Proxima Report

Proxima Report

The Proxima Report Staff Account!

NASA's space Shuttle Endeavour's heat shield being inspected by the crew aboard the ISS

Heat Shield

A heat shield protects spacecraft from extreme temperatures during atmospheric entry, using specialized materials to manage heat and prevent structural damage.

Starship reentering Earth's Atmosphere during its fifth test flight

Reentry

Reentry is the process of a spacecraft returning through Earth's atmosphere, where intense heating and aerodynamic forces slow it down for recovery or landing.

Natural color enhanced image of Earth as seen from Geostationary Orbit (GEO) taken by the Meteosat-9 and Meteosat-10 Satellites

Geostationary Orbit (GEO)

Geostationary orbit (GEO) is a special orbit that allows satellites to remain above approximately the same point on Earth's surface.

The United States' specifically New York as seen from orbit on the International Space Station

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Low Earth orbit (LEO) is the region of space closest to Earth, widely used by satellites, space stations, and crewed spacecraft.

NASA's NSTAR ion thruster doing a test fire in a vacuum chamber at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

What is Specific Impulse (ISP)?

Specific impulse (Isp) measures how efficiently a rocket engine uses propellant. Learn how it works, compare the RS-25 and F-1 engines, and explore the tradeoffs behind chemical, ion, and nuclear propulsion.

What is Delta-V?

What is Delta-V?

Delta-V is the hidden limit behind every space mission. It’s the budget that decides how far a spacecraft can go, and what it can afford to do.

SpaceX's Starship-SuperHeavy Rocket sits on the pad at Boca Chica during a beautiful Sunset before Flight 13

Proxima Report - Q3 2026

The Q3 2026 Proxima Report examines the quarter’s defining moments in space, from orbital launches and major missions to industry funding, economic developments, and the events shaping the road ahead.

ISS long-exposure image showing Earth’s horizon and colorful star trails created by orbital motion above the atmosphere.

What Are Orbital Mechanics? A Beginners Guide

Orbital mechanics is the foundation of spaceflight. It explains how satellites stay in orbit and how spacecraft travel between worlds. This guide breaks down the core principles in a clear, practical way.