NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

Aug 18, 2023

Northern Pluto

Gaze across the frozen canyons of northern Pluto in this contrast enhanced color scene. The image data used to construct it was acquired in July 2015 by the New Horizons spacecraft as it made the first reconnaissance flight through the remote Pluto system six billion kilometers from the Sun. Now known as Lowell Regio, the region was named for Percival Lowell, founder of the Lowell Observatory. Also famous for his speculation that there were canals on Mars, Lowell started the search that ultimately led to Pluto's discovery in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh. In this frame Pluto's North Pole is above and left of center. The pale bluish floor of the broad canyon on the left is about 70 kilometers (45 miles) wide, running vertically toward the south. Higher elevations take on a yellowish hue. New Horizon's measurements were used to determine that in addition to nitrogen ice, methane ice is abundant across Lowell Regio. So far, Pluto is the only Solar System world named by an 11-year-old girl.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html?

‘Flying aliens’ in Peru actually miners with jetpacks, police say

AUG 17, 2023 / 01:58 PM CDT

• Villagers described alien-like beings harassing and attacking them

• Police say the attackers are actually illegal gold miners with jetpacks

• The attacks were likely an effort to keep villagers away from mining pits

(NewsNation) — The truth is out there, and it appears that the flying aliens reportedly attacking villagers in Peru are actually human miners with jetpacks.

The beings were reportedly attacking an isolated, indigenous village in Peru’s Maynas province, harassing the villagers and attempting to kidnap a 15-year-old girl.

Villagers described the creatures as silver-colored, with long heads and faces and yellow eyes that floated about a meter above the ground. Some accounts described them as seven feet tall, and one leader said they had protective armor.

Authorities, however, have a different explanation for the attacks. After traveling to the remote village, a 10-hour boat trip away from the province’s capital, officers with the Peruvian Navy and National Police had a much more Earth-bound theory.

They say the attacks are actually originating with illegal gold mining gangs from Brazil and Colombia. Investigators said the gangs were using state-of-the-art technology like jetpacks or thrusters that allowed them to fly.

Police said the gangs began using jetpacks to explore deeper into the forest and were targeting the villagers to keep them away from their mining pits.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/ufo/flying-aliens-peru-actually-miners/

BAE Systems to acquire Ball Aerospace for $5.5 billion

August 17, 2023

WASHINGTON — BAE Systems, a defense and security conglomerate based in the United Kingdom, announced Aug. 17 it intends to acquire Ball Aerospace for $5.5 billion.

Ball Aerospace, based in Westminster, Colorado, is a manufacturer of spacecraft, components and other systems for military, civil and commercial space applications.

The acquisition would give BAE Systems “strong growth potential in areas aligned with the U.S. intelligence community and Department of Defense’s highest priorities,” the company said in a statement.

With $26 billion in annual revenues, BAE Systems has a significant U.S. presence. The U.S. government is now its largest customer. BAE’s U.S. subsidiary, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, supports large DoD programs in air, land, sea and cyber warfare.

In the military space sector, BAE has a large GPS user equipment business.

“The proposed acquisition of Ball Aerospace is a unique opportunity,” said Charles Woodburn, chief Executive of BAE Systems. “It’s rare that a business of this quality, scale and complementary capabilities, with strong growth prospects and a close fit to our strategy, becomes available.”

Workforce with security clearances

Ball Aerospace’s $3 billion portfolio includes sensors, spacecraft, data services and components. Another $5 billion in Ball contracts booked were not yet added to the backlog, the company said in February.

Ball has 5,200 employees, and more than 60% hold U.S. security clearances.

Its military space business includes a contract to build satellites for the U.S. Space Force and the Space Development Agency.

BAE said Ball Aerospace is “well positioned in highly attractive markets, military and civil space, missiles and munitions.”

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and conditions. BAE said the targeted completion date is in the first half of 2024.

Vertical Research Partners, a financial advisory firm, said in a note to investors that news of the acquisition is no surprise as it had been rumored for the last couple of months,

“Ball gives BAE significantly more exposure to the growing government space market,” VRP said.

“The tricky part for BAE management remains ahead,” said the note from VRP. “Firstly we shall see what the regulatory response is from the U.S. Department of Justice, though the recent clearance of the Aerojet transaction bodes well.”

https://spacenews.com/bae-systems-to-acquire-ball-aerospace-for-5-5-billion/

>>19382029

I got a good kek out of it too