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China's experimental moon satellites beam back lunar imagery (video, photo)
April 19, 2024
A pair of small experimental satellites have begun tests related to future lunar communication and navigation services for China's moon ambitions.
The Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 satellites launched toward the moon along with the Queqiao-2 lunar communications relay satellite on a Long March 8 rocket on March 19. The latter spacecraft will support a major mission — the upcoming Chang'e 6 lunar far side sample return effort, which could launch as soon as next month —but the former are intended as a pathfinder for future lunar infrastructure.
China's Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) stated on April 13 that Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 had carried out tests of high-reliability transmission and routing between Earth and the lunar surface.
One of the pair also transmitted an infrared image showing the heavily cratered far side of the moon, including a view of a distant planet Earth.
The Tiandu pair entered lunar orbit on April 3 and are flying in formation around 124 miles (200 kilometers) apart. Tiandu-1 weighs 134 pounds (61 kilograms) and is equipped with a Ka-band dual-frequency communicator, a laser retroreflector and a space router. Tiandu-2 weighs 33 lbs (15 kg) and carries communication and navigation devices.
DSEL stated that the test satellites will conduct further lunar communication and navigation technology experiments. The results will guide the design and construction of the planned International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and a Queqiao satellite constellation for lunar communication, navigation and remote sensing.
https://www.space.com/china-experimental-moon-satellites-tiandu-imagery
STARCOM tests RMT system for Space Rapid Capabilities Office
April 18, 2024
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Space Training and Readiness Command recently conducted a test of the Remote Modular Terminal (RMT), a new system for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office.
The RMT is a small form-factor system designed to be fielded in large numbers at low-cost and operated remotely – increasing the capacity, adaptability, and resiliency of the system while keeping Guardians out of harm’s way.
The recent test is the first time the system has been fielded at two geographically separated locations and controlled from a third, emphasizing its operational flexibility.
The test was supervised by Delta 12’s 4th Test and Evaluation Squadron and targeted key performance metrics such as system latency and target engagement accuracy, with scenarios provided by Delta 11’s 25th Space Range Squadron (25 SRS).
In addition to testing system performance, the 25th SRS’s “closed loop” range environments enabled U.S. Air Force partners to conduct a Cyber Vulnerability Penetration Assessment to ensure the remote connections were secure.
“This event demonstrates the Service’s new vision for integrated developmental and operational test to provide more relevant capabilities to Guardians faster,” said U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Gerrit Dalman, 25th SRS commander. “Specifically, this capability will unlock the scale to provide counterspace electronic warfare capability to all of the new Space Force components globally.”
https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3747374/starcom-tests-rmt-system-for-space-rapid-capabilities-office/
What was the Kona Blue program, and does it mean UFOs exist?
Updated: APR 18, 2024 / 06:42 PM CDT
Declassified documents released by the Pentagon office charged with investigating UAPs, or unidentified anomalous phenomena, reveal the existence of a program to reverse engineer alien technology. But it never got off the ground because there was no such technology to be found.
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which is the department within the Pentagon tasked with investigating UAP reports, released the documents following a detailed report that indicated the government had found no evidence of alien life or alien technology despite whistleblower claims of a secret UFO retrieval program.
What is Kona Blue?
Kona Blue was a plan for the government to reverse engineer alien technology from a recovered UFO. It was a special access, or top secret, program created with the goal of acquiring, identifying and reverse engineering what it calls AAVs, or advanced aerospace vehicles. Those now fall under the category of what the military calls UAPs and most people refer to as “UFOs.”
The documents laid out a budget between $12 and $15 million for the first year, $25 million for the second year and eventually an operating expense of more than $50 million. The purpose was national security, with a goal of “(accessing) recovered advanced technology and (determining) its threat capability.”
The program also had goals, including details on plans to reverse engineer any advanced technology and determine whether our adversaries, namely China and Russia, could have access to recovered AAVs.
Why was the Kona Blue project classified?
Kona Blue had been the subject of rumors for years, but the Defense Department only acknowledged it just this past month.
One justification for the program remaining classified was “AAV technology exists in and is accessible only with an SAP or special access program construct.”
Why was the Kona Blue program created and who was behind it?
As much as the program may sound like science fiction, the top scientist at the Department of Homeland Security, Tara O’Toole, the undersecretary of science and technology, approved it, so it was taken seriously at high levels.
Why was the Kona Blue program scrapped?
The DoD said it tossed the Kona Blue program for a very simple reason: It never found any alien technology to reverse engineer. The Department of Homeland Security, however, said the program was never actually approved in the first place.
What does the disclosure of Kona Blue mean for transparency around UFOs?
The Pentagon’s disclosure of the project is another step toward transparency, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle continue to seek answers following whistleblower testimony.
However, some of the leading voices, including Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., believe that the DoD is purposefully compartmentalizing information as part of a cover-up.
What did AARO’s report on UAPs say about claims made regarding Kona Blue and other historical projects?
AARO said that advocates for the project are partially responsible for the allegations, as some pushing for the program believe the government has secretly acquired alien technology. The program was also created with the premise that alien technology existed, which turned out to be false, potentially leading to confusion among some who were aware of the program.
This is not the first time the government has had programs that existed to investigate possible UFOs, like Project Grudge and Project Bluebook, in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, among others. While claims that the U.S. government possesses and has reverse engineered alien technology date back to the 1940s, with the 1947 Roswell event being the most famous, there has never been any proof of these claims.
Does this mean the government has confirmed aliens exist?
No. While scientists in certain agencies like NASA acknowledge that, mathematically, it is unlikely we are the only life in the universe, the government has repeatedly stated there is no concrete evidence of alien life or alien contact with Earth.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/ufo/what-kona-blue-do-ufos-exist/
https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/UAP_RECORDS_RESEARCH/AARO_DHS_Kona_Blue.pdf?ver=BjOpTzFISPc0LWMw5uAzzw%3d%3d
Watch bizarre moment glowing UFO ‘flies into active volcano’ that researcher claims is a ‘wormhole’ for alien spacecraft
Updated: 17:22, 19 Apr 2024
A bright shining object could be seen flying towards a Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico City.
The mysterious flying light was caught on monitoring cameras as it approached the second-highest peak of Mexico.
The strange illuminated phenomena seems to have descended from the sky right above the 17,802ft tall mountain.
The glowing intensified as it drew closer to the smoking crater before disappearing inside.
The bizarre sighting has been captured on Monday evening.
This isn't the first time UFOs have been spotted at one of Mexico's most active volcanoes.
Mexican UFO expert, Jaime Maussan, 70, has previously shared clips of similar incidents.
He explained that no man-made object could enter the lava-spewing crater with scorching temperatures of around 1,000C.
As such, he believes that the volcano acts as an "inter-dimensional portal" - a gateway in space and time for intergalactic travellers.
The extraterrestrial crafts could be entering through the portal to teleport from one place to another.
Mr Maussan said: "The University of Bergen in Norway discovered that under the volcano there are magnetic storms necessary to be able to generate X-points or regions of electron diffusion and be used to create a Dimensional Portal."
X-points are locations where the magnetic fields of Earth and the Sun meet, forming a route that stretches 93 million miles between the two.
The reason they are called X-points is that an X shape is formed when the Earth's and Sun's magnetic forces combine.
According to Mr. Maussan, Albert Einstein first proposed the idea of wormholes in the 1930s.
The self-proclaimed expert has previously claimed that tiny mummies - retrieved from a mine in Cuzco, Peru - were proof of alien life.
The mummified specimens had small bodies, three-fingered hands, odd elongated skulls - and 30 per cent unknown DNA.
Scientists said that the figures were "authentic" with over a quarter of their DNA "not from any known species".
But the remaining 70 per cent has not yet been revealed.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/27428018/ufo-flying-into-volcano-portal/
Iran reports shooting down UFOs over central Isfahan
APR 19, 2024 - 8:23 AM GMT+3
Iranian state media reported on Friday that authorities had engaged with and shot down several small, unidentified flying objects in the skies over the central province of Isfahan.
Earlier in the day, the state news agency IRNA had reported an explosion in the province, which was said to have been caused by the activation of air defense systems. Iranian state media clarified that there was no indication of a missile attack on the country.
"A few hours ago, several small flying objects were sighted and hit in the skies of Isfahan," said a reporter in a live broadcast on state television. There were initially no reports of damage. After a temporary suspension, air traffic had resumed.
The Iranian government rejected reports that the national security council had convened for an emergency meeting.
Isfahan is home to important facilities of the Iranian defense industry. The country's largest nuclear research center is also located in Isfahan. According to state media radio reports, there was no danger to the nuclear facilities there.
Several U.S. news outlets, including broadcasters ABC News, MSNBC, and Fox News, cited U.S. government representatives as saying that Israel had carried out a military operation in Iran in response to Iranian airstrikes on Israel at the weekend.
Several U.S. media outlets reported that one or more Israeli missiles had attacked a target in Iran. The U.S. Department of Defense did not initially confirm these reports.
Fox News reported, citing a military source, that it was a "limited attack." The US had not been involved, and the Israelis had informed the U.S. government in advance, Fox reported.
On Thursday, representatives from the U.S. and Israel had met "to consult on a series of issues in the wake of Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel," the White House said at the time.
Over the weekend, Iran attacked Israel with more than 300 drones, cruise missiles, and rockets. Israeli air defenses and allied forces were able to intercept almost all of the weapons.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders vowed to respond, despite calls from allies to avoid escalation, and threatened to hit Iran's military facilities, prompting fears the conflict could turn into an all-out war.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Thursday defended his country's missile and drone attacks on Israel as "legitimate defense under international law" in remarks to the United Nations Security Council in New York.
Amirabdollahian cited the suspected Israeli airstrike on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus on April 1, which among others killed two generals, as the reason for the retaliatory attacks.
https://www.dailysabah.com/world/mid-east/iran-reports-shooting-down-ufos-over-central-isfahan