📄Top Stories

SpaceX achieved a remarkable feat with a doubleheader launch from opposite coasts, deploying spy satellites from California and Starlink satellites from Florida just 12 hours apart. Meanwhile, Blue Origin gears up for an all-female spaceflight with pop star Katy Perry among the crew. These events highlight the growing versatility and ambition within modern space operations.

📰Detailed Coverage

SpaceX Achieves Doubleheader Launch Success

In a display of operational prowess, SpaceX successfully launched a batch of “proliferated architecture” spy satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office from Vandenberg Space Force Base, followed by a launch of 21 Starlink satellites from Kennedy Space Center. The spy satellites are part of a classified government initiative, details of which remain undisclosed.

The dual launch underscores SpaceX’s capability to conduct high-frequency, diverse missions. The ability to launch military and commercial satellites within a single day demonstrates their logistical efficiency and the reliability of the Falcon 9 rocket.

Read the full story: SpaceX Launches Spy and Starlink Satellites

Blue Origin Prepares for Historic All-Female Spaceflight

Blue Origin is set to launch a landmark spaceflight featuring the first all-female crew, taking pop icon Katy Perry and other distinguished women into suborbital space. Scheduled for April 14, the mission represents a significant step towards inclusivity in space tourism.

This mission not only marks a milestone for gender equality in space exploration but also underscores the growing trend of private companies investing in commercial space tourism. As an accessible gateway to space, such missions help inspire future generations of scientists and explorers.

Read the full story: Blue Origin’s All-Female Launch

Katy Perry Embarks on STEM Adventure with Blue Origin

Pop star Katy Perry is gearing up for her upcoming journey to space with Blue Origin, an experience she hopes will go beyond celebrity spectacle to inspire interest in STEM fields. Her participation highlights the fusion of celebrity influence and scientific interest in modern space endeavors.

Perry’s involvement brings substantial public attention to the space mission, driving conversations about the broader implications of opening space travel to civilians and its potential to spark increased public enthusiasm for space exploration and technology.

Read the full story: Katy Perry’s Space Excitement

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: FORMOSAT-5
• NORAD ID: 42920
• Launch Date: 2017 Aug 24
• Mission: Earth observation
• Orbit: Inclination 98.2601°, Period 99.30 minutes, Eccentricity 0.0010113
• Operator: NSPO
• Fun Fact: FORMOSAT-5 is the first satellite fully designed and built by Taiwan, reflecting the nation’s growing commitment to space technology.

Current TLE Data:

1 42920U 17049A 25102.92003784 .00000576 00000+0 15755-3 0 9994 2 42920 98.2601 181.8234 0010113 326.8895 33.1665 14.50774181404289

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track FORMOSAT-5

Upcoming Space Launches

April 14

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Mission: Starlink Group 6-73
  • Launch Site: Cape Canaveral SFS
  • Launch Time: 01:59 UTC
    A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• Blue Origin New Shepard:

  • Mission: NS-31
  • Launch Site: Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX
  • Launch Time: 13:30 UTC
    NS-31 is the 11th crewed flight for the New Shepard program and the 31st in its history.

April 16

• Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV:
  • Mission: NROL-174
  • Launch Site: Vandenberg SFB
  • Launch Time: 19:00 UTC
    Classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

April 17

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Mission: Starlink Group 6-74
  • Launch Site: Cape Canaveral SFS
  • Launch Time: 02:24 UTC
    A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

April 19

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Mission: NROL-145
  • Launch Site: Vandenberg SFB
  • Launch Time: 00:00 UTC
    Tenth batch of satellites for a reconnaissance satellite constellation built by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for the National Reconnaissance Office.

April 21

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Mission: Dragon CRS-2 SpX-32
  • Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center
  • Launch Time: 08:15 UTC
    32nd commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station operated by SpaceX. Cargo Dragon 2 brings supplies and payloads, including critical materials to directly support science and research investigations.

April 28

• United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551:
  • Mission: Project Kuiper (KA-01)
  • Launch Site: Cape Canaveral SFS
  • Launch Time: 00:00 UTC
    Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit to offer broadband internet access, managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.

April 29

• Arianespace Vega-C:
  • Mission: Biomass
  • Launch Site: Guiana Space Centre
  • Launch Time: 09:15 UTC
    Biomass is an European Space Agency mission designed to measure the density of carbon stored in the world’s forests.

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