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Bloomberg • David Fickling

SpaceX Outpacing China's Ambition for 203,000 'Paper' Satellites

New analysis shows SpaceX is outpacing Chinese plans to field up to 203,000 proposed 'paper' satellites, underscoring a widening commercial and operational gap as Starlink's rapid deployments and a potential financing pivot accelerate U.S. constellation scale while China expands domestic launch capacity.

2026-02-16T01:00:31.482533-08:00

Space.com

Megaconstellation reentries: surviving fragments and the risk of debris reaching the ground

2026-02-13T03:09:20.217492-08:00

SpaceNews.com

The Case for Moving Astronomy Off Earth: why space-based observatories matter

2026-02-12T06:33:36.281969-08:00

Space.com

Mapping 1 Million Orbital Routes to Prevent Satellite Collisions

2026-02-10T12:10:11.349986-08:00

News Timeline

Bloomberg

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SpaceX Outpacing China's Ambition for 203,000 'Paper' Satellites New analysis shows SpaceX is outpacing Chinese plans to field up to 203,000 proposed 'paper' satellites, underscoring a widening commercial and operational gap as Starlink's rapid deployments and a potential financing pivot accelerate U.S. constellation scale while China expands domestic launch capacity.

2026-02-16T01:00:31.482533-08:00

SpaceX Outpacing China's Ambition for 203,000 'Paper' Satellites

Space.com

Megaconstellation reentries: surviving fragments and the risk of debris reaching the ground Megaconstellations are multiplying reentries as thousands of satellites reach end-of-life; incomplete burn-up can leave fragments that survive atmospheric reentry. If the ‘minimum lethal’ quantity of debris from a satellite does not vaporize, intact pieces could reach the ground, raising casualty, environmental and liability questions as deployments expand.

2026-02-13T03:09:20.217492-08:00

Megaconstellation reentries: surviving fragments and the risk of debris reaching the ground

SpaceNews.com

The Case for Moving Astronomy Off Earth: why space-based observatories matter Ground-based astronomy faces growing threats from light pollution, industrial development and proliferating satellite constellations. Moving major observatories into space would protect observations of faint galaxies and exoplanet atmospheres. The article argues for accelerated investment in space telescopes, launch capacity and international policy coordination.

2026-02-12T06:33:36.281969-08:00

The Case for Moving Astronomy Off Earth: why space-based observatories matter

SpaceNews.com

How reusable launch vehicles will reshape the space economy — and Earthbound markets The move from single‑use rockets to routinely reusable boosters is altering the economics, cadence and risk calculus of access to orbit. Beyond lower marginal launch costs, reusability enables new business models, investment flows and infrastructure requirements — while prompting environmental and regulatory debates.

2026-02-11T06:02:22.347939-08:00

How reusable launch vehicles will reshape the space economy — and Earthbound markets

Space.com

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Mapping 1 Million Orbital Routes to Prevent Satellite Collisions Researchers have mapped one million distinct orbital trajectories into an open dataset and visualization intended to improve collision-avoidance planning. The resource provides precomputed paths operators can use to accelerate conjunction assessment, plan avoidance maneuvers, and bolster situational awareness as crowded orbits multiply close approaches.

2026-02-10T12:10:11.349986-08:00

Mapping 1 Million Orbital Routes to Prevent Satellite Collisions

Universe Today

Why Lunar‑Origin Asteroids Are Elusive — and How the Vera Rubin Observatory Could Find Them The Moon’s cratered surface should produce debris that escapes into space, creating a population of lunar‑origin asteroids (LOAs), yet astronomers have found surprisingly few. A new Tsinghua University paper explains why LOAs remain elusive and outlines how the Vera Rubin Observatory’s survey capabilities could locate them.

2026-02-10T04:48:53.495140-08:00

Why Lunar‑Origin Asteroids Are Elusive — and How the Vera Rubin Observatory Could Find Them

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 on a return-to-flight mission after a brief stand‑down, carrying the Starlink 17‑33 payload of 25 broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. The flight expands SpaceX's megaconstellation, pushing its operational fleet past 9,600 satellites as deployment continues.

2026-02-07T00:33:51.287105-08:00

SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation

Ars Technica

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Congress orders NASA study on moving ISS to a 'safe orbital harbor' as alternative to deorbit Congress has directed NASA to evaluate the viability of transferring the International Space Station to a ‘safe orbital harbor’ after its planned retirement rather than executing a controlled deorbit. The study will assess technical feasibility, costs, partner agreements and orbital-debris implications for preserving LEO infrastructure.

2026-02-06T08:35:10.018906-08:00

Congress orders NASA study on moving ISS to a 'safe orbital harbor' as alternative to deorbit

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Space Debris & Traffic Management News

SpaceX Outpacing China's Ambition for 203,000 'Paper' Satellites

Megaconstellation reentries: surviving fragments and the risk of debris reaching the ground

The Case for Moving Astronomy Off Earth: why space-based observatories matter

Mapping 1 Million Orbital Routes to Prevent Satellite Collisions

News Timeline