Orbi

The 1985 Space Shuttle Challenger mission STS-51-F is drawing renewed attention after the center engine shut down during ascent, forcing the only abort-to-orbit in shuttle history. The flight continued safely to a reduced orbit and completed its Spacelab science objectives, a story still cited as an example of in-flight contingency planning.

A declassified Cold War-era American reconnaissance satellite, reportedly nicknamed after actress Farrah Fawcett, has broken apart in orbit, generating a cloud of debris. The breakup adds to growing concern among space agencies and trackers about fragmentation events in crowded orbits and the debris risk they pose to operational satellites and the International Space Station.

Discussion is growing around the idea of placing data centers in orbit to meet rising demand for computing power. Supporters argue space offers constant solar energy and simpler cooling than terrestrial facilities, while skeptics point to launch costs, maintenance and latency as major hurdles. The topic sits at the intersection of space policy, satellite infrastructure and the booming AI data center market.

Commentary carried by multiple US regional newspapers argues that governments lack transparency about the space weapons they are developing and even about what is currently in orbit. The piece highlights growing concern among analysts and policymakers that military programs in space are proceeding with little public disclosure or international verification, leaving other nations and the public unable to assess the scale of the threat.

SpaceNews explores whether deorbiting defunct military satellites could be turned into a commercial service. The question highlights growing interest in space debris removal as orbital congestion increases and space agencies and private companies look at ways to clear abandoned hardware from key orbits, including spacecraft left by armed forces.

China's reusable space plane appears to have released an unidentified object into orbit, according to space tracking observations. The purpose of the object is unknown, fueling speculation about surveillance tests, servicing demonstrations, or calibration targets. The vehicle has previously released objects during earlier missions without explanation, keeping Western analysts watching its maneuvers closely.

Google has sent its first TPU, its custom AI chip, into orbit to test whether AI computing can operate in space. The experiment is aimed at exploring orbital data-centre capabilities, a concept that could reduce terrestrial energy demands and expand compute capacity. The news is drawing attention across the tech and space policy communities.

Turkey has condemned the deployment of weapons in space after American weapons were reported to have reached orbit. The condemnation was carried by regional media covering global space policy, though details about the nature of the American deployment, the Turkish government's specific objections, or any diplomatic response from Washington were not provided in the available reporting.

Reports carried across multiple US outlets highlight a lack of transparency about what space weapons nations are developing, and even uncertainty over what military assets are already deployed in orbit. Observers warn that governments rarely disclose their counterspace capabilities, making it difficult to assess threats to satellites. The coverage is fueling debate about the need for international norms and monitoring of militarisation in space.

Concerns are being raised about the secrecy surrounding space weapons and the growing number of objects already in orbit. Observers warn that governments are not disclosing the full extent of military capabilities and debris circling Earth, making it difficult to assess threats to satellites and to international security more broadly.

NASA's plan to return astronauts to the Moon is facing scrutiny because it depends heavily on SpaceX's Starship. Commentators point out that before a crewed lunar landing can happen, Starship must demonstrate reliable, routine orbital missions, large-scale cryogenic fuel transfer in low-Earth orbit, and complex docking and landing procedures — none of which have yet been achieved. The debate centres on whether tying the Artemis programme so closely to Elon Musk's company puts the timeline at risk.

Google has launched prototype satellites carrying its AI chips to test whether data centres could one day operate in orbit. The experiment aims to assess whether space-based computing, powered by solar energy, could reduce terrestrial energy demands and support the huge power needs of AI. The move puts Google in direct comparison with rivals exploring similar orbital computing concepts.

Google has launched an experimental AI data center prototype into space aboard a SpaceX rocket. The project signals a push to move data center infrastructure beyond Earth, potentially using solar power and orbit to scale AI computing. The prototype will be tested to see whether orbital data centers are technically and economically viable.

Orbital Robotics is preparing to send a pair of robotic arms to the International Space Station, where they will be used with the station's robots. The announcement, reported by GeekWire, highlights growing commercial involvement in orbital robotics. Details on launch timing and the arms' specific tasks were not provided beyond the company's readiness to send the hardware up.