📰Top Stories

Vulcan Kicks Off 2026 with Crucial National Security Launch

Vulcan is set to open 2026 with a significant national security launch, marked by the deployment of the USSF-87 mission. This comes amid a change in leadership at United Launch Alliance and rising pressures to escalate launch frequencies. The mission underscores Vulcan’s role in bolstering national security through vigilant satellite deployment.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Sierra Space Accelerates Missile Tracking with SDA Satellite Structures

Sierra Space has successfully completed the first plane of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer satellite structures, delivering nine units three months ahead of schedule. This advancement is crucial for enhancing the timeliness and efficiency of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, which aims to bolster missile tracking capabilities.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

NASA Faces ISS Mission Challenges After Medical Situation

NASA has delayed its inaugural spacewalk of 2026 due to a medical situation with a member of the Crew-11 mission on the International Space Station. Originally set for NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, a new date has not been announced. The health of crew members remains a top priority as NASA navigates this delay.

Read the full story: Spaceflight Now

US Military Activity Around Greenland Unlikely, Say European Analysts

Despite speculations, European analysts suggest that a U.S. military takeover of Greenland remains improbable. Rasmus Søndergaard emphasizes the absence of conflict potential similar to historical interventions in other regions, even as strategic interests in the Arctic grow.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Army Advances Key Competitors in Flight School Next Program

The U.S. Army has progressed Bell, M1, and Lockheed to the subsequent phase of its Flight School Next competition. This initiative is anticipated to culminate in the awarding of a new contract by September, with select aircraft like Bell’s 505 helicopter poised at the forefront of training advancements.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: BCCSAT-1
• NORAD ID: 48041
• Launch Date: March 22, 2021
• Mission: BCCSAT-1 is a small CubeSat designed for various experimental and educational missions as part of its operational purpose.
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: BCCT/KMUTNB
• Fun Fact: BCCSAT-1, measuring just 1U in size, is an excellent example of affordable space exploration technologies, showcasing how smaller satellites can contribute to research and education.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track BCCSAT-1

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 45
  • 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 with minor geomagnetic storms
  • Geomagnetic outlook suggests potential G1 (Minor) storms on January 9 due to coronal hole high-speed stream influences
  • Slight chance of S1 (Minor) solar radiation storms from January 9-11
  • Possibility of R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts on January 9-11 with a small chance for R3 (Strong) events

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • Forecast from January 5-31 indicates low overall solar activity with some chances for moderate conditions
  • Minimal risk of proton events at geosynchronous orbit expected
  • High levels of greater than 2 MeV electron flux anticipated on January 5 and 13 due to recurrent coronal holes
  • Geomagnetic storms likely to reach G1 (Minor) levels on several dates, including January 13-14 and 17-20
  • Active conditions expected on January 5 and 28, with unsettled activity on numerous dates throughout January
  • Overall quiet conditions are predicted for much of the remaining period

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

January 9

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-96 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (18:03 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:
  • Pandora / Twilight rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (13:19 UTC) This mission includes the Pandora small satellite as part of NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers Program and 39 other rideshare payloads.
• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-97 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (18:08 UTC) A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

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 NewSpace India Limited, with 18 additional rideshare payloads.

January 13

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8A:
  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (15:38 UTC) Details TBD.

January 14

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • 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 15

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 3B/E:
  • Unknown Payload from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (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 for the European Space Agency’s “Boost!” program.
• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • NROL-105 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (04:18 UTC) Twelfth batch of reconnaissance satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.

January 18

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-100 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, 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.