TYB
Vandenberg’s Space Launch Complex 6 is poised for a modern facelift
October 29, 2025
Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) has been around for several decades.
First built for the Manned Orbital Laboratory in the 1960s, a project that was canceled 50 years ago, it was later modified for the space shuttle, which was canceled in 1989.
Other projects followed, and they too were canceled or completed.
Fast forward to 2025.
SpaceX, a private launch provider, has been operating successfully on south Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) at nearby Space Launch Complex 4 for several years.
But the rockets it launches from this site can’t place into orbit some of the missions needed by the Space Force and NASA, so it needed another site that could accommodate a larger launch system.
A recently approved environmental impact statement puts it this way:
“The proposed action is needed to meet current and near-term U.S. government space launch requirements from the Department of Defense space launch range that supports launches centered at VSFB (Western Range), specifically for medium- and heavy-lift launches to polar and other orbits less reliably available elsewhere, without compromising current launch capabilities.”
Over the years, there have been several attempts by local “you can’t do that here” activists to stop SpaceX launches.
They have employed willing regulators such as the Coastal Commission and the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to try and stop launches from the base.
Of course, it wasn’t successful because they really have no authority over operations on federal property.
Even though naysayers have no authority, the Air Force doesn’t operate in a vacuum when it concerns projects of this size.
Vandenberg has a very robust review process, much like that of local jurisdictions, when it evaluates projects for their impact on the environment and local community.
Multiple workshops with the local community were conducted, and military leadership included community concerns as part of the study process.
According to national policy, “The DAF [Department of the Air Force] is the lead agency for the EIS [environmental impact statement], with the FAA and the United States Coast Guard as cooperating agencies.”
They completed this process on Oct. 10, and the Department of the Air Force signed a record of decision, which allows the project to move forward.
We need to step back a minute to the late 1970s when the space shuttle project was in the planning stages. At the time, the Air Force planned to launch every 14 days (that’s 24 times a year) from SLC-6 and recover the shuttle orbiter at Vandenberg.
If you think that the SpaceX launches are noisy, imagine a missile system the size of the space shuttle blasting into space and the accompanying sonic booms as the orbiter returned to earth.
But, except for the thousands of people who worked on this 10-year project and the businesses that flourished while it was active, no one noticed it was here.
The environmental impact statement for the current project states, “Under the proposed action, Falcon Heavy, which has not launched from VSFB in the past, would launch and land up to five times per year from and at SLC-6.”
It also increases launch cadence to 100 per year. The remaining 95 launches would be from SLC-4, assuming that they were needed.
The initial phase of this massive project will be the removal of several existing facilities that cannot be recycled for use on the new project.
Demolition, removal of debris, and site preparation/new construction will take several months. Local businesses in both Lompoc and Santa Maria will benefit as workers are housed and construction materials, fuel, temporary lodging, and meals are purchased.
SpaceX pays a fee to the Space Force for all Western Range services including fire protection, base security, utilities, weather forecasting, and much more.
I am sure that some people will complain loudly; however, it’s the security of our nation that is most important here.
Most of the complainers probably never gave much thought to what it takes in our modern world to ensure that they have a right to complain.
One of those things is assured access to space and the orbits necessary to support defense and scientific missions.
So calm down; the SpaceX SLC-6 makeover is a strategic necessity and may just last longer than all the others.
https://www.santamariasun.com/opinion/vandenbergs-space-launch-complex-6-is-poised-for-a-modern-facelift/
Optimizing Space Exploration – SemiQon Innovations Enhance Capabilities of Spaceborne Vehicles
October 30, 2025
Insider Brief
-
SemiQon announced it is developing quantum hardware technologies optimized for space exploration with support from the European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) program.
-
The initiative builds on SemiQon’s cryogenic CMOS transistor technology, which reduces heat dissipation and could extend the battery life of spaceborne electronics by up to 50%.
-
By joining ESA BIC Finland, SemiQon gains access to ESA’s technical expertise, equity-free funding, and networks to accelerate applications in space instrumentation, communications, and exploration.
PRESS RELEASE — – SemiQon, an emerging leader in the field of quantum computing hardware, today announces it is now developing technologies optimized to support space exploration with the support of European Space Agency’s BIC program (ESA).
This builds on the company’s release of the world’s first cryogenic CMOS transistor released earlier this year and brings the potential for immediate gains to the field of spaceborne electronics.
Developing new technology is a cornerstone of ESA’s mandate. The Agency spends around 8% of its budget on direct research and development, just over €600 million annually goes toward R&D and innovation.
One element of this is ESA’s BIC Finland program, which offers up to €90,000 jointly from ESA and Business Finland to help companies begin to ensure their product is suitable for use in space.
When adding in other organizations in Europe as well as non-European markets including the U.S., U.K., Japan, India and others, up to $3.5 billion in direct government funding is available globally each year to startups developing new technologies for space.
Responsive Image
“We at SemiQon think that our cryo-CMOS technology is ideally suited for use in a range of spaceborne applications.
There are several different types of instrumentation which can benefit from this innovation because of its almost total absence of heat dissipation which conserves power, extending the capabilities of spaceborne vehicles, especially in deep space.
The capability to function optimally in cryogenic temperatures will also enhance the performance of these components while in space, further extending battery life” said Himadri Majumdar, CEO at SemiQon.
“We believe space is one of the most lucrative markets for our devices, and it is a market which is accessible to us near-term. Therefore, joining ESA’s BIC Finland program is an important next step in accessing this pool of new users.”
ESA experts have identified several potential uses for SemiQon’s products including on telescopes (bolometer, infrared, x-ray), 5G telecommunications digital beam forming, and Lunar/Mars exploration.
These devices use an onboard temperature management system to optimize the performance of their electronics, which consumes extra energy.
However, using the cryo-CMOS technology SemiQon has developed, the battery life of these spaceborne vehicles is expected to be extended by 50% because temperature management is no longer required, significantly increasing performance.
By joining the BIC program, SemiQon gains access to ESA’s technical expertise, equity-free funding, training, and extensive European networks to develop space industry applications.
ESA Business Incubation Centres (ESA BICs) are the largest network of incubators supporting space related start-ups in Europe.
The objective is to support product development while provides excellent opportunities to connect with new business partners and potential end users.
This includes industry, universities, research organisations, government and investors.
https://thequantuminsider.com/2025/10/30/optimizing-space-exploration-semiqon-innovations-enhance-capabilities-of-spaceborne-vehicles/
China unveils Shenzhou-21 crew for space station mission
09:13, 30-Oct-2025
Taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang will carry out the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceflight mission on Friday, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference on Thursday.
The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:44 p.m. BJT on Friday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
Click here for CGTN's livestream of the event.
Zhang Lu, a veteran of the Shenzhou-15 mission, will take the role of mission commander, while Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, both from the third batch of taikonauts, will be making their first spaceflights.
Wu, born in 1993, will become the youngest taikonaut to undertake a flight mission.
Zhang Lu will serve as the space pilot, Wu as the flight engineer and Zhang Hongzhang as the payload specialist. They represent the three types of taikonauts currently in service.
At the press conference, Zhang Lu said the crew members belong to three different generations – the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Although the age gap seems large, he said it is actually their biggest strength, as each member brings distinct life experiences and ways of thinking that complement one another and spark creative collaboration.
Zhang Lu described Wu as an energetic teammate who loves sports and brings vitality to the group. "People often joke that with Wu Fei around, even the centrifuge spins more energetically," he said.
As one of the youngest members of the taikonaut team, Wu said he feels incredibly fortunate to be part of a new era of regular crewed missions, which offer younger generations more opportunities to fly and serve the country earlier in their careers.
Zhang Hongzhang, who previously researched new energy and materials at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, enjoys practicing tai chi and reading poetry.
Zhang Lu said he could imagine Zhang Hongzhang turning the space station into a "garden in orbit," doing scientific research while tending plants, reciting poems, and practicing tai chi in space.
Zhang Hongzhang noted that China's crewed space program has entered a new phase of application and development.
"In the space station, we can now conduct experiments that previous generations dreamed of but couldn't achieve, and tackle problems they always wanted to solve but couldn't," he said.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-10-30/China-unveils-Shenzhou-21-crew-for-space-station-mission-1HSQxyBJBYY/p.html
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/china-reveals-crew-for-shenzhou-21-mission-to-tiangong-space-station-including-nations-youngest-astronaut-video
Pakistan’s first astronaut to join China’s space mission
Last updated: October 30, 2025 | 15:35
Dubai: China has announced plans to send a Pakistani astronaut to its Tiangong space station, making Pakistan the first foreign country to participate in China’s manned space missions.
The move underscores the growing technological and strategic partnership between the two nations.
According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the astronaut will join a short-term mission as a payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments designed by Pakistan and assisting in routine space station operations.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) confirmed that the astronaut will train alongside Chinese crew members as part of the mission’s medium-term cooperation plan.
First mission
The development follows a bilateral space cooperation agreement signed in March between Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the CMSA.
Under the accord, Pakistan’s first manned space mission will be carried out aboard China’s space station.
In a statement at the time, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the agreement as “another wonderful gesture” by Beijing to deepen collaboration in science and technology.
He said Pakistan attached “utmost importance” to advancing space technology and viewed China as its “most reliable and strategic partner.”
Training and selection underway
SUPARCO has already begun shortlisting candidates for the mission. According to Deputy Director General Amjad Ali, around 10 to 15 individuals will be shortlisted, with two finalists sent to China for training lasting six months to a year.
One astronaut will ultimately be selected for the mission, expected as early as October 2026, while the other will serve as a backup.
Expanding space cooperation
The initiative marks a milestone in China’s growing international engagement in space. The Tiangong station, launched in 2021, has so far hosted only Chinese astronauts.
Welcoming Pakistan into the programme signals Beijing’s intent to internationalize its space presence and foster scientific collaboration with partner nations.
In 2024, Pakistan also joined a Chinese lunar mission by launching a satellite onboard, alongside payloads from the European Space Agency, France, and Italy — further highlighting the country’s expanding role in global space exploration.
https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistans-first-astronaut-to-join-chinas-space-mission-1.500327385
https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/10/space-station-astronauts-eager-to-open-golden-treasure-box-from-japan/
Space station astronauts eager to open “golden treasure box” from Japan
Oct 29, 2025 2:23 PM
“This spacecraft is so beautiful and shiny, and this is representing our bright future.”
A cargo ship from Japan pulled alongside the International Space Station on Wednesday, maneuvering close enough for the lab’s robotic arm to reach out and grab it as the vehicles soared 260 miles over the South Atlantic Ocean.
“HTV capture complete,” Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui radioed from the ISS. “I just want to say congratulations to all teams and people involved in this mission.
Also, thank you very much for your hard work and support for the first HTV-X mission.”
The HTV-X spacecraft is an upgraded cargo freighter replacing Japan’s H-II Transfer Vehicle, which successfully resupplied the space station nine times between 2009 and 2020.
At the conclusion of the HTV program, Japan’s space agency preferred to focus its resources on designing a new cargo ship with more capability at a lower cost.
That’s what HTV-X is supposed to be, and Wednesday’s high-flying rendezvous marked the new ship’s first delivery to the ISS.
“This is a historic event in the Japanese space program,” Yui said. “This spacecraft is so beautiful and shiny, and this is representing our bright future.
Thank you again for delivering these important supplies and experiments. I can’t wait to open this golden treasure box.”
A gorgeous video downlinked from orbit showed Japan’s newest spacecraft approaching from underneath the ISS.
The ship’s bright golden thermal insulation stood out against the dark blue and green landscape of the planet far below, giving it the appearance of a supersized insect flying in formation with the station.
Resupply missions to the space station have become fairly commonplace, but it’s no easy feat to deliver equipment to an outpost speeding around the planet at nearly 5 miles per second.
As the ISS nears the end of its life—decommissioning is set to begin in 2030—one of the program’s enduring legacies has been fostering the development of a spectrum of crew and cargo vehicles to service it.
SpaceX developed the Cargo Dragon and Crew Dragon capsules to resupply the ISS.
Europe’s Automated Transfer Vehicle, which flew five times to the space station, was the basis for the European-built service module for NASA’s Orion spacecraft, now a core element of the Artemis lunar program.
1/2
NASA is applying technology from Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo freighter to build parts of the Gateway space station to be constructed in orbit around the Moon.
The European Space Agency hopes to use the ISS as a destination for its own new commercial supply ships in a bid to emulate what NASA did in the United States with SpaceX and Northrop Grumman.
And without the ISS, Russia’s human spaceflight program might be dead today.
Ins and outs of HTV-X
Yui used the outpost’s robotic arm to grapple the HTV-X spacecraft at 11:58 am EDT (15:58 UTC) on Wednesday. The capture capped a three-and-a-half-day transit from a launch pad on Tanegashima Island in southern Japan.
The spacecraft flew to space atop Japan’s H3 rocket, replacing the H-II launcher family used for Japan’s previous resupply missions to the ISS. The H3 and HTV-X are both manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Once in orbit, HTV-X unfurled its power-generating solar panels. This is one of the new ship’s most significant differences from the HTV, which had its solar panels mounted directly on the body of the spacecraft.
By all accounts, the HTV-X’s modified computers, navigation sensors, and propulsion system all functioned as intended, leading to the mission’s on-time arrival at the ISS.
Rob Navias, a NASA spokesperson, called the HTV-X’s first flight “flawless” during the agency’s streaming commentary of the rendezvous: “Everything went by the book.”
At 26 feet (8 meters) long, the HTV-X is somewhat shorter than the vehicle it replaces.
But an improved design gives the HTV-X more capacity, with the ability to accommodate more than 9,000 pounds (4.1 metric tons) inside its pressurized cargo module, about 25 percent more than the HTV.
The new spacecraft boasts a similar enhancement in carrying capacity for external cargo, such as spares and science instruments, to be mounted on the outside of the space station.
Japan provides resupply services to the space station to help reimburse NASA for its share of the research lab’s operating costs.
In addition to space station missions in low-Earth orbit, Japanese officials say the HTV-X spacecraft could haul logistics to the future Gateway mini-space station near the Moon.
Officials plan to launch at least three such HTV-X missions to the ISS. There are tentative plans for a fourth and fifth HTV-X that could launch before 2030.
The second HTV-X mission will attempt Japan’s first automated docking with the space station, a prerequisite for any future resupply missions to the Gateway.
2/2
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/venus-loses-its-last-active-spacecraft-as-japan-declares-akatsuki-orbiter-dead
Venus loses its last active spacecraft, as Japan declares Akatsuki orbiter dead
October 29, 2025
Humanity's last active mission at Venus is no more.
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) declared its Akatsuki spacecraft dead on Tuesday (Oct. 28), more than a year after the Venus climate probe failed to respond to calls from mission control.
"This was a mission that changed our view of our Earth-sized neighbor, and laid the path for new discoveries about what it takes to become heaven or hell," JAXA officials stated of the mission, referring to the notoriously high-pressure and high-temperature surface of Venus in comparison to Earth.
JAXA noted that the Akatsuki mission produced 178 journal papers and counting, and that it tripled its 4.5-year design lifetime — even though the probe missed its first shot at orbiting Venus.
The $300 million spacecraft, also known as the Venus Climate Orbiter, launched in 2010 and experienced a failure of its main engine along the way, missing the chance for a crucial burn to enter orbit.
Incredibly, however, the mission survived long enough for a second try at orbital insertion in 2015, when Akatsuki drew close to Venus after five years of orbiting the sun.
"With the main rocket engine damaged, the team were forced to get creative," JAXA wrote in the statement.
"The spacecraft would have to attempt capture using the less powerful thrusters that were designed for the tasks of attitude control and fine adjustments.
Orbit insertion had never previously been achieved with such a method, but exploration has always been about redefining the impossible."
Akatsuki not only made it but persisted in its exploration of Venus for nearly a decade. JAXA announced it had lost contact with the spacecraft on May 29, 2024 after about a month of communication issues.
Akatsuki aimed to learn more about the climate of Venus, which has surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead, alongside crushing pressure that has destroyed past landing missions in minutes.
As an orbiter, Akatsuki focused on the cloud bank of Venus that is about 30 to 43 miles (50 to 70 kilometers) above the surface.
"In this region, winds whip at speeds that approach the Shinkansen bullet trains, 60 times faster than the planet rotation — a phenomenon that is known as 'super rotation,'" JAXA wrote.
While Venusian clouds whip around the planet in about four Earth days on average, Venus' extremely slow rotation means a single Venusian day lasts the equivalent of 243 days on our planet.
Akatsuki made progress in learning about super rotation.
"As Akatsuki gazed steadily at the Venusian surface, researchers mapped the clouds between hundreds of images, measuring their speed as they slid around the globe," JAXA stated.
"This analysis revealed that the acceleration of the clouds depended on the local solar time, suggesting that the incredible rotation speeds were being maintained by solar heating."
1/2
The finding has implications for life beyond Earth, the agency added. Venus orbits the sun in just 225 days, a shorter duration than its rotation.
This means the planet is nearly tidally locked, which would be the case if its surface perpetually had one hemisphere facing the sun (just like Earth's moon, whose near side constantly faces our planet.)
"Many of the extrasolar planets discovered may be in tidal lock, and there is an ongoing debate as to whether this impedes their chances of habitability," JAXA wrote.
"Without a mechanism to redistribute heat, air on the nightside of a tidally locked world would freeze and cause global atmospheric collapse.
However, if Venus's rapid atmosphere rotation is driven by thermal input from the star, then this could be a common mechanism that would redistribute the heat fast enough on tidally locked worlds to save their air."
Akatsuki initially launched with six instruments, all of which were still working when it entered the orbit of Venus in 2015.
Two infrared cameras stopped working about a year after orbital insertion, but the last four instruments were believed to still be healthy when Akatsuki stopped communicating in 2024.
The mission made some other discoveries as well, JAXA said.
Scientists spotted a bow-like feature in the atmosphere that lasted for at least four Earth days, which researchers suggested was due to mountains on Venus allowing lower-atmosphere gas to move higher as a "gravity wave" to a greater extent than observed on Earth.
But learning more will require new Venus missions, JAXA said.
And there are some in the planning stages.
For example, NASA is working on a mission called DAVINCI, which is designed to penetrate the atmosphere, and another one called VERITAS, which will orbit the planet in search of information about its surface and interior.
And the European Space Agency is developing EnVision, an orbiter that will study the atmosphere, interior and surface of Venus.
Both DAVINCI and VERITAS, however, are at threat of losing funding in President Donald Trump's 2026 NASA budget request, which slashes agency funding by 24% and cancels dozens of science missions.
What happens next is still being debated by politicians during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown that started on Oct. 1, when funding was not agreed to for the new fiscal year.
2/2
https://www.space.com/38454-november-full-moon.html
November full moon 2025: The Beaver supermoon will be the biggest and brightest of the year
October 30, 2025
The full moon of November, called the Beaver Moon, will be full illuminated on Nov. 5 at 8:19 a.m. Eastern Time (1319 GMT), according to the U.S. Naval Observatory.
This moon will also be a "supermoon," meaning the full moon coincides with our satellite's closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. It will be the biggest and brightest full moon of 2025.
Two days later, the just-past full moon will occult Beta Tauri, otherwise known as Elnath. The occultation will be visible from South America and Africa and take place on the night of Nov. 7-8.
The moon is called full when it is exactly opposite the sun in the sky (from the perspective of the Earth).
The position is measured where the moon is relative to Earth itself rather than any given location, so the time depends on one's longitude.
This full moon occurs in the morning hours on the east coast of the Americas, and in the afternoon in Europe; to catch the moon at the moment it reaches full phase, one has to be in Asia or the western coast of North America (in which case one will catch it just before the moon sets and the sun rises).
For example, in Los Angeles, the full moon is at 5:19 a.m. Nov. 5, and moonset is at 6:31 a.m.
Sunrise happens before the moon sets, at 6:17 a.m., so the two will share the sky, albeit briefly. Further west, in Honolulu, the full moon is at 3:19 a.m., well before sunrise at 6:37 a.m. local time.
The full moon happens in the evening hours in cities such as New Delhi, where full phase is at 6:19 p.m. and moonrise is at 5:11 p.m. local time. (sunset is at 5:33 p.m.), and in Tokyo, where the full moon occurs at 10:19 p.m. As one goes further east the full moon occurs after midnight; in Sydney, Australia, the full moon is at 12:19 a.m. Nov. 6.
In New York City, the moon rises at 4:35 p.m. Eastern; sunset is at 4:47 p.m. As in Los Angeles, one will be able to see the setting sun and the moon in the sky simultaneously, though only for a few minutes.
A full moon's maximal altitude in the sky reflects the sun's in six months — so, for example, from New York, where November is in late fall, the moon will reach its highest point in the sky at 12:12 a.m. on Nov. 6, 72 degrees above the southern horizon.
This is similar to where the sun would be in early May at local noon. In the Southern Hemisphere, where November is late spring, the moon is only about 32 degrees above the northern horizon at 1:38 a.m. Nov. 6.
This is one reason that for Northern Hemisphere observers, wintertime moons often appear brighter; it's because they are generally higher in the sky.
his full moon is a "supermoon" because it happens when the moon is at a point in its orbit where it is closer to Earth. The moon's orbit is nearly circular, but not exactly so.
The moon's average distance is 238,854 miles (384,399 kilometers), but since its orbit is an ellipse, it can be as close as 221,460 miles (356,400 km).
In this case, the moon will be about 221,700 miles (356,800 km) away, and will appear slightly brighter and larger than a "normal" full moon.
However, the difference is relatively small, on the order of 11 percent, so it's unlikely to be noticed by any but the most careful observers.
Moon occults Beta Tauri
On Nov. 8, the just-past-full moon will occult the star Beta Tauri, also known as Elnath.
Beta Tauri is visible all night in mid-northern latitudes and is known for being shared between Taurus and Auriga.
To see the occultation, one needs to be in South America or western and central Africa.
Formosa, Argentina, is near the western end of the zone where observers can see both the disappearance of Beta Tauri behind the moon and its reappearance.
Beta Tauri will appear to touch the right (eastern) side of the rising moon at 11:03 p.m. local time on Nov. 7; the moon will be low in the northeastern sky.
The star will reappear at 11:34 p.m. from behind the left side of the moon.
In Bolivia, from Santa Cruz, the occultation will start at 9:43 p.m. local time and end at 10:43 p.m., with the moon, as in Argentina, low in the sky, about 7 degrees above the northeastern horizon.
From Santa Cruz, Elnath will look as though it disappears behind the lower right half of the moon and reappears on the upper left.
The occultation will be visible in most of Brazil, though not in either Rio de Janeiro or São Paolo. In Brasilia, the moon will be higher in the sky, about 23 degrees, and Elnath will disappear at 11:01 p.m. local time, and reappear at 11:54 p.m.
1/3
In Africa, the occultation is in the predawn sky; in Dakar, Senegal, the occultation starts at 3:06 a.m. local time and the moon will be almost straight up, a full 75 degrees above the northern horizon.
Elnath will disappear behind the eastern side of the moon and reappear on the western side at 4:29 a.m.
On the night of the November full moon, Saturn will be the first planet visible for mid-latitude Northern Hemisphere sky watchers.
By 6 p.m., the sun has been down for more than an hour and the sky is dark; Saturn will be 32 degrees high in the southeast, a bright yellow-white "star" that will be easy to spot — especially in urban, light-polluted regions — because the stars around it in the constellations Aquarius and Pisces are relatively faint. Saturn sets at 2:29 a.m.
Eastern Time on Nov. 6 in New York City; the local time will be similar in other locations at similar latitudes, such as Denver, San Francisco, or Chicago.
Jupiter follows Saturn, rising at 9:20 p.m. in New York City on the evening of Nov. 5. The planet reaches its maximum altitude at 4:41 a.m. on Nov. 6, reaching about 70 degrees.
Jupiter is accompanied by the stars Castor and Pollux; as it rises, Pollux will be above and to the left of Jupiter and Castor further upwards and to the left; the three objects make a rough line pointing to the horizon.
Just before dawn, Venus rises at 5:15 a.m., but from New York, it will be very close to the horizon by sunrise at 6:32 a.m.; at that point, it will only be 12 degrees high, so to catch it, one will need to have an unobstructed horizon and clear weather.
For Southern Hemisphere observers, Saturn is much higher.
In Sydney, Australia, sunset is at 7:26 p.m. local time; by the time the sky gets dark at about 8 p.m., Saturn is 52 degrees above the northeastern horizon.
Saturn sets at 3:56 a.m. in Sydney on Nov. 6.
As in the Northern Hemisphere, Jupiter rises after Saturn, at 12:41 a.m. in Sydney on Nov. 6.
As the sky appears "upside down" for Southern Hemisphere observers, the stars Castor and Pollux will be below Jupiter; Pollux will be below and to the left and Castor slightly below and to the left of Pollux (as one faces northeast).
When Jupiter crosses the meridian in Sydney, it will be lower in the sky than in the Northern Hemisphere; at 5:42 a.m., it will reach 35 degrees above the northern horizon.
At that point, the sky will be getting light; the sun rises in Sydney at 5:50 a.m.
Venus rises at 5:13 a.m., and in mid-southern latitudes is so close to the sun as to be effectively invisible; by 5:30 a.m., it is still only about three to four degrees above the horizon and the sky will be getting light enough that it is very difficult to see.
Mars and Mercury will both be lost in the glare of the sun; they will reappear later in November.
Constellations
In early November, the Northern Hemisphere winter constellations are starting to rise in the evening.
From mid-latitudes, looking at the full moon at about 9 p.m., one should be able to spot Capella, the brightest star in Auriga the Charioteer, by turning one's attention to the right towards the northeast; Capella will be just below the level of the moon.
Below the full moon is Aldebaran, the brightest star in Taurus, the Bull.
The moon, Capella and Aldebaran will form a right triangle with Aldebaran at the 90-degree corner.
2/3
Looking almost straight up at about 9 p.m., one sees the Great Square, an asterism formed by Pegasus, the legendary Winged Horse, and Andromeda.
Andromeda's head, the star Merkab, is the upper left corner of the square, while the other three are Pegasus' wing. Alpha Pegasi, or Merkab, is the lower right corner, while Beta Pegasi, or Scheat, is the upper right.
The upper left corner is Algenib, or gamma Pegasi.
By about 10 p.m., one can see Orion above the horizon, with the three stars of the Hunter's belt making a near-vertical line in the east-southeast about 15 degrees above the horizon.
The Belt stars are named Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka, with Alnitak closest to the horizon. Around the Belt, forming a rectangular shape, are the four stars that mark the Hunter's shoulders and feet.
To the left of the Belt is the distinctly orange-red star Betelgeuse, and above and to the right of it is Bellatrix.
On the other side of the Belt is Rigel (marking the opposite corner of the box from Betelgeuse) and the last is Saiph, marking Orion's right foot (left from the perspective of an earthbound observer).
Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, rises at 10:36 p.m. on Nov. 5 in New York City, but it doesn't get well above the horizon until about 1 a.m. on Nov. 6, when it is 21 degrees high in the southeast.
To the left of Sirius is another bright star, Procyon, which will be to the right and below Jupiter, and recognizable because of its blue-white hue compared to the planet's yellowish cast.
Sirius and Procyon are in the constellations Canis Major and Canis Minor, respectively. Both stars are among the sun's nearest stellar neighbors; Sirius is only 8.6 light-years away and Procyon is 11.5 light-years distant.
In mid-southern latitudes, in Santiago, Chile or Sydney, Australia, the sky gets fully dark by about 9 p.m. At that point, one can see the full moon in the northeast.
Turning to the right (southwards) and staying close to the horizon, one can see Canopus, the brightest star in Carina, the Ship's Keel, about 15 degrees high.
Looking straight up from Canopus, almost two-thirds of the way to the zenith, one encounters Achernar, the star marking the end of Eridanus, the River.
Most of the surrounding stars are relatively faint, but in a location with fewer lights, one can see the Phoenix, with its brightest star, Alpha Phoenicis or Ankaa, at an altitude of 75 degrees and almost straight upwards from Achernar.
If one looks due north, one will see the Great Square that marks Pegasus and Andromeda; Saturn will be bright enough that it is a good marker, and if one goes from Saturn straight towards the horizon, the line cuts the Great Square in half.
Alpha Andromedae, or Alpheratz, will be the star in the lower right corner, while Scheat is the lower left.
Beaver Moon and other November moon names
While Americans — specifically those in the U.S. and Canada – might call the November full moon the Beaver Moon, such "traditional" names come from the European settler cultures and the Native peoples they came into contact with; most are relatively recent.
Among Native people, especially, full moons have had various names for millennia.
The Cree, for example, called it Kaskatinowipisim or "Freeze up Moon."
The Cree nation's historic territories are in the Great Lakes region; October and November are when nighttime freezing temperatures become more regular.
But further south, the Cherokee adopted the name "Trading Moon" for November, as it was just after many harvests and markets would be active, while southwestern peoples often named the November lunation after harvests.
The KhoiKhoi people in South Africa called the November full moon the Milk Moon, according to the Center for Astronomical Heritage, an organization that works to preserve local astronomical traditions.
In India, the November full moon marks the festival celebrating the birth Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. This is a public holiday in much of India.
If you hope to snap a photo of the full moon, our guide on how to photograph the moon can help you make the most of the event.
If you need imaging equipment, our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography have recommendations to make sure you're ready for the next skywatching target.
3/3
Thinning the veil intensifies
Search For Shackleton’s “Lost” Ship Uncovered 1,000 Dimples On The Antarctic Seafloor – What Are They?
October 29, 2025
In 2017, an absolute unit of an iceberg calved from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica’s Western Weddell Sea.
It provided unprecedented access to this remote region that was a key search area in the hunt for Shackleton’s lost ship, Endurance.
When scientists sent a remote-operated vehicle to investigate in 2019, they were hoping to find the ship. Instead, they discovered strange dimples dotted along the seafloor.
Further investigations revealed there were over 1,000 of them. The culprit? Icefish nests, hundreds of them.
Mysterious marks
“We originally were perplexed by them!” said study author Russ Connelly of the University of Essex to IFLScience.
“Fervent discussions on board about what the dimples in the sand may be as they were so clear, and clean, in obvious contrast to the surrounding carpet of green phytoplankton.”
The dimples in the sand weren’t randomly positioned but instead arranged in an organized pattern across the sediment. Turns out this was with good reason.
These fish adhere to a kind of “selfish herd theory” in which nests in the middle are protected from predation, while nests at the edge of the group are typically owned by the biggest, strongest fish that have the best chance of protecting themselves.
The subsequent organization was what gave the game away.
“We considered them being foraging marks,” added Connelly, “but their size and uniform shape, as well as the presence of fish nearby, meant that these were recognised as maintained fish nests.”
The makers of the marks are icefish, specifically a type of rockcod known as the yellowfin notie (Lindbergichthys nudifrons).
They are remarkable fish, but not quite as weird as the closely-related clear-blooded icefish that are the only known vertebrates to lack hemoglobin.
Cracking open an ice shelf
The iceberg that had to move out of the way to make all of this possible is known as the A68 iceberg, and it was enormous.
Measuring 5,800 square kilometers (2,239 square miles), it was a tabular iceberg about twice the size of Luxembourg that was the largest iceberg on Earth when it formed, and the sixth biggest iceberg on record.
Before it calved in 2017, there would have been 200 meters (656 feet) of ice preventing scientists from getting a look at what was going on underneath.
As for how long it’s been since this area of the ocean was exposed to the surface? “Unfortunately, we do not know,” said Connelly.
“Unlike Larsen A and B, no studies have yet reconstructed Holocene exposure history for the Larsen C sector.”
The Weddell Sea: A marine protected area?
There’s a big push underway to get the Weddell Sea protected area status, and this discovery of icefish nests add weight to the argument.
It’s evidence that despite the chilly waters, this part of the ocean hosts an abundance of marine life that’s an integral part of the Antarctic food web.
"The Weddell Sea is changing rapidly," says the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition. "Warmer, windier weather is affecting sea ice and other ocean habitats, putting pressure on finely balanced ecosystems to adapt.
Despite this, the Weddell Sea is not fully protected."
"In 2018, Germany proposed the Weddell Sea marine protected area (MPA) to the nations charged with protecting the Southern Ocean.
It would offer protection to 790,000 square miles (over 2 million square kilometers) of virtually untouched marine wilderness, including extremely rare and vulnerable polar habitats."
Shackleton’s “lost” ship, lost no more
At the time of the icefish nests’ discovery, the search for Shackleton’s “lost” ship was still ongoing. I say “lost”, because since then, it’s been found.
Having sunk in 1915, Endurance was found 100 years after the famous explorer’s death. The cold waters at the bottom of the Weddell Sea preserved the Endurance, leaving it in excellent condition.
In the accompanying (and astonishing) photos, a few new crewmates spotted onboard included Antarctic sea anemones (including one at the wheel), sea squirts, sea stars, and crinoids.
The only thing better than finding a famous shipwreck? Discovering a deep-sea mystery along the way, too.
https://www.iflscience.com/search-for-shackletons-lost-ship-uncovered-1000-dimples-on-the-antarctic-seafloor-what-are-they-81370
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2025.1648168/full
US and China to ‘work together’ on Ukraine settlement – Trump
30 Oct, 2025 05:40
US President Donald has said he and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have agreed that Washington and Beijing will “work together” on a settlement to the Ukraine conflict.
Trump made the claim aboard Air Force One as he was departing South Korea, where he held a face-to-face meeting with Xi earlier on Thursday.
“Ukraine came up very strongly. We talked about it for a long time, and we are both going to work together to see if we can get something done,” the US leader said.
Trump said that he and Xi “agree that the sides are locked in fighting and sometimes you gotta let them fight, I guess.”
“But [Xi is] going to help us, and we are going to work together on Ukraine. Not a lot more we can do,” he added.
The US president added that he had not asked his Chinese counterpart to stop buying Russian oil, despite pledging to do so ahead of the talks.
In comments made in the South Korean city of Busan, Xi suggested that Beijing and Washington should “work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of their two countries and the whole world.”
“As the world today is confronted with many tough problems, China and the US can jointly shoulder their responsibility as major countries,” he said, as cited by Xinhua news agency.
The Chinese leader noted that Trump is “very enthusiastic” about settling various conflicts around the globe and stressed that China has always promoted peace talks as a way of resolving crisis situations.
Xi said in August that China’s stance on the Ukraine conflict will remain unchanged, and it will keep encouraging negotiations no matter how the situation evolves. However, he cautioned that “complex problems have no simple solutions.”
Russia and China have intensified cooperation since the Ukraine conflict escalated in February of 2022, with Beijing becoming the main buyer of Russian oil after the West imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow.
The two nations now describe their relations as a strategic partnership “without limits.”
https://www.rt.com/news/627131-us-and-china-to-work/
Vance hails ‘incredible progress’ on Ukraine peace deal
30 Oct, 2025 02:19
The US has made significant progress in mediating a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, Vice President J.D. Vance has said.
Speaking to Miranda Devine on the Pod Force One podcast on Wednesday, Vance stated that although the conflict has become “the hardest war to get wrapped up,” President Donald Trump remains “laser-focused” on finding a solution.
“If you asked me six months ago, I would have said, ‘They’re never going to stop fighting. This is going to be like Russia’s Vietnam – 15 years later, they’re still going to be fighting.’
If you asked me a month ago, I would have said we’re making incredible progress [toward peace],” Vance said.
“It’s hard to venture a prediction, but I do think that we have reached the point of diminishing returns for both sides,” he added.
Vance said the US was striving to maintain “a very good working relationship” with both Ukraine and Russia, as well as to engage in “real diplomacy,” rather than offering unconditional support for Kiev – as was the case during the administration of former President Joe Biden.
“Sometimes that’s going to mean carrots, and sometimes that’s going to mean sticks. We just have to keep working on it,” Vance said.
Despite protests from some EU officials, Trump has restored direct negotiations with Russia and held a rare in-person meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August.
Although the summit produced no breakthroughs, both sides hailed it as a positive step.
Earlier this month, Trump postponed a planned summit with Putin in Budapest and imposed sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.
At the same time, he rejected Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s call to supply Kiev with long-range US Tomahawk cruise missiles.
https://www.rt.com/news/627128-us-vance-ukraine-peace/
Power grid targeted as Russia fired 653 drones and 52 missiles in overnight terror attack on Ukraine
30/10/2025
Last night, Russia launched a massive overnight drone and missile barrage that targeted Ukraine’s power grid and civilian infrastructure.
While air defenses prevented a majority of the threats from reaching their targets, the attack caused damage — with fatalities, blackouts, and destroyed infrastructure in several regions.
The attack killed at least two people, injured nearly 20 — including children.
During the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Moscow launches dozens — sometimes hundreds, like it did last night — of long-range explosive drones each night.
In recent weeks, Russia has shifted the focus of its terror air assaults from residential areas to Ukraine’s energy grid, aiming to deprive Ukrainians of electricity and heating as winter approaches.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault as a continuation of Russia’s "terror" war against civilian life and called for new sanctions against Russia.
Power grid hit as Russia unleashes air and missile barrage
The combined Russian attack began late on 29 October and continued into the morning of 30 October.
Ukrainian monitoring channels tracked waves of Shahed explosive drones entering airspace starting at 17:04, with the first explosions reported in Chernihiv.
Hours later, missiles were launched from various platforms, including air-, sea-, and land-based systems. Russian forces employed ballistic, cruise, and aeroballistic missiles, including Kinzhal and Kalibr types.
Air alerts were active across most of Ukraine overnight, and explosions were heard in multiple oblasts, including Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv, Khmelnytskyi, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Kyiv.
The Zaporizhzhia attack lasted several hours, with drones preceding ballistic strikes.
Ukrenergo reported emergency shutdowns across most oblasts due to direct hits or threat of strikes to energy infrastructure.
Scheduled hourly outages and industrial consumption limits were introduced on 30 October. In some cities, partial power restoration began by morning.
Air Force reports 705 threats tracked, 623 neutralized
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that from 19:00 on 29 October, Russia launched a complex combined aerial attack involving 705 total air threats: 653 drones and 52 missiles of various types.
Intercepted or suppressed aerial threats included:
592 drones, including Shahed and Gerbera types;
7 Kalibr cruise missiles;
1 Iskander-K cruise missile;
21 Kh-101 cruise missiles;
2 Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles.
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/10/30/power-grid-targeted-as-russia-fired-653-drones-and-52-missiles-in-overnight-terror-attack-on-ukraine/
https://kyivindependent.com/emergency-power-outages-across-ukraine-as-russia-launches-mass-missile-drone-attack/
https://kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-attack-on-sumy-hit-gas-station-injure-4-including-head-of-local-television-video/
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/63264
IDF targets weapons depot in north Gaza after announcing resumption of ceasefire
Updated: OCTOBER 30, 2025 12:44
The IDF conducted a precise strike on Wednesday in the Beit Lahiya area, in the northern Gaza Strip, targeting a weapons and drone storage site, the military said.
The weapons were intended to be used for the execution of an imminent terror attack against IDF soldiers and the State of Israel, the military said.
"IDF soldiers in the Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to operate to remove any immediate threat," the military said.
The strike comes after the IDF announced the end of a series of strikes across the Gaza Strip that came in response to Hamas's numerous ceasefire violations and the resumption of the ceasefire enforcement.
"In accordance with the directive of the political echelon, and following a series of strikes, in which dozens of terror targets and terrorists were struck, the IDF has begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire in response to Hamas’s violations," the military stated.
IDF strikes several points across Gaza, killing dozens of terrorists
The IDF also published a list with the different roles that the terrorists struck in the last round of attacks, with three being battalion commanders.
"The targets struck were key terrorists, including three battalion commanders, two deputy battalion commanders, and 16 company commanders; observation posts; weapons production warehouses; launch posts; underground tunnels; and mortar shell firing posts," the military said.
Four out of the terrorists killed took part in the October 7 massacre, including Muhammad Isa, commander of a Nukhba platoon, Fawwaz ‘Uwayda, commander of a Nukhba terrorist cell, Hatem Maher Mousa Qudra, a Nukhba company commander, Muhammad Abu Shari’a, and Nidal Abu Shari’a, terrorists from the Mijahideen terrorist organization.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872081
other Israel news
https://vinnews.com/2025/10/30/idf-chief-of-staff-warns-of-much-greater-force-against-threats/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-said-to-detain-bedouin-men-near-jericho-leave-them-in-their-underwear-after-israelis-entered-encampment/
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-10-30/ty-article-live/idf-launches-strikes-in-northern-gaza-citing-imminent-threat-to-israeli-forces/0000019a-32fe-d804-a9df-3afe4a8a0000
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/thousands-of-haredi-men-block-entrance-to-jerusalem-rallying-against-idf-draft/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/rocket-siren-on-gaza-border-was-false-alarm-idf-says/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-troops-raid-southern-lebanon-town-before-dawn-kill-municipal-employee/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-demolishes-terror-infrastructure-in-gaza-overnight-in-area-under-its-control/
Hezbollah welcomes Lebanese president’s call on army to confront IDF incursions
October 30, 2025, 1:01 pm
Hezbollah welcomes Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s orders for the country’s army to confront Israeli incursions after a cross-border raid that killed one person this morning.
The terror group says it urges full support for the army.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hezbollah-welcomes-lebanese-presidents-call-on-army-to-confront-idf-incursions/
Danon accuses UN of violating mandate in drone shootdown
Oct. 30, 2025
Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, accused the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon of violating its mission on Thursday after it shot down an Israeli drone.
Danon told JNS exclusively that a letter sent on Monday from Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the U.N. under-secretary-general for peace operations, about the UNIFIL shootdown of the drone was “an admission of violating the mandate given to it by the Security Council, and is a violation of Resolution 1701.”
“UNIFIL was established to oversee the disarmament of Hezbollah and prevent attacks on Israel, but it has long ceased to fulfill its mission,” Danon told JNS.
“Israel will continue to act decisively against any terrorist element that threatens its citizens and expects that the UNIFIL force, so long as it is stationed in Southern Lebanon, focuses on the mandate given to it and not overstep its responsibilities.”
“The U.N. has violated its mandate,” he said. “UNIFIL’s time is up.”
UNIFIL shot down the Israeli drone on Sunday near the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, close to the Israel-Lebanon border.
In his letter, Lacroix claimed that the drone was “flying in an aggressive manner” and that the peacekeepers “applied proportional and minimal force to neutralize the drone.”
After the shootdown, a second Israeli drone dropped a grenade “toward the area where the drone fell,” according to Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, the Israel Defense Forces international spokesman.
“It should be emphasized that no fire was directed at UNIFIL forces,” Shoshani stated. “The incident is being further reviewed through military coordination channels.”
https://www.jns.org/danon-accuses-un-of-violating-mandate-in-drone-shootdown/
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-10-29/disaster-of-unprecedented-catastrophe-jamaica-reels-from-hurricane-melissa
https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1983598702229868802
Drone footage shows Hurricane Melissa devastation as swathes of Jamaica without power
Wednesday 29 October 2025 at 10:57pm
Most of Jamaica is still without electricity after Hurricane Melissa's 185mph winds swept across the island, with drone footage revealing the scale of destruction.
Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, brought heavy rains, causing flooding, landslides, and widespread power outages.
The Jamaican government has said it cannot currently provide a full picture of the number of those who have died as authorities continue to investigate.
At least four bodies were found in south-west Jamaica, according to police. One death was reported after a tree fell on a baby, a state minister told a local radio station.
The mayor of Black River said the local hospital and police units were flooded and unable to carry out recovery operations, and the storm had destroyed a facility holding relief supplies.
Large parts of Jamaica are remote and rural, so the full picture of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa is still emerging, as ITV News Correspondent Robert Moore reports
“Catastrophic is a mild term based on what we are observing,” Richard Solomon said.
Some 77% of the island was without power on Wednesday, and the extent of the damage is still being determined.
People in hard-hit communities in the west of Jamaica are "cut off" and need supplies, according to the country's minister of information.
“Having heavy equipment, having crews that can come in and assist us in getting to those areas is really important,” Dana Morris Dixon added.
She said Norman Manley International Airport, the major airport in Kingston, is set to open later on Wednesday - meaning humanitarian planes arriving with aid will be able to land.
An "all-clear" has now been issued, as the hurricane has crossed over the island, into Cuba, and continues to move towards the Bahamas.
However, key infrastructure remains severely compromised, and the extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
Assessing the destruction has been hampered by a "total communication blackout", according to the country's acting director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.
Extensive damage was reported in parts of Clarendon in the south and in the south-western parish of St. Elizabeth, which was "underwater,” said Desmond McKenzie.
He said the storm damaged four hospitals and left one without power, forcing officials to evacuate 75 patients.
In the immediate aftermath of the storm, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said: "It is clear that wherever the eye of the hurricane hit, there would be devastating impacts.
"The reports that we've had so far would include damage to hospitals, significant damage to residential properties, housing, commercial property as well and damage to our road infrastructure as well."
1/2
In a statement, King Charles said both he and the Queen were "profoundly saddened" to see the impact of the storm on the Caribbean.
He continued: "I particularly want to express my sincere admiration for all of you, and especially for those who have responded so courageously when that spirit has been called upon in a desperate situation such as this.
"This most dreadful of record-breaking storms reminds us of the increasingly urgent need to restore the balance and harmony of nature for the sake of all those whose lives and livelihoods may have been shattered by this heartbreaking disaster."
Before the hurricane even made landfall, three people died in Jamaica as a result of worsening weather conditions.
Another three deaths were reported in Haiti, while one person was killed and another remains missing in the Dominican Republic.
With airports closed and power lines down, it is difficult to understand the scale of relief efforts required, but aid agencies have warned that the impact on communities and individuals will be "shattering and long-lasting".
"Early indications are that Hurricane Melissa was a disaster of unprecedented catastrophe for the island," Alexander Pendry, British Red Cross Global Response Manager, said.
"News is already coming through that whole communities are underwater and that the damage left by the strong winds has been devastating."
He added: “The immediate priorities are search and rescue and ensuring people have access to healthcare, safe shelter, clean water, food and other essential supplies.
On Wednesday, the UK government said it would provide £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian funding to support Jamaica’s recovery from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Funding will go towards a rapid humanitarian response.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer said: “The scenes of destruction emerging from Jamaica are truly shocking”.
“Both the foreign secretary and I have been in close contact with our Jamaican counterparts in recent days to offer the UK’s full support.
“HMS Trent and specialist rapid deployment teams are pre-positioned in the region, and we stand ready to provide humanitarian support.”
The Jamaican government said it hopes to reopen all airports as early as Thursday to ensure the quick distribution of emergency supplies.
Earlier on Wednesday, Melissa hit Cuba, forcing hundreds of thousands of people out of their homes.
The hurricane is expected to make its way to the west of Bermuda, where a hurricane watch is in effect. A tropical storm warning was issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
2/2
Exclusive: Pentagon's DOGE unit to revamp military drone program, sources say
October 30, 20259:12 AM PDT
The Pentagon's DOGE unit is leading efforts to overhaul the U.S. military drone program, including streamlining procurement, expand homegrown production, and acquire tens of thousands of cheap drones in the coming months, according to Pentagon officials and people with knowledge of the matter.
In July, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pledged, opens new tab to cut red tape and assert U.S. drone dominance by approving hundreds of American-made drone models and launching training programs to prepare units for 'drone wars' - a response to the widespread use of drones on Ukraine's battlefield, which have exposed U.S. drone limitations.
The Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) involvement, which has not been previously reported, grants the unit influence over a U.S. military drone program that President Donald Trump designated a defense priority in a June executive order,, opens new tab five people with knowledge of the matter said.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a comment request.
The Pentagon is trying to overcome a mixed track record on acquiring drones. In 2023, Pentagon leaders announced, opens new tab the Replicator initiative, a department-wide effort to acquire and field thousands of autonomous drones by August 2025.
However, the Department of Defense has not provided an update on the current status of the program.
In September, a Pentagon official said Replicator capabilities were being "transitioned to the appropriate end state users," according to the trade publication Defense Scoop.
Reuters could not determine how the DOGE effort would impact the Replicator initiative. Trump has ordered the department to rename itself the Department of War, a change that will require action by Congress.
DOGE, originally spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, has cut billions of dollars of government programs, including many at the Pentagon, since Trump began his second term.
The drone effort, a new task for the unit, is partly aimed at addressing the challenges of sourcing U.S.-made drone platforms. Most U.S.-made drones rely on Chinese components.
DOGE officials have requested information on drones from across the Pentagon, including the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit, seeking information about specifications, including weight and payload size, according to two of the people.
The DOGE team is expected to submit a report to an executive committee in the Office of the Secretary of Defense by next week, according to a person with knowledge.
One of the goals is to acquire at least 30,000 drones in the coming months before ramping up further, one of the people said. This would mark significant wins for U.S. drone companies that have been angling to supply the Pentagon with cheap drones.
Companies such as Red Cat, Skydio and PDW, which sell quadcopter models to the Army, for prices ranging from low thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands, are well positioned to benefit. Venture-backed startup Neros recently signed a contract with the Marines for its low-cost drone.
The DOGE drone team is being led by Owen West, a co-author of Hegseth's drone memo issued in July who joined DOGE earlier this year, according to three of the people.
The former Marine and Goldman Sachs energy trader rejoined the military in 2017 as assistant secretary of defense overseeing special operations forces.
West's LinkedIn profile states that he has been a financial analyst at the Department of Defense since February.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/pentagons-doge-unit-revamp-military-drone-program-sources-say-2025-10-30/
https://kfgo.com/2025/10/30/exclusive-pentagons-doge-unit-to-revamp-military-drone-program-sources-say/
New study indicates wastewater treatment plants emit greenhouse gases at levels significantly higher than previous estimates, according to drone measurements
Last updated: October 30, 2025
In a groundbreaking study conducted at Linköping University, researchers have uncovered that greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants may be significantly higher than previously estimated.
Utilizing drones equipped with specialized sensors, the team measured methane and nitrous oxide emissions, revealing that the actual levels are about 2.5 times greater than calculations put forth by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Magnus Gålfalk, a researcher at the university’s Tema M—Environmental Change department, emphasized the importance of these findings.
“We show that certain greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants have been unknown. Now that we know more about these emissions, we also know more about how they can be reduced,” he stated.
Wastewater treatment facilities process effluent from households and industries, collectively accounting for approximately 5% of human-induced methane and nitrous oxide emissions, according to the IPCC.
Historically, the IPCC has relied on emission factors tied to the number of households connected to treatment plants to estimate emissions. This approach has led to significant inaccuracies, as the actual emissions have not been directly measured.
Gålfalk noted that while wastewater treatment plants strive to mitigate emissions, the established reporting system fails to reflect any reductions made, perpetuating an inaccurate representation of emissions.
To address this gap, Gålfalk and Professor David Bastviken conducted measurements across twelve treatment plants in Sweden that utilize anaerobic digestion for sludge treatment.
The analysis highlighted that emissions are particularly elevated in the storage phase following digestion, a period aimed at reducing harmful micro-organisms prior to the sludge being repurposed as fertilizer.
This study identified that methane emissions during this storage phase had been underestimated, while also revealing significant emissions of nitrous oxide—a greenhouse gas with a climate impact nearly 300 times greater than that of carbon dioxide per kilogram.
Gålfalk remarked on the surprising findings, indicating that the climate impact from nitrous oxide emissions during sludge storage is comparable to that of methane emissions, marking it as an essential area for future monitoring and action.
The research underscores the critical need for accurate emission reporting based on real measurements to enhance the effectiveness of emission reduction efforts and facilitate transparency for municipalities regarding their investments in mitigation technologies.
https://news.ssbcrack.com/new-study-indicates-wastewater-treatment-plants-emit-greenhouse-gases-at-levels-significantly-higher-than-previous-estimates-according-to-drone-measurements/
UFO sightings on the rise across the Rio Grande Valley, researcher says
Updated: Oct 30, 2025 / 09:46 AM CDT
Sightings of unidentified flying objects are becoming more frequent in the Rio Grande Valley, according to local UFO researcher and author Noe Torres. He says growing public interest and social media are helping more people share their encounters.
“UFOs are absolutely part of the paranormal,” Torres said. “When people encountered them in the past, they didn’t know how to explain them. It made them feel like an unusual experience had happened to them.”
Torres says reports of unusual lights and objects in the sky have increased across northern Hidalgo County, stretching from La Joya to Edinburg.
“All the way from north of La Joya, all the way to east of Edinburg, we’ve had quite a large pattern of sightings over the past couple of years,” he added.
One of those recent sightings was captured by Elizabeth Garza of La Villa, who says she saw glowing orbs in the sky while visiting family in east Edinburg.
“Just orbs in the sky. Like you see them and then they disappear and then you see them come back up and you’re like, well, what is this?” Garza said.
At first, she thought the lights were drones, but she says they made no sound and moved unpredictably.
“It’s something that kept happening for a good like 20 to 30 minutes when we were out there,” Garza said. “They never landed, it was just like they were going in circles.”
Torres, a member of the Mutual UFO Network, says the number of reports has grown dramatically in the past two decades. The organization has been tracking UFO sightings since the 1960s.
Recently, Torres presented new research about a man who claims he was abducted from his McAllen apartment in 1992 while he slept.
“He was being levitated or taken along floating across his bedroom floor. He looked to his left and there were two little creatures which a lot of people refer to as the alien grays, the gray aliens,” Torres said.
Torres identified the man as 76-year-old Xavier Gonzalez, who told him he was unable to move or speak as he watched himself being carried through the room. When the experience ended, Gonzalez found himself back on his bedroom floor.
Torres says he plans to continue researching the case and urges others to stay alert and to always take a glimpse at the skies.
“I have always had the policy when I am out at night, and even in the daytime, I am always looking to see if I could see something unusual on the sky, and I have my camera and my telephone ready to go at a moment’s notice,” Torres added.
https://www.valleycentral.com/community/halloween-2025/halloween-central___en/ufo-sightings-on-the-rise-across-the-valley-researcher-says/
Mysterious Glowing Object Streaks Across Irish Night Sky, Fueling UFO Speculation; Here’s What Officials Confirmed
Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:45 PM (IST)
A glowing, mysterious light seen to dance across the evening sky brought a wave of panic and curiosity over Ireland on Wednesday, stirring speculation of unidentified flying objects, or UFOs.
Social media users across the country posted videos and photos at about 6pm local time of what looked like an orb-like object gliding silently overhead. The incident caused an uproar in the country as people struggled to get answers.
People reported seeing the glowing object from counties such as Wexford, Cork, Carlow, and Donegal.
According to one onlooker's description, the object was "a big object with light in front but no noise and moving very quickly." T The slow, steady movement and apparent low altitude deepened the mystery.
Another onlooker wrote online, “My notifications have never lit up like this. Reports are coming in from the south, through the Midlands, up to the east and west. It was spotted everywhere.”
For a brief moment, the unidentified light seemed impossible to categorise. With no immediate explanation from authorities, theories spiralled, from military aircraft to extraterrestrial visitors.
Weather Expert Weighs In
Weather specialist Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather addressed the growing speculation, clarifying that technically, the object qualified as a UFO, until identified.
“Multiple reports of strange light moving across the sky have come in during the last 15 minutes,” O’Reilly noted. “Some described it as a big object with light in front, silent, but moving very quickly.”
His cautionary tone, while neutral, only added to the suspense circulating online. Late-night investigations, however, put an end to the alien hype.
Authorities and space-watchers confirmed the spectacle was caused by a SpaceX rocket launch that took place earlier the same day.
As rockets gain altitude, their final booster stages jettison and dump whatever remaining fuel they may have into the upper atmosphere.
When lit up by the sun, that fuel dump appears as a bright, churning plume-often mistaken for some sort of UFO activity. Images captured across Ireland matched other known SpaceX fuel-dumping visuals seen in past missions.
SpaceX launched 29 more Starlink internet satellites from Florida's Space Coast off a Falcon 9 rocket whose first stage returned to Earth in a successful landing about eight and a half minutes later, while the upper stage continued toward low Earth orbit.
https://www.thedailyjagran.com/world/mysterious-glowing-object-streaks-across-irish-night-sky-fueling-ufo-speculation-heres-what-officials-confirmed-10276805
https://twitter.com/Xx17965797N/status/1983650718868439422
Vance talks UFOs, suggests ‘spiritual forces working on the physical world’
10/30/25 11:23 AM ET
Vice President Vance on Wednesday shared his thoughts on UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena potentially having a divine influence on what happens on Earth.
Vance talked about UFOs on the podcast “Pod Force One” with the New York Post’s Miranda Devine, who referred to herself in the interview as a “mad UFO-lunatic.” The vice president laughed and said “me too.”
While the vice president said he hasn’t “had the time yet” to dig into the issue, he maintained he would “get to the bottom of this” even if “it’ll take a long time.”
Devine noted that another senior member of the Trump administration, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, said she believed in the possibility of alien life.
“It’s interesting,” Vance replied. “I wouldn’t say that I do or don’t believe it. I’m a big believer that there are things out there that we can’t explain. And so if another person sees an alien, maybe I see an angel or a demon.
So, I’m a big believer that there are like spiritual forces working on the physical world that a lot of us don’t see and a lot of us don’t understand and a lot of us don’t appreciate.”
“Is it aliens or is it our guardian angel, or is it aliens or is it a not so guardian force that doesn’t care about us or in fact actively wishes us harm?”
Vance continued. “I don’t know the answer to that question. What I try to do is I try to say my prayers, I try to be as good of a person as I can be and I try to do a good job. And, hopefully, that’s all I need to do.”
Vance also said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also interested in the topic, saying it is something they both talked about since their days working together in Senate.
“There’s certainly an interest there, there’s certainly an intrigue,” Vance said. “But I really haven’t yet had time to dig in. Things have been so busy. But this is the crazy person inside me. All of us put the tinfoil hat on from time to time.”
Devine brought up the topic in reference to an interview Vance gave on the “Ruthless Podcast” Aug. 1, where he said he was “obsessed with the whole UFO thing.”
“What’s actually going on? What were those videos all about? What’s actually happening?” Vance said at the time. “I haven’t gotten to the bottom of it yet, but we’re only six months in.”
In September, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) accused the federal government of lying about its knowledge of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), commonly called UFOs.
He made the accusation during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets hearing, where he defended veterans who testified on seeing UAPs while in the military.
“The narrative has changed, right?” Moskowitz said. “It’s politically convenient for the government if you all weren’t military folks in suits. It would be much better if you pulled up in Winnebagos and were wearing hats.
This is now the second or third committee where we have former military folks with impeccable records with information and knowledge.”
During Vance’s interview on “Pod Force One,” Rubio’s name also came up when the vice president referred to him as his “best friend” in the administration, spurred by the question of a Vance-Rubio 2028 ticket to succeed President Trump.
Vance called any discussion about a future presidential run “premature.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5581008-vance-ufo-spiritual-forces/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4-Fuq8jDxo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bzfc7VU8DM (JD Vance on UFOs: "If someone sees an Alien, maybe I see an Angel or a Demon." - Psicoactivo #666)