China’s Proposed Megaconstellations Would Flood Orbit With 200,000 Satellites Gizmodo Events
China’s first launches of 2026 send Yaogan spacecraft into unusual orbit, loft Guowang satellites SpaceNews Politics
As China pushes to take the global lead in building space-based solar power stations, a new study warns that powerful lasers beaming energy back to Earth could pose serious risks to other satellites in the increasingly crowded low-Earth orbit. If these beams miss their targets – because of tracking errors or system malfunctions – they could strike nearby spacecraft, overheat solar panels or trigger electrical discharges, according to a team from the Beijing Institute of Satellite Environment... Events
SpaceX has announced it will reconfigure its Starlink internet satellite constellation by lowering the orbit of more than 4,400 satellites throughout 2026, shortly after Beijing said the project posed “safety and security challenges”. The move aims to relocate the satellites to orbital regions less crowded by space debris and other planned satellite constellations, reducing the risk of collisions and allowing satellites to deorbit faster. It comes after an unnamed representative from Beijing... Events
SpaceX will move 4,400 satellites to a lower orbit after China cited safety risk South China Morning Post Events
China launches two experimental target detection satellites to orbit Interesting Engineering Events
China puts two technology demonstration satellites into orbit chinadailyasia.com Politics
A Japanese H3 rocket carrying the sixth satellite in a seven-orbiter geolocation system failed to deliver its payload into orbit after lift-off on Monday, the country’s science ministry said. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is assessing the situation and investigating the cause of the second-stage engine’s premature cut-off that occurred shortly after lift-off from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Kagoshima prefecture. Placed on multiple orbital planes, the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System... Events
