📰Top Stories

China Expands Satellite Network with Launch of Shiyan-29 and Ceres-1

China launched the experimental Shiyan-29 spacecraft to a geosynchronous orbit alongside three satellites via a commercial Ceres-1 rocket. This mission enhances China’s satellite capabilities and contributes to the growing constellation of Earth’s orbital infrastructure. These launches mark another step in China’s ambitious space program, focusing on both experimental and commercial endeavors.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

New Hyperspectral Insights on Iranian Nuclear Facility Damage

Orbital Sidekick’s hyperspectral sensors have provided detailed imagery of the damages sustained by Iran’s Fordow nuclear plant following a U.S. bombing raid. The data reveals potential collapses of underground facilities, showcasing the utility of hyperspectral satellite technology in assessing geopolitical events and environmental impacts from space.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Pentagon Announces Changes in U.S. Space Force Leadership

Significant leadership changes have been announced within the U.S. Space Force, affecting key command and planning positions. This reshuffling reflects the ongoing evolution and adaptation of the U.S. military’s newest branch as it expands its strategic capabilities in space operations and national defense.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

SpaceX Starlink Mission Adds 24 New Satellites

SpaceX successfully launched 24 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base, continuing its mission to expand global broadband Internet access. With this launch, SpaceX surpasses 2,000 Starlink satellites deployed in 2025 alone, reinforcing its position as a leader in satellite internet services.

Read the full story: Spaceflight Now

China’s Military Advances Displayed in Recent Parade

A recent military parade in Beijing showcased China’s advancements in defense technology, including new hypersonic and intercontinental ballistic missiles as well as stealth drones. These displays underline China’s growing military capabilities and its focus on enhancing strike and defense options through advanced technology.

Read the full story: Space.com

SpaceX Continues Expansion with Latest Starlink Launch

A Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX launched 24 additional Starlink satellites, marking another milestone in the company’s endeavor to establish a comprehensive satellite internet constellation. The launch reflects ongoing efforts to provide global internet coverage through a vast network of low Earth orbit satellites.

Read the full story: Space.com

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: RADUGA 7
• NORAD ID: 12003
• Launch Date: October 5, 1980
• Mission: Communication
• Orbit: LEO
• Operator: GUKOSR
• Fun Fact: RADUGA 7 is equipped with three Delta-1 and three Delta-2 C-Band transponders, enhancing its communication capabilities.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track RADUGA 7

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 30
  • Major: 1
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 1
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

  • Scale: 1
  • Impact: minor
  • Activity: Moderate

• Impact Summary

  • Next 24 hours: No risk of radio blackouts.
  • No risk of solar radiation storms.
  • Moderate geomagnetic activity with a likelihood of minor geomagnetic storms.
  • Geomagnetic outlook indicates a G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm risk due to a waning coronal mass ejection (CME) and a coronal hole.
  • Radiation outlook shows no significant activity favorable for radiation storm production.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • From 01-27 September, solar activity is expected to remain low, but there will be varying chances for M-class flares (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate).
  • Enhanced levels of greater than 10 MeV protons could be experienced early in September, but generally expected below significant thresholds.
  • Geomagnetic activity is predicted to reach G2 (Moderate) levels initially, transitioning to G3 (Strong) levels shortly thereafter, particularly influenced by a recent CME.
  • Active geomagnetic conditions are anticipated on several occasions throughout September, specifically linked to coronal hole high-speed streams (HSS).
  • Overall quiet to unsettled levels are expected during the latter part of the month, potentially easing impacts on satellites and communication systems.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

September 8

• China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3:
  • Unknown Payload from Oriental Spaceport mobile launch ship, Sea Launch (19:39 UTC) Details TBD; probably Geely Constellation Group 05.

September 9

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Nusantara Lima from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (00:02 UTC) Nusantara Lima is an Indonesian geostationary communications satellite with a capacity of more than 160 Gbps.
• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 7A:
  • Unknown Payload from Pad 201, Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (01:52 UTC) Details TBD.

September 10

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer B from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (14:12 UTC) Classified mission launched by the Space Development Agency (SDA) for Tranche 1 Transport Layer.

September 11

• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1a:
  • Progress MS-32 (93P) from Pad 31/6, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan (15:54 UTC) Progress resupply mission to the International Space Station.

September 13

• Russian Space Forces Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat:
  • Glonass-K1 No. 18 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation (02:30 UTC) Glonass-K are the third generation of satellite design for GLONASS satellite navigation system, comparable to GPS and Galileo systems.
• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 17-10 from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (15:41 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

September 14

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Cygnus CRS-2 NG-23 from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (22:11 UTC) This is the 23rd flight of the Northrop Grumman’s uncrewed resupply spacecraft Cygnus and its 22nd flight to the International Space Station under the Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA.

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