📄Top Stories

The US Space Force introduces a pioneering doctrine for space warfare, aligning military preparedness with the modern era’s orbital conflicts. Meanwhile, Ukraine seeks robust satellite internet options from the EU as reliance on Starlink poses geopolitical challenges. Additionally, Greece and Egypt engage in strategic defense initiatives, highlighting the increasing importance of space assets in regional security.

📰Detailed Coverage

US Space Force Sets New Space Warfare Doctrine

The U.S. Space Force has released an official “Space Warfighting” doctrine, setting a framework for training and preparing units for potential conflicts in space. This initiative reflects the growing recognition of space as a critical domain of military operations, driven by the anticipated threats from adversaries capable of targeting space-based assets.

This doctrine outlines specific strategies for achieving tactical advantages and ensuring the protection of U.S. and allied space interests. Space warfare capabilities are an extension of terrestrial military operations, emphasizing the need for readiness in the electromagnetic spectrum. Efforts to integrate this doctrine with existing satellite tracking technologies are vital for monitoring potential threats, highlighting the significance of platforms like our web app.

Read the full story: Space.com

Ukraine Looks to EU for Starlink Alternatives

Amidst concerns over Starlink’s reliability and Elon Musk’s mercurial business practices, Ukraine is evaluating satellite internet alternatives provided by the European Union. Ukraine’s connectivity, largely reliant on SpaceX’s network, is critical for military and civilian applications.

Though the EU’s satellite initiatives provide emerging options, SpaceX’s vast network of over 7,000 satellites offers unmatched operational capacity. The search for alternative providers underlines the strategic importance of satellite networks in maintaining sovereign digital infrastructures.

Read the full story: TESLARATI

Greece and Egypt Amplify Defense Initiatives

Greece aims to enhance its defensive postures through the proposed ‘Achilles Shield’ air defense system, signaling a modernization push that could incorporate advanced satellite-based technologies. This move reflects broader regional efforts to align national defense strategies with emerging threats and technological advancements.

Parallelly, Egypt’s joint military exercises with China signify a strategic pivot to diversify defense collaborations, contributing to regional power dynamics and the strategic deployment of space-based assets. Such developments underscore the critical interdependencies between terrestrial and space-based military systems.

Read the full stories: Breaking Defense on Greece and Breaking Defense on Egypt

Air Force Evaluates Radar Sites for Advanced Defense

The U.S. Air Force is assessing potential locations in three states for new homeland defense radars to modernize NORAD’s air defense systems. These radars play a crucial role in monitoring airspace but may undergo shifts due to diplomatic tensions affecting U.S.-Canada defense agreements.

New radar installations will enhance tracking capabilities of both terrestrial and aerial threats, reinforcing integrated defense systems against potential space-based intrusions.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: ONEWEB-0178
• NORAD ID: 48075
• Launch Date: 2021 Mar 25
• Mission: Providing global broadband connectivity as part of the OneWeb satellite constellation.
• Orbit: Inclination 87.8994, Period 109.7 minutes, Eccentricity 0.0001730
• Operator: OneWeb Network
• Fun Fact: Launched aboard a Soyuz-2-1B from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, ONEWEB-0178 is part of OneWeb’s fifth satellite batch, aimed at supplying internet to remote areas worldwide.

Current TLE Data:

1 48075U 21025AK  25112.76863019 -.00000151  00000+0 -44938-3 0  9994
2 48075  87.8994  43.7995 0001730  83.8536 276.2790 13.13471040198535

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track ONEWEB-0178

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

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 SFS, FL, USA (01:32 UTC) A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 11-9 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (21:40 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

April 27

• Firefly Aerospace Firefly Alpha:

  • FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (13:37 UTC) Sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher, launching the demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin’s new LM400 satellite bus with a communications payload.

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 3B/E:

  • Unknown Payload from Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (15:44 UTC)

April 28

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 12-23 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (02:04 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551:

  • Project Kuiper (KA-01) from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (23:00 UTC) Project Kuiper is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon.

April 29

• Arianespace Vega-C:

  • Biomass from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (09:15 UTC) Biomass is a European Space Agency mission designed to measure the density of carbon stored in the world’s forests with a unique civilian P-band synthetic aperture radar.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 15-3 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (19:08 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

April 30

• Gilmour Space Technologies Eris-1:
  • Maiden Flight from Bowen Orbital Spaceport (00:00 UTC) Maiden flight of Gilmour Space’s orbital launch vehicle Eris.

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