📰Top Stories

Pentagon’s LEO Constellation Faces Delays

Portions of the Pentagon’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation project are currently on hold due to ongoing acquisition reviews. Significant changes are anticipated, especially concerning the ‘custody’ and ‘transport’ layers of the satellite initiative. This strategic pause reflects careful consideration of technological and security factors crucial for the project’s success.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

The Potential of Nuclear Power in Space

Nuclear power remains a critical solution for overcoming space exploration challenges. Radioisotopes and fission reactors promise transformative capabilities for sustaining operations on the moon and beyond, thanks to their ability to generate significant electrical output even in harsh environments.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Vietnam Welcomes Starlink’s Satellite Internet

Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, has received operational approval in Vietnam. The company plans to deploy up to four gateway stations and 600,000 devices under stringent non-interference regulations. This marks a significant expansion of Starlink’s services in Southeast Asia.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

SpaceX and xAI Enter Drone Contest

SpaceX and xAI have been selected by the Pentagon to participate in an autonomous drone contest set to run for six months, with a substantial $100 million prize awaiting the winner. This underscores the strategic importance of integrating advanced AI with aerospace technologies for defense applications.

Read the full story: TESLARATI

Upcoming Launches: Firefly and SpaceX

Upcoming rocket launches include Firefly’s Alpha mission and three Starlink missions by SpaceX. These launches are part of ongoing efforts to expand global satellite network coverage and reinforce infrastructure for commercial and strategic purposes.

Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight.com

Chinese Startup Advances Rocket Program

Zenk Space, a lesser-known Chinese launch company, has successfully conducted a first stage static fire test for the Zhihang-1 rocket. This milestone indicates growing competitive diversity in the global space launch industry, with more players entering the market.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: MACSAT 2 (M 2)
• NORAD ID: 20608
• Launch Date: May 9, 1990
• Mission: Experimental communication (store and forward)
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: DARPA
• Fun Fact: MACSAT 2 was designed as part of a pioneering effort in digital store and forward communication, showcasing early advancements in satellite technology.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track MACSAT 2 (M 2)

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 10
  • Major: 1
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 1
  • 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.
  • G1-G2 (Minor-Moderate) geomagnetic storms likely early on February 17 due to persistent CH HSS influences.
  • No significant active regions forecasted to produce radiation storms.
  • Slight chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts through February 19.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • From February 16 to March 14, 2026, solar activity is expected to continue at low levels.
  • A slight chance for M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flares from February 16 to 21, with increased activity from February 22 to March 7 as Region 4366 returns to visibility.
  • Forecast includes a potential for X-class (R3-Strong) flares during the peak activity period.
  • Greater than 10 MeV proton flux is likely to remain below S1 (Minor) levels on February 16-21 and March 8-14, but may reach S1-S2 (Minor-Moderate) storm levels between February 22 and March 7.
  • Geomagnetic field activity is expected to range from unsettled to active levels on specific dates due to recurrent negative polarity CH HSS effects, with opportunities for active conditions on March 12 and 14.
  • Mostly quiet to unsettled levels are anticipated during the breaks between storm periods.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

February 18

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 10-36 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (22:00 UTC) A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system. First Starlink launch to feature a Falcon 9 booster landing within The Bahamas waters operationally.

February 19

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 17-25 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (08:00 UTC) A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 21

• Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha:
  • Stairway to Seven from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (00:20 UTC) Firefly Alpha’s Flight 7 will be a test flight and return-To-Flight for the launch vehicle after its April 2025 launch failure, testing multiple systems.

February 22

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 6-104 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (02:04 UTC) A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 17-26 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (20:00 UTC) A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 23

• Rocket Lab HASTE:
  • That’s Not A Knife (DART AE) from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA (20:00 UTC) Payload is a scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicle developed by Australian company Hypersonix.

February 24

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-110 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (20:56 UTC) A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 25

• Space One KAIROS:
  • Flight 3 from Spaceport Kii, Japan (02:00 UTC) Third flight of the KAIROS launch vehicle with 4 satellites on board: TATARA-1R, SC-Sat1a, HErO, and AETS-1.

February 26

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 17-23 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (08:00 UTC) A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 27

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-108 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (09:52 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.