NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

February 16, 2025

Perijove 11: Passing Jupiter

Here comes Jupiter. NASA's robotic spacecraft Juno is continuing on its highly elongated orbits around our Solar System's largest planet. The featured video is from perijove 11 in early 2018, the eleventh time Juno passed near Jupiter since it arrived in mid-2016. This time-lapse, color-enhanced movie covers about four hours and morphs between 36 JunoCam images. The video begins with Jupiter rising as Juno approaches from the north. As Juno reaches its closest view from about 3,500 kilometers over Jupiter's cloud tops the spacecraft captures the great planet in tremendous detail. Juno passes light zones and dark belts of clouds that circle the planet, as well as numerous swirling circular storms, many of which are larger than hurricanes on Earth. After the perijove, Jupiter recedes into the distance, then displaying the unusual clouds that appear over Jupiter's south. To get desired science data, Juno swoops so close to Jupiter that its instruments are exposed to very high levels of radiation.

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfM7VlonD5c

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Mary Jackson Hired By NACA in 1951 Was First Black Female NASA Engineer

February 16, 2025

Mary Jackson began her engineering career in an era in which female engineers of any background were a rarity.

In 1951 when she was hired by NASA‘s predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, she very well may have been the only black female aeronautical engineer in the field.

The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics was a United States federal agency founded on March 3, 1915, to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research.

On October 1, 1958, the agency was dissolved and its assets and personnel were transferred to the newly created National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

For nearly two decades, Jackson enjoyed an engineering career. During this time, she authored or co-authored nearly a dozen research reports, most of which focused on the behavior of the boundary layer of air around airplanes.

A native of Hampton, Virginia, she graduated from Hampton Institute in 1942 with a dual degree in Math and Physical Sciences and accepted a job as a math teacher.

In 1951, Jackson was hired to work in Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory’s segregated West Area Computing section.

After two years in the computing pool, Mary Jackson received an offer to work for engineer Kazimierz Czarnecki in the 4-foot by 4-foot Supersonic Pressure Tunnel, a 60,000 horsepower wind tunnel capable of blasting models with winds approaching twice the speed of sound.

In 1958, she became NASA’s first black female engineer. That same year, she co-authored her first report, Effects of Nose Angle and Mach Number on Transition on Cones at Supersonic Speeds.

Service to the community was equally as important as work. In the 1970s, she helped the youngsters in the science club at Hampton’s King Street Community center build their own wind tunnel and use it to conduct experiments.

“We have to do something like this to get them interested in science,” she said in an article for the local newspaper.

“Sometimes they are not aware of the number of black scientists and don’t even know of the career opportunities until it is too late.”

https://spacecoastdaily.com/2025/02/black-history-month-mary-jackson-hired-by-naca-in-1951-was-first-black-female-nasa-engineer/

https://www.cnet.com/science/five-things-we-learned-from-nasas-first-interactive-twitch-stream-from-space/

https://www.twitch.tv/nasa

Five Things We Learned From NASA's First Interactive Twitch Stream From Space

Feb. 16, 2025 4:33 a.m. PT

When you think of livestreaming service Twitch, you might associate it with gamers, influencers and even politicians playing video games live for all to see.

But on Wednesday, Twitch leaped into space, conducting a first-of-its-kind live stream with a NASA astronaut from the International Space Station.

The stream took place on NASA's official Twitch channel and featured one astronaut currently in space and another who's back on Earth, with both engaging with viewers live on the platform.

The currently-in-space host was NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who joined the ISS crew back in September as part of the Expedition 72 launch. Pettit is known for the amazing space photos he frequently posts on social media.

He was joined by NASA astronaut Matt Dominick, who's currently on Earth after returning with Crew-8 in October after being delayed by Hurricane Milton. Dominick has also taken some showstopping pictures from the ISS.

Here are five things we learned from NASA's live Twitch stream this week.

Coming back from space sucks

The astronauts answered questions from fans and students all around the US, at one point addressing what it was like to return to Earth after spending time in space.

Pettit mentioned that it takes about a day for him to achieve "stomach awareness," which he described as a polite way of saying "puking your guts up." Dominick echoed this sentiment.

Space photography has its difficulties

Dominick spoke about how fast the ISS moves around Earth, and how it affects the time he has to take photos.

In one instance, he was tasked with taking a picture of Hurricane Milton from space, and said he only had about 30 seconds to do it because the ISS moves "ludicrously fast."

Pettit joined the stream about 10 minutes in and the two astronauts immediately began to discuss the intricacies and difficulties of taking photographs from space.

The two talked about taking thousands of pictures particularly thunderstorms to get pictures of red sprites, which are luminous flashes that appear above active thunderstorms.

Both have been successful in photographing red sprites in the past but have been more successful in photographing blue jets, a type of lightning that shoots upwards from thunderstorms.

Pettit also showed off his photography setup, which includes a Nikon Z9 with a variety of lenses on a heavy-duty mount.

Coffee is still important in space

As Pettit attempted a physics demonstration with a yo-yo, the ISS lost contact with its satellite, ending the astronaut's brief Twitch stream debut.

Pettit is the designer of the ISS's capillary cup, which allows astronauts to drink coffee (and enjoy its pleasant fragrance) on the ISS without the hot beverage escaping.

Pettit's desire to drink in space without using the awkward bag-and-straw method inspired the idea.

According to Dominick, this wasn't an assigned task. Pettit invented it on a whim.

Per Dominick, Pettit often says that "today's coffee is tomorrow's coffee" since most water, including waste like urine, is recycled and reused over and over again. Over 90% of water waste is recycled to be reused again.

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The two stranded astronauts on the ISS

Dominick was asked about astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been two extra guests on the ISS since June, due to the Boeing Starliner not being able to carry its two passengers home.

He said that there were plenty of supplies on the ISS and that resource allocation, water and oxygen were not an issue at all.

However, if a similar issue happened during a mission to the moon or Mars, it would be much more dangerous and resource-restrictive.

"I have no idea what we're doing"

Dominick noted that scientists on Earth design the experiments, and the astronauts are trained to perform them.

"A lot of times, I have no idea what we're doing," he said. Dominick finished up the discussion by talking about stress and mental health.

Astronauts on the ISS are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities to maintain their mental health.

For Dominick, taking photographs was a hobby that helped him fill his off-hours and reduce stress.

Cheshier ended the stream by encouraging people to check out Aurorasaurus and Spot the Station, two resources that help you see the aurora borealis better and find the ISS when it flies over your area.

How to rewatch NASA's Twitch stream

In many ways, the stream was like any other on Twitch, except this one let people talk to an astronaut 250 miles above the surface of the Earth. The stream can be viewed in its entirety on NASA's Twitch channel.

Twitch chats can be volatile on occasion, but NASA managed to bring enough moderators and nobody got rowdy. The stream maxed out at over 16,000 concurrent viewers.

"This Twitch event from space is the first of many," Brittany Brown, a communications director at NASA, said in a blog post.

"In addition to our spacewalks, launches, and landings, we'll host more Twitch-exclusive streams like this one.

Twitch is one of the many digital platforms we use to reach new audiences and get them excited about all things space."

This isn't NASA's first rodeo

This isn't NASA's first Twitch chat from outside the confines of Earth's atmosphere. The agency has streamed space walks on Twitch and its own NASA+ platform in the past.

But this was the first stream where people in the chat had a chance to engage with astronauts, ask questions and otherwise interact with people in space.

Prior streams were mostly view-only.

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https://www.battlereadyministries.org/p/the-trump-code-barron-trump-and-the

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdiKBHSfyVc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0C_9h8ObQo

The Trump Code, Barron Trump, and the Unfolding Global Crisis: Prophetic Parallels to Ingersoll Lockwood’s Books

Feb 11, 2025

Prophetic Unfolding: The Global Upheaval, Barron Trump’s Rise, and The Trump Code’s Astonishing Parallels to History

In a time of mounting turbulence, President Donald Trump’s policies are shaking the foundations of both national and global affairs.

With airline disruptions, escalating protests, deep state interference, and the controversial restructuring led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the world is witnessing a seismic shift.

What makes these developments even more intriguing is how they mirror the prophetic insights detailed in my book, the #1 bestseller The Trump Code (Charisma House/FrontLine) and their uncanny parallels to the 19th-century writings of Ingersoll Lockwood.

And at the center of it all, an unexpected figure is gaining prominence—Barron Trump. Could his rise have been foretold?

Barron Trump, once a reserved figure in the Trump family, is now stepping into the limelight in ways few could have anticipated.

Social media is buzzing with speculation about his role in his father’s campaign, his strategic influence in the digital realm, and even theories about his possible future leadership.

In The Trump Code, I delve into the striking parallels between Barron Trump’s current trajectory and Ingersoll Lockwood’s 19th-century novels—Travels and Adventures of Baron Trump and His Wonderful Dog Bulger, Baron Trump’s Marvelous Underground Journey and 1900: or, The Last President.

These novels, written over a century ago, feature a young aristocratic protagonist named Baron Trump, who is mentored by a figure named "Don" and embarks on a mysterious journey.

The uncanny connections between Lockwood’s fictional Baron and the real-life Barron Trump raise profound questions: Is history repeating itself, or are we witnessing the fulfillment of a long-hidden prophecy?

Airline Disruptions and the Battle for Global Control

Meanwhile, the recent wave of airline disruptions has sent shockwaves through global travel and national security discussions.

• Azerbaijan Airlines recently reported that "physical and technical external interference" caused a tragic crash last month, claiming 38 lives. Intelligence sources suggest Russian air-defense systems may have been involved, escalating tensions in the region.

• Closer to home, investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a devastating midair collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet over the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., on January 29, which killed 67 people.

• Reports of increased mechanical failures and hacking incidents in aviation networks suggest a coordinated effort to destabilize global travel and supply chains.

Could these airline crises be a warning of deeper spiritual and geopolitical battles ahead? In The Trump Code, I explore how such disruptions align with prophetic indicators of global instability.

Protests, Deep State Resistance, and Trump’s Battle Against Global Elites

As President Trump continues to implement sweeping reforms, opposition from deep state actors and global elites has intensified.

Mass protests have erupted in cities nationwide, fueled by backlash against Trump’s policies on immigration, federal spending cuts, and national security reforms.

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Meanwhile, deep state interference is becoming increasingly evident. Reports suggest that the aggressive strategies employed by the Trump administration to root out corruption and inefficiency in government are shaking entrenched power structures.

Whistleblowers have come forward alleging high-level obstruction efforts aimed at derailing Trump’s reforms.

The Role of DOGE: Elon Musk’s Controversial Overhaul of Government Efficiency

One of the most talked-about developments in Trump’s second term is the rise of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk.

• This unprecedented agency has been tasked with eliminating government waste and streamlining federal operations. However, its actions have not been without controversy:

• DOGE has gained access to critical government IT systems, raising concerns about data security and potential AI-driven governance.

• Musk’s team has begun dismantling bureaucratic inefficiencies, which has resulted in both praise and legal challenges from entrenched political figures.

The agency’s crackdown on corruption is being met with fierce resistance from officials accused of mismanaging taxpayer funds.

Could DOGE’s mission align with the themes in The Trump Code—a battle between the forces of reform and the deep state’s entrenched power structures?

As if geopolitical turmoil weren’t enough, the emergence of new pandemic threats has set off alarms worldwide:

• A dangerous strain of H7N8 bird flu has been detected in Australia, leading to mass poultry cullings.

• In the U.S., a new variant of H5N1 bird flu has been identified in dairy cattle in Nevada, raising concerns about its potential transmission to humans.

• The timing of these outbreaks has led many to question whether we are witnessing another engineered crisis designed to justify expanded government control.

The Trump Code’s Prophetic Insights: Are We at a Turning Point?

The developments of 2025 eerily align with the prophetic themes outlined in The Trump Code.

From economic instability and political upheaval to technological breakthroughs and unexpected leadership shifts, the patterns suggest we are entering a critical juncture in history.

One of the most pressing questions now being asked is: Could Barron Trump be America’s last president?

The Baron Trump Collection, or 1900: or, The Last President, make cryptic references to political outsiders reshaping history.

With Barron Trump’s increasing media presence and speculation about his future, the uncanny similarities cannot be ignored.

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Ravyn aims to distrupt missile sector

February 16, 2025

Washington-based Ravyn Technology Corp. is developing low-cost missiles propelled by solid rocket motors.

The company, established in 2019, aims to bring down the cost of missiles tenfold with its Mobile Mass Missile System.

The sector “needs to be disrupted to create more competition in the market,” Ravyn founder Saad Mirza told SpaceNews.

Ravyn missiles are designed to travel 1,600 kilometers in space, reaching speeds of Mach 10 or higher, before gliding on reentry for extended range.

Ravyn is not alone in seeing market demand for hypersonic weapons and solid rocket motors. Castelion, a California startup developing hypersonic missiles, raised $100 million in a recent Series A investment round.

X-Bow Systems of New Mexico, secured $70 million in Series B funding to produce solid rocket motors and small launch vehicles.

And Defense contractor Anduril Industries entered the solid rocket motor business in 2023 through its acquisition of Adranos.

The Defense Department has “expressed interest to allow the more ‘non-traditional defense industry partners’ to become part of the Defense Industrial Base,” Alfred Abramson III, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general and Ravyn business development advisor, said be email.

Startups inject resiliency into the Defense Industrial Base by increasing competition, offering second sources and boosting domestic manufacturing, Abramson added.

Vertical Integration

Ravyn is working to slash the cost of missiles through design simplification, economies of scale and vertical integration.

“Legacy manufacturers, while providing world-class systems, have created intricate designs which have proven very expensive to manufacture,” Loginn Kapitan, Ravyn vice president engineering and a former Leidos vice president, said by email.

“This has resulted in a high-cost low-volume missile environment for the United States Department of Defense.

Ravyn seeks to turn that reality on its head by creating uncomplicated design solutions which facilitate high-volume production at a much lower cost to the taxpayer.”

Kapitan, a former Ravyn advisor, said he joined the company full-time after noting Mirza’s “vision, impressive skill set, business acumen, dogged determination and capacity to handle a myriad of details.”

While at Princeton University studying aerospace engineering, Mirza led a student team that sent a small rocket to an altitude of 84 kilometers. While still in school, he also founded Ravyn.

To date, Ravyn has designed a 2.75-inch air-to-air missile and conducted a static-fire test of a 2.75-inch rocket motor in Mojave, California.

https://spacenews.com/ravyn-aims-to-distrupt-missile-sector/

https://www.ravyncorp.com/

Crackdown on Narcotics: BSF Seizes Drone Carrying 1 Kg Heroin Near Amritsar

Updated 20:46 IST, February 16th 2025

A drone and two packets of narcotics at two different places in Punjab were recovered, an official statement said on Sunday.

According to BSF, a tip-off was received regarding the smuggling of drugs by drone at two different places in (Ferozepur and Amritsar border area).

“On the intervening night of February 14 and 15, a special ambush was laid by the BSF troops at the suspected dropping zone of the drone coming from Pakistan to India side to drop the narcotics consignments,” BSF said.

The ambush party recovered two packets suspected to be heroin (Gross weight- 1 kg) from a farming field adjacent to village Dona Rahmat Wala in district Ferozepur.

The narcotics were dropped by the drone in two sorties coming from Pakistan to India.

The packets were wrapped with yellow adhesive tape along with a nylon loop and small torch also attached to the packets.

In another incident, BSF intelligence shared information about presence of a drone with narcotics consignment in border area of Amritsar.

In the course of search on the morning of February 16, 2025 at about 7:05 am the BSF troops recovered one drone DJI Mavic 3 Classic along with one packet (Gross weight- 550 Grams) of suspected heroin from a farming field adjacent to village Roranwala Khurd in district Amritsar.

https://www.republicworld.com/india/crackdown-on-narcotics-bsf-seizes-drone-carrying-1-kg-heroin-near-amritsar