Cool Kids Club? USA 325 & TJS-10 Head Toward Cosmos 2589
17 Apr 2026: Over the next 2-3 weeks both USA 325 and TJS-10 will pass through Cosmos 2589’s orbit. As we began reporting in November 2025, Cosmos 2589 (64467) has been slowly circularizing its orbit and now has an eccentricity of only .019 (it was .367 6 months ago). We also noted USA 325’s (51281) observation of China’s SJ-29A/B satellites which ended in late-March 2026 as USA 325 decreased its SMA and began heading East at 0.63°/day (please note latest orbit information is from 20 Mar 2026). At about the same time, TJS-10 (58204) also decreased its SMA and reversed its westward drift and is also heading East at 0.68°/day.
Satellite locations as of 17 Apr 2026:
- Cosmos 2589: 96.3-100.5°E longitude
- USA 325: 93.4°E with 0.63°/day eastward drift
- TJS-10: 85.2°E with 0.68°/day eastward drift
Propagating their current orbits forward (assumes NO maneuvers) USA 325 will pass through Cosmos 2589’s orbit from 24-30 April. TJS-10 will follow from 5-11 May.
18 Apr 2026: USA 325 and TJS-10 Heading toward Cosmos 2589 Current Orbit
(saberastro.com)
What’s Up with Cosmos 2576
17 Apr 2026: Cosmos 2576 (59773), a suspected Nivelir co-orbital weapon system, raised its SMA nearly 30km from 28 Mar – 11 Apr. Russian space operators conducted a series of maneuvers to raise Cosmos 2576’s SMA from 481km to 509km. Until now, Cosmos 2576’s typical operating SMA was 480-490km. The satellite has maintained its new SMA from 11-16 April. Russia launched Cosmos 2576 into a nearly co-planar orbit with a high-value US reconnaissance satellite, USA 314, on 16 May 2024. Graphic below shows the last known orbits for both Cosmos 2576 and USA 314. Please note USA 314 orbit information is nearly 8 months old.
28 Mar - 11 April: Cosmos 2576 Increased SMA 27.7km (left) Inconsistent with Pattern of Life (right) (celestrak.org)
Cosmos 2576 Maintaining Near Co-Planar Orbit with USA 314 Inclination Difference = 0.7° RAAN Difference = 0.4° NOTE: USA 314 Orbit Data last Update 16 Aug 2025 (saberastro.com)
17 April 2026: Russia launched a Soyuz-2-1b rocket lifted off from Plesetsk with multiple spacecraft for the Ministry of Defense. Announcement of the pending launch was delayed due to the threat of Ukrainian drone strikes. The exact number of payloads has yet to be confirmed, US Space Force has added 10 objects to the catalog (68753-68759 & 68762-68764). Russia used the Volga space tug to place objects in multiple orbital planes. This was the first time the Volga has been used with the Soyuz-2-1b.
Per Bart Hendrickx this was a rather complicated launch profile. “The Volga then seems to have performed several burns to deploy objects E, A and B (in that order). Subsequently, object D ended up in an orbit at roughly the same altitude as object B, but with a different inclination. Object D could be the Volga itself…I’m not sure if the Volga has ever performed as many burns as it seems to have done on this mission. That may explain why not enough propellant was left for a deorbit burn. The only other mission where the Volga was not deorbited was the Kosmos-2535/2536/2537/2538 mission launched in 2019 (using the Soyuz-2.1v). That deployed the satellites in higher orbits above 600 km.”
Per Anatoly Zak: “By April 18, 2026, the US Space Force published tracking data for a total of 10 objects associated with the April 17 launch. The latest objects (F, G, H, J and K) were tracked in a 550-kilometer near-circular orbit with an inclination 96.95 degrees, indicating that they were released from the upper stage after it had completed the inclination-change maneuver. By that time, Object D was tracked in a 463 by 481-kilometer orbit indicating a orbit-lowering maneuver likely designed to accelerate the atmospheric reentry of the spent booster.”
Launch Video.
Soyuz 2.1b Lights the Night Sky (@RussianSpaceWeb via X)
Rendering of Volga Space Tug (w/ Payloads) Separating from Upper Stage
(@RussianSpaceWeb via X)
Soyuz-2-1b Deployed Satellites to Multiple Orbital Planes
(saberastro.com)
2026 SWF: Global Counterspace Capabilities Report Summary
By Dr. Larissa Beavers
8 April 2026: The 2026 Secure World Foundation Global Counterspace Capabilities Report assesses the continued expansion of counterspace capabilities across 13 countries and highlights the increasing integration of space into military operations. While many nations are advancing a wide range of counterspace technologies—including co-orbital, cyber, and electronic warfare—only non-destructive capabilities are currently being employed in active conflicts. The report emphasizes a shift toward persistent, on-orbit capabilities and dynamic space operations, particularly among major powers such as the United States, China, and Russia. It also underscores growing risks to space security, including cyber vulnerabilities, increased electronic warfare activity, and the long-term impact of space debris.
Summary of Major Highlights from the SWF 2026 Global Counterspace Capabilities Report:
- Expansion to 13 countries actively developing counterspace capabilities, with most operational use in conflicts limited to non-destructive methods (EW, cyber)
- Increased global interest in co-orbital systems, including “bodyguard” satellites and spaceplanes, alongside continued RPO activity (U.S., UK, France, Russia)
- China’s advancements include a possible new DA-ASAT interceptor and a sustained on-orbit refueling experiment in 2025, indicating longer-duration space operations
- Russia demonstrated continued RPO operations and GEO maneuver activity, highlighted by the conclusion of the Luch satellite mission across the GEO belt
- Significant rise in electronic warfare activity, including extensive jamming in Iran and reported spoofing of Starlink signals
- Cyber counterspace threats expanded, including breaches of ESA systems, unencrypted GEO satellite comms, and cyber operations observed in the Russia–Ukraine conflict
- Growing interest in non-destructive directed energy (laser) capabilities by France and Germany as alternatives to kinetic ASAT systems
- Policy and doctrinal shifts, including Japan releasing space defense guidelines and North Korea formally enabling military use of space
- Updated debris tracking shows 6,904 cataloged debris pieces from ASAT testing (U.S., Russia, China, India), with 2,773 still on-orbit, reinforcing long-term sustainability concerns
China: HQ-29 Space Defense System
Kim Jong Un gives a speech at the Ninth Party Congress, February 2026
Space Debris as of April 2025
Pics o’ the Fortnight!
Epic Artemis 2 Image Looking Back from Far Side of the Moon
(NASA.gov)
Crew Perspective: Moon fully eclipsing the Sun
(NASA.gov)
Pics o’ the Fortnight!
Artemis 2 Heads towards its RPO with the Moon
(NASA.gov)
“Some interesting ongoings in low-earth orbit recently, with the Xinzhengcheng-1 satellite demonstrating capabilities resembling RPO with the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft”
(@ChinaSpaceGuy via X)
Pics o’ the Fortnight!
“There’s now a NOTAM suggesting the first Long March 10B launch and first stage recovery attempt is scheduled for April 28, with a window extending through April 30.”
(@AJ_FI via Linked In)
Future Family of Long March Boosters
(@CNSpaceflight via X)
23 June 2026: China launched a LM-7A with the TJS-26A (69674) from Wenchang. Chinese official media reported the satellite entered the planned orbit and “will be mainly used for services such as satellite communications, broadcasting and television, and data transmission, as well as for conducting related technology test verifications.” TJS-26A’s mission description is an exact (albeit generic) match to the descriptions China released for both TJS-14 (62804) and TJS-22 (66990). TJS-26A will likely spend ~10 days in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) before Chinese space operators circularize its orbit and park the satellite into its GEO slot. Launch Video.
– A geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) is a highly elliptical Earth orbit used as an intermediate step to place satellites into geosynchronous or geostationary orbit.
- TJS-26A is currently in a highly elliptical orbit (e=.73) with an apogee of 35,819km and perigee of only 186km.
- We’ll need to wait a few more days to determine where China parks TJS-26A. Perhaps its location will give us some clues of relationships with other TJS satellites currently in orbit.
- This is the first TJS satellite to have an “A” suffix, we’ll need to wait to see if there is a TJS-26B down the road.
Big Red Board Announces Succsessful Launch (above) & TJS-26A Mission Patches (below)
(nasaspaceflight.com)
TJS-26A Prepares for Launch (nasaspaceflight.com)
27 Jun 2026: TJS-26A in GTO
Eccentricity = .731 Apogee = 35,819km Perigee = 186km
(celestrak.org & saberastro.com)
China’s Growing TJS Catalog (15 of 24 Have Publicly Unknown Missions
(Gunther’s Space Page, Celestrak.org)
23 Jun 2026: Several observers noted the release of a sub-satellite from the fourth flight of the Chinese Shenlong (Devine Dragon) Spaceplane (67689). The sub-satellite has been named “Object H” (69673) and has maneuvered. Space tracking data shows the object decreased its SMA ~3.6km from 26-27 June 2026. Shenlong does not appear to have made a similar maneuver and is now in a larger orbit than Object H. As we know from the 10:1 rule, Object H now has a slightly shorter orbital period than Shenlong and will slowly move away from its parent satellite. As of 28 June, Object H was 633km from its parent spacecraft. Just for fun: Here’s a link to a 2022 Tik Tok video with the modified LM-2F fairing.
– China launched the latest Shenlong mission on 6 Feb 2026. China also launched its space plane in September 2020 (2-day duration), Aug 2022-May 2023 (276-day duration) and then Dec 2023-Sep 2024 (266-day duaration). In previous missions the spaceplane has released smaller objects on orbit and then conducted RPO with those objects.
– From 26-27 June Chinese space operators reduced Object H’s SMA ~3.6km. Though a small adjustment, the maneuver shortened Object H’s orbital period by ~3 seconds and the two satellites began to separate 6km every orbit (works out to about 90km every 24 hours).
- Depending on how China executed the maneuver, reducing Object H’s SMA 3.6km requires a delta-v of 1-2 m/sec.
22-28 June 2026: Orbit History shows Object H Maneuver (above) resulting in Separation with Parent Spaceplane (below)
(celestrak.org)
27 Jun: Overview of Shenlong and Object H Orbits
(saberastro.com)
10 March 2026: Ground Based Telescope View of China SpacePlane
(Felix Schofbanker)
Modified LM-2F Fairing Used For Shenlong’s 2nd Mission
(https://pbs.twimg.com)
22 Jun: LEO Labs Analysis Showing Object H Deployment
(@LeoLabs_Space via X)
Notional Rendering of Shenlong Space Plane
(space.com)
Only public (in this case on-orbit) image
(@DutchSpace via X)
17 Jun 2026: China launched a Long March-12 with the 22d group of Guowang (China SatNet LEO) satellites from Wenchang. According to official sources, the 9 satellites (69572-69580) entered the preset orbit successfully. As with other Wenchang launches, China placed the satellites into an 50.0° inclined orbit. China launched Group 22 into an orbit west of Group 2 and east of Group 6. Because the Group 22 satellites have an initial average altitude ~250km lower than the Groups 2 and 6 the Group 22 satellites will precess to the west at a greater rate (see graphic) and I suspect Group 22 will eventually become co-planar with Group 2. Once this happens (2-3 months from now) the total number of satellites in that plane will be 18.
There are now 179 operational Guowang satellites in LEO (there are also 3 GEO satellites associated with Guowang). As of 20 Jun 2026, 21 of 22 Guowang groups have reached their operational altitudes and the satellites appear to be much more reliable than their Qianfan counterparts. It appears China may have paused launching to conduct testing over the past two months as this is the first operational Guowang launch since 8 April 2026 (70 day interval). Average time between launch for the first 21 groups was just 24 days. With a stated goal of reaching 310 satellites on orbit by 2027, China will need to launch 131 satellites in the next 5.5 months. Group 22 Launch Video.
– China is building out the Guowang constellation with orbits inclined either 50.0° or 86.5°. Currently there are 119 satellites in 12x 50.0° orbital planes (9 satellites/plane) and 60 satellites in 6x 86.5° orbital planes (10 satellites/plane). Orbit planes have a 30° RAAN separation.
– Launch Summary + number of days to target SMA…1,167.9km for 86.5° or 1,149.3km for 50.0°
- Group 1 (16 Dec 2024): 10 sats on LM-5B. 86.5° inclination (110 days)
- Group 2 (11 Feb 2025): 9 sats on LM-8A. 50.0° inclination (77 days)
- Group 3 (28 Apr 2025): 10 sats on LM-5B. 86.5° inclination (34 days)
- Group 4 (5 Jun 2025): 5 sats on LM-6A. 86.5° inclination (with Gp 9) (106 days)
- Group 5 (27 Jul 2025): 5 sats on LM-6A. 86.5° inclination (with Gp 15) (58 days)
- Group 6 (30 Jul 2025): 9 sats on LM-8A. 50.0° inclination (103 days)
- Group 7 (4 Aug 2025): 9 sats on LM-12. 50.0° inclination. (117 days)
- Group 8 (13 Aug 2025): 10 sats on LM-5B. 86.5° inclination (32 days)
- Group 9 (17 Aug 2025): 5 sats on LM-6A. 86.5° inclination (with Gp 4) (52 days)
- Group 10 (25 Aug 2025): 9 sats on LM-8A. 50.0° inclination. (86 days)
- Group 11 (27 Sep 2025): 5 sats on LM-6A. 86.5° inclination. (with Gp 21) (54 days)
- Group 12 (16 Oct 2025): 9 sats on a LM-8A. 50.0° inclination (85 days)
- Group 13 (10 Nov 2025): 9 sats on a LM-12. 50.0° inclination (95 days)
- Group 14 (6 Dec 2025): 9 sats on a LM-8A. 50.0° inclination. (86 days)
- Group 15 (8 Dec 2025): 5 sats on a LM-6A. 86.5° inclination (with Gp 5) (58 days)
- Group 16 (11 Dec 2025): 9 sats on a LM-12. 50.0° inclination. (102 days)
- Group 17 (25 Dec 2025): 9 sats on LM-8A. 50.0° inclination. (74 days)
- Group 18 (13 Jan 2026): 9 sats on LM-8A. 50.0° inclination (63 days)
- Group 19 (19 Jan 2026): 9 sats on LM-12. 50.0° inclination (64 days)
- Group 20 (12 Mar 2026): 9 sats on LM-8A. 50.0° inclination (57 days)
- Group 21 (8 Apr 2026): 5 sats on LM-6A. 86.5° inclination (with Gp 11) (55 days)
- Group 22 (17 Jun 2026): 9 sats on LM-12. 50.0° inclination (heading toward Gp 2)
– Additional Notes from China In Space:
- “GuoWang satellites launched atop of the Long March 12 and the Long March 8A use the mega-constellations’ small satellite platform, weighing about 695 kilograms each. A large satellite platform, around thirty percent bigger and weighing up to 1,000 kilograms, is launched via the Long March 5B and Long March 6A. Both platforms utilize electric propulsion systems to maneuver in orbit, powered by two solar panels.”
Editor’s Note: The small satellite platform is used for the 50° inclined orbits while the larger platform heads to the 86.5° inclined planes. Unfortunately China is continuing its irresponsible launch protocol of depositing the upperstage rocket bodies in orbits which will take centuries to decay and re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. For this launch the LM-12 rocket body (69581) is in a 910x798km orbit…it will remain in orbit 200-400 years. See S2A systems video of the Rocket Body in orbit.
20 June (top) and 28 Jun (below) Equatorial View of Guowang’s 15 Operational Orbital Planes
Notice Group 22 Slowly Heading West Toward Group 2 and Further from Group 6.
(saberastro.com)
20 June 2026: 6x 86.5° Inclined Planes 30° RAAN Offset
10x Satellites / Plane
(saberastro.com)
20 Jun 2026: 12x 50° Inclined Planes with 30° RAAN Offset
9 Satellites / Group
Group 22 Heading Toward Group 2 Orbit Plane
(saberastro.com)
18 June 2026: Image of 9 Group 22 Satellites
(s2a systems via Linked In)
20 June 2026 View: China Launched Group 22 into Orbit plane East of Group 6 and West of Group 2. Due to Group 22’s lower SMA its RAAN will shift west at a faster rate than Groups 2 or 6. China will time SMA increases to result in Group 22 being co-planar with Group 2. It typically takes 2-3 months for Guowang Satellites to Reach their Operational SMA.
(saberastro.com)
China: Update on Qianfan Group 12 Orbit Location
When we published the 14 June 2026 Flash the Qianfan Group 12 orbits had yet to be cataloged. Recall that on 5 Jun 2026 China launched a LM-8 with 18 Qianfan satellites (69401-69418) from Wenchang. It now appears that the satellites are intended to be co-planar with Group 1.
There are now 200 Qianfan satellites in orbit. Of the 12 Qianfan launches 7 have used the LM-6A from Taiyuan, 4 have used the LM-8 from Hainan (Wenchang) and one has used the LM-12B from Jiuquan.
– All Qianfan planes are inclined 89° with a 20° of RAAN offset between each plane. With the Group 11 launch, 9 planes are in use. SpaceSail may augment Group 2 due to 15 of 18 satellites failing to reach their operational SMA of 1,069km.
Constellation Summary:
– Of 200 Qianfan satellites on orbit, 87 have reached their operational altitudes of 1,069kms.
- Group 1 (60379-60396) (LM-6A launched 6 Aug 2024) : 17 of 18 satellites reached operational SMA. Qianfan 7 (60385) has not maneuvered and may be inoperable.
- Group 2 (61552-61569) (LM-6A launched 15 Oct 2024): Only 3 of 18 satellites (Qianfan 29, 30 & 32) reached their operational SMA.
- Group 3 (62238-62255) (LM-6A launched 5 Dec 2024): 16 of 18 satellites reached their operational SMA. Qianfan 39 (807km) & 42 (810km) likely inoperable. Group 3 is co-planar with Group 10.
- Group 4 (62785-62802)(LM-6A launched 23 Jan 2025) : 18 of 18 satellites reached their operational SMA.
- Group 5 (63159-63176) (LM-8 launched 11 Mar 2025): 16 of 18 satellites reached their operational SMA. Qianfan 77 (904km) & 83 (1,028km) likely inoperable. Co-planar w/ Group 8.
- Group 6 (66033-66050) (LM-6A launched 17 Oct 2025): 17 of 18 satellites reached their operational SMA. Qianfan 101 (66043) (800km) likely inoperable.
- Group 7 (68636-68653): (LM-8 launched 7 Apr 2026): All 18 satellites in process of raising their SMA. Range 1,024-1,063km as of 11 Jun 2026.
- Group 9 (69073-69090): (LM-6 launched 12 May 2026): 17 of 18 satellites in process of raising their SMA. Qianfan 137 (69083) lagging. Range 850-880km as of 11 Jun 2026.
- Group 10 (69104-69121): (LM-8 launched 17 May 2026): All 18 satellites in process of raising their SMA. Initial SMA range is 825-850km. Group 10 is co-planar with Group 3.
- Group 8 (69325-69326): (LM-12B launched 1 Jun 2026): Two satellites launched to 1,034km. Both satellites are in the process of raising their altitudes. Co-planar with Group 5.
- Group 11 (69382-69399): (LM-6A launched 4 Jun 2026): All 18 satellites in process of raising their SMA. Initial SMA range is 805-807km.
- Group 12 (69401-69418): (LM-8 launched 5 Jun 2026): All 18 satellites in process of raising their SMA. Range 810-820km as of 20 June 2026. Co-planar with Group 1.
20 June 2026: Polar View of Current Qianfan Constellation.
200 satellites operating in 9 orbital planes. Planes are inclined 89° & separated by ~20° RAAN. (saberastro.com)
Qianfan is Beginning to Test Consumer Ground Equipment.
“China’s median speed, as of May 2026, is 222 Megabits per second. Hong Kong’s is 350 Megabits per second, while Macao’s is 315 Megabits per second.” (china-in-space.com)
Current Qianfan Constellation consists of 200 satellites operating in 9 orbital planes. Planes are inclined 89° & separated by ~20° RAAN.
(saberastro.com)
Russia Space Based GPS Jamming? Arguments For & Against
By Dr. Larissa Beavers
Recent reporting and technical research suggest that a series of short, wide-area GPS/GNSS outages may be linked to Russian early-warning satellites. The Defense One article summarizes a University of Texas research paper that identified repeated bursts of radio-frequency energy near the GPS/Galileo L1 band. These bursts reportedly lasted about 10 seconds and affected receivers across broad areas from Europe to Greenland and Canada. Because of the large geographic footprint, researchers argue the source was unlikely to be a local ground jammer or aircraft-based system.
Indicators Supporting Attribution:
- Researchers observed at least 75 interference events between 2019 and 2026.
- The events appeared as short, powerful radio-frequency bursts around 1558.5 MHz.
- The affected area was geographically broad, which supports a possible space-based source.
- The University of Texas team used signal-strength patterns and timing data to narrow the likely source to Russian EKS early-warning satellites in Molniya orbits.
- The interference reportedly affected GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou signals, but not Russia’s GLONASS.
- Recent official and open-source reporting shows a broader pattern of Russian-linked GNSS jamming and spoofing across Europe, particularly near Kaliningrad and in the Baltic region.
- If confirmed, this would represent a concerning escalation because a space-based jammer could affect very large regions from orbit.
EKS Coverage
GPS World
Putin Talking with Young Scientists
Defense One
This viewpoint treats the event as part of a larger Russian electronic warfare and counterspace pattern. The strongest argument is not just that GPS was disrupted, but that the scale, timing, frequency, and orbital correlation point toward a Russian satellite-linked source.
A cautious interpretation is still necessary. The strongest skeptical point is that the Russian satellite link is based on technical attribution rather than public government confirmation. The research paper is recent and was submitted for review, meaning its findings should be treated as significant but still open to expert scrutiny. Also, most GNSS interference worldwide continues to come from terrestrial or near-terrestrial sources, including ground jammers, spoofing systems, electronic warfare spillover, and accidental interference.
Key Uncertainties and Alternative Explanations:
- The study confidently links some events to Russian early-warning satellites, but not every event has the same level of attribution.
- Some reporting notes that only a small number of the 75 cases were directly tied to specific satellites; other cases point to the same network based on signal similarity.
- Russia has denied many GNSS interference accusations, and public evidence does not reveal intent.
- The disruptions were short, often around 10 seconds, which raises questions about whether they were intentional jamming, testing, accidental emissions, or another satellite system behavior.
- GNSS interference can be caused by many sources, including ground-based jammers, spoofers, solar activity, receiver problems, or data-processing errors.
- The events have not yet been clearly tied to major operational damage, so claims about strategic effect should be measured.
- More independent validation, classified confirmation, or public technical review would strengthen the conclusion.
The skeptical view does not dismiss the Russian satellite theory, but it argues that attribution and intent remain uncertain. A balanced conclusion is that the evidence is serious and credible, but the public record does not yet prove motive or confirm that every event was deliberate Russian space-based jamming.
Pics o’ the Fortnight!
28 June 2026 Image from FY-4B
(@SegerYU via X)
“Satellite imagery confirms the successful Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Vladimir space communications center, critically damaging its main 25-meter satellite dish, key antennas and core communications facilities.”
(@bayraktar_1love via X)
“Reconstructed @SpaceX June 23 Starfall mission trajectory, based on @Dillonshrop06 elsets, and optical tracking from China: 1. altitude/apogee ~ 900km; 2. plane change maneuver agreed to Australia sighting; 3. fuel dumping event in China at ~ 13:40 UTC; 4. reentry ~ 14:08 UTC.”
(@mickeywzx via X)
19 Jun 2026: Rocket Lab VICTUS HAZE Launch
From Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand
Watch Video
(@RocketLab via X)
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