📰Top Stories

Space Force Races to Rebuild Contracting Workforce

The U.S. Space Force is hustling to replenish its contracting workforce after recent civilian reductions. This urgency is motivated by Pentagon acquisition reforms and anticipated budget increases. The initiative is critical to maintaining the momentum in space-related projects and satellite system enhancements crucial for national security.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

National Defense Strategy Emphasizes Homeland Defense

In a surprising move, the Pentagon released its National Defense Strategy with a focus on homeland defense, seemingly diverting attention from international military space activities. This document sets priorities that may influence satellite deployment and other space operations.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Space Force Leaders Anticipate FY27 Budget and Personnel Increases

The Space Force is gearing up for a significant budget and personnel increase in FY27, set to enhance its satellite capabilities and infrastructure. Tom Ainsworth has been appointed as the Air Force’s top space acquisition officer, indicating a strategic focus on strengthening space operations.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Army to Expedite M1E3 Prototypes Deployment

The U.S. Army plans to distribute M1E3 tank prototypes to troops this summer, far ahead of schedule. This roll-out strategy emphasizes real-world testing of new hardware, indirectly affecting space-based systems used for tracking and operational support.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Insights into Defense Contractors’ Investments

Recent analysis reveals how defense contractors are investing their funds, including stock buybacks and dividends. This financial behavior is influenced by executive orders, potentially impacting funding available for space-related projects and satellite developments.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Pentagon Overhauls Military Relocation Software

The Pentagon has established a permanent agency to manage military relocations more efficiently, focusing on updating its software systems. These improvements are expected to optimize bandwidth, potentially benefiting coordination with space operations and satellite logistics.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: INTELSAT 10-02
• NORAD ID: 28358
• Launch Date: June 16, 2004
• Mission: INTELSAT 10-02 is designed for communication purposes, providing vital telecommunication services.
• Orbit: GEO (Geostationary Orbit)
• Operator: INTELD
• Fun Fact: This satellite is equipped with 45 active C-band transponders and 16 active Ku-band transponders, enabling a wide range of communication capabilities.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track INTELSAT 10-02

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 55
  • 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 and minor geomagnetic storms expected. Geomagnetic outlook indicates G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms are anticipated early on January 24 due to positive polarity coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) influences. There is a slight chance for S1 (Minor) solar radiation storms over January 24-26. Minor to moderate radio blackouts are likely with a small chance of R3 (Strong) or greater events during January 24-26.

Long Term Forecast

• Long Term Forecast Summary
  • The forecast period from January 19 to February 14, 2026, indicates that solar activity is expected to remain at low levels, with potential for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackout events and a slight chance of R3 (Strong) levels, attributed to multiple active regions on the visible solar disk. S1 (Minor) solar radiation events may occur at geosynchronous orbit on January 19-20. High levels of the greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit are anticipated on January 19-27 and February 12-14 due to recurrent coronal holes. Geomagnetic field activity is predicted to reach G1 (Minor) storm levels on January 29 and unsettled to active levels on January 19-23, 27-28, January 30-31, and February 4-11 and 13-14, primarily influenced by several recurrent CH HSSs, while the remainder of the forecast period is expected to be mostly quiet.

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

January 25

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 17-20 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (15:17 UTC)
    A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 26

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 7A:

  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (21:00 UTC)
    Details TBD.

• Rocket Lab Electron:

  • Bridging The Swarm (NeonSat-1A) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (22:45 UTC)
    The NeonSat-1A is designed to test the constellation capabilities of the South Korean government’s Earth observation micro-satellite constellation and provide advanced monitoring for the Korean Peninsula.

January 27

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • GPS III SV09 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (04:42 UTC)
    Ninth of ten GPS III missions.

January 29

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 17-19 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (15:17 UTC)
    A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 30

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 6-101 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (04:00 UTC)
    A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

January 31

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

February 1

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 6-103 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (23:04 UTC)
    A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 2

• United Launch Alliance Vulcan VC4S:

  • USSF-87 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (00:00 UTC)
    USSF-87 will launch GSSAP satellites, contributing to orbital predictions and satellite collision avoidance.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 17-32 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (15:17 UTC)
    A batch of 24 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.