U.S. SATELLITES INCREASINGLY VULNERABLE TO CHINA’S GROUND-BASED LASERS - The Defense Intelligence Agency warned in January 2019 that China likely will field in 2020 a ground-based laser weapon that can counter low-orbit space-based sensors. By the mid-to-late 2020s it may field higher power systems that could damage the structures of non-optical satellites. How real is the threat? Analysts have already identified five Chinese laser bases.   More
(Source: SpaceNews - Jul 11)

NEW CHINESE SATELLITE LAUNCHER FAILS ON FIRST FLIGHT - The first flight of the new Chinese Kuaizhou 11 solid-fueled rocket failed to place two small satellites into orbit Friday, and Chinese state media said the cause of the malfunction is under investigation. The Kuaizhou 11 launcher fired away from a launch site at the Jiuquan space center in the Gobi Desert of northwestern China at 0417 GMT (12:17 a.m. EDT; 12:17 p.m. Beijing time).   More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Jul 11)

HIGH-THROUGHPUT COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE LAUNCHED FROM CHINA - A high-power broadband communications satellite designed to provide Internet access to airliner passengers, cruise ships, fishing vessels, and other mobile users successfully launched Thursday aboard a Chinese Long March 3B rocket. The 12,235-pound (5,550-kilogram) Apstar 6D communications satellite lifted off at 1211 GMT (8:11 a.m. EDT; 8:11 p.m. Beijing time) Thursday from the Xichang space launch facility, located in Sichuan province in southwestern China.   More
(Source: SpaceFlight Now - Jul 10)

VANGUARD 1: EARTH’S OLDEST ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE THAT'S STILL IN ORBIT - Today, there are more than 2,600 active satellites in orbit, as well as thousands of dead satellites that circle the planet as space junk. But plummeting rocket prices and a revolution in small electronics are now fueling a commercial space rush, with companies combining to launch hundreds of additional satellites into orbit every year. Just one of those companies, SpaceX, has plans to launch tens of thousands more satellites as part of its controversial Starlink constellation, which aims to provide space-based internet to the world.   More
(Source: Astronomy Magazine - Jul 10)

SPACEX RESCHEDULES SATELLITE LAUNCH FOR SATURDAY - Hawthorne-based SpaceX will try again Saturday to launch its twice-delayed mission to deploy nearly 60 satellites into orbit. The launch of the Starlink satellites was originally scheduled for June 26 from Cape Canaveral in Florida but was scrubbed at the last minute to allow for more pre-flight equipment checks. SpaceX tried again Wednesday morning, but that launch had to be canceled due to bad weather. The company announced Thursday that the launch has now been rescheduled for 7:54 a.m. California time Saturday.   More
(Source: The Daily Breeze - Jul 10)

VEGA ROCKET'S 53-SATELLITE LAUNCH DELAYED TO AUGUST - 'Exceptionally unfavorable winds' at high altitudes are blamed for once again pushing back the launch of 53 satellites on a European Vega rocket. The rideshare mission, called the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) proof-of-concept flight, is now scheduled to launch on Aug. 17 — the latest in a series of delays this year.   More
(Source: Space.com - Jul 10)

RUSSIAN CARGO SHIP LEAVES, CREW TESTS DRAGON’S COMFORT FACTORS - Russia’s Progress 74 (74P) cargo craft departed the International Space Station today leaving four spaceships from the U.S., Russia and Japan parked at the orbital lab. It will be replaced in two weeks when the Progress 76 arrives to replenish the crew. The 74P undocked today at 2:23 p.m. EDT after seven months attached to the Pirs docking compartment. The trash-packed resupply ship will descend into Earth’s atmosphere above the South Pacific for a fiery but safe demise. The 76P will take its place when it launches on July 23 at 10:26 a.m. and docks just three-and-a-half hours later to Pirs.   More
(Source: NASA - Jul 9)

NEW SATELLITES SET FOR DEPLOYMENT, CARGO CRAFT READY FOR DEPARTURE - The Expedition 63 crew readied a pair of tiny satellites for deployment and finished packing a Russian cargo craft for departure. The International Space Station residents also checked on BEAM today then worked on life support and computer maintenance. Two CubeSats were installed inside a NanoRacks small satellite deployer this morning for release into Earth orbit later this week from outside Japan’s Kibo laboratory module.   More
(Source: NASA - Jul 9)

SPACEX SCRUBS FALCON 9 LAUNCH OF STARLINK SATELLITES DUE TO WEATHER - SpaceX scrubbed their planned Falcon 9 launch for Wednesday due to weather. When a new date is picked, SpaceX will launch the Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, carrying another batch of Starlink satellites into orbit. The launch, which is SpaceX's 10th Starlink mission, is part of the company's effort to deliver broadband internet service from low-Earth orbit. There are just under 600 satellites in orbit. SpaceX launched its first batch of 60 Starlink satellites on May 23, 2019.    More
(Source: Fox 35 Orlando - Jul 9)

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