10,492 functional satellites, represents a recurring-revenue broadband platform that could look very different on a combined balance sheet with Tesla's energy and automotive divisions. Investors appear to be pricing in uncertainty rather than conviction, which explains the sharp single-day move on what remains speculative language.

Read the full story: TESLARATI

Six Missions Line Up as SpaceX and China Race to Fill LEO With Internet Satellites

This week's global launch manifest is headlined by SpaceX and Chinese rocket operators, with six missions from five vehicles targeting low-Earth orbit broadband deployment. The concentration of internet satellite launches in a single week underscores how rapidly the LEO connectivity market is maturing — and how directly China's constellation ambitions now compete with Starlink on launch cadence and orbital slot strategy.

From a satellite tracking perspective, each new batch of Starlink v2 Mini and competing Chinese payloads adds meaningful density to already congested orbital shells. With Starlink maintaining 10,508 satellites in orbit, network operators and conjunction analysts will be watching closely as new objects are inserted and begin maneuvering toward operational altitudes. The week's manifest serves as a real-time stress test for space traffic coordination systems globally.

Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight

Constellation Status

The Starlink constellation remained stable since the last check, with no new launches or orbital changes. As of June 2, 2026, SpaceX maintained 12,138 total satellites launched, 10,508 currently in orbit, 10,492 operational, and 1,630 that have decayed from their orbits.

Total Launched: 12138
Total On Orbit: 10508
Total Working: 10492

Track Starlink satellites in real-time: Track Starlink

New Glenn Explodes at LC-36, Grounded Over 1 Year | KeepTrack Space Brief

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:00:08 GMT

Satellite of the Day

RAPIS-1

RAPIS-1 is a technology demonstration satellite developed and operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Launched on January 18, 2019, aboard a Epsilon rocket from the Kagoshima Space Center (KSCUT), this compact 200-kilogram spacecraft was designed to validate new satellite technologies and engineering concepts. With dimensions of roughly 1 meter cubed and solar panel arrays spanning 2.5 meters, RAPIS-1 carried advanced power systems and was built to operate for approximately 27 months—making it an ideal testbed for next-generation satellite capabilities.

The mission was part of JAXA's broader effort to advance Japan's independent launch and satellite technology capabilities. Though RAPIS-1 has now completed its operational life and decayed from orbit, it successfully demonstrated critical technologies that informed subsequent Japanese satellite programs. Its sun-synchronous orbit at 97.17° inclination positioned it well for Earth observation and technology validation tasks during its operational window.

Detail	Value
NORAD ID	43932
Operator	JAXA (Japan)
Launch Date	January 18, 2019
Orbit	Sun-synchronous, 97.17° inclination
Purpose	Technology demonstration
Status	Decayed

Learn more about this satellite: View RAPIS-1

Upcoming Space Launches

June 3

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-43
- Routine Starlink mission launching 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA (08:02 UTC) Watch Live
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-47
- Routine Starlink mission launching 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA (14:00 UTC) Watch Live

June 4

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 6A: Unknown Payload
- Probable SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites launching from Launch Complex 9A, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China (11:31 UTC). The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters, developed by CASC and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, capable of lifting payloads to sun-synchronous orbit.
Blue Origin New Glenn: Amazon Leo (LN-01)
- Carrying 48 satellites for Amazon's Leo broadband internet constellation (formerly Project Kuiper), which will ultimately comprise 3,276 satellites in low Earth orbit to deliver high-speed connectivity to underserved regions globally. Launching from Launch Complex 36A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA (17:21 UTC).

June 5

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8: Unknown Payload
- Probable SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites launching from Commercial LC-1, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China (06:25 UTC). The Long March 8, capable of lifting up to 8,100 kg to LEO, is based on the Long March 7 and features an optional core-only configuration without side boosters.

June 7

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-35
- Routine Starlink mission launching 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA (10:30 UTC). Watch Live

June 8

Agency for Defense Development South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV: Demo Flight
- Demonstration flight of South Korea's solid-fuel small launch vehicle launching from an offshore launch platform at sea (05:00 UTC). Launch Preview

June 10

Indian Space Research Organization GSLV Mk II: GISAT-1A (EOS-05)
- GISAT-1A (GEO Imaging Satellite) is an Indian Earth observation satellite that will operate from geostationary orbit to enable continuous monitoring of the Indian subcontinent and rapid assessment of natural hazards and disasters. Launching from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (time TBD).
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H3-30: H3-30 Test Flight
- Test flight of the H3-30 variant featuring 3 LE-9 engines and no solid rocket boosters. Carries dummy payload VEP-5 and five hitchhiking small satellites: PETREL, STARS-X, BRO-22, VERTECS, and HORN-L/R. Launching to sun-synchronous orbit from Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan (00:53 UTC).
China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3: Unknown Payload
- Details TBD. The Smart Dragon-3 is a solid-fuel commercial orbital rocket developed by a CASC subsidiary. Launching from Haiyang offshore launch location, Haiyang Oriental Spaceport, People's Republic of China (00:30 UTC).
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 5: Unknown Payload
- Details TBD. The Long March 5 is China's heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 25,000 kg to low Earth orbit, roughly equivalent in class to the American Delta IV Heavy. Launching from Launch Complex 101, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China (06:00 UTC).
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-44
- Routine Starlink mission launching 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA (14:00 UTC). Watch Live

Schedule Changes

New Addition: A China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 5 carrying an unknown payload has been added to the manifest, currently scheduled for To Be Confirmed on June 10, 2026 at 06:00 UTC from Wenchang Space Launch Site.
Status Update: The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8 | Unknown Payload mission has been upgraded from To Be Confirmed to Go for Launch, targeting June 5, 2026.

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.

SpaceX Starfall Reentry Vehicle Plans Revealed by FAA | KeepTrack X Report

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:06:14 GMT

Latest Developments

Newly surfaced FAA documents have revealed significant details about SpaceX's previously obscure Starfall program, a development effort centered on reentry vehicles designed to return manufactured goods from orbital facilities to Earth. The disclosure marks a rare regulatory window into SpaceX's longer-term commercial ambitions beyond launch and satellite services. Meanwhile, the Starlink constellation continues its steady operational pace, with 12,032 satellites launched to date, 10,413 confirmed in orbit, and 10,397 actively working. No major anomalies were reported in the current cycle, keeping constellation reliability metrics firmly in focus.

Space Safety

Current conjunction risk assessment indicates one HIGH-risk event involving STARLINK-31086 and ICEYE-X7 on May 31, 2026 at 20:12 UTC with a minimum range of only 5 meters, alongside five MODERATE-risk conjunctions primarily with non-operational debris and other operational satellites. Concurrently, five Starlink satellites are predicted to reenter between June 2-4, 2026, with decay windows ranging from 24 to 48 hours, presenting elevated operational risk during this period. The conjunction and reentry activity suggests a concentrated debris environment requiring close monitoring of both close-approach events and natural decay trajectories.

Risk	Starlink Sat	Other Object	Status	Min Range (km)	Rel Speed (km/s)	Max Prob	Time of Closest Approach
HIGH	STARLINK-31086	ICEYE-X7	Operational	0.005	14.199	1.0	Sun, 31 May 2026 20:12:09 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-4346	CZ-4B R/B	Non-operational	0.016	14.736	0.2106	Fri, 29 May 2026 20:51:44 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-30713	YAOGAN-43 01D	Operational	0.02	8.64	0.2013	Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:43:34 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-4594	COSMOS 2251 DEB	Non-operational	0.018	13.4	0.1893	Wed, 27 May 2026 04:49:08 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-5089	FLOCK 4G-22	Operational	0.022	14.155	0.1225	Wed, 27 May 2026 02:29:23 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-1039	STARLINK-30145	Operational	0.058	7.015	0.1006	Sun, 31 May 2026 23:54:00 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-5741	STARLINK-31533	Operational	0.069	1.264	0.08035	Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:08:01 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-3329	SL-3 DEB	Non-operational	0.037	8.8	0.07214	Tue, 26 May 2026 21:49:30 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-1039	STARLINK-31581	Operational	0.075	7.974	0.06152	Sat, 30 May 2026 01:36:18 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-5106	STARLINK-6090	Operational	0.084	2.287	0.05544	Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:06:18 UTC

Satellite	NORAD ID	Predicted Decay	Window (min)	Inclination	Lat	Lon
STARLINK-1363	45568	Jun 2, 05:02 UTC	1440	53°	-53.1°	268.7°
STARLINK-3729	52135	Jun 3, 07:29 UTC	2880	53.2°	29.7°	49.7°
STARLINK-34110	63811	Jun 3, 09:28 UTC	1440	43°	-17°	171.9°
STARLINK-5384	54836	Jun 4, 06:23 UTC	2880	43°	16°	359.8°
STARLINK-3255	50201	Jun 4, 07:23 UTC	2880	53.2°	-44.6°	8.8°

Detailed Coverage

FAA Filing Lifts the Veil on SpaceX's Starfall Reentry Vehicle Program

Federal Aviation Administration regulatory documents have shed new light on SpaceX's Starfall project, outlining plans to develop and flight-test reentry vehicles intended to serve the emerging in-space manufacturing sector. The filings suggest SpaceX envisions Starfall as a logistics backbone for retrieving products — potentially including pharmaceuticals, exotic alloys, or fiber optics — manufactured in microgravity environments and returned to Earth customers.

The disclosure is notable not only for what it reveals about SpaceX's product roadmap, but also for the satellite tracking implications. Reentry vehicles operating in low Earth orbit would need to navigate the same increasingly congested bands occupied by the 10,413-strong Starlink fleet, raising coordination questions that regulators and conjunction analysts will be watching closely as the program matures.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Constellation Status

There have been no changes to the Starlink constellation since the last check. The constellation maintains its current totals of 12,032 satellites launched, with 10,413 currently in orbit, 10,397 fully operational, and 1,619 having decayed.

Total Launched: 12032
Total On Orbit: 10413
Total Working: 10397

Track Starlink satellites in real-time: Track Starlink

New Glenn Explodes After USSF Awards Blue Origin Security Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:08 GMT

Satellite of the Day

COSMOS 2146

COSMOS 2146, also known as Kosmos-2146, is a military communication satellite launched by the Soviet Union on May 16, 1991, during the final months before the USSR's dissolution. Manufactured by NPOPM and deployed via Tsiklon-3 rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, this 225 kg spacecraft carries the Strela-3 payload—a military-grade communication system designed to support secure messaging across Soviet and post-Soviet territories. The satellite's cylindrical design with articulated solar panels and a 7-meter antenna span reflects the compact, efficient engineering typical of Soviet military space platforms from this era.

Orbiting at a highly inclined 82.57°, COSMOS 2146 provides near-polar coverage ideal for northerly communication routes and arctic operations. Nearly three decades after launch, this satellite remains an active piece of Cold War legacy hardware still tracked by space surveillance networks. Its longevity is noteworthy—most communication satellites are designed for 10-15 year lifespans, making COSMOS 2146 a testament to robust Soviet spacecraft engineering and a fascinating relic of when the space domain reflected geopolitical divisions below.

Detail	Value
NORAD ID	21302
Operator	UNKSR (Former Soviet Union)
Launch Date	May 16, 1991
Orbit	Highly Inclined, 82.57° inclination
Purpose	Military Communication
Status	Active

Track this satellite in real-time: Track COSMOS 2146

Upcoming Space Launches

June 3

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-43
- From Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (08:02 UTC) A batch of 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-47
- From Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) A batch of 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live

June 4

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 6A: Unknown Payload
- From Launch Complex 9A, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China (11:31 UTC) Details to be determined — likely SpaceSail polar orbit LEO communication satellites. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters, developed by CASC and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, with a lift capacity augmented by four solid strap-on boosters.
Blue Origin New Glenn: Amazon Leo (LN-01)
- From Launch Complex 36A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (17:21 UTC) New Glenn will carry 48 satellites for Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), Amazon's planned 3,276-satellite broadband mega-constellation targeting underserved and remote areas globally. Satellites will be placed in low Earth orbit at altitudes between 590–630 km. New Glenn is a reusable, 7-meter-diameter two- or three-stage rocket developed by Blue Origin.

June 5

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8: Unknown Payload
- From Commercial LC-1, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China (05:00 UTC) Details to be determined — likely SpaceSail polar orbit LEO communication satellites. The Long March 8 can carry up to 8,100 kg to low Earth orbit and is based on the Long March 7 first stage, augmented by a liquid hydrogen upper stage.

June 8

Agency for Defense Development South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV: Demo Flight
- From ADD Offshore Launch Platform, Sea Launch (05:00 UTC) A demonstration flight of South Korea's solid-fuel small launch vehicle from an offshore platform. Launch Preview
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-35
- From Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (10:07 UTC) A batch of 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live

June 10

China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3: Unknown Payload
- From Haiyang Offshore Launch Location, Haiyang Oriental Spaceport (00:30 UTC) Details to be determined. Smart Dragon-3 is a solid-fuel orbital rocket designed for the commercial market by a subsidiary of CASC.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H3-30: H3-30 Test Flight
- From Yoshinobu Launch Complex LP-2, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan (00:53 UTC) Test flight of the H3-30 variant featuring three LE-9 engines on the first stage and no solid rocket boosters. The mission will carry a dummy main payload (Vehicle Evaluation Payload 5, VEP-5) along with five hitchhiking small satellites: PETREL, STARS-X, BRO-22, VERTECS, and HORN-L/R. The H3 is an expendable liquid-propellant launch vehicle developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and JAXA.
Indian Space Research Organization GSLV Mk II: GISAT-1A (EOS-05)
- From Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (TBD UTC) GISAT-1A is an Indian geostationary earth observation satellite designed for continuous imaging of the Indian subcontinent and rapid monitoring of natural hazards and disasters. GSLV Mk II is India's largest operational launch vehicle, featuring an indigenous cryogenic upper stage.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-44
- From Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) A batch of 24 Starlink satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live

Schedule Changes

H3-30 | H3-30 Test Flight has been newly added to the manifest, scheduled for June 10 at 00:53 UTC from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan, with a status of Go for Launch.
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-44 has been newly added to the manifest, scheduled for June 10 at 14:00 UTC from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, with a status of Go for Launch.

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.

$4.16B Golden Dome Contract Awarded to SpaceX | KeepTrack X Report

Sun, 31 May 2026 09:05:52 GMT

Latest Developments

SpaceX has secured a $4.16 billion Pentagon contract to build missile-tracking satellites for President Trump's "Golden Dome" defense architecture, marking one of the company's largest military awards to date and deepening its role in national security space. The contract, announced by the US Space Force, adds to SpaceX's existing Golden Dome agreements and positions Starlink's orbital infrastructure experience as a direct asset to the program. On the launch front, SpaceX closed out May with its 50th Starlink mission of the year — the Starlink 17-41 flight from Vandenberg — capping a 10-launch month that continued expanding a constellation now numbering 10,413 satellites in orbit, of which 10,397 are operational. With 12,032 total satellites launched to date, SpaceX's cadence shows no signs of slowing as both commercial and defense demand intensifies.

Space Safety

Current Starlink conjunction activity shows one HIGH risk event requiring immediate monitoring: STARLINK-31086 faces a conjunction with the operational ICEYE-X7 SAR satellite on May 31, 2026 at 20:12 UTC with a dangerously close minimum range of 5 meters and a collision probability of 1.0. Five additional MODERATE risk conjunctions are tracked across various operational and debris objects, with four LOW risk events completing the near-term picture. Concurrently, four Starlink satellites are predicted to reenter the atmosphere between May 31 and June 3, 2026, with decay windows ranging from 18 hours to 48 hours, presenting manageable but monitored reentry risk.

Risk	Starlink Sat	Other Object	Status	Min Range (km)	Rel Speed (km/s)	Max Prob	Time of Closest Approach
HIGH	STARLINK-31086	ICEYE-X7	Operational	0.005	14.199	1.0000	May 31, 20:12 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-4346	CZ-4B R/B	Non-operational	0.016	14.736	0.2106	May 29, 20:51 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-30713	YAOGAN-43 01D	Operational	0.020	8.640	0.2013	Jun 1, 11:43 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-4594	COSMOS 2251 DEB	Non-operational	0.018	13.400	0.1893	May 27, 04:49 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-5089	FLOCK 4G-22	Operational	0.022	14.155	0.1225	May 27, 02:29 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-1039	STARLINK-30145	Operational	0.058	7.015	0.1006	May 31, 23:54 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-5741	STARLINK-31533	Operational	0.069	1.264	0.0804	Jun 2, 12:08 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-3329	SL-3 DEB	Non-operational	0.037	8.800	0.0721	May 26, 21:49 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-1039	STARLINK-31581	Operational	0.075	7.974	0.0615	May 30, 01:36 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-5106	STARLINK-6090	Operational	0.084	2.287	0.0554	Jun 1, 03:06 UTC

Satellite	NORAD ID	Predicted Decay	Window (min)	Inclination	Lat	Lon
STARLINK-1801	46701	May 31, 19:29 UTC	1,080	53.0°	50.3°	70.8°
STARLINK-34110	63811	Jun 1, 15:54 UTC	1,440	43.0°	-35.6°	119.2°
STARLINK-1363	45568	Jun 2, 02:13 UTC	1,440	53.0°	-47.3°	349.0°
STARLINK-3729	52135	Jun 3, 07:29 UTC	2,880	53.2°	29.7°	49.7°

Detailed Coverage

SpaceX Wins $4.16 Billion "Golden Dome" Missile-Tracking Satellite Contract

The US Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to develop and deploy a network of sensor-equipped satellites capable of detecting and tracking airborne threats — including missiles and other aerial weapons — as part of the Trump administration's ambitious "Golden Dome" national missile defense system. Modeled conceptually on Israel's Iron Dome but operating at a global, space-based scale, the program aims to deliver persistent overhead surveillance coverage that ground-based radar systems cannot match.

This award is not SpaceX's first foothold in the Golden Dome architecture; the company already holds separate Space Force agreements tied to the broader initiative. The latest contract, reported initially by Bloomberg before official confirmation, underscores how SpaceX's demonstrated ability to rapidly manufacture and deploy large satellite constellations — skills honed through the Starlink program — makes it a natural fit for ambitious government sensor networks. With a rumored IPO potentially on the horizon, contracts of this scale will only strengthen the company's financial profile heading into any public offering.

Read the full story: The Verge

SpaceX Completes 50th Starlink Mission of 2026 with Vandenberg Launch

SpaceX reached a meaningful programmatic milestone on May 30 when a Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 8:25 a.m. PDT, carrying the Starlink 17-41 batch and marking the company's 50th dedicated Starlink mission of 2026 — with seven full months of the year still remaining. The flight also served as SpaceX's 10th and final launch of May, underscoring the relentless monthly cadence the company has maintained to keep shell expansions and orbital-plane fills on schedule.

For satellite trackers and constellation watchers, the mission contributes further satellites to a network that now has 10,397 working spacecraft on orbit. Each new shell-17 deployment helps optimize coverage geometry and redundancy in higher-inclination orbital bands, reducing single-point vulnerabilities across the global mesh. At the current pace, SpaceX is on track to exceed 100 Starlink missions before year's end.

Read the full story: Spaceflight Now

New Glenn Loss Throws Spotlight Back on SpaceX's Competitive Position

Episode 212 of the This Week In Space podcast convened Space.com correspondents Rod Pyle, Tariq Malik, and Mike Wall to dissect the loss of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, an anomaly that reverberates well beyond one company's balance sheet. The incident removes a near-term competitor from the heavy-lift marketplace at a time when launch demand — driven substantially by constellation build-outs and defense contracts — is at an all-time high.

For SpaceX, the absence of a healthy New Glenn in rotation consolidates its grip on commercial and government launch manifests in the near term. The discussion also touched on Starship development and lunar base ambitions, both areas where SpaceX's trajectory looks comparatively robust following the Blue Origin setback. From a tracking perspective, any future New Glenn constellation efforts — Blue Origin has its own broadband ambitions — now face uncertain timelines, leaving Starlink's orbital dominance further entrenched.

Read the full story: Space.com

Constellation Status

The Starlink constellation has remained unchanged since the last check, maintaining a total of 12,032 launched satellites with 10,413 currently in orbit. Of these in-orbit satellites, 10,397 are operational, while 1,619 have decayed from their orbits.

Total Launched: 12032
Total On Orbit: 10413
Total Working: 10397

Track Starlink satellites in real-time: Track Starlink

New Glenn Destroyed After USSF Awards Blue Origin Task Order | KeepTrack Space Brief

Sun, 31 May 2026 09:00:04 GMT

Satellite of the Day

HORYU-2

HORYU-2 is a compact technology demonstrator built by Kyoto University and launched aboard Japan's H-IIA 202 rocket on May 17, 2012, from the Tanegashima Space Center. This tiny satellite—weighing just 7 kilograms with a box-shaped body measuring 0.3 meters across—represents the kind of innovative, low-cost space research that Japanese universities have become known for. Powered by solar cells and batteries, HORYU-2 operates in a sun-synchronous orbit, making it ideal for continuous Earth observation and technology validation missions.

The HORYU (which translates to "Phoenix" in Japanese) program exemplifies Japan's commitment to accessible space education and research. By launching capable satellites at modest scales and costs, Kyoto University and similar institutions can test new technologies, train the next generation of space engineers, and contribute meaningful data to the scientific community—all without the expense of traditional larger satellites. HORYU-2 continues to serve as a testament to what's possible when innovation meets constraint.

Detail	Value
NORAD ID	38340
Operator	Kyoto University (KYUT)
Country	Japan
Launch Date	May 17, 2012
Launch Vehicle	H-IIA 202
Orbit	Sun-synchronous, 98.2° inclination
Purpose	Technology
Manufacturer	Kyoto University

Track this satellite in real-time: Track HORYU-2

Upcoming Space Launches

June 3

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-43
- From Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (08:02 UTC) A batch of 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 17-47
- From Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) A batch of 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live

June 4

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 6A: Unknown Payload
- From Launch Complex 9A, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China (11:31 UTC) Details to be confirmed; likely SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket to feature solid rocket boosters, developed jointly by CASC and the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology.
Blue Origin New Glenn: Amazon Leo (LN-01)
- From Launch Complex 36A, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (17:21 UTC) Carrying 48 satellites for Amazon's Leo broadband internet constellation, formerly known as Project Kuiper. The constellation ultimately plans to deploy 3,276 satellites across three orbital shells between 590–630 km altitude to provide global high-speed internet access to underserved regions.

June 5

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8: Unknown Payload
- From Commercial LC-1, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China (05:00 UTC) Details to be confirmed; likely SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites. The Long March 8 can deliver up to 8,100 kg to low Earth orbit and is capable of launching up to 5,000 kg to a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit.

June 8

Agency for Defense Development South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV: Demo Flight
- From ADD Offshore Launch Platform, Sea Launch (05:00 UTC) A demonstration test flight of South Korea's Agency for Defense Development solid-fuel space launch vehicle. Launch Preview
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5: Starlink Group 10-35
- From Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (10:07 UTC) A batch of 24 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites launching to low Earth orbit. Watch Live

June 10

Indian Space Research Organization GSLV Mk II: GISAT-1A (EOS-05)
- From Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (00:00 UTC) GISAT-1A (GEO Imaging Satellite) is an Indian Earth observation satellite that will operate from geostationary orbit to provide continuous monitoring of the Indian subcontinent, enabling rapid assessment of natural hazards and disaster events.
China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3: Unknown Payload
- From Haiyang Offshore Launch Location, Haiyang Oriental Spaceport (00:30 UTC) Details to be confirmed. Smart Dragon-3 is a solid-fuel commercial orbital rocket developed by a CASC subsidiary, making its launch from an offshore sea-based platform.

Schedule Changes

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 17-41 has been removed from the upcoming launch calendar — its status changed to Launch Successful.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2D | 4 x SatNet test satellites has been removed from the upcoming launch calendar — its status changed to Launch Successful.
China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3 | Unknown Payload has been newly added to the calendar, with a confirmed launch window opening June 10 at 00:30 UTC from Haiyang Oriental Spaceport (status: To Be Confirmed).

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.

Space Force Awards SpaceX $4.16B Airborne Tracking Deal | KeepTrack X Report

Sat, 30 May 2026 09:05:52 GMT

Latest Developments

The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a landmark $4.16 billion contract to construct a dedicated low-orbit satellite network designed to track airborne threats including cruise missiles and aircraft — a deal that signals a dramatic expansion of SpaceX's national security footprint beyond Starlink's commercial broadband mission. Meanwhile, the Starlink constellation continues its relentless growth: with 12,032 satellites launched, 10,413 in orbit, and 10,397 operational, SpaceX added another 29 satellites Friday morning in the Starlink 10-53 mission — the 49th Starlink-dedicated launch of 2026. The Cape Canaveral liftoff came just 12 hours after a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on a neighboring pad, underscoring SpaceX's operational tempo even amid nearby hazards. On the corporate front, quietly building speculation around a potential Tesla-SpaceX merger is drawing renewed scrutiny from Wall Street analysts and industry observers alike.

Space Safety

Current SOCRATES tracking identifies one HIGH-risk conjunction involving STARLINK-31086 and ICEYE-X7 on May 31, 2026 at 20:12 UTC with a minimum range of only 5 meters and a maximum collision probability of 1.0, representing the most critical event in the current conjunction catalog. Five additional MODERATE-risk events are tracked across the forecast period, with the remaining four conjunctions assessed as LOW risk. Concurrently, three Starlink satellites are predicted to reenter the atmosphere between May 30 and June 1, 2026, with decay windows ranging from 24 to 48 hours.

Risk	Starlink Sat	Other Object	Status	Min Range (km)	Rel Speed (km/s)	Max Prob	Time of Closest Approach
HIGH	STARLINK-31086	ICEYE-X7	Operational	0.005	14.199	1.0	Sun, 31 May 2026 20:12:09 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-4346	CZ-4B R/B	Non-operational	0.016	14.736	0.2106	Fri, 29 May 2026 20:51:44 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-30713	YAOGAN-43 01D	Operational	0.020	8.64	0.2013	Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:43:34 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-4594	COSMOS 2251 DEB	Non-operational	0.018	13.4	0.1893	Wed, 27 May 2026 04:49:08 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-5089	FLOCK 4G-22	Operational	0.022	14.155	0.1225	Wed, 27 May 2026 02:29:23 UTC
MODERATE	STARLINK-1039	STARLINK-30145	Operational	0.058	7.015	0.1006	Sun, 31 May 2026 23:54:00 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-5741	STARLINK-31533	Operational	0.069	1.264	0.08035	Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:08:01 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-3329	SL-3 DEB	Non-operational	0.037	8.8	0.07214	Tue, 26 May 2026 21:49:30 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-1039	STARLINK-31581	Operational	0.075	7.974	0.06152	Sat, 30 May 2026 01:36:18 UTC
LOW	STARLINK-5106	STARLINK-6090	Operational	0.084	2.287	0.05544	Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:06:18 UTC

Satellite	NORAD ID	Predicted Decay	Window (min)	Inclination	Lat	Lon
STARLINK-1686	46328	May 30, 20:33 UTC	1440	53°	-29.9°	36.8°
STARLINK-34110	63811	May 31, 23:58 UTC	1440	43°	-0.5°	132.8°
STARLINK-1801	46701	Jun 1, 07:31 UTC	2880	53°	16.5°	298.9°

Detailed Coverage

Space Force Awards SpaceX $4.16 Billion to Build Airborne Threat-Tracking Satellite Network

The U.S. Space Force has selected SpaceX for one of the most consequential military space contracts in recent memory — a $4.16 billion award to develop and operate a low Earth orbit constellation purpose-built for tracking airborne threats such as cruise missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, and conventional aircraft. The program would complement existing missile warning infrastructure by providing persistent, low-latency tracking data from LEO, a regime where SpaceX already operates thousands of Starlink satellites.

The contract represents a significant evolution in how the Pentagon views commercial satellite operators: not merely as launch providers or communications vendors, but as architects of mission-critical sensing infrastructure. For satellite trackers, the new constellation will introduce a fresh population of government-owned or government-contracted objects in LEO, adding complexity to an already congested environment where SpaceX alone accounts for the majority of active spacecraft.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

SpaceX Launches 29 Starlink Satellites Hours After Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion at Cape Canaveral

In a striking demonstration of operational resilience, SpaceX executed the Starlink 10-53 mission at 8:57 a.m. EDT on May 29 from Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — approximately 12 hours after a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket suffered a catastrophic explosion on a different pad at the same facility. The Falcon 9 carried 29 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit without incident, with the first-stage booster completing another successful landing.

The mission marked the 49th Starlink-dedicated launch of 2026, maintaining the aggressive cadence SpaceX requires to expand, refresh, and maintain its 10,000-plus satellite constellation. For ground-based satellite trackers, each new batch of 29 adds a fresh cluster of objects that must be catalogued and monitored as they raise orbits and disperse to their operational shells — a process that typically unfolds over several weeks post-deployment.

Read the full story: Space.com

Starlink 10-53: Mission No. 49 of 2026 Confirms SpaceX's Unmatched Launch Cadence

Spaceflightnow's live coverage of the Starlink 10-53 mission confirmed liftoff from Cape Canaveral's Pad 40 at 1257 UTC, with the flight proceeding nominally through stage separation, payload deployment, and booster recovery. The mission was the 49th dedicated Starlink flight of the year, a pace that is on track to far exceed any previous annual record for constellation replenishment and expansion launches.

The relentless cadence reflects SpaceX's dual mandate: continuing to expand total constellation capacity while replacing aging first-generation satellites that are being deorbited on a rolling basis. Observers monitoring the orbital environment note that the combination of newly deployed satellites climbing to operational altitude and older satellites descending toward reentry creates a persistently dynamic tracking picture in LEO.

Read the full story: Spaceflightnow

Tesla-SpaceX Merger Speculation Intensifies as Corporate Convergence Signals Grow

Rumors of a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX have circulated periodically for years, but a new wave of analysis from Teslarati suggests the convergence may be progressing more concretely than either company has publicly acknowledged. The report points to deepening technological and operational overlaps — including shared supply chains, Starlink terminal integration into Tesla vehicles, and Elon Musk's consolidated influence across both entities — as indicators that a formal combination is no longer purely speculative.

For the satellite industry, a Tesla-SpaceX merger would carry significant implications. It could unlock new distribution channels for Starlink connectivity hardware through Tesla's global retail and service network, while also raising fresh questions about regulatory scrutiny, vertical integration, and conflicts of interest given SpaceX's expanding military contracts. Investors and regulators on both sides of the automotive and aerospace divide are watching closely.

Read the full story: Teslarati

Lunar Mass Drivers Raise Dual-Use Weapons Concerns as SpaceX Eyes Moon Infrastructure

A newly published report is drawing attention to the strategic and security implications of electromagnetic mass driver technology proposed for lunar deployment by companies including SpaceX. While proponents frame these catapult-like systems as efficient launchers for moving cargo off the Moon's surface, the report argues they could function as first-strike weapons capable of hurling projectiles toward Earth or other orbital assets with little warning.

The analysis arrives at a moment when lunar infrastructure is transitioning from concept to concrete planning, and it highlights a regulatory vacuum: no existing international framework clearly governs the weaponization of surface-based mass drivers on the Moon. For the satellite tracking community, the scenario introduces a novel threat vector — kinetic impactors launched from cislunar space would be extraordinarily difficult to detect, track, and intercept using current ground-based or orbital sensor networks.

Read the full story: Space.com

Constellation Status

No changes have occurred in the Starlink constellation since the last check. The constellation maintains its current totals of 12,032 satellites launched, 10,413 in orbit, 10,397 working satellites, and 1,619 that have decayed.

Total Launched: 12032
Total On Orbit: 10413
Total Working: 10397

Track Starlink satellites in real-time: Track Starlink

Blue Origin's New Glenn Explodes During Ground Test | KeepTrack Space Brief

Sat, 30 May 2026 09:00:04 GMT

Satellite of the Day

FLOCK 4Y-18

FLOCK 4Y-18 is a 3U CubeSat that launched on January 3, 2023, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral. Manufactured and operated by Planet Labs (PLAN), this tiny satellite was designed as a technology demonstrator carrying a Dove 24ce imaging payload with advanced PS0, PS1, or PS2 sensor options. At just 5.7 kg, FLOCK 4Y-18 exemplifies the growing trend of miniaturized Earth observation satellites that can be deployed rapidly and at lower cost than traditional platforms.

The satellite operated in a near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit at 97.3° inclination—ideal for consistent Earth imaging with predictable lighting conditions. Like other Dove satellites in Planet's Flock constellation, FLOCK 4Y-18 was designed with a lifespan of one to three years depending on its specific orbital altitude. The satellite has since decayed from orbit, completing its mission as part of Planet's continuous effort to demonstrate and validate imaging technologies for their commercial Earth observation network.

Detail	Value
NORAD ID	55023
Operator	Planet Labs (PLAN)
Launch Date	January 3, 2023
Orbit	Sun-Synchronous, 97.3° inclination
Purpose	Technology Demonstration / Earth Imaging
Status	Decayed

Learn more about this satellite: View FLOCK 4Y-18

Upcoming Space Launches

May 30

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
- Starlink Group 17-41 from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. Booster 1085, flying for its 16th time, will land on drone ship A Shortfall of Gravitas. Watch Live Launch Preview
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2D:
- Unknown Payload from Launch Complex 3 (LC-3/LA-1), Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China (17:57 UTC) Details to be determined. The Long March 2D is a two-stage Chinese orbital carrier rocket primarily used for LEO and SSO satellite deployments, with a lift capacity of up to 3,500 kg to low Earth orbit.

May 31

Rocket Lab Electron:
- The Grain Goddess Provides (iQPS Launch 7) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (TBD) A synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS. The Electron is a small-lift vehicle powered by electric-pump-fed Rutherford engines.

June 3

SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
- Starlink Group 10-43 from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (08:02 UTC) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. Watch Live
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
- Starlink Group 17-47 from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (14:00 UTC) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. Watch Live

June 4

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 6A:
- Unknown Payload from Launch Complex 9A, Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China (11:31 UTC) Details to be determined, likely SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites. The Long March 6A is China's first rocket with solid rocket boosters, featuring two YF-100 engines on its first stage augmented by four solid boosters, with a liftoff mass of 530 tonnes.
Blue Origin New Glenn:
- Amazon Leo (LN-01) from Launch Complex 36A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (17:21 UTC) New Glenn will carry 48 Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) broadband internet satellites to low Earth orbit. Amazon's planned 3,276-satellite constellation aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to underserved and remote areas worldwide, deploying satellites across three orbital layers between 590 and 630 km altitude. New Glenn features a reusable first stage and a 45,000 kg LEO lift capacity.

June 5

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8:
- Unknown Payload from Commercial LC-1, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China (05:00 UTC) Details to be determined, likely SpaceSail Polar Orbit LEO communication satellites. The Long March 8 is capable of delivering up to 8,100 kg to LEO and up to 5,000 kg to a 700 km sun-synchronous orbit, based on Long March 7 heritage with a liquid hydrogen upper stage.

June 8

Agency for Defense Development South Korean ADD Solid-Fuel SLV:
- Demo Flight from ADD Offshore Launch Platform, Sea Launch (05:00 UTC) A demonstration flight of South Korea's Agency for Defense Development solid-fuel space launch vehicle, targeting low Earth orbit.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
- Starlink Group 10-35 from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (10:07 UTC) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 29 Starlink V2 Mini Optimized satellites into low Earth orbit. Watch Live

June 10

Indian Space Research Organization GSLV Mk II:
- GISAT-1A (EOS-05) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (TBD) GISAT-1A (GEO Imaging Satellite) is an Indian Earth observation satellite that will operate from geostationary orbit to enable continuous monitoring of the Indian subcontinent and rapid response to natural hazards and disasters. The GSLV Mk II is India's largest operational launch vehicle, featuring an indigenously developed cryogenic upper stage and a liftoff mass of 401 tonnes.

Schedule Changes

Atlas V 551 | Amazon Leo (LA-07): Status updated from Go for Launch to Launch Successful — removed from upcoming manifest.
Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 10-53: Status updated from Go for Launch to Launch Successful — removed from upcoming manifest.

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.

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