📄Top Stories

Significant updates in the space sector include the Senate Armed Services Committee’s new defense mandates affecting space activities and Firefly Aerospace’s move to become a public company. Additionally, Varda Space Industries has secured substantial funding to advance its orbital research missions. In launch news, SpaceX prepares for the Crew-11 mission while also having launched a mystery satellite to geostationary orbit.

📰Detailed Coverage

Senate Directs New Space Defenses

The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved a defense bill mandating more stringent alignments on space launch capabilities, missile defense systems, and spectrum protection. This legislation is set to direct the Air Force to explore heavy-lift launch solutions and implement safety protocols for LOX-methane fuels.

These changes underscore evolving priorities in national security and aerospace technology, impacting how satellites are developed and deployed. Learn more: SpaceNews

Firefly Aerospace Eyes Public Market

Firefly Aerospace is planning to enter the public market, joining a trend among space companies seeking capital through traditional funding channels. This move aims to bolster Firefly’s financial resources as it expands its launch services and technology development.

The filing is part of a strategic effort to secure growth and maintain competitive edge in the burgeoning small launch segment. Discover more: SpaceNews

Varda Space Industries Secures $187 Million Investment

Varda Space Industries has raised $187 million to further its mission of advancing microgravity and hypersonics research through space-based experiments. This funding will facilitate more frequent and diverse research missions, leveraging the unique environment of space.

The capital influx allows Varda to scale its operations, offering enhanced capabilities for scientific and defense-related projects. Explore details: SpaceNews

SpaceX Prepares for Crew-11 Amid Busy ISS Schedule

SpaceX is gearing up for its Crew-11 mission scheduled to launch on July 31 from Kennedy Space Center, as managed within a tightly packed ISS calendar. The mission will include both NASA and JAXA astronauts, strengthening international collaboration aboard the station.

This mission is set to continue SpaceX’s ongoing partnerships with international space agencies, focusing on long-term human presence in orbit. Full report: TESLARATI

NASA and JAXA Astronauts Talk Crew-11

Astronauts from NASA and JAXA have discussed their preparations for the upcoming Crew-11 launch to the International Space Station. This mission is part of SpaceX’s ongoing commitment to transport astronauts and supplies to the ISS.

Crew-11 highlights the importance of international cooperation in space exploration and the role of commercial partnerships in sustaining orbital operations. Learn more: NASASpaceFlight.com

SpaceX Launches Mystery Satellite

In a mysterious yet intriguing launch, SpaceX has sent an unidentified satellite into geostationary transfer orbit from Florida. This launch adds to the intrigue surrounding private and potentially defense-related activities in space.

With such launches, tracking and analysis become essential, potentially aligning with our app’s capabilities to monitor satellite trajectories and identify orbital events. For additional insights: Space.com

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: OPS 9328 (IDSCS 15)
• NORAD ID: 02655
• Launch Date: January 18, 1967
• Mission: Designed for communication purposes, OPS 9328 forms part of the U.S. military’s satellite communication network.
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: Air Force Space Systems Division (AFSSD)
• Fun Fact: This satellite is notable for being one of the early entries in satellite communications, contributing significantly to advancements in military communication capabilities.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track OPS 9328 (IDSCS 15)

🌌Space Weather

Current space weather shows Enhanced solar wind (656 km/s).

Current

R0 - S0 - G0

Last 24 Hour Maximums

R1 - S0 - G0

Recent Alerts

• Alert: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 issued on July 13, 2025, at 04:33 UTC.

  • Severity: G1 - Minor
  • Impact: Weak power grid fluctuations, minor satellite operation impacts, and auroras possibly visible in northern U.S. regions.

• Warning: Geomagnetic K-index of 5 expected from July 13, 2025, at 04:18 UTC to July 13, 2025, at 12:00 UTC.

  • Severity: G1 - Minor
  • Impact: Similar to the alert above.

• Extended Warning: Geomagnetic K-index of 4 expected, valid until July 13, 2025, at 12:00 UTC.

  • Severity: G1 - Minor
  • Impact: Similar to above, affecting areas primarily poleward of 65 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude.

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 55
  • Major: 5
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 1
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

  • Scale: 1
  • Impact: minor
  • Activity: Moderate

• Impact Summary

  • No risk of radio blackouts.
  • No risk of solar radiation storms.
  • Moderate geomagnetic activity with minor geomagnetic storms.
  • Geomagnetic outlook shows no G1 (Minor) or greater storms expected.
  • Radiation outlook indicates no S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms forecasted.

Long Term Forecast

• Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity (July 07 - August 02, 2025):
  • Solar activity expected to be low from July 07-11, with minimal returning regions.
  • Moderate solar activity anticipated from July 12-25 as regions rotate back.
  • No proton events expected at geosynchronous orbit.
  • Greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous expected to reach high levels from July 20-29.
  • Geomagnetic activity to show G1-G2 storm levels early July 07, returning to quiet conditions by July 08-21, with isolated active phases on July 15-16.
  • Unsettled conditions likely from July 22-27, with the possibility of G1 storms on July 23.
  • Mostly quiet levels expected July 28-31, before resuming unsettled conditions from August 01-02.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

July 13

• Rocket Lab Electron:
  • HASTE | JAKE 4 from Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA (23:45 UTC) Sub-orbital launch under Rocket Lab’s Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron (HASTE) program, details TBD.

July 14

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 7:
  • Tianzhou-9 from Wenchang Space Launch Site, People’s Republic of China (21:30 UTC) Eighth cargo delivery mission to the Chinese space station.

July 15

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 15-2 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (02:13 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• Gilmour Space Technologies Eris-1:

  • Maiden Flight from Bowen Orbital Spaceport (21:30 UTC) Maiden flight of Gilmour Space’s orbital launch vehicle Eris.

July 16

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Project Kuiper (KF-01) from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (06:10 UTC) First of a three launches contract for Amazon’s Kuiper low Earth orbit satellite internet constellation.

July 17

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 17-3 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (02:08 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

July 21

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 17-2 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (02:09 UTC) A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

July 25

• Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M:
  • Ionosfera-M 3 & 4 from Vostochny Cosmodrome, Siberia, Russian Federation (05:54 UTC) Ionosfera is a constellation of four ionospheric and magnetospheric research satellites developed by Roscosmos for the project Ionozond.

July 26

• Arianespace Vega-C:
  • CO3D & MicroCarb from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (02:03 UTC) CO3D is a CNES-Airbus Defence & Space constellation of four small satellites designed to map the globe in 3D from low Earth orbit to serve public and private sector needs. Microcarb is a small satellite designed to map sources and sinks of carbon dioxide (CO2)—the most important greenhouse gas — on a global scale.

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