Spacetoday.net
Daily summaries and curated links to global space news articles
SpaceX Launches Next Set of Starlink, Planet Satellites
SpaceX lifted off a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral on August 21, 2020, deploying three Planet SkySat imaging satellites followed by 58 Starlink broadband satellites. The mission marked the rocket’s sixth flight, a record for reusability, and saw the first stage land on an Atlantic droneship while a fairing half was snagged by a recovery net. With this launch, SpaceX’s constellation grew to 653 Starlink units, including two prototypes, underscoring its aggressive deployment schedule.
Space Force Releases "Spacepower" Report
The U.S. Space Force unveiled its inaugural doctrine, the “Spacepower” report, outlining a comprehensive vision for space as a distinct warfighting domain. The document stresses the need for both defensive and offensive capabilities to protect critical assets such as communications...
OSIRIS-REx Conducts Final Rehearsal of Asteroid Sampling Maneuver
NASA’s OSIRIS‑REx spacecraft performed its final “Matchpoint” rehearsal, descending to about 40 meters above asteroid Bennu and then backing away as planned. The successful test confirms the navigation and autonomous systems needed for the Touch‑and‑Go sampling maneuver. Engineers now have confidence...
Ariane 5 Launches Three Satellites
On August 22, 2020, Arianespace’s Ariane 5 rocket lifted off from Kourou, deploying the Galaxy 30, MEV‑2 and BSAT‑4b satellites into geostationary transfer orbit. The launch marked the first Ariane 5 mission since February, after a pandemic‑related shutdown and earlier scrub due to...
Arecibo Radio Telescope Damaged
The Arecibo Observatory’s 305‑meter dish was rendered inoperable after a support cable snapped, gouging a 30‑meter tear in the primary reflector. The incident occurred early Monday morning, prompting an immediate shutdown of the telescope’s scientific programs. Officials are evaluating the...
