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

Jan 16, 2026
Isar Aerospace has set Jan. 21 as the “not before” launch date for its Spectrum rocket as the German startup also aims to reach orbit as part of the effort to recover from last year’s failed test mission.
Jan 16, 2026
An unspecified but nonemergency concern has prompted an early end to the SpaceX Crew-11 mission.
Jan 15, 2026
NASA completed the early return of International Space Station astronauts when the SpaceX Crew-11 Dragon Endeavour capsule splashed down Jan. 15 in the Pacific Ocean off the San Diego coast.
Jan 14, 2026
CNES is transforming the Guiana Space Center (known as CSG, under its French acronym) into a hub where multiple operators offer launch services.
Jan 14, 2026
Airbus plans to test a software-defined satellite to underpin efforts to develop non-terrestrial 5G connectivity infrastructure.
Jan 13, 2026
Low-cost launch startup Stoke Space is testing flight-capable Zenith engines in the buildup to the first orbital test flight of its Nova rocket.
Jan 12, 2026
The International Space Station crew held a change-of-command ceremony Jan. 12 in advance of the Crew-11 astronauts’ planned early return to Earth.
Jan 12, 2026
India suffered a third-stage failure on its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket on Jan. 12, leading to the loss of 15 satellites and a reentry capsule.