📄Top Stories

Lockheed Martin sets a 2028 target for demonstrating space-based missile interceptors, highlighting advancements in space defense capabilities. Military leaders emphasize the criticality of integrated space power for national defense. Meanwhile, Skyrora earns a UK launch license but faces potential delays to its inaugural flight.

📰Detailed Coverage

Lockheed Martin Targets 2028 Demo of Space-Based Missile Interceptors

Lockheed Martin is advancing its ambitions in missile defense by planning a demonstration of space-based missile interceptors by 2028. This strategic move utilizes the company’s existing missile defense capabilities and aims to bolster the United States’ homeland shield through advanced space technologies.

The initiative is set to be a cornerstone in the defense contractor’s commitment to enhancing national security. This technology, if successful, could revolutionize how missiles are intercepted, establishing space as a crucial frontier in defense operations. The project is a testament to how crucial satellite tracking and strategic space placement can be to modern defense applications.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Military Leaders Advocate for Integrated Space Power

At the Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference, military leaders stressed the importance of rapid response to aggression in orbital domains and the need for closer integration of space activities with air, land, and sea counterparts. This coalition is viewed as vital for deterring threats efficiently and maintaining global security.

The discussions echoed the sentiment that modern defense will increasingly rely on space power and situational awareness enabled by satellite tracking and allied cooperation. This integrated approach aims to prevent conflicts by showcasing capabilities that deter potential misadventures in space.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Space Force to Launch Actual GMTI Satellites

The U.S. Space Force is set to deploy its first ground-moving target indicator (GMTI) satellites within the next year. These satellites will enhance capabilities for detecting and tracking mobile targets from space, a breakthrough that leverages space assets for ground surveillance.

This development underscores the growing importance of space in multifaceted military operations. The technological leap is crucial for updating current defense surveillance methods, reinforcing satellite tracking’s significance in military strategy.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Skyrora Earns UK Launch License

Skyrora has secured the UK’s first launch license, marking a milestone for British aerospace endeavors. However, the company’s maiden flight is likely to be delayed until 2026 due to launch pad availability issues at the SaxaVord Spaceport.

This delay emphasizes the infrastructural challenges that new space companies face, even after securing regulatory approvals. Skyrora’s license marks a significant step for the UK space industry, aiming to make strides in competitive and innovative launch solutions.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

Boeing Workers Strike Affecting Defense Production

Thousands of Boeing defense workers have commenced a strike, the first since 1996 in St. Louis, impacting the production of military fighters and weapons. This industrial action could have ramifications on defense supply lines and capacity.

The labor strike presents challenges for maintaining production schedules and meeting contractual obligations in defense manufacturing. It highlights the broader implications of workforce dynamics on satellite and defense infrastructure.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Navy Shifts to Containerization Technology

The Navy’s Chief Information Officer has mandated an immediate transition to containerization technology to modernize IT infrastructure. This shift is expected to enhance agility, resilience, and optimal resource utilization in software deployment across the Department of the Navy.

Containerization represents a critical update for IT strategies, ensuring that naval operations remain robust and responsive. It aligns with broader efforts in the military to incorporate advanced technology for operational effectiveness.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: COSMOS 1761
• NORAD ID: 16849
• Launch Date: July 5, 1986
• Mission: This satellite serves as an early warning system for the Soviet Union, monitoring missile launches and other potential threats.
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
• Operator: PVO (Soviet Air Defence Forces)
• Fun Fact: COSMOS 1761 is part of the Oko satellite system, which was designed to provide early detection of ballistic missile launches.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 1761

🌌Space Weather

Space weather conditions are currently quiet.

Current

R0 - S0 - G0

Last 24 Hour Maximums

R1 - S0 - G0

Recent Alerts

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Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 40
  • Major: 10
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 1
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

  • Scale: 0
  • Impact: none
  • Activity: Low

• Impact Summary

  • Next 24 hours: No risk of radio blackouts.
  • No risk of solar radiation storms.
  • Geomagnetic outlook: No G1 (Minor) or greater geomagnetic storms are expected.
  • No significant transient or recurrent solar wind features are forecast.
  • Radiation outlook: No S1 (Minor) or greater solar radiation storms are expected.
  • No significant active region activity favorable for radiation storm production is forecast.
  • Radio blackout outlook: There is a chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) radio blackouts, and a slight chance for R3 (Strong) or greater blackouts for all three days.

Long Term Forecast

• Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 04 August - 30 August 2025: Solar activity is expected to be at mostly low levels with a chance for M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flares for the outlook period.
• No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.
• The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 12-18 Aug and 21-28 Aug due to recurrent CH HSS influences.
• Normal to moderate levels are expected on 04-11 Aug, 18-19 Aug, and 29-30 Aug.
• Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at active to G1 (Minor) storm levels on 11-15 Aug, 18-22 Aug, and 25-30 Aug due to recurrent CH HSS effects.
• Quiet to unsettled levels are expected on the remaining days of the outlook period.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

August 7

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Project Kuiper (KF-02) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (14:01 UTC) Second of a three launches contract for Amazon’s Kuiper low Earth orbit satellite internet constellation. 24 satellites are on board.

August 10

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 17-4 from Vandenberg Space Force Base (02:05 UTC) A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 10-20 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (12:16 UTC) A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

August 11

• United Launch Alliance Vulcan VC4S:
  • USSF-106 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (00:07 UTC) USSF-106 is a mission for the United States Space Force. The launch will deploy various payloads directly into geosynchronous orbit, including the NTS-3 (Navigation Technology Satellite 3), a demonstration navigation satellite testing a new digital signal generator that can be reprogrammed on-orbit to broadcast new signals, improve performance by avoiding and defeating interference, and adding signatures for detecting spoofing attacks.

August 13

• Arianespace Ariane 62:

  • Metop-SG A1 from Guiana Space Centre (00:37 UTC) First of EUMETSAT’s second generation of Metop weather satellites.

• SpaceX Falcon 9:

  • Starlink Group 10-11 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (12:41 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 17-5 from Vandenberg Space Force Base (15:44 UTC) A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

August 17

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 17-6 from Vandenberg Space Force Base (00:00 UTC) A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

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