TYB!
LIVE: James Fox UFO press conference on Varginha, Brazil case
January 20, 2026
Ross Coulthart hosts special coverage of the below event. With Meagan Medick live from D.C.
On January 20, 2026, award-winning investigative filmmaker James Fox (The Phenomenon, Moment of Contact, The Program) will host a landmark UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, bringing together first-hand witnesses, medical experts, government officials, and U.S. insiders to present new evidence related to alleged non-human encounters and crash-retrieval programs.
These speakers will call for expanded whistleblower protections and greater transparency for the public.
This historic briefing aims to bring unprecedented firsthand testimony, medical evidence, and international corroboration to one of the most controversial and consequential issues of our time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99hRVeBzTzE
https://www.press.org/events/uap-ufo-press-conference
https://x.com/rosscoulthart
https://x.com/jamescfox
https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/where-department-energy-investing
https://www.energy.gov/newsroom
Where The Department of Energy Is Investing
Monday, Jan 19, 2026 - 08:20 AM
The DOE has been flooding their sites with white-papers and latest Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap (FS&T Roadmap) are not just a scientific plan, but an industrial policy designed to transition fusion from the laboratory to the commercial market by the mid-2030s.
The DOE has prioritized its actions to align with the aggressive “fast-track” development cycles of nuclear fission and fusion companies:
Near-Term (Next 2-3 Years): Digitalization & Infrastructure Prep
AI-Fusion Convergence: Launch the AI-Fusion Digital Convergence Platform to use machine learning to speed up materials discovery and predict plasma behavior.
Infrastructure Start: Build small-to-medium test facilities and complete the design for large-scale “First-of-a-Kind” (FOAK) facilities.
Regulatory Frameworks: Finalize licensing and safety standards to give investors, consumers, and citizens alike certainty on how these plants will be regulated.
Mid-Term (3-5 Years): Prototype Integration
Pilot Plant Construction: Support the private sector in constructing the first fusion pilot plants (FPPs).
Fuel & Materials Testing: Delivery of integration platforms for testing tritium fuel cycles and materials under intense radiation.
Supply Chain Seeding: Support domestic manufacturing for high-heat components and superconducting magnets.
Long-Term (5-10 Years): Grid Delivery & Scale-Up
Commercial Operation: The first fleet of pilot plants begins delivering power to the grid.
Commercial Maturity: Expand public infrastructure to support a global market, focusing on lowering the levelized cost of energy to make fusion competitive with other generation technologies today.
The Six Core Technical Challenge Areas
These are the gaps the DOE is prioritizing through its public research budget to ensure relevant companies succeed.
Structural Materials: Developing metals that won’t become brittle or weak after years of intense neutron bombardment. Metals such as Reduced Activation Ferritic Martensitic (RAFM) steels can withstand intense neutron damage without swelling or becoming brittle.
Plasma-Facing Components (PFCs): Creating “first walls” that can survive heat fluxes equivalent to the surface of the sun.
Confinement Systems: Optimizing magnets and lasers to hold the superheated fuel stable for long periods. Relevant companies: BRKR, COHR
Fuel Cycle & Tritium Processing: Establishing a closed loop fuel system to breed, recover, and recycle tritium fuel, as it is extremely scarce in nature. Relevant companies: OKLO, ASPI, BWXT
Blankets: Engineering the wrapper around the reactor that captures heat for electricity and breeds the fuel.
Plant Engineering & Integration: Linking a fusion reactor to standard turbines and maintenance via robotics. Relevant companies: NVDA, IBM
The Future of Energy: Understanding the Mechanics of Fusion
To grasp the next frontier of the energy transition, we need to distinguish between the nuclear power we use today and the “holy grail” of energy: Nuclear Fusion.
Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a single, heavier nucleus. This process releases a massive amount of energy as it typically uses two hydrogen isotopes for fuel: Deuterium and Tritium (D-T fuel).
Nuclear Fission is the splitting of heavy atoms, such as the current method of commercial nuclear power plants with Uranium.
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What is Plasma?
We are typically taught that there are three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Plasma is the fourth state, and it is the most common form of matter in the visible universe.
Plasma is created when a gas is heated to such extreme temperatures that the electrons are stripped away from their parent atoms. This results in an “ionized” gas—a hot, soup-like mixture of free-moving positively charged nuclei (ions) and negatively charged electrons. It is highly conductive and can be manipulated and shaped by magnetic fields. This characteristic is the lynchpin of modern fusion reactor design.
Plasma in a fusion fusion reactor:
Plasma’s Significance in a Fusion Reactor
In a fusion reactor, plasma is not just a byproduct; it is the reaction medium itself. It plays three critical roles toward enabling fusion energy:
The Coulomb Barrier: Atomic nuclei are positively charged and naturally repel one another. To overcome this “Coulomb Barrier,” the fuel is heated into a plasma state, providing the extreme kinetic energy necessary for the nuclei to collide and fuse.
Magnetic Confinement: Because no physical material can withstand fusion temperatures (upwards of 150 million degrees Celsius), the plasma must be suspended in mid-air. Scientists use the plasma’s electromagnetic properties to hold it in place using powerful superconducting magnets.
Self-Sufficiency: The ultimate goal is to achieve a burning plasma. This is a self-sufficient state where the heat generated by the fusion reactions themselves maintains the required temperature, eliminating the need for external heating.
Plasma as a medium in a Tokamak Fusion Reactor:
The Role of Materials in Fusion Architectures
Structural materials form the physical vessel and internal supports of a fusion plant. Materials must withstand unprecedented neutron flux, high thermal loads, and corrosive environments while maintaining the precise vacuum required for plasma stability.
Materials that are prioritized include Reduced Activation Ferritic Martensitic (RAFM) steels and vanadium alloys. These are engineered to minimize long-lived radioactive waste, ensuring that the structural “backbone” of either machine doesn’t remain hazardous for centuries after the plant is decommissioned. Easily produced RAFM steels and vanadium alloys strategically provide supply chain independence, dual-use applications in defense and aerospace, and enable closed fuel cycles to enhance commercial viability.
Plasma-Facing Components (PFCs) & Interactions
PFCs are the “first wall” materials that directly interact with the 100-million-degree plasma. They must exhaust extreme heat without contaminating the reaction. Tungsten, a critical material for PFCs, is a key focus of domestic mineral security.
Layers of a fusion reactor:
Magnetic and Inertial Confinement Fusion
The DOE’s FS&T Roadmap follows a dual-track approach pursuing two distinct methods to contain fusion: Magnetic Confinement Fusion & Inertial Confinement Fusion.
Magnetic Confinement Fusion: This method utilizes High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) magnets to create powerful magnetic “bottles.” These magnets suspend and stabilize the superheated plasma, preventing it from touching the reactor walls.
There are two primary magnetic confinement architectures: Tokamaks and Stellarators:
Tokamaks: These are doughnut-shaped devices that use a combination of external magnets and an internal electrical current flowing through the plasma to maintain stability.
Stellarators: These use a complex, twisted ring of external coils to confine the plasma without needing an internal current. While more stable than Tokamaks, the geometry of a Stellarator is very intricate.
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Companies that produce HTS magnets that make compact fusion possible:
Bruker Corporation (NASDAQ: BRKR): Known for scientific instruments, BRKR additionally serves as a critical industrial partner to the DOE through its subsidiary Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies (BEST).
BEST is known for its the stewardship of HTS magnet technology engineering. In the pursuit of next-generation energy solutions, BRKR has been a critical supplier of advanced Niobium-Tin and High-Temperature Superconductor (HTS) conductors for several high-stakes DOE initiatives: fusion energy, accelerator upgrades, and NMR proving grounds (relevant for testing the accuracy of isotope purities).
Inertial Confinement Fusion: This approach takes a “pulsed” path, using high-energy lasers to rapidly compress tiny fuel pellets.
This intense compression triggers a series of micro-explosions that ignite the plasma, creating a steady stream of energy production similar to the internal combustion of an engine.
Inertial fusion requires pulsed lasers of incredible power and precision. The companies that build the optical components and high-power diodes are the primary enablers:
Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR): A critical business in this sector. Their LEAP excimer laser platform is actually used by REBCO manufacturers to deposit the superconducting layers onto the tape.
Furthermore, they provide high-power diode lasers essential for pumping the large-scale lasers used in fusion experiments.
Syntec Optics (NASDAQ: OPTX): A U.S.-based manufacturer of precision optics. They provide the specialized lenses and mirrors required for high-energy laser systems.
Inertial Confinement Fusion:
The race for fusion is one of the key drivers for the U.S. massive push to securitize a domestic rare earth and advanced materials supply chain. A primary driver is the production of HTS magnets, which rely on Rare-Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO).
These specialized materials allow for more compact and efficient fusion reactors, but their utility extends far beyond energy; REBCO technology is also essential for next-generation MRI machines and high-speed maglev rail systems.
The Fuel Cycle & Tritium Breeding
The DOE is pursuing a “closed-loop” fuel cycle where fusion and fast reactors breed their own tritium fuel using lithium-containing blankets.
Because tritium is rare and radioactive, the FS&T Roadmap emphasizes advanced accountancy and Direct Internal Recycling to minimize inventory.
The DOE is prioritizing Tritium as a vital material for the U.S. nuclear stockpile, critical for national defense and nonproliferation.
Establishing a domestic supply of light isotopes—specifically Lithium-6, Tritium, and Deuterium for fusion breeding and fuel—ensures that the U.S. does not depend on international sources for its most critical nuclear assets.
Companies that are produce light isotopes and/or have breeder reactor capabilities include:
ASP Isotopes (ASPI): ASPI hopes to contribute to Li-6 supply in 2026/2027, as mentioned in their shareholder letter from September of 2025:
“There is a considerable amount of customer demand for HALEU, as well as Lithium-6 and Lithium-7. We expect to have the first Lithium-6 plant operational during 2026, subject to the timely receipt of all required permits and licenses.”
BWXT & The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): As of late 2025, TVA has emerged as the primary “Tritium Hub.”
Leveraging their experience producing Tritium for the nuclear stockpile at Watts Bar, TVA is exploring the use of the BWRX-300 SMR to host Tritium-Producing Burnable Absorber Rods.
By replacing standard neutron absorbers with lithium-based rods, these SMRs can “harvest” Tritium as a byproduct of normal electricity generation.
Oklo (Aurora Powerhouse and Atomic Alchemy): While Oklo’s primary Aurora powerhouse is a fast fission reactor capable of breeding tritium, its radioisotope pilot facility and VIPR technology have capabilities inclusive of producing specialized the “light isotopes” used in the breeder blanket and fuel.
As of early 2026, Oklo’s subsidiary, Atomic Alchemy, has transitioned into active execution under a DOE Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to fast track their radioisotope business and production.
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TerraPower (Natrium): As a similar reactor design to the Aurora Powerhouse, the Natrium reactor is an ideal candidate for isotope production. Fast reactors can irradiate lithium targets, potentially producing Tritium at a much higher rate than traditional light-water reactors.
Holtec (SMR-300): Holtec has positioned its SMR as a multipurpose tool. Their recent filings suggest that their reactors at the Palisades site could be configured with specialized “target” assemblies to produce various isotopes, including Tritium, for both commercial fusion and medical use.
Blanket Science and Technology
The blanket of a reactor in the latest FS&T Roadmap has been reimagined as the “Energy Engine” of the fusion power plant.
While the plasma provides the environment for the reaction, the blanket is the critical interface where that reaction is converted into tangible products: usable heat for the electrical grid and essential fuel for the reactor’s continued operation.
This massive component surrounds the fusion core and serves three non-negotiable functions:
It facilitates energy conversion by capturing high-energy neutrons—which carry approximately 80% of the fusion energy—and converting their kinetic energy into thermal heat.
It enables tritium breeding by using those same neutrons to strike lithium-6 atoms, transmuting them into Tritium.
It acts as a radiation shield, protecting delicate superconducting magnets and exterior plant components from intense neutron flux to ensure structural longevity.
One of the most significant strategic shifts in the 2025 Roadmap is the explicit move to leverage advanced fission R&D to accelerate these fusion milestones.
The molten salts used in fusion blankets are nearly identical to the coolants required for Generation-IV Fission Molten Salt Reactors.
By aligning these technologies, the DOE is creating a unified domestic supply chain where purification systems, high-temperature pumps, and specialized alloys developed for advanced fission can be utilized directly in the fusion sector.
Plant Engineering & Systems Integration
This challenge focuses on the Balance of Plant (BOP)—the turbines, heat exchangers, and robotic maintenance systems that turn a “fusion engine” into a grid-ready power plant.
The priority is reliability, availability, maintainability, and inspectability. Here, the AI-fusion digital convergence becomes the primary tool. AI-enabled “Digital Twins” will manage the plant’s complex systems in real-time, just as they optimize hyperscale data centers today.
This creates a massive opportunity for the AI ecosystem; companies like NVIDIA and IBM are already leading efforts (such as Stellar-AI) to provide the supercomputing clusters needed for these simulations.
Many often focus on the “Fusion Core,” but the Balance of Plant is where 50% of the capital cost lives. This is the traditional engineering—turbines, heat exchangers, and cooling systems—that turns heat into electricity.
Standard steam turbines may not be efficient enough. This requires innovations such as Supercritical CO2 turbines which are developed by only a handful of agencies and almost exclusively by Oklo commercially.
These turbines are smaller and more efficient than steam, and are being prioritized to keep the plant footprint small.
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2025 NESC Technical Update
Jan 20, 2026
Annual Report of NESC Technical Activities
On behalf of the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC), I am pleased to provide you with the 2025 NESC Technical Update.
This annual report summarizes the technical work, engineering advancements, and knowledge capture efforts we made in FY25.
With support provided by members of our NASA community from across the centers, we focused our efforts on performing value-added independent testing, analysis, and assessments of NASA’s high-risk projects to ensure safety and mission success.
We appreciate the opportunity to share our progress and highlight our FY25 accomplishments. This report and all other NESC knowledge products are available at nasa.gov/nesc.
As always, we value your feedback and engagement. Thank you for your continuing support of the NESC.
Timmy R. Wilson
Director, NASA Engineering and Safety Center
https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/nesc/2025-nesc-technical-update/
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/techup-2025-web-final-2page.pdf?emrc=696faeb91bb6e
NASA responds to conspiracy theory claiming Earth will lose gravity on exact date this year
16:00, 20 Jan 2026
A spine-tingling theory suggesting the Earth will lose gravity later this year - but it has been officially dismissed by NASA.
The conspiracy claimed that on August 12 at 14:33GMT, our planet would experience a complete loss of gravity lasting precisely seven seconds.
The theorists alleged this phenomenon was disclosed in a NASA document titled 'Project Anchor' from November 2024.
Subsequently, they turned to social media platforms to spread this notion. Across Instagram and X, previously Twitter, users began circulating this suggestion, with supporters warning it would result in "60 million deaths" from individuals plummeting to the ground.
One Instagram account, posting as @mr_danya_of, declared: "On August 12, 2026, the world will lose gravity for seven seconds. NASA knows. They're preparing but won't tell us why."
This individual suggested that up to 60 million fatalities would occur in a theory that has since been thoroughly refuted. As the conspiracy theory gained momentum, NASA stepped in to clarify why, scientifically speaking, such an event is impossible, reports the Mirror.
Speaking to fact-checking platform Snopes, they confirmed that the sole method for Earth to lose gravity would require our planet's mass to alter.
A representative for the space organisation stated: "The Earth will not lose gravity on August 12, 2026. Earth's gravity, or total gravitational force, is determined by its mass.
"The only way for the Earth to lose gravity would be for the Earth system, the combined mass of its core, mantle, crust, ocean, terrestrial water, and atmosphere, to lose mass."
This isn't the first occasion that dire forecasts for 2026 have been made, with people once more turning to Nostradamus for hints about what this year might bring for humanity.
According to the New York Post, the renowned philosopher didn't actually make any specific predictions for this year, but this hasn't deterred people from delving into his writings regardless.
Scholars examining Nostradamus' texts claim that the 26th verse of Century I states a "great man will be struck down in the day by a thunderbolt".
This single line has prompted many to speculate that a prominent male figure will be assassinated, or that a military takeover might seize control of a political system.
Meanwhile, another passage, quatrain VII, is said to contain Nostradamus' words: "Foists and galleys around seven ships, a mortal war will be let loose."
Some interpreters have suggested this might relate to the South China Sea and China's activities there, though nothing has been verified.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/nasa-responds-conspiracy-theory-claiming-36583538
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15477485/NASA-debunks-gravity-conspiracy-theory.html
Hubble Nets Menagerie of Young Stellar Objects
Jan 20, 2026
A disparate collection of young stellar objects bejewels a cosmic panorama in the star-forming region NGC 1333 in this new image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.
To the left, an actively forming star called a protostar casts its glow on the surrounding gas and dust, creating a reflection nebula.
Two dark stripes on opposite sides of the bright point (upper left) are its protoplanetary disk, a region where planets could form, and the disk’s shadow, cast across the large envelope of material around the star.
Material accumulates onto the protostar through this rotating disk of gas and dust, a product of the collapsing cloud of gas and dust that gave birth to the star. Where the shadow stops and the disk begins is presently unknown.
To the center right, an outflow cavity reveals a fan-shaped reflection nebula.
The two stars at its base, HBC 340 (lower) and HBC 341 (upper), unleash stellar winds, or material flowing from the surface of the star, that clear out the cavity from the surrounding molecular cloud over time.
A reflection nebula like this one is illuminated by light from nearby stars that is scattered by the surrounding gas and dust.
This reflection nebula fluctuates in brightness over time, which researchers attribute to variations in brightness of HBC 340 and HBC 341. HBC 340 is the primary source of the fluctuation as the brighter and more variable star.
HBC 340 and HBC 341 are Orion variable stars, a class of forming stars that change in brightness irregularly and unpredictably, possibly due to stellar flares and ejections of matter from their surfaces.
Orion variable stars, so named because they are associated with diffuse nebulae like the Orion Nebula, eventually evolve into non-variable stars.
In this image, the four beaming stars near the bottom of the image and one in the top right corner are also Orion variable stars. The rest of the cloudscape is studded with other young stellar objects.
NGC 1333 lies about 950 light-years away in the Perseus molecular cloud, and was imaged by Hubble to learn more about young stellar objects, such as properties of circumstellar disks and outflows in the gas and dust created by these stars.
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/hubble-nets-menagerie-of-young-stellar-objects/
https://science.nasa.gov/roman-and-webb/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDplcGXv32g
Roman and Webb
January 20, 3036
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will conduct rapid surveys of wide swaths of the universe, unveiling new worlds and clues to mysteries like the nature of dark energy and dark matter.
Since each Roman image will reveal such a large area, astronomers will have practically limitless opportunities to explore the cosmos.
Working in tandem with observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope will offer the most complete picture of the universe yet.
Roman’s surveys will offer a broad view of cosmic ecosystems and pinpoint rare objects.
Webb can use its narrower view but more powerful vision to follow up on those uncommon objects for even more detailed observations, and Roman can view regions Webb has observed to offer context.
Together, the two observatories will reveal extraordinary new information about our universe such as primordial galaxies, black holes, and planets beyond our solar system.
Far and Wide
While Roman will capture images 50 times larger than Webb can, Webb sees farther back in time with higher resolution.
That’s because Webb’s primary mirror is so large — 21 feet (6.5 meters) versus 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) for Roman’s.
Webb sees more detail because its larger mirror will collect more light, just like a bigger bucket collects more water in a rain shower than a small one.
Roman owes its panoramic view to its 18 large detectors and its wide-field telescope design.
This gives Roman an ability that’s rare among space telescopes — it can efficiently explore space even if astronomers don’t have a particular target in mind.
Since it will see such a large area of the universe at any given time, Roman will discover uncommon events that space telescopes have historically only been able to observe after ground-based telescopes have identified them.
The mission will spot phenomena such as colliding neutron stars that Webb will likely never detect on its own with its narrow view.
Both Roman and Webb will primarily study the universe in infrared light, allowing them to see warm objects, peer into dusty regions, and gaze across vast stretches of space.
Pairing Webb’s powerful observations, which probe even farther into the infrared, with Roman’s big-picture view will reveal untold cosmic wonders.
Their overlapping wavelength ranges will allow astronomers to compare their observations to learn much more than from either mission alone.
Cosmology
Together, Roman and Webb will unlock enormous stretches of the universe’s history.
Astronomers will use observations of different cosmic eras to piece together how the universe transformed over billions of years to its present state.
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Dark Energy
Scientists have discovered that the universe’s expansion is speeding up, but no one knows why. A mysterious pressure dubbed “dark energy” has been theorized as a possible explanation.
Exploring the nature of dark energy is one of Roman’s primary goals, and Webb will offer clues, too. Roman will combine the powers of imaging and spectroscopy to unveil more than a billion galaxies.
Imaging will reveal the locations, shapes, sizes, and colors of objects like distant galaxies, and spectroscopy will measure the intensity of light from those objects at different wavelengths, allowing astronomers to determine how far away they are.
Doing both across the same enormous swath of the universe will yield enormous, deep 3D images that will help astronomers discern between the leading theories that attempt to explain why the expansion of the universe is accelerating.
Webb has powerful spectrographs too, but its smaller view renders it impractical to survey enough sky to measure large-scale galaxy clustering, which carries the imprint of dark matter and dark energy.
Roman will also trace cosmic expansion using a special kind of exploding star called a type Ia supernova. These explosions, which happen roughly once every 500 years in the Milky Way, peak at a similar, known intrinsic brightness.
That allows astronomers to determine how far away the supernovae are by simply measuring how bright they appear. Astronomers can study the light of these supernovae to find out how quickly they appear to be moving away from us.
By comparing how fast they’re receding at different distances, scientists will trace cosmic expansion across billions of years.
This will help us understand whether and how dark energy has changed throughout the history of the universe, and could clear up mismatched measurements of the Hubble constant — the universe’s current expansion rate.
Roman’s gigantic view will cast such a wide net that astronomers will see thousands of type Ia supernovae. Webb can study these explosions more closely to help refine the way they’re used to determine cosmic distances.
Dark Matter
Roman and Webb will also add pieces to the dark matter puzzle—another key component of the universe that we don’t understand well. This invisible material is detectable only through its gravitational effects on normal matter.
Scientists are trying to determine what exactly dark matter is made of so they can detect it directly, but our current understanding has so many gaps, it’s difficult to know just what we’re looking for.
In its very first science image, Webb found dark matter hidden among distorted galaxies. Anything with mass warps the fabric of space-time — the greater the mass, the stronger the warp. Light that passes nearby follows the curved path around the object.
For things as large as galaxies and galaxy clusters, this effect—called gravitational lensing — can warp light so strongly that distant galaxies are smeared into arcs and streaks in images.
Astronomers can determine how massive an intervening object is by seeing how much it distorts light from more distant sources.
Roman will be sensitive enough to use a more subtle version of the same effect (called weak lensing) to see how clumps of dark matter warp the appearance of distant galaxies.
By observing lensing effects on this small scale over a gigantic area, Roman will map how dark matter is distributed and explore its structure.
This will help astronomers fill in more of the gaps in our understanding of dark matter. Their findings could even lead to adjustments to our current cosmological model of the universe.
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Haven-1 Commercial Space Station Assembles for Imminent Launch
January 20, 2026
The development of the Haven-1 commercial space station is progressing as the launch date is adjusted.
Originally set for mid-2026, the new expected launch date is in the first quarter of 2027. This adjustment comes as responses to current challenges in the development process.
NASA’s Transition to Commercial Space Stations
Navigating a significant timeline, NASA is preparing for the replacement of the International Space Station (ISS).
The ISS is scheduled for decommissioning in under five years. However, the agency has not yet established formal guidelines for the new commercial stations.
Competition Among Private Companies
Several private firms are vying for contracts to build the upcoming commercial stations. Currently, four primary contenders have emerged:
Voyager Technologies
Axiom Space
Blue Origin
Vast Space
Nasa is expected to select either one or two companies for significant contracts later this year. This decision will support their respective efforts to create their stations.
Vast Space and Haven-1
Vast Space is leading the pack in development. The company’s Haven-1 is designed as an interim space station intended for short-duration stays. Max Haot, Vast’s CEO, notes that their focus is on building a safe and efficient station.
Initially, Haven-1 aimed for a mid-2026 launch. Haot expressed confidence in adjusting this timeline to the first quarter of 2027. He emphasized that this approach is essential for ensuring safety and meeting development goals.
Future Plans and Habitation Requirements
NASA’s long-term vision requires commercial space stations capable of continuous habitation.
However, whether these facilities will need to meet those demands by 2030 remains uncertain. Still, with ongoing developments, the space landscape is receptive to change.
Conclusion
The journey to establishing commercial space stations like Haven-1 is complex. As the deadline approaches, both NASA and private companies must navigate various challenges.
The future of commercial space operations looks promising, with innovative projects emerging to meet the needs of space exploration.
https://www.filmogaz.com/108242
Damaged DSN antenna out of service until May
January 19, 2026
The 70-meter antenna, designated DSS-14, at the Deep Space Network site in Goldstone, California. Credit: NASA
WASHINGTON — A key antenna in NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) that was damaged last fall is expected to remain offline until May, before being taken out of service again later this year for major upgrades.
paywall
https://spacenews.com/damaged-dsn-antenna-out-of-service-until-may/
Scientists find space signals inside Australian beach sand
20/01/2026 - 13:14
The technique is said to open doors to studying landscapes far older than previous methods allowed
Scientists at Curtin University in Australia have found tiny crystals, no thicker than a human hair, that have captured signals from space in sand.
Working alongside researchers from the University of Gottingen and the University of Cologne, the team found that microscopic zircon grains buried in Australia's coastal sands contain trapped krypton gas that acts as a natural "cosmic clock."
This mineral has survived countless cycles of weathering and transport, carrying within it a hidden record of surface exposure.
It's essentially geology with a stopwatch, giving scientists an unprecedented tool for tracking ancient landscape evolution.
When cosmic rays, high-energy particles streaming in from space, strike zircon crystals at Earth's surface, they trigger a process called cosmogenic nuclide production.
This gradually fills the minerals with measurable amounts of krypton over time. By extracting and analysing this trapped gas, researchers can work out exactly how long each crystal spent near the surface before getting buried underground.
Lead author Dr Maximilian Drollner said the technique opens doors to studying landscapes far older than previous methods allowed.
"Our planet's history shows climate and tectonic forces can control how landscapes behave over very long timescales," he explained.
They found that, in regions where tectonic activity is minimal and sea levels stay consistently high, erosion slows dramatically.
Sediments can remain near the surface for millions of years without being washed away or buried deep underground.
Professor Chris Kirkland, who leads Curtin's Timescales of Mineral Systems Group, pointed out the broader significance.
He said: "As we modify natural systems, we can expect changes in how sediment is stored in river basins and along coastlines.
"Our results show that these processes can fundamentally reshape landscapes, not just coastlines, over time."
This has implications for planners and environmental scientists thinking about long-term coastal behaviour.
The research also has positive implications for Australia's mineral resources.
Associate Professor Milo Barham explained the connection between climate patterns and where valuable deposits end up.
He said: "Climate doesn't just influence ecosystems and weather patterns, it also controls where mineral resources end up and how accessible they become.
"Extended periods of sediment storage allow durable minerals to gradually concentrate while less stable materials break down, explaining why Australia hosts some of the world's most significant mineral sand deposits."
Essentially, the longer zircon hangs around near the surface, the richer those sediment layers become in valuable materials, which could help identify future resources more efficiently.
https://www.gbnews.com/science/space-breakthrough-scientists-space-signals-australian-beach-sand
Earth was just hit by the strongest solar radiation storm in over 20 years — here's what it means
January 20, 2026
While a severe G4 geomagnetic storm impressed skywatchers with vivid auroras around the world this week, a far less visible, but historically significant, space weather event was also underway.
On Monday (Jan. 19), Earth experienced its strongest solar radiation storm since October 2003, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, surpassing the intensity of the notorious October 2003 "Halloween" space weather storms.
Solar radiation storms occur when a powerful magnetic eruption on the sun, often involving a coronal mass ejection (CME), accelerates charged particles, mainly protons, to extreme speeds.
These particles can reach a significant fraction of the speed of light, allowing them to traverse the roughly 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) between the sun and Earth in tens of minutes or less, according to NOAA.
When they arrive, the most energetic protons can penetrate Earth's magnetic defenses and travel along our planet's magnetic field lines toward the polar regions, where they plunge into the upper atmosphere.
NOAA classifies solar radiation storms on a scale from S1 (minor) to S5 (extreme) based on GOES satellite measurements of incoming high-energy protons. The Jan. 19 event reached S4 (severe) levels.
While it may sound dramatic, this type of storm poses no threat to people on the ground, thanks to Earth's thick atmosphere and magnetic field, which absorb the radiation before it reaches the surface.
Notably, this was not a "ground-level event," in which particles are energetic enough to be detected at Earth's surface.
As space weather physicist Tamitha Skov explained, this storm had a relatively "soft" particle spectrum — historic in strength, but lacking the extreme energies needed to reach the ground.
High above the surface, it's a slightly different story.
Severe radiation storms increase exposure risks for astronauts and for airline crews and passengers flying along polar routes, where Earth's magnetic shielding is weaker.
Satellites are also vulnerable: energetic particles can interfere with onboard electronics, disrupt sensors, and overwhelm instruments.
During this storm, some space weather forecasters reported temporary data dropouts, likely caused by intense proton fluxes degrading spacecraft measurements.
Is a solar radiation storm the same as a geomagnetic storm?
No, they are distinct space weather phenomena with different effects. Solar radiation storms are driven by fast-moving particles from the sun, while geomagnetic storms occur when disturbances in the solar wind interact with Earth's magnetic field.
Geomagnetic storms occur most often when a CME's magnetic field slams into Earth's own, but sometimes also when fast streams of solar wind flow outward from coronal holes.
These interactions can trigger auroras and cause disturbances in navigation, radio communications and power systems.
https://www.space.com/astronomy/sun/earth-was-just-hit-by-the-strongest-solar-radiation-storm-in-over-20-years-heres-what-it-means
Comet Wierzchos buzzes the sun later today: But can you see it?
January 20, 2026
Solar system comet C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) makes its closest approach to the sun today (Jan. 20) during an event known as perihelion, when it will pass a little over half the Earth-sun distance from our parent star, causing it to brighten significantly.
Comet Wierzchos makes its closest flyby at 1:24 p.m.EST (1824 GMT) on Jan. 20, passing the sun at a distance of 52.6 million miles (84.6 million km).
At perihelion, a combination of proximity and the increase in solar radiation is expected to boost the comet's visibility.
Heat from the sun vaporizes ice material in the comet's solid nucleus, releasing masses of gas and dust that forms a reflective cocoon, or coma, around the nucleus.
Charged particles streaming outward from the sun sweep this material into the comet's characteristic tail.
The comet is expected to reach a peak brightness, or magnitude, of around +8.1 in the days following perihelion, according to the Comet Observation Database (COBS) run by the Crni Vrh Observatory in Slovenia (the lower the number, the brighter the object in the night sky).
That puts C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) beyond naked-eye visibility, which allows us to see objects down to a magnitude of approximately +6.5 under dark sky conditions.
However, the comet should be visible with the aid of a small backyard telescope, assuming that you're in the right part of the world to see it.
By mid-January, comet Wierzchos will be traveling through the stars of the southerly constellation Microscopium and will be lost from sight below the horizon during the nighttime hours for stargazers in the U.S.
Northern Hemisphere observers will get another chance to see C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) in the weeks following its close approach to Earth on Feb. 17, when it will pass a little over 93 million miles (1 Astronomical Unit) from our Blue Marble.
During this event, known as perigee, the comet will appear low on the southwestern horizon at sunset for stargazers in the U.S. with an estimated magnitude of +8.9. C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos)'s brightness will continue to recede as it rises higher in the evening sky in the following weeks, as it travels away from the warming influence of the sun.
C/2024 E1 (Wierzchos) was discovered in March 2024 by astronomers analyzing data collected by the Catalina Sky Survey — a NASA-funded project at the University of Arizona, which continuously scans the night sky for potentially hazardous near-Earth objects.
The wandering body is thought to have originated from the shell of icy material that surrounds the solar system known as the Oort Cloud and was first spotted as it raced sunward at a distance of 8 AU.
It has since been observed by the James Webb Space Telescope, which recorded a distinct lack of cobalt in its light fingerprint, suggesting that the element may have been lost prior to being expelled by giant inner solar system planets shortly after its formation.
Photographers hoping to capture the silent majesty of wandering comets should read our guide to photographing comets with a DSLR, while those looking to update their equipment would do well to read our roundups of the top cameras and lenses for astrophotography.
https://www.space.com/astronomy/comets/comet-wierzchos-buzzes-the-sun-later-today-but-can-you-see-it
https://twitter.com/PepeChambo/status/2012248997511995691
https://cobs.si/comet/2513/
https://www.space.com/astronomy/black-holes/reborn-black-hole-seen-erupting-across-1-million-light-years-of-space-like-a-cosmic-volcano
https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/research-highlights/reborn-black-hole-spotted-erupting-cosmic-volcano
https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/545/4/staf2038/8424076
Reborn black hole seen erupting across 1 million light-years of space like a cosmic volcano
January 20, 2026
Astronomers have discovered a once-dormant supermassive black hole springing back to life in a very dramatic and spectacular fashion, acting as a "cosmic volcano" blasting out an eruption that stretched out for 1 million light-years.
The supermassive black hole in question sits at the heart of the galaxy J1007+3540 and has lain dormant for around 100 million years.
The team of scientists behind these observations used the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) in the Netherlands and India's upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) to create radio images of J1007+3540 and its incumbent supermassive black hole.
These images revealed this vast black hole jet is in a tug-of-war for dominance with the gravitational force of the rest of the galaxy.
'It's like watching a cosmic volcano erupt again after ages of calm — except this one is big enough to carve out structures stretching nearly a million light-years across space," team leader Shobha Kumari, of Midnapore City College, India, said in a statement.
Supermassive black holes are found at the hearts of all large galaxies, but they are far from all the same. They range in mass from millions to billions of times that of the sun, some are quiet and peaceful, like Sagittarius A (Sgr A) at the heart of the Milky Way, and others are actively feeding and violent.
These latter supermassive black holes are surrounded by matter in a flattened swirling cloud called an accretion disk that gradually feeds them.
The immense gravity of the black hole at the center of such a disk creates powerful tidal forces in this accretion disk, which generate friction, heating it and causing it to glow brightly.
Not all of the matter in accretion disks is destined to become a black hole snack, however. Intense magnetic fields channel charged particles, or plasma, to the poles of active supermassive black holes from where it is blasted out as jets at speeds approaching that of light.
These jets also glow brightly, making these central galactic regions, or Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), stand out from vast cosmic distances.
Even among these incredible galactic engines, scientists say J1007+3540 stands out. That is because it shows evidence of turning on and off, restarting after vast quiet periods of time, to begin once again erupting with powerful jets.
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Supermassive black hole jet structure
The images collected by the researchers show the structure of the jet from this supermassive black hole, consisting of a bright inner jet and a fainter outer "cocoon" of cooler faded plasma.
That indicates to the team a history of repeated eruptive episodes, with the outer sleeve of faint plasma representing the fossil remains of prior blasts.
"This dramatic layering of young jets inside older, exhausted lobes is the signature of an episodic AGN – a galaxy whose central engine keeps turning on and off over cosmic timescales," Kumari said.
This jet debris seems to have been squashed and distorted by its surroundings due to the fact that J1007+3540 sits within a massive galaxy cluster filled with extremely hot gas.
The result is an external pressure far greater than is typically experienced by galaxies of this type, known as radio galaxies due to their brightness in the radio region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
"J1007+3540 is one of the clearest and most spectacular examples of episodic AGN with jet-cluster interaction, where the surrounding hot gas bends, compresses, and distorts the jets," team member Sabyasachi Pal, also of Midnapore City College, said in the statement.
The image of J1007+3540 from LOFAR shows a significantly compressed and distorted lobe to the north of the structure, which represents plasma being shunted sideways by the gas the jet is trying to force its way through.
The uGMRT image reveals that the compressed region consists of older particles that have lost much of their energy. That is another clear sign of the influence the cluster is having on this jet.
Further evidence of the way the harsh environment of J1007+3540 is sculpting these jets comes from a long, faint tail stretching out to the southwest of the structure.
This tail consists of plasma that has been dragged through the cluster, creating a wispy trail that is millions of years old.
This galaxy and its supermassive black hole are a demonstration of just how AGNs can turn on and off and how the jets they blast out can change over the course of millions of years.
Additionally, J1007+3540 is a lesson for astronomers regarding the influence galactic clusters can have on jet structures.
This could ultimately provide scientists with a clearer picture of how galaxies grow and evolve.
The team's research was published on Thursday (Jan. 15) in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
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Shenzhou-20 Return Capsule Lands Safely After Space Debris Scare
January 20, 2026 at 09:15
China’s Shenzhou-20 capsule has completed its mission, safely landing in Inner Mongolia on January 19, 2026, after spending 270 days in orbit.
The mission, described by CGTN as one of the most technically demanding in China’s human spaceflight history, was delayed due to a mid-mission incident involving suspected space debris.
What followed was a complex chain of repairs and emergency operations that not only saved the capsule but also reinforced China’s growing ability to manage space emergencies with speed and precision.
A Historic Landing Amid Risk and Repair
China’s Shenzhou-20 return capsule safely landed at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia on the morning of January 19, 2026, concluding one of the most technically demanding missions of its human spaceflight program.
According to CGTN, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) declared the mission a “complete success” following an on-site inspection, which confirmed the capsule was in good condition after reentry.
Originally launched on April 24, 2025, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Shenzhou-20 was expected to complete its nine-month orbit before returning in November 2025. But a suspected impact with space debris delayed its return.
What followed was an intense series of space-based inspections and on-the-fly repairs that highlighted both the technical maturity and emergency readiness of China’s manned space operations.
The critical issue was a crack in the capsule’s porthole, discovered late in the mission.
In a remarkable first, the CMSA authorized astronauts aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft to photograph the damaged porthole during a spacewalk on December 9, using high-definition cameras.
This diagnosis was followed by the emergency launch of Shenzhou-22, which delivered a specially engineered repair device to enhance the capsule’s heat resistance and sealing for reentry.
The Shenzhou-20 Saga: Timeline of a Near-Crisis
The situation evolved quickly after the detection of the porthole crack. The mission control team initiated detailed risk simulations and altered return protocols to prevent catastrophic failure.
The crew of Shenzhou-20 was evacuated ahead of schedule, returning aboard Shenzhou-21 on November 14, 2025, in what CMSA called an “emergency reroute.”
This sequence led to another milestone: the emergency launch of Shenzhou-22 on November 25, marking the first rapid-response deployment in China’s space history.
The uncrewed craft delivered the necessary tools to secure the damaged capsule, enabling its eventual safe return in an unmanned state.
These events showcased the growing sophistication of China’s space infrastructure, including on-orbit logistics, crew safety protocols, and the ability to conduct complex operations remotely.
The Shenzhou-20 capsule remained in orbit for 270 days, validating the long-term operability of Chinese crew vehicles in low Earth orbit.
Strategic Implications for China’s Crewed Spaceflight Program
The successful return of Shenzhou-20 carries broader implications beyond immediate mission metrics. First, it reinforces China’s capability to manage unforeseen in-space technical issues without external assistance.
Second, it highlights the scalability of China’s Tiangong space station program, which now includes redundant vehicles, modular components, and emergency intervention capacity.
The fact that China executed three overlapping missions — Shenzhou-20, 21, and 22 — over a span of weeks underscores its operational depth.
The arrival of Shenzhou-23 at Jiuquan and the readiness of the Long March-2F Y23 rocket further indicates that the program is not merely reactive but preparing for sustained presence and resilience in orbit.
In global terms, this mission adds to China’s growing reputation as a reliable player in space exploration, capable of managing multi-vessel operations under pressure.
It also demonstrates technical parity with other major spacefaring nations when it comes to orbital risk mitigation, modular mission architecture, and long-term crew support.
https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/shenzhou-20-return-capsule-lands-safely/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KxQgKbkgQw
An armada of 6,500 Elite Dangerous players just embarked on a three-month expedition to explore the Milky Way, and there's still time to join them
January 20, 2026
Humanity is still in the early stages of exploring the cosmos, with Artemis 2 preparing to take us back to the moon and then onwards to Mars. But if NASA's progress is a little pedestrian for you, then "Elite Dangerous" is the game for you.
"Elite Dangerous" is one of the best space exploration games out there, featuring a fully-realised — and intimidatingly large — Milky Way galaxy for players to explore.
And that's exactly what they're doing, as over 6500 players have just embarked on Distant Worlds 3 — a community-led journey to the deepest reaches of the galaxy that will last for around 3 months.
The previous two Distant Worlds events set out in 2016 and 2019, respectively, with 1300 players joining the first expedition, and nearly 14,000 pilots signing up for the second voyage.
It's not just a rat race to the center of the galaxy, though — the organizers put together special player-run events that include "geology projects, mining goals, mapping surveys, and a science project".
Reddit user TicklesYourElmo posted a video of their flotilla launching off on the expedition, and damn does it look cool to see all those ships jumping to FTL in unison.
I love seeing this kind of immersive, community-led stuff in massively-multiplayer games.
Players embracing more than just the cool "oh look, I'm flying a spaceship" side of the game and focusing on the spirit of exploration and discovery that drives real space missions.
At the end of Distant Worlds 2, they'd built a whole space station called Explorer's Anchorage at the galactic center, near Sagittarius A*, so I can't wait to see what these brave souls accomplish this time.
For the uninitiated, "Elite Dangerous" is a massive online space game set in a 1:1 scale replica of our galaxy, where players pilot spaceships to explore, trade, and battle it out amongst the stars.
The game launched all the way back in 2014 and has evolved significantly since then, with major updates overhauling core systems, adding the ability to land on planets, and even triggering an alien invasion.
"We're very excited to see Commanders from around the world embarking on Distant Worlds 3.
It's an enormous player-led activity, and celebrates the incredible community around Elite Dangerous who remain active and passionate about the series," Gauthier Verquerre, Executive Producer on Elite Dangerous, told Space.com in an email.
"As a studio, it's always a very special moment seeing a Distant World expedition depart, as you get such a fantastic mix of newer players and seasoned explorers, and the support which they lend each other is wonderful to see."
The expedition has already set off, but you can probably still catch them if you're quick. Head over to the Distant Worlds 3 website and sign up now.
Or if you'd rather stay planetside, check out the time we took a guided tour of the solar system in "Elite Dangerous".
https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-games/an-armada-of-6-500-elite-dangerous-players-just-embarked-on-a-three-month-expedition-to-explore-the-milky-way-and-theres-still-time-to-join-them
https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/1qgs56u/annnnd_were_off/
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2026/u-s-norad-deploys-aircraft-to-greenlands-pituffik-space-base-amid-ongoing-arctic-sovereignty-crisis
U.S. NORAD deploys aircraft to Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base amid ongoing Arctic sovereignty crisis
20 Jan, 2026 - 11:14
On January 19, 2026, the NORAD confirmed that aircraft would deploy to Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, as part of a pre-planned operational cycle coordinated with forces in the United States and Canada, as well as with existing agreements with Denmark and Greenland authorities.
On January 19, 2026, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed that its aircraft will soon be deployed at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.
The activity is part of a pre-planned operational cycle coordinated with forces in the United States and Canada. NORAD stated the deployment is conducted under existing agreements with Denmark and with prior notification to Greenland authorities, with no connection to any change in U.S. regional posture.
The NORAD’s airborne defense forces consist of fighter jets such as the U.S. F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, as well as Canadian CF-18 Hornets, all kept on quick reaction alert for intercept missions. (Picture source: NORAD)
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) confirmed that its aircraft will soon arrive at Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland to support a set of long-planned activities linked to the defense of North America.
The announcement specifies that these aircraft movements are scheduled in coordination with aircraft already operating from bases in the continental United States and Canada, situating the Greenland deployment inside an existing operational cycle.
NORAD explicitly tied the activity to enduring defense cooperation involving the United States, Canada, and the Kingdom of Denmark, framing the arrival as part of established arrangements rather than a new initiative.
The first operational details provided concern coordination and authorization rather than force composition. N
ORAD stated that the activity has been coordinated with the Kingdom of Denmark and that all supporting forces are operating with the requisite diplomatic clearances, confirming that permissions for flight activity and basing are already in place.
The statement also noted that the Government of Greenland has been informed of the planned activities in advance, indicating that local authorities are aware of the upcoming operations at Pituffik.
No specific aircraft types, squadron names, or arrival dates beyond January 19, 2026 were disclosed in the announcement, which emphasizes planning, coordination, and notification rather than urgency or escalation.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a bi-national command established on September 12, 1957, jointly led by the United States and Canada and headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.
As of January 2026, the command is led by General Gregory M. Guillot of the U.S. Air Force, with Lieutenant General Iain S. Huddleston of the Royal Canadian Air Force serving as Deputy Commander.
NORAD’s command is responsible for aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning in defense of North America. Its mission includes detecting, tracking, and assessing potential air and missile threats, as well as coordinating responses across its areas of responsibility.
The NORAD operates through three regions, Alaska, Canada, and the continental United States, which together cover the full breadth of North American air approaches. This structure allows NORAD to manage activities across large distances while maintaining centralized coordination.
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The activities referenced in the January 19, 2026 announcement are described as sustained and dispersed operations, a formulation that reflects how NORAD routinely conducts its mission.
Sustained operations indicate continuity over time, while dispersed operations refer to the geographic distribution of forces and missions across multiple locations.
According to the statement, such activities can be conducted through one, two, or all three NORAD regions depending on operational needs, allowing flexibility in how assets are employed.
In this context, the arrival of aircraft at Pituffik is presented as one element within a broader, ongoing cycle of defensive operations.
The NORAD does not operate a single, organic aircraft fleet and instead integrates aircraft assigned by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air National Guard, and Royal Canadian Air Force.
NORAD aircraft commonly associated with its missions include F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35 Lightning II, and CF-18 Hornet fighter jets, assigned to air defense alert duties, supported by E-3 Sentry airborne warning aircraft and KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft.
Within the framework described in the announcement, aircraft arriving at Pituffik are intended to complement air force units already operating from the continental United States and Canada.
This model supports continuous monitoring and response capability across North America.
The Pituffik Space Base is currently the only U.S. military base in Greenland and plays a central role in Arctic and missile warning operations.
Located in northwestern Greenland, the base supports space surveillance and early warning functions that feed directly into NORAD’s command and control system.
Approximately 150 United States service members and allied personnel are stationed there, and the base operates a long runway capable of supporting a range of military aircraft.
Recent plans for the base, which has been operated by the United States Space Force since 2020, include up to $25 million allocated for infrastructure modernization, with a significant portion directed toward runway repairs, ensuring continued operational use in harsh Arctic conditions.
The broader Greenland context has added political sensitivity to military activity on the island since late 2024.
On November 5, 2024, Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, and on December 23, 2024, he renewed and amplified its earlier public statements asserting that U.S. ownership or control of Greenland was a national security necessity.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and its strategic Arctic location gives it relevance for missile warning, air defense, and access to northern routes.
Denmark and Greenland both publicly rejected any proposal to alter sovereignty and reaffirmed their joint authority over the territory.
Against this backdrop, military movements involving Greenland have been closely examined for political significance.
Within this environment, NORAD’s emphasis on long-planned activities, coordination with Denmark, diplomatic clearances, and notification of Greenland authorities serves to separate routine defense operations from the wider political debate.
The announcement avoids linking the aircraft arrival to territorial disputes or crisis escalation, instead situating it within established defense cooperation and regular operational practice.
For NORAD, this distinction is central to understanding how the current activity fits into both the security architecture of the Arctic and the ongoing political discussion surrounding Greenland’s status.
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Exclusive: Colorado Springs splits with state in Space Command lawsuit
January 20, 2026
Colorado Springs leaders are preparing to formally oppose the state's lawsuit over the relocation of U.S. Space Command in federal court, Axios Denver has learned.
Why it matters: As Colorado wages legal war on the White House over everything from disaster funding to research center closures, the state's second largest city and conservative military bastion is taking the opposite approach.
State of play: The Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corp. is planning to file an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
A copy of the draft brief, obtained by Axios Denver, backs the Trump administration's motion to dismiss Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser's lawsuit challenging the decision to move Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama.
It argues Weiser's lawsuit risks politicizing national security and weakening the city's standing with federal defense leaders.
The Colorado Springs City Council and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners are formally endorsing the filing through their own resolutions, per a news release shared with Axios Denver.
Zoom in: The draft brief contends that military basing decisions sit squarely within presidential authority and warns that allowing states to sue over decisions "specifically vested" in the president is a disservice to the communities and service members caught in the crosshairs.
It calls Colorado's lawsuit part of a "wasteful trend" of governments suing each other — and cautions that courtroom fights risk damaging the city's credibility as a "constructive, respected, and reliable" U.S. defense partner.
What they're saying: The brief "is a clear stance on our region's commitment to mission readiness and strategic innovation over politics, because protecting the nation is bigger than any headquarters debate," Chamber & EDC CEO Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer said in a statement.
Prolonged litigation, she added, threatens national security and leaves military families in limbo.
The intrigue: Notably absent from the draft brief is formal backing from Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade.
In an op-ed last November, he expressed disappointment in the relocation decision, adding that he both respected the president's authority to make the call and the state's right to push back.
"I respect the President's authority to make that decision and the responsibility of state leaders; including the Attorney General; to pursue the strategies they believe are appropriate," Mobolade wrote.
Asked about the amicus brief, Mobolade's office referred Axios Denver to the op-ed.
What's next: The amicus brief is being finalized and expected to be filed in federal court in the coming weeks, per the news release shared with Axios Denver.
https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2026/01/20/trump-colorado-springs-space-command-amicus-brief
The last time there was a hearing like this, there was a major narrative changing event the very next day. For the last hearing it was Charlie Kirk's shooting.
Steven Greer's original Press Club hearing in 2001 was followed by 9/11 a few months later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i-48LpRB9c
Ukrainian mayor blasts Zelensky’s ‘unity BS’
20 Jan, 2026 12:50
The mayor of the Ukrainian city of Dnepr has lashed out at the central government in Kiev, accusing it of spreading “bullsh*t” about national unity and interfering with his city’s governance through a police raid.
In an angry social media post on Tuesday, Boris Filatov said Vladimir Zelensky’s administration should “stop the bullsh*t about ‘national unity, resolve, and reform of the government” and “rein in your rabid dogs, who are now 100% behaving like a fifth column.”
Ukrainian police later confirmed executing search warrants at several locations, including the Dnepr city council, as part of an investigation into alleged embezzlement of state funds related to garbage management.
Filatov said the raid disrupted his office’s response to an escalating energy crisis during a cold snap and ongoing hostilities with Russia. He suggested Kiev should “appoint your prosecutors and cops to govern things and bear full responsibility” for Dnepr.
The Ukrainian government has long clashed with mayors of major cities over municipal authority. Tensions, as in recent exchanges between Zelensky and Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, are normally kept private in the name of national unity.
Last year, after US President Donald Trump called Zelensky “a dictator without elections,” Filatov defended the Ukrainian leader, saying no foreigner has the right to criticize him regardless of his actions.
Zelensky retains presidential powers under martial law even though his term expired in 2024 and elections have not been held.
Last October, Zelensky used those very powers to revoke the Ukrainian citizenship of Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov, making him ineligible for public office.
Trukhanov was later placed under house arrest on allegations of mismanaging municipal infrastructure, while the Black Sea port city was placed under a Kiev-appointed administration.
Russia has intensified long-range strikes on Ukraine’s power grid in what Moscow calls retaliation for Kiev’s attacks on Russian oil infrastructure with kamikaze drones and missiles.
The Russian Defense Ministry says the strikes also undercut production of Ukrainian weapons used in the attacks.
Several Ukrainian cities are facing electricity and heating shortages this month due to the energy emergency and severe cold weather.
https://www.rt.com/russia/631205-filatov-zelensky-police-raid/
Zelensky cancels trip to Davos amid reported Trump snub
20 Jan, 2026 17:27
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has canceled his trip this week to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, after the White House reportedly scrapped plans for him to meet with US President Donald Trump.
The meeting was reportedly intended to serve as a sign-off for the ‘prosperity plan’ – an agreement regarding the rare-earths deal struck between Trump and Zelensky last year, which the US president has positioned as a way to recoup America’s expenses in the Ukraine conflict.
It is reportedly envisioned to attract $800 billion in Ukraine reconstruction loans, grants, and private sector investment over the next decade.
Speaking to journalists in Kiev on Tuesday, Zelensky said he will stay in Ukraine unless there are “security guarantee” or “prosperity plan” documents to sign with the US side.
Shortly afterward, Ukrainian opposition MP Aleksey Goncharenko wrote that the Ukrainian leader would not travel to the World Economic Forum, as “the meeting with Trump was canceled.”
“No agreement will be signed,” he said on Telegram.
According to Axios, a US official has denied that any date for signing the ‘prosperity agreement’ was set, as it still needs work.
The Ukrainian leader had been “keen” on meeting with Trump, according to Politico. “The reluctance to have one is coming from the White House,” the outlet wrote on Tuesday, citing a Republican foreign policy expert.
The rare-earths deal was a key precondition for the US to “move forward” with a diplomatic push to end the conflict, Trump has said.
However, as of right now, Zelensky is the reason why the effort has not succeeded, the US president told Reuters last week. Russian President Vladimir Putin is “ready to make a deal… I think Ukraine is less ready to make a deal,” he said.
Moscow has accepted a number of conditions laid out by the US prior to the Alaska summit between Trump and Putin last year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday. “We still hope that these understandings remain fully valid.”
https://www.rt.com/russia/631225-zelensky-cancels-davos-trump-snub/
Kremlin confirms Davos talks with US delegation
20 Jan, 2026 14:24
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, will meet with the US delegation on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.
Dmitriev wrote on X on Tuesday that he had arrived in Davos. He did not disclose the aim of his visit to the Swiss city, but added a peace dove emoji to his post.
When asked to comment on media reports that the Putin envoy had talks planned with US officials later in the day, Peskov replied by saying: “I can confirm that he really has such plans.”
“Dmitriev is transmitting information regarding the Ukraine peace process back and forth” between Moscow and Washington, he said.
His other task is discussing issues of economic cooperation with the US, the spokesman noted. “You know that we are in favor of resuming those relations,” he added.
Peskov did not say with whom the Putin envoy will be negotiating in Davos, but rejected speculations that he could meet with US President Donald Trump, who is attending WEF this year.
Axios correspondent Barak Ravid claimed earlier that Dmitriev will meet with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and the American leader’s son-in-law Jared Kushner already on Tuesday.
Dmitriev has visited the US several times since Trump took office a year ago. His latest trip took place in December, when he held two days of talks with Witkoff and Kushner. Both sides described the discussions as “constructive.”
Peskov said last week that the Kremlin is looking forward to another visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow, although he noted that a date had not yet been set. Bloomberg claimed earlier that a trip could happen already this month.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov reiterated on Tuesday that Moscow remains committed to a diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine conflict.
However, he stressed that plans coming from the EU and UK “aimed at preserving the Kiev regime are absolutely unacceptable for Russia.”
“Under Trump, the US became the only country that has expressed… understanding that Russia’s interests must be taken into account and also proposed solutions that addressed the root causes of the current crisis,” Lavrov said.
https://www.rt.com/news/631215-dmitriev-davos-us-ukraine/
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-update-2026-01-20/
other Russia and Ukraine
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/russia-strikes-ukraine-s-zaporizhzhia-with-1768931507.html
https://112.ua/en/povitrana-trivoga-v-kievi-okupanti-atakuut-dronami-kamikadze-134205
https://discoveryalert.com.au/strategic-infrastructure-vulnerabilities-energy-warfare-2026/
https://caspianpost.com/regions/ukraine-hits-russian-drone-warehouse-in-occupied-luhansk
https://112.ua/en/rosia-vdruge-za-den-atakuvala-harkiv-bezpilotnikami-vlucanna-v-kriticnu-infrastrukturu-134148
https://mezha.net/eng/bukvy/ukrainian-navy-drone-strike-hits-airfield-in-occupied-crimea/
https://intent.press/en/news/war/2026/a-drone-hits-a-high-rise-building-in-chornomorsk/
https://112.ua/en/ukrainski-bezpilotniki-atakuvali-raketnij-poligon-kapustin-ar-so-ce-za-strategicnij-obekt-134128
https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/20/ukraines-drone-brigade-wipes-out-300m-worth-of-russian-air-defenses-in-a-week/
https://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/165521-russian-drone-destroys-ukrainian-himars/
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/68423
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-overnight-russian-attack-cuts-off-power-in-kyiv/a-75574053
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Ukrainian-Drone-Strikes-Push-Russian-Oil-Supply-to-15-Year-Low.html
https://censor.net/en/videonews/3596371/ukrainian-air-defense-intercepts-and-destroys-geran-attack-drone
https://news.ssbcrack.com/ukrainian-soldiers-innovate-battlefield-tactics-with-ground-robots-and-drones/
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraine-develops-mavic-style-drones-and-hunts-1768915621.html
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/68383
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/touching-story-ukrainian-soldiers-deliver-1768908490.html
https://united24media.com/latest-news/romania-boosts-air-defenses-near-ukraine-after-surge-in-russian-drone-incursions-15181
Ukraine war latest live: Russia used 'updated tactics' during latest mass missile, drone strike, Zelensky says
January 20, 2026 2:33 pm
Russia used "updated tactics" during its latest overnight aerial assault on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Jan. 20, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, adding Kyiv would be informing allies including the U.S. about the development.
The overnight strike targeted substations serving nuclear power plants, and triggered widespread outages of electricity, water, and heating, including in Kyiv.
"The Air Force Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on the use of our air defense systems to shoot down Russian missiles and the initial findings regarding the enemy's updated tactics," Zelensky said.
"I instructed the military to immediately contact our partners – first and foremost the United States – and to inform them in detail about the change in Russia's strike tactics and the specific targeting of energy infrastructure," he added.
Zelensky did not elaborate on what the "updated tactics" were. Among the 33 missiles launched by Russia during the attack was a rarely used hypersonic Zircon anti-ship missile.
Technically, it is a cruise missile powered by what is called a scramjet, giving the missile the necessary hypersonic push.
In 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed it would be "a hypersonic missile able to accelerate to about Mach 9," meaning the missile would travel nine times the speed of sound, and have a range of "over one thousand kilometers," boldly declaring it "invincible."
But due to its limited use, little is known for certain about its capabilities.
'We aim to kill 50,000 Russians a month,' Ukraine's new defense minister says
Last updated 5:32 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukraine aims to "kill 50,000 Russians per month," the country's new defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, said during a meeting with the media.
Laying out his plan in his new role, Fedorov said he had two priorities, the first of which is "management."
"Management must be built around those capable of achieving defined goals. If people don’t demonstrate measurable results, they can’t remain in the system," said. "The second strategic objective is to kill 50,000 Russians per month," he said.
"Last month, 35,000 were killed; all these losses are verified on video. If we reach 50,000, we will see what happens to the enemy. They view people as a resource, and shortages are already evident."
Moscow and Kyiv rarely officially report their own losses. Ukraine estimates that Russia's overall casualties during the full-scale war have surpassed 1,200,000.
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Zelensky reiterates call to create joint European army with at least 3 million personnel amid growing Russian threat
Last updated 5:30 p.m. Kyiv time.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 20 reiterated his call for the creation of a joint European armed force of at least 3 million personnel.
"Russia plans to have an army of 2 to 2.5 million personnel by 2030. So a European army, while each country keeps its own sovereign forces, must be able to respond. It should be no smaller than 3 million," Zelensky told journalists.
Zelensky's statement comes nearly a year after he first called on European partners to create a new armed force at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 15, 2025, amid uncertainty over further U.S. support if Russian aggression escalates.
European leaders have taken no steps toward implementing the initiative in nearly a year, according to Zelensky.
"Maybe now, with all the new challenges, European leaders will take it more seriously," the president added.
Zelensky said the newly created army would not aim to compete with the U.S. and would not require dissolving NATO.
Zelensky added that Ukraine could become a cornerstone of such a force due to its combat experience, as well as its military technology and logistics expertise.
Ukraine denies capture of Rybne village in Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Last updated 3:57 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukraine on Jan. 20 denied reports of the Russian capture of the village of Rybne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The Ukrainian open-source mapping project DeepState reported earlier in the day that the village was occupied by Moscow's forces, which also made advances near Solodke, Rodynske, and Pokrovsk.
But Vladyslav Voloshyn, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Southern Operational Command, told the Kyiv Independent the report was "premature."
"The enemy tried to enter the village, but the main thing is whether he will gain a foothold there," he said.
Voloshyn acknowledged Ukrainian forces were having "very difficult" logistical issues, adding "there is no clear front line" in the "gray zone."
"We keep it under fire control. We have not lost it yet. There are rivers, meadows, they cannot occupy it either. We did this to block the enemy and save the lives of the military personnel," he added.
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IDF strikes terrorists in Lebanon for third time in one day amid Hezbollah ceasefire violations
Updated: JANUARY 20, 2026 01:40
The military killed a Hezbollah terrorist on Monday in the Zibqin area in southern Lebanon, the IDF said in a statement.
This represents the third strike announcement in one day against Hezbollah targets, with the military claiming that they are in response to Hezbollah's ceasefire violations.
Earlier on Sunday, the IDF announced several strikes in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, after calling out repeated ceasefire violations by the terror organization.
IDF strikes training center, tunnel shafts, and launch sites
The IDF said that the main target of Monday's strikes was a series of military structures used by Hezbollah for drills and training exercises.
They also included tunnel shafts used for storing weapons, with the military claiming that "over the past few months, terrorist activity was identified at these sites."
Finally, a series of launch sites and military structures were struck. "These sites were used by Hezbollah to advance terror attacks against IDF troops and the State of Israel," the military added.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-883887
other Israel
https://breakingthenews.net/Article/IDF-finds-weapons-shaft-in-southern-Gaza/65512451
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-883951
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-883953
https://www.jns.org/palestinian-infiltrator-caught-at-building-site-near-idf-chiefs-home/
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-gearing-up-for-a-surprise-war-says-idf-chief/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-announces-military-drill-in-the-galilee-tomorrow/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-jan-20-day-837-tragic-deaths-of-2-haredi-babies-fuels-fury-against-idf-draft/