Excuse Me, Is This Orbit Taken?
Space has a personal-space problem. Unfortunately, nobody agreed on the size of the bubble.
Satellites & Orbits
19posts
Beyond Throwaway Spacecraft: Why Satellite Servicing Matters
Northrop Grumman’s robotic servicer could extend satellite lifespans, cut waste and costs, but must overcome major technical, legal and economic challenges.
Starlink and the Cult of Earthbound Resentment
Starlink becomes a case study in why some critics struggle to separate personality, politics, and genuinely useful infrastructure.
When Space Gets Crowded: The Hidden Limits of a New Space Age
A crowded orbital era brings less glamorous problems into view: traffic, debris, coordination, and the cost of success.
Space Junk Blues: How Atomic-6 Armor Turns Cosmic Catastrophes into Yawns
Atomic-6’s debris armor points to a less romantic but essential space challenge: surviving the junk already circling Earth.
From Apollo’s 20-Watt Radio to Modern Milliwatt Signals: The Evolution of Space Communication
From Apollo’s radios to modern weak-signal techniques, space communication is a story of doing more with less power.
From Sci-Fi to Orbit: How the U.S. Military's Latest Launch is Revolutionizing Navigation Without GPS
The X-37B’s latest mission hints at a future where military spacecraft can navigate when GPS is unavailable or denied.
The Kessler Effect: When Space Becomes a Cosmic Junkyard
The Kessler effect turns orbital debris from background clutter into a cascading threat to the space age itself.
Starlink Satellites: Decoding Their Lifetime and Next-Gen Upgrades
Starlink’s short satellite lifetimes are not just a limitation; they are part of a rapid upgrade strategy.
The Tale of Two Satellites: Kalamsat and TerreStar-1
Two very different satellites show how space innovation can come from student ambition as well as commercial scale.
The Cosmic Bullet: Micrometeorites, Space Shields, and Earthly Tests
Micrometeorites are tiny but dangerous, forcing spacecraft designers to think like armorers in orbit.
Ultimate Guide: Stellar Navigation: Star Trackers, Gyros & Accelerometers
Star trackers, gyros, and accelerometers give spacecraft the ability to know where they are when Earth cannot help.
The GPS Chronicles: A Journey Through Satellites, Time, and the Occasional Lost Signal
GPS is a space-based timing miracle that quietly depends on satellites, relativity, and constant correction.
The Deep Space Network: NASA's Cosmic Switchboard Operator on the Brink
NASA’s Deep Space Network is the invisible infrastructure that keeps distant missions talking, and it is under pressure.
The Sky's the Limit: How Satellites are the Unsung Heroes of Earth Monitoring
Earth-observing satellites quietly shape weather forecasts, disaster response, climate science, and the way we understand our planet.
Satellite Repositioning: Options, Challenges, and the Future
Moving satellites after launch is a practical puzzle of fuel, autonomy, servicing, and orbital traffic management.
Satellite Hacking: Vulnerabilities, Security, and the Age of Megaconstellations
Megaconstellations make satellite security more urgent, turning orbital networks into targets as well as infrastructure.
Lagrange Points: Cosmic Parking Spots
Lagrange points are gravitational sweet spots where spacecraft can linger, observe, and do remarkable work.
Amateur Radio in Space: A Global Collaboration
Amateur radio connects students, operators, and astronauts, proving that space communication can still feel personal.