📄Top Stories

Today marks a milestone as Firefly Aerospace successfully lands its Blue Ghost on the Moon, becoming the second private company to achieve this feat. In orbital developments, the Spanish Air and Space Force partners with GMV for an advanced space operations simulator. Looking ahead, Europe’s Ariane 6 prepares for its inaugural commercial launch, carrying a French military satellite.

📰Detailed Coverage

Firefly Aerospace Lands on the Moon

Firefly Aerospace made history by successfully landing its Blue Ghost spacecraft on the Moon, marking a significant achievement for private space exploration. The mission’s landing site, Mare Crisium, is notable for its volcanic plains, providing valuable data for future lunar explorations. This endeavor highlights the growing capability of private companies in achieving complex space missions traditionally dominated by national agencies.

The Blue Ghost mission is set to operate for a brief period before the lunar night begins, gathering scientific data and testing technologies critical for sustained lunar presence. This success not only paves the way for Firefly Aerospace’s future endeavors but also reinforces the role of private entities in contributing to space exploration milestones. Track lunar missions and more on our web app.

Read the full story: Moon Daily

GMV Secures Contract with Spanish Air and Space Force

Spain’s GMV has been awarded a contract by the Spanish Air and Space Force to develop a state-of-the-art simulator designed for training in orbital mechanics and space operations. This initiative will help bolster Spain’s capabilities in managing complex orbital systems, crucial for both national security and broader European space efforts.

In addition to the simulator, GMV will provide sustained support through maintenance and user training. Such technological advancements underscore the increasing need for comprehensive training in space operations amid growing reliance on satellite systems for defense and civilian applications globally.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

European Satellite Launcher Prepares for Commercial Launch

The highly anticipated Ariane 6 rocket is set for its first commercial mission, tasked with deploying a French military intelligence satellite. Scheduled to launch from French Guiana, this mission underscores Europe’s strategic aim for greater autonomy in space technologies, especially in light of recent geopolitical shifts.

This launch marks a pivotal moment for European space endeavors, promising increased access to space for commercial and strategic interests. The Ariane 6’s success could redefine Europe’s competitive position in the global satellite launch market.

Read the full story: Space Daily

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: COSMOS 2484
• NORAD ID: 39059
• Launch Date: 2013-01-15
• Mission: Military Communication
• Orbit: Inclination: 82.5057°, Period: Approx. 115.76 min, Eccentricity: Low
• Operator: VVKO (Russian Ministry of Defense)
• Fun Fact: COSMOS 2484, part of the Strela-3M constellation, provides secure military communications and has operated seamlessly for over a decade.

Current TLE Data:

1 39059U 13001C   25060.56368602  .00000068  00000+0  41810-3 0  9990
2 39059  82.5057 155.7868 0025434 346.3947  13.6444 12.42916439549842

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track COSMOS 2484

🚀 Upcoming Space Launches

March 2

• Russian Space Forces Soyuz 2.1b/Fregat-M:
  • Glonass-K2 No. 14 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russian Federation (22:00 UTC)
  • Glonass-K2 are the fourth generation of satellite design for the GLONASS satellite navigation system. This generation improves on accuracy, power consumption, and design life.

March 3

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 12-20 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (02:24 UTC)
  • A batch of 21 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

• Arianespace Ariane 62:

  • CSO-3 from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (16:24 UTC)
  • The CSO-3 is the third of three new-generation high-resolution optical imaging satellites for the French military, replacing the Helios 2 spy satellite series.

• SpaceX Starship:

  • Flight 8 from SpaceX Starbase, TX, USA (23:30 UTC)
  • Eighth test flight of the two-stage Starship launch vehicle.

March 5

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • SPHEREx & PUNCH from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (03:09 UTC)
  • SPHEREx is a planned two-year astrophysics mission to survey the sky in the near-infrared light. PUNCH mission will focus on the Sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona).

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:

  • Starlink Group 12-21 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (06:00 UTC)
  • A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

March 6

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Transporter 13 (Dedicated SSO Rideshare) from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (06:39 UTC)
  • Dedicated rideshare flight to a sun-synchronous orbit with dozens of small microsatellites and nanosatellites for commercial and government customers.

March 7

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 12-16 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (14:09 UTC)
  • A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

March 8

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Starlink Group 11-7 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (02:00 UTC)
  • A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

March 12

• SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5:
  • Crew-10 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA (23:48 UTC)
  • SpaceX Crew-10 is the tenth crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Note: Launch dates and times are subject to change due to technical or weather considerations.