NASA’S SPACEX CREW-9 TO DISCUSS SPACE STATION MISSION, UPCOMING RETURN - Media are invited to hear from NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts during a news conference beginning at 11:55 a.m. EST, Tuesday, March 4, from the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore will discuss their return to Earth on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.   More
(Source: NASA - Feb 28)

CHINA’S 22,370-MILE DECLASSIFIED SPY SATELLITE ALARMS US AFTER 18-MONTH SECRET REVEAL - Chinese scientists have officially disclosed the sophisticated technology behind Ludi Tance 4-01, the world’s first geosynchronous orbit synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite. Deployed in August 2023, Ludi operates at an altitude of 22,370 miles (36,000 km), granting China persistent surveillance over one-third of the Earth’s surface. This high-altitude system significantly surpasses US radar satellites, which remain confined to low Earth orbit.   More
(Source: Interesting Engineering - Feb 28)

SPACEX LAUNCHES STARLINK 12-13 MISSION ON THIRD ATTEMPT - Following two days of scrubbed attempts, SpaceX managed to send 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on the Starlink 12-13 mission. SpaceX didn’t state a reason for the previous days of scrubs. The Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at 10:34 p.m. EST (0334 UTC on Feb. 27).   More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Feb 27)

SPACEX LAUNCHES INTUITIVE MACHINES’ 2ND MOON LANDER, 3 RIDESHARE SPACECRAFT - Intuitive Machines is heading back to the Moon following its first trip a year ago. The company based in Houston, Texas, sent another of its Nova-C class vehicles to attempt a landing no earlier than March 6 and begin a 10-Earth day-long mission. The mission began with a launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Feb. 26 at 7:16 p.m. EST (0016 UTC).   More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Feb 27)

SCRUB: SPACEX STANDS DOWN FOR A SECOND DAY FROM THE LAUNCH OF THE STARLINK 12-13 MISSION - For a second time in as many days, SpaceX scrubbed a launch attempt to send 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. SpaceX didn’t state a reason for the launch delay for its window that opened Tuesday evening. The company scrubbed a Monday launch attempt, likely due to weather, but didn’t publicly provide a reason for the delay. The Falcon 9 rocket is now targeting a liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at 10:34 p.m. EST (0334 UTC on Feb. 27).   More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Feb 26)

TELEDYNE SPACE IMAGING LAUNCHES NOT ONE BUT TWO IMAGING SENSORS IN SUN-SYNCHRONOUS ORBIT NASA EXPLORER MISSIONS - Sensors from Teledyne Space Imaging will play a key role in two prestigious NASA explorer missions that are ready to launch this month. Both missions launch on the same rocket on 28 February 2025 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA. The PUNCH mission (Polarimeter to UNify the Corona and Heliosphere) is led by Teledyne Space Imaging customer, Southwest Research Institute on behalf of NASA.   More
(Source: Satellite Evolution - Feb 26)

PROPELLANT LEAK BLAMED FOR FALCON 9 UPPER STAGE UNCONTROLLED REENTRY - SpaceX said that a Falcon 9 upper stage that reentered over Europe earlier this week suffered a propellant leak that prevented it from doing a controlled reentry. The upper stage was placed in orbit on a Feb. 1 launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. After deploying its payload of 22 Starlink satellites on the Group 11-4 mission, the upper stage was expected to perform a burn to enable a controlled reentry over the ocean, a standard procedure on most Falcon 9 launches to low Earth orbit.   More
(Source: SpaceNews - Feb 25)

SPACEX TO LAUNCH 21 STARLINK SATELLITES ON FALCON 9 ROCKET FROM CAPE CANAVERAL - SpaceX is preparing to launch 21 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Tuesday. The Falcon 9 rocket is targeting a liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 at 2:11 a.m. EST (0711 UTC). Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about an hour prior to liftoff.   More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Feb 25)

A CHINESE SATELLITE TESTS ORBITAL REFUELLING - Satellites often face a disappointing end: despite having fully working systems, they are often de-orbited after their propellant runs out. However, a breakthrough is on the cards with the launch of China’s Shijian-25 satellite which has been launched into orbit to test orbital refuelling operations. The plan; docking with satellite Beidou-3 G7 and transferring 142 kilograms of hydrazine to extend its life by 8 years! It’s success will mean China plans to develop a network of orbital refuelling stations!   More
(Source: Universe Today - Feb 24)

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