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 22, 2026
German space launch startup Rocket Factory Augsburg has secured two further ESA launches, while still working toward the inaugural liftoff of RFA One.
Jan 22, 2026
Rocket Lab suffered a structural failure of the Neutron's Stage 1 tank during testing, setting back efforts to get the fully reusable launcher to liftoff.
Jan 22, 2026
NASA is aiming to send a crew of four into deep space for the first time since 1972.
Jan 21, 2026
The four members of NASA’s Crew-11 Dragon mission appeared healthy and in good spirits as they gathered for a Jan. 21 news briefing.
Jan 21, 2026
The GPS signals on satellites are being jammed from terrestrial sources at growing rates, and the demand for alternate options for position, navigation and timing is burgeoning.
Jan 21, 2026
Isar Aerospace is scrubbing a potential Jan. 21 launch of its Spectrum rocket to address a technical fault.
Jan 20, 2026
As it surges ahead with ambitious objectives and constrained budgets, NASA faces five top challenges, a new report from the Office of Inspector General says.
Jan 19, 2026
Two Chinese rockets—CASC's Long March 3B and private launch provider Galactic Energy's Ceres 2—failed in launch attempts on Jan. 17.