AX-4 GO FOR MONDAY UNDOCKING, FINALIZING RESEARCH - Mission managers have given the “go” for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew to board the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and undock from the International Space Station’s space-facing port on the Harmony module at 7:05 a.m. EDT on Monday, July 14. Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson will lead Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu back to Earth completing a two-and-a-half-week research mission aboard the orbiting lab.   More
(Source: NASA - Jul 12)

EXPERIMENTAL CHINESE SATELLITE TURNS UP IN UNEXPECTED ORBIT - Chinese space observers are closely examining an experimental Chinese satellite that has taken an unanticipated orbital path, sparking curiosity and concern about its mission objectives and performance. Engineers and analysts note that the satellite’s deviation from its planned trajectory could hint at underlying design changes or unforeseen technical issues. Monitoring efforts are now in full swing as experts assess potential impacts on space safety and orbital debris management, while Chinese officials have been notably reserved in providing details about the anomaly or any adjustments in its mission plan.   More
(Source: SpaceNews - Jul 12)

NASA, SPACEX TARGETING JULY 31 FOR LAUNCH OF CREW-11 ASTRONAUT MISSION TO ISS - The next astronaut launch to the International Space Station (ISS) is just around the corner. NASA is targeting July 31 for the launch of its next astronaut mission with SpaceX. The flight, called Crew-11, will lift off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex-39A (LC-39A), at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending the Crew Dragon Endeavour to low Earth orbit (LEO). The flight will mark the sixth mission for Endeavour, making it SpaceX's most-flown Crew Dragon spacecraft.   More
(Source: Space.com - Jul 11)

PRIVATE AX-4 ASTRONAUTS ABOARD ISS ARE FILLING THEIR TIME WITH SCIENCE, VIEWS OF EARTH AND PIEROGIS - A private mission featuring civilian astronauts on the ISS is breaking new ground by blending scientific research with everyday comforts. Crew members are engaged in a variety of experiments that push forward our understanding of space while also taking time to admire stunning, ever-changing views of Earth through the station’s windows. Amid the high-tech environment, moments of lighthearted fun—like enjoying a serving of pierogis—remind everyone that even in orbit, a taste of home goes a long way.   More
(Source: Space.com - Jul 10)

CHINESE SATELLITES COMPLETE GROUNDBREAKING MISSION 22,000 MILES ABOVE EARTH - China’s latest space milestone saw two advanced satellites accomplishing a pioneering mission nearly 22,000 miles from Earth, showcasing cutting‐edge technology and enhanced orbital coordination. By executing complex maneuvers and establishing robust communication links, the satellites have set the stage for future exploration and strategic space operations. This achievement not only underscores China’s growing capabilities in space but also reinforces its ambitions to expand research efforts and satellite technology for both scientific and defense applications.   More
(Source: Fox News - Jul 10)

SPACEX LAUNCHES 28 STARLINK SATELLITES ON FALCON 9 ROCKET FROM CAPE CANAVERAL - paceX launched its latest batch of broadband internet satellites onboard its Falcon 9 rocket in a predawn Falcon 9 launch on Tuesday. The mission, dubbed Starlink 10-28, carried 28 satellites into low Earth orbit. Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station occurred at 4:21 a.m. EDT (0821 UTC).   More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Jul 9)

SPACE INDUSTRY URGES US CONGRESS NOT TO AXE SYSTEM THAT PREVENTS SATELLITE COLLISIONS - Hundreds of U.S. companies on Tuesday urged Congress to back off a plan to kill a small federal office tasked with managing satellite traffic in space, a badly needed civilian effort initiated by President Donald Trump's first administration but now imperiled by cuts. The White House's 2026 budget proposal seeks $10 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Space Commerce, an 84% cut from the office's 2025 funding that would terminate Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), a civilian system to help prevent satellite collisions and alert operators of potential crashes.   More
(Source: Reuters - Jul 9)

2 TINY SPACECRAFT LAUNCHED TO ATTEMPT WORLD’S FIRST GPS-ONLY SATELLITE DOCKING - In a significant advancement for autonomous spacecraft operations, AVS US, in collaboration with Cornell University and the University of North Dakota (UND), successfully launched two small satellites aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission, named UND ROADS (Rendezvous and Operations for Autonomous Docking and Servicing), aims to achieve the world’s first fully autonomous docking between small spacecraft using only satellite navigation signals.   More
(Source: MSN - Jul 8)

GLOBALSTAR ORDERS ANOTHER SPACEX LAUNCH FOR CONSTELLATION REFRESH - Globalstar has signed a second launch deal with SpaceX, which will launch part of its constellation upgrade on a Falcon 9 mission. The mission will launch nine satellites and is targeted for 2026. Globalstar previously purchased a SpaceX launch in 2023 for the satellite upgrade, targeted for 2025. That mission will launch eight satellites.   More
(Source: Via Satellite - Jul 8)

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