📰Top Stories

SpaceX Successfully Launches 25 Starlink Satellites

Following several weather-related delays, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch occurred at 1:04:19 a.m. PST, contributing to SpaceX’s expanding Starlink constellation aimed at providing global internet coverage. This mission underscores SpaceX’s rapid cadence in satellite deployments that satellite trackers can follow via our web app.

Read the full story: Spaceflight Now

Tory Bruno Joins Blue Origin for National Security Initiatives

Former United Launch Alliance CEO, Tory Bruno, has joined Blue Origin to focus on critical national security projects. These efforts include optimizing applications for the company’s Blue Ring spacecraft. Bruno’s move highlights the increasing role of private space firms in national defense.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Boeing Expands Production of Missile-Tracking Sensors

Boeing is ramping up production of missile-tracking sensors by opening a new facility in El Segundo. This move aims to support the military’s expanding missile-warning satellite infrastructure. This expansion is crucial in addressing the backlog of satellites requiring these sensors for enhanced national security.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Air Force to Approve T-7 Trainer Production

The U.S. Air Force is on the brink of approving the production of the T-7 trainer aircraft. The design, heralded for its innovation, suggests that the program is ready to enter production phases, offering improved training capabilities for future pilots.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

The Pentagon’s Drone Strategy: Experience Counts

An executive from Textron emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with experience in the Pentagon’s drone strategy. While technological advancements from new players are beneficial, veteran companies offer essential experience and reliability that should not be overlooked.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: ASTROCAST-0303
• NORAD ID: 54368
• Launch Date: November 26, 2022
• Mission: ASTROCAST-0303 is designed for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication and Internet of Things (IoT) services, facilitating connectivity in remote areas and enhancing communication capabilities across various sectors.
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: ACAST
• Fun Fact: This CubeSat is equipped with two deployable solar arrays, showcasing advancements in compact satellite design for efficient energy use.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track ASTROCAST-0303

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

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

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 1
  • 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: No G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms expected.
  • No significant transient or recurrent solar wind features are forecast.
  • Radiation outlook: No S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms are expected.
  • Slight chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts over 21-23 Feb.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • Solar activity forecast from 16 February to 14 March shows low overall levels but a slight chance for M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flares on 16-21 Feb.
  • Increased activity expected from 22 Feb to 07 Mar with M-class flares anticipated, and potential for X-class (R3-Strong or greater) flares as Region 4366 returns.
  • Activity likely returns to low levels on 08-09 Mar with further chances for M-class flares on 10-14 Mar as Region 4366 rotates out of view.
  • Greater than 10 MeV proton flux is expected to be below S1 (Minor) levels on 16-21 Feb and again on 08-14 Mar, with chances for reaching S1-S2 (Minor-Moderate) storm levels from 22 Feb to 07 Mar.
  • Greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit anticipated to be high from 16 Feb to 03 Mar, with moderate levels in between.
  • Geomagnetic activity forecasted to be unsettled to active levels due to negative polarity CH HSS effects on several dates, with mostly quiet to unsettled levels expected outside these periods.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

February 21

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • 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 22

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • 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.

February 24

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 17-26 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (14:00 UTC)
    A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
• 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 the Australian company Hypersonix.
• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • 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. Four satellites will be on board: TATARA-1R, SC-Sat1a, HErO, AETS-1.

February 27

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • 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.

February 28

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 7A:
  • Unknown Payload from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (00:00 UTC)
• Skyroot Aerospace Vikram-I:
  • Demo Flight from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (00:00 UTC)
    First launch of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-I launch vehicle, with several cubesats on board. Payload identities TBD.
• Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha:
  • Stairway to Seven from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (00:50 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.

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