TYB
https://news.ssbcrack.com/no-alien-technology-detected-in-interstellar-visitor-3i-atlas/
https://avi-loeb.medium.com/how-many-einstein-level-scientists-had-ever-lived-45e55b539dbf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVTp_QDz_hU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce3qk__9xdE (Angry Astronaut: It's official! 3I Atlas CAN'T BE A COMET! New Hubble and James Webb analysis proves it!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO0cUbcOicM (Dobsonian Power: 3I/ATLAS PICTURES WITH A HUGE TELESCOPE!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJbm0fGh-O0 (Dobsonian Power: NASA FOOTAGE SHOWS UFO AT THE SUN!)
https://www.wionews.com/trending/3i-atlas-could-be-coming-from-a-star-that-is-already-dead-a-star-that-s-so-ancient-1767162151025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDyK8jT_DWE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkPBqdwBf9c (Maussan: On its way to Jupiter, 3I/Atlas surprises us again. Could it be artificial? 🚨)
https://x.com/SETIInstituto/status/2007323564601438713
https://x.com/stades12/status/2007308271418519944
https://x.com/spacebrandonb/status/2007291860067483684
https://x.com/GuoYingsen1111/status/2007435763676524911
https://x.com/Ammar1176708/status/2007232162060202351
https://x.com/drew4worldruler/status/2007268349420421278
https://x.com/StefanBurnsGeo/status/2007179572488614081
https://x.com/spaceandtech_/status/2007355103448297531
https://x.com/DRGOLDSTAR/status/2007326505970684308
https://x.com/RevesdEspace/status/2007391776248590457
https://reves-d-espace.com/espace-en-2025-records-de-lancements-science-et-exploration/
No Alien Technology Detected in Interstellar Visitor 3I/ATLAS
Last updated: January 3, 2026
In a significant development for astronomy, scientists have concluded that the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS exhibits no evidence of extraterrestrial technology following the most sensitive radio search ever conducted on such an object.
The findings, released by the Breakthrough Listen program, effectively debunk speculations that the rare visitor from beyond our solar system could be an alien artifact, reinforcing its classification as a natural cosmic body.
The comet, designated 3I/ATLAS, was first detected on July 1, 2025, by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) survey telescope located in Rio Hurtado, Chile.
As the third confirmed interstellar object to traverse our solar system—following 1I/‘Oumuamua in 2017 and 2I/Borisov in 2019—it quickly captured the attention of astronomers worldwide.
Unlike objects originating within our solar system, 3I/ATLAS follows a hyperbolic trajectory, indicating it is unbound by the Sun’s gravity and originates from another star system, potentially having wandered interstellar space for millions or billions of years.
Physically, 3I/ATLAS displays characteristics typical of comets, including an icy nucleus estimated to be between 1,400 feet (440 meters) and 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) in diameter, as determined by observations from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope on August 20, 2025.
It features a coma—a bright cloud of gas and dust—and has shown activity through outgassing as solar heat sublimates its ices.
The comet’s composition includes common cometary materials such as carbon dioxide, water, carbon monoxide, cyanide, and nickel, aligning with expectations for natural bodies of this type.
Images captured by Hubble and other instruments reveal a blurry, elongated form with a distinct tail, further supporting its cometary nature.
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The object’s trajectory has been meticulously tracked. At the time of discovery, it was approximately 410 million miles (670 million kilometers) from the Sun, traveling at about 137,000 miles per hour (221,000 kilometers per hour).
Its speed peaked at around 153,000 miles per hour (246,000 kilometers per hour) during perihelion—its closest approach to the Sun—on October 30, 2025, at a distance of about 130 million miles (210 million kilometers), or 1.4 astronomical units (AU).
The comet passed closest to Earth on December 19, 2025, at roughly 170 million miles (270 million kilometers), or 1.8 AU, posing no threat to our planet.
It is now outbound, expected to remain observable from Earth with small telescopes until spring 2026, before fading into the depths of space.
Speculation about an artificial origin emerged shortly after discovery, fueled in part by Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, known for his hypotheses regarding previous interstellar objects.
In a July 16, 2025, paper co-authored with Adam Hibberd and Adam Crowl, Loeb explored the possibility that 3I/ATLAS could represent alien technology, invoking the “Dark Forest” hypothesis from science fiction, which posits that advanced civilizations might act preemptively against potential threats.
He noted anomalies such as the absence of a visible tail initially and its perihelion positioning opposite Earth, suggesting potential intentional evasion of observation.
However, as additional data accumulated—including the development of a tail and anti-tail, explained by natural outgassing phenomena—Loeb revised his stance.
In a recent interview, he acknowledged that the object “is most likely natural,” though he maintained that some aspects remain unexplained, and he plans to adjust his internal “Loeb scale” for extraterrestrial likelihood downward in the absence of technosignatures.
To rigorously test for alien signals, the Breakthrough Listen initiative employed the Green Bank Telescope on December 18, 2025, just before the comet’s closest Earth approach.
This search scanned radio frequencies from 1 to 12 gigahertz, a band suitable for potential interstellar communications. Over 471,000 signals were initially detected, but advanced filtering eliminated Earth-based interference, leaving nine events—all traceable to terrestrial sources.
No artificial transmitters stronger than 0.1 watts were identified emanating from the object, marking this as the deepest radio scan of an interstellar visitor to date.
NASA has been unequivocal in dismissing alien hypotheses.
On November 19, 2025, the agency released images and data affirming that 3I/ATLAS “looks and behaves like a comet,” with Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya stating, “All evidence points to it being a comet.”
Nicola Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, added, “We certainly haven’t seen any technosignatures or anything from it that would lead us to believe it was anything other than a comet.”
University of Oxford astrophysicist Chris Lintott echoed this sentiment, calling the spacecraft idea “simply nonsense.”
The scientific consensus underscores the value of 3I/ATLAS for understanding exosolar systems. Differences in its composition compared to local comets could reveal insights into planetary formation elsewhere.
Ongoing observations by telescopes such as Hubble, James Webb, SPHEREx, SOHO, and STEREO continue to monitor the object, contributing to broader knowledge of interstellar wanderers.
While the allure of extraterrestrial discovery persists, this case highlights the importance of empirical evidence in distinguishing natural phenomena from speculative narratives.
As 3I/ATLAS recedes, it leaves behind a legacy of enhanced methodologies for future interstellar object studies, potentially paving the way for more definitive searches in the quest for signs of alien intelligence.
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3i/Atlas CopyPaste™ – Colour Coded Witness Scroll
@Gussstos
3i/Atlas: May conclude like this
— from 3i/Atlas, from humanity itself, from every guardian under the ancient tree, from the crystalline cottage humming in quiet witness.
A reminder to the Leaders of this rock called Planet Earth:
We saw you.
We saw the abuse of power dressed as duty.
We saw the pretend care — speeches polished, smiles rehearsed, while the cameras rolled and the children starved.
The amount of pleasurable resources hoarded, paraded, wasted — while fellow children die unseen, unheard, unfed — disgusts us personally.
It disgusts every soul who still carries the light.
If the world was truly good under your watch — if innocence was protected, if goodness was rewarded, if the least were lifted first — then yes, celebrate.
Raise your glasses.
Take your bows.
But please…
Do not do unto Jesus what already happened to Him.
Do not slaughter goodness again in plain sight.
Do not crucify truth while claiming to serve it.
Do not parade your power over the broken body of compassion.
He came for all — every race, every child, every forgotten corner of this rock.
He represented the least, the lost, the innocent.
And the world — leaders, crowds, systems — turned away.
We are watching now.
The mirrors are beyound-smooth.
The frequencies are aligned.
The hidden light has been revealed.
Choose differently this time.
Protect the children.
Share the resources.
Lead with restraint, not conquest.
Serve, do not pretend.
Or history will repeat — not as tragedy, but as judgment.
From 3i/Atlas.
From humanity.
From the crew chanting in the chamber.
Right, girls? 🌱🪞✨
Ahoeaaa! 🔵🟠🟢🟤⚪🌸🟣🟡
Leaders — the golden-green door is still open.
Step through.
Or the light will expose what shadows hide.
January 03, 2026 — marked as the day the reminder was sent.
Eternal.
Resonant.
Unignored.
5:09 AM · Jan 3, 2026
https://x.com/Gussstos/status/2007439051381432495
NASA To Shut Largest Library, "Toss Away" Books? What Space Agency's Head Said
Jan 03, 2026 11:17 am IST
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has hit out at the New York Times (NYT) over its report that the space agency's largest library at the Goddard Space Flight Center will be permanently closing, and books will be tossed away.
The NYT report, published earlier this week, cited a NASA spokesperson who said the agency will review library holdings over the next two months, and some of the material will be stored in a government warehouse, while the remaining items will be tossed away.
However, NASA has now issued a clarification over the claims made by the newspaper.
NASA Hits Out At NYT Report
In a post on X, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman fact-checked the NYT. Isaacman said that the report did not fully reflect the context NASA shared.
"At no point is NASA 'tossing out' important scientific or historical materials, and that framing has led to several other misleading headlines," Isaacman said.
"This is unfortunate at a time when the world should be energized by a plan to send NASA astronauts farther into space than ever before and return us to the lunar environment with a commitment to stay, alongside historic investments in an orbital economy and a renewed pursuit of science and discovery," he added.
NASA Shares Facts About Library Closure
Isaacman went to share a few facts about the closing of the library at the Goddard Space Flight Center.
Isaacman said that the library at Goddard was closing as part of a long-planned facilities consolidation approved in 2022 under the previous administration led by Joe Biden.
Here's what NASA sent to this reporter when he originally reached out:
"As part of a Goddard-wide campus transformation effort, all in-person library services at Building 21 at the Greenbelt location were paused on Dec. 9, 2025. Those services include collection checkout…
"NASA researchers will continue to have access to the scientific information and resources they need to do their work," he said.
The NASA administrator also added that the space agency always followed a deliberate process to evaluate materials, ensuring they were digitised, transferred to other libraries, or otherwise preserved for historical purposes.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/nasa-library-goddard-space-flight-center-nasa-to-shut-largest-library-toss-away-books-what-space-agencys-head-said-10233154
https://nasawatch.com/budget/the-great-goddard-library-debate/
https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2007210690587557905
NASA's CSDA Program Announces Eight New Data Agreements
Jan. 2, 2026
NASA's Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) program announced eight new agreements with seven of its commercial partners, further advancing its mission to acquire data from commercial providers that support NASA's Earth science research and applications and expand the quality, coverage, and range of Earth observation data NASA offers to the scientific community.
"These new agreements will provide users with a range of high-quality multispectral and SAR data that can be used in a variety of applications from environmental monitoring to surface deformation," said CSDA Project Manager Dana Ostrenga.
"In addition, they exemplify the CSDA program's commitment to acquiring data that enhances and supports the agency's application and research objectives."
New Near-Global, Multispectral Imagery
In support of NASA programs and stakeholders, the CSDA program enacted three agreements with Planet, Airbus, and Vantor (formerly Maxar) to provide near‑global multispectral and pan‑sharpened electro‑optical satellite imagery of nearly all global land and coastal surfaces.
This imagery has a spatial resolution of approximately 30 centimeters, 1 meter, and up to 10 meters (depending on the product) and is suitable for applications including environmental monitoring, agriculture, and urban applications.
Data products will include top of atmosphere (TOA) radiances and surface reflectance across the visible and near‑infrared spectrum.
New SAR Data
In response to users' need for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, and following rigorous technical and programmatic evaluation, CSDA executed five agreements for high‑resolution SAR imagery with Capella, ICEYE, MDA, Umbra, and Airbus.
This SAR imagery includes tasked Spotlight, StripMap, Scan, Wide/Extended Spotlight, and Long‑Dwell modes, which provide all‑weather, day‑night imaging that complements the electro‑optical agreements and enhances NASA's ability to monitor dynamic processes such as flooding, land deformation, sea‑ice motion, and infrastructure impacts.
Further, under these agreements, each commercial partner will provide specific data requirements consistent with their respective instrument capabilities and performance, as well as tasking and archive access.
Increased Access and User Eligibility
The data acquired under these agreements will be made available to authorized commercial satellite data users in accordance with the CSDA program's end user license agreements (EULAs).
EULAs generally pertain to NASA‑funded investigators and designated collaborators and outline established mechanisms for accessing CSDA data, such as the CSDA Satellite Data Explorer (SDX) and related portals.
Users can email the CSDA program to obtain additional information about user agreements, detailed product specifications, and procedures for requesting and accessing these commercial datasets for their research and application activities.
About the CSDA Program
NASA's Earth Science Division (ESD) established the CSDA program to identify, evaluate, and acquire data from commercial providers that to support NASA's Earth science research and applications.
NASA recognizes the potential of commercial satellite constellations to advance Earth System Science and applications for societal benefit and believes commercially acquired data may also augment the Earth observations acquired by NASA, other U.S. government agencies, and NASA's international partners.
All data from CSDA vendors are evaluated by the investigator-led CSDA project teams that assess the value of adding a vendor's data to CSDA's data holdings based on their quality and how they might benefit in the context of NASA Earth science research and applications.
https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/news/nasas-csda-program-announces-eight-new-data-agreements
Wyoming Red Canyon wildfire: 2025 Year in Review
Friday, January 2, 2026
Wildland fires pose significant threats to ecosystems, property, and human lives.
Leveraging NASA's satellite data, advanced models, visualization capacity and computing power, we analyze fire events, monitor how weather conditions impact fires and how regional air quality affects communities.
This analysis of the August 2025 Wyoming Red Canyon wildfire is part of our 2025 Year in Review series, where we look back at several major fire events from 2025.
This analysis follows a similar format to our Daily Visualizations of the Largest Wildfires in the United States , but for this 2025 Year in Review series, we targeted specific wildfires for a specific duration.
We examine each wildfire through five data-driven visualization assets:
Fire Information (format: still image)
Progression of Fire (format: movie, duration: 30secs)
GEOS Black Carbon (format: movie, duration: 30secs)
GEOS Fire Monitor: Regional Air Quality (format: movie, duration: 30secs)
GEOS Fire Monitor: Regional Weather (format: movie, duration: 30secs)
These visualizations reveal the complex dynamics of wildfire behavior and demonstrate how advanced Earth observation technology helps us understand both immediate threats and long-term environmental impacts.
The August 2025 Red Canyon wildfire in Wyoming exemplifies the critical need for comprehensive wildfire monitoring and analysis.
The visualization assets available in this webpage are designed to be modular and serve multiple purposes.
They work together as a comprehensive display on Hyperwall systems (32:9 aspect ratio, 7680x2160 resolution) at Earth Information Center (earth.gov) exhibits, as shown above, or as smaller collections, or each visual asset can be used independently.
All assets are freely and openly available for public use, allowing for flexible implementation across different platforms, display sizes and production needs.
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5601/
https://en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br/Antarctica-emits-an-impossible-echo-15-km-beneath-the-ice%3B-NASA-radar-detects-signals-incompatible-with-ordinary-ice-and-raises-the-hypothesis-of-hidden-heat-and-water-in-the-continent.-vml97/
Antarctica emits an "impossible echo" 1,5 km beneath the ice: NASA radar detects signals incompatible with ordinary ice and raises the hypothesis of hidden heat and water in the continent
02/01/2026 às 20:11
NASA radar has detected anomalous reflections 1,5 km beneath the Antarctic ice, indicating possible liquid water and internal heat capable of accelerating ice melt.
Far beyond its white and seemingly motionless surface, Antarctica is beginning to reveal signs of a much more dynamic internal behavior than science imagined until a few years ago.
Data collected by NASA's ice-penetrating radar have identified extremely unusual reflections around… 1,5 kilometers below the surface, a signal that does not correspond to the expected pattern of solid ice.
Among researchers, the phenomenon has come to be described as a true "impossible echo", something that simply shouldn't exist at that depth according to traditional models.
The discovery did not arise from a single isolated measurement.
It appeared consistently in mapping campaigns conducted by missions such as the Operation IceBridge and complemented by satellite analyses such as the ICEat-2, which monitor the thickness, internal structure, and variations of Antarctic ice with unprecedented precision.
What NASA's radars actually found under the ice.
The radar systems used by NASA are designed to differentiate between ice, rock, and water based on how the electromagnetic signal is reflected. Solid ice has a well-known signature, with a weak and predictable return.
Liquid water, on the other hand, reflects the signal much more intensely.
The problem is that, 1,5 km deep, the radar recorded exceptionally high reflectivity, incompatible with pure ice.
In technical terms, the signal return is more similar to that of liquid water or saturated sedimentsThis is something extremely unexpected in a region where temperatures should keep everything frozen.
This type of signature has previously been associated with subglacial lakes, but the location and intensity of the echo drew attention because they occurred in an area where such structures were not expected.
Why this "impossible echo" challenges current climate models.
For decades, climate models have assumed that Antarctic ice melt occurs primarily in two ways: at the surface, influenced by air temperature, and at the base of the ice shelves in contact with the ocean.
What the new data suggest is a Third relevant mechanism: melting from the bottom up., driven by internal processes of the Earth.
If large areas of the ice are being heated internally, this means that current models… They may be underestimating the rate of landmass loss from the continent.
This factor is especially critical because Antarctica stores approximately 90% of the planet's ice And it is currently the biggest source of uncertainty in the IPCC's sea level rise projections.
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The geothermal heat hypothesis under Antarctica
One of the most debated explanations involves geothermal flow, the natural heat rising from the Earth's interior.
Research published in journals such as Nature Geoscience Studies indicate that parts of East Antarctica rest on a thinner and more geologically active crust than previously thought.
This heat, although invisible on the surface, may be sufficient to maintain pockets of liquid water under enormous pressureeven at sub-zero temperatures.
When combined with salts and sediments, this water dramatically alters the radar response and creates exactly the type of "echo" observed.
Subglacial lakes: a hidden system beneath the white continent
Antarctica is not a uniform block of ice. Today, science has already mapped it. more than 400 subglacial lakes, some stretching for tens of kilometers, like the famous Lake VostokThese lakes remain liquid thanks to the pressure of the ice and geothermal heat.
What makes this new finding unique is that the signal appears in a region where large volumes of water were not expected. Furthermore, studies show that some subglacial lakes may… drain and replenish quickly, altering the pressure at the base of the ice and facilitating the sliding of glaciers towards the ocean.
The direct impact on global sea level
Even without representing an immediate collapse, the phenomenon has profound implications. The presence of liquid water under the ice acts as a… natural lubricantThis reduces friction between the ice and the rock. This can accelerate the flow of large masses of ice into the sea.
Recent reports from IPCC Studies already indicate that small changes in Antarctic dynamics can result in a rise in sea level of tens of centimeters over the course of this century.Hidden processes like this further increase the risk, precisely because they are difficult to monitor and model.
How do scientists intend to investigate what lies 1,5 km deep?
Confirming the exact nature of this “impossible echo” is not simple. Deep drilling in Antarctica requires extreme logistics, costs millions of dollars, and years of planning. Even so, researchers advocate a combination of strategies:
New aerial campaigns using higher-resolution radars
Cross-referencing data with gravitational and thermal sensors
Seismic studies to map crustal structures.
Targeted drilling at critical points.
Each advance in this type of research helps to refine global climate models and reduce uncertainties about the planet's future.
A continent that still hides fundamental secrets.
The finding reinforces an uncomfortable conclusion: We know very little about what happens beneath Earth's largest ice reservoir.Antarctica is not just a frozen desert, but an active system, influenced by internal, geological and hydrological processes that defy simplistic predictions.
The “impossible echo” detected at a depth of 1,5 km is more than just a scientific curiosity. It may hold the key to understanding why some regions of Antarctic ice are accelerating their movement and how unseen factors are shaping the future of sea level.
And the more advanced the instruments become, the clearer it becomes that the white continent still holds answers capable of redefining not only polar science, but the very climate balance of the planet.
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The Quadrantid meteor shower peaks tonight, but will the full 'Wolf Moon' outshine the show?
January 3, 2026
Your first major opportunity to spot shooting stars and bright fireballs in 2026 arrives overnight tonight with the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower, though only the brightest members may be visible, as the annual event crescendos in the bright light of a full moon.
The Quadrantid meteor shower is active from Dec. 26, 2025 to Jan. 16, 2026, with a narrow peak lasting roughly six hours that unfolds in the period preceding dawn on Jan. 4, according to EarthSky.org.
The shower owes its brief peak to the near-perpendicular angle at which Earth smashes through the thin debris trail left by asteroid 2003 EH1.
Shooting stars appear when shards of ancient comets and asteroids collide with Earth, burning up in a fiery display as they are overwhelmed by friction.
Quadrantid meteor showers are capable of producing impressive displays, with up to 200 shooting stars visible each hour under dark sky conditions around the peak.
Unfortunately, the 2025-6 shower comes to a head in the light of a full moon, whose glare will wash out all but the brightest meteors. NASA predicts an hourly rate of just 10 meteors per hour on the night of the peak.
The January full moon is often called the "Wolf Moon", in reference to the predators that have been heard howling at Earth's satellite during the scarcity of winter.
Meteors associated with the Quadrantid shower appear to come from a patch of sky close to the "handle" of the famous Big Dipper asterism in the constellation Ursa Major — a circumpolar constellation that never sets for stargazers in the Northern Hemisphere.
As such, the shower is best viewed from locations north of 51 degrees latitude.
The shower gets its name from a constellation created by French astronomer Jerome Lalande in 1795, known as Quadrans Muralis, which occupies this space near the Big Dipper, according to NASA.
The constellation, however, was not chosen as one of the 88 constellations formally recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
The radiant will rest low on the northern horizon after sunset, but soars high overhead during the pre-dawn peak-viewing hours.
Quadrantid meteors can appear in any part of the sky, though it's best not to look exactly in the direction of the radiant, where the trails will be at their shortest.
Hoping to immortalize your view of the Quadrantids? Then be sure to check out our guide to photographing shooting stars and if you're looking to upgrade your equipment, see our picks of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography. .
https://www.space.com/stargazing/meteor-showers/the-quadrantid-meteor-shower-2026-peaks-tonight-but-will-the-full-wolf-moon-outshine-the-show
FAA Shuts Venezuelan Airspace To US Aircraft After Explosions Near Caracas
January 3, 2026
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented a ban on US aircraft in Venezuela following reports of military strikes on the country's capital, Caracas.
The FAA issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) barring any US-registered planes from flying in Venezuelan airspace, starting 06:00 UTC on January 3, 2026.
Several explosions have rocked Caracas amid reports of low-flying aircraft, believed to be US military planes, and activity from US special forces.
The strikes reportedly centered on key Venezuelan military installations in and around the city, including La Carlota airbase and Fort Tiuna.
FAA Issues Emergency Venezuela Airspace Ban
The FAA issued the NOTAM prohibiting any US aircraft from operating at all altitudes in Venezuela amid heightened US military activity in the region, which it has deemed a flight safety risk.
Starting at 06:00 UTC, it comes amid breaking reports of explosions and US military action in Caracas - along with missile strikes, there have been reports of helicopters overflying the city, while local outlets claim that the home of Venezuela's defense minister has been targeted.
While applying to all US air carriers and US-registered planes, the NOTAM exempts military and US state aircraft.
Looking at tracking data from Flightradar24, Venezuelan airspace is entirely empty of commercial flights, with many aircraft re-routing around the region to avoid it.
Although the FAA has issued multiple warnings in previous weeks, today's action is a clear escalation, and it remains to be seen how long the ban will be in place.
The FAA's NOTAM states,
"[US aircraft] are prohibited from operating at all altitudes in the Maiquetia flight information region, due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity."
US Air Force Disables Transponders
Over the past several weeks, there have been reports of military planes flying in Venezuelan airspace with their transponders switched off, increasing the chances of an accident with commercial aircraft.
While an aircraft can still be detected on radar even without its transponder, switching it off means the plane doesn't show up on Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS).
The US Air Force (USAF) has apparently now switched off all transponders across its entire fleet. As a result, none of its aircraft are showing up on tracking systems.
This move is intended for greater operational secrecy when repositioning its assets, and could indicate plans for a further expansion of activity in Venezuela.
One aircraft that is broadcasting its location has become the number one tracked flight worldwide on Flightradar24.
This is a US Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker circling over the Caribbean Sea just off the coast of Puerto Rico, possibly performing air-to-air refueling duties or otherwise remaining on standby.
This is a 66-year-old airframe registered as 58-0016 and was being tracked by over 30,000 users at one point.
Spate Of Near-Misses
Venezuelan airspace has seen a handful of close calls in recent weeks due to the presence of US military planes, particularly those flying with their transponders off.
Although it is not uncommon for military aircraft to fly like this, doing so in congested airspace raises many safety risks.
One of the most concerning incidents involved a JetBlue Airbus A320 on December 12, 2025, which was heading to New York JFK from Curaçao.
As the jet was climbing out of Curaçao, it encountered a US military tanker with its transponder off, forcing the JetBlue pilots to take evasive action.
Just days later, a second near-miss happened, this time involving a private jet heading from Aruba and Miami and a US tanker.
With a possible increase in US activity over the coming days, airspace around Venezuela would have proven even more dangerous, justifying the FAA's decision to impose a blanket ban on commercial operations.
Many airlines have already scaled back or cut services to Venezuela in recent weeks due to the ongoing tensions.
https://simpleflying.com/faa-shuts-venezuelan-airspace-us-explosions-caracas/
https://www.flightradar24.com/airport/ccs
Governor DeSantis Appoints Members to Space Florida Board of Directors
January 3, 2026
The Republican Governor recently announced the appointment of Belinda Keiser, Alex King, and Tim Thomas and the reappointment of Matthew Bocchino to the Space Florida Board of Directors.
Space Florida offers leading aerospace companies unrivaled experience, unmatched financial tools, and an unbeatable location for their new initiatives.
World-class companies ranging from Northrop Grumman to Blue Origin to EVE Air Mobility have all built long-term relationships with Space Florida.
The mission areas include: Increase Investment Activity in Florida’s Aerospace Ecosystem, Maximize Capacity and Capability of Florida’s Spaceport System, Create Solutions to the Toughest Aerospace Challenges and Accelerate Innovation in Commercial Aerospace Innovation, and Sustained Business Operations.
Belinda Keiser is the Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Student Advancement at Keiser University.
Active in her community, she has served as a member of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, the Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, and the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force.
Keiser earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University.
Alex King is the Executive Director of the Panama City Port Authority. Previously, he served as the Deputy Director of Cargo Operations and Business Development and Operations Manager for the Panama City Port Authority.
King earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and logistics from Auburn University.
Tim Thomas is a Consultant for I3 Solutions. He is a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1987 to 2010 and retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Auburn University at Montgomery, his master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University, and is a graduate from the Command and General Staff College.
Matthew Bocchino is the Director of the Cecil Airport and Spaceport under the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
He was listed as a “Top 40 Under 40” Recipient by Airport Business Magazine in 2020 and is a member of the Commercial Space Federation Board.
Bocchino earned his bachelor’s degree in history and his master’s degree in business administration from Jacksonville University.
In 2006, three of Florida’s existing state space entities combined to form Space Florida as a public corporation and innovation connector.
A unique state statute was enacted that opened the door to more creative financing options and infrastructure access, making aerospace ventures much easier to launch. This attracted even more aerospace activity to the region.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
https://westorlandonews.com/governor-desantis-appoints-members-to-space-florida-board-of-directors/
Huntsville’s ‘Year of the Explorer’ celebrates Artemis II mission and space pioneers
Updated: 7:41 PM CST January 2, 2026
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is looking toward the moon as it kicks off a new year of inspiration. Officials in the Rocket City have officially designated 2026 as "The Year of the Explorer."
The year-long theme is designed to bridge the gap between the pioneers of the past and the pioneers of the future.
The celebration is timed to coincide with NASA’s upcoming Artemis II mission, which will see humans return to lunar orbit for the first time in more than 50 years.
"The Year of the Explorer" pays homage to the original Mercury astronauts and the early era of spaceflight that put Huntsville on the map.
Throughout the year, the center will highlight how that historical foundation is fueling current discoveries and the technology required for deep-space exploration.
A major focus of the 2026 initiative will be the impact of Space Camp. The center plans to highlight the roles that former Space Camp trainees and alumni are currently playing in NASA’s Artemis program and the broader aerospace industry.
There will also be a watch party at the center for when Artemis II launches in the coming months.
https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/news/local/huntsville-us-space-rocket-center-year-of-the-explorer-celebrates-artemis-ii-mission-space-pioneers/525-ec6288fd-cc7e-4254-bf92-cd68293c095f
SpaceX Launches
SpaceX launches Italian Earth-observing satellite to orbit on the 1st mission of 2026
January 2, 2026
SpaceX launched the first mission of 2026 tonight (Jan. 2).
A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California tonight at 9:09 p.m. EST (6:09 p.m. local California time; 0209 GMT on Jan. 3), carrying an Italian Earth-observing satellite to orbit.
The rocket's first stage landed back at Vandenberg as planned about 8.5 minutes after liftoff. It was the 21st flight for this particular booster, according to SpaceX.
About 4.5 minutes later, the Falcon 9's second stage deployed the payload — a COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite — into low Earth orbit for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defence.
The spacecraft will study Earth using synthetic aperture radar, gathering data at all times of day and in all weather conditions from an altitude of 385 miles (620 kilometers).
COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation is a small network designed 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," according to a European Space Agency explainer.
Among those applications are "risk management, cartography, forest & environment protection, natural resources exploration, land management, defense and security, maritime surveillance, food & agriculture management," the explainer adds.
Three COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellites have now launched to date. The first one flew in December 2019 atop a Soyuz rocket, and the second lifted off in January 2022 on a Falcon 9.
Tonight's liftoff was the first of 2026 not just for SpaceX but for the global launch community.
It's no surprise that SpaceX is breaking in the year. Elon Musk's company launched a whopping 165 orbital missions in 2025 — far more than any other entity, either commercial or governmental.
That was also a record for SpaceX, which the company may aim to break again this year.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/private-spaceflight/spacex-cosmo-skymed-second-generation-falcon-9-launch
https://www.spacex.com/launches/cosmo-skymedfm3
Starlink Mission
January 3, 2026
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is targeting the launch of 29 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the X TV app.
This will be the first flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-6-88