📄Top Stories

The highly anticipated launch of the SDA’s data relay and missile warning satellites faces another delay, pushing back the program’s initial timeline. Meanwhile, SpaceX reveals plans for its first Starship launch from Florida as expansion efforts progress at Roberts Road. Europe’s Ariane 6 has successfully completed its first commercial mission, deploying a French military satellite into orbit. Additionally, NASA and SpaceX prepare for the dual launch of the SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH heliophysics mission from California.

📰Detailed Coverage

SDA Delays Launch of Key Satellite Constellations

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has announced a delay in launching the Tranche 1 Transport and Tracking Layer constellations, critical components of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Originally slated for September 2024, the launch has faced multiple postponements affecting its operational timeline.

The delay is particularly relevant for entities involved in satellite tracking, as these satellites are designed to enhance global missile warning and data relay capabilities. This postponement highlights ongoing challenges in satellite deployment schedules affecting defense readiness.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

SpaceX To Launch Starship From Florida

SpaceX has outlined an ambitious plan to launch its colossal Starship vehicle from Florida, focusing on the expansion at Roberts Road. This strategy marks a crucial step forward for SpaceX as they adapt facilities to handle the gargantuan demands of the Starship launch system.

This announcement underscores SpaceX’s dedication to diversifying launch locations and expanding operational capabilities. With increasing activity at the Florida site, satellite trackers can expect more frequent opportunities to observe this pioneering vehicle in its upcoming missions.

Read the full story: SpaceExplored

Ariane 6 Completes Historic Mission

Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket completed its first commercial mission with the successful launch of a French military satellite from Kourou. This achievement establishes Ariane 6 as a new cornerstone for Europe’s independent access to space, overcoming previous delays.

With its heavy-lift capacity, Ariane 6 will play a vital role in Europe’s space strategy, paving the way for more robust satellite deployments and strengthening strategic autonomy. Satellite enthusiasts can look forward to more frequent mission operations from this new space workhorse.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

NASA, SpaceX Gear Up for SPHEREx and PUNCH Launch

NASA and SpaceX are set to launch the SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH heliophysics mission from California, after overcoming recent delays. These missions aim to explore cosmic origins and the solar system’s outer boundaries, respectively.

This dual launch signifies a significant milestone in space exploration, offering exciting opportunities for satellite tracking and cosmic research enthusiasts through our web app, enabling real-time mission progress tracking.

Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight

NASA’s Upcoming Space Missions Get Greenlight

After a week of delays, NASA’s SPHEREx and PUNCH missions are set for launch, ready to explore the universe’s beginnings and the sun’s influence on the solar system, marking a new chapter in space research.

These missions will enhance our understanding of the cosmos, promising advanced data collection that will be crucial for scientists and those tracking space missions. Enthusiasts can look forward to insights not just from these missions but also potential satellite interactions.

Read the full story: Space.com

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: SIRION PATHFINDER-2
• NORAD ID: 43759
• Launch Date: 2018 Dec 3
• Mission: Communication M2M/IoT
• Orbit: Inclination 97.4913°, Period 95.52 minutes, Eccentricity 0.0011352
• Operator: SIRION/HELW
• Fun Fact: This CubeSat is equipped with an Enpulsion FEEP thruster for advanced maneuverability.

Current TLE Data:

1 43759U 18099B   25068.09369993  .00009297  00000+0  60171-3 0  9998
2 43759  97.4913 123.2658 0011352 103.3610 256.8884 15.08327974342361

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track SIRION PATHFINDER-2

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

March 9

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 3B/E:
  • Unknown Payload from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (17:07 UTC)

March 10

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 12-21 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (03:43 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

March 11

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • SPHEREx & PUNCH from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (03:10 UTC) SPHEREx is an astrophysics mission to survey the sky in the near-infrared light, answering cosmic questions about the universe’s birth, and searching for water and organic molecules in stellar nurseries. PUNCH will focus on the Sun’s outer atmosphere and solar wind.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 12-16 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (12:18 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8:

  • G60 Group TBD from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (16:31 UTC) Low Earth Orbit communication satellites for the G60 constellation operated by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST).

March 12

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Transporter 13 (Dedicated SSO Rideshare) from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (06:39 UTC) Dedicated rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Crew-10 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (23:48 UTC) SpaceX Crew-10 is the tenth crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

March 13

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 12-25 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (20:27 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation — SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

March 15

• Rocket Lab Electron:

  • The Lightning God Reigns (iQPS Launch 1) from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (00:00 UTC) Synthetic aperture radar Earth observation satellite for Japanese Earth imaging company iQPS.

• Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha:

  • FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (13:25 UTC) Sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher, demonstrating Lockheed Martin’s new LM400 satellite bus with a communications payload.

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