📰Top Stories

Rocket Lab Concludes Record-Setting Year with Final Launch

Rocket Lab successfully launched a Japanese radar imaging satellite on December 21, marking the conclusion of a record year for the company. This final launch contributes to their growing tally of successful missions, showcasing Rocket Lab’s capability to consistently deliver payloads into space. The Electron rocket has become a reliable vehicle for a wide range of customers, emphasizing Rocket Lab’s significant role in the private space industry.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Japanese H3 Rocket Fails During Launch

A Japanese H3 rocket encountered an anomaly during its mission to launch a navigation satellite on December 21, resulting in the loss of the spacecraft. This setback is part of ongoing challenges in Japan’s efforts to maintain and expand its satellite navigation capabilities. The incident highlights the complexities and risks associated with launching and deploying critical space infrastructure.

Read the full story: Space.com

Leonardo DRS Achieves Secure On-Orbit Data Test

Leonardo DRS has successfully completed its first secure on-orbit test of a multi-channel software-defined radio (SDR) with integrated advanced cryptography. This test demonstrates the capability of secure satellite data transport, which is crucial for U.S. military operations at the tactical edge. The eXtended Crypto Module3-Space (XCM3-Space) used in this test signifies a leap forward in space-based communications and data encryption.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

Jared Isaacman Urges NASA to Accelerate Programs

Jared Isaacman, the newly appointed NASA Administrator, is pushing to expedite important programs such as Artemis, although he notes he’s still acclimating to his new role. His emphasis on speeding up initiatives suggests a potentially dynamic period ahead for NASA’s mission planning and execution, underlining the importance of keeping up with technological and scientific advancements in space exploration.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN While Perseverance Roves On

NASA has lost contact with its MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars, raising concerns over its long-term operational viability. Meanwhile, the Perseverance rover continues its exploratory activities within Jezero Crater, focusing on geological and atmospheric studies in search of signs of ancient life on Mars. This update highlights both the challenges of maintaining distant spacecraft and the ongoing success of autonomous rover missions.

Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight

Mars Exploration Prioritized for Potential Life Signs

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine emphasize that the primary scientific objective for the first human mission to Mars should be the search for evidence of past or present life. This guidance suggests a priorities shift in how human capabilities will be leveraged over robotic missions in extraterrestrial exploration, potentially setting a new standard for mission objectives.

Read the full story: MarsDaily

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: COSMOS 767
• NORAD ID: 08291
• Launch Date: September 17, 1975
• Mission: Military Communication
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: GUKOSR
• Fun Fact: COSMOS 767 was part of a series of satellites designed for military communication, utilizing solar cells for power and marking an early step in satellite-based military operations.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 767

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 25
  • 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 minor geomagnetic storms anticipated.
  • Geomagnetic outlook suggests G1 (Minor) storms on 22-23 Dec due to CH HSS influences.
  • Radiation outlook indicates no S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms expected, with no significant active regions favorable for radiation production.
  • A chance for R1 (Minor) or greater radio blackouts through 24 Dec remains.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • From 22 December to 17 January 2026, solar activity is projected to remain low to moderate.
  • No proton events expected at geosynchronous orbit.
  • High levels of greater than 2 MeV electron flux anticipated on 25-29 Dec, 1-6 Jan, and 14-17 Jan due to recurrent CH HSS influences.
  • Geomagnetic activity is expected to reach G2 (Moderate) storm levels on 30 Dec;
  • G1 (Minor) storm levels anticipated on 22-23 Dec, 31 Dec, and 17 Jan.
  • Active levels forecasted on 24-25 Dec, 1-2 Jan, 9-10 Jan, and 12-14 Jan, all influenced by recurrent CH HSS events.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

December 22

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H3-22:
  • Michibiki 5 (QZS-5) from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan (01:51 UTC) QZSS is a Japanese satellite navigation system designed for optimal visibility in urban canyons and mountainous areas.
• Innospace HANBIT-Nano:
  • Spaceward from Alcântara Space Center, Federative Republic of Brazil (18:45 UTC) Maiden orbital launch for Innospace, carrying multiple payloads including small satellites and experimental payloads from various organizations.

December 23

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 12A:
  • Demo Flight from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (01:54 UTC) First test launch of the Long March 12A rocket with a planned stage recovery attempt.

December 24

• Indian Space Research Organization LVM-3:
  • BlueBird Block 2 #1 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (02:50 UTC) This launch will deploy the largest commercially used satellite in Low Earth Orbit.
• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1a:
  • Obzor-R No.1 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation (14:00 UTC) An X-band radar earth observation satellite for BRLK X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar imaging.

December 25

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8A:
  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (23:18 UTC)

December 26

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 3B/E:
  • Fengyun-4C from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (16:00 UTC) Launching a geostationary meteorological satellite as part of China’s second-generation series.

December 28

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • CSG-3 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (02:08 UTC) This Earth observation satellite is part of a reconnaissance constellation using synthetic aperture radars.
• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M:
  • AIST-2T 01 & 02 from Vostochny Cosmodrome, Siberia, Russian Federation (13:18 UTC) Launching Russian optical Earth observation satellites alongside 20 small ride-share payloads.

December 30

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 7A:
  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (21:00 UTC)

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