OrbitalFocus
@orbitalfocus.bsky.social
For those genuinely interested in the finer points of new launches & activities on orbit. Curated by Robert Christy.
www.OrbitalFocus.uk
www.OrbitalFocus.uk
Mission Update
Cosmos 2581 etc
2025-026C, one of the two parts of Cosmos 2583, made a very small thruster firing earlier today
Effect on orbit height was insignificant
026A & 026B continue to orbit together within a couple of hundred metres of each other
Cosmos 2581 etc
2025-026C, one of the two parts of Cosmos 2583, made a very small thruster firing earlier today
Effect on orbit height was insignificant
026A & 026B continue to orbit together within a couple of hundred metres of each other
April 2, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Mission Update
Cosmos 2581 etc
2025-026C, one of the two parts of Cosmos 2583, made a very small thruster firing earlier today
Effect on orbit height was insignificant
026A & 026B continue to orbit together within a couple of hundred metres of each other
Cosmos 2581 etc
2025-026C, one of the two parts of Cosmos 2583, made a very small thruster firing earlier today
Effect on orbit height was insignificant
026A & 026B continue to orbit together within a couple of hundred metres of each other
Mission Update
Cosmos 2581 etc
026A & B still orbiting in tandem, with B a few metres ahead and doing the station keeping
026C & D are 3000+ km ahead with no orbit changes since separating from each other, not obvious if both are operational satellites
#026focus.uk/2025#026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2025#026
Cosmos 2581 etc
026A & B still orbiting in tandem, with B a few metres ahead and doing the station keeping
026C & D are 3000+ km ahead with no orbit changes since separating from each other, not obvious if both are operational satellites
#026focus.uk/2025#026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2025#026
April 1, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Mission Update
Cosmos 2581 etc
026A & B still orbiting in tandem, with B a few metres ahead and doing the station keeping
026C & D are 3000+ km ahead with no orbit changes since separating from each other, not obvious if both are operational satellites
#026focus.uk/2025#026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2025#026
Cosmos 2581 etc
026A & B still orbiting in tandem, with B a few metres ahead and doing the station keeping
026C & D are 3000+ km ahead with no orbit changes since separating from each other, not obvious if both are operational satellites
#026focus.uk/2025#026" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2025#026
Cosmos 2577 & 2578
#166focus.uk/2024#166" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#166
They kept station (<300 km) throughout three months of orbit decay until C2578 started to maintain height at ~295 km
C2577 did not manoeuvre - possible failure but not necessarily so - it re-entered naturally on Feb 26
#166focus.uk/2024#166" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#166
They kept station (<300 km) throughout three months of orbit decay until C2578 started to maintain height at ~295 km
C2577 did not manoeuvre - possible failure but not necessarily so - it re-entered naturally on Feb 26
February 28, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Cosmos 2577 & 2578
#166focus.uk/2024#166" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#166
They kept station (<300 km) throughout three months of orbit decay until C2578 started to maintain height at ~295 km
C2577 did not manoeuvre - possible failure but not necessarily so - it re-entered naturally on Feb 26
#166focus.uk/2024#166" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#166
They kept station (<300 km) throughout three months of orbit decay until C2578 started to maintain height at ~295 km
C2577 did not manoeuvre - possible failure but not necessarily so - it re-entered naturally on Feb 26
TIANZHOU 8
Launch vehicle and payload were transported to the launch pad early today (UTC)
The ground track of CSS is set up for launch Nov 15 at 15:12 UTC ±1 minute
Launch vehicle and payload were transported to the launch pad early today (UTC)
The ground track of CSS is set up for launch Nov 15 at 15:12 UTC ±1 minute
November 13, 2024 at 9:47 AM
TIANZHOU 8
Launch vehicle and payload were transported to the launch pad early today (UTC)
The ground track of CSS is set up for launch Nov 15 at 15:12 UTC ±1 minute
Launch vehicle and payload were transported to the launch pad early today (UTC)
The ground track of CSS is set up for launch Nov 15 at 15:12 UTC ±1 minute
Launch Report
Yaogan 43 Group 3
Oct 23, 01:09 UTC
CZ 2C
Xichang SC
orbitalfocus.uk/2024#190
Three sats launched into same orbit plane as YG 43 Group 1, bringing the total to 9 sats
Group 2 (9 sats) is in an orbit plane 35° of RA away from Group 1 & 3
Yaogan 43 Group 3
Oct 23, 01:09 UTC
CZ 2C
Xichang SC
orbitalfocus.uk/2024#190
Three sats launched into same orbit plane as YG 43 Group 1, bringing the total to 9 sats
Group 2 (9 sats) is in an orbit plane 35° of RA away from Group 1 & 3
October 23, 2024 at 8:24 AM
Launch Report
Yaogan 43 Group 3
Oct 23, 01:09 UTC
CZ 2C
Xichang SC
orbitalfocus.uk/2024#190
Three sats launched into same orbit plane as YG 43 Group 1, bringing the total to 9 sats
Group 2 (9 sats) is in an orbit plane 35° of RA away from Group 1 & 3
Yaogan 43 Group 3
Oct 23, 01:09 UTC
CZ 2C
Xichang SC
orbitalfocus.uk/2024#190
Three sats launched into same orbit plane as YG 43 Group 1, bringing the total to 9 sats
Group 2 (9 sats) is in an orbit plane 35° of RA away from Group 1 & 3
Launch Report
3x Tianping radar calibration satellites
2024 Oct 22, 00:10 UTC
CZ 6A
Taiyuan SC
#189focus.uk/2024#189" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#189
Third launch of this sat type - previous were 2022-032 (3 sats) & 2019-095 (2 sats in a mixed launch of 5 sats)
3x Tianping radar calibration satellites
2024 Oct 22, 00:10 UTC
CZ 6A
Taiyuan SC
#189focus.uk/2024#189" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#189
Third launch of this sat type - previous were 2022-032 (3 sats) & 2019-095 (2 sats in a mixed launch of 5 sats)
October 22, 2024 at 8:51 PM
Launch Report
3x Tianping radar calibration satellites
2024 Oct 22, 00:10 UTC
CZ 6A
Taiyuan SC
#189focus.uk/2024#189" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#189
Third launch of this sat type - previous were 2022-032 (3 sats) & 2019-095 (2 sats in a mixed launch of 5 sats)
3x Tianping radar calibration satellites
2024 Oct 22, 00:10 UTC
CZ 6A
Taiyuan SC
#189focus.uk/2024#189" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#189
Third launch of this sat type - previous were 2022-032 (3 sats) & 2019-095 (2 sats in a mixed launch of 5 sats)
Mission Update
Cosmos 2577 & 2578
Launched Sep 17, the pair are orbiting in tandem with 208 km spacing between them increasing at ~5 km/day
Their orbit decay rates are closely matched
Maybe an experimental system to ensure each experiences the same amount of air drag?
Cosmos 2577 & 2578
Launched Sep 17, the pair are orbiting in tandem with 208 km spacing between them increasing at ~5 km/day
Their orbit decay rates are closely matched
Maybe an experimental system to ensure each experiences the same amount of air drag?
October 21, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Mission Update
Cosmos 2577 & 2578
Launched Sep 17, the pair are orbiting in tandem with 208 km spacing between them increasing at ~5 km/day
Their orbit decay rates are closely matched
Maybe an experimental system to ensure each experiences the same amount of air drag?
Cosmos 2577 & 2578
Launched Sep 17, the pair are orbiting in tandem with 208 km spacing between them increasing at ~5 km/day
Their orbit decay rates are closely matched
Maybe an experimental system to ensure each experiences the same amount of air drag?
Update
Intesat 33e
Orbital Focus maintains an ongoing list objects in GEO, you can see the objects close by Intelsat that will be the first to come under threat from the debris:
#41748php#41748" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">http://www.orbitalfocus.uk/Diaries/Launches/GeoSS/geo-loc.php#41748
Intesat 33e
Orbital Focus maintains an ongoing list objects in GEO, you can see the objects close by Intelsat that will be the first to come under threat from the debris:
#41748php#41748" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">http://www.orbitalfocus.uk/Diaries/Launches/GeoSS/geo-loc.php#41748
October 20, 2024 at 1:09 PM
Update
Intesat 33e
Orbital Focus maintains an ongoing list objects in GEO, you can see the objects close by Intelsat that will be the first to come under threat from the debris:
#41748php#41748" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">http://www.orbitalfocus.uk/Diaries/Launches/GeoSS/geo-loc.php#41748
Intesat 33e
Orbital Focus maintains an ongoing list objects in GEO, you can see the objects close by Intelsat that will be the first to come under threat from the debris:
#41748php#41748" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">http://www.orbitalfocus.uk/Diaries/Launches/GeoSS/geo-loc.php#41748
Launch Report
2024-187
Starlink Group 8-19
October 18, 23:13 UTC
Falcon 9
Cape Canaveral SFS
Orbit inclination 53°
#187focus.uk/2024#187" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#187
2024-187
Starlink Group 8-19
October 18, 23:13 UTC
Falcon 9
Cape Canaveral SFS
Orbit inclination 53°
#187focus.uk/2024#187" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#187
October 19, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Launch Report
2024-187
Starlink Group 8-19
October 18, 23:13 UTC
Falcon 9
Cape Canaveral SFS
Orbit inclination 53°
#187focus.uk/2024#187" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#187
2024-187
Starlink Group 8-19
October 18, 23:13 UTC
Falcon 9
Cape Canaveral SFS
Orbit inclination 53°
#187focus.uk/2024#187" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">orbitalfocus.uk/2024#187
Mission Update
Iran's Russian-built and managed optical reconsat
OrbitalFocus.uk/2022#096
Is either moving to a new operating regime, or its orbit-maintenance thruster ceased to function around December 9
Iran's Russian-built and managed optical reconsat
OrbitalFocus.uk/2022#096
Is either moving to a new operating regime, or its orbit-maintenance thruster ceased to function around December 9
January 14, 2024 at 2:02 PM
Mission Update
Iran's Russian-built and managed optical reconsat
OrbitalFocus.uk/2022#096
Is either moving to a new operating regime, or its orbit-maintenance thruster ceased to function around December 9
Iran's Russian-built and managed optical reconsat
OrbitalFocus.uk/2022#096
Is either moving to a new operating regime, or its orbit-maintenance thruster ceased to function around December 9
Mission Update
Chinese spaceplane
Orbit still decaying slowly
Discernible activity:
Dec 18 - thruster test
Dec 26 - change in air drag hints at move to attitude presenting smaller cross-section to direction of travel
First of the CZ 2F debris items is near re-entry
Chinese spaceplane
Orbit still decaying slowly
Discernible activity:
Dec 18 - thruster test
Dec 26 - change in air drag hints at move to attitude presenting smaller cross-section to direction of travel
First of the CZ 2F debris items is near re-entry
December 30, 2023 at 10:16 AM
Mission Update
Chinese spaceplane
Orbit still decaying slowly
Discernible activity:
Dec 18 - thruster test
Dec 26 - change in air drag hints at move to attitude presenting smaller cross-section to direction of travel
First of the CZ 2F debris items is near re-entry
Chinese spaceplane
Orbit still decaying slowly
Discernible activity:
Dec 18 - thruster test
Dec 26 - change in air drag hints at move to attitude presenting smaller cross-section to direction of travel
First of the CZ 2F debris items is near re-entry