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https://www.space.com/stargazing/how-to-see-manhattanhenge-2025-expert-tips-for-catching-new-yorks-iconic-sunset-spectacle
https://www.amnh.org/research/hayden-planetarium/manhattanhenge
https://www.amnh.org/calendar/manhattanhenge-block-party
Manhattanhenge 2025: When, where and how to see New York's iconic sunset phenomenon tonight
May 28, 2025
The 2025 Manhattanhenge season is almost upon us!
Here's everything you need to know about the solar phenomenon before it graces the New York City streets on May 28 and May 29 , complete with expert viewing tips from Jackie Faherty, senior research scientist at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).
The Manhattanhenge phenomenon occurs when the sun sets perfectly aligned with the east/west orientation of Manhattan's grid layout, kissing the street and illuminating the concrete canyon to the delight of the watching masses.
What causes Manhattanhenge?
The term Manhattanhenge was coined by renowned science communicator and director of the Hayden Planetarium Neil DeGrasse Tyson, who sought to draw a parallel between the yearly phenomenon and the ancient monument of Stonehenge.
"He got a little obsessed with it, and noticed, we have a gridded city that's kind of oriented towards the northwest," Faherty told Space.com in an interview.
"It's like 23 degrees off from true north, so there are points of the year where, because the sun ping pongs a little further north, a little far south … it reaches a point where it hits the grid of Manhattan like a bull's eye, perfectly aligned with our gridded streets."
New York's modern-day solar alignment is the result of a chance confluence of city planning and orbital mechanics, rather than the purposeful placement used in the creation of its ancient counterpart, Stonehenge.
Manhattanhenge occurs as a result of the 23-degree tilt in Earth's rotational axis, which causes the sun to rise and set at slightly different times and positions on the horizon each day.
Twice a year, this subtle procession aligns the setting sun perfectly with New York City's street grid, placing it right in the center of the concrete canyon, creating a spectacular photo opportunity.
"It's a long way across the Hudson towards a fairly flat skyline," Faherty said.
"And so you've got this long look, and then you've got 93 million miles to the sun, which is at that point in those moments at Manhattanhenge, you can take your finger and point straight down the middle of 42nd street, and it's pointing to the sun's location right when it's about to go below the horizon of the earth for you. So it's magical."
When is Mattanhenge 2025?
Manhattanhenge season kicks off on Wednesday, May 28, when the half sun will be visible framed by the grid of New York City, at 8:12 p.m. ET (0012 GMT May 30), according to Faherty, who calculates the timings of the phenomenon for the AMNH.
Then on May 29, the full sun will be perfectly positioned between the high-rise buildings of the concrete canyon at 8:12 p.m. ET (0012 GMT May 30).
New Yorkers will have a second opportunity to see the full sun perfectly aligned above the grid on July 11 at 8:20 pm ET (0020 GMT July 12).
The following day, the Manhattan season will come to an end, when the half-set sun will be visible centered in the middle of New York's westerly-facing thoroughfares on July 12 at 8:22 pm ET (0022 GMT July 13).
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Those lucky enough to find themselves in New York during the peak dates of Manhattanhenge will see the sun make a grand entrance from the left of the city's skyscraper canyons as it tracks an inexorable path towards the horizon.
"…when the sun peaks its first rays of light beyond that building, the crowd tends to go wild," explained Faherty. "It's the entry moment, like, is it going to come? Is it going to come?
And then pow, it's there. And then you get to see it do its dance all the way down, kiss the grid, light you up in all these gorgeous colors, before its dramatic exit."
The sunsets between May 29 and July 11 will allow viewers in New York to witness what Faherty has coined as the 'Manhattanhenge Effect', in which the sun appears to cross low between the buildings of the city from the left to the right, but doesn't come close enough to 'kiss' the floor of the grid.
Where to see Manhattenhenge 2025?
Manhattanhenge is sure to be a spectacular sight from a myriad of streets and parks across New York City, including 14th Street, 23rd Street and 57th Street, Weather permitting, of course.
Faherty's key advice is to arrive at your chosen spot as early as possible, especially if you're planning on bringing a camera and tripod.
"The sun is setting, perfectly framed by the concrete jungle of New York City," described Dr. Faherty.
"And at that point, you can pick your favorite street with your favorite building, as long as it's on the grid, and you can see all the way across the river towards New Jersey, since you have a clear view towards the west or [at] sunset."
New York's famous 42nd Street is likely to be the epicenter for crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of the Manhattanhenge phenomenon alongside the Chrysler Building and other iconic landmarks.
The Tudor City Overpass on the east end of 42nd was flagged as a prime — and likely packed — location for photographers to set up, and wait patiently for the solar spectacle to commence.
"There will be thousands of people that are there shutting down the street," predicted Faherty. "The cops will show up. They'll be annoyed.
They're going to be mad at everybody. They're going to try and clear everybody from the street. But at the end of the day, as soon as the sun enters between the buildings, it's like utter joy, a little bit of chaos, but joy."
For a different view, Faherty suggests heading to the outer boroughs of the city to Gantry State Park in Queens, which will grant a view across the East River towards Manhattan and New Jersey.
A block party for the sun
The American Museum of Natural History is holding a special Manhattanhenge event on July 11 to celebrate the phenomenon at the LeFrak Theater on 77th Street.
"We are - as far as I know - the only official street closure in the city for Manhattanhenge," explained Faherty.
The ticketed event includes a presentation on the history and science behind the phenomenon, capped with a viewing party of the iconic sunset featuring music from the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra.
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Starship's Ninth Flight Test
May 27, 2025
Starship’s ninth flight test lifted off at 6:36 p.m. CT on Tuesday, May 27 from Starbase, Texas.
The Super Heavy booster supporting the mission made the first ever reflight in the Starship program, having previously launched on Starship’s seventh flight test in January 2025.
The booster performed a full-duration ascent burn with all 33 of its Raptor engines and separated from Starship’s upper stage in a hot-staging maneuver.
During separation, Super Heavy performed the first deterministic flip followed by its boostback burn.
Super Heavy demonstrated its ability to fly at a higher angle of attack during its descent back to Earth.
By increasing the amount of atmospheric drag on the vehicle, a higher angle of attack results in a slower descent speed which in turn requires less propellant for the initial landing burn.
Getting real-world data on how the booster controlled its flight at this higher angle of attack will contribute to improved performance on future vehicles, including the next generation of Super Heavy.
As it approached its designated splashdown area in the Gulf of America, Super Heavy relit its 13 center and middle ring Raptor engines.
Contact with the booster was lost shortly after the start of landing burn when it experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly approximately 6 minutes after launch, bringing an end to the first reflight of a Super Heavy booster.
Following a successful stage separation, the Starship upper stage lit all six of its Raptor engines and performed a full-duration ascent burn.
The engines on Starship flew with mitigations in place following learnings from the eighth flight test, including additional preload on key joints, a new nitrogen purge system, and improvements to the propellant drain system.
During Starship’s orbital coast, several in-space objectives were planned, including the first payload deployment from Starship and a relight of a single Raptor engine.
Starship’s payload bay door was unable to open which prevented the deployment of the eight Starlink simulator satellites.
A subsequent attitude control error resulted in bypassing the Raptor relight and prevented Starship from getting into the intended position for reentry.
Starship then went through an automated safing process to vent the remaining pressure to place the vehicle in the safest condition for reentry.
Contact with Starship was lost approximately 46 minutes into the flight, with all debris expected to fall within the planned hazard area in the Indian Ocean.
Starship’s ninth flight test marked a major milestone for reuse with the first flight-proven Super Heavy booster launching from Starbase, and once more returned Starship to space.
Data review is underway, and new improvements will be implemented as work begins to prepare the next Starship and Super Heavy vehicles for flight.
Developmental testing by definition is unpredictable, but every lesson learned marks progress toward Starship’s goal of enabling life to become multiplanetary.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-9
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/spacex-launches-starship-flight-9-to-space-in-historic-reuse-of-giant-megarocket-video
https://spacenews.com/starship-breaks-up-on-reentry-after-loss-of-attitude-control/
SpaceX Starlink Mission
May 28, 2025
SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, May 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 27 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Liftoff is targeted for 9:30 a.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 1:17 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Thursday, May 29 starting at 9:08 a.m. ET.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.
This is the 19th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, SES ASTRA 1P, NG-21, and 12 Starlink missions.
Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=sl-10-32
https://www.floridatoday.com/picture-gallery/tech/science/space/spacex/2025/05/28/spacex-launches-starlink-10-32-mission-from-kennedy-space-center/83887452007/
Inauguration of the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI) – first ESA presence in Switzerland
27/05/2025
The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI), the first ESA presence in Switzerland, created in close collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI).
The new centre is located at the Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare in Villigen. The opening highlights the growing role of deep tech in space exploration and its potential to boost Europe's growth and competitiveness.
The European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI) is a collaborative initiative between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Switzerland, a leading deep tech country, globally renowned for its advances in robotics, nanotechnology, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.
Located in the immediate vicinity of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI at the Switzerland Innovation Park Innovaare in Villigen, ESDI is designed to accelerate the commercial adoption and availability of deep tech, for space and for the benefit of European citizens.
To this end it designs, establishes, and runs platforms for deep tech research in quantum, data, and materials, bringing to use technologies of tomorrow for the world of today.
The first such platform is ESA Phi-Lab Switzerland, which is integrated into the organisation of PSI.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA, said:
“The inauguration of the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre is a testimonial to ESA’s and Switzerland’s joint commitment to push innovation and drive economic growth.
ESDI will contribute to strengthening the European deep tech ecosystem and promoting Swiss and European leadership in this domain.”
“ESDI establishes and operates platforms for deep tech research in the fields of quantum, data and materials that unlock new markets and commercial opportunities, making tomorrow's technologies available for today's world,” added Johann Richard, Head of ESDI.
“At the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, we are proud to be the host of ESA Phi-Lab. The European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre is a vital part of the strengthened ties between ESA and Switzerland.
By leveraging Switzerland's world-class research infrastructures and fostering interdisciplinary innovation, this collaboration will advance deep tech for space activities and transformative applications on Earth,” emphasised Christian Rüegg, Director of PSI.
On behalf of ESA and in line with ESA’s strategy 2040, ESDI will also work with public and private R&D actors, including higher education institutions to reinforce Europe’s competitiveness and autonomy by addressing the skills gap, but also strengthen the research potential and opportunities of those actors.
A reinforced cooperation between ESA and higher education institutions will also contribute to develop national and local capabilities, help create space-related jobs and speed up the adoption of space solutions in the European economy.
During the event, ESA Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness Geraldine Naja, together with Joanne Sieber, CEO of Deep Tech Nation Switzerland Foundation, also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to stimulate synergies and create strong connections between the space sector and the Swiss deep tech ecosystem, and to build, nurture and expand a deep tech for space community.
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Inauguration_of_the_European_Space_Deep-Tech_Innovation_Centre_ESDI_first_ESA_presence_in_Switzerland
NASA images show ancient volcanic field in middle of Sahara Desert from space
Updated 13:50 28 May 2025 GMT+1
Fascinating images from space show an ancient lava field in the middle of the Sahara Desert
NASA's satellite imagery has shown us some interesting views of our planet over the years, but a select few have offered us a fiery view of one of the hottest places on Earth.
Known for its extreme heat - with the highest temperature recorded as 58°C - the Sahara Desert is one of the most harsh environments in the world.
Images have emerged showing a giant black, fossilised lava field which is millions of years old, spewed across the North African desert.
How was the image made?
It has come from almost three years worth of NASA satellite imagery of the region, between July 2013 and April 2016.
The image is what is known as a 'best pixel mosaic'. Essentially, it's a combination of all the images put together into one and shows the ancient lava field in the middle of the desert.
It was put together using a computer program which sorts through the images, pixel by pixel to make sure you end up with an image which is free from clouds, dust storms, or anything else which could obscure the pic.
What is the Haruj volcanic field?
The Haruj volcanic field covers a huge area in central Libya - where the images have been captured.
While most volcanos are located around the Earth's fault lines, however, this particular volcanic fields isn't located near any known fault lines.
Experts believe that the lava field were dragged up from the mantle by a surge of hot material, known as a mantle plume.
How big is the Haruj volcanic field?
The Haruj volcanic field covers a massive area in Libya of around 45,000 square kilometres.
Some experts have come to the conclusion that the volcanic field is actually made up of two separate volcanic fields, merging into one.
Evidence suggests that the north side of the volcanic field is made up of much older, ancient lava, whereas, the southern side of the field might have been created much more recently, which could indicate two separate fields and back this theory.
Even if it is made up of two separate fields, due to its sheer size, and the fact it merges as one, most experts consider it to be a single volcanic field.
What does the Haruj Field tell us about Earth?
The Haruj volcanic field gives us an insight into how lava fields can be created, even without massive eruptions, or near fault lines.
Instead of volcanos changing the shape of the landscape around it, mantle plumes can instead slowly bubble up and change the environment around it.
https://www.ladbible.com/news/science/nasa-volcanic-field-sahara-desert-space-478914-20250528
Prosthetic mobility tested in zero gravity for inclusive space exploration
May 28, 2025
In a first for space medicine research, a lower limb prosthesis has been tested in microgravity during the European Space Agency's (ESA) latest parabolic flight campaign aboard the 'Zero G' aircraft.
ESA astronaut reserve John McFall, a through-knee amputee, put his prosthetic leg through a series of activities-squatting, walking, and running-across more than 90 parabolas over three separate flights.
These maneuvers created repeated microgravity periods lasting 22 seconds each, replicating conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The test flights began on May 21, 2025, from Bordeaux, France, as part of ESA's 86th parabolic flight campaign.
McFall played a central role as a subject matter expert in ESA's Fly! initiative, which investigates how to overcome the barriers that have traditionally excluded lower limb amputees from participating in extended space missions.
Equipped with a mechatronic "smart" knee and interchangeable components for daily use and athletic performance, McFall's prosthesis incorporates sensors that depend on gravity.
The Fly! research team developed the Ampu-T2 experiment to evaluate how this advanced hardware performs in a weightless environment.
Researchers partnered with orthopedic technology company Ottobock to collect and refine performance data.
Initial tests involved standing and walking, while subsequent flights examined running with variations in blade stiffness and knee resistance.
A harness and elastic cords, mirroring ISS exercise gear, simulated the load forces needed to keep McFall grounded on the treadmill during microgravity.
The findings will guide the optimal prosthesis setup for conducting daily tasks aboard the ISS.
Beyond technical refinement, the research has broader health implications. On Earth, bone stress from walking maintains density, but astronauts face rapid bone and muscle loss in space.
A treadmill, bicycle, and resistance device help mitigate these effects aboard the ISS. McFall's tests could lead to adaptive training protocols for prosthesis users in orbit, ensuring all astronauts stay healthy during missions and upon return to Earth.
https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Prosthetic_mobility_tested_in_zero_gravity_for_inclusive_space_exploration_999.html
Lummis cosponsors bill to reduce space debris, safeguard satellites
May 28, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., led their colleagues in introducing the Orbital Sustainability (ORBITS) Act to create a first-of-its-kind program to reduce the amount of orbital debris in space.
This bipartisan legislation is an important step in addressing the growing risks posed by space debris and maintaining American leadership in space, a news release from Lummis' office said.
By addressing orbital debris, the ORBITS Act would help safeguard America's critical satellite capabilities.
“Space is getting more and more crowded with debris that poses a real threat to our satellites," Lummis said in the release.
"People in Wyoming and across the country depend on satellites for our national security, weather forecasting, wildfire monitoring, GPS navigation and communications essential for our way of life.
The ORBITS Act addresses this growing challenge and helps maintain safe human spaceflight operations above the Earth. This bipartisan solution will protect America's interests in space for generations to come.
The ORBITS Act would require NASA and other federal agencies to:
Identify and list the most dangerous space debris
Test, demonstrate and advance technologies for removing debris from orbit
Establish standardized practices for coordinating space traffic and preventing collisions
NASA estimates that more than 9,000 metric tons of space debris were orbiting Earth as of January 2022, creating growing concerns over potential satellite disruptions.
https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/lummis-cosponsors-bill-to-reduce-space-debris-safeguard-satellites/article_25a792d9-58ab-4e62-8925-72d8ca022f5b.html
https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/press_releases/hickenlooper-cantwell-lummis-wicker-reintroduce-bill-to-clear-space-junk-protect-space-exploration/
https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ORBITS-ACT-119th-Congress.pdf
Quadruple volcanoes on secret Soviet military base linked to climate-altering eruption 200 years ago — Earth from space
May 28, 2025
This eye-catching satellite photo shows Simushir, a little-known Russian island and former Soviet naval base, featuring four end-to-end volcanoes that are evenly spaced and in a surprisingly straight line.
One of the four peaks was the site of one of the largest eruptions in recorded history, which significantly altered Earth's climate around 200 years ago.
Simushir is one of the Kuril Islands — a Russian-controlled archipelago of more than 50 volcanic islands in the North Pacific Ocean.
Like the rest of the Kuril Islands, the sovereignty of Simushir has been passed back and forth between two nearby countries, Russia and Japan, several times over the last 400 years.
It was most recently used as a secret Soviet nuclear submarine base until 1994, but is now uninhabited.
The 5-mile-long (8 kilometer) landmass is home to four major volcanoes that can be seen from space.
These towering structures are, from southeast to northwest (left to right): Milna, Zavaritski, Prevo and Uratman.
Milna is the tallest of the four at 5,050 feet (1,540 meters) tall and last erupted in 1914.
Next to it lies Zavaritzki, also known as Zavaritskogo, which stands around 2,047 feet (624 m) above sea level, and last blew its top in 1957, leaving behind a largely hollowed-out crater.
Prevo, which is 4,460 feet (1,360 m) tall, last erupted in 1825. Meanwhile Uratman, which stands at 2,224 feet (678 m), shows no signs of having erupted for at least 12,000 years.
A deep lagoon, known as Brouton Bay, can also be seen surrounding Uratman. This was where the Soviets stored some of their nuclear submarines.
There's a smaller fifth volcano on the island, named Goriaschaia Sopka, which is located on the northeast flank of Milna, but it’s indiscernible from the larger volcanoes in satellite photos.
Despite being classed as individual volcanoes, Goriaschaia Sopka and Milna are closely linked to one another.
Simushir and the other Kuril Islands are hotspots for volcanic activity because they're located within what experts call the "Ring of Fire" — a 25,000-mile-long (40,000 km) arc located above tectonic plate boundaries surrounding the outer edge of the Pacific Ocean, according to NASA's Earth Observatory.
This region contains around two-thirds of the world's terrestrial volcanoes and is the site of around 90% of all earthquakes.
The big one
In 1831, the Northern Hemisphere's climate cooled by an average of about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius), coinciding with reports of gloomy, bleak weather and the sun turning different colors.
Scientists knew a massive eruption caused this strange event, but the volcano responsible has remained a mystery.
But in December 2024, a new study revealed that Zavaritzki was the culprit after matching ash deposits in polar ice cores to the volcano.
This finding was a surprise to the researchers because there had been no prior evidence of any eruption on Simushir in 1831, likely due to its remote location and the lack of any potential witnesses on surrounding islands.
"We had no idea this volcano was responsible [for the dramatic eruption]," study lead author William Hutchison, a volcanologist at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, previously told Live Science. "It was completely off the radar."
https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/volcanos/quadruple-volcanoes-on-secret-soviet-military-base-linked-to-climate-altering-eruption-200-years-ago-earth-from-space
Astronomers discover mystery cosmic body bursting with X-rays: 'This object is unlike anything we have seen before'
May 28, 2025
One of the strangest cosmic objects ever seen just got even weirder — NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope caught it blasting out X-ray radiation and radio waves.
The mystery object, known as ASKAP J1832- 0911, is located within the Milky Way about 15,000 light-years away from Earth. It's now known to flash in both radio waves and X-rays for a two-minute period every 44 minutes.
This is the first time an object like this, a so-called "long-period transient" or "LPT," has been seen in high-energy X-ray light as well as low-energy radio wave light.
The team behind this discovery hopes the finding could help reveal what these flashing objects actually are and how they launch their mystery signals.
However, not only is there no explanation for how the signals from LPTs are generated yet, but astronomers also don't know why these signals "switch on" and "switch off" at long, regular and unusual intervals.
"This object is unlike anything we have seen before," team leader and Curtin University researcher Zieng (Andy) Wang said in a statement.
Chandra gets lucky. Star doesn't.
LPTs are flashing cosmic bodies that emit radio pulses separated by a few minutes or a few hours. They were first discovered in 2022, making them a very recent discovery.
Since this initial detection, astronomers from around the globe have discovered a further 10 LPTs.
None seem to be quite like this one, though — not yet anyway.
ASKAP J1832- 0911 was first spotted by astronomers using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope in Wajarri Country, Australia.
The team then followed this initial LPT discovery in radio waves with further investigation using NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope, shockingly finding that its highly periodic and unusual radio emissions are mimicked in X-rays.
In fact, catching ASKAP J1832- 0911 throwing its regular X-ray tantrum was a matter of good fortune.
"Discovering that ASKAP J1832-0911 was emitting X-rays felt like finding a needle in a haystack," Wang said.
"The ASKAP radio telescope has a wide field view of the night sky, while Chandra observes only a fraction of it. So, it was fortunate that Chandra observed the same area of the night sky at the same time."
The team believes the true nature of ASKAP J1832-0911 is a dead star, they just don't quite know what form that star takes.
A highly magnetic neutron star, or "magnetar," is one option, and a a white dwarf — the kind of stellar remnant the sun will leave behind when it dies in over 5 billion years — is another.
“ASKAP J1831- 0911 could be a magnetar, the core of a dead star with powerful magnetic fields, or it could be a pair of stars in a binary system where one of the two is a highly magnetized white dwarf, a low-mass star at the end of its evolution," Wang said. "However, even those theories do not fully explain what we are observing. "This discovery could indicate a new type of physics or new models of stellar evolution."
The hope is the discovery that at least one LPT emits X-rays in the same way it does radio waves could help shed light on the mysterious origins of these objects.
That's because the fact that X-rays are so much more energetic than radio waves are means whatever the object behind ASKAP J1832- 0911 is, it must be able to produce both types of radiation.
That should narrow down the field of suspects — and, there should be more LPTs out there acting just like this one, the study team reasons.
"Finding one such object hints at the existence of many more," Nanda Rea, study team member and a researcher at the Institute of Space Science (ICE-CSIC) and Catalan Institute for Space studies (IEEC), said in the statement.
"The discovery of its transient X-ray emission opens fresh insights into their mysterious nature."
https://www.space.com/astronomy/mystery-deepens-cosmic-energy-lpt-askap-j1832-0911
https://www.icrar.org/xray-transient/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09077-w
China launching Tianwen-2 mission today to snag samples of a near-Earth asteroid
May 28, 2025
China is ready to launch a mission to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid.
Propellant was being loaded into a Long March 3B rocket at Xichang spaceport in the southwest of the country, following checks and rehearsals, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on May 26.
The Tianwen 2 mission is set to launch on May 29 Beijing time, according to CNSA.
This aligns with airspace closure notices suggesting that launch will take place around 1:30 p.m. EDT on May 28 (1730 GMT; or 1:30 a.m. Beijing time, May 29).
It was unclear at time of reporting if live streams of the event would be available.
"At present, at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, various preparations for the mission are progressing steadily.
The Long March 3B Y110 carrier rocket that will carry out the launch is about to be filled with propellant," the CNSA statement read.
Tianwen 2 will first target Kamo'oalewa (also referred to as 2016 HO3), a small, unusual near-Earth asteroid, aiming to deliver samples of the object to Earth sometime in 2027.
The mission will test out a number of sampling techniques, including attempting a landing on the rocky body, if terrain allows.
Scientists want to assess the samples to determine the origins of the asteroid, which may be pieces of the moon sent into orbit by a giant impact, and provide insights into the wider evolution of the solar system. Mission data could also assist planetary defense planning.
Kamo'oalewa is just the first of the mission's destinations, however. Tianwen 2 will use its return visit to Earth to both drop off the samples in a reentry module and use our planet's gravity to slingshot it on a path that will take it to the comet 311P/PANSTARRS, arriving around 2035.
Once there, Tianwen 2 will orbit the comet and use its range of cameras, spectrometers and other instruments to collect data that may provide insights into mysteries such as where Earth's water came from.
The spacecraft also carries charged and neutral particle analyzers, a radar instrument, an ejecta analyzer and a magnetometer.
311P orbits in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, exhibiting the orbit of an asteroid but also displaying dust tails like a comet, according to Chinese researchers.
Tianwen 2 is China's second planetary exploration mission, following on from the Tianwen 1 Mars orbiter and rover, which launched in 2020.
Tianwen 3 will be a Mars sample return mission, launching in late 2028, while Tianwen 4 will visit the Jupiter system and potentially Uranus.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/china-launching-tianwen-2-mission-today-to-snag-samples-of-a-near-earth-asteroid
https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/n6758823/n6758838/c10676320/content.html
A 3D Printed Lab Tool for Space Biology Survives Spaceflight
May 28, 2025
When it comes to space missions, even the smallest tools have to be light, tough, and reliable, and one small device is proving just how powerful that combination can be. It’s called MiniFix and it might just be the future of sustainable science in orbit.
Developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), MiniFix is the first fully FDM-printed system for preserving biological samples during space missions, like cells or tissue.
It works by injecting chemicals (from two tiny syringes) into the sample to stabilize it, preventing it from breaking down over time. This kind of process is essential in space because astronauts can’t do complex lab work the way they do on Earth.
Built on the Desktop, Bound for Space
Built with desktop 3D printers and open-source electronics, MiniFix still met the demands of spaceflight, completing five suborbital missions through the DLR’s MAPHEUS program, short for Materials Physics Experiments under Microgravity.
It did so without any structural damage, even under extreme conditions like high acceleration, vibration, and the intense heat changes of re-entry.
The heart of the system is the dual-syringe unit. This allows it to perform programmable chemical fixation, a method used to preserve biological samples in space, where manual processes are not an option.
The system also reuses the heat generated by its small stepper motors to keep the device warm, which saves energy and makes the design less complicated.
The system’s heat management is impressively efficient, using only 4.6 watt-hours of power to keep samples at the right temperature, even during atmospheric reentry.
MiniFix made history as the first piece of space hardware ever flown using a compostable biopolymer called GreenTEC Pro.
Made from renewable, plant-based materials, GreenTEC Pro is stronger and more heat-resistant than typical compostable plastics, yet can still break down under industrial composting conditions.
Using it in a space mission marks a major step forward for sustainable space tools. In an industry known for its complex and high-cost materials, MiniFix demonstrates that environmentally conscious materials can withstand the harshness of space.
This sets an exciting precedent, since future missions might begin to consider using more recyclable or biodegradable components, especially for single-use instruments or experiments.
What Makes MiniFix Special?
According to Sebastian Feles, who submitted the story proposal and leads the Aeromedical FabLab at DLR, MiniFix represents something rare in space tech, since it’s affordable, scalable, and mission-ready.
To make the device, Feles’ team used a Prusa MK3+ desktop printer and three standard filaments: PLA, PETG, and the compostable GreenTEC Pro.
What’s more, the modular syringe unit can be sterilized and reused. The syringe module is designed to be pre-assembled under sterile conditions, keeping biological samples safe from contamination during launch and flight.
The device is also equipped with NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) 11 stepper motors for precise timing of chemical fixation and doesn’t require a cleanroom or post-processing; simply print and assemble.
Because MiniFix is fully 3D printed, it can be quickly updated for different experiments, such as adding a light source for plant tests, without long delays or expensive redesigns.
MiniFix was printed with 0.3 mm layer height and 0.4 mm nozzle settings, following a fast, lab-style development approach. Roughly the size of a large smartphone, the device shows that space hardware doesn’t always need to come from high-end, million-dollar systems.
The compact system fits into standard 2U CubeSat modules and weighs just 880 grams when made with compostable material. For missions that require extra protection, it can be housed in a sealed pressure vessel, bringing the total weight to around 2.3 kilograms.
“This kind of flexible, low-cost platform could open new doors for space-based research,” the team writes. “MiniFix isn’t just about preserving samples—it’s about making space experiments more accessible, adaptable, and sustainable.”
https://3dprint.com/318360/a-3d-printed-lab-tool-for-space-biology-survives-spaceflight/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391245757_Pioneering_the_Future_of_Experimental_Space_Hardware_MiniFix_-_a_Fully_3D-Printed_and_Highly_Adaptable_System_for_Biological_Fixation_in_Space
JWST's Deepest Gaze at a Single Spot in Space Reveals Ancient Wonders
28 May 2025
The James Webb space telescope's deepest view of a single target yet depicts spinning arcs of light that are galaxies from the universe's distant past, the European Space Agency said Tuesday.
The new image took the world's most powerful telescope more than 120 hours to capture, making it the longest Webb has ever focused on a single target.
It is also "Webb's deepest gaze on a single target to date", the European Space Agency (ESA) said in a statement, making the image one of the deepest ever captured of the cosmos.
At the bright centre of the image is a massive cluster of galaxies called Abell S1063, which is 4.5 billion light years from Earth.
But it is not the true target.
Such huge celestial objects can bend the light of things behind them, creating a kind of magnifying glass called a gravitational lens.
Therefore the "warped arcs" spinning around the Abell S1063 are what really interest scientists, the ESA said in a statement.
Because looking into distant space also means looking back in time, scientists hope to learn how the first galaxies formed during a period known as the Cosmic Dawn, when the universe was only a few million years old.
The image includes nine separate shots of different near-infrared wavelengths of light, the ESA said.
Since coming online in 2022, the Webb telescope has ushered in a new era of scientific breakthroughs.
It has also revealed that galaxies in the early universe are far bigger than scientists expected, leading some to suspect there might be something wrong with our understanding of the cosmos.
https://www.sciencealert.com/jwsts-deepest-gaze-at-a-single-spot-in-space-reveals-ancient-wonders
https://esawebb.org/images/potm2505a/
Space Force Association Appoints Jack Smith as Vice President of Chapter Operations
May 27, 2025, 3:30 PM ET
The Space Force Association (SFA) is proud to announce the appointment of Jack Smith as Vice President of Chapter Operations.
A visionary leader and U.S. Air Force veteran, Jack brings a wealth of experience in business strategy, technology consulting, and veteran advocacy to this vital role.
With a distinguished career dedicated to advancing innovation, national security, and workforce development, Jack is uniquely positioned to support the United States Space Force’s mission and expand SFA’s impact across the country.
His strategic insight and deep understanding of the defense and technology sectors will be instrumental in guiding the growth and effectiveness of SFA chapters nationwide.
Jack currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Fortuna Business Management Consulting (BMC), a veteran-owned firm specializing in IT services, contact center solutions, and workforce optimization.
Under his leadership, Fortuna has become a trusted partner to both government agencies and private enterprises, with a strong emphasis on veteran hiring and professional development.
Beyond his executive work, Jack is a noted speaker, investor, and host of the Purposeful Prosperity podcast, where he interviews mission-driven leaders and entrepreneurs committed to social impact.
His passion for mentorship and empowering veterans aligns closely with SFA’s goals of building a strong, informed, and engaged community in support of the Space Force.
“Jack Smith exemplifies the kind of visionary leadership and mission-driven mindset that defines the Space Force Association,” said Bill Woolf, CEO of the Space Force Association.
“His expertise in technology, his experience as a veteran, and his passion for innovation will be invaluable as we strengthen our chapter operations and expand our national reach in support of the United States Space Force.”
Jack’s appointment reinforces SFA’s commitment to excellence, leadership, and the seamless integration of military experience into the future of space operations.
His extensive credentials and recognized contributions to the business and veteran communities make him a valuable addition to the Association’s leadership team.
https://fox4kc.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/815490013/space-force-association-appoints-jack-smith-as-vice-president-of-chapter-operations/
https://ussfa.org/
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4197573/operational-test-launch-gt-253-is-a-glory-trip-for-wing/
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
May 27, 2025
In the dark hours of May 21, a flash of light split the night sky along California’s coast, marking the successful launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile during operational test Glory Trip 253:
An operational test designed to verify the accuracy and reliability of the United States’ land-based nuclear deterrent.
Vandenberg Space Force Base’s 377th Test and Evaluation Group oversaw the test launch. It is the nation’s only dedicated ICBM test organization professionally executing tests that accurately measure the current and future capability of the ICBM force.
Behind the ignition that propelled the missile more than 4,200 miles from Vandenberg SFB to a target in the Marshall Islands, were Airmen from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, who played a critical role in ensuring the launch was a success.
First Lts. Travis Evans and Kalvin Sutherland, missileers from the 341st Operations Group, were responsible for initiating the launch sequence.
While the test was conducted at Vandenberg SFB, the task was familiar: One they routinely rehearse and execute on alert back home in Montana.
This time, however, their actions would send a live missile into the sky, testing the readiness, reliability and precision of the nation’s strategic deterrent.
“I think every Glory Trip we have serves the same purpose,” said Evans, 10th Missile Squadron combat crew commander.
“For decades now we’ve been testing our weapon system to demonstrate its security and reliability, and our credibility as a nation…if it came to it, whenever the president authorizes us to carry out our job, we are able to do so.”
Evans described that he and Sutherland were well-prepared for launch night thanks to their experience pulling alert duties and constant training, but that didn’t negate their feelings of anticipation for the event.
“As we got closer to the launch night, it kind of set in that there aren't many people who have actually been given the opportunity to give that final key turn on a test missile,” he explained.
“Knowing that we're contributing directly to the mission, and the test mission, is very rewarding.”
Glory Trip 253 was more than just a routine test—it was the latest demonstration of strategic readiness.
The unarmed missile, randomly selected from Malmstrom AFB’s operational inventory, was equipped with a single Mark-21 High Fidelity Re-Entry Vehicle to provide valuable telemetry data to the 576th Flight Test Squadron and reaffirm the effectiveness of the Minuteman III weapon system.
As the clock counted down to the launch window, the pair of missileers completed all checklist procedures from a subterranean control center hidden away from the cool, briny air of the cloudless Southern California night.
But long before any countdown began, another team of Malmstrom AFB Airmen was already hard at work behind the scenes.
A 17-person task force from the 341st Maintenance Group was responsible for preparing the missile ahead of the launch.
Their work included removing the missile from alert status, inspecting and disassembling critical components, and helping facilitate transport to Vandenberg SFB in coordination with depot personnel from Hill AFB, Utah.
Staff Sgt. James Lynch, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron team chief, said the process was both routine and extraordinary.
“We’ve been training for this day in and day out through the operational work we routinely do,” Lynch said. “[We’ve] been in the field for the last two years sweating, bleeding, to get the job done.
None of us have been part of a test launch before, so getting to actually see [the missile] come out of a hole and launch like fireworks is like fourth quarter Super Bowl.”
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Once on the ground at Vandenberg SFB, Malmstrom AFB’s maintainers joined forces with the 576th FLTS to prepare the missile for final emplacement. Their days were long, and their margin for error was nonexistent.
“We have the best people in the business doing the best job in the world, and we don’t have room for mistakes,” Lynch said. “[Missile maintainers] are the epitome of ‘not all heroes wear capes,’ because they’re getting it done no matter the conditions.
That’s why there’s more pride in this job than there is anywhere else in the Air Force.”
The team stayed on site for several weeks, performing systems tests and ensuring the missile was in perfect working condition.
Meanwhile, Malmstrom AFB’s missileers reviewed launch procedures and engaged in readiness drills alongside their California-based counterparts.
Lynch and his team were among the shadowy crowd gathered at Missile Alert Facility O1-E, beneath several overhead lights that bled yellow-white pools into the observation area.
Dozens of silhouettes faced toward Launch Facility 10, the site a few miles northwest and separated by rolling valleys filled with coastal sage scrub, where the missile would be fired.
At approximately 11:58 p.m. Pacific Time, all the lights at O1-E suddenly snapped off, indicating to the buzzing crowd that the launch would soon commence.
Elsewhere, the 576th FLTS monitored every aspect of the mission at the integrated launch center, a control room with more than a dozen military and civilian specialists communicating on headsets while live video feeds of LF-10 projected from large monitors.
As the final countdown began, launch teams confirmed system readiness across the board. Inside the launch control center, Evans and Sutherland simultaneously turned their keys to complete the sequence that would send the Minuteman III roaring into the sky.
“Stand by for terminal count,” a male voice boomed over the public address system at O-1E.
At precisely 12:01 a.m. PT, the dark horizon was consumed by a blooming dome of orange.
The missile emerged as a brilliant burst of fire and smoke, rising into the onyx sky and arcing in a perfect curve through the stars and towards the test range.
Approximately ten seconds later, the viewers at O-1E were struck by the ground-rumbling roar of the missile’s rocket motor.
For the Airmen who made it happen, watching the launch wasn’t just about seeing a missile fly—it was a moment of validation.
“Operational test launches like this reinforce the fact that our legacy systems are still lethal, capable and ready,” said Col. Dan Voorhies, 341st Missile Wing commander.
“They also give our Airmen, from missileers to maintainers, an opportunity to see just how their training and expertise contribute to strategic deterrence on a global scale.”
The Glory Trip series of operational test launches is designed to validate the Minuteman III system’s capabilities and ensure continued confidence in the Air Force’s land-based strategic deterrent.
Each launch provides valuable data to the Air Force Global Strike Command and the Department of Defense, supporting modernization efforts and force readiness.
Malmstrom AFB’s Glory Trip 253 serves as a visible reminder of the Air Force’s nuclear mission, and the Airmen who execute it with precision and pride, day in and day out.
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Russia’s ‘Silicon Valley’ Targeted in Major Ukrainian Drone Assault
May 28, 2025
A major Ukrainian drone assault targeted the city of Zelenograd, known as Russia’s “Silicon Valley,” as well as a machine-building plant north of Moscow, Russian media and Ukrainian officials reported Wednesday.
Russian civil aviation authorities temporarily suspended flights to and from Moscow’s Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports as the Defense Ministry reported downing nearly 300 Ukrainian drones overnight across 12 regions and Moscow.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defenses downed at least 33 Ukrainian drones as they approached the capital during the night. In the surrounding Moscow region, authorities said at least 42 drones were shot down, adding that three houses were damaged.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, claimed the targets of the attacks included the Dubna Machine-Building Plant and the ELMA Technopark in Zelenograd, an electronics development hub located just northwest of Moscow.
“There appear to have been some successful hits,” Kovalenko said. “ELMA is one of the key centers for import substitution of critical components that were previously sourced from the West.”
The Moscow Times could not independently verify Kovalenko’s claim of “successful hits.”
The Telegram news channel Astra published videos appearing to show drones flying over and exploding near ELMA-Zelenograd.
The facility, located in the heart of Zelenograd, hosts the development of IT, microelectronics, robotics and medical technology.
Russian authorities said there were “no serious damages or injuries as a result of enemy drones being repelled in Zelenograd,” adding that emergency services were at the scene of the attacks.
Dubna, another scientific and technological hub that hosts nuclear research, is located around 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Moscow.
According to the Dubna Machine-Building Plant’s website, the facility develops electronics, software and lasers, among other things.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, at least 15 people were injured in overnight Russian attacks, Ukrainian state media reported early Wednesday.
Both Russia and Ukraine have ramped up air attacks over the past two weeks despite renewing direct talks earlier this month.
On Monday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had destroyed 2,331 Ukrainian drones in the span of a week and accused Kyiv of trying to derail peace negotiations.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/05/28/russias-silicon-valley-targeted-in-major-ukrainian-drone-assault-a89246
Haitian police appear to use drones in fight against gangs
8:12 AM, May 28, 2025
A controversial figure is reportedly stepping into Haiti’s escalating gang crisis.
Erik Prince, founder of the private military contractor Blackwater, has signed a contract to help combat the gangs that now control much of the Haitian capital, according to The New York Times.
He is also reportedly working to recruit American military veterans and other mercenaries for possible deployment this summer.
The reported development comes as the Haitian government turns to weaponized drones in its fight against armed groups.
Police posted video that appeared to show drone strikes targeting gang members, but the footage has since been removed.
The Times reports that Prince is part of a secret task force involved in the drone operations. It remains unclear whether any high-value targets were struck or why the video was taken down.
The latest development is sure to face scrutiny as humanitarian groups raise concerns about potential civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, few other actors are stepping in. The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, but there is little momentum for deploying international troops. A planned Kenya-led security force has stalled.
More than 1 million Haitians are now displaced, and roughly half the population faces food insecurity. What began as a security emergency is rapidly turning into a full-scale humanitarian collapse.
https://www.scrippsnews.com/haiti/haitian-police-appear-to-use-drones-in-fight-against-gangs
https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/un-commission-concludes-russian-armed-forces-drone-attacks-against-civilians-kherson-province-amount-crimes-against-humanity-murder-enruuk
https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/they-are-hunting-us-systematic-drone-attacks-targeting-civilians-kherson-independent-international-commission-inquiry-ukraine-ahrc59crp2
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/05/un-commission-concludes-russian-armed-forces-drone-attacks-against-civilians
UN Commission concludes that Russian armed forces’ drone attacks against civilians in Kherson Province amount to crimes against humanity of murder
28 May 2025
Russian armed forces have committed murder of civilians as crimes against humanity using drones, concludes the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine in a new report.
From July 2024, Russian forces have recurrently killed and injured civilians in an area stretching over more than 100 kilometres along the right bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Province.
The drone attacks have been widespread, systematic and conducted as part of a coordinated state policy, the report said.
The attacks followed a regular pattern and the same modus operandi, demonstrating that they were planned, directed, and organized.
There is no information suggesting that Russian military and civilian authorities have taken any steps to prevent or stop the commission of the crimes.
Nearly 150 civilians have been killed and hundreds more injured as a result of the drone attacks in Kherson city and 16 localities in the Ukrainian-controlled areas, according to official sources.
Victims were men, women, and children, mostly men. Civilians were targeted in various circumstances, as they stepped out to carry out their daily activities whether on foot or in any type of vehicle.
The drone operators used video feeds transmitted in real time by the cameras embedded in the drones, focused on targets that were visibly civilian, and dropped explosives on them.
Hundreds of these video feeds have been regularly disseminated on Russian Telegram channels, some of them with thousands of subscribers, displaying the crimes, as well as text posts announcing further attacks.
Ambulances, which have special protection under international law, have been targeted and struck by drones, so as to prevent them from reaching victims who had been previously attacked.
Some of these victims have died as a consequence of not being moved to a medical facility in time.
A 45-year-old man from Stanislav village recounted that in November 2024, a drone dropped an explosive near him as he was riding a moped, badly injuring his leg.
An ambulance arrived, and while he was receiving first aid, a drone dropped two explosives on the ambulance.
The use of drones to target civilians and civilian objects is a violation of the fundamental principle of international humanitarian law, according to which attacks may only be directed at military objects.
The evidence collected leaves no doubt that the perpetrators intended to carry out these acts. The Commission therefore concludes that Russian armed forces perpetrated the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against civilians in Kherson Province.
It also finds that posting videos of civilians being killed and injured amounts to the war crime of outrages upon personal dignity.
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The civilian population in the areas affected by drone attacks lives in constant fear. Residents take risks every time they go outside, as they fear being struck by drones.
Many wait for cloudy days to go out, or seek cover under trees, where possible. Fear is further induced by frequent messages posted on Telegram, such as “Get out of the city before the leaves fall, you who are destined to die.”
The circumstances of the attacks, the videos, and the explicit threatening text posts demonstrate that Russian armed forces and those supporting them have committed acts or threats of violence for the primary purpose of spreading terror among the civilian population, in violation of international humanitarian law. Referring to Russian soldiers, a senior health professional of a hospital in Kherson said:
"They are simply chasing and hunting civilians who are on their way to work or walking their dogs. They drop explosives from drones like it is a video game.”
The scale and intensity of the drone attacks against civilians and civilian objects as well as the destruction of houses and basic infrastructure, the targeting of all means of transport, and attacks against emergency and rescue services, have all rendered the affected areas unliveable and left many residents with no other choice than to flee.
The recurrent drone attacks, the widely disseminated videos showing them, and numerous posts explicitly exhorting the population to leave suggest a coordinated state policy, on the part of the Russian authorities, to force the population of Kherson Province to leave the area. The Commission therefore concludes that Russian armed forces may have committed the crime against humanity of forcible transfer of population.
The Commission examined over 300 publicly available videos of attacks and over 600 text posts on Telegram channels and, where possible, identified victims of these attacks.
It interviewed 91 persons from the areas affected by drone attacks, including victims, witnesses, local authorities and medical personnel.
Background: The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine is an independent body mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to, among other things, investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the aggression against Ukraine by the Russian Federation.
The Commission comprises Erik Møse (Chair), Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover.
The Commissioners were appointed by the President of the UN Human Rights Council; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
While the UN Human Rights Office provides support to the Commission of Inquiry, the commissioners serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including the UN. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the mandated commissioners.
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In first-ever operational use, Israel reveals it shot down Hezbollah drones with laser air defense system
May 28, 2025 08:23
Israel has confirmed that it employed high-powered laser systems to intercept Hezbollah drones during recent hostilities along the Lebanese border, marking the first operational use of such technology against the Iran-backed group.
The Defense Ministry, the IDF and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced that these laser systems were deployed during the fighting in Lebanon.
The systems, developed over decades by Rafael and the Defense Ministry's Directorate of Defense Research and Development (MAFAT), were utilized by air defense units to neutralize enemy drones and other aerial threats.
Defense officials stated that the laser systems, integrated into Israel's multi-tiered air defense strategy, complement existing missile-based systems and offer a cost-effective and rapid interception method.
The deployment was expedited in response to the escalating drone threats from Hezbollah. "Israel is the first country in the world to present a large-scale operational laser interception capability," said Brig. Gen. (res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, head of MAFAT.
"The vision of the laser was demonstrated during the war with immense operational and technological success."
Brig. Gen. Yehuda Almakaies, head of MAFAT's R&D division, described the deployment as a "first global operational success" for such systems, noting that the conflict facilitated rapid learning and integration of laser technology.
He indicated plans to expand the use of these systems to safeguard both civilians and military personnel.
The Defense Ministry highlighted Rafael's "Iron Beam" system, based on proprietary adaptive optics technology, as a key component of this initiative. The system is expected to be delivered to the IDF later this year.
"We are very proud of this operational and technological breakthrough," said Dr. Yuval Steinitz, chairman of Rafael. "Iron Beam will be a game-changer that will have an unprecedented impact on the modern battlefield."
Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman emphasized that the system would transform interception dynamics, offering precise, rapid and cost-effective responses compared to conventional missile defense systems.
Brig. Gen. G., commander of the IDF's Air Defense Array, remarked that the laser systems' performance in intercepting Hezbollah's drones during the conflict is a source of national pride.
"This achievement is the result of hard work by many exceptional people determined to do everything possible to protect the homeland," he said.
The deployment of laser systems signifies a significant advancement in Israel's defense capabilities, particularly in countering the growing threat of drone incursions from Hezbollah in Lebanon.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryq5yjezex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtDXCRDQ76Q
22 injured in suspected drone attack in northwest Pakistan
Updated: May 28, 2025 19:09 IST
Peshawar (PTI) A suspected drone attack on a volleyball ground on Wednesday injured at least 22 people, including seven children, in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the second such strike in the restive province within a fortnight.
The incident took place near Karamzi Stop in the Azam Warsak area of Barmal tehsil of South Waziristan district, wounding 22 people who were watching a match.
The injured were immediately shifted to the district headquarters hospital in Wana. The condition of many injured is said to be critical, hospital sources said.
The condition of a 13-year-old and a man was listed as “serious”, Dawn newspaper reported. Seven, including three aged 15, 18 and 19 years, had “major” injuries. The rest of the 13 had “minor” injuries, of which two were discharged, it added.
Zubair Khan, a Member of the National Assembly from South Waziristan, strongly condemned the attack, saying that the incident at the Karamzi stop was a brutal act.
Khan said that immediately after the drone attack, there was an intense exchange of fire in the area, which caused a stampede among the people present on the ground.
Both security forces and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are known to have been using quadcopters.
On May 19, four children of the same family died and five persons were injured in a suspected drone strike in North Waziristan's Mir Ali area. Locals staged a sit-in, demanding justice and the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Two days later, the Pakistan Army rejected what it called “unfounded and misleading” allegations against security forces in connection with the drone strike in the Mir Ali area.
In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the military said the tragic incident on May 19, which led to the loss of civilian lives, has been falsely attributed to Pakistan’s security forces by certain quarters.
https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/international/2025/05/28/fgn76-pak-drone-attack.html
Drone war ‘could come to London next’, warns expert after record Russian aerial assault
Updated: 28 May 2025, 09:15
The aerial defence expert has called on NATO countries to take the threat seriously following a weekend blitz in which 900 drones were fired at Ukrainian targets in a sustained and deadly bombardment.
Karl Rosander, CEO and co-founder of Nordic Air Defence, told LBC the attacks, which killed at least 12 people, including children, were “a wake-up call” to Western governments.
“This is no longer a distant war — what’s being tested in Ukraine today will be replicated across the world tomorrow,” he said. “We are now living in the era of the drone war.”
According to the United Nations, drones have caused more civilian casualties in Ukraine than any other weapon.
Ukrainian officials say nearly 80% of battlefield deaths now involve drones, and that air defences are struggling to keep up with the pace and scale of attacks.
Rosander warned that the low cost and widespread availability of drones, combined with their tactical versatility, make them an increasingly attractive option for rogue states and terrorist actors.
“Other European cities could be next,” he said. “The scenes we’re seeing in Kyiv — swarms of drones overwhelming defences, hitting infrastructure and civilians — could easily happen in London, Berlin or Paris. The threat is real, and it’s here.”
His warning comes just months after drones were spotted over three sensitive UK military bases used by the US Air Force — RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell.
The sightings prompted a major investigation involving 60 personnel, including counter-drone specialists.
Experts say the incident was likely an act of provocation by foreign actors, using commercial or modified drones to map or test UK airspace defences.
The Defence Secretary, John Healey, has already identified drones as a priority in the UK’s upcoming strategic defence review, with the Chancellor pledging to commit 10% of the military’s equipment budget to emerging technologies, including drone warfare and countermeasures.
Speaking last week, Healey said: “We have to be capable of upgrading and innovating at a wartime pace if we want to give our armed forces the edge over adversaries.” Rosander echoed that sentiment, urging the UK and its allies to act with urgency.
“Every night Ukraine’s skies are full of drones — cheap, fast, deadly. If NATO doesn’t prioritise counter-drone capability now, we’ll find ourselves on the back foot in our own cities.
The drone war is no longer theoretical — it’s active, it’s lethal, and it’s coming.”
https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/drone-war-could-come-to-london-next-warns-expert/
Man accused of flying drone into state prison located in Martin County
3:42 PM, May 27, 2025
The warden of Martin Correctional Institution reached out to the Martin County Sheriff's Office earlier this month over a growing problem.
Eight times in a two-week stretch, alleged drone drops were being made in the middle of the night, and it wasn't just cellphones and cigarettes getting in.
"Most concerning to them, they found some live rounds of ammunition in the prison," Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said.
Detectives told WPTV they set up surveillance, and last Thursday, they noticed a constant green light flying in between the prison and a nearby work camp.
"This is the first time we went out there and actually sat there and watched someone fly a drone in," Budensiek said.
They tracked the drone to an SUV parked on the side of the road.
The suspect, identified as Kaheid Ash of West Palm Beach, was arrested and charged with introduction of contraband into a state facility.
"The drone was covered in tape, had black tape covering the blinking lights. He was dressed in all black," said the Sheriff.
WPTV reached out to the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) for comment on the arrest.
In a statement, the FDC said, "This incident is a chilling reminder that the dangers posed by drones are immediate and real, endangering both our prisons and the communities surrounding them.
We applaud the Martin County Sheriff's Office for their swift assistance, as well as our dedicated FDC employees who spotted and reported this encounter."
State correction leaders were just in Washington, D.C., last week, addressing this very topic before this arrest was made.
FDC Secretary Ricky Dixon went before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to say the criminal use of drones is escalating and added they don't have the tools or legal authority to stop them.
The secretary added that when there is a drone incursion, they have to go on lockdown.
Budensiek said in the wake of a jail break in Louisiana, where 10 inmates escaped, it's important to be vigilant that stories making national news could also happen locally.
"It's our job, even though they're (the state prisons) a stand-alone system, to do our part to keep our county safe," Budensiek said.
https://www.wptv.com/news/treasure-coast/region-martin-county/man-accused-of-flying-drone-into-state-prison-located-in-martin-county
https://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2025/05/former-minot-afb-missile-officer-to-discuss-uaps/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzvwBBSmWYA (Jesse Michels (UFOs & Nukes: The Bizarre Truth Behind “Jersey Drones”)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnvmPmVKDSKiRvRERUqsw5i17cKnVppR9 (Citizen's Hearing On UFO Disclosure)
https://contactinthedesert.com/
Former Minot AFB missile officer to discuss UAPs
May 28, 2025
A former Minot Air Force Base Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile officer who was involved with a 1966 UFO incident in the Minot missile field, will be a member of a “UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena) and Nukes Panel: Disturbing Confrontations Over Nuclear Bases” on Friday during the Contact in the Desert Conference.
Dave Schindele of Mukilteo, Washington, a retired Air Force captain, will be among several panelists, including Robert Salas, also a former Air Force missile officer.
Salas was involved in an event at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, in 1967, similar to the one Schindele was involved in at Minot AFB in 1966.
Ten nuclear missiles were temporarily disabled, taking them offline during the event Salas was involved in.
The panel will be led by host Steve Bassett, a UFO (unidentified flying object) lobbyist and executive director of the Paradigm Research Group.
The conference, being held in Indian Wells, California, is the world’s largest UFO and UAP conference.
According to conference information, reports of UFOs over nuclear facilities have been documented over several decades, raising concerns about national security.
Schindele was stationed at Minot AFB from July 1965 to May 1968. He wrote a book, “It Never Happened, Volume I,” on his research and documentation about the Minot incident and others.
The book was published in 2017. He is working on a second volume and hopes to have it published in 2026.
Schindele was among military veterans involved in UFO incidents who spoke at a mock congressional hearing, “Citizens Hearing on UFO Disclosure,” presented by Bassett at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
In 2023, Schindele was one of former military members interviewed by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), established by the Department of Defense in 2022 to investigate the UFO situation.
An interview with Schindele about the UFO incident in the Minot missile field is included in a new documentary, “UFOs Are Monitoring Nuclear Weapons GLOBALLY,” narrated by Jesse Michels and released on YouTube a few months ago.
Schindele provided information earlier this month to The Minot Daily News about the incident he was involved in 1966 while stationed at Minot AFB and his interest in the Contact in the Desert event.
Schindele’s personal account follows:
Over fifty-eight years ago, I and my crew commander, Major Gordon Tollerud, relieved/replaced a Launch Crew at “November Flight,” on September 25, 1966.
This was not just an ordinary crew changeover, because the crew we relieved had just been involved in a very critical national security incident, where a UFO paid a visit to November Flight overnight and took down all ten of its nuclear tipped Minuteman ICBM missiles, which had been under careful control of the crew we relieved.
My commander and I were the first people to arrive at the Launch Facility, where we interviewed six security guards, a site manager, and cook, who were all top-side and viewed the UFO directly.
And then we interviewed the launch crew in the Launch Control Capsule sixty feet below ground. In an extensive debriefing of the outgoing crew, they were totally mystified as to how all the missiles became disabled with a “guidance and control system malfunction,” which was during the time the UFO was seen top-side.
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“When the crew returned to base, they were directed to sign a non-disclosure agreement and severely told to never talk or mention the incident again for as long as they should live.
My commander and I then inherited ten un-launchable missiles, where we had to coordinate with maintenance and security crews to bring the missiles back to “Alert” status, which probably took many days.
But my commander also received a phone call overnight from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) directing that we both must never talk of the incident again.
When relieved by a new crew the following day, I attempted to again question the head security guard top-side, but he then said, “I’m sorry sir, but I have been directed to never speak of the incident again.
Of special interest to me is that my crew commander and I were never questioned by the Air Force about the incident, and neither were the people we debriefed at November Flight.
And neither was Robert Salas, who had an identical incident six months later at Malmstrom AFB.
This told us two things. First was that the incident was very real, that UFOs do exist! Second was that the incident happened many times previous.
It happened all over the nation at many missile sites, otherwise we all would have all been severely questioned. The Air Force wanted us to forget the incident so that other missile crews and the public would never find out.
But this now brings to my mind the many security guards throughout the missile fields who had to deal with incidents and alarms from the missile sites.
They were also told to forget what they saw, or what they had to “endure,” with all of them getting no needed help from the Air Force or Veterans Administration.
Some went through what I should not describe, since it is quite disturbing, and I know the names of several of them.
Special interest
Of great interest to me is that Paul Hynek will be at the event called “Contact in the Desert” at the end of this month, where I will be a panelist.
His father, Allen Hynek, was scientific investigator for Air Force Project Blue Book, and I will be giving Paul some documents his father exchanged with Colonel Richard Lemanski, who was Deputy Commander of Minot Air Force Base when I was there.
The first document was written by Allen Hynek on December 6, 1966, which was the same day that The Minot Daily News carried a major headline detailing a “Launch Control Center Saucer” at Mike Flight.
Another document verifies that Major Chester Shaw of Minot AFB sent a UFO report (which I previously had) to Blue Book of the same UFO incident that occurred at “Mike Flight” involving crew commander Val Smich of my squadron in August 1966, which was before the incident I was involved with.
The fact that Allen Hynek spent much time with Colonel Lemanski on base, probably in November 1966, and kept up a long relationship with Lemanski for many years, is amazing to me.
The copies of the letters and other material was given to me by Lemanski’s daughter Valerie, after she read my book titled “It Never Happened.”
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https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/other/ufos-and-human-cloning-the-story-of-ra%C3%ABlism/ss-AA1FAh2G
https://www.rael.org/
https://www.rael.org/extraterrestrials-created-all-life-on-earth/
https://www.rael.org/honorary-guides/
https://www.clonaid.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@RaelianMovement
UFOs and human cloning: the story of Raëlism
May 27, 2025
UFOs, aliens, space, and the Cosmos—these topics tend to divide the general public. Do aliens exist? If so, have they contacted us?
Have they had an impact on the Earth and how we humans have developed? All of these questions seem to have been answered by one very unique religion: Raëlism.
In essence, Raëlism is a religion that claims aliens called Elohim created all life on Earth. To learn more about this fascinating belief system and its eccentric founder, click through the gallery.
Encounter at Puy de Lassolas: the origin story
In 1973, Claude Vorilhon's life took an unexpected turn at Puy de Lassolas, France, where he claimed to meet extraterrestrials. This marked the inception of the Raëlian story.
Raël: the race car driver turned prophet
Once a speed enthusiast, Claude Vorilhon, who now goes by Raël, shifted gears from race tracks to spiritual tracks, founding a movement based on his alleged extraterrestrial encounters.
Elohim: The extraterrestrial creators
Raël says that he met the Elohim—highly advanced beings who he says engineered all life on Earth. This is certainly a cosmic twist on the Earth's origin story.
Madech to MRF: the evolution of a movement
The Elohim reportedly told Raël to name his religion 'MADECH.' It later changed to the Raëlian French Movement (MRF), as it's better known today. Raël's followers have seen their group evolve over decades, mirroring their leader's journey.
Raël's global influence: a cosmic network
With members in 26 countries, Raël's teachings have seemed to resonate worldwide, creating a network united by a belief in extraterrestrial origins and a future of peace. They claim to have tens of thousands of members all over the world.
The ritual of Raëlian baptism
In a unique ceremony, new Raëlians undergo a baptism during which they believe their genetic code is transmitted to a cosmic database, connecting them to the Elohim.
Sensual meditation: a unique Raëlian practice
Raëlians embrace 'sensual meditation,' seeking pleasure through the senses. This practice reflects their belief in the joy of life's earthly and cosmic dimensions.
The Raëlian lifestyle: purity and pleasure
From diet to sensual meditation, the Raëlian lifestyle aims to focus on purity and pleasure, given that Raëlian's have a philosophy that celebrates life in its most vibrant forms.
Raëlian retreats: spaces of serenity
Raëlians find solace and connection in their retreats, places they can indulge in their version of tranquility and where that meets spirituality. The aim is for followers to deepen their cosmic journey.
The Raëlian peaceful philosophy
©Getty Images
At its core, Raëlism claims to be a peaceful religion, advocating for love and harmony among all beings.
Fighting for a future: anti-nuclear advocacy
With a vision for a peaceful future, Raëlians stand firmly against nuclear weaponry. Raëlians are focused on preserving a healthy balance to allow a world for their Elohim to one day return to.
Raëlian celebrations: cosmic festivities
Raëlian gatherings are not just meetings; they are aimed at being celebrations of life, love, and the cosmic connections that bind their community across the globe.
The annual seminar: a cosmic convergence
Every year, Raëlians gather in Canada for what they describe as a cosmic convergence where they share insights and strengthen their belief in extraterrestrial superbeings.
UFOLand: a dream project in Valcourt
Located in Valcourt, Canada, UFOLand is not your average museum. It was created by the Raëlians in 1997 and held the strange title of the largest structure in North America to be made from bales of hay.
UFOLand acted as a visitor center for the religion that would also generate some revenue, but it was closed to the public after a few years.
UFOLand: a visionary project for the future
However, UFOLand is still a major part of the Raëlian vision of a future where humanity and extraterrestrials coexist, sharing knowledge and culture. It's a haven for Raëlians to express their vision and feel safe while doing so.
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The quest for an extraterrestrial embassy
Raëlians are on a mission to build an embassy fit for the Elohim's return, a project that epitomizes their cosmic aspirations and diplomatic hopes.
The order of angels: Raël's elite
Within the Raëlian structure thrives the Order of Angels, a group dedicated to becoming the Elohim's consorts. The Order of Angels is focused on devotion to the religion and building a gateway for the Elohim!
Geniocracy: governing by the geniuses
Raël's Elohim-guided vision of a 'geniocracy' suggests a world led by the intellectually elite, a thought-provoking take on the future of global governance.
Raëlian symbols: swastikas and stars
Swastikas intertwined with stars symbolize peace for Raëlians, a controversial emblem that reflects their unconventional path to spiritual enlightenment.
The Swastika rehabilitation: a symbol reimagined
Raëlians aim to reclaim the swastika's ancient symbolism of peace and well-being, embarking on a challenging journey of reeducation and acceptance after it has become a symbol synonymous with hatred and Nazism.
Clonaid: pioneering human cloning
In a bold leap into science, Raël created a human cloning organization called Clonaid. In 2002, Clonaid claimed the birth of the first human clone, but the claims were never substantiated.
Media and the movement: a double-edged sword
While media attention brings Raëlism into the spotlight, it also brings scrutiny and skepticism, painting a complex picture of this cosmic movement.
Legal battles: defending a cosmic faith
Facing legal challenges and public skepticism, Raëlians have had to dig their heels in and defend their unusual religion on more than one occasion.
Public perception: controversy and curiosity
Raëlianism walks a tightrope between controversy and fascination, drawing scrutiny from skeptics and intrigue from those drawn to its unconventional beliefs.
Scholarly scrutiny: academia meets the Elohim
Not just a subject of tabloids, Raëlism captures academic interest too, offering a rich field for scholars exploring the realms of new religious movements.
Given how unconventional Raëlism is, it has attracted multiple researchers wanting to understand its development.
Raël's written works: unveiling cosmic secrets
From his first book to his latest, Raël's writings offer a window into the Raëlian cosmos, blending earthly experiences with extraterrestrial encounters which are a must-read for anyone wanting to understand what exactly this unusual religion is all about.
The future of Raëlism: an evolving cosmos
As science advances and society evolves, Raëlism too adapts, continually redefining its place in the cosmic tapestry of beliefs and human curiosity.
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UAP EP 134 Steve Bassett and the Politics of Disclosure
May 27, 2025
DC insider, Steve Bassett, joins Stephen Diener to discuss the goings on behind the scenes in the nations capital and how closed door discussions might be propelling the disclosure movement forward.
Plus, what is the worst case “catch 22” scenario that the Trump administration faces? All of that and more right now on UAP…
https://98kupd.com/episode/uap-ep-134-steve-bassett-and-the-politics-of-disclosure/
https://www.youtube.com/@UAPodcast
Jay Stratton - The Most Important Government UFO Investigator, Ever : WEAPONIZED FLASHBACK
May 27, 2025
Between 2007 and 2021, the U.S. government authorized three distinct efforts to investigate and evaluate UFO/UAP incidents, cases, and effects - the acronyms were AAWSAP, AATIP, and the UAPTF.
Only one person in the entire Defense Department had a key role in all three programs.
Jay Stratton was a career intelligence officer who worked for the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Defense Warning Office of the DIA, and in other sensitive national security programs.
He specialized in the reverse engineering of technologies, threats, and future scenarios.
In 2007, he was recruited to consult with the DIA-funded investigation known as AAWSAP, the Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program, a contract awarded to a private company affiliated with Bigelow Aerospace.
The first case he investigated was the now-famous "Tic Tac" UFO incident. After AAWSAP ended, Stratton worked closely with Lue Elizondo on a successor effort known as AATIP, which focused exclusively on military encounters with UFOs.
After Elizondo left government, Stratton was asked to form a new program that eventually was formalized by Congress as the UAP Task Force.
During those years, he created a massive, classified briefing presentation that was delivered to Pentagon officials, intelligence agencies, defense contractors, and members of Congress.
Stratton left government in 2021 and is currently employed by Radiance Technologies. The interview with WEAPONIZED is the first public statement he has ever made about his work as the government's top UFO hunter.
https://www.weaponizedpodcast.com/episodes-1/episode-number-3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB5e4mgJX2Q