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NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
December 16, 2024
A Kilometer High Cliff on Comet Churyumov - Gerasimenko
This kilometer high cliff occurs on the surface of a comet. It was discovered on the dark nucleus of Comet Churyumov - Gerasimenko (CG) by Rosetta, a robotic spacecraft launched by ESA, which orbited the comet from 2014 to 2016. The ragged cliff, as featured here, was imaged by Rosetta early in its mission. Although towering about one kilometer high, the low surface gravity of Comet CG would likely make a jump from the cliffs by a human survivable. At the foot of the cliffs is relatively smooth terrain dotted with boulders as large as 20 meters across. Data from Rosetta indicates that the ice in Comet CG has a significantly different deuterium fraction and hence likely a different origin than the water in Earth's oceans. The probe was named after the Rosetta Stone, a rock slab featuring the same text written in three different languages that helped humanity decipher ancient Egyptian writing.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
https://science.nasa.gov/uncategorized/davincis-many-firsts-at-venus/
NASA DAVINCI Mission’s Many ‘Firsts’ to Unlock Venus’ Hidden Secrets
Dec 16, 2024
NASA’s DAVINCI — Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging — mission embodies the spirit of innovation and exploration that its namesake, Leonardo da Vinci, was famous for.
Scheduled to launch in the early 2030s, DAVINCI will explore Venus with both a spacecraft and a descent probe.
DAVINCI’s probe will be the first in the 21st century to brave Venus’ atmosphere as it descends from above the planet’s clouds down to its surface.
Two other missions, NASA’s VERITAS and ESA’s (European Space Agency) Envision, will also explore Venus in the 2030s from the planet’s orbit.
The DAVINCI spacecraft will study Venus’ clouds and highlands during two flybys.
It also will release a spherical probe, about 3 feet wide, that will plunge through the planet’s thick atmosphere and corrosive clouds, taking measurements and capturing high-resolution images of the Venusian surface as it descends below the clouds.
Here are some of DAVINCI’s coming “firsts” in Venus exploration:
Exploring Solar System’s One-of-a-Kind Terrain
The DAVINCI mission will be the first to closely explore Alpha Regio, a region known as a “tessera.”
So far found only on Venus, where they make up about 8% of the surface, tesserae are highland regions similar in appearance to rugged mountains on Earth.
Previous missions discovered these features using radar instruments, but of the many international spacecraft that dove through Venus’ atmosphere between 1966 and 1985, none studied or photographed tesserae.
Thought to be ancient continents, tesserae like Alpha Regio may be among the oldest surfaces on the planet, offering scientists access to rocks that are billions of years old.
By studying these rocks from above Alpha Regio, DAVINCI scientists may learn whether ancient Venus had continents and oceans, and how water may have influenced the surface.
Photographing One of the Oldest Surfaces on Venus
The DAVINCI probe will capture the first close-up views of Alpha Regio with its infrared and optical cameras; these will also be the first photos of the planet’s surface taken in more than 40 years.
With surface temperatures reaching 900° F and air pressure 90 times that of Earth’s, Venus’ harsh environment makes exploration challenging, while its opaque atmosphere obscures direct views.
Typically, scientists rely on radar instruments from Earth or Venus-orbiting spacecraft to study its terrain.
But DAVINCI’s probe will descend through the atmosphere and below the clouds for a clear view of the mountains and plains. It will capture images comparable to an airplane’s landing view of Earth’s surface.
Scientists will use the photos to compile 3D maps of Alpha Regio that will provide more detail than ever of Venus' terrain, helping them look for rocks that are usually only made in association with water.
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Unveiling Secrets of Venus’ Mysterious Lower Atmosphere
The DAVINCI mission will be the first to analyze the chemical composition of Venus’ lower atmosphere through measurements taken at regular intervals, starting from approximately 90,000 feet above the surface and continuing until just before impact.
This region is critical because it contains gases and chemical compounds that may originate from Venus’ lower clouds, surface, or even subsurface.
For example, sulfur compounds detected here could indicate whether Venusian volcanoes are currently active or were active in the recent past.
Noble gases (like helium or xenon), on the other hand, remain chemically inert and maintain stable concentrations, offering invaluable clues about Venus’ ancient history, such as the planet’s past water inventory.
By comparing Venus’ noble gas composition with that of Earth and Mars, scientists can better understand why these planets — despite forming from similar starting materials — evolved into dramatically different worlds.
Moreover, DAVINCI’s measurements of isotopes and trace gases in the lower atmosphere will shed light on Venus’ water history, from ancient times to the present, and the processes that triggered the planet’s extreme greenhouse effect.
State-of-the-Art Technology to Study Venus in Detail
Thanks to modern technology, the DAVINCI probe will be able to do things 1980s-era spacecraft couldn’t.
The descent probe will be better equipped than previous probes to protect the sensitive electronics inside of it, as it will be lined on the inside with high-temperature, multi-layer insulation — layers of advanced ceramic and silica fabrics separated by aluminum sheets.
Venus’ super thick atmosphere will slow the probe’s descent, but a parachute will also be released to slow it down further.
Most Earth-friendly parachute fabrics, like nylon, would dissolve in Venus’ sulfuric acid clouds, so DAVINCI will have to use a different type of material than previous Venus missions did: one that’s resistant to acids and five times stronger than steel.
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Ex-Nasa engineer shot dead in his car while taking smoke break during Warriors game
UPDATED: 22:39 ET, Sun, Dec 15, 2024
California authorities are probing the tragic death of a former NASA engineer who was shot while watching a Golden State Warriors game on television Wednesday night.
Earl Rhue, 75, was at a family friend's house with his daughter in Oakland on Wednesday evening when they tuned into the Warriors game, according to local Fox affiliate KTVU.
During a break to smoke outside in his car around 7.30pm on the 2700 block of 9th Avenue, gunshots were heard by his family members.
"We heard a gunshot," recounted Maria Rosa Keys, a family friend, to KTVU. "But the television was on really loud."
She recalled hearing cries for "help" from outside shortly before seeing police lights flashing as officers arrived at the scene, signaling to her that Rhue had been struck by gunfire.
Rhue was taken to the hospital with serious injuries but was tragically declared dead later that night.
His daughter, Maria Martens, who was also present during the incident, expressed her shock to KTVU.
"Shocked to know that's what happened," Martens said. "And how fast it happened."
Keys remembered Rhue fondly, noting that just six months prior, he had spoken at her late husband Calvin's life celebration, highlighting the close friendship between Rhue and Calvin.
Rhue, a former NASA engineer and University of California, Berkeley graduate, was described as a "Renaissance man," by Keys.
Besides his work for NASA, he was also a puppeteer for Children's Fairyland and most recently worked as a food delivery driver.
The shooting occurred when an unidentified suspect attempted to carjack Rhue as he sat in his car smoking. Keys added that Rhue had always been a pillar of strength and comfort for her family.
Keys said, "In addition to the brilliant mind he had, he also just loved people," and "What happened last night was so tragic we're still reeling from it, and we will be for a long time."
The OPD Homicide Section is urging anyone with information to contact them at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at 238-7950.
Videos or photos that could aid the investigation should be sent to cidvideos@oaklandca.gov.
https://www.the-express.com/news/us-news/157709/nasa-engineer-shot-dead-warriors-game
National Space Day, Italy is ever more protagonist
16 December 2024
Today, we celebrate the “Italian Space Day”, which commemorates the date of the launch of the San Marco 1 satellite in 1964, which made Italy the third nation in the world to put its own satellite into orbit.
Two articles, written by Fabrizio Morviducci, in the “Quotidiano Nazionale – Nazione – Carlino – Giorno”, are dedicated to the Space technologies of Leonardo, which ten years ago was the protagonist, with its instruments, of another record: the first landing on a comet with the Rosetta mission.
The article “National Space Day, Italy is ever more protagonist” highlights how many services on Earth benefit from Space technologies.
And with digitalisation, the potential offered by the exploitation of data from Space is multiplying.
According to Massimo Comparini, Managing Director Space Business Unit of Leonardo and Chairman of Thales Alenia Space Supervisory Board, “The Space sector is an undisputed Italian excellence to which Leonardo contributes in a fundamental way with very high-tech products and services.
Space is an important domain in the technological evolution of our society, and we must address many development opportunities and new challenges linked to the evolution of the sector, in which Europe and Italy can play a leading role."
The article “Towards the search for new worlds. Leonardo’s 26 telescopes are ready” is dedicated to the “technological eyes” that will be used in the satellite of the ESA’s Plato (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) mission to study planets outside the solar system, similar to Earth, in which life forms may have developed.
Built by Leonardo at its Campi Bisenzio site (Florence), the telescopes are the result of highly advanced optical engineering skills, also based on the use of “digital twins” in the definition phase of the production process that has allowed for speeding up the times and industrial-scale production of an instrument that is normally produced in a single unit.
https://www.leonardo.com/en/news-and-stories-detail/-/detail/national-space-day
https://www.leonardo.com/documents/15646808/0/LA_NAZIONE_ED_FIRENZE_16122024.pdf/c0f13c1f-d7eb-77b4-ed69-fefdaa251d87?t=1734339174705
https://www.cnn.com/science/japan-space-ivf-mice-experiments-hnk-spc/index.html
Could mouse sperm orbiting Earth be the future of humanity?
10:36 PM EST, Sun December 15, 2024
It’s been a tough few years on planet Earth, with a pandemic ripping across the globe, and an onslaught of record-breaking heatwaves and natural disasters.
Events like these are good examples of why humans need to find a new place to live, according to proponents of the futuristic idea.
Outposts on the moon or Mars could act as an insurance policy against extinction due to catastrophe or self-destruction, they say.
But there’s a lot we don’t know about our ability to survive and thrive in space – including if we can reproduce.
Now, freeze-dried mouse sperm, stored aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in a radiation protection box, could help give us a better understanding of mammals’ ability to procreate off Earth.
When the specimens get back to terra firma next year, Teruhiko Wakayama, a professor at the University of Yamanashi’s Advanced Biotechnology Centre, will study them to determine the impact of the space environment, and if they can be used to create healthy offspring.
Back in his laboratory in Japan, Wakayama is developing a device that will allow astronauts to conduct rodent in vitro fertilization (IVF) aboard the ISS in the coming years. Ultimately, the experiments could help save humankind, he says.
“Our aim is to establish a system for safely and permanently preserving Earth’s genetic resources somewhere in space – whether on the moon or elsewhere – so that life can be revived even if Earth faces catastrophic destruction.”
It may sound straight out of a sci-fi movie, but Wakayama has long been pushing the boundaries with his reproductive studies. In 1997, he and another academic developed a novel method that they used to clone the world’s first mouse from adult cells.
He led a study on the development of mouse embryos in space – something that had previously only been done with creatures like amphibians and fish.
And he and his team pioneered a freeze-drying method used to send mouse sperm to the ISS, where it was stored in a freezer for up to six years.
When the samples got back to Earth, the researchers rehydrated them and produced healthy baby mice.
From that study, they determined that freeze-dried sperm could stay viable for 200 years in space. Although that’s impressive, Wakayama says it’s “absolutely not long enough for our future.”
With his latest space specimens, he’s using a new device to protect sperm stored at room temperature, from radiation, to see if it might be possible to store samples in space indefinitely.
From “Chix in Space” to cosmic cockroaches
For decades, scientists have been launching Earthly creatures into space to study how microgravity and cosmic radiation impact biological processes – including reproduction.
In 1989, for example, 32 fertilized chicken eggs were sent into orbit to study how they’d develop without gravity, in an experiment sponsored by the American fast-food chain KFC, and nicknamed “Chix in Space.”
Tadpoles born on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992 became the first vertebrates to spend the first few days of life in space. There, they swam erratically and struggled to find air bubbles to breathe.
And in 2007, a cockroach named Nadezhda (which means “Hope” in Russian) gave birth to 33 offspring conceived in orbit. They were mostly normal, aside from abnormally dark exoskeletons.
“We have seen that most of the specific phases of the reproductive cycle can occur in space, at least in a species or two, not always completely successfully,” said Virginia Wotring, a professor at the International Space University, a private non-profit institution in Strasbourg, France, devoted to space education.
Medaka fish, a small fish native to rice paddies, marshes and ponds in Japan, and snails, have completed the entire cycle of reproduction in space, Wotring said.
“Going to mammals is the next natural step, to see what parts of it will work,” she added.
When it comes to mice, the freeze-dried mouse sperm Wakayama is currently storing aboard the ISS will return to Earth in 2025 for study.
“Our goal is to preserve [reproductive cells] at room temperature forever,” he says.
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Sustaining space dwellers
Humans are a long way from becoming a multi-planet species, but we are making progress.
In late 2026, the NASA-led Artemis program will return astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972, where it hopes to develop an ongoing presence.
And if SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s predictions are accurate, the first crewed mission to Mars could be on its way in the next four years.
Scientists already know that space travel can wreak havoc on the human body. Cosmic radiation can cause mutations in DNA that increases the risk of cancer and causes other ailments.
Microgravity can cause vision problems, a weakened immune system, and muscle and bone loss. That means that there are more pressing concerns than reproduction, says Wotring.
“There is other information that we need right now in order to care of the astronauts we’re sending to space now,” she says. “That has to take priority.”
But Wakayama believes his work will be crucial as humans spend more time in space.
Damaged DNA in sperm and eggs, for example, could pass genetic abnormalities on to the next generation, he says.
And without the directional pull of gravity, a fertilized embryo might not be able to develop properly.
“The formation of the nervous system and the development of limbs … we don’t know if this will happen properly in microgravity, where there is no up or down,” he says.
He adds that the work could be replicated and built upon for other species, which could be helpful for transporting animals like dogs for companionship and livestock like cattle for food, to other planets.
Wakayama plans to stick to studying mice. His IVF project has been accepted by Japan’s space agency, but the device that will be used to complete the IVF is still under development.
He hopes that it will be ready for launch to the ISS within two years.
“In sci-fi movies, people live on other planets and babies are born, but we don’t even know if that’s possible yet,” he says.
He hopes his experiments can help shed light on whether humans can reproduce and develop normally in the harsh environment of space.
“If we can confirm that, it will bring reassurance,” says Wakayama. “And if it doesn’t work, we need to understand how to address that challenge.”
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“Space Journey Bangkok”: A Once-in-a-Decade Universal Experience Lands in Thailand
December 16, 2024 6:37 pm
Prepare for liftoff! Thailand is about to host a groundbreaking space exhibition, “Space Journey Bangkok,” offering an unprecedented opportunity to explore the wonders of the cosmos.
From December 16th, 2024, to April 16th, 2025, the Bangna Exhibition and Convention Center (BITEC Buri) will transform into a gateway to the stars, showcasing a vast collection of space artifacts, interactive exhibits, and immersive experiences.
This landmark event marks the Asian debut of “Cosmos Discovery,” a world-renowned space touring exhibition.
Originating from the USA and the Soviet Union, the exhibition boasts an impressive array of authentic objects and models that chronicle the history and future of space exploration.
Visitors will have the chance to encounter rare items such as the original control panel from Houston’s Mission Control Center, genuine F1 engine parts from the Saturn V rocket, and a life-sized replica of the Apollo command module.
A Collaborative Effort to Inspire
“Space Journey Bangkok” is a testament to Thailand’s growing prominence in the field of space technology and its commitment to fostering scientific curiosity.
The event is a collaborative effort between several key organizations:
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA): Entrusted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, GISTDA plays a crucial role in co-hosting this prestigious exhibition. Mr. Damrongrit Niammuad, Deputy Executive Director of GISTDA, expressed his pride in Thailand’s ability to host such a world-class event, emphasizing its potential to inspire future generations of Thai space explorers and researchers.
Index Creative Village Public Company Limited: In partnership with BHIRAJ BURI Group, Index Creative Village is dedicated to creating an engaging and educational experience for visitors. Mr. Kriengkarn Kanjanapokin, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Index Creative Village, highlighted the exhibition’s aim to ignite curiosity and encourage innovation in space technology among Thai youth and space enthusiasts.
BHIRAJ BURI Group: As the owner of BITEC Buri, BHIRAJ BURI Group is committed to providing an exceptional experience for visitors.
Mr. Pitiphatr Buri, Chief Executive Officer of BHIRAJ BURI Group, stressed the importance of making space exploration accessible to the Thai public.
He believes the exhibition will offer a unique learning opportunity that transcends traditional methods like classrooms and books.
An Unforgettable Journey Through the Cosmos
Spread across 2,000 square meters, “Space Journey Bangkok” promises an immersive and unforgettable experience.
The exhibition is divided into ten captivating halls, each offering a unique glimpse into the wonders of space:
Historical Artifacts: Explore a treasure trove of authentic objects and replicas from the USA, the Soviet Union, and other countries, tracing the evolution of space exploration from its earliest days to the present.
Interactive Exhibits: Engage with interactive displays and learn about the science behind space travel, astronomy, and the search for extraterrestrial life.
Immersive Experiences: Embark on a virtual journey through the cosmos with VR rides, experience the thrill of space flight in a gyroscope simulator, and be captivated by space-themed films.
A Catalyst for Future Innovation
“Space Journey Bangkok” is more than just an exhibition; it’s a catalyst for future innovation.
By bringing the universe to life, the event aims to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.
It’s an opportunity for Thais to connect with the cosmos on a personal level and contribute to the future of space exploration.
With over 200,000 visitors expected, “Space Journey Bangkok” is poised to be a landmark event in Thailand’s scientific and cultural landscape.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-decade opportunity to embark on an extraordinary journey through the cosmos.
https://www.biztalknews.com/ennews/space-journey-bangkok-once-in-a-decade/
Ambassador: Deep space exploration may become new project of Belarus-Russia Union State
16 December 2024, 15:37
MOSCOW, 16 December (BelTA) – Deep space exploration may become an ambitious project of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Aleksandr Rogozhnik said during the conference “Union State: Integration, development, trust” held in Moscow and dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Union State Foundation Treaty, BelTA has learned.
"We need to pay special attention to the R&D strategy of the Union State and to develop the integrated research infrastructure. We have already started to jointly explore space.
Developing technologies to explore space, including deep space, to build new satellites and new constellations may become the next ambitious project in this area," the ambassador noted.
https://eng.belta.by/society/view/ambassador-deep-space-exploration-may-become-new-project-of-belarus-russia-union-state-163989-2024/
See the best Geminid meteor shower 2024 photos from around the world
December 15, 2024
The Geminid meteor shower put on a dazzling show this week, delighting skywatchers worldwide.
The Geminids are one of the most prolific showers of the year, known for bright, colorful meteors and impressive hourly rates.
This year, despite the almost full moon, they lived up to their reputation.
We've rounded up some of the most jaw-dropping Geminid photos from around the world, showcasing the true beauty of this famous shower.
So sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the wonder of the Geminid meteor shower 2024.
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https://www.space.com/stargazing/meteors-showers/best-geminid-meteor-shower-2024-photos-from-around-the-world
December full moon 2024: Cold Moon puts on a dazzling show for skywatchers worldwide
December 16, 2024
The December full moon captivated skywatchers worldwide as it lit up the cold winter skies over the weekend.
A full moon occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the sun.
December's moon officially reached full illumination at 4:02 a.m. EST (0902 GMT) on Dec. 15, but it will still appear relatively full for a few days around the peak.
Known as the Cold Moon, December’s full moon earned its name from the long, frigid nights of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Rising on Dec. 15, it appeared large and bright as it climbed above the horizon, offering a breathtaking sight for night sky watchers and photographers alike.
To celebrate this celestial spectacle, we've rounded up some of the most stunning full moon photos from around the world.
cont.
https://www.space.com/the-universe/moon/december-full-moon-2024-cold-moon-puts-on-a-dazzling-show-for-skywatchers-worldwide-photos
Europe signs contracts for IRIS² constellation
December 16, 2024
The European Commission and European Space Agency signed contracts with an industrial consortium Dec. 16 to develop a secure connectivity constellation with a total cost of 10.6 billion euros ($11.1 billion).
In a ceremony in Brussels, officials from the European Commission and ESA, along with the chief executives of Eutelsat, Hispasat and SES, signed contracts to develop the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) constellation of more than 290 satellites slated to enter service by early 2031.
IRIS² will provide secure communications for European governments for security and civil applications. It will also provide commercial satellite services, such as residential broadband.
At the signing ceremony, Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space for the European Union, emphasized the need for Europe to have its own constellation.
“We are under threat. Our communications are under threat,” he said, citing examples of undersea cables being cut and navigation signals jammed by Russia. “IRIS² will give us the ability to connect even in a hostile environment.”
“We cannot afford to be too dependent on countries or companies from outside the European Union,” he added later in his remarks.
The constellation also supports Europe’s space industry in a time when some key companies are struggling to compete globally.
“We are increasing the resilience and autonomy of the Union and its states while also strengthening the satellite communications capabilities and boosting the competitiveness of the European space industry,” said Josef Aschabacher, director general of ESA, said at the ceremony.
Under the contracts, the EU will contribute six billion euros to IRIS², of which two billion was funded in the current multiannual financial framework (MFF) that runs through 2027.
The other four billion euros of EU’s contribution will come in later MFF agreements through the 12-year IRIS² contracts that extend to 2036.
ESA is providing 550 million euros that was allocated at its 2022 ministerial conference. The SpaceRISE consortium, led by Eutelsat, Hispasat and SES, will contribute 4.1 billion euros.
An official said in a background briefing that each SpaceRISE partner is contributing a minimum of 500 million euros.
That funding will go towards the development and launch of satellites in three orbits. Eighteen satellites will operate in medium Earth orbit (MEO) at an altitude of 8,000 kilometers, providing Ka-band services.
A “LEO High” shell at about 1,200 kilometers will include 264 satellites with Ku- and Ka-band services.
The system will also include 10 or more satellites in a “LEO Low” shell between 400 and 750 kilometers intended to support incubation of future technologies.
The IRIS² constellation will interoperate with Govsatcom, an EU program to provide communications services using geostationary satellites operated by member states.
Officials said Govsatcom will begin initial services in 2025 using excess capacity on more than 10 GEO satellites from five member states.
The MEO shell of satellites could be augmented by additional commercial satellites by SES, whose O3b system operates in similar orbits, while Eutelsat could add satellites to the LEO High shell.
However, the current Eutelsat OneWeb constellation will not be included in IRIS².
The next step for IRIS² is a one-year design phase that will also include “consolidation” of the supply chain of contractors for the satellites.
A critical design review is planned for early 2028, with launch of the satellites projected to take place in 2029 and 2030.
The constellation will require 13 Ariane 64 launches, 10 for the LEO High shell and 3 for the MEO shell. The handful of LEO Low satellites could be launched on other vehicles through the upcoming European Launcher Challenge.
The constellation now under development is a far cry from earlier proposals that projected a total cost of six billion euros and beginning of services in 2027.
“We have no time to lose. We are already late, my friends,” said Timo Pesonen, director general of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space, at the signing ceremony.
“Let’s agree now: no delays, no requests for extra funding,” he said, to laughter from the audience.
https://spacenews.com/europe-signs-contracts-for-iris%c2%b2-constellation/
2 Massachusetts men arrested for flying drone 'dangerously close' to Boston airport
December 16, 2024 7:13am EST
Two Massachusetts men who flew a drone "dangerously close" to Logan International Airport in Boston are facing charges, police say.
Robert Duffy, 42, of Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater were taken into custody late Saturday night on Long Island, which is located on the approach to the airport, according to the Boston Police Department.
"The incident began earlier that evening, at 4:30 PM, when a Boston Police Officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance detected an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operating dangerously close to Logan International Airport," police said in a statement.
"Leveraging advanced UAS monitoring technology, the Officer identified the drone’s location, altitude, flight history, and the operators’ position on Long Island."
"Members of the Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit were dispatched to Long Island and located three individuals inside the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus.
Upon attempting to make contact, the suspects fled on foot," police added. "Two of the three individuals were apprehended and identified as Duffy and Folcik.
During the investigation, a drone was discovered inside a backpack carried by Duffy."
Investigators believe the third individual fled the island – which is part of the Boston Harbor Islands – on a "small vessel."
Duffy and Folcik are now facing charges of trespassing, although the Boston Police Department noted that more charges and fines could follow.
"The Boston Police Department reminds recreational drone operators of the importance of adhering to Federal Aviation Administration safety guidelines.
Operators are prohibited from flying drones over people or vehicles and must be aware of airspace restrictions," Boston Police added.
"Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters. Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk."
Police also said that because of the "serious risks posed by the drone’s proximity to Logan’s airspace," the Department of Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission and Logan Airport Air Traffic Control were contacted to help with the response.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/2-massachusetts-men-arrested-flying-drone-dangerously-close-boston-airport
Drone sighting shuts down WPAFB for hours Friday
Updated: Dec 16, 2024 / 08:01 AM EST
An unexpected security concern over the weekend shut down Wright Patterson Air Force Base for hours over the weekend.
A spokesperson for the 88th Air Base Wing confirmed that drones were spotted flying over and near the campus on Friday, shutting the base down for four hours.
The shutdown ended early Saturday morning.
“We are taking all appropriate measures to safeguard Wright-Patterson and the residents, said Robert Purtiman with the 88th Wing.
“You know, our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of, again, our base personnel facilities and assets.”
The drones spotted were small, unmanned and did not disrupt operations on the base according to reports.
Their presence has raised security concerns, though it is not clear if these sightings are connected to the potential car-sized flying drones reported on the east coast.
The topic of drones and concerns over their use is one being discussed across the country.
As of Oct. 2024, there are nearly 800,000 drones registered nationwide.
“We need to know who’s behind it,” said Florida State Representative Mike Waltz.
“The administration has repeatedly assured people that they are safe,” said Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.
“However, one, we need a briefing for the members of the Senate to figure out what’s going on here. Two, we need more transparency.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is of the belief that these incidents are becoming so frequent that more strict rules on drone usage are necessary.
The FAA is also advocating for tougher penalties for those who break usage laws.
2 NEWS reached out to Congressman Mike Turner for comment.
https://www.wdtn.com/as-seen-on-2-news/drones-shut-down-wpafb-for-hours-friday/
Mystery Drones Could Be Trying to Find 'Radioactive Material'—Aerospace CEO
Dec 16, 2024 at 6:30 AM EST
The recent epidemic of reported drone sightings across New York and New Jersey could be due to potential "gas leaks" or "radioactive material," one subject matter expert has said.
Reports of mysterious drone sightings in multiple states have drawn widespread attention from lawmakers and members of the public in recent weeks.
John Ferguson, the CEO of Saxon Aerospace, a drone manufacturer in Kansas, weighed in on the topic in a TikTok post that has gone viral.
The FBI said it has received more than 3,000 tips regarding drone sightings, with the majority of these reported observations happening at night.
In his nine-minute video, Ferguson offered an "assessment of the drones," saying the only reason an unmanned aircraft would be flown at night was if its operator was "looking for something."
"My own guess is that these drones are not nefarious in intent. If they are, they are, but I doubt it.
But if they are drones, the only reason why they would be flying, and flying that low, is because they're trying to smell something on the ground," Ferguson said.
He added that the drones could be searching for gas leaks or pockets of radiation. He also said he believed the drones were seeking something "very important."
In a series of follow-up videos, Ferguson said many of the drones appeared to be compliant with federal regulations and reiterated his theory.
Newsweek contacted Ferguson for comment via TikTok outside normal business hours.
The absence of concrete answers as to the origins of the unmanned aerial vehicles has prompted some lawmakers to accuse government agencies of concealing information, and the vacuum has led to the propagation of theories as to what the sightings could mean.
One of the more outlandish explanations is the Project Blue Beam conspiracy theory, which claims that global elites plan to stage a fake alien invasion.
The theory, proposed by Canadian journalist Serge Monast in the 1990s, alleges that this covert operation would establish a totalitarian world government by faking otherworldly or supernatural events using advanced technology.
In the wake of the drone sightings, the conspiracy theory has seen a revival online, with influential social media accounts posting about it and garnering millions of views.
On Sunday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested that a Federal Aviation Administration rule change in September 2023 could be a reason behind the uptick in drone sightings.
"In September of 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration, the FAA, changed the rules so that drones could fly at night," the Biden administration official told ABC News' This Week.
Mayorkas continued, "And that may be one of the reasons why now people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk."
https://www.newsweek.com/missing-nuclear-material-drone-sightings-new-york-new-jersey-2001189
https://www.tiktok.com/@john.ferguson88/video/7448056936404225310
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-BkxATwJV8
New York deploys 'state-of-the-art drone detection system' as officials make admission on foreign involvement
Updated: 06:44 EST, 16 December 2024
Alejandro Mayorkas' Department of Homeland Security is set to deploy drone detection systems to New Jersey and New York after weeks of drone sightings across the region.
Both Mayorkas and New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed the plans, as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer - who represents New York - made the request Sunday.
Hochul wrote: 'In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are sending a drone detection system to New York.'
'I am grateful for the support, but we need more. Congress must pass a law that will give us the power to deal directly with the drones,' she warned.
Mayorkas, who confirmed the federal government does not have the authority to take out drones in an interview Sunday, said some form of help is coming.
'We understand why residents are concerned. In response and in close coordination with the [New Jersey State Police] and other law enforcement, [Homeland Security] quickly deployed personnel and technology to support.'
He clarified that so far, despite many theories to the contrary, DHS has found no link between the drones and any foreign government.
DHS is also assisting the FBI in their probe into the drones.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
Schumer pleaded for assistance on Sunday, writing: 'I'm pushing for answers amid these drone sightings. I'm calling for @SecMayorkas to deploy special drone-detection tech across NY and NJ.'
'And I'm working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection,' Schumer added.
Schumer is asking for Robin Radar Systems to provide the drone detection because it is '360-degree technology.'
'If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on, and that's what the Robin does,' he added.
He was retweeted on X by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who wrote to the federal government on Friday himself for assistance.
Schumer wants the federal government to use a recently declassified radio wave technology in New York and New Jersey.
The radio wave detector can be attached to a drone or airplane and can determine whether another flying object is a bird or a drone, read its electronic registration, and follow it back to its landing place.
Schumer said state and local authorities do not have the authority to track drones.
Because officials can´t say with certainty who is responsible for the sudden swarms of drones over parts of New Jersey, New York and other eastern parts of the U.S. - or how they can be stopped - leaders of both political parties have begun to demand better technology and powers to deal with the drones.
'There´s a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now,' Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on Fox News Sunday.
''We don´t know' is not a good enough answer,' he said.
It comes after President-elect Donald Trump suggested that the unmanned aircraft be shot down.
'Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government's knowledge,' Trump posted on Friday amid outcry over the ongoing mystery.
'I don't think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!' the former and future president wrote on his social media site Truth Social.
Asked whether this was a possibility, Mayorkas told ABC News on Sunday that in order to be able to take more action, his agency needs to be given more powers.
'With respect of the ability to incapacitate those drones, we are limited in our authorities,' Mayorkas told This Week host George Stephanopoulos.
'We have certain agencies within the Department of Homeland Security that can do that and outside our department,' he added. 'But we need those authorities expanded, as well.'
He divulged that there are more than 8,000 drones flown every day in the U.S., including civilian and government for both work and leisure activities.
Mayorkas claims a new law allowing for drones to be flown in the U.S. at night is likely what is leading to an uptick in reports of these sightings.
It appears so far that officials were caught off guard by the mysterious nationwide drone sightings and are working to identify them and address the concern.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14195785/new-york-new-jersey-drones-detector-mayorkas.html
Steve Bannon's dark claim about mystery drones over New Jersey as he claims 'the Biden regime is working against Trump'
Updated: 09:38 EST, 16 December 2024
Steve Bannon has claimed Joe Biden could be behind the recent drone sightings over New Jersey as part of a deliberate effort to 'work against' the United States and president-elect Donald Trump.
The former Trump advisor told an audience at the New York Young Republican Club's 112th Annual Gala that the 'Biden regime… every day is working against the country and against President Trump'.
He cited the administration's record on Ukraine and Syria before joking: 'And hey, I don’t know. Are they the guys who got the drones over New Jersey?'
There is nothing to suggest the Biden administration is controlling the mystery objects flying over the East Coast, and the White House's national security communications advisor John Kirby has insisted that the sightings pose no 'national security or public safety threat'.
But the government's lack of clear explanation on the sightings, ongoing since November 18, has provoked fierce criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike.
A New Jersey mayor also raised concern when he revealed his fire department was told to wear hazmat suits in case the flying objects crashed.
New Jersey officials and federal investigators have been beleaguered by reports of inexplicable apparent aircraft, some as big a cars, conducting bizarre, unscheduled night flights over sensitive sites across the state.
Speaking on Sunday, Bannon said: 'I do want to say one thing to the Biden regime. The Biden regime every day is working against the country and President Trump.
'They’re exacerbating the problems in Ukraine. They’re exacerbating the problems in Syria, in the Middle East. They’re exacerbating the problems with the Chinese Communist Party.
'They’re, they’ve shipped all our ammo out. And hey, I don’t know, are they the guys who got the drones over New Jersey?'
For its part, the DoD released a statement on December 14 addressing the recent sightings.
A spokesperson for the Joint Staff confirmed there had been sightings at the sensitive Picatinny Arsenal research facility but played down the significance.
'We have had confirmed sightings at Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle,' the spokesperson said.
'This is not a new issue for us. We've had to deal with drone incursions over our bases for quite a time now. It's something that we routinely respond to in each and every case when reporting is cited.'
The spokesperson assured the bases have 'means' to detect and respond to drones, and that security on site are trained to identify and employ 'tools' to keep drones from flying over U.S. bases without authorization.
They did admit they do not yet know who is behind the mysterious sightings.
'To date, we have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent,' the spokesperson said.
'But … we don't know. We have not been able to locate or identify the operators or the points of origin.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14197191/steve-bannon-conspiracy-theory-drones-new-jersey.html