📄Top Stories

L3Harris is advancing space tracking capabilities with a new contract, enhancing the US Space Force’s infrastructure for monitoring orbiting objects. SpaceX expands its launch infrastructure in Texas and Florida to support the ambitious Starship program. NASA celebrates as its oldest active astronaut returns from the International Space Station on his 70th birthday.

📰Detailed Coverage

L3Harris Secures US Space Force Contract for Tracking

L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract extension to modernize the US Space Force’s deep space tracking system. This effort is part of the Maintenance of Space Situational Awareness Integrated Capabilities (MOSSAIC) program, designed to bolster the nation’s space domain awareness.

By advancing ground infrastructure, L3Harris aims to improve the detection and tracking of both natural and manmade objects, which is crucial for maintaining space safety and security. This development enhances our platform’s ability to provide real-time tracking data and insights.

Read the full story: Space Daily

SpaceX Prepares for Starship Expansion

SpaceX is laying the groundwork for significant infrastructure expansion in Texas and Florida to support its Starship program. These facilities are expected to increase production and launch capacities, aligning with SpaceX’s vision for more frequent and larger scale space missions.

The expansion highlights SpaceX’s commitment to scaling up its operations, positioning itself for future Interplanetary travel. This development underscores our app’s tracking capabilities as the scale and scope of launches expand.

Read the full story: NASASpaceFlight

NASA Veteran Lands on Landmark Birthday

NASA’s oldest active astronaut has returned from the International Space Station, coinciding with his 70th birthday. This marks a unique milestone, blending personal achievement with professional dedication as he lands safely alongside his crewmates.

Such returns are testament to NASA’s ongoing commitment to human spaceflight, demonstrating the endurance and resilience required for missions. This news emphasizes the importance of monitoring human activity in orbit, as facilitated by our tracking tools.

Read the full story: Space.com

Strongest Biosignature Found on Exoplanet

Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope have revealed the strongest hints yet of potential biological activity on exoplanet K2-18b. The detection of compounds like dimethyl sulfide in the planet’s atmosphere suggests the possibility of life, though further evidence is needed.

The research, led by the University of Cambridge, utilizes advanced spectroscopic data from JWST. Such findings broaden the context of space exploration and highlight the profound implications of discovering extraterrestrial life.

Read the full story: Space Daily

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: NUSAT-33 (ALBANIA-2)
• NORAD ID: 55047
• Launch Date: 2023 Jan 3
• Mission: Earth observation
• Orbit: Inclination: 97.3493, Period: 15.2855, Eccentricity: 0.0010015
• Operator: URUGUS
• Fun Fact: This satellite’s imaging capabilities include a unique payload configuration for detailed Earth observation, supporting a range of environmental and mapping applications.

Current TLE Data:

1 55047U 23001AQ  25110.14536205  .00018005  00000+0  64897-3 0  9992
2 55047  97.3493 173.2013 0010015 115.7688 244.4587 15.28554613127732

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track NUSAT-33

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

April 20

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • NROL-145 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA (10:27 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:
  • Dragon CRS-2 SpX-32 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA (08:15 UTC) 32nd commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station, delivering critical supplies for scientific research.

April 22

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Bandwagon 3 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA (00:43 UTC) Dedicated rideshare flight for small microsatellites and nanosatellites.
• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 8:
  • G60 Group TBD from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (15:39 UTC) Communication satellites for the G60 constellation.

April 24

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F/G:
  • Shenzhou 20 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (09:07 UTC) Ninth crewed flight to the Chinese space station.

April 25

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-74 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA (01:32 UTC) Batch of satellites for the Starlink project.
• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 11-9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA (21:40 UTC) Batch of satellites for the Starlink project.

April 27

• Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha:
  • FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA (13:37 UTC) Demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin’s LM400 satellite bus, supporting various mission types.

April 28

• United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551:
  • Project Kuiper (KA-01) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA (23:00 UTC) Launch of satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband internet constellation.

April 29

• Arianespace Vega-C:
  • Biomass from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (09:15 UTC) ESA mission to measure carbon stored in forests using the first civilian P-band synthetic aperture radar.

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