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NASA Remembers Former NASA Johnson Director George W. S. Abbey
MAR 25, 2024
George W. S. Abbey, former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, died Sunday, March 24, in Houston after an illness. The Seattle native was 91.
“A true visionary, Mr. Abbey demonstrated transformational leadership as Johnson’s seventh center director. During his tenure, the space shuttle flew more than 25 successful missions; the joint U.S. and Russian Shuttle-Mir Program was completed, providing important information for long-duration spaceflight,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA Johnson. “He was instrumental in the Johnson team’s involvement in developing and launching the first elements of the International Space Station, which marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration. On behalf of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, we send our condolences to Mr. Abbey’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
Abbey had a long and storied career in human spaceflight that began with NASA in 1964 and continued beyond his retirement from the agency. As the director of flight operations, he oversaw selection of NASA’s first space shuttle astronauts, mission operations, and the new shuttle program’s approach and landing tests.
From 1987 to 1993, Abbey supported NASA Headquarters in Washington, serving in key roles in human spaceflight, and on the National Space Council. He returned to Johnson in 1994, first as deputy director, then director, leading the development and launch of the space station. Abbey retired from the agency in 2003.
In December 2021, NASA named the Saturn V rocket display park outside Johnson’s main gate for Abbey. Abbey instituted the Longhorn Project, a vital STEM program that provides students with hands-on agricultural experiences and academic scholarships. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence and lasting impact as he will continue to inspire over 1.2 million visitors who visit the George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park annually.
“Abbey’s dedication to human spaceflight remained steadfast. As the NASA family mourns his passing, we are grateful for his leadership and the legacy he leaves behind,” Wyche said.
Abbey is survived by his five children, his eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-remembers-former-nasa-johnson-director-george-w-s-abbey/
Andrew Tate
@Cobratate
This ship was cyber-attacked.
Lights go off and it deliberately steers towards the bridge supports.
Foreign agents of the USA attack digital infrastructures.
Nothing is safe.
Black Swan event imminent.
4:21 AM · Mar 26, 2024
https://twitter.com/Cobratate/status/1772584641024741519?
Optical Fiber Production
MAR 25, 2024
Science in Space: March 2024
Optical fibers are used on Earth and in space for applications in medicine, defense, cybersecurity, and telecommunications. Parabolic research showed that optical fibers produced in microgravity can be higher quality than those made in normal gravity, and the International Space Station provides a potential platform for commercial production of these fibers. The Production of Flawless Space Fiber (Flawless Space Fibers-1) investigation is using the space station to demonstrate new manufacturing technology developed by Flawless Photonics to improve the quality and length of optical fiber produced in space.
Preliminary results have been promising. From mid-February to mid-March, the investigation manufactured a total of more than seven miles (11.9 km) of optical fiber. Eight of the runs (called draws) produced more than 2,200 feet (700 meters) of fiber, demonstrating that the results are repeatable. The investigation also drew more than 3,700 feet (1141 meters) in one day, surpassing the prior record of 82 feet (25 meters) for the longest fiber manufactured in space. Seven of the draws exceeded 2,296 feet (700 meters), demonstrating for the first time that commercial lengths of fiber can be produced in space. The space-drawn fibers are set to return to Earth soon for analysis of their quality.
These fibers are made using ZBLAN, a glass alloy made of zirconium, barium, lanthanum, sodium, and aluminum fluorides, each with different densities and crystallization temperatures. Its unique properties allow light to travel through a fiber over a broader range, providing more than ten times the capacity of traditional silica-based fibers and transmitting considerably more data over the same length of fiber. If fibers can be made long enough and of high enough quality, the increased efficiency of ZBLAN could translate into significant energy savings by reducing the need to boost the signal on long-distance transmissions.
However, when ZBLAN is drawn into fibers on the ground, crystals form that scatter signals and make the fiber brittle. Because crystals grow more slowly in microgravity, the approach is to cool drawn fibers before crystals have a chance to form. Microgravity also counters effects of sedimentation, convection, and buoyancy that limit the length and quality of fibers drawn on Earth. Manufacturers use drop towers to manufacture ZBLAN on Earth, but in-space manufacturing provides much more time to draw longer and eventually better fibers.
The Flawless Space Fibers investigation is sponsored by the ISS National Laboratory and involves support from the Luxembourg Space Agency, University of Adelaide in Australia, and NASA’s InSpace Production Applications (InSPA). InSPA advances sustainable, scalable, and profitable in-space manufacturing in low Earth orbit, working with the ISS National Lab to provide companies with access to the space station for demonstrating production of advanced materials and products for terrestrial applications. Flawless Space Fibers has achieved three of four goals for ZBLAN set by InSPA, including achieving 20 meters on a single run, repeating that amount on a separate draw, and scaling up to runs of commercial length. The analysis of fibers after return to ground is needed to determine whether the investigation meets InSPA’s fourth goal, producing fiber of ten times greater quality than on Earth.
Results may help reduce gravity-induced defects in optical glass products developed on Earth and advance in-space manufacturing models. The investigation also opens the door to creating other valuable specialty fibers in space.
NASA conducted early work processing ZBLAN in microgravity through Marshall Space Flight Center in the 1990s and early 2000s. Development of ZBLAN manufacturing on the space station began in 2014.
Other investigations that examined manufacturing ZBLAN optic fibers in microgravity include Optical Fiber Production in Microgravity (Made In Space Fiber Optics), which conducted the first privately funded ZBLAN fiber draw, Fiber Optic Production, and Fiber Optic Production-2 (FOP-2), which first demonstrated repeated production of 20-meter lengths of fiber in microgravity. Another investigation, Fiber Optics Manufacturing in Space (Space Fibers), developed by FOMS Inc, first demonstrated a fully operational space facility for fiber manufacturing.1
These efforts support commercial development of space and low Earth orbit and offer opportunities for development of next-generation technologies in space for applications on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/optical-fiber-production/
March's Full Worm Moon wriggles its way through a subtle lunar eclipse in stunning photos
Mar 25, 2024
March's full moon, the Worm Moon, rose over Earth on Sunday, March 24, exactly two weeks before the total solar eclipse that will sweep over North America on April 8, 2024.
Not to be left out of the eclipse action, the Worm Moon was marked by a slightly less dramatic lunar eclipse. The moon slipped into the Earth's outer shadow, the penumbra, late Sunday night, early Monday morning.
Skywatchers in North America and South America were in the best position to spot this penumbral eclipse warm-up for the total solar eclipse main event next month, but that didn't stop skywatchers across the globe from capturing stunning images of the Worm Moon.
cont.
https://www.space.com/march-full-moon-lunar-eclipse-2024-photos
=Defense, military, intelligence agencies, all have a hand in U.S. space acquisitions==
March 25, 2024
The U.S. Space Force was formed in 2019 to oversee military space activities, but acquisitions of space technologies remain scattered across a web of agencies.
This creates a bureaucratic labyrinth for companies and lawmakers alike, said Steve Jordan Tomaszewski, senior director of national security space at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA).
“We constantly field inquiries about who buys what in the national security space arena,” he said.
In response, AIA published an infographic highlighting 15 organizations that are major players in national security space acquisition across the Defense Department and the intelligence community.
“We recognize that this is not an all encompassing list, but we thought this would be helpful to show the state of play, a current snapshot in time,” said Tomaszewski.
From rockets and satellites to sensors, orbital vehicles, ground systems, software, and other cutting-edge technologies, the purchasing pipeline is a maze that even seasoned professionals struggle to navigate, he said.
Although there is a Space Force in charge of space, “they’re not the only space player in town,” Tomaszewski said.
“There’s a lot of senior leaders across industry, Capitol Hill, the Department of Defense and intelligence community that would benefit from having an updated snapshot of who the major stakeholders are,” he added.
https://spacenews.com/defense-military-intelligence-agencies-all-have-a-hand-in-u-s-space-acquisitions/
Space Force Guardians advance SOF Space interoperability during Emerald Warrior exercise
March 25, 2024
Air Force Special Operations Command, in collaboration with the United States Space Force Special Operations Element (USSFSOE), unveiled the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron full suite of capabilities for the first time during its annual Emerald Warrior exercise, underscoring the unique and invaluable role of USSF Guardians in advancing SOF Space integration.
Emerald Warrior is an AFSOC-sponsored combined joint exercise that provides realistic, relevant, high-end training to prepare special operations forces, conventional forces and international partners for the evolving strategic environment.
The USSFSOE coordinated Guardian support to deliver specialized space expertise, space-related intelligence and integration over the three-week exercise. As representatives of the newest service, the USSFSOE is responsible for space coordination and support to U.S. Special Operations Command.
“The United States Space Force Special Operations Element is strengthening the SOF-Space relationship by integrating our service capabilities into SOCOM exercises like Emerald Warrior,” said Maj. Jonathan Green, USSFSOE plans and programs chief. “These exercises and training opportunities provide Guardians and SOF personnel with much needed interoperability for future joint operations.”
Support for the exercise from the 527th SAS included joint personnel from the USAF, USMC and USSF.
During the exercise, they replicated satellite communication and GPS-based electromagnetic interference to emulate a contested, degraded, operationally limited environment prevalent in areas of operation around the world. This support provided operators the real-world experience that they require.
“Our team allows units to operate in a realistic radio frequency limited environment, providing commanders the benefit of preparing their units with the most effective training,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Bryan Hernandez, 527th SAS mission commander.
“The relationship between the USSF and special operations is imperative as we address next-generation challenges related to great power competition,” said Green. “We will continue to integrate space capabilities and personnel with special operations to meet joint warfighter needs.”
https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3718668/space-force-guardians-advance-sof-space-interoperability-during-emerald-warrior/
https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/other/ufos-over-europe-inside-the-eu-s-first-conference-on-unidentified-aerial-phenomena/ar-BB1kuS4I
UFOs Over Europe? - Inside the EU's First Conference on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Mar 25, 2024
How did this UAP conference come about in the EU Parliament?
Francisco Guerreiro, a Green Member of the European Parliament, immediately asked the European Commission after the hearing of U.S. whistleblower David Grusch in the U.S. Congress in July 2023 whether there is also information about UAPs in the EU. The Commission's response indicated that no EU agency deals with this. However, it is known that several member states have been conducting UAP research for decades, such as Spain, Italy, and France, and extensive secret files have been released.
In other countries like Germany, however, the military and government remain silent. "The aim of this event is to open a debate about UAPs in the EU Parliament," Guerreiro said. The goal is to eliminate the stigma associated with the topic in aviation, the military, journalism, and politics.
Who was present and what was discussed?
In addition to UFO researchers from several EU countries, interested parliamentarians were also present (recording here). André Jol from the UAP Coalition Netherlands explained how UAPs differ from ordinary objects and why they could potentially threaten air safety. Italian researcher Edoardo Russo from the scientific European research network EuroUFO gave a general overview of the phenomenon and pointed out that almost all EU countries have already been affected by UAP sighting waves.
Swedish astronomer Dr. Beatriz Villarroel from the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of Stockholm talked about how science deals with UAPs. The big stigma surrounding the topic is the reason why UAPs have hardly been researched in the last 70 years. However, there are some promising results. Villarroel found some anomalous rows of lights in the night sky that appeared and disappeared within minutes on sky photos from the time before the launch of the first human satellite, Sputnik.
From the USA, former US Navy pilot and founder of "Americans for Safe Aerospace" Ryan Graves spoke. He pointed to the reliability of pilot reports and the necessity to systematically collect UAP data. Governments play an important role in freeing UAPs from their stigma.
Were direct witnesses to the phenomenon also present?
Dutch pilot Christiaan van Heijst made it clear that UAPs are not an American invention. In his 20 years as a cargo pilot, he has already seen inexplicable objects over Europe several times. Once, a very bright light shot down in front of the plane at an incredible speed over Germany. "It made the clouds beneath the plane glow, it was not a reflection," said the experienced professional pilot. He observed something similar years later over Greece. "Suddenly a very bright light appeared directly in front of us in the night sky," the pilot remembered, "It appeared and disappeared four times in a row and moved differently to satellites or planes. After the fourth time, it suddenly shot off at an incredible speed."
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Since he first spoke publicly about it two years ago, more pilots with similar experiences have approached him. "My colleagues have reported glowing or silver objects hovering next to the cockpit of their plane and sometimes flying near the speed of sound. Others have reported groups of pulsating lights that overtook them or flew at great height and speed," said the pilot. The observations are very different and cannot be classified. "The stigma must be overcome so that pilots and military personnel can openly report without having to fear consequences."
Why are UAPs a topic for the EU Parliament?
Parliamentarian Guerreiro pointed out that the EU could lose its trust in the population if it does not deal with the topic in a transparent manner. "The whole world is talking about it, the U.S. Congress has dealt with it, but in the EU, I have not heard any debate about it yet," said the parliamentarian.
So far there is no uniform, EU-wide system for reporting, monitoring, and analyzing UAP sightings. The phenomenon needs to be researched in a coordinated manner and the stigma reduced. UAPs should be taken into account in EU laws to better deal with them, for example in air traffic safety or in space.
How has the European Parliament responded to the topic of UAPs so far and what measures have been taken?
Ten European countries have already released military or intelligence files on UAPs, others are still pending. The last time the EU Parliament dealt with the question was in the early 1990s when Belgium was hit by a massive wave of UAP sightings.
At that time, the EU Parliament's Committee on Energy, Research, and Technology launched an investigation and asked individual EU states about their handling of the phenomenon. Elevating the French state UAP research authority GEIPAN to the rank of an EU authority was suggested, in order to research UAPs in a coordinated manner. After an EU election, however, the project fizzled out. The phenomenon is still present and is increasingly posing a serious problem for flight safety.
What's next?
After all, some of the members present also showed interest in UAPs, such as José Penedo del Rio, Chief Political Affairs of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in Cologne. He pointed out that there is already an EU-wide system for reporting flight safety-relevant events. It is possible that pilots will increasingly use this little-known system to report their UAP incidents, thereby raising awareness at EU level that there is a real need for action. Guerreiro recently introduced a resolution for pilots to do this free of stigma.
But all in all, Guerreiro seems to be standing alone in parliament. In addition, he will not run for the European elections in June, so the question remains as to what will happen to his project after that. Only one thing seems certain: the phenomenon will continue – sooner or later, UAPs will land on the European Parliament’s table again.
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Bizarre ring-shaped 'UFOs' in the sky spark wild Project Blue Beam conspiracy theories
09:40 ET, MAR 25 2024
UFO enthusiasts are enthralled by these pictures of supposed ring-shaped UFOs spotted over Arizona. Some conspiracists think these rings might be part of the strange Project Blue Beam conspiracy.
The pictures were posted on the UFO Sightings Footage Facebook page on Sunday, March 24. The post said: "Need I say anything more, this was in Arizona north of Phoenix but south of Flagstaff."
One photo shows half a circle of light up in the sky. The other two photos have three circles all in a row. Over 4,000 people have liked the post.
In the comments, someone asked: "We sure these aren't angels getting ready for the rapture? " Someone else thought: "That looks like revelations type stuff." Another person wrote: "They are coming. This is a warning."
Another person simply wrote: "blue beam", which refers to the Project Blue Beam conspiracy. The theory suggests there's a plan to make a world government after pretending aliens have invaded.
But not everyone believes the pictures are real. One person said: "Looks like a photoshop job to me." Another person wasn't sure either, saying: "Sorry but it clearly looks like a reflection from the picture taken out a window reflecting indoor lighting."
Some people believed the lights were due to a "very rare weather phenomenon". These theories multiplied when reports of similar sightings came from different places across the US.
Some people believed the lights were due to a "very rare weather phenomenon". These theories multiplied when reports of similar sightings came from different places across the US.
https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/bizarre-ring-shaped-ufos-sky-32435777