📰Top Stories

Space Force Expands Domestic Operations with SPACEFOR-NORTH

The U.S. Space Force has inaugurated U.S. Space Forces Northern (SPACEFOR-NORTH), a new field command stationed at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. This development strengthens space capabilities for homeland defense, demonstrating an increased emphasis on protecting U.S. territories from space-based threats. SPACEFOR-NORTH will operate as the service component to U.S. Northern Command, marking a significant expansion in the Space Force’s homeland mission.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

Viridian’s New Play with Air Force Research Lab

In a strategic move, Viridian Space Corp. has entered a cooperative research and development agreement with the Air Force Research Laboratory. This five-year partnership grants Viridian access to cutting-edge testing facilities and unmatched satellite-operations expertise at AFRL’s Kirtland Air Force Base. This initiative is a promising step toward advancing satellite technology and operations.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Space Force’s Evolving Role as Satellites Face Growing Threats

The Space Force is preparing for an era where satellites become targets, emphasizing a broader spectrum of space defense strategies. Vice chief of space operations Gen. Shawn Bratton discussed future plans to ensure space superiority by 2040 at a recent event. These plans highlight the need for long-range initiatives to secure satellite operations against increasing threats.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

DARPA and Raytheon to Enhance Maritime Defense Systems

Raytheon has been chosen by DARPA to develop an advanced sensing and targeting system to defend maritime vessels against emerging threats, including autonomous surface vehicles. This technology is part of the Pulling Guard program aimed at protecting critical maritime assets and enhancing operational security.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Upgrades: A Game-Changer for Defense

Boeing is set to upgrade its MQ-28 Ghost Bat, featuring longer wings and new weapons bays. These enhancements are designed to improve the aircraft’s operational capabilities, bolstering its effectiveness in support missions and defensive strategies.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

House Armed Services Committee Eyes $450B Defense Fund

The Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Mike Rogers, is pushing for a $450 billion defense fund in the upcoming reconciliation package. The focus will be on expanding the defense industrial base and strengthening military capabilities, which could have significant implications for space-related defense initiatives.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: ASTRA 2C
• NORAD ID: 26853
• Launch Date: June 16, 2001
• Mission: ASTRA 2C is a communication satellite designed for direct broadcasting services across Europe. It enables high-quality television and radio transmission.
• Orbit: Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
• Operator: SES Global
• Fun Fact: ASTRA 2C is equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders, making it a significant player in the European broadcasting landscape.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track ASTRA 2C

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 80
  • Major: 40
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 30
  • 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 expected.
  • Geomagnetic outlook: G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms likely due to the anticipated influence of the CME that left the Sun on February 1st.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity (February 2 - 28, 2026):
  • Solar activity at moderate to high levels, with further M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flares expected and a high chance for X-class (R3-Strong or greater) flares between February 2-10 as Region 4366 transits the visible disk.
  • Lower activity levels with a chance for M-class flares anticipated between February 11-22.
  • Renewed moderate to high activity likely from February 23-28 as Region 4366 reappears.
  • Greater than 10 MeV proton flux could reach S1-S2 (Minor-Moderate) storm levels on February 2-4 due to recent solar flare activity, with further enhancements possible through February 12.
  • High levels of greater than 2 MeV electron flux predicted at geosynchronous orbit on February 2-3, 6-12, and 15-28 due to recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) influence.
  • Geomagnetic conditions mostly quiet from February 2-5, with some CME activity possible.
  • Quiet to unsettled conditions expected on February 5-11, 22-23, and 26, while unsettled to active levels anticipated on February 13-21 and 24-25, featuring likely G1 (Minor) storm conditions on February 13 due to CH HSS effects.

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

February 7

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F/G:

  • Chinese Reusable Space Vehicle from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (03:48 UTC)
  • Probable 4th flight of the Chinese spaceplane capable of returning to Earth.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 17-33 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (17:05 UTC)
  • A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 11

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Crew-12 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (11:01 UTC)
  • SpaceX Crew-12 is the twelfth crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 17-34 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (14:07 UTC)
  • A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 12

• United Launch Alliance Vulcan VC4S:

  • USSF-87 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (08:00 UTC)
  • USSF-87 will launch two identical Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites directly to a near-geosynchronous orbit approximately 36,000 km above the equator.

• Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center Proton-M/Blok DM-03:

  • Elektro-L No.5 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan (08:56 UTC)
  • Elektro-L is a series of meteorological satellites designed for the Russian Federal Space Agency.

• Arianespace Ariane 64:

  • Amazon Leo from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (16:45 UTC)
  • Part of Amazon’s Kuiper project, this launch will carry 32 satellites for a mega constellation designed to offer broadband internet access.

February 14

• Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha:

  • Stairway to Seven from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (00:50 UTC)
  • A test flight and return-to-flight for the launch vehicle after April 2025 launch failure, testing multiple Block II subsystems.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 6-103 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (05:00 UTC)
  • A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 17-13 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (22:00 UTC)
  • A batch of 25 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.