Interview with Dr. Jonathan McDowell: The Man Who Tracks All Launches

In the age of record-breaking satellite launches, private space companies, and expanding mega-constellations, one man has quietly earned the reputation of being the most reliable launch tracker in the world — and he does it independently. I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Jonathan McDowell, astrophysicist at the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and creator of Jonathan’s Space Report, to dive into the world of orbital mechanics, satellite transparency, and the future of launch data analysis.

The Origins of Jonathan’s Space Report

When Dr. McDowell started his newsletter in 1989, his goal was simple: improve public access to accurate launch records. Frustrated by inconsistencies in official sources, he began manually compiling every satellite launch, orbital insertion, and maneuver — a project that has grown into the gold standard for independent spaceflight data. “It was never meant to be this big,” McDowell told me, “but people needed a reliable record.”

His method? A mix of public orbital data, radio intercepts, observational reports, and cross-verification with global catalogs. Over the years, his work has corrected numerous official launch logs — including misidentified payloads and undocumented maneuvers — earning him a devoted following among both professionals and amateur space enthusiasts.

Why Orbits Matter: LEO, MEO, GEO, and Beyond

One of the most valuable parts of our conversation was Dr. McDowell’s breakdown of orbital zones. For students entering the field, these are more than acronyms:

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – Fast, low-altitude orbits ideal for Earth observation and broadband constellations like Starlink.

• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) – Home to GPS and navigation satellites with longer coverage times.

• Geostationary Orbit (GEO) – 35,786 km above Earth, where satellites match Earth’s rotation and remain fixed over one location.

• Beyond GEO – Includes highly elliptical orbits and cislunar missions that support science and exploration far beyond Earth.

“The orbit you choose defines your mission,” McDowell emphasized. “It affects coverage, latency, cost, and sustainability.”

The Rise of Mega-Constellations

We also discussed the growing concern around orbital traffic management. Dr. McDowell has closely tracked the expansion of constellations like Starlink and OneWeb, which have introduced new complexity into space situational awareness. “We’re launching thousands of satellites a year now. That used to be a decade’s worth of activity,” he said. With more satellites comes a greater need for open data, collision tracking, and regulatory oversight — areas where McDowell believes transparency is still lagging.

Space Intelligence in the Public Domain

One of the most powerful insights from our conversation was Dr. McDowell’s belief in democratizing access to orbital information. While many national space agencies keep certain missions classified, McDowell and others in the open-source community use physics, orbital paths, and publicly available telemetry to reconstruct what’s happening above us — often faster than the official reports.

This is not just a technical feat, but an act of scientific responsibility, he says. “People deserve to know what’s flying over their heads.”

Advice for Future Aero Students

I closed the interview by asking what students — especially those interested in data-driven aerospace careers — should focus on today. His advice was simple and actionable:

• Learn Python and basic orbital mechanics

• Follow global launch activity through sites like Jonathan’s Space Report or CelesTrak

• Get comfortable with interpreting TLEs (Two-Line Elements) and using tools like GMAT or STK

• And above all, stay curious