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Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

Mission‑design strategies to reduce collision risk as satellite proliferation accelerates

Rapid growth in Earth‑observation and other smallsat launches is increasing collision and debris hazards in LEO. A new paper in Advanced in Space Research by John Mackintosh and co‑authors at the University of Manchester evaluates mission‑design levers — from orbital choices to operational practices — to reduce cumulative collision risk.

2026-03-02T11:21:42.135673-08:00

SpaceNews.com

The Future of Space Situational Awareness: Challenges and Opportunities

2026-03-02T08:14:24.253146-08:00

New York Times

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

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

SpaceNews.com

Russia destroys satellite in ASAT test, creating hazardous orbital debris

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

News Timeline

Universe Today

Mission‑design strategies to reduce collision risk as satellite proliferation accelerates Rapid growth in Earth‑observation and other smallsat launches is increasing collision and debris hazards in LEO. A new paper in Advanced in Space Research by John Mackintosh and co‑authors at the University of Manchester evaluates mission‑design levers — from orbital choices to operational practices — to reduce cumulative collision risk.

2026-03-02T11:21:42.135673-08:00

Mission‑design strategies to reduce collision risk as satellite proliferation accelerates

SpaceNews.com

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The Future of Space Situational Awareness: Challenges and Opportunities Growing orbital congestion and geopolitical competition are forcing a rethink of space situational awareness, exposing shortfalls in sensing, data sharing and attribution. This article examines the technical, commercial and policy opportunities emerging to strengthen SSA capabilities and operational resilience for operators and governments.

2026-03-02T08:14:24.253146-08:00

The Future of Space Situational Awareness: Challenges and Opportunities

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

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Space Debris & Traffic Management News

Mission‑design strategies to reduce collision risk as satellite proliferation accelerates

The Future of Space Situational Awareness: Challenges and Opportunities

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

Russia destroys satellite in ASAT test, creating hazardous orbital debris

News Timeline