📰Top Stories

Space Force Halts Vulcan Missions Amid Solid Rocket Investigation

The U.S. Space Force has paused all Vulcan missions following concerns over a solid rocket issue, which complicates United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) efforts to increase their launch frequency. This development could have ripple effects across military and commercial satellite deployment schedules, potentially delaying vital projects.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Rocket Lab Scrubs Launch of Hypersonic Scramjet Vehicle for U.S. Military

Rocket Lab has postponed its HASTE launch set for February 25, which aimed to deploy a hypersonic vehicle for the U.S. military. The suborbital rocket, carrying a scramjet-powered vehicle, has yet to receive a new launch date. This setback affects plans for testing advanced military technologies in space.

Read the full story: Space.com

A Banner Year for Military Space Funding—With Uncertainties Ahead

Military space funding has reached new highs in 2026, thanks to recent reconciliation boosts. However, significant questions remain about the long-term sustainability of this financial influx, particularly concerning missile defense systems and the Space Development Agency’s future projects.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

’The Space Force is My Baby’: Trump’s State of the Union Highlights

In his recent State of the Union address, President Trump praised the accomplishments of the Space Force. Notably absent from the speech was any mention of the upcoming Artemis 2 moon mission, an omission that surprised many in the space community anticipating a shoutout.

Read the full story: Space.com

Joint Staff Director Returns to Navy After Brief Tenure

Vice Adm. Fred Kacher has returned to the Navy following a short stint as the Joint Staff Director. This unexpected change comes as a surprise to many and highlights the challenges of maintaining stable leadership within military space operations.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Senate Moves to Reauthorize Key Small Business Fund for Pentagon Use

The Senate is preparing to reauthorize a crucial small business fund used by the Pentagon, ending a protracted dispute within the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. This decision is expected to bolster innovation and support smaller enterprises contributing to defense technology advancements.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: COSMOS 1261
• NORAD ID: 12376
• Launch Date: March 31, 1981
• Mission: Early warning satellite designed to detect missile launches and other threats.
• Orbit: LEO (Low Earth Orbit)
• Operator: PVO (Soviet Air Defence Forces)
• Fun Fact: COSMOS 1261 is part of the Oko program, which was crucial during the Cold War for monitoring ballistic missile activity.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 1261

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 50
  • Major: 5
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 1
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

  • Scale: 0
  • Impact: none
  • Activity: Low

• Impact Summary

  • No risk of radio blackouts expected in the next 24 hours.
  • There are no risks of solar radiation storms.
  • Geomagnetic activity is low, with no expected G1 (Minor) or greater storms.
  • Expect stable conditions for satellite communication and ground-based operations.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • Solar activity is anticipated to remain very low, with potential for some C-class flares and a slight chance for M-class flares throughout the forecast period from 23 February to 21 March 2026.
  • Expect high levels of electron flux at geosynchronous orbit on several dates, which may impact satellites.
  • Geomagnetic storms are likely at G1 (Minor) levels on select dates, with potential G2 (Moderate) storm activity expected on 21 March.
  • Increased geomagnetic activity is anticipated from the influence of recurring coronal holes, which could affect satellite operations and ground communications intermittently.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

February 26

• Rocket Lab: HASTE | That’s Not A Knife (DART AE):
  • Rocket: Scramjet Vehicle
  • Payload: Hypersonic Vehicle
  • Launch Site: Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
  • Launch Time: 21:00 UTC Payload is a scramjet-powered hypersonic vehicle developed by Australian company Hypersonix.

February 27

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Mission Name: Starlink Group 6-108
  • Launch Site: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
  • Launch Time: 09:52 UTC A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, providing space-based Internet communication.

February 28

• Firefly Aerospace: Firefly Alpha:
  • Mission Name: Stairway to Seven
  • Launch Site: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
  • Launch Time: 00:50 UTC Firefly Alpha’s Flight 7 will conduct a test flight and validate key systems after the previous launch failure.

March 1

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Mission Name: Starlink Group 17-23
  • Launch Site: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
  • Launch Time: 08:00 UTC A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, providing space-based Internet communication.

March 2

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Mission Name: Starlink Group 10-41
  • Launch Site: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
  • Launch Time: 00:07 UTC A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, providing space-based Internet communication.

March 4

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Mission Name: Starlink Group 10-40
  • Launch Site: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
  • Launch Time: 06:58 UTC A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, providing space-based Internet communication.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Mission Name: Starlink Group 17-18
  • Launch Site: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
  • Launch Time: 21:00 UTC A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, providing space-based Internet communication.

March 8

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Mission Name: EchoStar 25
  • Launch Site: Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
  • Launch Time: 00:00 UTC EchoStar 25 is a direct broadcast satellite delivering content across North America.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Mission Name: Starlink Group 17-31
  • Launch Site: Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
  • Launch Time: 10:58 UTC A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, providing space-based Internet communication.

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