Tag: Low Earth Orbit
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NASA Taps Axiom for 5th Private ISS Mission
Overview: A Fifth Private Mission to the ISS NASA has signed an agreement with Axiom Space for the fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, scheduled to launch no earlier than January 2027, will depart from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This milestone underscores NASA’s ongoing commitment to commercial…
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Astronaut Timelapse: Zodiacal Light, Auroras & Pleiades from the ISS
Stunning Space Timelapse from the ISS In a captivating display of perspective from the International Space Station, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui released a timelapse video that blends celestial light shows with a telling milestone: his 300th cumulative day in space. The high-definition footage offers observers a rare, front-row seat to natural phenomena that are visible…
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Astronaut Captures Zodiacal Light, Auroras and Pleiades from the ISS Timelapse
Stunning Views from Low-Earth Orbit In a dazzling display of celestial choreography, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station has captured a timelapse that blends the soft glow of the zodiacal light with the shimmering curtains of auroras and the pinpoint stars of the Pleiades. The video marks not only a visual triumph but also…
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Space Debris: 1.1 Million Pieces in Orbit Raising Risks
What the numbers mean Earth’s orbital environment is now crowded with debris from decades of spaceflight. Recent assessments estimate more than 1.1 million pieces larger than 1 centimeter are currently circling the planet, traveling at velocities up to about 18,000 miles per hour. Each fragment, from defunct satellites to spent rocket stages, can threaten operational…
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Starlink to Move Thousands of Satellites for Space Safety
Introduction: A proactive step for crowded orbits In response to a mishap involving one Starlink satellite and a near miss with several others, SpaceX announces that it will lower thousands of its broadband satellites to a safer, more sustainable altitude. The decision highlights how rapidly Earth’s orbital environment is becoming crowded and dangerous, even for…
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Starlink Moves Thousands of Satellites to Boost Space Safety
Introduction: A Bold Step for Space Safety Starlink, the satellite internet venture from SpaceX, announced a sweeping operational change: the company will lower thousands of its satellites to safer, lower orbits. This move follows a recent mishap involving a Starlink satellite and a near collision with others in the crowded near-Earth environment. The decision underscores…
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Gaganyaan and Artemis-II: How 2026 Could Transform Humanity’s Reach Beyond Earth
Two 2026 Milestones, Two Visions for Spaceflight 2026 stands out as a watershed year for human space exploration. India’s Gaganyaan mission, pursued by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and NASA’s Artemis-II mission, part of the broader Artemis program, are set to push beyond national pride and into the realm of global impact. While both…
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Gaganyaan and Artemis-II: How 2026 Reshapes Human Spaceflight
Two missions, one year: A new era for human spaceflight In 2026, the world watches two landmark missions that promise to reshape how humanity accesses and stays in low-Earth orbit. India’s Gaganyaan program and NASA’s Artemis-II mission approach space exploration from different angles—technology, geopolitics, and international collaboration—yet they converge on a shared vision: safer, more…
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Crash Clock: How a Severe Solar Storm Could Spark Satellite Collisions—and How Soon
Overview: Why a solar storm matters to satellites As humanity depends more on space-based services—from GPS to high-speed communications—the risks posed by space weather have moved from theoretical concern to practical threat. A severe solar storm can unleash a torrent of charged particles and intense radiation that affects satellite orbits and onboard systems. In an…
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Atlas V Launch to Put 27 Amazon Leo Satellites Into Orbit on Dec. 15
Overview: A Key Step for Amazon’s Internet Venture On the morning of December 15, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket is set to launch a fresh batch of Amazon’s Leo satellites, part of the company’s ambitious Project Kuiper initiative. The mission will carry 27 satellites into low Earth orbit, advancing Amazon’s goal to…