📄Top Stories

Rocket Lab has been enlisted by the U.S. Space Force under a new contract, enhancing national security launch capabilities. SpaceX prepares for another significant Starlink deployment, while China completes a successful spacewalk, demonstrating its growing space ambitions. Onboard SpaceX’s Fram2 mission are a variety of scientific experiments, promising new insights as they orbit Earth’s poles.

📰Detailed Coverage

Rocket Lab Joins Forces with US Space Force

Rocket Lab USA has been selected as a qualified launch provider by the U.S. Space Force. Under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program, Rocket Lab can now bid for missions crucial to national security, securing a part of the $5.6 billion contract up until 2030.

This partnership highlights Rocket Lab’s expanding role in supporting critical space operations and underscores the growing collaboration between private companies and military space initiatives. Their involvement enhances the strategic backbone of the United States’ military space operations and supports satellite tracking via secure launch services.

Read the full story: Space Daily

SpaceX to Launch Starlink V2 Mini Satellites

SpaceX is gearing up for a noteworthy launch of 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. Scheduled for a 3:20 p.m. EDT liftoff, this mission marks the largest single launch of the V2 Mini satellites designed to enhance global high-speed internet connectivity.

With improved communication capabilities and compact designs, these satellites will bolster the Starlink network, offering data tracking opportunities for users worldwide. Catch it live if weather conditions allow!

Read the full story: SpaceFlight Now

China’s Third Spacewalk of 2025 Amidst Ambitious Growth

China continues to advance its space ambitions with the Shenzhou-19 crew completing their third extra-vehicular activity (EVA) this month. These spacewalks play a critical role in maintaining and expanding China’s orbital infrastructure, essential for their long-term goals in space exploration.

Such activities are a testament to China’s growing competency in space operations, contributing to the overall dynamics of international space exploration. Future plans carry potential implications for space collaboration and competition globally.

Read the full story: NASA SpaceFlight

Innovative Science Awaits Aboard SpaceX’s Fram2 Mission

SpaceX’s Fram2 mission will carry intriguing science experiments as it orbits near Earth’s poles. From the investigation of X-rays to fungal growth studies, this mission is set to reveal new scientific insights about our planet and beyond.

Such missions underline the versatility of SpaceX’s capabilities in carrying diverse scientific payloads, contributing valuable data to our understanding of biological and physical systems in space.

Read the full story: Space.com

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: COSMOS 539
• NORAD ID: 06319
• Launch Date: 1972-12-21
• Mission: COSMOS 539 plays a vital role in geodetic measurements, aiding in mapping Earth’s shape and gravitational field.
• Orbit: Inclination: 74.0179°, Period: approximately 112.8 minutes, Eccentricity: close to circular at 0.0023
• Operator: OKB10
• Fun Fact: This satellite embodies advances from the early ’70s, with solar cells providing essential power for its measurements.

Current TLE Data:

1 06319U 72102A 25088.96809639 .00000014 00000+0 14587-3 0 9996
2 06319 74.0179 168.2297 0023178 77.6058 95.4689 12.75420386433535

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 539

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

March 30

• Isar Aerospace Spectrum:

  • Maiden Flight from Andøya Spaceport (10:30 UTC)
  • First flight of the Isar Spectrum launch vehicle.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 6-80 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (19:16 UTC)
  • A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

March 31

• Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha:
  • FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (00:00 UTC)
  • Sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher, launching the demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin’s new LM400 satellite bus.

April 1

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Fram2 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (01:46 UTC)
  • Fram2 is the world’s first astronaut mission to polar orbit. This mission will conduct research on the effects of spaceflight, including capturing the first human x-ray images in space.

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2D:

  • Unknown Payload from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (03:52 UTC)
  • Details TBD.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 11-13 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (23:39 UTC)
  • A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

April 3

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 6:
  • Unknown Payload from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (02:04 UTC)
  • Details TBD.

April 4

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 11-11 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (22:42 UTC)
  • A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

April 6

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-72 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (02:40 UTC)
  • A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

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