📰Top Stories

Blue Origin Challenges Legacy Defense Procurement

At Blue Origin, Hegseth has amplified criticism against outdated defense procurement processes, emphasizing the need for modernization to enhance efficiency and accountability. This push comes amidst broader conversations on defense spending and innovation in military technology, reflecting growing pressures on traditional defense contractors to adapt.

Read the full story: SpaceNews

MDA Space and Hanwha Collaborate on K-LEO Defense Network

MDA Space has entered an agreement with Hanwha Systems to develop a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, aimed at bolstering South Korea’s national security through enhanced communications and data services. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in the exploration of advanced satellite technologies for military applications.

Read the full story: SpaceWar

House Approves $839B Defense Spending Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a substantial defense spending bill, setting the stage for resolving a prolonged government shutdown. This bill paves the way for the Pentagon to resume normal funding operations, ensuring continuity in defense projects and operational readiness.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Army Seeks New Howitzer Contract by July

The Army is accelerating its efforts to secure a new contract for self-propelled howitzers, with expectations to award by July. This initiative is part of a larger modernization effort reflecting the Army’s strategic shift towards advanced military technologies.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Pentagon Selects Vendors for Drone Demonstration

In a competition named the Gauntlet, the Pentagon has chosen 25 vendors to demonstrate one-way attack drones. This initiative signifies a major investment, as the department plans to distribute contracts totaling $150 million to develop cutting-edge drone technology.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

Army Warns of Negative Feedback on NGC2

An Army official cautions against industry critique aimed at the NGC2 initiative reaching Congress. This warning underscores the Army’s commitment to maintaining a constructive narrative around ongoing defense projects.

Read the full story: Breaking Defense

🛰️Satellite Spotlight

• Satellite Name: OPTUS A1 (AUSSAT 1)
• NORAD ID: 15993
• Launch Date: August 27, 1985
• Mission: This satellite is primarily used for communication, providing essential connectivity services.
• Orbit: GEO (Geostationary Orbit)
• Operator: AUSS (Australian Satellite Systems)
• Fun Fact: OPTUS A1 was one of the first satellites launched to enhance communication infrastructure in Australia, playing a pivotal role in expanding telecommunication capabilities across the continent.

Track this satellite in real-time on our web app: Track OPTUS A1 (AUSSAT 1)

🌌Space Weather

Next 24 Hours

• Radio Blackouts Probability

  • Minor: 80
  • Major: 40
  • Risk: None

• Solar Radiation

  • Probability: 30
  • Risk: None

• Geomagnetic Storming

  • Scale: 0
  • Impact: none
  • Activity: Low

• Impact Summary

  • Next 24 hours: No risk of radio blackouts, and no risk of solar radiation storms.
  • Geomagnetic outlook: G1 (Minor) storming is likely on 05-06 Feb due to the arrival of the CME associated with the 01/2357 UTC X8.1 flare from Region 4366.
  • Radiation outlook: The greater than 10 MeV proton flux has a chance to exceed S1 (Minor) levels over 04-06 Feb due to the high eruptive potential of Region 4366.
  • The risk of a proton event will increase as Region 4366 moves into a more favorable magnetic connection point in the Sun’s western hemisphere.
  • Radio blackout outlook: Moderate to high solar activity is expected due to M-class flaring (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) for the next three days, with a high chance for X-class flares (R3-Strong or greater) due to expected further activity from AR 4366.

Long Term Forecast

• Impact Summary
  • Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity from 02 February to 28 February 2026: Solar activity is expected to continue at moderate to high levels, with further M-class (R1-R2, Minor-Moderate) flares and a high chance for X-class (R3-Strong or greater) on 02-10 Feb as Region 4366 transits across the visible disk.
  • Low levels with a chance for M-class flares are expected on 11-22 Feb.
  • An increase to moderate to high levels is once again likely on 23-28 Feb as Region 4366 returns to the visible disk.
  • The greater than 10 MeV proton flux is likely to reach S1-S2 (Minor-Moderate) storm levels on 02-04 Feb due to proton prediction model guidance from the recent X8.1 flare.
  • A chance for further proton enhancements exists through 12 Feb as Region 4366 transits the visible disk and beyond.
  • The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on multiple occasions due to recurrent CH HSS influence.
  • Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet levels on 02-05 Feb, with quiet to unsettled levels expected from 05-11 Feb, and unsettled to active levels from 13-21 Feb.

🚀Upcoming Space Launches

February 7

• China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Long March 2F/G:
  • Chinese Reusable Space Vehicle from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People’s Republic of China (03:48 UTC) Probable 4th flight of the Chinese spaceplane capable of returning to Earth.
• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 17-33 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (17:05 UTC) A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 10

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 17-34 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (14:07 UTC) A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 11

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Crew-12 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (11:01 UTC) SpaceX Crew-12 is the twelfth crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

February 12

• United Launch Alliance Vulcan VC4S:
  • USSF-87 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (00:00 UTC) USSF-87 will launch two identical Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites directly to a near-geosynchronous orbit. These satellites will help with orbital predictions, enhancing satellite collision avoidance.
• Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center Proton-M/Blok DM-03:
  • Elektro-L No.5 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan (08:56 UTC) Elektro-L is a series of meteorological satellites designed to capture real-time images of clouds and Earth’s surface, as well as collect hydrometeorological data.
• Arianespace Ariane 64:
  • Amazon Leo (LE-01) from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana (16:45 UTC) Amazon Leo will deploy 32 satellites for low Earth orbit broadband internet services, as part of a larger constellation managed by Amazon’s Kuiper Systems LLC.

February 14

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-103 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (05:00 UTC) A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 17-13 from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA (08:00 UTC) A batch of 25 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

February 16

• SpaceX Falcon 9:
  • Starlink Group 6-104 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA (07:05 UTC) A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

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