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New York Times • Sachi Kitajima Mulkey

Climate-driven upper-atmosphere changes and FCC review gap heighten risks from SpaceX’s proposed 1‑million satellites

Researchers warn climate-driven warming of the upper atmosphere is reducing drag and could extend orbital lifetimes for satellites and debris, complicating collision risk as operators propose up to 1 million spacecraft; regulators face a gap after the FCC said it is not required to assess environmental impacts.

2026-02-26T08:53:32.326907-08:00

SpaceWatch Global

Vyoma wins ESA contract for space-based statistical data on small debris

2026-02-25T05:53:58.795175-08:00

SpaceNews.com

Operator contact failures hinder deconfliction, increasing collision risk as satellite numbers grow

2026-02-25T03:42:21.328884-08:00

Universe Today

How long could Earth microbes survive on Mars? New estimates sharpen planetary‑protection and sample‑integrity concerns

2026-02-24T20:33:57.452833-08:00

News Timeline

New York Times

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Climate-driven upper-atmosphere changes and FCC review gap heighten risks from SpaceX’s proposed 1‑million satellites Researchers warn climate-driven warming of the upper atmosphere is reducing drag and could extend orbital lifetimes for satellites and debris, complicating collision risk as operators propose up to 1 million spacecraft; regulators face a gap after the FCC said it is not required to assess environmental impacts.

2026-02-26T08:53:32.326907-08:00

Climate-driven upper-atmosphere changes and FCC review gap heighten risks from SpaceX’s proposed 1‑million satellites

SpaceWatch Global

Vyoma wins ESA contract for space-based statistical data on small debris Vyoma has been awarded an ESA contract to provide space-based statistical data on small orbital debris, supplying bulk traffic datasets that characterise the space environment. The service will give ESA access to population and traffic statistics needed for environment modelling, risk assessment and mission planning.

2026-02-25T05:53:58.795175-08:00

Vyoma wins ESA contract for space-based statistical data on small debris

SpaceNews.com

Operator contact failures hinder deconfliction, increasing collision risk as satellite numbers grow As satellite numbers surge, operators say they are increasingly unable to reach other operators to coordinate collision-avoidance, degrading deconfliction and raising the risk of close approaches or debris-generating collisions. The failures expose weaknesses in voluntary communication channels and gaps in current space-traffic management practices.

2026-02-25T03:42:21.328884-08:00

Operator contact failures hinder deconfliction, increasing collision risk as satellite numbers grow

Universe Today

How long could Earth microbes survive on Mars? New estimates sharpen planetary‑protection and sample‑integrity concerns Researchers are assessing survival times for terrestrial microbes under Martian conditions to better quantify forward‑contamination risk. Reliable survival estimates are critical to avoid confusing Earth life with indigenous Martian biology and to shape NASA's mitigation measures for sample collection and return.

2026-02-24T20:33:57.452833-08:00

How long could Earth microbes survive on Mars? New estimates sharpen planetary‑protection and sample‑integrity concerns

Via Satellite

Applied Aerospace & Defense acquires Vestigo Aerospace for drag-sail satellite deorbiting Applied Aerospace & Defense has acquired Vestigo Aerospace, the developer of drag-sail deorbit devices used to passively lower and dispose of satellites at end of life. The acquisition integrates drag-sail technology into Applied's portfolio, broadening its on-orbit disposal and space‑sustainability capabilities.

2026-02-24T12:50:50.031303-08:00

Applied Aerospace & Defense acquires Vestigo Aerospace for drag-sail satellite deorbiting

Universe Today

Asteroid gold rush exposes legal void as mining raises space‑environment risks Asteroid mining companies are moving from concept to reality, prompting new legal and environmental concerns. In Acta Astronautica, Anna Marie Brenna (University of Waikato) proposes a legal framework intended to reconcile commercial resource extraction with protections for the space environment and orbital sustainability.

2026-02-24T07:31:20.695897-08:00

Asteroid gold rush exposes legal void as mining raises space‑environment risks

SpaceNews.com

Re-framing orbital debris risk: from statistical probabilities to a dosage-based approach A proposed shift in orbital-debris assessment urges regulators and operators to measure cumulative "dosage" of debris exposure rather than relying solely on statistical collision probabilities. The dosage framework prioritizes long‑term exposure, persistent small‑object risk and the aggregate impact of repeated low‑severity encounters on assets and airspace safety.

2026-02-23T06:12:51.660187-08:00

Re-framing orbital debris risk: from statistical probabilities to a dosage-based approach

SpaceNews.com

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Russia destroys satellite in ASAT test, creating hazardous orbital debris Russia conducted an anti‑satellite (ASAT) test that destroyed a satellite and generated hazardous orbital debris, officials say. The deliberate on‑orbit strike increases collision risk for other spacecraft, threatens crewed missions and commercial assets, and heightens long‑term contamination of key orbital regimes.

2026-02-23T00:22:20.770092-08:00

Russia destroys satellite in ASAT test, creating hazardous orbital debris

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Space Debris & Traffic Management News

Climate-driven upper-atmosphere changes and FCC review gap heighten risks from SpaceX’s proposed 1‑million satellites

Vyoma wins ESA contract for space-based statistical data on small debris

Operator contact failures hinder deconfliction, increasing collision risk as satellite numbers grow

How long could Earth microbes survive on Mars? New estimates sharpen planetary‑protection and sample‑integrity concerns

News Timeline