TYB
NASA’s DART Mission Didn't Just 'Redirect' an Asteroid, But Also Reshaped It:
Feb 27, 2024
Deflecting an asteroid by knocking off course with a rocket might sound like something out of a grade schooler’s creative writing homework, but NASA really did that. NASA's DART mission, short for Double Asteroid Redirection Test, was a historic experiment launched in September 2022. It successfully slammed a spacecraft into a small asteroid named Dimorphos, not to destroy it, but to nudge it slightly — demonstrating our ability to deflect potentially dangerous asteroids in the future.
Now, new research suggests the DART mission may have significantly changed the shape of the tiny asteroid Dimorphos, rather than just nudging it off course. This not only offers clues about Dimorphos' formation, but also means the upcoming mission to study it won't find an impact crater, but a potentially "reformed" asteroid.
As humanity's first attempt at such a feat, DART left scientists unsure about long-term effects and what it might reveal about the asteroid itself. Enter planetary scientist Sabina Raducan and her team who, instead of observing Dimorphos directly, ran simulations. They virtually recreated Dimorphos, the DART impact, and analyzed the observed effects, like momentum transfer, ejected material (ejecta cone), and the unknown: Dimorphos' composition and density.
Asteroids come in different "builds." Some are dense, like leftover planetary chunks. Others are "rubble piles," loosely bound collections of dust and rock. Both Didymos and Dimorphos belong to the latter category.
Interestingly, the simulations suggest DART didn't leave a crater. Instead, the impact caused a "global resurfacing" of the asteroid, hinting at an extremely weak, "rubble pile-ier" Dimorphos than previously thought. Its strength is estimated to be less than a few pascals, comparable to asteroids Ryugu and Bennu, previously explored by spacecraft.
The simulations also suggest Dimorphos is quite low-density, around 2.4 grams per cubic centimeter – denser than Ryugu and Bennu, but still much less than Earth. This, combined with the ejected boulder density, further supports the "rubble pile baby" theory. The model proposes Dimorphos formed from debris shed by Didymos due to its spin. Over time, this debris clumped together into the loose, reshaped asteroid we "smacked" with DART.
The European Space Agency's upcoming Hera mission will be crucial in verifying these findings. If Hera's observations align with the simulations, we'll gain valuable insights into not only Dimorphos' evolution but also asteroid formation, binary systems, and future deflection strategies.
This research doesn't just tell us about Dimorphos; it highlights the potential for similar asteroids to be easily reshaped. Overall, it provides valuable knowledge for future asteroid exploration and deflection efforts, reminding us that space exploration is full of unexpected discoveries, even from a well-planned "cosmic nudge."
https://weather.com/en-IN/india/space/news/2024-02-28-nasa-dart-mission-reshaped-an-asteroid
Gen. Miller visits Cavalier SFS
Feb. 27, 2024
U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. David Miller, Jr., commander of Space Operations Command, visited USSF Guardians and U.S. Air Force Airmen stationed with the 10th Space Warning Squadron at Cavalier Space Force Station, Feb. 22-23.
The mission of 10 SWS is to provide flawless missile warning and space domain awareness to enable space combat operations, while operating the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization system, tracking more than half of all earth-orbiting objects. During Miller's first visit to Cavalier SFS as the SpOC commander, he met with leadership and received briefings on the 10 SWS capabilities and limitations to effectively generate and field combat ready forces.
“The strategic location of Cavalier Space Force Station is one that fields over half of the Space Force’s viewing area,” Miller said. “Now that the Space Force has been built, we must continue our charge of displaying a warfighting force of the future. We must continue to empower and fully develop these Guardians.”
During the visit, Miller shared the importance of his three lines of effort; Generate and Improve Combat Ready Forces, Lead as USSF Service Force Provider, and Proactively Engage as the USSF Combat Forces Proponent, while also focusing on the sacrifices of those families stationed with their loved ones.
Ten SWS members and their families got the opportunity to meet with Miller during a town hall, to discuss quality of life, mission and the importance of the families serving with the Space Force.
“Anything we [Space Operations Command] can do for our families, is a very important part of this enterprise. We need to embrace them as much as our service members,” Miller said. “Thank you to our families, it is not easy and what you do here to support the space mission is invaluable.”
While the Space Force continues developing as the Department of Defense’s newest branch, leaders like Miller aim to ensure Guardians and Airmen alike are equipped with the resources they need for the U.S. Space Force to remain a ready and capable force.
"America has given us the best in the world, each Guardian has been handpicked." Miller concluded. “Together we will continue to do better each and every day, that is what professionals do.”
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3688779/gen-miller-visits-cavalier-sfs/
Disc-shaped UFO is filmed by Ukrainian military in warzone: 'What the f*** is this… maybe ram it?
UPDATED: 17:12 EST, 27 February 2024
A disc-shaped, completely silent UFO was caught on camera by Ukrainian troops in the war-torn country, in footage shared exclusively with DailyMail.com.
'What the f-[expletive] is this? Why isn't it moving?' the men with Ukraine's 406th Battalion can be heard debating as they witnessed the deadly calm UFO hovering over their warzone.
While the size, altitude, and shape of the object remain a mystery, the drone's own altitude indicates that the apparent object could be a large craft over 30 miles away.
The eerie footage was captured by the 406th Battalion this month via one of the over 300 'heat vision' quadcopter drones used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in their effort to defend the nation from a now two-years long invasion by Russia.
Based on the thermal-imaging drone's temperature range, the UFO was warmer than its surroundings ('black hot'), although a red 'error message' on the drone's control interface leaves key details unresolved, as experts told DailyMail.com.
The incident is just the latest UFO case over Ukraine's war-torn soil, fueling decades of speculation on the possible intent of the airborne mysteries and adding weight to the testimony of military witnesses who have seen UFOs disable nuclear weapons.
One member of the 406th declares that the object is 'a UFO, for sure.'
'It is staying in place, on the screen. Zoom in more,' the troops continue debating.
'It's standing still, do you see?'
Their conversation, spoken in their native Ukrainian, was translated and confirmed by several translators, who reviewed the footage on behalf of DailyMail.com.
The mysterious, airborne object, while still unidentified, bears a striking resemblance to the 'Baghdad Phantom' — the skinny, cylindrical object spotted above Iraq in May 2022 by the infrared 'heat' camera of a US Air Force Reaper drone.
In the final moments of the 406th's clip of their Ukrainain UFO encounter, one member can be heard — possibly joking — that they should 'maybe ram it' with their tiny, two-pound quadcopter.
Ukraine's 406th was gifted their commercial DJI brand Mavic 3T thermal-imaging drone via the fundraising efforts of the DeepInspire Foundation, war correspondent Joe Lindsley, who runs the Lviv Lab media center, and other humanitarian activists.
Writing from Kharkiv, Lindsley told DailyMail.com that his team has sent supplies to active duty servicemen with the 406th 'over the past year.'
The battalion's Mavic quadcopter was soaring more than 500 feet above seal level earlier this month when it spotted the UFO.
At that altitude, the horizon visible via the drone's camera off in the distance would be approximately 30 miles away, meaning that the UFO could be at least that far away, or farther, depending on the object's own height above land.
As members of the 406th zoomed their drone camera, from what appeared to be 2x's zoom to 4x's and back, they can be heard on the video attempting to reason out what the mysterious track might be.
One asked, 'Why can't he fire missiles at us? What do you mean?'
In the swearing ('Holy [expletive]… [expletive]…') and ensuing excitement ('What the [expletive] is this?'), a member of the battalion asked, 'Why isn't it moving?'
One soldier with the 406th then said, 'Can't see anything on the thermal cameras?' suggesting that additional infrared tech — beyond the drone, which is visibly in infrared mode (IR) mode as it views the UFO itself — was unable to corroborate the sighting.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the battalion via Pavlo Terletsky, a fintech entrepreneur who runs both the DeepInspire tech consultancy and has helped supply aid to the 406th through his DeepInspire Foundation.
'They are currently sleeping [it] off, after a 48-hour mission,' Terletsky told DailyMail.com via email, 'will be able to get back to you tomorrow with more details.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-13128433/disc-shaped-ufo-ukrainian-military-warzone-footage.html