📰Top Stories

AST BlueBird 6 Becomes the Largest LEO Cellular Array

AST SpaceMobile Inc. has launched its BlueBird 6 satellite, now serving as the largest commercial communications array in low Earth orbit. This satellite will provide space-based cellular broadband services to commercial and government users. The successful mission lifted off on December 23 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India, marking a significant milestone in communication technology. Track the BlueBird 6’s orbit and learn more about satellite tracking capabilities on our web app.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

Tory Bruno to Lead Blue Origin’s New National Security Unit

Blue Origin has announced that Tory Bruno will lead its newly formed National Security Group, a strategic move to enhance the company’s focus on defense and national security. While the changes in the organizational structure remain unclear, this leadership shift underlines Blue Origin’s expanding role in the security domain.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

NASA Works to Recover Contact with MAVEN Prior to Solar Conjunction

NASA engineers are persisting in their attempts to reestablish communication with the MAVEN Mars orbiter, which last made contact on December 6. Utilizing the Deep Space Network, recovery commands are being sent to revive the spacecraft before the impending Mars solar conjunction impedes any communication efforts.

Read the full story: Mars Daily

SPHEREx Achieves First Full Sky Infrared Map

NASA’s SPHEREx telescope has accomplished its first full sky infrared mapping, offering unprecedented data across 102 wavelengths. Launched in March 2025, this mission helps to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos by charting the history and evolution of ice and molecular clouds in the universe.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

CoDICE Instrument Delivers First Particle Data for IMAP Mission

The CoDICE instrument aboard NASA’s IMAP continues to achieve groundbreaking results, returning its first solar wind particle data. These measurements promise to enhance our understanding of the heliosphere’s boundary, pivotal in protecting our solar system from interstellar radiation.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

Space Force Guardians Debut New Uniforms

For the first time, newly commissioned Space Force Guardians have graduated in updated uniforms from their Officer Training School. This event marks a symbolic step in establishing a distinct identity for the Space Force, showcasing the evolving nature of this space military branch.

Read the full story: Space.com

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: COSMOS 680
• NORAD ID: 07438
• Launch Date: September 19, 1974
• Mission: Military Communication
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: GUKOSR
• Fun Fact: COSMOS 680 was part of the Strela communication satellite series, which served critical military communication needs during the Cold War era.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 680

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 45
  • Major: 5
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 5
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

  • Scale: 0
  • Impact: none
  • Activity: Low

• Impact Summary

  • No risk of radio blackouts for satellite communication users, enabling reliable operations.
  • No risk of solar radiation storms, ensuring the safety of satellites and ground-based assets.
  • Geomagnetic conditions indicate no significant impacts on ground-based radars and telescopes, with a calm space environment forecasted.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • Low to moderate solar activity expected throughout the forecast period, providing a stable environment for satellite operators.
  • No proton events anticipated at geosynchronous orbit, reducing risks for satellite assets.
  • High levels of electron flux expected intermittently, prompting caution for satellite operators during those specific dates, particularly on 25-29 Dec, 1-6 Jan, and 14-17 Jan.
  • Geomagnetic field activity expected to reach G2 (Moderate) levels on 30 Dec and G1 (Minor) on 22-23 Dec, 31 Dec, and 17 Jan, which may impact high-latitude satellite operations and require monitoring of potential fluctuations in communications.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

December 28

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • CSG-3 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA (02:08 UTC) CSG-3 is an Earth observation satellite for the Italian Space Agency, part of a reconnaissance constellation using synthetic aperture radars operating in the X-band.
• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M:
  • AIST-2T 01 & 02 from Vostochny Cosmodrome, Siberia, Russian Federation (13:18 UTC) A pair of Russian optical Earth observation satellites built for obtaining stereo images of the Earth’s surface. 50 small satellites, including 3 from Iran, will also be launched as ride-share payloads.

December 29

• China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3:
  • Unknown Payload from Haiyang Oriental Spaceport (06:06 UTC) Possibly an Earth observation satellite for the Pakistan government’s SUPARCO.

December 30

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 4B:
  • Unknown Payload from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (04:04 UTC)
• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 7A:
  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (22:32 UTC)

December 31

• Galactic Energy Ceres-2:
  • Demo Flight from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (00:00 UTC) First test launch of Galactic Energy’s Ceres-2 rocket.
• CAS Space Kinetica 2:
  • Demo Flight from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (00:00 UTC) First test launch of CAS Space’s Kinetica-2 rocket.
• Space Pioneer Tianlong-3:
  • Demo Flight from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (00:00 UTC) First test launch of Space Pioneer’s Tianlong-3 rocket.

January 3

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-88 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA (05:00 UTC) A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

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