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NASA Consolidating Library Services
Thursday, 01 January 2026 01:27 PM EST
NASA is moving forward with a consolidation of library and facility services at its Goddard Space Flight Center as part of an effort to reduce costs and address deferred maintenance.
The New York Times reported that the agency is closing its largest research library on Friday, a facility that contains tens of thousands of books, journals, and technical documents, many of which are not digitized.
NASA spokesman Jacob Richmond said the agency will review the library's holdings over the next 60 days, with some materials placed in government storage and others discarded under federal property disposal rules.
The library closure is part of a reorganization that includes shutting down 13 buildings and more than 100 science and engineering laboratories on the 1,270-acre Goddard campus by March 2026.
"This is a consolidation, not a closure," said NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens, adding that the changes stem from a long-planned reorganization that began before the Trump administration took office.
Stevens said the consolidation is expected to save $10 million annually and avoid $63.8 million in deferred maintenance costs tied to aging and unsafe facilities.
Goddard has seen its workforce shrink to about 6,600 employees and contractors, down from more than 10,000, following budget cuts, buyouts, and early retirement programs linked to the administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives.
The library shutdown follows the closure of seven other NASA libraries nationwide since 2022, including three this year, leaving only three remaining open at NASA facilities in Ohio, California, and at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
NASA's 2022 master plan called for consolidating and demolishing outdated buildings while constructing new ones, though some employees, unions, and Democrat lawmakers from Maryland claim the closures have accelerated under President Donald Trump.
The Goddard Engineers, Scientists, and Technicians Association said specialized testing equipment has been removed and discarded, raising concerns about long-term research capacity.
After the closure, employees will rely on digital research support, interlibrary loans, and an "Ask a Librarian" service for access to materials.
The consolidation comes as the administration has proposed cutting NASA's overall budget by nearly 25%, with the science division facing a proposed 47% reduction.
Under the budget plan, 19 active science missions would be shut down, a move that has prompted objections from NASA employees and raised questions about the agency's future research priorities.
As critics complain about budget cuts, President Donald Trump asserted in December that his administration is focused on the U.S. maintaining its lead in space exploration.
Trump issued an executive order outlining the new direction of the space program, which includes a new mission to the Moon and establishing a Moon colony.
NASA will also work on the exploration of Mars, which will involve a manned mission, though no timetable has been announced.
https://www.newsmax.com/us/nasa-library-services-consolidation/2026/01/01/id/1240427/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225035346.htm
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu6266
A planet just vanished. NASA’s Hubble reveals a violent cosmic secret
January 1, 2026
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope (HST) have witnessed the surprising aftermath of massive space rocks smashing into each other in a nearby planetary system.
What initially looked like a reflective exoplanet turned out to be something far more dramatic.
Researchers first noticed a bright point of light and assumed it was a dust covered planet reflecting its star's glow. That interpretation fell apart when the object vanished and a different bright source appeared nearby.
The international research team, which included Northwestern University astrophysicist Jason Wang, realized they were not seeing planets at all. Instead, the light came from glowing clouds of debris created by violent collisions.
The observations reveal two separate and powerful impacts that produced expanding clouds of dust within the same planetary system.
Catching these events in real time gives scientists a rare window into how planets form and what kinds of materials come together to build new worlds.
The findings were published on Dec. 18) in the journal Science.
"Spotting a new light source in the dust belt around a star was surprising. We did not expect that at all," Wang said. "Our primary hypothesis is that we saw two collisions of planetesimals small rocky objects, like asteroids over the last two decades.
Collisions of planetesimals are extremely rare events, and this marks the first time we have seen one outside our solar system. Studying planetesimal collisions is important for understanding how planets form.
It also can tell us about the structure of asteroids, which is important information for planetary defense programs like the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)."
"This is certainly the first time I've ever seen a point of light appear out of nowhere in an exoplanetary system," said lead author Paul Kalas, an astronomer at the University of California, Berkeley.
"It's absent in all of our previous Hubble images, which means that we just witnessed a violent collision between two massive objects and a huge debris cloud unlike anything in our own solar system today."
Wang specializes in imaging exoplanets and is an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, as well as a member of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA).
Fomalhaut and Its Puzzling Dusty Environment
The collisions occurred in the planetary system surrounding the star Fomalhaut, located about 25 light-years from Earth in the Piscis Austrinus constellation.
Fomalhaut is larger than the sun and surrounded by an extensive and complex set of dusty debris belts.
"The system has one of the largest dust belts that we know of," Wang said. "That makes it an easy target to study."
For years, astronomers have debated the nature of a bright object known as Fomalhaut b, first reported in 2008 just outside the star's main dust belt. Some researchers thought it was a planet, while others suspected it was a spreading cloud of dust from a collision.
In 2023, new Hubble observations added another twist. The original light source was gone, but a new bright object appeared in a slightly different part of the system.
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"With these observations, our original intention was to monitor Fomalhaut b, which we initially thought was a planet," Wang said.
"We assumed the bright light was Fomalhaut b because that's the known source in the system. But, upon carefully comparing our new images to past images, we realized it could not be the same source.
That was both exciting and caused us to scratch our heads."
Evidence for Two Separate Cosmic Smashups
The disappearance of the original object, now labeled Fomalhaut cs1, supports the idea that it was a dust cloud slowly dispersing after a collision.
The appearance of a second bright source, called Fomalhaut cs2, strengthens the conclusion that neither object is a planet. Instead, both appear to be debris clouds created when large planetesimals crashed into each other.
Fomalhaut cs2 closely resembles how cs1 first appeared two decades ago, both in brightness and location. By studying these events, the team was able to estimate how often such collisions might occur in this system.
"Theory suggests that there should be one collision every 100,000 years, or longer. Here, in 20 years, we've seen two," Kalas said.
"If you had a movie of the last 3,000 years, and it was sped up so that every year was a fraction of a second, imagine how many flashes you'd see over that time. Fomalhaut's planetary system would be sparkling with these collisions."
Because the result was so unexpected, Wang performed one of four independent analyses to confirm the findings.
Each analysis detected a new transient light source in roughly the same region, reinforcing the conclusion that two separate collisions were observed.
"This is the first time we're seeing something like this," Wang said. "So, we had to make sure we can trust our images and that we are measuring the properties of the collision properly.
I crunched the numbers to show that the four independent analyses all confidently detect a new source around the vicinity of the star."
Why Dust Clouds Can Fool Planet Hunters
Beyond revealing active collisions, the discovery also serves as a warning for future planet searches. Large clouds of dust can closely mimic the appearance of an exoplanet by reflecting starlight, potentially misleading astronomers.
"Fomalhaut cs2 looks exactly like an extrasolar planet reflecting starlight," Kalas said. "What we learned from studying cs1 is that a large dust cloud can masquerade as a planet for many years.
This is a cautionary note for future missions that aim to detect extrasolar planets in reflected light."
As new observatories such as the Giant Magellan Telescope prepare to directly image Earth-like planets around nearby stars, distinguishing between real planets and temporary dust clouds will become increasingly important.
Turning to Webb for a Closer Look
Although Fomalhaut cs1 has faded, researchers plan to continue monitoring the system. Their next target is cs2, which may reveal more about how collisions unfold in young planetary systems.
Future observations will rely on the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) aboard NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
Unlike Hubble, NIRCam can capture detailed color information that helps scientists determine the size and composition of dust grains, including whether they contain water or ice.
"Due to Hubble's age, it can no longer collect reliable data of the system," Wang said. "Fortunately, we now have the JWST.
We have an approved JWST program to follow up this planetesimal collision to understand the new circumstellar source and the nature of its two parent planetesimals that collided."
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Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana
Jan. 2, 2026
The Mississippi River Delta in Louisiana is visible in this radiometric terrain corrected (RTC) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) backscatter image from the ESA (European Space Agency's) Sentinel-1A platform.
The delta covers 3 million acres (4,700 sq mi or 12,000 sq km) of land from Vermilion Bay in the west to the Chandeleur Islands in the east and is one of the largest coastal wetland areas in the United States.
Click and zoom in on the map to look at different parts of the delta in greater detail.
The RTC SAR backscatter from Sentinel-1 (RTC-S1) product, produced by NASA's Observational Products for End-Users from Remote Sensing Analysis (OPERA) project, provides terrain-corrected radar images with a 30-meter pixel spacing.
SAR images deliver all-weather, day-and-night imaging of Earth's surface.
RTC-S1 images are displayed in false-color for better visual interpretation of the SAR backscatter data.
The false-color RGB visualization combines co-polarized VV (vertical transmit vertical receive) or HH (horizontal transmit horizontal receive) backscatter values, shown in red and blue, with cross-polarized VH (vertical transmit horizontal receive) and HV (horizontal transmit vertical receive) values, shown in green, to generate a color image from SAR data.
In this false-color scale, vegetated areas appear green; urban and/or sparsely vegetated areas appear white/pink; calm water, dry sand, and frozen ground appears black; and rough water appears purple or magenta.
Note there are other land covers not listed that may have similar appearance, and it is recommended that users consult auxiliary datasets to help determine the land cover of interest.
The OPERA RTC-S1 product contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data corresponding to the same time period of the OPERA RTC-S1 product.
The OPERA project, managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and funded by the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG), creates remote sensing products to address Earth observation needs across U.S. civilian federal agencies.
https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/news/worldview-image-archive/mississippi-river-delta-louisiana
https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to attend Kerala Literature Festival 2026
Updated on: 02 January,2026 01:42 PM IST
The Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) 2026 has announced renowned NASA astronaut Sunita Williams as a key participant and Guest of Honour for its upcoming edition.
DC Books, the organiser of KLF, made the announcement through its social media platforms, sharing a poster welcoming Sunita Williams to the festival.
The post reads, "Her name is etched in space. We are over the moon to announce that the legendary astronaut Sunita Williams will be joining us as our Guest of Honour.
Get ready for an out-of-this-world experience with Sunita Williams at the Kerala Literature Festival. Don't miss this chance to listen to a woman who has proved that courage knows no boundaries."
KLF 2026 will feature over 500 speakers from across the globe, with Germany announced as the guest nation for this year's edition.
The speaker line-up includes Nobel Laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah, Olga Tokarczuk, and Abhijit Banerjee; Olympian Ben Johnson; business leader Indra Nooyi; artist and illustrator Cheyenne Olivier; writer Gabriela Ybarra; economist Arvind Subramanian; linguist and author Peggy Mohan; author and columnist Shobhaa De; writer and former diplomat Amish Tripathi; actor and singer Piyush Mishra; curator Helen Molesworth; writer and activist Banu Mushtaq; writer and journalist Deepa Bhasthi; essayist Pico Iyer; environmental activist Dr Vandana Shiva.
Jnanpith award-winning writer Pratibha Ray; historian Romila Thapar; novelist Anita Nair; noted Telugu author Volga; conservation biologist Neha Sinha; actor and social commentator Prakash Raj; author-diplomat Pavan K. Varma; author, parliamentarian and public intellectual Dr Shashi Tharoor; Indian comedian Vir Das; and Tamil film director and activist Pa. Ranjith, among others.
Held annually in Kozhikode, India's first UNESCO City of Literature, the Kerala Literature Festival has emerged as one of the world's largest literary gatherings.
The previous edition recorded over 6.5 lakh visitors and featured more than 600 speakers. Set against the backdrop of Kozhikode Beach, KLF continues to provide an open and inclusive platform for dialogue, creativity, and the exchange of ideas.
https://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/culture/article/nasa-astronaut-sunita-williams-to-attend-kerala-literature-festival-2026-23610319
Elon Musk's Starlink satellites to be lowered in orbit for space safety in 2026
January 02, 2026
Elon Musk's satellite internet firm Starlink has announced to lower all of its satellites from approximately 550 km (342 miles) to 480 km over the course of 2026 to enhance space safety by reducing the satellites' orbital altitude.
The reconfiguration to Starlink's satellite constellation was brought to light by Michael Nicolls, SpaceX's vice president of Starlink engineering.
The move comes after an incident in December 2025 when one of Starlink's satellites experienced an anomaly, resulting in a small amount of debris and cutting off communications at an altitude of 418 km.
This rare kinetic accident led to a rapid drop in altitude, suggesting an onboard explosion.
Nicolls explained that lowering the satellites will condense Starlink's orbits, thereby increasing space safety. He further outlined that the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 km, which reduces the chances of possible collisions.
The likelihood of such incidents in space has increased in recent years in the wake of a growing number of spacecraft in Earth's orbit as various companies and nations deploy tens of thousands of satellites for internet constellations and other space-related services like communications and Earth imagery.
Originally known for its rocket launch capabilities, SpaceX has become the world's largest satellite operator through Starlink, which comprises nearly 10,000 satellites providing broadband internet to consumers, governments, and enterprise customers.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/642802-elon-musks-starlink-satellites-to-be-lowered-in-orbit-for-space-safety-in-2026
‘’Godzilla’s Toenail?’’ Foreign Object Found In Pahang Believed To Be Space Debris
January 2, 2026
An object suspected to be debris from outer space was discovered on a beach in Nenasi, Pekan in Pahang on Tuesday (30 December).
Pekan district police chief Supt Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin said the local residents at Kampung Tanjung found the object at about 5pm before the matter was reported to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
It’s believed the object fell into the sea from outer space before being washed ashore by currents, based on the barnacles covering the object’s surface.
According to reports, the object measures 4.26 by 3.64 metres. The officers from the Malaysian Atomic Energy Department has examined the object and found it free of any radiation.
Currently, the large object has been moved to the Nenasi police station for temporary storage and safekeeping before further investigations are carried out by the relevant authorities.
At first glance, one would think it was a huge palm frond or as a netizen jokingly put it, ‘’Godzilla’s toenail.’’
The object has ignited curiosity online with many of them posing questions.
A Facebook user wondered why the object didn’t look scorched upon re-entry to Earth while another user also believed the object didn’t fall from orbit.
Another person wondered if it was debris from the missing Malaysian flight MH370.
Given the public curiosity it has sparked, the object may be best repurposed as a tourist attraction after investigations are completed.
https://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2026/01/02/godzillas-toenail-foreign-object-found-in-pahang-believed-to-be-space-debris/
https://says.com/my/news/space-object-pekan
After half a decade, the Russian space station segment stopped leaking
Jan 2, 2026 7:30 AM
A small section of the International Space Station that has experienced persistent leaks for years appears to have stopped venting atmosphere into space.
The leaks were caused by microscopic structural cracks are inside the small PrK module on the Russian segment of the space station, which lies between a Progress spacecraft airlock and the Zvezda module.
The problem has been a long-running worry for Russian and US operators of the station, especially after the rate of leakage doubled in 2024. This prompted NASA officials to label the leak as a “high likelihood” and “high consequence” risk.
However, recently two sources indicated that the leaks have stopped. And NASA has now confirmed this.
“Holding steady”
“Following additional inspections and sealing activities, the pressure in the transfer tunnel attached to the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station, known as the PrK, is holding steady in a stable configuration,” a space agency spokesman, Josh Finch, told Ars. “NASA and Roscosmos continue to monitor and investigate the previously observed cracks for any future changes that may occur.”
For the better part of half a decade, Russian cosmonauts have been searching for the small leaks like a proverbial needle in a haystack.
They would periodically close the hatch leading to the PrK module and then, upon re-opening it, look for tiny accumulations of dust to indicate the leak sites.
Then the Russian cosmonauts would apply a sealant known as Germetall-1 (which has now been patented) to the cracks.
They would close the hatch again, monitor the pressure inside the PrK module, and begin the search anew for additional leaks. This process went on for years.
Their success with the long-running leak problem probably will not prevent new leaks from developing in the decades-old hardware.
The Zvezda module was launched a quarter of a century ago, in July 2000, on a Russian Proton rocket. The cracking issue first appeared in 2019 and despite the long-running investigations its precise cause remains unknown.
But this is a nice win in space for both Russia and NASA.
NASA appears confident in pad repairs, too
There is other potential good news on the horizon with regard to Russia’s civil space program. This involves the country’s primary launch pad for getting people and cargo to the International Space Station.
The problems there occurred when a Soyuz rocket launched Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev, as well as NASA astronaut Christopher Williams, on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station in late November.
The rocket had no difficulties, but a large mobile platform below the rocket was not properly secured prior to the launch and crashed into the flame trench below, taking the pad offline.
It has not been clear when the pad, Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, will come back online.
Russia had been targeting a return to flight mission in March 2026. NASA now appears to believe that.
The US space agency’s internal schedule, which was recently updated, has the next Progress spacecraft launch set for March 22, followed by another Progress mission on April 26.
The next Soyuz crewed mission, MS-29, remains scheduled for July 14th. This flight will carry NASA astronaut Anil Menon to the space station.
https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/finally-some-good-news-for-russia-the-space-station-is-no-longer-leaking/
>LIVE: FBI press conference on thwarted New Year's Eve terror attack in North Carolina
Another in Seattle
Man with ‘WAR’ hat arrested for having shotgun in crowd at Space Needle New Year’s celebration
January 01, 2026 at 10:29 pm PST
SEATTLE — A 21-year-old man has been arrested after Seattle police say he had a partially-concealed shotgun, pistol and several rounds of ammunition near the Space Needle during the New Year’s Eve celebration
On Dec. 31 at about 7:20 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a man sitting on a bench near the Pacific Science Center holding a partially concealed shotgun.
Witnesses saw him holding the gun by the grip while facing the area where spectators were gathering for the fireworks display.
Officers assigned to the event center arrested the man without incident. Police say he cooperated.
Seattle police say he was wearing all black and a red hat with the word “war” written on it.
The suspect had a valid concealed carry permit.
He was booked into King County Jail for unlawful use of weapons. He also was given a one-year trespass warning at Seattle Center.
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/man-with-war-hat-arrested-having-shotgun-crowd-space-needle-new-years-celebration/AAF56ORRAVEMDKHWZBKJPTTCBY/
Forging a human-machine partnership to power the next era of space exploration
January 2, 2026
Early next year, four astronauts will board the Artemis II spacecraft and take off for outer space. The team will conduct a lunar flyby, making it the first crewed mission near the moon since 1972.
Their research and time in space will hopefully lay the groundwork for a sustained U.S. presence on the moon.
Key to these future missions are rovers, satellites, and robotic infrastructure to conduct experiments and remain in contact with Earth.
The potential of this technology brought industry leaders to the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center for a workshop focused on human-machine teaming in space, a process where people and systems share work as a team.
Speakers from the Department of Commerce, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (APL) said that pairing people with robots is vital for America to achieve its long-term strategy on the moon and Mars.
“Spaceflight is very demanding—physically and mentally taxing for the human crew—is inherently risky, and requires high levels of performance from both humans and machines, including robotic assistants,” said Mark Shelhamer, Johns Hopkins professor of otolaryngology and workshop organizer.
“Human-machine teaming will improve productivity and increase safety in the extreme environment of spaceflight.”
A new era of lunar activity
Today, the U.S. is focusing on establishing a sustained lunar presence, a sharp departure from the country’s previous space strategies, said Jason Kalirai, the mission area executive for space formulation at APL.
“The moon is the most visible object in the night sky, so civilizations have been looking at the moon since there have been civilizations,” he said.
“Yet, it’s this generation…where the bar that we will be measured by in terms of our success is to establish a sustained human presence on the moon and to use the natural resources of that moon to sustain that presence.”
Kalirai pointed to China’s rapid pace of achievements in expanding lunar programs, including robotic missions, as a signal that the U.S. must move with speed and purpose.
Human-machine teaming, he said, could be the capability that allows the country to maintain strategic leadership in an increasingly competitive landscape.
For example, NASA and other space agencies are developing operations in which astronauts teleoperate robots in orbit and allow humans to oversee robotic tasks, such as docking.
This showcases how these human-machine partnerships can expand capabilities.
Universities also play a key role in helping the U.S. achieve this goal, Shelhamer said.
“Autonomous human-machine teaming is a new field,” he said. “Effective implementation will require the integration of several existing technological capabilities, along with the development of new technologies. The latter is typically the domain of university research.”
Designing systems that work as an ecosystem
Despite advances in autonomy, mobility, communications, and power systems, many of these solutions remain siloed.
Panelists, including Gioia Rau, program director at NSF, and Sarah Brothers, director of the commercial remote sensing regulatory affairs division at the Department of Commerce, emphasized the need for standards for how robots and humans should work together.
“The choices we make today about autonomy, data flow, workflows, and interoperability will lock in the architectures we operate within for decades,” Rau said.
She encouraged viewing the moon not as a destination, but as an operating environment where multiple activities must happen simultaneously.
Similarly, Brothers added that understanding the role of humans in a machine-dominated environment is critical.
While humans still play an important role in setting objectives, overseeing operations, and making high-stakes decisions, they are not embedded across every part of the system.
Many supporting assets—such as satellites, sensors, and robotic platforms—operate far beyond where astronauts are physically present.
Integrating humans and machines in a synergistic team across these domains is a challenge that the space community will face, experts said.
They also made clear that the future of space exploration will not be defined by humans or machines alone, but by how effectively the two can operate autonomously as a cohesive team.
Human-robot teams will have to be independent from mission control on Earth to accomplish exploration goals on the moon and later on Mars, Shelhamer said.
From rovers scouting lunar resources to astronauts making high-stakes decisions in real time, the synergy between humans and machines could be the backbone of the U.S.’s future space activity.
https://washingtondc.jhu.edu/news/human-machine-partnership-in-space/
Orbit to offspring: China’s ‘space mouse’ gives birth to nine pups after return
Jan 02, 2026 04:24 AM EST
Following a 14-day mission aboard China’s space station, a female mouse has successfully delivered a litter of nine healthy pups back on Earth.
The birth, confirmed by the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), marks a major victory for space biology.
As part of the Shenzhou-21 mission, the four mice were sent to Tiangong Space Station on October 31. Soon after returning on November 14, one of the mice successfully conceived and gave birth to nine pups on December 10.
The mother is caring for her litter normally, and the pups are showing “strong vitality.”
With six of the offspring currently thriving, the mission confirms that short-term space travel does not negatively impact mammalian reproduction.
Survival challenge in space station
Housed in a specialized small-mammal habitat aboard the space station, the four mice served as subjects for survival and adaptation studies within the unique microgravity conditions.
CGTN highlighted that the mice faced a series of unexpected hurdles during their time in space.
Space junk forced a sudden adjustment to the return schedule of the previous crew, Shenzhou-20, leaving the rodents stranded with a rapidly dwindling pantry.
Ground teams and astronauts launched an emergency rescue mission.
By repurposing the space station’s external water interface, they successfully pumped fluids into the habitat to keep the mice hydrated while they verified emergency food alternatives.
Astronauts scanned the human food inventory for anything mouse-friendly. After frantic ground tests on Earth-based mice to check for safety, they found their winner: soy milk.
Reportedly, an “AI behavior analysis system” monitored the mice in real time, tracking every sip and snooze to ensure the emergency rations were working.
Pups’ development is being monitored
For two weeks, the mice braved microgravity and radiation while surviving on an unexpected diet.
The gamble paid off. On November 14, the mice touched down safely in Inner Mongolia. By December 10, a female mouse — having conceived shortly after her return — delivered a litter of nine.
“The mission proves that short-term space flight has not negatively affected the mice’s reproductive abilities, which also provides an extremely valuable sample for studying the impact of the space environment on the early development of mammals,” Wang Hongmei, a researcher at the CAS’s Institute of Zoology, told CGTN.
These “space mouse offspring” are the keys to understanding multigenerational heredity.
Researchers are now tracking the pups’ developmental curves to see if their parents’ time in microgravity left any hidden marks.
The ultimate goal is to see if these offspring can have babies of their own.
It’s a vital finding for the future of deep-space travel. If humans are ever to colonize the Moon or Mars, we need to know that life can carry on.
Because mice share high genetic similarity with humans and reproduce rapidly, they serve as an early warning system for biological risks.
Monitoring the immediate physiological reactions could reveal whether space travel compromises reproductive health before we send humans on long-term missions.
Meanwhile, the four original mice have already become celebrities, recently receiving the names Wangtian (Gaze at the Sky), Lanyue(Reach for the Moon), Zhuiyun (Chase the Clouds), and Zhumeng (Follow the Dream).
https://interestingengineering.com/science/china-space-mouse-gives-birth-9-pups
Thats a kek
Türkiye begins construction of space port in Somalia
JAnuary 2, 2026
Türkiye has completed feasibility and design studies for a space port to be built in Somalia and has officially launched the first phase of construction, according to Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır.
The project marks a major step in Türkiye’s ambitions to strengthen its independent access to space and expand its role in the global space economy.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan first outlined the plan to establish a Turkish space port in Somalia during a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Istanbul.
The initiative is being implemented under a cooperation agreement between the two countries, through which land in Somalia has been allocated to Türkiye for the project.
In remarks to Anadolu Agency, Kacır said Somalia was identified as the most suitable location following extensive feasibility studies.
He explained that countries situated near the equator offer technical advantages for space launches, making Somalia particularly attractive for a space port investment.
The project forms part of Türkiye’s National Space Programme, specifically under its “Access to Space and Space Port” objective.
Work is being carried out under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, with key contributions from the Turkish Space Agency and other relevant institutions.
Kacır described the space port as a strategic investment that will position Türkiye as an independent and competitive player in global space activities.
He said the initiative is expected to deliver long-term economic benefits with high multiplier effects, particularly by enabling the fully independent launch of satellite launch vehicles developed domestically.
According to the minister, the project will help establish a sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem around launch technologies in Türkiye.
This ecosystem is expected to expand into critical areas such as rocket engines, fuel and propulsion systems, advanced materials, avionics and ground support infrastructure, reducing external dependence and ensuring lasting technological gains.
The space port is also intended to serve the global commercial space market.
Kacır said it would become a strategic revenue-generating asset for Türkiye through commercial satellite launches, testing activities and integration services, while also contributing to Somalia’s economic development.
He highlighted Somalia’s proximity to the equator, its coastal geography, favourable year-round weather conditions and relatively low air and sea traffic as key factors that enhance launch safety and efficiency.
These advantages, he said, will allow for flexible launch schedules and improve the global competitiveness of Türkiye’s launch systems.
Kacır noted that only a small number of countries worldwide possess independent satellite launch infrastructure.
Türkiye’s entry into this group, he said, represents a historic milestone in terms of technological maturity, strategic autonomy and international standing in the space sector.
Ultimately, the space port is expected to serve as a strategic lever that strengthens Türkiye’s national security, deepens its industrial and technological capabilities and elevates the country into the top tier of the global space economy.
https://satelliteprome.com/news/turkiye-begins-construction-of-space-port-in-somalia/
BREAKING: Space Force officers’ DC home torched in anti-Trump attack—GoFundMe approaches $100,000
Jan 1, 2026
Two active-duty US Space Force officers were victims of an apparent targeted attack after their Washington, DC home was broken into, vandalized, and intentionally set on fire while they were out of town, according to a GoFundMe page created for the family.
Jason Taylor and Kaylee Taylor returned to find their residence heavily damaged by fire, with most of their belongings destroyed.
The couple’s vehicle was reportedly vandalized with spray-painted messages reading "Fck Trump" and "Fck the Space Force." These photos were not shared on the fundraiser, however.
The incident occurred on Sunday, Dec. 28. Both Taylors are active-duty members of the United States Space Force. They were not home at the time of the attack and were traveling with their infant daughter, Rae.
“While they were out of town, their home was broken into, robbed, vandalized, and intentionally set on fire,” the GoFundMe page states. “Kaylee and Jason… and their beautiful baby girl, Rae, lost pretty much everything they owned.”
The fundraiser says the family lost clothing, furniture, baby items, keepsakes, and other essentials. A family cat, Marlee, died in the fire. “Tragically, in the fire they also lost their beloved cat, Marlee, who was a cherished part of their family,” the page reads.
The Taylors were not physically harmed. “We are incredibly grateful that Kaylee, Jason, and Rae were not home at the time and are physically safe,” the page says. “However, they are now faced with the daunting task of starting over completely from nothing.”
Donations are being sought to cover immediate needs and recovery costs. According to the fundraiser, funds will go toward “replacing basic necessities,” “temporary housing and living expenses,” and “rebuilding their lives after this devastating loss.”
The GoFundMe campaign has raised roughly $70,000 so far.
The incident is being investigated.
https://thepostmillennial.com/breaking-space-force-officers-dc-home-torched-in-anti-trump-attack-gofundme-reaches-66k-in-support
https://twitter.com/alx/status/2006890875604054081
https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuilding-for-kaylee-jason-and-baby-rae
Kiev targets Moscow with new wave of drones – mayor
2 Jan, 2026 01:54
More than two dozen long-range drones were intercepted as they headed toward Moscow overnight, Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has announced.
Russian air defense forces destroyed 26 UAVs between 7pm on Thursday and 1am Friday morning, according to a series of messages posted by Sobyanin on Telegram.
The mayor reported that there had been no casualties or damage from the incidents, adding that emergency services specialists are working at the crash sites.
As a precaution, Moscow’s Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports temporarily suspended flights on several occasions during the period.
The incident follows another attempted attack on Moscow that took place the previous night, just as Russian President Vladimir Putin's traditional New Year’s Eve address was being delivered.
New Year’s celebrations in Russia were marred by a horrific attack on a crowded cafe and hotel in the Black Sea coastal village of Khorly in Kherson Region. The strike caused a major fire which left at least 27 people dead and over 30 more wounded.
Moscow insists the strike was intentionally timed to maximize casualties and represents a “terrorist act,” if not a war crime. Russian officials have drawn parallels to the atrocities committed by Nazi forces during World War II, accusing Ukraine of deliberate brutality and dehumanization.
https://www.rt.com/news/630330-moscow-drone-attack-intercepted/
https://www.rt.com/russia/630325-ukrainian-attack-boy-killed/
https://www.rt.com/russia/630332-ukraine-drone-kherson-khorly/
Russia responds to ‘terrorist attacks’ by Kiev – MOD
2 Jan, 2026 13:01
The Russian military has conducted one large-scale and six group strikes against drone production facilities, energy infrastructure, and other military-related targets inside Ukraine over the past week, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has said.
The bombardment was in response to “Ukraine’s terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
High-precision munitions, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, were utilized during the strikes, it added.
The targets of the Russian attacks included production facilities for Ukrainian long-range drones and the sites from where they are being launched, the statement read.
Other enterprises of the country’s defense industrial complex and the energy infrastructure that powers them were hit as well, it said.
The attacks were also aimed at transportation and port infrastructure used by Kiev’s forces, arms and fuel depots, and temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian military units and foreign mercenaries, according to the ministry.
On December 28-29, Kiev launched 91 long-range UAVs at the residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Novgorod Region. All of the drones were shot down by air defenses.
Moscow has condemned the attack as an act of “state terrorism” and promised a response.
The Kremlin also said that the Ukrainian drone raid was not only aimed at Putin, but also “against [US] President [Donald] Trump’s efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”
Shortly before midnight on Wednesday, Ukrainian UAVs hit a cafe and hotel in the village of Khorly in Russia’s Kherson Region where some hundred people were gathered for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
At least 27 civilians, including two minors, were killed and 31 others injured in the strike and the blaze that it caused.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on Friday that 26 Ukrainian long-range drones had been destroyed on approach to the capital overnight.
The incursions followed another attempted attack on Moscow that took place the previous night, just as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s traditional New Year’s Eve broadcast had begun.
https://www.rt.com/russia/630341-strike-ukraine-drone-energy/
Zaporizhzhia under massive Russian drone attack, explosions heard and fires reported in city
02.01.2026 05:31
Zaporizhzhia under massive attack by Russian drones, explosions heard in the city, fires reported
This was reported on Telegram by the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov, according to Ukrinform.
“The Russians are striking the regional center. There are fires,” the message says.
The air raid alert continues, warns the Regional Military Administration. Residents of Zaporizhzhia and the region are asked to remain in safe places.
Earlier, the Air Force warned of strike UAVs moving toward Zaporizhzhia from the south.
As reported by Ukrinform, on the first day of the New Year, the enemy attacked the Zaporizhzhia region. Nearly 4,000 people were left without electricity.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4075866-zaporizhzhia-under-massive-russian-drone-attack-explosions-heard-and-fires-reported-in-city.html
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/67290
other Russia and Ukraine
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4076027-russian-drone-attacks-evacuation-vehicle-in-kostiantynivka-several-people-injured.html
https://thenewsmill.com/2026/01/zelenskyy-claims-russian-strikes-on-kharkiv-day-after-ukrainian-drone-attack-in-kherson-region/
https://english.nv.ua/nation/hospital-in-chernihiv-oblast-comes-under-russian-drone-attack-50572719.html
https://english.nv.ua/nation/drone-attack-on-january-2-russia-launches-116-uavs-27-of-them-hit-their-targets-50572733.html
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine-faces-smallest-russian-drone-attack-1767350809.html
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine-improves-anti-drone-defense-and-fortifications-1767348095.html
https://www.the-express.com/news/world-news/194867/putin-drone-strike-likely-russian-dissidents-ukraine-says-former-british-mp
https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/1133116.html
IDF strikes Hezbollah Radwan Force training site, weapons depots in southern Lebanon
January 2, 2026 5:09 pm
The Israel Defense Forces announced on Friday that it had carried out strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, including a training compound used by the terror group’s elite Radwan Force.
According to the IDF, the site was used to train operatives for planning and carrying out attacks against Israeli forces and civilians, including live-fire drills and weapons training.
The military said it also struck additional Hezbollah structures used to store weapons in recent periods.
The military said the activity constituted a violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon and vowed to continue acting against threats posed by Hezbollah.
Separately, the IDF launched an interceptor missile toward what it initially said was a “suspicious aerial target” near Bar’am, close to Israel’s border with Lebanon.
The interceptor missile caused rocket warning sirens to be activated in the area for the first time in months.
After reviewing the matter, the IDF said the interceptor was launched at a “false target.” A source close to Hezbollah told Reuters the Iran-backed terror group was not linked to the incident.
Lebanon has faced mounting pressure from the United States and Israel to disarm Hezbollah under a truce deal, with Defense Minister Israel Katz warning that Israel would “act as necessary” if Beirut fails to curb the group’s arsenal.
Israel has been ramping up its military operations in Lebanon in recent weeks, amid reports of a possible wide-scale offensive targeting Hezbollah.
The US-brokered truce with Hezbollah came after two months of open conflict in Lebanon, including an IDF ground operation in the country’s south in a bid to enable the safe return of some 60,000 residents of northern Israel displaced by the terror group’s near-daily attacks.
The rocket and drone attacks began on October 8, 2023 — a day after fellow Iran-backed terror group Hamas invaded southern Israel, sparking the war in Gaza.
According to the agreement, Hezbollah was required to pull its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure in the vacated area dismantled.
Israel has retained troops in Lebanon at five strategic points near the border, and regularly conducts strikes that it says are against Hezbollah attempts to rearm and rebuild its strength.
Hezbollah is under internal and international pressure to hand over its weapons, with the Lebanese army having drawn up a plan to disarm it.
Jerusalem has questioned the Lebanese military’s effectiveness in disarming Hezbollah and has threatened to intensify military action.
Since the ceasefire, the IDF says it has killed over 380 Hezbollah operatives and members of allied terror groups in strikes, hit hundreds of Hezbollah sites, and conducted over 1,200 raids and other small operations in southern Lebanon.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-strikes-hezbollah-radwan-force-training-site-weapons-depots-in-southern-lebanon/
https://x.com/lorienttoday/status/2007037890971455622
other Israel
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/nearly-50-palestinians-arrested-in-overnight-raids-by-idf-across-west-bank/
https://www.ifcj.org/news/stand-for-israel-blog/defense-minister-tells-idf-to-prepare-for-resumed-combat-in-gaza
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/katz-october-7-attack-samaria
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkqdemb411x
https://en.mehrnews.com/news/240380/Israel-shoots-down-own-drone
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/420298
Need healz