📰Top Stories

Space Force Enhances Cybersecurity with Base Network Overhaul

The U.S. Department of the Air Force is initiating a significant network modernization across 14 Space Force bases, responding to growing demands for cybersecurity. This overhaul aims to fortify the infrastructure under the “Base Infrastructure Modernization” IDIQ contract, which aligns with the increasing need for robust cybersecurity measures in military operations.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Anysignal Advances Autonomous RF Sensing with $24 Million Funding

Anysignal, spearheading innovations in autonomous radio frequency sensing tech, has secured $24 million in Series A funding. This investment will amplify the development of AI-driven RF sensing solutions crucial for space and national security, offering technology to manage and identify RF signals in complex environments.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

Cyviz Awarded NATO Defense Contracts for Visualization Systems

Cyviz, known for its advanced visualization systems, has been granted two classified defense contracts by NATO. These contracts focus on creating scalable and secure visualization suites, enhancing the strategic capabilities of allied command operations, showcasing Cyviz’s pivotal role in defense technology.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

MDA Space Partners with Canada and Telesat on Military Satcom

In a strategic move, MDA Space has partnered with the Canadian Department of National Defence and Telesat to develop next-generation military satellite communications. This collaboration promises secure and high-capacity communications, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to enhancing its defense infrastructure through space technology.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

SDA Expands Tracking Layer Satellite Contracts for Missile Defense

The Space Development Agency has expanded its Tracking Layer satellite contracts, involving four major contractors to develop 72 satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. This initiative, valued at $3.5 billion, aims to bolster missile defense capabilities through advanced satellite technology.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

SpaceX and China Propel Record Orbital Launches in 2025

2025 saw a record-breaking number of orbital launches, driven predominantly by SpaceX and China. This surge reflects the rapidly growing capabilities and ambitions of both entities in space exploration and commercialization. However, the factors contributing to future growth may shift as the industry evolves.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: OPS 4078 (DMSP 4B F2)
• NORAD ID: 03510
• Launch Date: October 23, 1968
• Mission: This satellite supports meteorological observations, crucial for weather forecasting and climate monitoring.
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: SAMSO (Systems Automation Management Support Office)
• Fun Fact: OPS 4078 was part of the DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program), which was the first program dedicated to collecting weather data for military applications.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track OPS 4078 (DMSP 4B F2)

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 50
  • Major: 10
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 10
  • 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 is observed with minor geomagnetic storms expected.
  • Geomagnetic outlook indicates G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms are likely on 04 Jan due to anticipated effects from a passing CME that ejected from the Sun on 02 Jan.
  • Radiation outlook shows a slight chance for S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms from 04-06 Jan due to the eruptive potential of multiple regions on the visible disk.
  • There is a chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts with a slight chance for R3 (Strong) from 04-06 Jan due to flare potential from active regions.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • Solar and geomagnetic activity is expected to remain predominantly low through 24 Jan, although C-class flares are anticipated.
  • The possibility of M-class flares (R1-R2/Minor-Moderate) varies from chance to likely as active regions develop and rotate on and off the disk.
  • A slight to moderate chance exists for X-class flares (R3-Strong or greater) during periods when active region complexity increases.
  • No proton events are anticipated at geosynchronous orbit.
  • High levels of greater than 2 MeV electron flux expected on 29-31 Dec, 03-06 Jan, and 14-24 Jan, with normal to moderate levels during the rest of this period.
  • Geomagnetic field activity might reach active levels on 01 Jan due to negative polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) impacts, with further active conditions possible on 02-04 Jan from positive polarity CH HSS influences.
  • Additional periods of active conditions are likely on 09-10 and 12-14 Jan owing to negative polarity CH HSS influences, with G1 (Minor) storming probable on 17-18 Jan, followed by more active conditions on 19-20 Jan associated with positive polarity CH HSS influences.

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

January 8

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 6-96 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (18:29 UTC)
  • A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 10

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 6-97 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (18:34 UTC)
  • A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 11

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (13:09 UTC)
  • The Pandora small satellite, part of NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers Program, includes a telescope to study exoplanet atmospheres. This mission also includes ride-share payloads from Spire Global and Kepler Communications as part of the Falcon 9 Twilight mission.

January 12

• Indian Space Research Organization PSLV-DL:
  • EOS-N1 and others from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (04:15 UTC)
  • Small Earth observation satellite for an “Indian strategic user”. This launch will also carry 18 other ride-share payloads.

January 14

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 6-98 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (18:01 UTC)
  • A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 17

• Isar Aerospace Spectrum:
  • Flight Two from Andøya Spaceport, Norway (00:00 UTC)
  • Second test flight of the Isar Spectrum launch vehicle, carrying several cubesats as part of the European Space Agency’s “Boost!” program.

January 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.

• Rocket Lab Electron:

  • Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (00:00 UTC)
  • NeonSat-1A, carrying a high-resolution optical camera, is designed to test the constellation capabilities for Earth observation, funded by the Korean government’s Ministry of Science and ICT.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • BlueBird Block 2 #2 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (00:00 UTC)
  • AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver enhanced broadband service, featuring the largest satellites ever deployed in LEO.

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