The atmospheric reentry process generates extreme heat and mechanical loads, which lead to the satellite's disintegration at the altitude of about 45 miles. (Image credit: ESA) By Minkwan Kim and Ian Williams, Published by The Conversation, 20 March 2025 The world’s first artificial satellite, the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 1, was
By Ivan Yatskov, Published by Orbital Today, 13 March 2025 The SaxaVord Spaceport, under active construction on the picturesque shores of the Shetland Islands, promises to become an essential centre for launching small satellites into space. Construction is incomplete, but the facility is already positioned as a key centre for developing Europe’s
By Simon Sharwood, Published by The Register, 11 March 2025 The thermosphere usually drags space junk to its doom. As it thins, ruined orbits are a possibility Earth's atmosphere is shrinking due to climate change and one of the possible negative impacts is that space junk will stay in orbit
SaxaVord spaceport with a completed launch stool visible. Photo: SaxaVord Spaceport By Curtis Baines, Published by Orbital Today, 27 February 2025 SaxaVord Spaceport is fast becoming a hot commodity for future launches. Space companies are queuing to use the Scottish launch site including the likes of RFA and Orbex. However,
Image credit: Redwire By Jonathan O'Callaghan, Published by BBC Future, 9 February 2025 There's a new race in space, but it's not where you might think. It's happening close to home – in the nearest bit of space, right on the edge of Earth's atmosphere. High in the skies of Earth,
Rocket Lab Electron launch. Credit: Rocket Lab By Mike Wall, Published by Space.com, 3 February 2025 Rocket Lab delayed the launch of the IOT 4 You and Me mission in order to ensure 'it's safe to merge onto the space highway.' Rocket Lab is set to launch five "Internet of
An artist's illustration of SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites in orbit. (Image credit: SpaceX) By Mark Jackson, Published by ISPreview, 3 February 2025 Data released by an independent researcher has revealed that SpaceX appears to now be “retiring and incinerating” about 4 or 5 Starlink broadband satellites from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) every
Starship on launch pad By Jackie Wattles, Published by CNN, 1 February 2025 It was a typical balmy afternoon across the tropical islands that lie southeast of Florida, where tens of thousands of tourists flock this time of year for winter break. But on January 16, just after sundown, a
