📰Top Stories

Vandenberg Opens Doors for New Launch Capabilities

The U.S. Space Force has announced the opening of bids for Space Launch Complex 14 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, with a deadline of February 12, 2026. This initiative aims to enhance domestic space access by attracting new launch capabilities to the Western Range. This effort underscores the importance of bolstering the national space infrastructure in an increasingly competitive global arena.

Read the full story: SpaceFlight Now

AI Outpaces Human Planners in Battle Management Exercises

In a recent experiment, AI tools have surpassed human planners in developing tactical decisions, generating plans faster and with higher accuracy. This demonstration involved complex, multi-domain scenarios and highlights AI’s growing role in military strategy and decision-making processes, promising enhanced efficiencies in future operations.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Analyzing Russian Air Defenses After US Raid on Venezuela

Post-raid analysis reveals that Venezuela’s Russian-supplied air defenses failed to engage U.S. aircraft effectively. Experts credit the success to American operational proficiency rather than the inadequacies of the defense systems, offering insights into current defense dynamics and capabilities.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Pentagon and Lockheed Martin to Triple PAC-3 Production

To meet burgeoning demand and expedite defense readiness, the Pentagon has partnered with Lockheed Martin to significantly increase production of the PAC-3 missile. This decision reflects a strategic emphasis on enhancing defense capabilities while fostering industrial growth in related sectors.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

DARPA Pursues Quantum Computing Interoperability

DARPA is spearheading a project to create a universal translator for different types of quantum computers. This initiative aims to foster compatibility among diverse quantum technologies, facilitating broader application potential and collaboration across various sectors.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Canada’s Atlantic Spaceport Complex Receives Green Light

The Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) has achieved a major milestone by securing environmental approval, propelling Canada toward a prominent position in the global space industry. This development marks a crucial step in establishing the country’s first commercial spaceport, potentially enhancing Canada’s launch capabilities and economic growth.

Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: INTELSAT 4-F7
• NORAD ID: 06796
• Launch Date: August 23, 1973
• Mission: This satellite is primarily used for communication purposes, enabling telecommunication services worldwide.
• Orbit: Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
• Operator: INTELSAT
• Fun Fact: INTELSAT 4-F7 was one of the series of communication satellites that revolutionized international telecommunications by providing direct satellite broadcasting capabilities.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track INTELSAT 4-F7

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 40
  • Major: 10
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 10
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

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

• Impact Summary

  • Next 24 hours: No risk of radio blackouts.
  • No risk of solar radiation storms.
  • Geomagnetic outlook: G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms are possible on January 9 due to potential compounded effects of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and a Coronal Hole High-Speed Stream (CIR) that left the Sun on January 6.
  • Slight chance for S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms from January 7-9.
  • Chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts, with a slight chance for R3 (Strong) events from January 7-9.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • Forecast for Solar and Geomagnetic Activity from January 5 to January 31, 2026: Solar activity is likely to remain low, with potential for moderate (R1-Minor) conditions and slight chances for high (R2/R3-Moderate-Strong) due to multiple regions observed on the solar disk and those returning from the Sun’s far side.
  • No proton events expected at geosynchronous orbit.
  • Greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit expected to reach high levels on January 5 and from January 13-15 due to recurrent coronal holes.
  • Geomagnetic field activity may reach G1 (Minor) levels on January 13-14, 17-20, and 29, with active levels likely on January 5 and 28.
  • Unsettled levels predicted for January 9-10, 12, 21-22, 27, and 30-31.
  • Overall, influences from recurrent coronal holes will account for enhancements in geomagnetic activity, while the rest of the outlook period is expected to be mostly quiet.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

January 8

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 6-96 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (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 (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 (13:09 UTC) The Pandora small satellite is part of NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers Program, set to improve our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres. Also includes rideshare payloads from Spire Global and Kepler Communications.

January 12

• ISRO PSLV-DL:
  • EOS-N1 and others from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (04:15 UTC) Small Earth observation satellite for an “Indian strategic user” along with 18 other ride-share payloads.

January 13

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8A:

  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site (15:38 UTC) Details TBD.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 6-98 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (18:28 UTC) A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 15

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 3B/E:
  • Unknown Payload from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (16:00 UTC) Details TBD.

January 17

• Isar Aerospace Spectrum:
  • Flight Two from Andøya Spaceport (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 19

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 12:
  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site (07:00 UTC) Details TBD.

January 20

• China Rocket Co. Ltd. Smart Dragon 3:
  • Unknown Payload from Haiyang Oriental Spaceport (04:00 UTC) Possibly an Earth observation satellite for the Pakistan government’s SUPARCO, details TBD.

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