← OrbVeil

Blog

Technical updates, findings, and insights from the OrbVeil team

2026-03-198 min read

TraCSS Satellite Service: What It Does and What It Misses

NOAA's TraCSS gives small operators free CDMs — but raw conjunction data isn't a decision. Here's how TraCSS and OrbVeil work together to close that gap.

2026-03-198 min read

TraCSS Satellite Service: What It Does and What It Misses

NOAA's TraCSS gives small operators free CDMs — but raw conjunction data isn't a decision. Here's how TraCSS and OrbVeil work together to close that gap.

2026-02-1213 min read

Russian Luch/Olymp Satellite Destroyed: The $1.8 Trillion Space Debris Cascade

On January 30, 2026, Russia's Luch/Olymp satellite was destroyed in its graveyard orbit—a zone considered safe. Now $190+ billion in space infrastructure faces catastrophic cascade risk.

2026-02-1115 min read

What is Kessler Syndrome? The Cascading Space Debris Problem Explained

Kessler Syndrome explained: How space debris cascades could trap humanity on Earth. Real examples from 2009 Iridium-Cosmos and 2007 ASAT tests, plus current monitoring solutions.

2026-02-1114 min read

Building a Satellite Tracker on a $250 Computer: Edge Computing in Space Tech

How to build a satellite collision tracker on NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano: screening 29,790 objects in 9.6 seconds using edge computing, SGP4, and Python. Complete technical guide.

2026-02-1117 min read

SGP4 vs High-Precision Orbit Propagation: When Good Enough Is Good Enough

Technical deep-dive: What is SGP4, how does it work, accuracy vs numerical propagation, when SGP4 is good enough for screening vs when you need high-fidelity models.

2026-02-1115 min read

Space Debris by the Numbers: 2026 Statistics and Trends

Comprehensive space debris statistics for 2026: 29,790+ tracked objects, 100M+ untracked fragments, debris by orbit (LEO/MEO/GEO), growth trends, and conjunction data from daily screening runs.

2026-02-1113 min read

Starlink Collision Risk: How 6,000+ Satellites Changed Orbital Safety

Data-driven analysis of Starlink collision risk: 6,200+ satellites, conjunction screening data, mega-constellation safety implications, and orbital crowding at 540-570 km.

2026-02-095 min read

We Found 441 Close Approaches in 6 Seconds on a $250 Computer

OrbVeil's first full-catalog screening found 441 close approaches in 5.8 seconds on a $249 Jetson Orin Nano. Now screening 29,790 objects in under 10 seconds daily.

2026-02-099 min read

CubeSat Collision Avoidance & Monitoring Guide

CubeSat collision avoidance guide for university teams and small satellite operators. Learn monitoring strategies, tools, and affordable safety solutions.

2026-02-0914 min read

FCC 5-Year Deorbit Rule: What Satellite Operators Need to Know

Complete guide to the FCC's 5-year deorbit rule for satellite operators. Understand compliance requirements, timelines, penalties, and how to build a deorbit plan that satisfies regulators.

2026-02-0913 min read

How Satellite Collision Prediction Works

Technical deep-dive into satellite collision prediction: SGP4 propagation, TLE accuracy limits, KD-tree indexing, and close approach algorithms. Real code examples.

2026-02-0915 min read

Open Source Satellite Tracking Tools in 2026: The Complete Guide

Comprehensive guide to open-source satellite tracking and space situational awareness tools in 2026. Covers orbit propagation, conjunction screening, ground station software, and visualization.

2026-02-099 min read

Satellite Collision Risk Assessment Guide (2026)

Learn how satellite collision risk assessment works, why conjunction screening matters for every operator, and how to track space debris threats. Free tools inside.

2026-02-0916 min read

Validating Satellite Conjunction Screening Against Real CDM Data

We validated our TLE-based conjunction screening against 100 real Conjunction Data Messages from Space-Track. Here's what we found — the good, the bad, and the physics.