https://x.com/chrisfleming91/status/1854285257400279390
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
December 28, 2025
NGC 1898: Globular Cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Jewels don't shine this bright only stars do. And almost every spot in this jewel-box of an image from the Hubble Space Telescope is a star. Now, some stars are more red than our Sun, and some more blue but all of them are much farther away. Although it takes light about 8 minutes to reach Earth from the Sun, NGC 1898 is so far away that it takes light about 160,000 years to get here. This huge ball of stars, NGC 1898, is called a globular cluster and resides in the central bar of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) – a satellite galaxy of our Milky Way Galaxy. The featured multi-colored image includes light from the infrared to the ultraviolet and was taken to help determine if the stars of NGC 1898 all formed at the same time or at different times. There are increasing indications that most globular clusters formed stars in stages, and that, in particular, stars from NGC 1898 formed shortly after ancient encounters with the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and our Milky Way Galaxy.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Past Pole Shifts Fit the Cycle, Solar Watch | S0 News and frens
Dec.28.2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOU_LaVyzpk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeMO5onOnjE (Stefan Burns: The Biggest Geophysical Event of 2026 could Occur in Just a Few Days…)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiNGlTOa0Uk (Adapt2030: Something Big Is Coming And Governments Know It)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMURLPZEdE (MrMBB333: Is something wrong with the sun? Something doesn't look right here!!)
https://www.eldiario24.com/en/jupiter-stunning-blue-aurora-discovery/26673/
https://x.com/MrMBB333/status/2004588517796556849
https://x.com/schumannbot/status/2005277610360648073
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
https://spaceweather.com/
3I/ATLAS is Hiding Behind a Veil of Dust
December 27, 2025
In my latest two essays, accessible here and here, I showed that the characteristic radius of dust particles in the anti-tail jet launched from the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is of order ~10 microns.
This conclusion was based on the observed length of the jet and the requirement that the dust particles reach the jet speed through drag on the outflowing gas.
Given these requirements, I derived here the mass density D of gas in the outflow at a distance d from the nucleus center,
D~(3.210^{-8} g/cm³)(d/1km)^{-2},
Let us assume that a significant fraction of the total mass loss after perihelion is carried by ~10-micron dust particles. The mass of each 10-micron dust particle is m~10^{-8} g, implying that the particle number per unit volume near the base of the jet is:
n~D/m= 3.2 cm^{-3}*(d/1km)^{-2}.
The cross-sectional area of each 10-micron particle for scattering sunlight is:
S=pi(10^{-3}cm)²= 3.1410^{-6} cm².
Therefore, the scattering probability of sunlight from outside down to a distance d from the nucleus center is given by:
P = (nSd) ~ 1*(d/1km)^{-1}.
The minimum value of the radial distance d is the radius of the nucleus, R_n:
minimum{d}=R_n.
If the scattering probability P exceeds a value of unity, then the nucleus surface of a natural comet would not be exposed to sunlight and the release of gas or dust would stop.
This implies that the radius of the nucleus for a natural comet must be larger than the value of d which yields P~1, namely:
R_n1 km,
corresponding to a minimum nucleus diameter for 3I/ATLAS of ~2 kilometers.
This lower limit applies only if the jet results from the illumination of the nucleus of a natural comet by sunlight.
On the other hand, if the release of dust is intended to protect a technological object from sunlight, then a value of P>1 around the nucleus will be favored by design as a protective blanket.
In this case, the nucleus of 3I/ATLAS might have a radius R_n<0.7 km which cannot be resolved in scattered sunlight by an external observer.
Either way, it is a remarkable coincidence that P is of order unity for the inferred size and mass loss rate of 3I/ATLAS.
This coincidence could be a natural consequence of a self-regulating feedback loop that keeps the value of P close to ~1 because a larger value suppresses the release of dust whereas a smaller value enhances the release of dust, bringing the density of dust at the base of the jet to yield P~1. But it could also be a protective measure of an artificial origin.
In summary, the blanket of dust surrounding 3I/ATLAS is on the borderline between it being opaque and transparent to sunlight.
This means that imaging by an external camera with a sub-kilometer spatial resolution would have likely shown a fuzzy cloud of dust rather than a nucleus with a sharp boundary.
3I/ATLAS is hiding behind a veil of dust.
https://avi-loeb.medium.com/3i-atlas-is-hiding-behind-a-veil-of-dust-39e2d76468a9
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/3i-atlas-mystery-why-nasa-hiding-observation-logs-interstellar-visitor-1766218
https://www.ladbible.com/news/world-news/vladimir-putin-comment-3iatlas-russia-secret-weapon-673096-20251228
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bk45iGWFFac (David Sereda: 3I/Atlas Christmas Message to EARTH SHOCKING!)
https://x.com/NightSkyNow/status/2005169205315076139
https://x.com/SkyEmpiren/status/2004971201140326583
https://x.com/PlanetarioMad/status/2005232258492387616
https://x.com/craggs_paul/status/2005170235478081898
https://x.com/FunkyFlunger/status/2005188166710689954
https://x.com/StefanBurnsGeo/status/2005157956132954232
https://x.com/drew4worldruler/status/2005144681231880667
https://x.com/RedCollie1/status/2005083489771946473
https://x.com/dahboo7/status/2004713640822247548
https://x.com/SolarObserverX/status/2005270977882493301
Nasa astronaut reveals space gym that will be used to train astronauts on the Moon
UPDATED: Dec 28, 2025 18:52 IST
In a series of recent video updates, Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir provided a first-hand look at the future of deep-space fitness.
Capturing her workouts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Meir showcased the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D), a versatile tool designed to sustain human health on long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.
Her demonstration highlighted the machine's ability to transition seamlessly between resistive exercises, cycling, rowing, and rope pulling, all while she participated in the European Space Agency (Esa) T-mini experiment to track body temperature regulation in microgravity.
THE CHALLENGE OF DEEP SPACE FITNESS
As humanity prepares to venture beyond Earth's orbit, space program planners face a daunting physiological hurdle.
While the ISS offers enough room for bulky gym equipment, the upcoming voyages for the Nasa Artemis Gateway missions will be conducted in much tighter quarters.
In these cramped environments, every cubic inch of space is a premium, requiring a total rethink of how astronauts stay strong.
INNOVATING IN MICROGRAVITY
Currently, astronauts dedicate roughly a quarter of their workday to physical training. However, even with these hours logged, maintaining bone density and muscle mass remains a struggle.
Jonathan Scott, a leading expert at the Esa European Astronaut Centre, believes the answer lies in high-efficiency movements. By moving toward plyometrics, or "old-school" jumping, and high-intensity intervals, crews can achieve better results in less time.
A STORY OF VERSATILITY: THE E4D
The videos shared by Meir bring this innovation to life. In the footage, she is seen putting the E4D through its paces.
Developed by Esa and the Danish Aerospace Company, the device is a marvel of engineering that fits multiple machines into one.
The clips show Meir transitioning between lifting weights and aerobic modes, proving that variety is a vital necessity for full-body health in space.
In one particular sequence, Meir is seen wearing a distinctive blue headband. This is a critical part of the T-mini experiment, designed to track how the human body regulates temperature during the intense heat of a microgravity workout.
EFFICIENCY AND SURVIVAL
The push for E4D is also driven by logistics. In orbit, astronauts often struggle to eat enough to offset their caloric burn.
By using more efficient exercise protocols, Esa and Nasa hope to reduce total energy expenditure, which in turn reduces the amount of food weight that must be launched into space.
LESSONS FOR LIFE ON EARTH
The research conducted by Esa doesn't just benefit those in orbit. For people living in confined environments on Earth, the same "less is more" philosophy applies.
Experts suggest that simple, high-impact activities like rope skipping can mimic the musculoskeletal benefits found in advanced astronaut training.
Whether on the way to Mars or staying fit at home, the goal remains the same: staying healthy in the space you have.
https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/nasa-esa-jessica-meir-astronaut-exercise-device-artemis-gateway-gym-workout-space-science-news-moon-mission-mars-2843010-2025-12-28
https://x.com/Astro_Jessica/status/2004585126374572149
https://x.com/Astro_Jessica/status/2004588102304829668
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/our-favorite-space-com-stories-of-2025
https://www.space.com/astronomy/the-top-astronomical-discoveries-of-2025
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/the-12-biggest-space-stories-of-2025-according-to-you
https://abcnews.go.com/International/photos/stunning-james-webb-space-telescope-images-2025-128724956
Our favorite Space.com stories of 2025
December 28, 2025
Quite a bit has happened in the space sector this year, out in the cosmos as well as on Earth — and actually, in Earth orbit, too.
For instance, U.S. President Donald Trump took office in only January, but his administration is responsible for a wealth of changes that have flipped life upside down for scientists in the States.
China, Russia and India are meanwhile steadily strengthening their space programs, and other countries are starting to bloom toward the cosmos as well. Earth orbit, to say the least, is getting pretty crowded.
At the same time, an interstellar comet paid our solar system a surprising visit, black holes and neutron stars continue to baffle us with their mind-bending characteristics, the northern lights are suddenly appearing in skies across the world, a Mars rover managed to find rocky treasure on the Red Planet and science fiction has been captivating enough to float us into our imaginations on days when real things like spaceflight crashes and political encroachment on climate science get overwhelming.
But through it all, our reporters have been following the show.
So, to create a must-read story list for you, we asked our staff to select their favorite pieces of 2025.
Alas, while you're drinking leftover hot chocolate or sitting in your room trying to escape questions from your extended family, here are some great reads, twisty reads, essential reads and long, joyful reads to relax into.
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On NASA sinking its flagship science center and possibly breaking the law
Josh has been putting out amazing stories all year, but his investigative article revealing the sweeping and chaotic changes inflicted by NASA leadership on the Goddard Space Flight Center was of a different class.
It was a considered, well-researched and thoughtfully written piece that explored the human cost of the administration's actions, while alerting the public to the long-term damage that the secretive moves could wreak on the agency's scientific capabilities.
It prompted discussion and action from both Space.com's readership and also the ranking member of the U.S. congressional committee on science, space and technology, Zoe Lofgren, who cited the story in a letter to NASA acting administrator Sean Duffy while demanding that NASA cease its actions and give "a full accounting of the damage inflicted on Goddard thus far."
TLDR: Josh is the journalist I want to be when I finally grow up.
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The perplexing saga of an astronaut imposter
After more than 20 years of space reporting, I thought I'd heard most of the crazy stories from the space age, but must admit that Jeff Maysh's tale of huckster astronaut wannabe Robert Hunt, who for years play-acted being an astronaut, took me by surprise.
Through some meticulous reporting, and interviews with Hunt himself, Jeff recounts an astounding story of one man's determination to play the role of a space traveler without actually being one.
It's an amazing story, more so for how long Hunt seemed to get away with it.
1/3
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Edwin Hubble's helpers and an aurora cruise
As an astronomy editor, I read and write about Edwin Hubble a lot, and in many different contexts.
His presence permeates so much of physics as a whole, from the Hubble Space Telescope and Hubble's Law to the Hubble Constant and resulting Hubble Tension.
But what science writer Keith Cooper did with his look back on how Hubble proved our Milky Way galaxy isn't alone in the universe is focus on the side characters responsible for Hubble's great success — characters very rarely spoken about.
This engrossing read is where my rabbit-hole of knowledge about Milton Humason began, a janitor and mule skinner who helped with the construction of Mount Wilson Observatory, then went on to aid Hubble in several major discoveries.
I'm not sure if this is allowed, but I also have a second favorite that needs to be on this list.
Maybe I was biased because I read this story after having a slightly rough day and sipping tea in my bed, but our editor Daisy Dobrijevic's long, narrative piece about being on a multi-day aurora cruise along Norway's frigid coast was really a treat.
The vivid imagery and honest retelling of what emotions are involved when viewing neon ribbons in the sky make you feel like you were there. There's one bit about a window that has stayed in my mind. You'll know when you read it.
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Trump's desire to slash NASA's budget rattles scientists
I love how we leaned into writing about the current U.S. administration's questionable decisions this year, and this was one of my favorites. In times of controversy, in-depth reporting matters more than ever.
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A NASA satellite corpse in disguise
This story from Rob Lea dives into a space mystery, which are always my favorite, and explores how a dead NASA satellite ended up fooling astronomers into thinking they had discovered a fast radio burst (FRB) from far beyond the Milky Way.
Featuring interviews with the researchers behind the discovery itself, the story explores possible ways the defunct satellite could have produced such a remarkable burst of radio waves — which still remains a mystery.
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A scientific conference with a veil of fear
Mona's piece is my top pick because of its timely and informative content and its narrative outline.
She does a wonderful job describing the impacts of NASA's and the National Science Foundation's absences at a major astronomy meeting and connects it to wider issues concerning the scientific community at a time when many in their field feel uncertain about their academic and professional futures.
Mona plainly demonstrates the stakes from an easy-to-understand perspective, and shows the importance of such organizations at these kinds of biannual gatherings in a way that put me in the shoes of the disappointed scientists who traveled all the way to Alaska only for the headline act not to show up, and the scientists who eagerly await these meetings who were barred from attending.
I'd also like to add honorable mentions, though, to two other brilliant stories from this year: Daisy Dobrijevic's piece about visiting STARMUS in La Palma and Brett Tingley's about an Apollo-era radio telescope being up for sale.
2/3
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The division between our universe's most monstrous objects
Black holes and neutron stars are without a doubt the two most fearsome and impressive objects in the known universe. Both are born when massive stars die and "go nova."
That means that the obvious question is: Where is the dividing line between these two bodies? It is so cool that we are on the verge of discovering that division, which will lead us toward figuring out what the biggest neutron stars are and what the smallest black holes are.
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An industrial project threatening the world's largest telescope
My favorite stories this year are Tereza Pultarova's paired features on the threat posed to Cerro Paranal, published about a year apart.
Together, they show how journalism can follow an issue beyond the initial alarm, tracing it through evidence, expert voices and ultimately a call to action.
They balance the urgent need for clean energy with our shared responsibility to protect the night sky, highlighting not just obvious impacts to astronomy like light pollution but also subtler ones such as vibrations and turbulence.
To me, this is one of the biggest emerging threats to modern astronomy — and exactly the kind of story we need to keep telling.
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The hunt for alien life on Mars gets a lead
This story is a great example of how to cover the search for alien life responsibly.
It highlights the inherent complexity and difficulty of the E.T. hunt without sucking the excitement out of important discoveries that spot the trail, like the Perseverance rover's "poppy seed" and "leopard spot" finds.
All science journalists should seek to strike this balance.
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The film "Apollo 13" is just as good as you remember
The quintessential space movie turned 30 this year, and Rich Edwards — one of our talented freelancers — looked back on Apollo 13 and how it showcased the grit and determination of NASA's scientists, and not just the rockstar astronauts onboard the stricken craft.
It's a beautifully written retrospective on a phenomenal movie, and if you missed it back in June, then it's time to perform a slingshot maneuver around the moon and check it out now.
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The importance of journalism and a comet from beyond
I really enjoyed this story because I got a front row seat to see some of the coolest images of 3I/ATLAS in existence — and also because of the classic journalism spirit behind it.
When this news broke, it was evening and just our astronomy editor Mona, myself, our video editor Steve, our spaceflight editor Mike and our editor in chief Tariq were on Slack, seeing these images together for the first time and tag-teaming to get the story polished and published.
At one point, my internet (which I thankfully now have updated) wasn't working and I freaked out, fearing the job would reach a halt. Thankfully, the delay was short, and here we are.
So … long answer, but overall, not only is this story a joy to read because it's scientifically spectacular — look at those images of an interstellar object! — but also because of the people behind it.
In a world where journalism and freedom of the press is under multiple threats, both from growing anti-intellectual culture and the rise of AI, it's important to remember people are at the heart of what we do.
3/3
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/this-piece-of-a-defunct-nasa-space-station-hit-australia-in-1979-now-it-s-for-sale-263277.html
This Piece of a Defunct NASA Space Station Hit Australia in 1979, Now It's for Sale
28 Dec 2025, 05:56 UTC
The Skylab space station crashed into a debris field scattered across the Indian Ocean and Western Australia on July 11th, 1979.
On that day, the only orbital workshop the United States ever operated by itself met its inevitable fate after six grueling years in orbit.
Ostensibly, billions of dollars worth of equipment and three missions' worth of wear and tear burned up in Earth's atmosphere, never to be seen again. Except that not all of it burned completely.
Some of it, albeit pieces so small it's a miracle they were ever found, did wind up in places where humans could stumble upon them. Now, a half-century-old piece of a timeless classic space station isn't actually a priceless relic.
In fact, it's for sale on eBay at the moment. But, at the very least, it gives a chance to look back at a spacecraft so often overshadowed by the monolithic International Space Station in orbit today.
Without a doubt, there's no question that there'd be no International Space Station without Skylab.
Constructed from a heavily modified Saturn V upper stage, it took a decade of planning and nearly three years of non-stop fabrication to mount America's first orbital laboratory on the last ever Saturn V launched to space.
Its primary contractor was McDonnell Douglas, which assembled the bulk of the Orbital Workshop, complete with the crew living quarters and the airlock module, at their facility in Huntington Beach, California.
Meanwhile, Martin Marietta handled the Apollo-style proba-and-drogue latching system, and North American Aviation supplied modified surplus Apollo capsules launched aboard Saturn IBs to bring human crews to the station.
Across all three missions to Skylab, the station was occupied for a total of 171 days and 13 hours, proving definitively that the United States was just as capable of a long-term presence in space as the Soviets.
On board, crews ran physiological diagnostics and sent reports back to Earth, vital details that helped scientists understand how the body reacts to long-term exposure to zero gravity.
The station also housed animals like mice and gnats to gain even more insights into how Earth-bound life interacts with such a profoundly foreign environment.
Crews also observed solar radiation levels, tracked comets too dim to see from Earth, and observed extreme weather phenomena like hurricanes from the safe vantage point of low-Earth orbit.
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Skylab did all this cool science while sporting needed features like a zero-G shower and much-improved food options over the squeeze tubes of mystery paste Apollo dealt with.
In the end, the nearly 200,000-lb (90,718.5-kg) spacecraft's orbit was allowed to decay once its service life ended in 1974. Scientists initially believed that Skylab could remain in orbit until the 1980s.
But heavier-than-anticipated solar activity marginally increased the reaches of Earth's upper atmosphere, increasing aerodynamic drag to the point it pulled the mighty space station down prematurely.
NASA managed to remotely reorient the craft to avoid civilian populations just before it plunged into the atmosphere, but despite their best efforts, more than a few pieces found their way onto dry land.
Major news publications even put large cash bounties out for anyone who could locate a verifiable piece of Skylab. One publication, the San Francisco Examiner, even offered $10,000, or more than $40 grand in modern money, for someone to bring in a piece of Skylab first.
What resulted can only be described as a late-1970s gold rush, but replace the gold with charred pieces of American space stations.
In the end, a 17-year-old Australian named Stam Thornton won the grand prize, and some later found pieces were promptly billed to NASA under litter fine laws.
Whether this particular piece of the station was the one that got NASA fined is anyone's guess.
But the piece of literature underneath this shard of Skylab metal at least verifies its origin. It comes straight from the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, and details how the piece came from one of Skylab's oxygen supply tanks.
Skylab had six of these huge tanks arranged around its inner walls, keeping a steady supply of O2 for breathing and drinking water pressurization throughout the duration of the mission.
In emergencies, these O2 tanks were linked directly to a set of facemasks inside the crew quarters, and each tank weighed as much as 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg) without any propellant inside.
As far as a vital and integral part of the spacecraft is concerned, this piece fits the image. Admittedly, it might not be as eye-catching as the intact food storage freezer or the portion of the main airlock hatch that Australian space junk prospectors found.
But this chunk is small enough and inconsequential enough that ordinary space enthusiasts could afford it.
Maybe $400 is a lot to pay for a piece of space memorabilia. But dang it, it's a small price to pay for people who cared enough to remember Skylab.
2/2
Public chooses names for China's space-traveled mice
Updated: 2025-12-28 07:24
BEIJING – A research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) revealed the names of the four mice, which were part of a recent mission aboard China's space station, during a public science event on Saturday.
The mice have been named Wangtian, Lanyue, Zhuiyun, and Zhumeng, which respectively translate to "gaze at the sky," "reach for the moon," "chase the clouds" and "follow the dream."
The announcement was accompanied by the release of cartoon illustrations of the mice, co-created with Xinhua News Agency.
On Oct 31, the four mice — numbered 6, 98, 154 and 186 — were chosen from 48 candidates and flown aboard the Shenzhou XXI crewed spacecraft to their temporary habitat in space.
During the mission, Xinhua invited the public to propose names for the mice, with the final selections based on popular submissions online.
The mice safely returned to Earth with the Shenzhou XX crew on Nov 14.
"We have initiated a series of studies on the mice following their return," said Li Tianda, an expert at the Institute of Zoology (IOZ) of the CAS.
"These studies aim to uncover how the space environment affects mammalian physiology and behavior, particularly in terms of stress response and adaptation."
The public science event themed "flying mice" will run for one month at the National Zoological Museum of China, offering the public a firsthand look at cutting-edge biological experiments conducted as part of China's major space programs.
The event is jointly organized by the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization and the IOZ under the CAS.
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202512/28/WS69506acba310d6866eb30c82.html
the land of smiles is smiling again
SpaceX scrubs launch Italian Earth observation satellite due to ground systems issue
December 27, 2025
Update Dec. 27, 5:56 p.m. EST (2256 UTC): SpaceX scrubbed the launch due to a ground issue, targeting Sunday, Dec. 28.
SpaceX was preparing for its final Falcon 9 flight of the year, but had to scrub the mission due to a ground systems issue at its launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
When it launches, the 70-meter-tall rocket will carry an Earth observation satellite for Italy to low Earth orbit.
The Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation Flight Model 3 (CSG-FM3) satellite nestled in the rocket’s payload fairing is an Earth observation satellite that serves dual purposes for the civilian and military sectors of the Italian government.
Liftoff is scheduled from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at 6:08 p.m. PST (9:08 p.m. EST / 0208 UTC). A new launch date and time haven’t been announced yet by SpaceX.
Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about 30 minutes prior to liftoff.
SpaceX will launch the mission on Falcon 9 booster tail number, 1081. This will be its 21st flight after launching missions including Crew-7, PACE and TRACERS, all for NASA.
Nearly 8.5 minutes after liftoff, B1081 will target a touchdown at Landing Zone 4. If successful, this will be the 31st landing at that site in total and the 554th Falcon booster landing to date.
The CSG-FM3 satellite will be deployed roughly 17 minutes after leaving the launch pad.
CSG-FM3 is the third in this series of Earth observation satellites managed both by the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defense.
The first of these satellites launched in January 2021 on a Soyuz rocket from French Guiana and the second a year later on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
A total of four satellites, manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, are planned for constellation.
The spacecraft are equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) that operates in the X-band, which can penetrate clouds and capture imagery in darkness.
They operate in a Sun-synchronous polar orbit inclined at 97.87 degrees to the equator. The satellite’s data is made publicly available through the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Third Party Missions Programme.
“Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation’s purpose is to monitor the Earth for the sake of emergency prevention, strategy, scientific and commercial purposes, providing data on a global scale to support a variety of applications among which risk management, cartography, forest & environment protection, natural resources exploration, land management, defense and security, maritime surveillance, food & agriculture management,” ESA said in a statement.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/12/27/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-italian-earth-observation-satellite-on-final-falcon-9-flight-of-2025/
https://www.spacex.com/launches/cosmo-skymedfm3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_0BDH2QK7M
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/555281/space-force-officer-leads-daf-womens-rugby-team-historic-championship-victory
Space Force Officer Leads DAF Women’s Rugby Team to Historic Championship Victory
12.27.2025
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. – U.S. Space Force Maj. Adekunbi Adewunmi, stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., made history by coaching the Department of the Air Force (DAF) women’s rugby team to their first-ever championship victory at the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and U.S. Department of the Air Force (ANZUS) Shield tournament at Whenuapai Air Base, New Zealand, Oct. 9-11.
The ANZUS Shield tournament highlighted Adewunmi’s ability to inspire discipline, trust, and teamwork—qualities that have defined her career.
The DAF women’s rugby team built on their earlier silver medal performance at the Armed Forces Rugby Tournament, showcasing strong communication and cohesion throughout the competition.
They secured victories against the Royal New Zealand Air Force (24-14) and the Royal Australian Air Force (34-10) before facing their toughest challenge—a narrow 12-5 loss to RNZAF.
Undeterred, the team rebounded with a decisive 24-5 win over RAAF and clinched the championship with a hard-fought 15-10 victory against a combined RNZAF-RAAF team.
Reflecting on the team’s historic victory, Adewunmi said, 'I couldn't be prouder of our team for coming together and achieving this victory.
We knew going into this competition that we had to bring our absolute best because we were up against the best.'" Adewunmi’s journey into rugby began in 2015 while serving as an operator at Schriever Space Force Base, Colo.
“My twin sister was living with me in Colorado,” Adewunmi shared. “She was already an established rugby player competing for a position on the USA Women’s 15s team and encouraged me to try it out, so I joined her at practice. I immediately fell in love with the sport.”
Encouraged by fellow servicemembers who played on local rugby teams, Adewunmi earned a spot on the Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Team, representing the Department of the Air Force in competitions.
Her talent and commitment earned her a spot at the Department of the Air Force team camps and Armed Forces Rugby tournaments, where she honed her skills under the guidance of exceptional coaches.
“My DAF and club coaches helped shape me as a player and a leader, and they saw potential in me when I could not always see it,” said Adewunmi.
“DAF rugby gives us an amazing opportunity to develop and strengthen connection and camaraderie with DAF, joint, allied, and partner athletes and build networks that will support us for the rest of our careers and beyond.”
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For six years, she thrived as a player, but her rugby career took an unexpected turn when she tore her Achilles tendon during practice.
Determined to stay connected to the sport she loved, Adewunmi made a brief comeback as a player in 2023, helping the DAF women's team secure their first-ever 1st place finish at the Armed Forces Tournament.
Following this achievement, she transitioned to coaching and earned her certification through an Armed Forces program.
This shift allowed her to continue contributing to the rugby community while channeling her leadership skills into a new role.
“It was hard to hang up my rugby boots but being able remain as a coach in this program has reinvigorated my excitement for rugby,” said Adewunmi.
“I am at the beginning of my coaching career, but I am excited to learn and will be looking for opportunities in the new year to hone my coaching skills and philosophy.”
Known as both a skilled athlete and an exceptional leader, she serves as one of the senior ranking teammates and is one of only three Space Force representatives on the team.
Her transition from elite player to championship winning coach not only defined the tournament but also underscores the leadership and professionalism she brings to her career in the service.
After commissioning as an Air Force engineer, she began her career at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., focusing on laser effects, modeling, and simulation.
While in this role, she was encouraged by her leadership to attend a Space Operations Fundamentals course, which ultimately inspired her to transfer into the U.S. Space Force.
Her passion for space solidified during her time at Schriever Space Force Base, where she spent four years in space operations.
She later served at the National Reconnaissance Office and then the Pentagon under the U.S. Space Force Chief Operations Officer, where she assessed the Space Force’s alignment with the Chief of Space Operations’ strategic objectives, evaluated force design, and ensured the organization met its goals following its establishment.
At Vandenberg Space Force Base, Adewunmi oversees critical projects, including managing the ascent sonic boom study and environmental impact statements aimed at responsibly increasing launch capacity at the Western Range.
Adewunmi’s story is one of perseverance and dedication, both on the rugby field and in her Department of the Air Force career.
Whether coaching rugby or contributing to the nation’s space capabilities, she continues to inspire those around her with her commitment to excellence and service to the nation.
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Ukrainians risking their lives to flee mobilization – CNN
27 Dec, 2025 21:00
Ukrainian men are risking deadly border crossings to avoid mobilization as Kiev struggles with chronic manpower shortages, CNN has reported, citing interviews with draft-dodgers who fled to Romania.
More than 30,000 people have crossed over into Romania alone since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the US broadcaster wrote earlier this week, adding that over 25,000 have been caught by Ukrainian border guards.
“Many more flee to Moldova, Hungary, Belarus and other countries,” CNN added.
Kiev has been facing chronic manpower shortages throughout its conflict with Moscow amid high battlefield losses, massive draft dodging, and desertion. The last publicly available official data showed nearly 290,000 desertion cases in Ukraine since 2022.
Ukraine has barred nearly all adult men from leaving the country and lowered the draft age from 27 to 25. Nearly 100,000 young men have reportedly fled the country since August, when the Ukrainian government issued a decree allowing men aged 18 to 22 to cross the border.
One man contacted by CNN said he lost all his toes to frostbite during an attempt to cross into Romania. He said another draft dodger who went with him froze to death in a snowstorm.
“They would rather die on the mountains trying to escape than in the war,” a Romanian man in charge of rescue missions at the border told CNN, referring to Ukrainians he had met.
Kiev’s recruitment drive has grown increasingly brutal as hundreds of incidents have been documented in which enlistment officers assaulted potential conscripts, chased them through the streets, and threatened bystanders who tried to intervene.
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that the Ukrainian authorities want as many as 2 million new draftees in early 2026. Draft officials were told to “tighten the screws to a maximum,” she added.
https://www.rt.com/russia/630092-ukrainians-risk-lives-flee-mobilization/
Kiev sacking commanders after loss of key Donbass city – media
28 Dec, 2025 02:35
The Ukrainian military is set to fire two senior battlefield commanders following Russia’s liberation of the strategic town of Seversk in Donetsk Region, Ukrainskaya Pravda reported on Saturday.
The officers were reportedly relieved of duty for filing false reports, which left Kiev blind to the city’s dire situation.
Russian troops completed the liberation of Seversk on December 11, with military experts suggesting this has opened the path to Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, both major hubs for Kiev’s forces in the region.
Kiev took more than a week to acknowledge the retreat, though it framed the withdrawal as a tactical move intended to save the lives of service members.
According to three Ukrainskaya Pravda sources, Colonel Aleksey Konoval, commander of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade that had been defending the town, was removed from his post following the fall of Seversk.
Meanwhile, Colonel Vladimir Poteshkin of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade south of the city is expected to be dismissed after completing medical treatment.
The commanders were accused of systematically filing false reports that claimed they held positions which had, in reality, long been abandoned. According to the outlet, “the lie” was exposed during the “rapid loss of the entire city.”
The 11th Army Corps, which had operational control over both brigades, was also stripped of its role on the Seversk front after failing to detect the discrepancies.
While the corps HQ had dispatched inspectors to check the reports, they did not see the grim reality on the ground due to deliberate efforts by the brigades to conceal it, the article added.
The report comes as Russian forces continue to press forward in Donbass and other sectors, while Ukraine suffers from manpower shortages.
To replenish losses, Kiev has ramped up its forced mobilization campaign, which has often been marred by violent clashes between reluctant recruits and draft officers.
https://www.rt.com/russia/630097-kiev-sacking-commanders-loss-seversk/
Putin congratulates troops on liberating strategic town
27 Dec, 2025 22:59
Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated the military for liberating Gulaypole, a strategic town in Zaporozhye Region.
The achievement opens the way for further advances in the area, the president told the top brass on Saturday during a visit to one of the command posts.
Earlier in the day, the Defense Ministry reported that the Russian troops had successfully taken a large Ukrainian fortified zone centered around the town and published a video showing the Russian advances.
The clip shows the Russian military shelling Ukrainian positions in the town, and later storming the buildings. The video ends with the soldiers posing with Russian national flags in various parts of Gulaypole.
According to the ministry, the troops established control over a territory of more than 76 square kilometers and cleared over 7,000 buildings.
The Ukrainian forces in the area suffered heavy losses and lost dozens of pieces of heavy equipment, as well as various vehicles. Kiev has disputed the loss of the town, but acknowledged that the situation is difficult.
During the Saturday meeting, Putin said capturing the town was “an important result,” adding that the liberation of Gulaypole opens “good prospects for further advancements in Zaporozhye Region.”
The generals also informed the president about finishing mop-up operations in the city of Dmitrov (also known as Mirnograd in Ukraine) in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
Earlier, Ukrainian forces in the city were encircled as Russian troops liberated the nearby city of Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk). The president called the development “an important step towards the full liberation of the DPR.”
Russia’s forces have been on the offensive for many months, taking dozens of settlements in the new regions, as well as in Ukraine’s Kharkov, Sumy and Dnepropetrovsk Regions.
In particular, Moscow’s troops took the major logistical hubs of Krasnoarmeysk in the DPR, and Kupyansk in Kharkov Region.
Earlier this month, the Defense Ministry also reported liberating the former Ukrainian stronghold of Seversk in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
https://www.rt.com/russia/630094-strategic-town-liberated-zaporozhye-putin/
New corruption scandal erupts in Kiev
27 Dec, 2025 16:19
Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities say they have uncovered a criminal vote-rigging and bribery scheme involving serving members of the country’s parliament, following an undercover operation.
The development comes ahead of a meeting between Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Florida.
Kiev is still reeling from a major corruption scandal in state nuclear operator Energoatom, involving Zelensky’s longtime associate, Timur Mindich.
Two ministers and the Ukrainian leader’s influential chief of staff, Andrey Yermak, were ousted in the wake of the revelations.
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) exposed an organized criminal enterprise involving serving MPs, the agencies reported on Saturday.
“According to the investigation, the group’s members systematically received illicit benefits in exchange for voting in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,” NABU said in a statement on Telegram.
Members of Ukraine’s State Security Administration, a law enforcement agency subordinate to the Ukrainian presidency and the Rada, were “illegally” interfering with NABU agents during the ongoing investigation, the anti-graft agency noted.
On Saturday, NABU reportedly conducted searches in the Rada’s Transport Committee, which is led by Yuri Kisel, a member of Zelensky’s ruling party.
Earlier in December, Ukrainian outlet ZN.ua reported that anti-graft agencies discovered an illegal lobbying “cash window” after wire-tapping the MP over the course of two years.
NABU and SAPO began their broader crackdown earlier this year, with their revelations on a $100 million kickback scheme in Energoatom.
While the investigation implicated the Ukrainian leader’s close aides and former associates, Zelensky has distanced himself from the scandal.
However, nearly 40% of Ukrainians believe the Ukrainian leader is implicated in corruption, according to a recent Socis poll.
The country’s leadership has long devolved into a “criminal gang that holds power for personal enrichment,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week.
It’s clear that the corrupt and out-of-touch officials in Kiev no longer care about “the fate of common people in Ukraine or the fate of ordinary soldiers,” he stressed.
https://www.rt.com/russia/630086-new-corruption-scandal-ukraine-rada/
https://www.firstpost.com/world/zelenskyy-heads-to-florida-for-peace-talks-with-trump-as-russia-unleashes-massive-drone-attack-on-kyiv-13963385.html
other Russia and Ukraine
https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraines-drones-annihilate-over-120-elite-russian-military-intelligence-operatives-14604
https://www.aviation24.be/airports/moscow-airports-grounded-after-drone-strikes-hundreds-of-flights-disrupted/
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukrainian-drones-strike-russian-military-1766912998.html
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/12/28/8013727/
https://www.bta.bg/en/news/world/1034792-explosions-heard-in-odesa-after-drone-attack-regional-governor-says
https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_drones_destroy_4_shelters_vehicle_uav_launch_site_and_ammo_depot_on_kursk_axis_video-16966.html
https://unn.ua/en/news/russian-drone-attacked-a-bread-delivery-truck-in-sumy-region-details-of-the-incident
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/28/ukraine-blasts-russias-prized-anti-drone-radar-system-in-occupied-crimea-hits-naval-drone-base-video-2/
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/12/28/russias-syzran-oil-refinery-targeted-in-overnight-ukrainian-drone-strike-reports-a91566
https://english.nv.ua/russian-war/ukraine-hits-russian-radar-and-naval-drone-facilities-in-occupied-crimea-50571695.html
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/67054
Zelenskyy heads to Florida for peace talks with Trump as Russia unleashes massive drone attack on Kyiv
December 28, 2025, 06:36:14 IST
As Russia continues to attack Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, the war-torn country’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is heading to Florida to hold talks about a peace plan with his American counterpart, Donald Trump.
Before heading to the United States, Zelenskyy said that Russia had used nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles, including ballistic missiles, in the overnight attack on the Ukrainian capital.
“The primary target is Kyiv – energy facilities and civilian infrastructure,” he said in a post on X. The Ukrainian authorities noted that the intense overnight strikes lasted for 10 hours and killed one person, injuring two dozen others.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy is scheduled to hold a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump, who has a plan to end nearly four years of fighting that has killed tens of thousands.
Ahead of his visit, the Ukrainian leader stopped in Canada, where he met the country’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced an additional $2.5bn (£1.85bn) of economic aid for Ukraine.
While speaking to reporters, Carney condemned the “barbaric” overnight attack on Kyiv.
“We have the conditions, the possibility, for the just and lasting peace,” he said, adding this requires a “willing Russia”.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy also held a video call with his European allies before meeting Trump, as the continent will be watching closely the meeting that is expected to take place at the US President’s Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago.
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EU stands with Zelenskyy
In the video conference, French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted what he called the “contrast” between “the willingness of Ukraine to build a lasting peace and Russia’s determination to prolong the war that it started”, Elysee officials said.
Meanwhile, EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa said the European Union’s support for Ukraine would not falter.
“In 2026, the EU Commission will continue to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin, sustain our support to Ukraine, and work intensely to accompany Ukraine on its path toward EU membership,” von der Leyen said on Saturday.
Zelenskyy maintained that he would hold talks with the European leaders again after meeting with Trump on Sunday.
He told reporters that the overnight bombing in Kyiv showed that international pressure on Russia is insufficient.
“If Russia turns even the Christmas and New Year period into a time of destroyed homes and burnt apartments, of ruined power plants, then this sick activity can only be responded to with truly strong steps,” he said.
“The United States has this capability. Europe has this capability. Many of our partners have this capability. The key is to use it," the Ukrainian leader furthered.
What is Russia’s stance on the matter?
Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry said that it had downed 111 Ukrainian drones, in what appeared to be a retaliatory attack. On Saturday, Moscow claimed to have captured two more towns in eastern Ukraine, Myrmorod and Guliaipole.
Zelenskyy said that his meeting with Trump in Florida is “specifically intended to refine things as much as we possibly can." Speaking on Friday, he added that a proposed 20-point peace plan was “90% ready”.
“Our goal is to bring everything to 100%,” Zelenskyy said. “As of today, our teams – the Ukrainian and American negotiating teams – have made significant progress.”
Following the Saturday strikes, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia’s “only response to peace efforts” was “brutal attacks using hundreds of drones and missiles against Kyiv and other cities and regions”.
The minister said that a third of the capital was without heating. The temperature in Kyiv was about 0 °C (32F).
It is pertinent to note that the latest peace efforts would follow a burst of diplomatic activity last weekend in Miami, where Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, separately met Russian and Ukrainian representatives to discuss an agreeable peace deal.
It will be interesting to see how the Florida meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy would pan out.
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Trump’s team no longer trusts Netanyahu – Axios
27 Dec, 2025 21:37
Officials in US President Donald Trump’s closest circle no longer believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can be trusted to push forward with the Gaza peace plan, Axios reported on Friday, citing insiders.
The future of Trump’s grand Gaza war settlement roadmap, unveiled in September, hinges on his upcoming meeting with the Israeli leader on Monday, according to the outlet.
Last week, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met with officials from Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye to finalize the next step of the plan, which envisions Hamas disarming and Israel pulling out of Gaza.
Netanyahu has privately expressed skepticism about the roadmap, but the plan cannot go ahead without his buy-in, Axios said.
“Bibi is trying to convince a one-man audience,” the outlet cited a White House official as saying. “The question is whether Trump will side with him or with his top advisers when it comes to Gaza.”
Key figures in Trump’s team have now lost trust in Netanyahu, fearing he is “slow-walking the peace process” and could resume the war with Hamas after taking steps to undermine the fragile ceasefire, according to Axios.
The Israeli PM has “lost” Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and both Kushner and Witkoff, the outlet wrote, citing another US official.
“The only one he has left is the president, who still likes him, but even he wants to see the Gaza deal moving faster than it is right now.”
Trump is expected to press Netanyahu to move past the Gaza war, as well as raise the issue of Israel’s push into the occupied West Bank, according to Axios.
West Jerusalem officially approved the construction of nearly a dozen new controversial Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory earlier this week, drawing international condemnation.
On top of losing trust within the White House, Netanyahu’s government has taken a beating in the domestic approval polls.
Only a quarter of Israeli Jews trust their government, and only 17% of the country’s Arabs, according to an Israel Democracy Institute poll published earlier this week.
https://www.rt.com/news/630093-trump-team-distrust-netanyahu/
Defense Ministry hands IDF first combat-ready Iron Beam laser interception system
December 28, 2025 6:38 pm
The Defense Ministry announced on Sunday the delivery of the first operational high-power laser interception system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., dubbed “Iron Beam,” to the Israel Defense Forces.
The system, which has successfully intercepted rockets, mortar shells and drones during extensive testing, will be absorbed by the air force and integrated into the country’s multi-layered air defense array alongside Iron Dome, David’s Sling and Arrow systems.
Calling the handover “a historic occasion,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said the system marks “the first time in the world that a high-power laser interception system has reached operational maturity,” adding that it “changes the rules of the game and sends a clear message to all our enemies… do not test us.”
Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram said the delivery “marks the transition from development to serial production,” calling Iron Beam “only the beginning of the technological revolution” and noting it is expected to significantly improve both Israel’s defensive capabilities and the cost balance between threats and costly interceptors.
IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar described the moment as “especially moving,” saying the system is “another vital component in the air defense battle of our forces, who proved their operational capabilities during the war.”
Rafael CEO Yoav Turgeman said the company is “proud to deliver… the most advanced laser system in the world for intercepting aerial threats,” noting that even during intense fighting, Rafael “proved impressive operational capabilities using high-power lasers.”
Bezhalel Machlis, president and CEO of Elbit Systems — which supplied the laser for the system — also welcomed the delivery, saying that “the company continues its work on the development of high-power laser solutions for military applications.”
The system is referred to in Hebrew as Or Eitan (Eitan’s Light) in memory of Cpt. Eitan Oster, 22, a commander in the Egoz Commando Unit who was killed fighting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in October 2024.
His father – one of the system’s developers – recited the Shehecheyanu, a Jewish blessing that expresses appreciation for new and special experiences, at the ceremony.
On December 1, it was announced that the Iron Beam would be handed over to the IDF at the end of the month, with the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development head Danny Gold saying that “with development complete and a comprehensive testing program that has validated the system’s capabilities, we are prepared to deliver initial operational capability to the IDF.”
The Iron Beam has been in development for over a decade, after it was first unveiled in 2014. It was declared operational in September after completing development and final tests.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/defense-ministry-hands-idf-first-combat-ready-iron-beam-laser-interception-system/
other Israel
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-denies-shifting-gaza-yellow-line-after-report-claims-buffer-zone-expanded/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-west-bank-home-of-deadly-attacker-sealed-off-by-troops/
https://vinnews.com/2025/12/27/idf-chief-of-staff-orders-reinforced-deployment-in-central-command-after-deadly-terror-attack/
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-12-27/ty-article/.premium/israeli-soldier-filmed-forcing-elderly-palestinian-amputee-to-the-ground-in-west-bank/0000019b-6131-df6b-a7db-f537a5130000
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rksoi6c7wx
https://www.jns.org/idf-video-rebuts-hamas-oct-7-claims/
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/bjkqqyr7wg
in that 2 weeks you should dig on why