Jonathan O'Callaghan
Freelance space journalist. British Science Journalist of the Year 2024. Words in The New York Times, Scientific American, New Scientist, BBC, WIRED, + more.
Bangkok, Thailand
jdaoca@gmail.com
@astro_jonny on Twitter
jonathanocallaghan.com
- You can already comment on SpaceX's application for one million satellites www.pcmag.com/news/fcc-fas...
- SpaceX just applied to launch a million satellites, but why? The satellites are intended for vast orbital data centres in orbit. But is it a serious proposal, a land grab, a joke – or all of the above? Story by me in @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2514...
- Can anyone confirm - was the previous largest FCC filing for satellites, before SpaceX's one million satellite application, SpaceX's 2019 Starlink application (30,000 + 12,000)?
- Bump on this - looking for an expert specifically on orbital data centres available in the next few hours. If that's you let me know!
- Hey space people, another request. I'm looking for experts to talk to this week about in-space manufacturing for a feature I'm writing. If that's you, or you have people you'd recommend, do let me know. Thanks! jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
- Three years ago, a monster neutrino crashed into to an unfinished detector off the coast of Italy. The event has remained unexplained until now. Could an exploding primordial black hole be the answer? Super fun to write this for @quantamagazine.bsky.social www.quantamagazine.org/monster-neut...
- Hey space people, I’m looking for experts to comment and provide some insight on SpaceX’s application for a million satellites. If that’s you drop me a line. Thanks! jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com
- Wow, Artemis 2 could launch next weekend on Sunday 8 Feb. Didn’t realise the first launch opportunity was so soon! www.nasa.gov/blogs/missio...
- Reposted by Jonathan O'Callaghan[Not loaded yet]
- Early contender for best astronomy acronym of 2026: Search for Transient Object in New observations using Known Sources (STONKS) arxiv.org/abs/2601.19328
- My latest, for Quanta!
- SpaceX's Starlink dodged 300,000 collisions in 2025. That's nearly 40 maneuvers per satellite, and it's rising fast – possibly hitting 1 million maneuvers in 2027. "If they make a mistake, we’re in really big trouble.” Story by me in @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2512...
- This is cool, and very true. We even have a few monitor lizards that live in our kids' school in Bangkok! www.bbc.com/travel/artic...
- Reposted by Jonathan O'CallaghanI just thought everyone should see this
- Scientists have come up with an amazing way to monitor falling space junk – by tracking sonic booms it produces like a mexican wave as it tears through the atmosphere. Really cool paper, and my first weekly post on Extraordinary Claims, my new Substack. Enjoy! open.substack.com/pub/xclaims/...
- Prediction: this is the year two satellites/objects collide in space for the first time since 2009. Not guaranteed, but several thousand Starlinks + several hundred Chinese satellites + several hundred Amazon Leo (and others) to launch. Already we’re seeing a ton of manoeuvres. Could be the year.
- Reminder that I've got a new Substack called Extraordinary Claims where I'll be delving into an interesting space paper/news piece every week. Like space? Like writing? Like space writing? Then go no further! My first proper post is dropping in just 5 hours. Don't miss it! xclaims.substack.com
- Hello all! Because I like to procrastinate instead of doing my actual work, I have started a Substack called Extraordinary Claims. Every week I'll be focusing on an interesting piece of space research, and my first post is -gasp- later today. Subscribe if you dare. Thanks! xclaims.substack.com
- I think this quite well sums up Boomer vs Millennial eating habits
- In September NASA launched the IMAP mission to study the edge of the Solar System – from the comfort of our own home. My latest story for BBC Science Focus delves into what the mission is doing, and what it will tell us about the boundary to interstellar space. www.sciencefocus.com/space/hunt-e...
- We are 22 days into 2026. Here are the major developments in mega constellations already: - SpaceX is moving 4,400 satellites into a lower orbit - China applies for 200,000 satellites - Blue Origin announces new 5,000-satellite constellation
- Ah good old 4056440205544338944, rolls off the tongue
- This is pretty wild www.propublica.org/article/spac...
- This aged well
- Me on Times Radio chatting about NASA's medical emergency on the ISS earlier today. Enjoy! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr4B...
- UK radio interview from a car park across the world in Bangkok. The wonders of technology.
- It’s early days but I already think mega constellations are the topic I’ll be covering most this year. Lots of developments.
- China has applied to launch 200,000 satellites, creating the world’s largest mega constellation. But why, and is it realistic? Story by me in @newscientist.com www.newscientist.com/article/2511...
- Two years - TWO YEARS! - until we launch to Titan. www.nasa.gov/missions/dra...
- Also talking about dates, it's a bit mad that JWST will turn 5 this year.
- Pleased to have written an article on Commercial Space Stations for MIT Tech Review's 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2026. Enjoy! www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/12/1...
- I am officially back from holiday, and I have a shiny new portfolio website to show for it. Editors, if you’re looking for some space coverage, or just have a burning question about Bangkok, get in touch! jdaoca[at]gmail[dot]com jonathanocallaghan.com
