Operations & Safety

Space operations have accelerated to unprecedented levels as commercial service providers ramp up their business plans. Ensuring space operations safety is paramount for the long-term viability and sustainability of space activities. Space situational awareness plays a critical role in maintaining physical safety by tracking and avoiding potential collisions between spacecraft, orbital debris, and other objects in Earth's orbit. Effective space traffic management systems are essential for collision avoidance during launch and on-orbit operations. Space weather monitoring is another crucial aspect of space safety, as solar flares and geomagnetic storms can disrupt communications and pose risks to both spacecraft and astronauts. Implementing robust space debris mitigation strategies, such as deorbiting defunct satellites and rocket bodies, helps preserve the space environment for future generations. Ultimately, adhering to space safety standards and space sustainability practices is vital for ensuring the responsible and long-term utilization of the space domain.

News & Analysis

Aug 29, 2025
Rocket Lab remains confident about achieving the inaugural launch of its medium-class Neutron rocket this year from its new Launch Complex 3.
Aug 29, 2025
The work is to commercially support NASA’s Flight Operations Directorate, including the Artemis initiative’s Space Launch System and Orion crew capsule.
Aug 27, 2025
The U.S. Space Force is seeing new ground-based capabilities come online, deploying new satellites on orbit by the end of the year, and plotting the future of its space-based surveillance layer.
Aug 27, 2025
ESA awarded two launches to Isar Aerospace, giving a boost to the German rocket startup, as it also unveiled an agreement with Avio for three Vega-C missions.
Aug 27, 2025
Generating some 16.5 million lb. of thrust, the 404-ft tall Starship-Super Heavy headed toward a suborbital trajectory for a planned 66-min. flight demonstration.
Aug 26, 2025
India has completed a key milestone in its so-called Gaganyaan effort to launch three astronauts to space and return them after a three-day on-orbit mission.
Aug 25, 2025
NASA's 33rd SpaceX-contracted Cargo Dragon resupply mission successfully docked to the U.S. segment of the International Space Station early Aug. 25.
Aug 25, 2025
SpaceX canceled plans for a flight test of its Starship-Super Heavy launch system Aug. 24 to troubleshoot a potential problem with ground systems.