Satellite   LEO   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Stars and Stripes • Associated Press

Russia launches three Iranian communications satellites into orbit

Russia on Sunday launched three Iranian communications satellites into orbit, Tehran said — the second Russia-assisted launch since July, Iranian state media reported. Iran insisted the programme is peaceful and complies with UN Security Council resolutions, though the move has drawn international scrutiny.

Also: South China Morning Post and 4 more
2025-12-28T13:44:36.022305-08:00
Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

Design-for-Demise Dilemma: Unintended Consequences of Smallsat End-of-Life Practices

By Universe Today: At the end of their lives, most satellites fall to their death. Many of the smaller ones, including most of those going up as part of the “mega-constellations” currently under construction, are intended to burn up in the atmosphere.

2025-12-28T07:44:42.241739-08:00
Mars   Space Exploration & Science Missions  
Space.com • Keith Cooper

The top astronomical discoveries of 2025

By Space.com: From new exoplanetary neighbors and a weakening dark energy to the best evidence for life on Mars and an interstellar comet that's got everyone talking, 2025 has been jam-packed with astronomical excitement and revelation.

2025-12-28T03:03:10.434535-08:00
Satellite   Europe   North America   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX to launch Italy’s Cosmo‑SkyMed Second Generation FM3 from Vandenberg in final Falcon 9 mission of 2025

By Spaceflight Now: ![](http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/20251226_COSMO-SkyMed_SG_FM3.jpeg) Update Dec. 27, 5:56 p.m. EST (2256 UTC): SpaceX scrubbed the launch due to a ground issue, targeting Sunday, Dec.

2025-12-27T06:00:25.663470-08:00
Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space  
Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

Kirigami-enabled Solar Sails: Using Structural Cuts to Control and Turn Sailcraft

By Universe Today: Solar sails have some major advantages over traditional propulsion methods - most notably they don’t use any propellant. But, how exactly do they turn? In traditional sailing, a ship’s captain can simply adjust the angle of the sail itself to catch the wind at a different angle.

2025-12-27T03:54:23.461136-08:00