📄Top Stories

Today marks a significant milestone as John McFall, the first astronaut with a disability, is set to join an International Space Station mission. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues its orbital expansion with the successful deployment of 21 Starlink satellites, and K2 Space secures major funding to enhance satellite platforms. The Artemis program faces uncertainty, awaiting leadership to steer its lunar ambitions efficiently.

📰Detailed Coverage

K2 Space Achieves Major Milestone with Series B Funding

K2 Space announced the closing of a $110 million Series B funding round, co-led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Altimeter Capital, aimed at bolstering its advanced satellite platform technology. The influx of capital is set to accelerate the production of K2 Space’s high-power satellites, marking an important step forward in next-generation satellite development.

This financial boost coincides with K2 Space’s first in-space demonstration, showcasing their satellite technology’s capabilities and potential. Track the progress of next-gen satellites using our web app, which features detailed tracking and analysis tools.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

SpaceX Falcon 9: Starlink’s Latest Orbit Insertion

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 successfully launched another batch of 21 Starlink satellites from Florida’s Canaveral Space Force Station. The launch occurred at 1:14 a.m., with the first-stage booster making its 27th flight before landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas.

This mission showcases Falcon 9’s continued reliability and efficiency in boosting SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, essential for global broadband internet services. The mission also reinforces Falcon 9’s reputation as a reusable and adaptable launch vehicle.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

ESA Makes Bold Move with Astronaut McFall’s ISS Mission

In a historic advancement, John McFall, after overcoming a motorbike accident, becomes the first astronaut with a physical disability officially cleared for a mission to the International Space Station. The European Space Agency’s groundbreaking decision marks a step towards inclusivity in space exploration.

McFall’s mission symbolizes a broader horizon for astronaut selection, potentially leading to increased diversity and new perspectives in space missions. The addition of McFall to the ISS team underlines ESA’s commitment to breaking barriers in human spaceflight.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

Uncertain Future for NASA’s Artemis Program

NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the Moon, is currently in a state of flux, awaiting new leadership and direction. This pivotal initiative, despite its ambitious objectives, faces logistical challenges and budgeting concerns, with total costs potentially upwards of $93 billion by 2025.

The program, a significant element in establishing a sustainable presence on the Moon, is critical not just for lunar aspirations but as a platform for deeper space exploration, including Mars.

Read the full story: SpaceExplored

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: BEIDOU-3 M4
• NORAD ID: 43207
• Launch Date: 2018-02-12
• Mission: Navigation
• Orbit: Inclination 56.2236, Period 778.84 minutes, Eccentricity 0.0006080
• Operator: CNSA
• Fun Fact: The Beidou-3 M4 is part of China’s comprehensive satellite navigation system known as Compass, aimed at providing global coverage by 2020.

Current TLE Data:

1 43207U 18018A   25046.72044336 -.00000023  00000+0  00000+0 0  9994
2 43207  56.2236  79.2427 0006080 340.8743  19.1701  1.86231359 47688

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track BEIDOU-3 M4

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

February 18

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 10-12 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (23:00 UTC) A batch of 23 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system. First Starlink launch to feature a Falcon 9 booster landing within The Bahamas waters.
• Rocket Lab Electron:
  • Fasten Your Space Belts (BlackSky Gen-3 1) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (23:15 UTC) The first of five BlackSky Technology missions to deploy its new generation BlackSky Gen-3 satellites, with advanced imaging and sensor capabilities.

February 20

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 15-1 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (00:01 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 21

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 12-14 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (11:31 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 26

• Arianespace Ariane 62:
  • CSO-3 from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (16:24 UTC) The CSO-3 is the third of three new-generation high-resolution optical imaging satellites for the French military, replacing the Helios 2 spy satellite series.

February 27

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Nova-C IM-2 & Lunar Trailblazer from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (00:17 UTC) This is the second mission of the Nova-C lunar lander developed by Intuitive Machines. It carries NASA’s PRIME-1 payload for in-situ resource utilization on the Moon.
• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1a:
  • Progress MS-30 (91P) from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan (21:24 UTC) Progress resupply mission to the International Space Station.

February 28

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • NROL-57 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (00:00 UTC) Eighth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation for the National Reconnaissance Office.
• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • SPHEREx & PUNCH from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (03:10 UTC) SPHEREx will survey the sky in near-infrared light to answer cosmic questions and PUNCH will track solar wind and coronal mass ejections to improve space weather prediction.

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