📄Top Stories

Russian military satellites have added intrigue to orbital observations with a new, unidentified object entering orbit. SpaceX’s Fram2 mission provides striking visuals of their Florida launch site from space. As Amazon preps its first major satellite launch, Space Force discusses the need for updated national security space policies.

📰Detailed Coverage

Mystery Object Released by Russian Military Satellites

A mysterious object was recently released into orbit by a group of Russian military satellites, capturing the attention of space analysts and enthusiasts alike. These satellites, launched earlier this year under a shroud of secrecy, have now added to the puzzle with this unexpected addition to Earth’s orbit. The purpose and capabilities of this object remain unknown, prompting speculation about its role and potential implications for global satellite tracking and security.

This event underscores the importance of our web app, which tracks and provides real-time updates on such unidentified objects, enhancing situational awareness for professionals and enthusiasts.

Read the full story: Space.com

SpaceX Fram2 Crew Enjoy Views from Polar Orbit

SpaceX’s historic Fram2 mission, notable for being the first human flight to orbit Earth’s poles, is sharing spectacular views from space. As the mission nears its end, the astronauts aboard captured images of their launch site in Florida, providing a unique perspective of the journey. This mission highlights SpaceX’s expanding capabilities in human spaceflight and the growing interest in polar orbital paths, which offer distinct advantages for certain satellite launches.

The successful navigation of this path sets a precedent for future polar missions, enhancing strategic flexibility for satellite deployments that require global coverage.

Read the full story: Space.com

Amazon to Launch First Batch of Kuiper Satellites

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is poised to execute its inaugural satellite deployment, marking a significant move into the burgeoning space internet market. Launching aboard an Atlas V rocket, this mission will place 27 satellites into orbit, aiming to rival SpaceX’s established Starlink constellation. The launch underscores Amazon’s commitment to creating a global broadband network that could drastically alter internet accessibility, particularly in underserved regions.

This deployment follows extensive testing phases, representing a pivotal step forward in implementing a robust and competitive satellite internet service.

Read the full story: SpaceDaily

US National Security in Space: A Call for Policy Updates

General Chance Saltzman, chief of the Space Force, has highlighted a growing disparity between current US national security space policies and actual needs. By pointing out the reality of militarized space, Saltzman emphasizes that outdated policies could hinder national security advancements. The Space Force is advocating for policy reforms that align more closely with current geopolitical and strategic realities.

These reforms are seen as critical for bolstering US capabilities in space, ensuring preparedness against evolving threats in this increasingly contested domain.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

DARPA’s Quantum Science Initiative Expands

DARPA has announced the inclusion of 18 additional companies in its Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, a program focused on advancing quantum technologies. This unforeseen expansion underscores growing interest and commitment to developing pioneering quantum applications that could revolutionize technology and defense sectors. By benchmarking quantum systems, DARPA aims to set standards and accelerate innovations that could soon transition from theoretical to practical applications.

With quantum science poised to impact a wide array of fields, from communications to national security, this initiative is a cornerstone in positioning the US at the forefront of quantum advancements.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: NUSAT-31 (RUBY PAYNE-S)
• NORAD ID: 52752
• Launch Date: 2022 May 25
• Mission: Earth observation
• Orbit: Inclination 97.6162°, Period 93.24 minutes, Eccentricity 0.0006047
• Operator: URUGUS
• Fun Fact: Named after pioneering Australian radio astronomer Ruby Payne-Scott, it’s part of a constellation providing detailed imaging for various scientific and commercial applications.

Current TLE Data:

1 52752U 22057W   25094.21394989  .00066368  00000+0  13648-2 0  9994
2 52752  97.6162 234.9449 0006047 179.6118 180.5136 15.45722935159168

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track NUSAT-31 (RUBY PAYNE-S)

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

April 6

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

April 7

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 11-11 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA, USA (21:35 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 aboard the Soyuz spacecraft. The crew consists of Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and NASA astronaut Jonathan “Jonny” Kim.

April 9

• United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551:
  • Project Kuiper (KA-01) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (16:00 UTC) Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit offering broadband internet access, managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.

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.

April 21

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Dragon CRS-2 SpX-32 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (08:15 UTC) The 32nd commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station, operated by SpaceX under the second Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA, is set to bring supplies and payloads to support onboard science and research investigations.

April 29

• Arianespace Vega-C:
  • Biomass from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (09:15 UTC) Biomass is an European Space Agency mission designed to measure the density of carbon stored in the world’s forests. It features the first civilian P-band synthetic aperture radar.

April 30

• Gilmour Space Technologies Eris-1:

  • Maiden Flight from Bowen Orbital Spaceport, Australia (00:00 UTC) Maiden flight of Gilmour Space’s orbital launch vehicle Eris.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Bandwagon 3 (Dedicated Mid-Inclination Rideshare) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, USA (00:00 UTC) A dedicated rideshare flight to a mid-inclination orbit with dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers.

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