NASA-ISRO SATELLITE SENDS FIRST RADAR IMAGES OF EARTH’S SURFACE - The NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) Earth-observing radar satellite’s first images of our planet’s surface are in, and they offer a glimpse of things to come as the joint mission between NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) approaches full science operations later this year. “Launched under President Trump in conjunction with India, NISAR’s first images are a testament to what can be achieved when we unite around a shared vision of innovation and discovery,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. More (Source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory - NASA - Sep 26)
SPACEX LAUNCHES 3 PROBES TO STUDY SPACE WEATHER AND MAP THE BOUNDARIES OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM - SpaceX just sent three space weather probes to the final frontier. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida today (Sept. 24) at 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT), carrying NASA's IMAP mission and and two other spacecraft. Each probe has its own objectives, but all three will work toward the same larger goal: help scientists better understand space weather and its effects on Earth. More (Source: Space.com - Sep 25)
RUSSIAN 'NOAH'S ARK' SATELLITE CARRYING 75 MICE AND 1,500 FLIES LANDS BACK ON EARTH - They came from outer space: 75 mice, over 1,500 flies, cell cultures, microorganisms, plant seeds and more. A Russian biological research satellite toting more than 30 experiments landed on Sept. 19 in the steppes of the Orenburg region after spending 30 days in Earth orbit. The Bion-M No. 2 descent module has been called a "Noah's Ark" due to the mini-menagerie of specimens flown; it was lofted from the Baikonur cosmodrome on Aug. 20 atop a Soyuz-2.1b rocket. More (Source: Space.com - Sep 25)
NOAA GOES-19 SATELLITE CAPTURES PARTIAL ECLIPSE - A striking view of the partial solar eclipse that happened on September 21 was caught not just by photographers on Earth, but also by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) GOES-19 satellite orbiting high above. The images, highlighted in a post on X, show how satellites continue to give irreplaceable perspectives on familiar wonders. More (Source: Space.com - Sep 24)
WATCH SPACEX LAUNCH 3 SPACE WEATHER PROBES EARLY ON SEPT. 24 - SpaceX will launch NASA's ambitious IMAP mission and two other space weather probes early Wednesday morning (Sept. 24), and you can watch the action live. A Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to lift off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT), carrying IMAP and two rideshare spacecraft deep into the final frontier. More (Source: Space.com - Sep 24)
THE US MILITARY JUST MOVED A SATELLITE TO INSPECT A UK SPACECRAFT 22,000 MILES ABOVE EARTH - In a first-of-its kind operation, the United States repositioned one of its spacecraft to inspect an ally's satellite. U.S. Space Command maneuvered one of its spacecraft in order to examine the Skynet 5A military communications satellite operated by the United Kingdom and assure the U.K. that it was operating in orbit as intended. The maneuver took place between Sept. 4 and Sept. 12 at an altitude of 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) in geostationary orbit, where satellites remain above a fixed spot on Earth. Both spacecraft were traveling 6,835 mph (11,000 km/h) during the operation, according to a statement from the Royal Air Force (RAF). More (Source: Space.com - Sep 23)
NRO, SPACEX LAUNCH RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITES ON FALCON 9 ROCKET FROM VANDENBERG SFB - The National Reconnaissance Office sent its 11th batch of small, reconnaissance satellites into low Earth orbit Monday morning. These are believed to be Starshield satellites, a government variant of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, though the NRO hasn’t confirmed this. The intelligence-gathering organization tasked SpaceX to deploy an unspecified number of satellites into low Earth orbit as part of its constellation called the “proliferated architecture.” More (Source: SpaceFlight Now - Sep 23)
FORRESTER’S DIGEST: TELESAT WITHDRAWS PLAN FOR EXTRA SATELLITES - Canada-based satellite operator Telesat has formally cancelled its plans for an additional 1,671 low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. Telesat has already admitted that its important geostationary DTH business is under pressure and is betting its business mainly on a new LEO fleet, called Lightspeed. Lightspeed will comprise about 200 satellites. More (Source: SatNews - Sep 22)
SPACEX LAUNCHES 28 STARLINK SATELLITES ON SUNDAY SUNRISE FALCON 9 FLIGHT - Rocket enthusiasts along the East Coast were treated to sunny sunrise launch from SpaceX on Sunday as it flew its Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral. The Starlink 10-27 mission will send 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites into low Earth orbit. The spacecraft will deploy from the rocket’s upper stage a little more than an hour after the rocket clears the pad at Space Launch Complex 40. More (Source: SpaceFlight Now - Sep 21)
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