TYB
NASA
@NASA
Future missions will reach farther, stay longer, and take on more ambitious goals.
NASA is partnering with @ENERGY to develop nuclear surface power and propulsion to support that future, and help propel a new Golden Age of Exploration
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Office of Nuclear Energy | US Department of Energy
@GovNuclear
NUCLEAR IN OUTER SPACE 🪐: @ENERGY is working with @NASA to develop new technologies like space reactors to provide reliable power on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
6:25 AM · Feb 3, 2026
https://x.com/NASA/status/2018692249714868417
https://x.com/GovNuclear/status/2018461308945838543
https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/isaacman-nasa-aims-build-martian-outpost-mars-nuclear-propulsion
https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Space_Debris/Moving_satellites_to_meet_a_plane_for_rare_reentry_data
Moving satellites to meet a plane for rare reentry data
02/02/2026
When satellites eventually fall back down to Earth, they mostly burn up because of the friction caused by the atmosphere.
Scientific data about this atmospheric reentry process is urgently needed to design future satellites for a quick, safe and sustainable demise at the end of their mission – reducing risks on the ground and in space.
The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully manoeuvred its remaining two Cluster satellites to ensure they can both be observed from a plane as they reenter the atmosphere on 31 August and 1 September 2026.
“Moving two satellites to meet a plane sounds extreme, but the unique reentry data we’ll collect is worth orchestrating the challenging encounter over a remote stretch of ocean,” says Beatriz Jilete, space debris systems engineer at ESA.
“The remaining Cluster 3 and 4 satellites, nicknamed Samba and Tango, were already set on a trajectory to burn up safely over a remote corner of the South Pacific Ocean in 2024. They’ll reenter one after the other, about 24 hours apart.
The problem is that we’ll need time in between the reentries to fly back to land, refuel, let the pilot and scientists rest, and then fly out again to the second one.
To make sure we can make it, we’re very happy that the mission operations team tweaked their trajectory just enough to have them come down a bit closer to each other and reachable by a small plane from the same airport.”
Reentry data is urgently needed
Understanding how satellites break apart as they fall through the atmosphere helps to build safer and more sustainable spacecraft.
“With better data on exactly when and how they heat up, break up, and which materials survive, engineers can design satellites that burn up completely, so-called design-for-demise satellites,” says Stijn Lemmens, Draco project manager at ESA.
“But such reentry data is very hard to collect.”
Reentries are difficult to witness from up close because of the violent nature of the process and the hard-to-reach location in the upper atmosphere, at around 80 km.
Reentries take place too high up for observations and sample-taking using balloons, satellites in orbit are too far away to see much, and normally the reentry locations are too unpredictable to observe from the ground or the air.
Cluster’s opportunity for reentry science
With the Cluster quartet’s ‘targeted reentries’, ESA is setting a precedent for a responsible approach to reducing the ever-increasing problem of space debris and uncontrolled reentries also from less commonly used orbits.
It shows that older missions can be disposed of in safer and more sustainable ways than thought possible at the time of design.
“The four Cluster satellites are identical and so by watching them reenter the atmosphere in a predictable location with slightly different trajectories and in different weather conditions, we get a unique opportunity to conduct a valuable reentry experiment to study the break-up of satellites.” says Beatriz.
“The only drawback for us is that the need to safely dispose of the satellites over remote corners of the ocean makes it so much harder to get there and observe the reentries from below.”
The team was not deterred. The very first of the four Clusters to reenter on 8 September 2024, Cluster 2 or Salsa, was observed by scientists aboard a plane. They flew for hours to reach the edge of the no fly safety zone directly around the location of the reentry.
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“The reentry was captured by various onboard instruments, even though the predictions were slightly off. It was a tense time until the sighting could be confirmed definitively,” says Stijn.
“To repeat this observational experiment twice more with the lessons learned from Salsa will add an extra dimension to the data, allowing for comparisons and establishing patterns.”
Moving the satellites
To make this contribution to reentry science happen, multiple teams came together to move Samba and Tango. Like for any manoeuvre, the flight dynamics team figured out exactly how they could manage to get the reentry locations closer together.
Samba will now come down further east, as Tango comes down a bit more to the west to give the team on the plane enough time to fly back, refuel and recharge in between reentry events.
After the space debris team gave their green light that there would be no collisions to avoid, the flight control team took over.
They sent the command to the satellites, watching a few days later as the spacecraft executed the small burns on 19 and 20 January to adjust their trajectories as planned.
“An interesting opportunity might also be the Cluster satellites themselves reporting until shortly before their demise.
Their power is working better than in the first two Clusters to reenter, so we are hopeful that we might be able to stay in contact longer and collect some more data this time around,” says Bruno Sousa, Cluster operations manager at ESA.
“The first two to reenter went into safe mode when passing through their last perigee before the reentry, because their solar panels overheated.
The panels of Samba and Tango have not degraded as much. If they remain active throughout their last perigee pass, maybe we can collect valuable data on the satellites’ temperatures as they dip as deep as 110 km.”
Even better: Draco’s look from the inside
A next goal for ESA’s reentry specialists is to witness a reentry from the inside and see exactly what happens, how, when and where, throughout the entire reentry process with their reentry mission Draco.
Draco is scheduled for launch in 2027 and will go through a fiery reentry with the sole purpose of recording what exactly happens to the satellite.
With over two hundred sensors, four cameras and an indestructible capsule to keep the collected data safe, Draco will offer a unique inside perspective of the destructive process.
“To top it off, our reentry scientists will be ready to board a plane once more to witness the event from below.
With three practice runs under their belt, the team will be able to link the observations made from the plane to what's happening within Draco at exactly that time,” says Stijn.
“With the data from the Cluster and Draco reentries we will improve reentry models.
This helps to better predict where objects will fall and how they affect the atmosphere, and we can build better satellites to further reduce the chance of any pieces reaching the ground and posing risks to people or infrastructure.”
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visits Blue Origin on Florida's Space Coast
Updated: 9:29 PM EST Feb 2, 2026
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. —
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited Blue Origin in Brevard County this morning as part of his month-long "Arsenal of Freedom Tour," amid growing competition in space technology.
Hegseth toured the rocket company founded by Jeff Bezos and spoke to the workers afterward.
During his visit, he emphasized the importance of American defense contractors in supporting national security, particularly in the context of the United States' efforts to beat China to the moon.
"You are the men and women who poured your lives and careers into building these incredible launch systems that we need," Hegseth said.
"That give us that advantage, whether it's in Iran, whether it's in Venezuela, whether it's halfway around the world, that's the advantage we need."
Jeff Bezos introduced Hegseth at the facility, where the Secretary of War met with Blue Origin leaders and addressed the workforce.
He criticized the Biden administration and highlighted President Donald Trump's military tactics.
This visit coincides with the arrival of Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK One lunar lander, Endurance, in Houston on Monday.
The uncrewed lander will undergo thermal-vacuum chamber testing at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
"We will continue to work with our partners because we have to dominate the space domain," Hegseth said.
"That means we'll ensure that we keep building rockets and engines and landers that you make here at scale and at speed."
https://www.wesh.com/article/secretary-of-war-pete-hegseth-visits-blue-origin-florida/70228865
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH4m_E0Fcoo
A blood moon is coming: 1 month until a total lunar eclipse takes to the skies over North America
February 3, 2026
On Tuesday, March 3, our lunar neighbor will turn into a dramatic 'blood moon' during the first and only total lunar eclipse of 2026. You won't want to miss this event as the next total lunar eclipse won't happen until New Year's Eve 2028!
The blood moon phase of the lunar eclipse will be visible to approximately 31% of the world's population, about 2.5 billion people, across North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and the Pacific.
You can learn more about the total lunar eclipse on March 3 with our blood moon lunar eclipse 2026 guide and keep up to date with the latest lunar eclipse content with our lunar eclipse live blog.
The total lunar eclipse will take place between 3:44 and 9:22 a.m. EST (0844-1422 GMT) on March 2.
The totality phase, during which the moon will sit in the deepest region of Earth's shadow and turn blood red, will occur between 6:04 and 7:02 a.m. EST (1104-1202 GMT), lasting for a spectacular 58 minutes.
It's worth keeping an eye on the moon about 75 minutes before totality, to see the edge of Earth's shadow inch across the lunar surface during the partial phases (and vice versa after totality, though for North America the moon will be setting).
The total lunar eclipse will be best viewed from western North America, Australia, New Zealand, East Asia and the Pacific.
Viewing conditions are dependent on local weather, but northwest Mexico, the southwest U.S. and inland Australia offer the best odds of clear skies when looking at historical averages.
For those not in the path of totality and unable to watch the event in person, we will be livestreaming the total lunar eclipse here on Space.com. Further details will be released closer to the time.
https://www.space.com/stargazing/lunar-eclipses/a-blood-moon-is-coming-1-month-until-a-total-lunar-eclipse-takes-to-the-skies-over-north-america
https://www.space.com/news/live/lunar-eclipse-live-updates
https://www.space.com/stargazing/februarys-rare-planetary-alignment-is-coming-heres-what-to-expect-from-the-planet-parade
February's 'rare planetary alignment' is coming — here's what to expect from the planet parade
February 3, 2026
Is "planet parade" the latest buzzword in skywatching? Supermoons, shooting stars "lighting up the night sky," and "ring of fire" eclipses have been popular in recent years.
Now, step forward the prospect of a planetary alignment, apparently more than enough to get mainstream audiences looking up.
It was difficult to get away from the so-called "planet parades" in early 2025, when Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Venus and Saturn were in the night sky simultaneously — though only four of them were visible.
Cue February 2025, which looks set to bring just as much in the way of hype about so-called rare planetary alignments. With Mars swapped out for Mercury, this time it's even harder to see.
February 2026's 'planet parade'
Saturday, Feb. 28, is the date being promoted for seeing six planets in the evening sky.
"On Feb. 28, we will see not one, not two, but six planets in the evening sky," writes Alyssa Lee on the space agency's "Watch the Skies" blog. "Mercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter will appear shortly after sunset."
Unfortunately, "see" is doing a lot of work here.
To have any chance at all, you'll need:
An unobstructed view due west
Clear skies
About half anhour after sunset on Saturday, Feb. 28
Binoculars, a telescope — and most likely, a healthy dose of imagination.
Dissecting the 'planet parade'
The main issue with seeing all six planets is that four of them are already close to the sun and will only be visible for a short time — if at all — in bright twilight.
Venus and Mercury will be closest to the horizon during twilight, followed by Saturn and Neptune, with Uranus and Jupiter much higher in the sky. In practice, seeing more than three planets will likely be a challenge.
Venus and Mercury
The inner planets, shining at magnitudes -3.8 and 0.3, respectively, will likely require binoculars. Mercury will actually be easier to see earlier in the month; it's highest in the post-sunset sky on Feb. 19-20.
However, at that time, Venus will be lower in the sky, so harder to see — which is why Feb. 28 offers something of a balance.
Saturn and Neptune
Now slowly moving towards the sun's glare (its solar conjunction is on Mar. 25), Saturn is well past its best and now shines at magnitude 1.
It's visible to the naked eye; however, unlike nearby Neptune, which at magnitude 8 will require a small telescope to see.
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Uranus
Midway between the cluster of four planets in the southwest and Jupiter high in the south, Uranus will hang just beneath the Pleiades (M45) open cluster on Feb. 28.
Shining at magnitude 5.7, it should be possible to pick it out in a pair of stargazing binoculars.
Jupiter
Now past its best, having reached opposition on Jan. 10, the solar system's giant planet is now shining at magnitude -2.3, about four times less bright than Venus' intrinsic brightness.
However, Jupiter will be by far the easiest planet to see.
Moon and M44
Though likely overlooked by most observers of the "planet parade," the 92%-illuminated waxing gibbous moon will be high in the eastern sky, below Jupiter.
Those with binoculars may glimpse the Beehive Cluster (M44), one of the brightest star clusters, just below it.
Watching the 'planet parade' build
Instead of limiting yourself to one night, Saturday, Feb. 28 — which is both limiting and, for slow-moving planets, frankly rather meaningless — observe the planets throughout February:
Sunday, Feb. 8: Venus becomes visible for the first time after so long out of the evening sky — though finding it in the west just after sunset will be challenging.
Thursday, Feb. 19: See a 7%-illuminated waxing crescent moon in the west-southwest close to Saturn, just above Mercury at its greatest eastern elongation from the sun (about 10 degrees above the horizon 45 minutes after sunset from mid-northern latitudes).
As a bonus, Saturn and the moon will be about four degrees apart.
Friday, Feb. 20: Mercury will be highest in the post-sunset sky of its current apparition, with Saturn and a 14%-illuminated waxing crescent moon above.
Thursday, Feb. 26: Jupiter and a 77%-waxing gibbous moon will be about four degrees apart.
The 'planet parade' everyone missed
Mid-January 2026 saw a rare triple superior conjunction of Venus, Mars and Mercury — but nobody saw it.
That's because it occurred not only on the opposite side of the solar system, but very close to the sun, with only solar observatories able to pick out the three planets in our star's glare.
Venus, Mars and Mercury were at superior solar conjunction (when a planet crosses the far side of the sun to Earth) on Jan. 6, Jan. 9 and Jan. 21, respectively.
Images came from coronographs on the ESA-NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the GOES-19 weather satellite — the latter also featuring the new moon.
The planets in 2026
Although this "planet parade" will quickly fade, prospects for planet-watchers in 2026 are excellent. Mars is transiting from the evening to the morning sky and will become visible again before sunrise in April.
More impressively, Venus is rising into the post-sunset sky and by late-March will establish itself as a super-bright "Evening Star," shining at magnitude -3.8 — the third brightest object after the sun and moon, and much brighter than Jupiter.
Venus will be highest in the sky in August and brightest in late September, though arguably the planetary highlight of 2026 comes on Jun. 9 when Venus and Jupiter will be in a close conjunction in the evening sky, with Mercury just below.
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The Ming dynasty ‘Guide to the Galaxy’: China names 2100 space plan after 1637 book
updated: 4:23pm, 3 Feb 2026
The US defence secretary during President Donald Trump’s first term, James Mattis, repeatedly warned that China would revert to a Ming dynasty-style model, projecting its strong military, technological and economic influence globally.
At the time, his views were widely questioned by mainstream academics as too aggressive. A decade ago, China still lagged far behind the United States.
But Mattis underestimated China’s ambitions.
On January 29, China announced the official launch of a national space resources development programme, an ambitious project spanning nearly a century.
According to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the plan is to build a vast interplanetary fleet to extend resource exploration and mining operations to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus.
The project is named after the encyclopaedic work Tiangong Kaiwu (“The Exploitation of the Works of Nature”), published in 1637.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3342211/ming-dynasty-guide-galaxy-china-names-2100-space-plan-after-1637-book
https://web.archive.org/web/20260203171438/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3342211/ming-dynasty-guide-galaxy-china-names-2100-space-plan-after-1637-book
Italian Space Agency and Telespazio to enhance satellite communications beyond Earth orbit
February 3, 2026
This initiative focuses on modernizing the historic FOC-1A antenna at the “Piero Fanti” Fucino Space Centre in Abruzzo, Italy, transforming it into a cutting-edge hub for Near-Earth and Deep Space communications.
Upgrading a Symbolic Icon of Space History
The FOC-1A antenna is a 27-meter-diameter parabolic dish that holds significant historical value; it was the specific facility that transmitted the live images of the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing to Italian television audiences.
Under the RESPONSE program, this infrastructure will be overhauled to meet the high-data-rate requirements of 21st-century exploration.
Key Objectives of the RESPONSE Program
The modernization effort is designed to integrate the Fucino Space Centre into the global space economy and support several major international programs:
Lunar Connectivity: The antenna will support communications for NASA’s Artemis program and the ESA Moonlight initiative, for which Telespazio serves as the Prime Contractor.
Deep Space Missions: Upgrades will allow the antenna to facilitate data exchange for missions traveling beyond 2 million kilometers from Earth, including the exploration of Mars.
ESTRACK Integration: The facility will become a key node in the European Space Tracking (ESTRACK) network, ensuring continuous and reliable tracking for ESA-led missions.
Strategic Importance: The “Moon-to-Earth” Data Highway
As humanity transitions from lunar flybys to a permanent presence on the Moon, the demand for high-resolution video, scientific telemetry, and real-time voice communications is skyrocketing.
“Lunar communications are not merely technical support, but a true strategic infrastructure,” noted Alessandra Farese, SVP of Satellite Systems & Operations at Telespazio.
Roberto Formaro, Head of ASI’s Engineering and Technology Directorate, added that the antenna’s geographical location—situated in the Fucino plain—makes it a perfect bridge within the network of international ground stations.
https://news.satnews.com/2026/02/03/italian-space-agency-and-telespazio-to-enhance-satellite-communications-beyond-earth-orbit/
WAR IN SPACE China reveals futuristic Star Wars-style space carrier able to evade defences & strike enemies from edge of atmosphere
Updated: 05:53, 3 Feb 2026
CHINA has unveiled plans to build a Star Wars-style warship capable of deploying unmanned fighter jets and firing missiles from space.
State media released a concept video showing the Luanniao – which would be the world’s largest aircraft carrier – speeding through the Earth‘s atmosphere and evading all current air defence systems.
The terrifying machine will be a massive grey triangular behemoth measuring at nearly 800 feet long and over 2000 feet wide.
It is touted to have a take-off weight of 120,000 tons – dwarfing any other similar carrier in use today.
By weight alone, it would surpass the largest existing aircraft carrier in use – the USS Gerald R. Ford – by around 20 per cent.
Beijing claimed the frightening new ship could hit skies in 20 to 30 years’ time.
But sceptics have branded it a stunt designed to “inspire the Chinese public”.
The Luanniao will carry 88 unmanned stealth Xuan Nu fighter jets primed to launch hypersonic missiles at enemy targets, according to state media.
And these fearsome jets will be significantly heavier than drones.
Defence expert Peter Layton told the Telegraph that, if completed, the spaceship would “outclass pretty much everyone”.
The Luanniao would have the power to dodge surface-to-air missile defence systems and enemy aircraft.
Layton added: “You’re also out of range of the weather, generally speaking – and you’re out of range of most defensive systems.”
It would enable the Chinese military to pick off enemy targets with ease; a terrifying proposition for the likes of Taiwan, and in future, the United States.
The project is part of Xi’s escalating show of military force in the region and a chance for China to exert dominance over its neighbours.
German diplomat and space analyst Heinrich Kreft told DW: “To my ears, this sounds as if China has put something out into the world with Taiwan very much in mind, in order to leave a marker.”
He points to previous Chinese “superweapon” announcements – such as an ultimate submarine-hunting weapon – that Western scientists have regularly branded unrealistic.
Layton told the Telegraph: “For the external audience, it does paint the picture that they are working on technology that the region just can’t aspire to – it’s literally Star Wars stuff.”
Building the Luanniao is seen as an essential part of China’s Nantianmen Project – translating to South Heavenly Gate – which includes a number of ambitious plans to bolster the nation’s air and space capabilities.
Its announcement is the latest challenge to the United States in the battle for space supremacy.
In 2024, China’s Chang’e-6 robotic spacecraft successfully returned lunar samples to Earth from the dark side of the Moon.
The Chang’e-7 mission, which aims to find water on the Moon’s surface, is touted for August.
The Luanniao was originally conceived a decade ago, but was – and still is – dismissed as fanciful by most experts.
The technology required to build such a daunting spaceship, capable of attacking countries from the Earth’s atmosphere, does not currently exist.
It would require a revolutionary propulsion system, an exorbitant amount of fuel and reusable rockets – which China has not so far been able to build.
In that regard at least, Beijing is 10 to 15 years behind Elon Musk and his SpaceX reusable rockets.
Kreft told DW that the Luanniao is a “completely unrealistic” project, but warned “many things that were science fiction 20 or 30 years ago are real today.”
China, he warns, is working “on all conceivable future projects and weapons systems” such as a field of lasers, where the country “appears to be further ahead than anyone else”.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/15881386/china-unveils-star-wars-space-carrier/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INfSgCesl5c
'Business is great in Army Space:' Space ops forum draws professional cohort
February 2, 2026
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colorado – Nearly 200 Army space professionals convened in Colorado and virtually – tuning in from 23 outstations – to hold discussions and share information during the annual Army Space Operations Training Forum, Jan. 21-23.
Maj. Kyle Furfari, military deputy, Office of the Chief of Space and Missile Defense, Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, said the overarching theme for this year's forum centered on the evolution of Army space, the advancement of future capabilities development and the transformation and integration of Army space into future operations.
Participants conducted 22 briefs, to include remarks by Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, commander, U.S. Space Command, Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, commander, SMDC, Lt. Gen. Richard L. Zellmann, deputy commander, USSPACECOM, Timothy F. Bishop, director, SMDCoE, Brig. Gen. Donald K. Brooks, deputy commanding general for Operations, SMDC, and Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Foley, command sergeant major, SMDC.
“Our senior leaders emphasized the growth of Army Space, the transition to an Army Space Branch, the direct impact of Army space on combat power, how the U.S must maintain parity or achieve superiority in space capabilities relative to other countries, and the role of Army space as a vital integrator across warfighting and joint functions,” Furfari said.
Brooks talked about the role of Army space as part of the future and how it is actively defining the present reality of warfare.
“In the complex, contested battlespace of today and tomorrow, victory is simply not achievable without the integration and interdiction of space capabilities,” Brooks said. “Space capabilities are embedded in everything we do on the battlefield.
Our Army's space mission is, and will remain, focused on dominating conflict in the land domain. We are purpose-built to provide scalable, mobile and expeditionary space forces that keep pace with our maneuver elements and deliver effects at the timing and tempo required.
“The demand for these specialized forces has never been more acute,” he continued. “We operate under the unblinking eye of potential adversaries.
To conceal our forces, to enable the long-range precision fires that are the hallmark of our lethality, and to protect our formations from targeting, we must grasp the interdependencies between the land and space domains.”
Brooks said the United States Army is not a passive consumer of space.
“We are an active, essential and increasingly dominant participant in joint space operations,” he said.
“We are transforming our strategic headquarters, fielding new and more mobile capabilities and empowering our forward-deployed Soldiers to ensure the joint force can fight and win in any domain. Business is great in Army space, and we are just getting started.”
The Army Space Operations career field is made up of space professionals who leverage capabilities and effects in and through space to support Army operations across the continuum of conflict and from the tactical up to the strategic levels of warfare.
They integrate space capabilities and effects with terrestrial, air, sea and high-altitude based systems owned and operated by the Department of War, the intelligence community, civil agencies and commercial partners.
Space professionals are integrated into operational and planning positions at all organizational levels and in positions that influence, shape, research and develop, and acquire space related capabilities.
Additional information on Army space operations officers can be found at https://www.smdc.army.mil/RESOURCES/FA40/.
https://www.army.mil/article/290293/business_is_great_in_army_space_space_ops_forum_draws_professional_cohort
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-885413
From Gaza to Iran, Israel readies space 'surprises' for next conflicts - exclusive
Updated: FEBRUARY 3, 2026 15:47
Israel is quietly developing new space‑based capabilities designed to give the country an edge in the next war with Iran, Avi Berger, head of the Space Office at the Defense Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research & Development (MAFAT) told Defense & Tech by The Jerusalem Post.
Speaking during Israel’s Space Week, Berger said the lessons of recent conflicts have pushed Israel to accelerate innovation in orbit.
“We knew right away that we had to build and create new surprises for the next war,” he said. “Whatever was deployed in June won’t be enough next time. The IDF now has new capabilities – and we can’t forget that the enemy will be different next time around, too.”
Six months after Israel’s Rising Lion and America’s Operation Midnight Hammer, tensions in the Middle East are once again at an all-time high, driven by US military deployments and Iran’s murderous crackdown on protesters.
Israel’s space capabilities play a key role in the Jewish state’s strategic military capabilities. They are a real “eye in the sky,” keeping a close watch on Israel’s enemies from afar, 24/7.
Space as Israel’s operational backbone
Israel first forayed into space 45 years ago to retain an early-warning capability along the border with Egypt. Since then, Israel has joined the prestigious space club and is one of only 13 countries with indigenous launching capabilities.
For Israel, the launch alone is a great achievement. It is carried out to the west, against the rotation of the Earth, so that its trajectory takes it out over the Mediterranean Sea, thus avoiding enemy territory during the launch period.
The satellite technology, as well as the launcher, which according to some reports launches the Jericho ballistic missile and can place up to 380 kilograms into orbit, is not something Israel wants falling into enemy hands.
The electro-optical reconnaissance satellite with advanced capabilities is also a feat of engineering, would be a gem of intelligence should it be obtained by countries like Iran. That would, of course, be a disaster for Israel.
As a result of launching westward, Israeli satellites operate in retrograde orbits and decrease the launcher’s payload capacity, as it requires more thrust to place the satellite into orbit compared to it flying eastwards.
Berger emphasized that Israel’s presence in space is driven by necessity. The shock of October 7 accelerated this shift when the state understood that the country was dealing with seven active fronts.
“We are in space for Israel’s and the IDF’s operational needs,” he said, adding that satellite constellations now form the backbone of the country’s intelligence‑gathering architecture.
“A single constellation can cover everything from Gaza to Iran. It doesn’t matter which front ignites – you have intelligence.”
These constellations generate gigabytes of imagery across the Middle East, enabling real‑time data extraction and rapid retasking of satellites. “All of this is powered by what I call ‘AI on steroids,’” he added.
Though Iran and its nuclear and ballistic missile projects are of top concern for Israel, the advanced satellites have likely monitored much more than that, such as Iran’s malign activity throughout the Middle East, including the trafficking of weapons to Hezbollah, as well as to the Houthis in Yemen.
Last year, Berger said that the June war with Iran had underscored the critical need for space superiority.
“The war with Iran has further sharpened our understanding that we must dramatically increase investment in developing and maintaining Israeli superiority over our adversaries in space,” he said, in August, at the DDR&D-led International DefenseTech Summit, organized in collaboration with the Yuval Ne'eman workshop for Science, Technology & Security at Tel Aviv University.
Berger added that “in accordance with the ministry's strategy, our objective for the coming years is that Israeli space capabilities will be present at every point in the Middle East, collecting intelligence and providing alerts around the clock and in all weather conditions.
Space is a decisive component in ensuring the IDF's freedom of action.”
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The Israeli satellite constellation was a “full partner” in all operational activity “before, during, and after Operation Rising Lion [with Iran],” he said, explaining that “Over the 12 days of war, we collected tens of millions of square kilometers of extremely high-quality imagery, day and night.
Targets were built in real time, and critical communications were provided with high availability to support strike operations discreetly and without risking our forces.”
A changing global space battlefield
Since the establishment of the Outer Space Treaty in 1967, space was understood to be of no one country’s domain and that its use and exploration should be for peaceful purposes.
“Space should be accessible to all countries and can be freely and scientifically investigated,” the treaty reads.
Space has become crucial in the modern world, and Berger told D&T that the global space environment has transformed dramatically in the past decade.
“Elon Musk’s entry into the space sector changed everything,” he said. “Space became more accessible.”
The war in Ukraine has further blurred the lines between civilian and military space assets. Systems such as Starlink and Maxar demonstrated how commercial platforms can shape battlefield outcomes.
“Nations that can’t reach space themselves suddenly realized how vulnerable they are.” But, he warned that the world, including Israel, must prepare for threats from major powers.
“Russia and China are active in space, and the moment they choose to use those capabilities, whatever they target is at risk.”
Building Israel’s space economy
Innovation, Science and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel echoed Berger’s assessment, framing space as both a security necessity and a strategic opportunity.
“Space has become a new line of defense,” she said at the opening conference of Space Week.
She pointed to Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, as the first conflict in which satellites played a decisive role from start to finish.
“We proved our leadership in space innovation for security needs.”
Gamliel highlighted Israel’s growing international partnerships, including a decade‑long cooperation agreement with NASA and participation in the Artemis lunar program.
“Israel is proud to work alongside NASA, selecting Israeli companies to contribute to humanity’s return to the Moon,” she said.
The ministry also signed new space agreements with Azerbaijan and Hungary and is actively seeking Israel’s first female astronaut. “She will inspire a new generation of Israeli girls, and boys, to pursue scientific and technological careers.”
Today there are over 90 countries and dozens of private commercial companies operating in space.
2/3
According to The State of the Israeli Space Industry 2026 report published by Startup Nation Central during Israel Space Week, Israel’s space sector is evolving from a closed, defense-centric field into one that is more oriented toward the dual-use commercial sector.
The Israeli space technology landscape has some 90 companies: 50 active space companies and another 40 developing space-related applications. The report found that there has been a shift from the space satellites to the services built around it, “space-as-a-service” platforms.
The report found that there was a steady increase in the sector over the past decade, with a “particularly strong surge” between 2020 and 2023 with a growth of 66%, outpacing the 22% growth observed in the wider tech ecosystem.
“In 2026, space technology is no longer a niche market but a fundamental pillar of global economic and security infrastructure,” the report read.
“By combining military-grade reliability with innovative in-orbit operations, Israel is solidifying its role as a strategic partner in the $600b+ global space economy.
As space becomes an increasingly critical global utility, Israel’s space sector is well-positioned to deliver commercially relevant capabilities within the evolving orbital economy.”
Thinking outside the box
But Berger and Gamliel stressed that Israel must continue to strengthen its commercial and academic space ecosystem.
“Space is deep tech,” Berger said. “Access to space is expensive, and that makes it difficult for startups. Israel needs to help its start-ups break into deep tech and space.”
Gamliel pointed to the government’s flagship initiative: the new Space Center in Mitzpe Ramon, a NIS 60‑million “Space City” that will provide regulatory support and subsidized access to space infrastructure.
“For the first time in Israel, companies will receive help at every stage, from regulatory guidance to launch,” she said.
Announced in December by The Israel Space Agency (ISA) and the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA), the national research and development laboratory intends to reduce the cost and complexity of accessing space for Israeli technology companies.
The initiative, called Access to Space, will be operated by Creation Space and will provide subsidized services for testing, launch, and in‑orbit operation of space technologies.
The laboratory will offer at least 35% discounts on market rates for launch and testing services and is expected to support the launch of a minimum of 15 experimental payloads within three years.
The goal is to help companies move from laboratory development to operational deployment in space.
Berger added that Israel’s universities need specialized facilities and stronger research and development (R&D) infrastructure so that smaller companies can reach orbit.
Nevertheless, D&T has understood that Israel’s space ecosystem still has far to go to reach the stars again. Start-ups don’t have the same access to R&D infrastructure or support as do the larger companies like Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) or Elbit Systems.
As Israel expands its military, scientific, and commercial presence in orbit, both leaders made clear that space is now essential to national survival.
Gamliel framed the moment as part of a broader human shift, telling the crowd that “people are going to space not as isolated pioneers, but together.”
For Berger, Israel “always has to think outside the box. We don’t have any other choice.”
3/3
Russian Drone Strike Hits Zaporizhzhia Killing Two and Injuring Eight
Tuesday, 3 February 2026, 19:45
On February 3, 2026, Russian forces again struck Zaporizhzhia with drones.
As a result of the attack, two people were killed and eight others were wounded. Firefighters and medical personnel arrived at the scene promptly.
The head of the regional military administration, Ivan Fedorov, reported that among the injured there are children, and the total number of injured has risen to eight.
Consequences of the shelling and official data
In the evening of February 3, the shelling was recorded in various parts of the city: infrastructure facilities were destroyed or damaged, and in many areas medical aid was required.
According to Ivan Fedorov, the dead are an 18-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl.
The head of the regional military administration also confirmed that the number of wounded has risen to eight.
The injured and their relatives are being provided with assistance; official data on the situation will be updated through official channels.
https://mezha.net/eng/bukvy/russian-drone-strike-hits-zaporizhzhia-killing-two-and-injuring-eight/
other Russia and Ukraine
https://www.rt.com/russia/631902-ukraine-strike-novaya-kakhovka/
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-missile-drone-attack-electricity-c10dbc6b621e196606fc79caab0eaad5
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4087383-russian-drone-attacks-highrise-building-in-kharkiv-leaving-five-injured.html
https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/03/ukraines-marichka-underwater-drone-detailed/
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/69364
Israel Navy conducts joint exercise with US destroyer amid tensions with Iran
FEBRUARY 3, 2026 01:27
"The arrival of the destroyer at this port highlights the close cooperation between the two navies and the respective militaries," the IDF declared in its statement.
The Israeli Navy and a US Navy destroyer conducted a joint exercise on Sunday at Eilat's port as part of ongoing cooperation between Israel and the US in the Red Sea, the IDF announced on Monday.
"The arrival of the destroyer at this port highlights the close cooperation between the two navies and the respective militaries," the IDF declared in its statement.
The destroyer, the USS Delbert D. Black, had docked at Eilat on Friday. The IDF claimed at the time that its arrival was a pre-planned routine visit, despite ongoing rumors of an imminent strike on Iran from the US.
US-Iran tensions heighten with arrival of destroyer
The USS Delbert D. Black entering the region brought the number of destroyers in the Middle East to six, along with an aircraft carrier and three other littoral combat ships, during a time when tensions between the US and Iran are heightened.
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that talks with Iran were ongoing, despite the presence of the military ships.
"We have ships heading to Iran right now, big ones… and we have talks going on with Iran. We'll see how it works out," he told reporters in the White House.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-885383
other Israel
https://vinnews.com/2026/02/03/idf-locates-mortar-shells-rockets-hidden-in-unrwa-humanitarian-aid-bags/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/unifil-accuses-idf-of-aggressively-flying-drones-above-it-dropping-grenade/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/palestinian-said-killed-by-idf-in-west-bank-overnight-while-trying-to-enter-israel-illegally-for-work/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-police-nab-three-weapons-smugglers-on-border-with-egypt/
https://www.jns.org/muslim-arab-captain-ella-tapped-as-idf-arabic-spokesperson/
https://worldisraelnews.com/despite-media-claims-the-idf-never-accepted-hamas-death-toll/
https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/idf-leadership-gathers-for-first-war-readiness-conference-in-3-years/
https://breakingthenews.net/Article/IDF-said-to-assess-Hamas-rebuilding-in-Gaza/65590340
https://jewishbreakingnews.com/idf-warns-hamas-is-rebuilding-as-disarmament-talk-rings-hollow/
UN peacekeeping patrols suspended along Lebanon-Israel Blue Line
2 February 2026
The incident took place north of the Blue Line on Sunday morning and led to the suspension of more than a dozen UN peacekeeping activities for over nine hours, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Toxicology tests
“The IDF said that peacekeepers should stay clear of the area,” Mr. Dujarric told reporters in New York. He added that peacekeepers had supported the Lebanese army in collecting samples dropped, for a toxicology report.
As of Monday afternoon, the test results had not been received.
The Blue Line stretches for approximately 120 kilometres along Lebanon’s southern frontier and serves as a “line of withdrawal” confirming Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The UN reiterated concerns about flight movements across the Blue Line, saying such activities violate Security Council resolution 1701, which brought an end to the 2006 hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, and outlines UNIFIL’s mandate.
The latest cessation of hostilities agreement between the two sides was signed in November 2024, after violence flared between Hezbollah and Israeli across the Blue Line following the commencement of the Gaza war.
“Any activity that may put peacekeepers and civilians at risk is of serious concern,” Mr. Dujarric said. “We reiterate our call on all parties to fully comply with their obligations under resolution 1701.”
Wider concerns
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said the incident also raised concerns about the potential impact of the unidentified substance on civilians, agricultural land and the longer-term return of residents to their homes and livelihoods near the Blue Line.
“This is not the first time that the IDF has dropped unknown chemical substances from airplanes over Lebanon,” the mission said, reiterating its call on the IDF “to stop all such activities and work with peacekeepers to support the stability we are all working to achieve.”
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/02/1166875
U.S. F-35C Shoots Down Iranian Drone Heading for USS Lincoln
February 3, 2026 at 6:59 PM
An Iranian Shahed-139 drone was shot down by a U.S. F-35C as it approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
An Iranian drone was shot down by the U.S. military on Feb. 3, 2026, according to a U.S. official cited by Reuters.
The unmanned aircraft, a Shahed-139, was flying towards the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as it was sailing in the Arabian Sea, prompting the intercept.
The official specified that an F-35 Lightning II was scrambled to intercept the drone, and later shot it down.
The USS Lincoln is currently assigned Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, which includes among its squadrons the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, flying the F-35C.
Details about the shootdown are currently unknown, and it is unclear how close the drone came to the ship and if it was carrying weapons.
Shahed-139
The Shahed-139 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Iran, which presents many visual similarities with the U.S.-made MQ-1 Predator.
It features a conventional fuselage, rear-mounted pusher propeller, and straight wings optimized for long-endurance surveillance and strike missions.
Images released by state media have shown the drone of carries an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor and possibly a small radar.
There are no photos of the aircraft carrying weapons, however, considering that the aircraft is a further development of the Shahed-129 armed drone, it is believed that the Shahed-139 might be able to carry a weapon payload of four missiles.
Lincoln CSG
Following the rising tensions after the violent crackdown on protests in Iran, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has been retasked from operational cruise in the Indo-Pacific to quickly move to the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR).
The CSG arrived in the Middle East in late January, with CENTCOM saying it “is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability.”
Together with the USS Lincoln are Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked on the carrier, and destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112).
CVW 9 consists of eight squadrons flying F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, CMV-22B Ospreys and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks.
https://theaviationist.com/2026/02/03/f-35c-shoots-down-iranian-drone/
https://twitter.com/phildstewart/status/2018736103914877233
https://twitter.com/IranDefense/status/1726237194795528287
other Iran
https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202602011665
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/iranian-gunboats-unsuccessfully-attempt-board-us-oil-tanker-trump-builds-military-presence
https://www.rt.com/news/631882-russia-iran-us-nuclear-deal/
https://www.axios.com/2026/02/03/iran-us-nuclear-negotiations-format
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-said-looking-to-move-its-talks-with-us-keep-other-countries-out/
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2026/02/03/rising-cryptocurrency-activity-in-iran-prompts-increased-u-s-oversight/
War Department Announces Vendors Invited to Compete in Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program
Feb. 3, 2026
When Secretary of War Pete Hegseth took office a year ago, matching new technologies to threats was one of his core priorities. He commissioned an acquisition strategy to swiftly outfit our combat units with lethal drones.
The War Department today announced the 25 vendors invited to compete in Phase I of the Drone Dominance Program (DDP), an acquisition reform effort designed to rapidly field low cost, unmanned one way attack drones at scale as part of strengthening America's Arsenal of Freedom.
"Drone dominance is a process race as much as a technological race," Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote in his July 2025 memorandum, Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance.
"We are buying what works—fast, at scale, and without bureaucratic delay. Lethality will not be hindered by self imposed restrictions."
The Phase I evaluation—the Gauntlet—will begin 18 February at Fort Benning, where military operators will fly and evaluate vendor systems.
The Gauntlet will conclude in early March, when approximately $150 million in prototype delivery orders will be placed, with deliveries beginning shortly thereafter and continuing over the following five months.
Drone Dominance operationalizes the Secretary of War's acquisition reform priorities by sending a clear demand signal to industry—$1.1 billion over four phases, placing warfighters at the center of evaluation, and driving competitive, iterative cycles measured in months, not years.
Across the program's four phases, unit prices decrease, production volumes increase, and operational capability rises.
By 2027, the Department will be fielding hundreds of thousands of weaponized, one way attack drones ready for combat.
The Drone Dominance Program is sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of War and executed by the Defense Innovation Unit, the Test Resource Management Center, and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.
The funding is ready and steady. The timeline to build combat power is compressed. The competition begins now.
The Department has invited 25 companies to Gauntlet I, listed below alphabetically.
ANNO.AI, INC.
ASCENT AEROSYSTEMS INC
AUTERION GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC
DZYNE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
EWING AEROSPACE LLC
FARAGE PRECISION, LLC
FIRESTORM LABS, INC.
GENERAL CHERRY CORP
GREENSIGHT INC.
GRIFFON AEROSPACE, INC.
HALO AERONAUTICS, LLC
KRATOS SRE, INC.
MODALAI, INC.
NAPATREE TECHNOLOGY LLC
NEROS, INC.
OKSI VENTURES, INC.
PALADIN DEFENSE SERVICES LLC
PERFORMANCE DRONE WORKS LLC
RESPONSIBLY LTD
SWARM DEFENSE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
TEAL DRONES INC
UKRAINIAN DEFENSE DRONES TECH CORP
VECTOR DEFENSE, INC
W S DARLEY & CO
XTEND REALITY INC.
https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4396462/war-department-announces-vendors-invited-to-compete-in-phase-i-of-the-drone-dom/
https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4389392/jiatf-401-announces-updated-guidance-to-counter-drone-threats-in-the-homeland/
Drone Pilot Charged After Flying Over Levi's Stadium
Updated Tue, Feb 3, 2026 at 8:31 am PT
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Federal prosecutors have charged a San Francisco man suspected of violating national defense airspace by flying a drone over Levi’s Stadium during a San Francisco 49ers game, a move authorities say posed serious public safety and aviation risks.
According to a federal criminal complaint filed Tuesday, Junwei Guo, 27, flew a drone within a three-nautical-mile temporary flight restriction imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration during the Nov. 9, 2025, matchup between the 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
Temporary flight restrictions apply to NFL games. These zones are temporarily classified as national defense airspace, barring all aircraft—including drones—before, during, and after events, according to federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors claim that Guo flew the drone as high as 2,300 feet without registering it, holding an FAA remote pilot certificate, or obtaining authorization to operate in restricted airspace.
He is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Jose on Feb. 27, and faces up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine if convicted.
https://patch.com/california/healdsburg/drone-pilot-charged-after-flying-over-levis-stadium
‘Nobody knows what these things are’: Drone sightings in southern Manitoba raising concerns
February 02, 2026 at 9:18PM EST
For the past few weeks, Monique Curci has noticed some strange things going on in the skies of southern Manitoba.
Curci said she and her neighbours have spotted large drones, complete with cameras and lights, hovering around the Town of Kleefeld and along the highway near Steinbach.
“It’s only at nighttime that we’re hearing and seeing these things,” she said. “It has raised a lot of concern, the fact that there’s so many and it’s so many frequent sightings. Nobody knows anything.”
She’s reported it to the municipality and the RCMP, but she said there have been no answers as to what’s behind the sudden uptick in drone activity.
“So far, nobody knows what these things are,” she said. “They’re just these big, large drones that have been flying around.”
Steinbach RCMP confirmed it did receive one report of drones flying over the city, hovering near houses, and waking people up. Mounties said, as of Monday, no other reports have been made.
Cpl. Ryan Cadotte is the Remote Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) program manager for the Manitoba RCMP.
He said depending on a drone’s size and weight, there are different regulations guiding where and when it can be flown. He said operators need to make sure they are familiar with the regulations before taking flight.
Residents frustrated with a drone can report it to the RCMP, though Cadotte noted it can be difficult to track down a drone’s operator.
“It’s tricky, because a lot of these drones have considerable range,” he said. “Unless you can find the pilot, there’s not a whole lot we can really do about it, unfortunately.”
Cadotte said it is a bad idea for residents to take matters into their own hands, particularly if they are thinking of taking a shot at a drone.
“I know that can be annoying, and I know that can be a nuisance in some respects, but I would strongly, strongly recommend against that. You could see yourself getting into more trouble than it’s worth,” he said, noting that can lead to criminal charges.
As for Curci, this is a mystery she wants to solve. That’s why she’s created the community drone watch. She posted about the drone sightings and suggested forming the group to keep an eye out for the aircraft.
Though her post was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, she said several area residents have responded, sharing their own videos and photos of similar drone sightings.
While not taking herself too seriously, Curci does hope this will lead to some answers, like who is flying these drones around her neighbourhood and why.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/nobody-knows-what-these-things-are-drone-sightings-in-southern-manitoba-raising-concerns/
Mystery UFO Swarm Spotted Over Minnesota as Jellyfish-Like Lights Drift Across Night Sky
03 February 2026, 10:07 AM GMT
Residents of Roseau County, Minnesota, have reported a mysterious swarm of lights drifting across the night sky, sparking excitement and speculation about unidentified flying objects.
The sightings, which occurred between 6:40 and 7:10pm, involved several tiny lights moving in a wavy, almost jellyfish-like motion.
Witnesses described the lights as scattered rather than forming a line, with some appearing brighter than others before disappearing and reappearing elsewhere.
The unusual movement prompted many to turn to social media, hoping to share experiences and find explanations.
Description of the Unusual Sightings
According to firsthand accounts, observers saw approximately six small lights moving slowly across the sky in different directions. One witness commented, 'it moves almost like how a jellyfish would.'
Unlike planes or helicopters, the lights lacked consistent speed, pattern, or formation, adding to their mysterious quality. While some lights were brighter and faded quickly, others appeared dimmer, leading witnesses to speculate on their nature.
No footage has been captured due to the small size of the lights and limitations of mobile phone cameras, leaving the event largely documented through eyewitness reports.
Possible Explanations From Experts
Several theories have been proposed to explain the phenomenon. One Reddit user suggested the lights could be satellite flares, which sometimes reflect sunlight in the night sky and appear to move erratically.
However, witnesses noted that the observed lights did not have the long tails typically associated with satellite flares and appeared scattered rather than aligned along predictable orbits.
Atmospheric phenomena, drones, or experimental aircraft have also been suggested as possible explanations.
Experts emphasise that without photographic or radar evidence, it is difficult to reach a definitive conclusion, though unusual weather patterns or airborne particles may occasionally create similar visual effects.
Ongoing Speculation
The sightings have generated lively discussion among local residents and online communities. Social media users expressed curiosity, excitement, and scepticism, debating whether the lights were man-made, natural, or truly unexplained.
One commenter wrote, 'they didn't move like a plane or helicopter,' highlighting the unusual movement pattern. Another added, 'it somewhat resembles satellite flares but the rest doesn't seem like it,' illustrating the uncertainty surrounding the event.
While no official statement has been made by authorities or scientific institutions, the mysterious lights have captured the public imagination, demonstrating the enduring fascination with unexplained aerial phenomena.
Conclusion on the Minnesota UFO Swarm
The jellyfish-like lights spotted over Minnesota remain unexplained and have left residents both fascinated and puzzled.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that they were unlike any ordinary aircraft, helicopter, or known atmospheric phenomenon, leaving significant room for speculation about potential unidentified aerial objects.
While satellite flares, drones, or even reflections from high-altitude weather balloons are plausible explanations, the scattered, wavy motion observed by multiple residents challenges conventional reasoning and makes ordinary explanations seem less likely.
Some observers noted the lights appeared to move independently, changing direction abruptly and varying in brightness, which only heightened the sense of mystery.
For now, the Minnesota UFO swarm continues to intrigue both local observers and online audiences alike, illustrating how even brief and fleeting events in the night sky can capture public imagination, inspire lively debate, and fuel ongoing fascination with unexplained phenomena in modern society.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mystery-ufo-swarm-spotted-over-minnesota-jellyfish-like-lights-drift-across-night-sky-1775899
https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/1quelfa/uaps_in_minnesota/
Illinois Family Looking for Northern Lights, Sees UFO Instead
February 3, 2026
Thanks to recent solar storms, the Northern Lights have been visible over Illinois somewhat frequently.
A family was out looking for the brilliant colors of the Aurora Borealis recently, but instead saw a strange light in the sky they cannot explain. Oh, and they have video to prove it, too.
According to the National UFO Reporting Center, this encounter of the Illinois kind happened the night of January 19, 2026 near Scales Mound, Illinois. The eyewitness report shared from a family in Illinois explains what they saw overhead:
"My son and I went out to see if we could see the aurora borealis tonight as we heard it would be visible after dark. After a few moments a purple orb appeared, NE of our home and nothing else was visible in the sky.
It moved very quickly around the sky, would disappear then come back and was pulsating. It was definitely not a plane or a rocket and made no sound."
They said it appeared like a purple orb and it's quick movement and pulsating was unlike any plane they are aware of. They also said the object was visible to the northeast.
I checked a map of their location compared to O'Hare International Airport and Scales Mound is almost directly west. Looking to the northeast would not likely be a flying object from O'Hare, but maybe Milwaukee?
https://101theeagle.com/illinois-northern-lights-ufo/
https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=195651
Puzzling UFO Filmed over Turkish City
February 02, 2026
A mystified Turkish man recently captured footage of a puzzling UFO in the sky over a city where an eerily similar object appeared four months earlier.
The sighting reportedly occurred this past Saturday evening in the community of Balçova.
In the video, the witness can be heard marveling at the unusual orb in comparison to the moon and stars visible alongside it and wondering aloud what it could have been.
Strangely, he noted, the UFO bears an uncanny resemblance to an anomaly that was spotted over Balçova in early October.
"Most of my people turn this into a fun topic," the witness explained, lamenting that "they are not discussing it in the language of science."
As for what the weird object over Balçova might have been, some have suggested that the anomaly could have been other worldly visitors.
However, more skeptical observers argue that the UFO was something more prosaic, such as a balloon, drone, or possibly even Jupiter.
What do you think of the curious footage? Weigh in with your thoughts at the C2C Facebook page.
https://www.coasttocoastam.com/article/watch-puzzling-ufo-filmed-over-turkish-city/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwbxVYJ9wb8
Navy kept UFO logbooks tracking 'fast movers' under ocean, ex-submarine worker claims
05:00, 03 Feb 2026
A Reddit user claims a retired Cold War submariner told him about Navy logbooks documenting unidentified fast-moving objects, as US government document confirms 21 unexplained UAP
A former submarine technician has come forward with startling claims about unsettling logbooks allegedly maintained by the US Navy, documenting mysterious fast-moving unidentified objects travelling through the world's oceans.
In 2024, a document emerged detailing 21 unexplained UFO encounters, with the US government acknowledging the shocking revelations after Congress received the report from the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).
The paper outlined eyewitness testimonies that had undergone investigation.
A Reddit user going by the name Dabier says he worked alongside a retired Cold War submariner, and questioned him about the so-called "fast movers".
These fast movers are unidentified aerial or submerged objects (UASO) that move at remarkably high velocities, which military detection systems register.
He revealed he approached the man after coming across a Reddit post discussing how the government monitors fast movers.
He stated: "He worked in the sonar room, so he was the guy to ask about it.
He said that they would put all 'unidentified' contacts (as in clearly not biological - there's a lot of unidentified biological noise) in the unidentified section of this logbook style thing they had.", reports the Daily Star.
"It was like a file with all the navy's info on how other ships sound. He said there were some entries they made which were really weird, either very fast with nothing in the area that could've made that noise or just weird as in strange noises like buzzing or something that's clearly not natural but sounds like no ship they've ever heard.
"I guess that file and all the recordings would be sent off the boat periodically. No word what happened with it after that."
The Reddit user explained that the serviceman was a "sonarman so tracking things was literally his job."
Reports of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) - more commonly known as UFOs - included sightings of a green fireball and mysterious flashing lights.
Other peculiar observations that were logged featured a multicoloured jellyfish-like object and what appeared to be a 6ft rocket.
Whilst certain objects were subsequently identified as everyday items such as weather balloons, birds or satellites, a number of cases continue to baffle investigators.
Among the unexplained sightings is the infamous 'GOFAST' footage, which shows a U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jet crew's confrontation with a UAP, alongside video captured by an American drone in the Middle East showing a rapidly moving silver sphere.
The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) stated: "It is important to underscore that, to date, AARO has discovered no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technology."
They added: "None of these resolved cases substantiated advanced foreign adversarial capabilities or breakthrough aerospace technologies."
Addressing the outstanding cases, they noted: "AARO is working closely with its IC (Intelligence Community) and SandT (Science and Technology) partners to understand and attribute the 21 cases received this reporting period that merit further analysis based on reported anomalous characteristics and/or behaviours."
AARO will provide immediate notification to Congress should AARO identify any cases that indicate or involve a breakthrough in foreign adversarial aerospace capability. "".
Mike Gold, NASA's former Associate Administrator for Space Policy, cautioned the House of Representatives that "the truth is out there".
He urged NASA to take the lead, suggesting the space agency has the capability to chart the trajectories of suspected UFOs in order to trace where they're coming from, according to Forbes.
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/weird-news/navy-kept-ufo-logbooks-tracking-36643706
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/i-know-navys-horrifying-ufo-36641828
https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/1abyfl6/i_work_with_a_retired_cold_war_submariner_and/
https://bhandaradccb.in/new-mexico-cave-alien-life-discovery/
https://enviromicro-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1462-2920.14774
They’ve Likely Been Untouched for 49 Million Years: Inside the New Mexico Cave Changing the Search for Alien Life
February 3, 2026
Deep beneath the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico, scientists have identified a form of life that is reshaping assumptions about biology on Earth and the potential for life beyond it.
Inside Carlsbad Caverns National Park, photosynthesising microbes have been found thriving in near-total darkness.
The cave system, formed between four and eleven million years ago by sulphuric acid dissolving limestone, offers an unusually stable and isolated underground environment.
Some sections may have remained untouched for tens of millions of years, preserving biological conditions unlike those found on the surface.
Researchers say the discovery shows that life can exploit forms of light invisible to the human eye, expanding scientific definitions of habitability and altering how astronomers search for life elsewhere in the universe.
A Discovery Hidden Just Beyond the Tourist Trail
The finding emerged during an expedition led by cave biologist Hazel Barton, a professor of geological sciences, and microbial biologist Lars Behrendt.
While much of Carlsbad Cavern is accessible to visitors, the researchers moved beyond the illuminated tourist routes into an unlit alcove.
When a torch beam hit the cave wall, it revealed dense, bright green microbial films. Laboratory analysis later confirmed the organisms were cyanobacteria—single-celled microbes best known for photosynthesis in sunlit environments such as oceans and lakes.
What surprised scientists was not the presence of microbes, but the fact that these cyanobacteria were actively photosynthesising despite the absence of visible light.
How Photosynthesis Works in Complete Darkness
Traditional photosynthesis relies on chlorophyll a, a pigment that absorbs visible light up to a wavelength of about 700 nanometres. The cyanobacteria found in Carlsbad Caverns use alternative pigments known as chlorophyll d and chlorophyll f.
These pigments allow organisms to harvest near-infrared light, which lies beyond the red end of the visible spectrum and is not visible to humans. In limestone caves, near-infrared radiation reflects efficiently off rock surfaces instead of being absorbed.
Measurements taken deep inside the caves showed near-infrared light levels up to 695 times higher than at the cave entrance, even where visible light was almost nonexistent.
This faint but persistent radiation proved sufficient to sustain photosynthesis.
An Ecosystem Possibly Untouched for 49 Million Years
Further exploration revealed that these photosynthesising microbes were not confined to a single chamber. Researchers sampled multiple remote caves across the park and consistently found similar cyanobacterial communities.
Geological evidence suggests that some of these cave environments may have been isolated for up to 49 million years.
This indicates that the microbial ecosystems could have survived independently of surface life for immense spans of Earth’s history.
Scientists say such long-term stability offers a rare window into how early life may have functioned under low-energy conditions before Earth’s atmosphere became oxygen-rich.
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Why the Discovery Matters for Astrobiology
The implications of the Carlsbad findings extend far beyond geology or microbiology. Astrobiologists searching for life on other planets traditionally focus on the “habitable zone,” where temperatures allow liquid water to exist.
However, energy availability is just as critical as water. On Earth, photosynthesis forms the base of most food chains and produces the oxygen that supports complex life.
Stars differ significantly in the type of light they emit. G-type stars like the Sun produce abundant visible light but represent only a small fraction of stars in the galaxy.
Red dwarfs, or M-type stars, are far more common and emit primarily near-infrared radiation.
The Carlsbad cyanobacteria demonstrate that photosynthesis can operate under infrared-rich conditions, suggesting that planets orbiting cooler stars may be more biologically viable than previously assumed.
Narrowing the Search for Life Beyond Earth
Modern observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope can analyse the light passing through exoplanet atmospheres as planets transit their stars.
This allows scientists to identify gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane that may indicate biological activity.
Understanding the minimum light levels required for photosynthesis helps researchers prioritise which star systems deserve closer study.
Hazel Barton and her collaborators have proposed further work, supported by NASA, to determine the lowest light intensities and longest wavelengths capable of sustaining photosynthetic life.
By defining these limits, scientists hope to reduce the vast number of potential stars to a smaller group with conditions most favourable for life.
Oxygen Remains a Strong Signal of Biology
On Earth, cyanobacteria played a central role in the Great Oxygenation Event around 2.5 billion years ago, fundamentally transforming the planet’s atmosphere.
Oxygen remains one of the strongest potential biosignatures detectable from interstellar distances.
While certain non-biological processes can produce oxygen, sustained atmospheric levels are difficult to maintain without life.
The possibility of infrared-driven photosynthesis increases the likelihood that oxygen-producing organisms could exist on planets orbiting dim, cool stars.
Expanding the Boundaries of Habitability
The caves of southern New Mexico show that life is far more adaptable than once believed. Photosynthesis is no longer confined to sunlit surfaces or shallow waters but can occur deep underground using invisible light.
As telescopes probe distant worlds, discoveries from Earth’s most hidden environments may prove essential in recognising life in places previously thought uninhabitable.
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https://mitechnews.com/science/trump-ufo-disclosure-talk-resurfaces-as-u-s-military-admits-some-uaps-remain-unexplained/
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/trump-ufo-disclosure-date-sparks-backlash-critics-call-july-8-claim-another-hoax-1775599
https://www.gbnews.com/politics/donald-trump-ufo-secrets-revealed-bombshell-speech-ready
https://x.com/The_King_Of_UFO/status/2017910175198220345
https://x.com/The_King_Of_UFO/status/2018718484276895834
Trump UFO Disclosure Talk Resurfaces as U.S. Military Admits Some UAPs Remain Unexplained
February 2nd, 2026
WASHINGTON DC – Speculation is again circulating that Donald Trump may eventually release details about classified briefings he received on unidentified flying objects — now officially labeled Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) — a topic the U.S. government no longer dismisses, but still cannot fully explain.
There is no confirmed speech, no official announcement, and no timetable. What exists instead is a familiar mix of rumor, selective disclosure, and an expanding public record that has quietly reshaped how Washington talks about objects once relegated to the fringe.
That record — not speculation — is what gives the story staying power.
What the Government Has Already Acknowledged
Over the past several years, the Pentagon has confirmed the authenticity of multiple UAP videos recorded by U.S. Navy pilots during training exercises.
The footage, captured by advanced targeting and infrared systems, shows aerial objects exhibiting unusual flight characteristics, including rapid acceleration and maneuvering without visible propulsion.
The Department of Defense now openly concedes that some encounters remain unresolved. To manage those cases, it established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), tasked with reviewing reports across air, sea, space, and undersea domains.
While officials emphasize that many sightings can ultimately be attributed to drones, sensor artifacts, or natural phenomena, they also acknowledge that a subset defies easy explanation.
Crucially, the Pentagon has said it has found no publicly releasable evidence that these objects represent extraterrestrial technology.
Still, the shift is notable: the government no longer says the sightings aren’t real — only that their origin is unknown.
Why Trump Is Central to the Story
Trump is one of the few former presidents to publicly acknowledge receiving classified briefings on UAPs
while in office. Asked about the topic in interviews after leaving the White House, he confirmed the briefings occurred but declined to share details, describing what he was shown as “interesting.”
That ambiguity has fueled ongoing speculation — especially among disclosure advocates — that Trump could choose to speak more openly outside the constraints of office.
Supporters argue that his disregard for convention makes him uniquely willing to broach subjects previous presidents avoided.
To date, however, Trump has made no verified commitment to release classified information or deliver a formal disclosure address. Any claims suggesting an imminent or prepared speech remain unsubstantiated.
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Military Pilots and Congressional Scrutiny
What keeps the issue alive is not presidential rumor, but professional testimony.
Retired and active-duty Navy and Air Force pilots have described encounters with objects that appeared on radar, infrared sensors, and visual observation simultaneously — a combination that makes simple misidentification less likely.
These accounts have been presented not only to journalists, but under oath to members of Congress.
Congressional hearings held in recent years reflect a broader change in tone.
Lawmakers no longer question whether pilots are seeing something; instead, they ask whether the government has adequate tools to identify it — and whether potential national security risks are being overlooked.
What Is Known — and What Is Not
There is still no confirmed evidence of extraterrestrial life, no official acknowledgment of recovered alien technology, and no proof that UAPs represent non-human intelligence.
At the same time, there is also no longer a blanket denial.
Government agencies now operate in the space between certainty and speculation — acknowledging unresolved cases while resisting conclusions unsupported by data.
That tension is where rumors thrive, and where public interest continues to grow.
Why the Timing Matters
Advances in sensor technology, artificial intelligence–assisted data analysis, and satellite tracking have dramatically improved the military’s ability to detect and correlate anomalies. Simply put, the sky is harder to ignore than it once was.
As data quality improves, pressure builds for transparency — not necessarily about extraterrestrials, but about what the government knows, what it doesn’t, and why some questions remain unanswered decades after the first reports.
A Disclosure Debate Already Underway
Whether Trump ever releases additional information remains uncertain. No documentation supports claims of a scheduled or prepared disclosure speech.
But in a sense, the debate has already shifted.
The government has moved from denial to admission — from dismissing UFOs to formally studying UAPs — and from ridicule to routine congressional oversight.
That evolution alone marks a historic change, regardless of whether any former president steps forward with new details.
For now, the mystery persists not because of what has been revealed, but because of what remains unresolved — a reality the U.S. government itself now openly acknowledges.
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