Satellites

Latest about Satellites

Sentinel-1 is the first in the family of Copernicus satellites launched by the European Space Agency. Two Sentinel-1 satellites have monitored the crack in the Larsen C ice shelf in the years leading up to the big split. They are also used to monitor Earth's environment, mapping sea ice and observing changes in land surfaces.

'The ocean is no longer too big to watch': How AI and satellite data are helping rid Earth's seas of illegal fishing

By Keith Cooper published

Protected regions of the ocean are doing their job and keeping illegal fishing at bay, according to new research combining satellite imagery with artificial intelligence.

Satellites
a man in a black military uniform sits at a desk behind microphones

Space Force's Golden Dome chief says space-based missile interceptors are possible today. 'We have proven every element of the physics'

By Brett Tingley published

The head of the Trump administration's Golden Dome program says the technologies needed to create such an ambitious space-based missile defense system already exist.

Satellites
three men in camouflage uniforms address a crowd of people also in camouflage uniforms outside a hangar on a concrete tarmac

US Space Force practices 'orbital warfare' in largest-ever training event

By Brett Tingley published

The United States Space Force is undertaking its largest training exercise ever, in order to demonstrate that it is "prepared to fight and win in space."

Satellites
illustration of a gold spacecfraft with dark solar wings against the blackness of space

Climate satellite MethaneSAT backed by Bezos and Google fails in space after just 1 year

By Josh Dinner published

MethaneSAT was meant to check on industrial-level methane emissions.

Satellites
illustration of debris in orbit around Earth

Satellites keep breaking up in space. Insurance won't cover them.

By Tom Brown published

Cheap, uninsured satellites are creating more space junk — and it's starting to rain down on our heads.

Satellites

Starlink satellite train: how to see and track it in the night sky

By Daisy Dobrijevic last updated

Reference Starlink satellites are visible from Earth, you just need to know when and where to look.

Reference
rows of starlink satellites in the lower left portion of the image with Earth in the background and a slither of black space in the lower right side of the image.

Starlink satellites: Facts, tracking and impact on astronomy

By Tereza Pultarova last updated

Reference Starlink satellites have been developed by SpaceX to provide internet to remote locations. Here we explore the controversial megaconstellation in more detail.

Reference
A Chinese Long March 3B rocket launches the military space debris mitigation satellite Shijian-21from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Oct. 24, 2021. Shijian-21 apparently met up with another Chinese satellite high above Earth in June 2025.

2 Chinese spacecraft just met up 22,000 miles above Earth. What were they doing?

By Andrew Jones published

A new Chinese refueling spacecraft met up with an older satellite in high Earth orbit this month, apparently marking a step forward in orbital servicing.

Satellites
clouds of grey, white, and purple swirl over a black background

Coating satellites with super-black paint Vantablack could help fight light pollution crisis

By Tereza Pultarova published

Light streaks caused by passing satellites mar images taken by the world's most expensive telescopes. The problem is set to get worse.

Satellites
a Y-shaped spacecraft in orbit above earth

Satellites are polluting Earth's atmosphere with heavy metals. Could refueling them in orbit help?

By Tereza Pultarova published

In-orbit servicing and refueling could help curb the environmental harm done by the space industry. But will operators subscribe to the greener business model? The jury is out.

Satellites
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives