📄Top Stories

The United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket and Rocket Lab have both achieved noteworthy milestones as they earn roles in the US Space Force’s national security launch initiative. Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing for an unprecedented crewed mission over Earth’s polar regions, alongside a large-scale Starlink satellite launch. Isar Aerospace’s trial launch of its Spectrum rocket faced early failure, highlighting the challenges of new aerospace ventures.

📰Detailed Coverage

ULA Vulcan Ready for National Security Missions

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket has officially been cleared by the United States Space Force for conducting National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions. This milestone follows a multi-year development period and two rigorous certification flights, signifying the Vulcan’s readiness for high-stakes deployment.

The approval opens new avenues for ULA to contribute significantly to U.S. military and defense operations, solidifying its pivotal role in future national security missions. For those interested in tracking these missions, our web app provides real-time insights into their orbital paths and deployment details.

Read the full story: SPX Daily

Rocket Lab Joins US Space Force Launch Program

Rocket Lab USA has been selected by the U.S. Space Force as a qualified provider under the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program. The contract enables Rocket Lab to compete for national security launches through 2026, with potential orders amounting to $5.6 billion.

This decision underscores Rocket Lab’s growing capabilities and its strategic importance in bolstering America’s crucial space missions. With this contract, Rocket Lab is well-positioned to support a diverse range of space operations from communication to surveillance.

Read the full story: SPX Daily

SpaceX to Launch First Crewed Polar Orbit Mission

SpaceX is set to embark on a pioneering mission, launching private astronauts over Earth’s polar regions for the first time on a mission called Fram2. Scheduled for March 31, this unique flight will conduct various high-stakes experiments, including the first X-ray in space and innovative research like mushroom growth.

This mission highlights the evolving capabilities of private spaceflight and opens avenues for novel scientific inquiries in polar orbits. The mission is a significant step forward in commercial space exploration, potentially altering our future understanding of microgravity environments.

Read the full story: Space Daily

Isar Aerospace Faces Challenges in Debut Launch

Germany’s Isar Aerospace faced a setback during its maiden launch attempt of the Spectrum rocket, as it failed early during the first stage of flight. Based near Munich, Isar aims to provide affordable and flexible small satellite launches and had high hopes for this initial attempt.

Despite the failure, Isar Aerospace remains optimistic, preparing to analyze the data and refine their approach for future launches. This event underscores the difficulty of space ventures and the iterative process required to achieve successful orbital deployment.

Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight

SpaceX Scrubs 28 Sat Starlink Launch

SpaceX has delayed the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket, which was set to deploy 28 Starlink V2 Mini satellites from Cape Canaveral. As the largest number of Starlink V2 Mini satellites targeted for a single launch, the countdown was scrubbed due to unforeseen conditions, postponing the mission.

This highlights the challenges of satellite constellation deployment and the necessity for precise conditions to ensure successful missions. Track ongoing and future Starlink launches with our web app’s advanced satellite tracking features.

Read the full story: SpaceFlightNow

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: OPS 9312 (IDSCS 2)
• NORAD ID: 02216
• Launch Date: 1966-06-16
• Mission: Communications
• Orbit: Inclination 7.8313°, Period 24 hours, Eccentricity low
• Operator: United States Air Force
• Fun Fact: IDSCS (Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program) was an early satellite series designed for global military communications, featuring the innovative use of spin stabilization.

Current TLE Data:

1 02216U 66053C   25088.10600395 -.00000066  00000+0  00000+0 0  9999
2 02216   7.8313  47.8833 0031971 207.9449 335.6039  1.07849612 44469

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track OPS 9312 (IDSCS 2)

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

March 30

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

March 31

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 6-80 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (18:50 UTC) A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

April 1

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Fram2 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (01:46 UTC) Fram2 is the world’s first astronaut mission to polar orbit, focusing on various research projects including the effects of spaceflight on the human body and 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)

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • 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)

April 4

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • 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 Block 5:
  • 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.

April 8

• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1a:
  • Soyuz MS-27 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan (05:47 UTC) Soyuz MS-27 will carry two cosmonauts and one astronaut to the International Space Station.

April 14

• Blue Origin New Shepard:
  • NS-31 from Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA (13:30 UTC) NS-31 is the 11th crewed flight for the New Shepard program and the 31st in its history.

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