📄Top Stories

Varda Space Industries successfully launched its second mission, featuring a payload from the U.S. Air Force, aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission. Meanwhile, the U.S. Defense Department introduced a new tool to help investigate on-orbit anomalies by determining potential space weather influences. Additionally, today’s Satellite Spotlight shines on CELESTIS 21/Varisat 1C.

📰Detailed Coverage

Varda’s Second Mission Takes Flight with Military Payload

Varda Space Industries has launched its second mission from Cape Canaveral, transporting a mysterious U.S. Air Force payload aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission. The launch represents a significant step in Varda’s ambitions to commercialize space manufacturing and reflects ongoing collaborations between private companies and military stakeholders.

With the payload safely in orbit, Varda’s mission is expected to test groundbreaking technologies that might revolutionize space-based production capabilities. This partnership highlights the growing importance of refining orbital operations and leveraging advanced tracking capabilities to ensure mission success.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

New Defense Tool to Trace Anomalies in Space

The U.S. Defense Department has rolled out a cloud-based tool to help military satellite operators identify the causes behind on-orbit anomalies, such as unexpected tumbles or signal disruptions. This system aims to discern whether space weather, encompassing factors like solar flares, might be at play.

This technological leap is expected to enhance the accuracy of satellite tracking and management, ultimately bolstering national security. By integrating this tool with data from global networks, operators will enjoy a comprehensive view of potential orbital perturbations.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Future Defense Plans Geared Towards Technological Innovations

During a recent Senate hearing, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth offered pieces of insight into future weapon programs that may receive heightened focus. While espionage and space-based systems were less discussed, the emphasis was on innovative technological solutions.

The hearing underscored how vital advanced defense technologies will be in the coming years, including satellite-based systems that merge versatility with capability to ensure tactical superiority and real-time readiness in responding to global threats.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: CELESTIS 21/VARISAT 1C
• NORAD ID: 52766
• Launch Date: 2022
• Mission: CELESTIS 21, also known as Varisat-1C, is a CubeSat undertaking scientific and technical experiments as part of a broader educational and commercial mission.
• Orbit: Inclination of 97.5973 degrees, Period of 92.745 minutes, Eccentricity unlisted
• Operator: VARI
• Fun Fact: Varisat-1C is part of a constellation intended for advanced communications experiments, showcasing the potential of CubeSat technology to achieve complex mission objectives.

Current TLE Data:

1 52766U 22057AL  25013.83983005  .00050093  00000-0  81106-3 0 99995
2 52766  97.5973 153.3770 0005614  92.8811 267.3084 15.52640324146888

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track CELESTIS 21/VARISAT 1C

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

January 15

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Blue Ghost Lunar Lander Mission 1 & Hakuto-R M2 “Resilience” from Kennedy Space Center (06:06 UTC) This mission includes the Blue Ghost commercial lunar lander for NASA’s CLPS program and its objectives include bringing up to 155kg of payload to the lunar surface. The Hakuto-R mission will carry a small rover to study the moon’s surface and collect lunar regolith for NASA.
• SpaceX Starship:
  • Flight 7 from SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA (22:00 UTC) Seventh test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle.

January 16

• Blue Origin New Glenn:
  • Maiden Flight from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (06:00 UTC) This launch will carry the Blue Ring payload tug and represents New Glenn’s first National Security Space Launch certification flight.

January 17

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2D:
  • Unknown Payload from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (03:59 UTC)

January 18

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 11-8 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (15:57 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation, providing space-based Internet communication.

January 29

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • SpainSat NG I from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (04:00 UTC) First of two new-generation satellites built by Airbus for secure communications for the Spanish government and its allies.

January 31

• Rocket Lab Electron:
  • Kinéis 16-20 from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (00:00 UTC) Fourth batch of satellites for the French Kinéis IoT constellation.
• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 12-3 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (00:00 UTC) Continues the deployment of the Starlink mega-constellation.
• Indian Space Research Organization GSLV Mk II:
  • IRNSS-1K (NVS-02) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India (00:00 UTC) Replacement satellite for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, providing India an alternative to GPS.

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.