TYB
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4798-4803: Back for More Science
Feb 10, 2026
Earth planning date: Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
The results from our first visit to the “Nevado Sajama” drill location were intriguing enough to motivate our return to do a deeper dive into the minerals and compounds locked in this rock with SAM (the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite).
As explained in the last blog, that deeper dive involves using the second of two vials of a chemical reagent, tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), that helps makes molecules detectable to SAM that would otherwise be undetectable.
This week was focused on completing the many carefully-coordinated steps to apply the TMAH reagent to the rock powder from a drill hole and then analyze the treated sample.
As you can see in the image above, we know the drilling necessary to collect the sample was successful, as was delivery of the sample to SAM. We are awaiting word about the first part of the SAM analysis, and are running the second part in the weekend plan.
As you can imagine, running a mass spectrometer and chemistry experiment remotely on another planet takes a lot of energy, but throughout the week, the team took advantage of whatever spare power there was to include additional science observations.
ChemCam planned two attempts at targeting the Nevado Sajama2 drill-hole interior, analyzed “Tiquipaya,” one of the family of rocks broken by the rover wheels that expose bright white material, and measured the chemistry of the atmosphere with a passive sky observation.
They also planned an RMI mosaic of layers near the base of the “Mishe Mokwa” butte to our east. MAHLI and APXS paired up to image and analyze the ground-up tailings around the drill hole for the most direct measure of chemistry of what SAM analyzes.
As Mastcam acquired a full 360-degree mosaic the first time we were at Nevado Sajama, they did not have many rock observations to plan. Instead, they turned their eyes toward the sky to measure the amount of dust in the atmosphere.
Navcam made complementary measurements of atmospheric dust and planned movies and imaging surveys of clouds and dust devils. Ever watchful, RAD and REMS made their regular measurements of the Martian environment while DAN regularly monitored the Martian subsurface.
https://science.nasa.gov/blog/curiosity-blog-sols-4798-4803-back-for-more-science/
Summer Heat Hits Southeastern Australia
Feb 11, 2026
While a part of the United States braved extreme winter cold, January 2026 brought sweltering summer conditions to many parts of Australia.
Australia’s area-averaged mean temperature was 1.90 degrees Celsius (3.42 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1961–1990 average, making it the fourth-warmest January since the start of observations in 1910, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).
Contributing to this was a late-month heatwave in the country’s southeast that was especially intense between January 26 and January 30. During that period, numerous weather stations in South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria recorded record-high daily temperatures.
The heatwave’s intensity and extent are evident in this map, which shows air temperatures at 03:00 Universal Time (2 p.m. local time in Victoria) on January 29, modeled at 2 meters (6.5 feet) above the ground.
It was produced with a version of the GEOS (Goddard Earth Observing System) model, which integrates meteorological observations with mathematical equations that represent physical processes in the atmosphere.
The darkest reds are where the model indicates temperatures reaching or exceeding 45°C (113°F).
According to BoM, the hottest temperatures of January 2026 were measured in two places in South Australia: in the town of Andamooka on the 29th and at the Port Augusta airport on the 30th, where temperatures reached 50.0°C (122.0°F).
In both New South Wales and Victoria, the month’s hottest day was on the 27th, when temperatures reached 49.7°C (121.5°F) at a station in Pooncarie and 48.9°C (120.0°F) at stations in Walpeup and Hopetoun.
The heatwave brought significant human and public-health effects, including the increased risk of heat-related illness.
Organizers of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, suspended play on some courts and closed roofs to provide shade as part of an “extreme heat policy” to protect players and spectators, according to news reports.
The recent warmth followed another bout of heat earlier in the month that, combined with strong winds and dry conditions, created dangerous fire conditions.
Numerous bushfires were burning across Victoria on January 9 as officials urged people to evacuate. By mid-month, news reports indicated that the fires had destroyed hundreds of structures and killed tens of thousands of livestock.
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/summer-heat-hits-southeastern-australia/
Cleveland’s NASA Glenn Research Center celebrates 85th anniversary
Feb. 11, 2026, 7:34 a.m.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – From famous space missions to making air travel safer, NASA Glenn Research Center, celebrating its 85th anniversary, continues to impact the world, infinity and beyond.
“One of the things we like to say is that the path to the moon or anything that launches, it has to come through NASA Glenn in some way,” NASA Glenn Research Center Acting Director of Technology Integration and Partnerships Ashlie Flegel said.
“There’s definitely a legacy – every mission has some sort of element of Glenn technology that’s running through it.”
Experts in power, propulsion, communications, materials and structures for extreme environments, the NASA Glenn Research Center story began in 1941 when the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) selected what was the parking lot of the popular Cleveland National Air Races for a new Flight Propulsion Research Center.
Located adjacent to the Cleveland Municipal Airport (later renamed Hopkins International Airport), the area at the time was a hub for aircraft propulsion.
“We were one of the first sites for NACA,” she said. “One of our biggest efforts in World War II had to do with icing. We were actually losing more aircraft due to icing flying over the Himalayas than we were to enemy fire.
“After building an icing research tunnel, we were testing that phenomenon. NACA was able to develop deicing technologies to help our war fighters and save our aircraft.
We still do icing testing today. It’s still a heavily utilized facility.”
It wouldn’t be long before NASA Glenn’s expertise in space propulsion played a crucial role in early spacecraft advancements.
That began in the ‘60s when the Centaur rocket’s novel design and volatile liquid hydrogen fuel posed challenges for NASA.
NASA Glenn found a way to insulate the hydrogen, preventing it from turning to gas and bursting the tank.
Liquid hydrogen continued to be the go-to fuel for the American space program, launching Atlas, Delta, Saturn rockets, the Space Shuttle and the Space Launch System.
It’s also directly tied to the Artemis II missions, including the Feb. 6 launch to the moon.
“Our hands are in a lot of different areas to make Artemis II possible and future missions, as well with the Lunar Gateway,” she said.
“We’re leading the power and propulsion element of that. Look up at the moon and NASA Glenn has more than likely touched it.”
The technology, people and testing facilities not only fueled space exploration, but also positively impacted life on Earth while simultaneously shining a light on Northeast Ohio.
Its research included making aircrafts quieter due to the use of the nozzle chevron pioneered by Glenn to lower engine noise.
Flegel noted her office manages NASA Glenn’s portfolio of roughly 170 patents.
In addition to its two campuses, Lewis Field in Cleveland and Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, NASA Glenn Research Center, working with NASA, government, academic and private industry customers, continues to make space exploration and aviation possible.
“It’s really exciting NASA Glenn is in our backyard,” she said. “We’re the only center in the Midwest.
“We’re your neighbors and we’re kind of touching the world with our technologies.”
https://www.cleveland.com/community/2026/02/clevelands-nasa-glenn-research-center-celebrates-85th-anniversary-photos.html
https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/02/astronomers-detect-mysterious-seven-hours-space-signal/
https://www.pennlive.com/life/2026/02/a-strange-space-signal-pulsed-toward-earth-for-multiple-hours-baffling-scientists.html
Astronomers Detected a Powerful Space Signal Pulsing Toward Earth for Seven Hours, Unlike Anything Seen in Years
February 10, 2026 at 06:45
A high-energy signal lasting over seven hours, first observed in mid-2025, has drawn intense scrutiny from astrophysicists tracking rare cosmic phenomena.
Detected by multiple space-based observatories, the event, cataloged as GRB 250702B, set a new record for gamma-ray burst duration.
Its scale and duration immediately set it apart. Most gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), typically caused by massive stellar collapses or neutron star mergers, release their energy in less than a few minutes.
GRB 250702B extended far beyond that, displaying a signal profile unlike any seen in decades of monitoring.
Initial findings prompted a global response. Data-sharing channels across NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and multiple research centers activated within hours of the first alert.
The burst’s complexity raised fundamental questions about how such events originate and whether current classification systems remain adequate.
A Seven-Hour Gamma-Ray Burst Shatters All Previous Records
The gamma-ray burst was first flagged on 2 July 2025 by the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor aboard NASA’s Fermi Space Telescope.
The system issued an automated trigger to monitoring teams when it registered what appeared to be three distinct high-energy flashes from the same celestial region.
Instrument logs from Fermi, combined with detections from at least four additional space-based observatories, confirmed the event spanned approximately 25,000 seconds.
That duration makes GRB 250702B the longest gamma-ray burst ever recorded, far surpassing the previous record-holder of roughly 15,000 seconds.
In an interview published by BBC Sky at Night Magazine, Eliza Neights, a researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and a burst advocate on duty at the time, described the signal’s detection process.
Neights confirmed the gamma-ray pattern was initially interpreted as three separate events before being reclassified as a single, sustained burst from a consistent origin.
The five observatories involved, including instruments from NASA, ESA, and partner institutions, collaborated to track the signal’s characteristics.
Combined light curve data indicated sustained energy release, raising the likelihood that GRB 250702B stemmed from a fundamentally different progenitor than typical GRBs.
No direct redshift measurement has yet been published, and the host galaxy remains unidentified. Optical afterglow was either absent or too faint to observe, consistent with predictions for some lower-luminosity merger events.
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A Black Hole Consuming a Helium Star May Explain the Anomaly
Gamma-ray bursts are typically categorized into short-duration (under 2 seconds) and long-duration (2 to 300 seconds) classes.
Short bursts are generally linked to compact object mergers, such as neutron star collisions. Long bursts, by contrast, are associated with the deaths of massive stars forming black holes.
Neither framework comfortably explains a burst lasting seven hours.
The research team working on GRB 250702B identified a potential fit in a less conventional model: the helium star merger scenario.
This involves a stellar-mass black hole in close orbit with a helium-rich star that has lost its hydrogen envelope. As the helium star expands, the black hole spirals inward, entering the star’s envelope and accreting material at a high rate.
This interaction can produce a long-lived relativistic jet, generating gamma-ray emissions observable for hours.
The characteristics of GRB 250702B, extended duration, moderate brightness, and spectral signature, closely match what simulations predict for this class of event.
This scenario remains theoretical. However, researchers now consider it the most viable explanation consistent with the data gathered across observatories.
It also opens a new avenue in understanding stellar evolution in binary systems, particularly those involving black holes and evolved stars.
Telescope Systems May Be Missing More of These Bursts
The exceptional nature of GRB 250702B has highlighted limitations in how current gamma-ray observatories detect and classify long-duration events.
Most instruments are tuned to identify brief, high-intensity flashes. This favors short or average-duration GRBs and may result in underreporting of longer, lower-luminosity phenomena.
Extended GRBs like 250702B can register below standard detection thresholds, especially in automated systems optimized for short transients. Since these events often unfold more gradually and appear dimmer in peak flux, many may be missed altogether.
To address this, NASA’s team has begun integrating long-duration burst criteria into mission planning for the upcoming Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI), scheduled for launch in 2027.
COSI will operate in the MeV gamma-ray range, allowing for greater sensitivity to low-intensity, extended emissions. The 2025 event is now being used as a reference scenario for algorithm testing and detection model updates.
Researchers have also initiated a retrospective search of archival datasets to identify potentially overlooked long-duration bursts. Preliminary scans have revealed several candidates warranting further investigation under the revised criteria.
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https://infleqtion.com/infleqtion-and-nasa-to-fly-the-worlds-first-quantum-gravity-sensor-to-space/
Infleqtion and NASA to Fly the World’s First Quantum Gravity Sensor to Space
February 10, 2026
With more than $20 million in contracted mission funding to date, the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder Mission, Led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, Advances U.S. Leadership in Quantum Space Sensing
Infleqtion, a global leader in quantum sensing and quantum computing powered by neutral-atom technology, announced its role as a collaborator on NASA’s Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf) mission.
Led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the mission will fly the first quantum sensor capable of measuring the Earth’s gravitational field and its gradients; signals that are used today to monitor mass dynamics on the planet’s surface.
The quantum instrument will be aboard a dedicated satellite in low Earth orbit (LEO). This program follows Infleqtion’s announcement to go public through a merger with Churchill Capital Corp X (NASDAQ: CCCX).
The QGGPf mission is designed to demonstrate quantum sensor technologies that could transform how Earth’s gravity is measured from space.
The quantum sensor is designed to monitor mass dynamics across the planet’s surface, including changes in water, ice and land, while operating in microgravity, which enables longer interaction times and correspondingly improved measurement sensitivities.
As a technology pathfinder, the mission will help inform the design of future science-grade instruments, representing a major step forward in U.S. leadership in space-based quantum sensing and strategic intelligence.
This project showcases what is possible when NASA and U.S. industry collaborate to push the boundaries of frontier science and technology.
QGGPf builds on NASA’s long legacy of space-based gravity mapping and applies Infleqtion’s quantum engineering capabilities to enable a new class of measurement techniques designed specifically for the microgravity environment of space.
A Quantum Leap in Geospatial Precision and Strategic Sensing
With more than $20 million in contracted mission funding to date, the QGGPf mission, with contributions from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Texas at Austin, Infleqtion, Monarch Quantum, and Jemba9, will fly the first standalone quantum gravity sensor in orbit.
“Quantum sensing opens an entirely new domain for U.S. space leadership,” said Dana Anderson, Chief Science Officer at Infleqtion.
“By deploying this technology in orbit, we are demonstrating the feasibility of quantum gravity sensing in space and laying the groundwork for future capabilities that can deliver unprecedented insight into our planet.”
By directly measuring subtle variations in Earth’s gravitational field, the mission aims to demonstrate technologies that will help reduce risk for future quantum gravity instruments.
These future systems could enable higher-resolution insights into how underground water, ice, and natural resources shift over time, critical data for understanding planetary health, strengthening national resilience, and supporting long-term economic and security planning.
The one-year mission is expected to launch in 2030.
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Proven Quantum Heritage
QGGPf builds on work done by JPL and Infleqtion on the Cold Atom Lab (CAL) program aboard the International Space Station, and on NASA’s long heritage mapping Earth’s gravitational field through the GRACE mission series.
Infleqtion’s role on the QGGPf project includes the design, maturation, and integration of the quantum core of the sensor, encompassing its vacuum, laser, and control subsystems.
The cold-atom system, based on ultracold rubidium atoms cooled to near absolute zero, is designed to enable direct gravity gradient measurements from space with unprecedented precision.
Accelerating Quantum-to-Space Transition
The mission further marks a significant milestone in America’s growing quantum ecosystem, showcasing how public–private relationships can accelerate the transition from fundamental research to operational capability.
Beyond Earth science, quantum sensing in space will enable advances in navigation, resource management, and national security, where precision and autonomy are critical.
NASA and Infleqtion plan to complete the instrument hardware development over the next three years, followed by flight demonstration.
To learn more about how Infleqtion’s quantum technologies are enabling advances in space exploration, navigation, remote sensing, and defense, visit https://infleqtion.com/space-and-frontier/.
About Infleqtion
Infleqtion is a global leader in quantum sensing and quantum computing, powered by neutral-atom technology. We design and build quantum computers, precision sensors, and quantum software for governments, enterprises, and research institutions.
Our commercial portfolio includes quantum computers as well as quantum RF systems, quantum clocks, and inertial navigation solutions. Infleqtion is the partner of choice for governments and commercial customers seeking cutting-edge quantum capabilities.
Infleqtion announced in September 2025 it plans to go public via a merger with Churchill Capital Corp X (NASDAQ: CCCX). For more information, visit Infleqtion.com or follow Infleqtion on LinkedIn, YouTube, and X.
GEO FAQ
1) What is a quantum gravity gradiometer?
A quantum gravity gradiometer is an advanced sensor designed to measure tiny differences in Earth’s gravitational field.
Those differences can reveal subtle changes in mass below and on the surface, such as shifting water, ice, and geological structures.
2) Why measure gravity from space?
From orbit, gravity measurements can provide consistent, global coverage over time.
That makes it possible to track large-scale changes, like groundwater movement, ice loss, and resource shifts, across regions that are difficult to monitor from the ground.
3) What makes this mission “quantum”?
The instrument uses clouds of ultra-cold atoms controlled by lasers as a highly stable measurement reference.
Operating in the microgravity environment of space helps enable longer measurement times and supports the demonstration of key technologies for future quantum sensing missions.
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ESA marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026
11/02/2026
Today we join the international community in celebrating Women and Girls in Science. Discover the diversity of female talents working in science and technology around Europe and the words of wisdom that shaped their careers.
For this year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), ESA joined forces with other organisations in the EIROforum group (CERN, EMBL, ESO, ESRF, EUROfusion, EU XFEL, ILL, F4E) to encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
The group showcases existing good practices and solutions to close the gender gap in STEM, in line with the 2026 IDWGS theme (Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap).
Mutual support and a strong sense of community are essential to breaking down the barriers of gender inequality. For this reason, this year ESA and EIROforum came together to spread the words of wisdom from the women leaving their marks on science and technology.
Tune in to ESA’s Instagram to hear the pieces of advice that helped these STEM professionals get to where they are today, and explore the Wall of Wisdom on the EIROforum web page to learn from these remarkable women what can and should be done to close the gender gap in STEM.
https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Diversity_and_Inclusiveness/ESA_marks_International_Day_of_Women_and_Girls_in_Science_2026
https://www.eiroforum.org/news/eiroforum-celebrates-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science-2026/
Humble request from anon, bring back Juggernaut for another fight, please.
https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Preparing_for_the_Future/Discovery_and_Preparation/Mosses_for_Mars_Testing_Aquatic_Plants_as_Space-Ready_Biofilters
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1667463/full
Mosses for Mars: Testing Aquatic Plants as Space-Ready Biofilters
11/02/2026
Long-duration space missions will require closed-loop life support systems that can regenerate oxygen and purify water while recycling waste.
A recent ESA Discovery project led by the University of Naples Federico II explored whether aquatic mosses – often found in aquariums – could combine oxygen production with water filtration in compact, low-maintenance systems.
Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSSs) rely on living organisms to sustain human crews during extended missions. Higher plants and microalgae have been studied extensively, but each has limitations.
Higher plants require large and complex cultivation systems, while the challenges facing microalgae include biofilm formation, contamination, and uneven light distribution in photobioreactors.
Aquatic mosses present an intriguing alternative. These non-vascular plants have simple structures, require minimal inputs, and are already known as effective biofilters.
However, their potential for space applications had never been systematically investigated.
A New Approach
The 'Moss on Mars' project examined three aquatic moss species – Taxiphyllum barbieri, Leptodictyum riparium, and Vesicularia montagnei – under controlled environmental conditions mimicking those in space habitats.
"This project included two important novel elements," explains Principal Investigator Dr Chiara Amitrano, a researcher at the University of Naples Federico II.
"The first one is exploring the possibility of integrating aquatic mosses into space research as biofilters and bioregenerators. And the second one is investigating the physiological apparatus, the photosystem II of these mosses.
All the published papers about aquatic mosses are about biofiltration and phytoremediation."
The team compared all three species under two environmental conditions, assessing photosynthetic performance, pigment concentrations, antioxidant activity, and biofiltration efficiency for both heavy metals and nitrogen compounds.
Both T. barbieri and L. riparium demonstrated effective biofiltration, successfully removing copper, lead, and zinc from contaminated water. However, T. barbieri emerged as the clear frontrunner, exhibiting the highest rates of net photosynthesis and pigment accumulation.
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Radiation Resistance
Based on these results, the team selected T. barbieri for further tests exploring its responses to ionising radiation, a key challenge for any space-based organism.
"Studying the effect of ionising radiation on aquatic mosses was a first for us and also in literature," notes Amitrano.
The researchers exposed moss samples to three doses of X-rays – 1, 10, and 30 Gray (Gy) – then monitored their recovery over 63 days using a custom setup with continuous carbon dioxide and oxygen sensors.
The results proved surprising. Rather than showing damage, mosses exposed to 1 Gy radiation outperformed non-irradiated controls, exhibiting higher net photosynthesis, greater electron transport rates, and increased chlorophyll concentrations.
This phenomenon, known as radiation hormesis, suggests low-dose radiation may stimulate beneficial physiological responses.
Even at higher doses, the mosses demonstrated resilience. The radiation altered moss morphology, creating denser branching while reducing branch length – changes that could potentially enhance surface area for gas exchange and filtration.
Future Applications
"We really think we can include these aquatic mosses in the space environment," says Amitrano.
"They are radiation-resistant biofilters. They can support resource recycling, and they don't need very much input to grow. And they have a good photosynthetic apparatus, producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide."
"The University of Naples has demonstrated within this Discovery activity that mosses could help keep astronauts alive on Mars by filtering their water, refreshing their air, and shrugging off radiation in the process," says Moritz Fontaine, Discovery & Preparation Officer and ESA's lead for the project.
"These findings are an important puzzle piece for future human spaceflight."
ESA's support through the Discovery programme proved essential. "The funding was fundamental for us to set up the experiment, starting with the three species and then trying the ionising radiation of these mosses," Amitrano explains.
The idea originated through ESA's Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP), which seeks promising new concepts for space research, and was funded by the Discovery element of ESA's Basic Activities.
The project has already produced one peer-reviewed publication in Frontiers in Plant Science, with a second paper on the radiation experiments in preparation.
Looking ahead, the team envisions applications ranging from biofilters in water recycling systems to biomaterials and potential radiation shielding.
Although significant work remains, this project demonstrates the potential of aquatic mosses as versatile, low-maintenance organisms capable of performing multiple ecological functions in resource-constrained environments – both in space and for terrestrial water treatment applications.
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>what's going on in the Marvelverse
I haven't really followed develpmonts aside from a few of the movies, I didn't know he switched sides, kinda cool.
Sinister would be cool too.
In Deadpool 2 I thought they did everything right with him, which was nice after X-men 3 kinda jacked it up (no offence to Vinnie Jones).
The only complaint I had was I wanted to see him in costume instead of the prison jumpsuit.
Regardless, I'm excited to see where they take 4.
“A Mission That Pushes the Boundaries of Commercial Space”: Autonomous ‘SpacePilot’ Will Pilot Spacecraft to Asteroid Apophis
February 11, 2026
Commercial deep-space mission operator ExLabs has selected CUS-GNC’s SpacePilot onboard autonomy software to pilot its deep-space mission to the near-Earth asteroid Apophis, scheduled to launch in April 2028.
When announcing the autonomous software selection, ExLabs said the partnership with CUS-GNC will strengthen the company’s ability to operate “at extreme distances from Earth,” where controlling spacecraft remotely becomes impractical due to communication delays, severely limiting the ability to perform ground-based interventions.
“This pioneering mission will validate ExLabs’ advanced spacecraft technology and serve as a platform for multiple payloads from international and commercial collaborators,” the company’s website explains.
“This collaboration with ExLabs on the Apophis mission is truly exciting,” added Simone Chesi, Founder of CUS-GNC. “It is a mission that pushes the boundaries of commercial space.”
SpacePilot Autonomous Software to Brave ‘Dynamic’ Environment of Deep Space
According to ExLabs, the Apophis mission, scheduled to launch in April 2028, will intercept the Eifel Towed-sized asteroid at its closest approach to Earth around a year later, on Friday the 13th, April 2029.
In that same statement, the company noted that the Apophis mission is intentionally timed to coincide with the asteroid’s close Earth flyby, “creating a rare opportunity to validate advanced autonomy technologies while expanding commercial participation in planetary exploration.”
During its mission, the spacecraft will try to uncover data on the asteroid’s structure, composition, and gravitational effects.
Notably, this deep-space interception will take place at a distance of over 100 million kilometers from Earth, in an environment the company described as “dynamic and largely uncharacterized.”
“Operating more than 100 million kilometers from Earth in a largely unknown and constantly evolving environment demands autonomy that is not only intelligent, but flight-proven,” ExLabs Chief Technology Officer Dalibor Djuran said.
As for the launch, the company has continued to surpass critical flight-readiness milestones, a process that will continue up until the spacecraft is moved onto the launch platform.
The latest milestone is the selection of SpacePilot as the mission’s autonomous piloting software that will navigate this challenging environment with very little assistance from ground mission operators.
Adapting to Real-Time Environmental Changes Without Ground Intervention
Although ExLabs evaluated several options, the selection of the CUS_GNC SpacePilot software was partly due to the company’s strong reputation.
According to ExLabs, the company’s flagship product, SpacePilot, is a “flight-proven onboard autonomy platform designed to enable resilient, low-latency spacecraft operations across a wide range of mission environments.”
“Announcing the use of SpacePilot onboard autonomy allows us to demonstrate an AI-driven GNC approach that goes beyond standard architectures and has already been proven in orbit,” Chesi said.
For example, SpacePilot can perceive environmental changes, make autonomous onboard decisions to adapt to them, and execute maneuvers in deep space without the intervention or oversight of ground operators.
“CUS-GNC’s SpacePilot is differentiated by its ability to close the loop onboard, adapt to uncertainty in real time, and significantly reduce reliance on Earth-based intervention,” Djuran explained. “That capability is foundational to how we scale deep-space missions beyond one-off demonstrations.”
The most critical benefits of SpacePilot for the Apophis mission include overall mission resilience, reduced response times, and the unprecedented ability for ground-based operators to manage the mission with smaller teams and lower latency constraints.
“By integrating SpacePilot into its flight architecture, ExLabs aims to reduce operational risk, lower mission-operations burden, and enable responsive, low-touch spacecraft behavior that would be difficult or impossible using traditional ground-dependent control loops,” the company explained.
https://thedebrief.org/a-mission-that-pushes-the-boundaries-of-commercial-space-autonomous-spacepilot-will-pilot-spacecraft-to-asteroid-apophis/
Earth orbit is getting crowded. Can this map of 1 million routes around our planet help prevent satellite collisions?
February 11, 2026
Space is getting crowded — nowadays, over 45,000 human-made objects orbit Earth.
A portion of that figure is indeed represented by the thousands of satellites humans use for internet, GPS and other communications, but it also takes into account space junk from humanity’s previous space escapades.
Thus, figuring how to prevent collisions has become more important as space agencies continue to rocket new technology into low Earth orbit — and there's already a brisk launch schedule planned for 2026.
As such, researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California have developed a new method for modeling orbits in cislunar space, which refers to the space between and around Earth and the moon.
The researchers modeled what a million orbits would look like over six years using an open-access database, or code that's publicly available, and a ton of processing power from the lab's supercomputers.
"When you have a million orbits, you can get a really rich analysis using machine learning applications," LLNL scientist Denvir Higgins said in an announcement.
"You can try to predict the lifetime of the orbit, try to predict stability or try to do anomaly detection to see if an orbit is moving in a strange way."
The researchers found that about half of the orbits they modeled remained stable for at least one year, and just under 10% remained stable for the full six years of the simulation.
"If you want to know where a satellite is in a week, there's no equation that can actually tell you where it's going to be," LLNL scientist Travis Yeager said in the release. "You have to step forward a little bit at a time."
The amount of computing power required to track a million obits over a six-year period in a simulated environment is significant.
LLNL said they used 1.6 million CPU hours, which would take more than 182 years to process on a single computer. But using the lab’s Quartz and Ruby supercomputers, it only took three days to run the simulations.
This work could be helpful in the future for determining busy intersections for satellites, LLNL says. The lab also noted that, as countries continue to launch satellites without worldwide coordination, this could be a useful tool.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/earth-orbit-is-getting-crowded-can-this-map-of-1-million-routes-around-our-planet-help-prevent-satellite-collisions
Yeah, when do we get to rename everything to what makes sense
https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/02/spacex-is-developing-particle-accelerator/
https://twitter.com/michaelnicollsx/status/2019800069537448434
SpaceX Is Developing Its Own Particle Accelerator: What It Means for Space Exploration
February 11, 2026 at 09:45
SpaceX is taking significant steps toward improving the durability and reliability of its spacecraft and satellites by building its own particle accelerator in Florida.
This new development was confirmed by SpaceX’s VP of Starlink, Michael Nicolls, in a tweet last week.
The accelerator, a proton cyclotron, will be used to test how space radiation impacts electronic components on SpaceX’s vehicles, including Starship and Starlink satellites.
Building SpaceX’s Own Particle Accelerator for Space Radiation Testing
SpaceX has long been known for pushing the boundaries of space exploration, and now, the company is investing in the technology to protect its ambitious projects from one of space’s biggest threats: radiation.
As the company develops its own particle accelerator in Florida, SpaceX is focusing on testing how radiation from the sun and other space-based sources affects the performance of its spacecraft and electronics.
This new facility will be a game-changer in terms of conducting real-world tests on spacecraft electronics, paving the way for more resilient and reliable space vehicles.
The particle accelerator being built by SpaceX is a cyclotron, which will be used to accelerate protons to near-light speed. By doing so, the company will simulate the effects of space radiation on materials and electronics here on Earth.
SpaceX intends to use this testing to screen and characterize the hardware used across all of its spacecraft, including the Dragon capsule, Falcon rockets, and Starship.
According to a job posting for an Electronics Test Engineer, this proton accelerator “will be used to screen and characterize electronics across all of our vehicles and platforms, unlocking unprecedented agility for chip and [Printed Circuit Board Assembly] level performance characterization that will be critical as we build and scale our AI constellations and deep space exploration vehicles.”
The goal is not just to protect current missions, but to ensure the development of future technologies that can withstand the intense radiation environments of deep space.
With this new testing facility, SpaceX aims to stay ahead of the curve, anticipating the challenges of future space exploration missions.
SpaceX’s expansion into in-house radiation testing represents a proactive approach to understanding the effects of space radiation, making it an essential step for the company’s long-term success in space.
Space Radiation: The Silent Killer of Spacecraft
While space exploration has made remarkable advancements, one challenge remains: the effects of space radiation on spacecraft and human health.
Solar storms, high-energy particles, and cosmic radiation are constant threats to the technology that keeps satellites and spacecraft functioning.
SpaceX’s own Starlink satellites have already shown the vulnerability of space-based technology to these hazards. During solar storms, radiation has been shown to damage satellite electronics, leading to shortened lifespans and the need for costly repairs.
The introduction of SpaceX’s proton cyclotron is designed to directly address these issues by providing a controlled environment to test how these particles affect electronic systems.
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In addition to protecting its current operations, SpaceX’s new particle accelerator will help design new technologies that can operate in even more extreme conditions, such as deep space missions.
SpaceX’s mission for deep space exploration relies on durable hardware that can withstand years of exposure to radiation.
With a cyclotron capable of simulating these intense conditions, the company can better design hardware that will be essential for future manned and unmanned missions beyond Earth’s protective atmosphere.
A New Frontier in Electronics Testing
Electronics in spacecraft face some of the most challenging environments imaginable. In addition to radiation, they also contend with extreme temperatures, vacuum conditions, and mechanical stress.
As SpaceX plans more ambitious missions, like its crewed flights to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, the need for more resilient electronics becomes even more pressing.
SpaceX’s cyclotron will allow the company to rapidly test and refine electronics that can handle these extreme environments, helping the company’s vehicles meet the high demands of space travel.
By integrating these tests directly into its development process, SpaceX can significantly shorten the time it takes to test, iterate, and improve its hardware.
The accelerated testing process will allow the company to handle hardware failures more quickly, ensuring that problems are identified and addressed before they become critical.
SpaceX’s New Accelerator: A Strategic Move for the Future of Space Exploration
The decision to build a particle accelerator in-house represents a strategic move by SpaceX to ensure its spacecraft remain operational in the harshest conditions imaginable.
By testing electronics and components against the challenges of space radiation, the company can develop vehicles and satellites that not only survive but thrive in deep space environments.
This approach aligns with SpaceX’s broader goals of reducing costs, improving spacecraft longevity, and enhancing the overall success rate of its missions.
The accelerator will not only help SpaceX’s vehicles, but it could also be a vital tool for future space industry developments.
As private companies, national space agencies, and international organizations push forward with plans to explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond, the need for durable, radiation-resistant technology will become even more pressing.
SpaceX’s commitment to advancing this technology will undoubtedly influence the future of space exploration.
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The fight sequence they did was good for what it was but I would've had him running through freeways, dense urban environments,and all kinds of stuff.
Maybe one day, eh.
Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
February 11, 2026
Update Feb. 11 10:43 a.m. EST (1543 UTC): SpaceX pushed back the T-0 liftoff time.
SpaceX is preparing for its 12th Starlink mission of the year so far with a Falcon 9 rocket launch set for Wednesday morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
The Starlink 17-34 mission will add another 24 broadband internet satellites to the growing low Earth orbit constellation.
Liftoff from Space Launch Complex 4 East is scheduled for 9:11:29 a.m. PST (12:11:29 p.m. EST / 1711:29 UTC). The rocket will fly on a southerly trajectory upon leaving the pad.
Spaceflight Now will have live coverage beginning about 30 minutes prior to liftoff.
SpaceX will launch the mission using the Falcon 9 booster with the tail number 1100. This will be its third flight after previously launching the Starlink 11-30 and NROL-105 missions.
Nearly 8.5 minutes after liftoff B1100 will target a landing on the drone ship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You,’ positioned in the Pacific Ocean. If successful, this will be the 177th landing on this vessel and the 569th booster landing for SpaceX.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/02/11/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-24-starlink-satellites-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-vandenberg-sfb-5/
https://www.spacex.com/launches/sl-17-34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n89f9nVgeE
Space Systems Command, mission partners prepares USSF-87 for National Space Security Launch on ULA’s Vulcan Centaur
February 11, 2026
The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) and its mission partners are preparing USSF-87 as its next mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
The mission will launch using a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41.
A two-hour launch window is planned for Feb. 12, 2026 between 3:30-5:30 a.m. EST (12:30-2:30 a.m. PST).
Launch coverage will be available at https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-87 or on various media streaming sites such as NASASpaceflight.com, Space.com, SpaceflightNow.com, YouTube.com, etc.
This Vulcan will be the second to launch since achieving certification under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program.
The Vulcan Centaur family of vehicles will continue the legacy of the Atlas V and Delta IV launch systems to place critical War Department and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) capabilities into orbit for years to come.
As with the USSF-106 launch, this is a Vulcan VC4S configuration with a Centaur V upper stage, four solid rocket boosters attached to the first stage, and a standard payload fairing.
The USSF-87 mission will carry a variety of payloads that will promote the advancement of space technology to benefit future programs of record.
The primary payload is the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) space system, built by Northrop Grumman; a capability supporting the U.S. Space Command space surveillance operations as a high-performance, dedicated Space Surveillance Network sensor.
They provide ‘neighborhood watch’ services in the geostationary Earth arena, improving flight safety for all spacefaring nations operating in that orbit.
Enhanced positional knowledge of satellites within the increasingly crowded GEO drastically speeds USSF space operators’ ability to warn others if another object is anticipated to approach too closely or creates a hazardous situation.
Data from the GSSAP will uniquely contribute to timely and accurate orbital predictions, enhancing our knowledge of the GEO environment and further enabling space flight safety, including satellite collision avoidance.
In addition to the GSSAP payload, USSF-87 will include additional research, development and training systems.
Guardians will use these systems to refine tactics, techniques and procedures for precision on-orbit maneuvers.
These systems will also enhance and validate resiliency and protection in geosynchronous orbit.
SSC’s Systems Delta 80 (SYD 80) executes the U.S. Space Force's core function of Space Access, performing space lift and range control missions in close partnership with the 30th and 45th Space Launch Deltas (SLD 30, SLD 45).
Additionally, the delta develops resilient and ready launch and test infrastructure to expand U.S. economic, technological, and scientific leadership.
Furthermore, SYD 80 delivers servicing, mobility, and logistics capabilities that operate in, from, and to the space domain.
https://www.satelliteevolution.com/post/space-systems-command-mission-partners-prepares-ussf-87-for-national-space-security-launch-on-ula-s
https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/next-launch/vulcan-ussf-87
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFw6xy2zGCo
did they have big irons?
Ukraine and its European backers have derailed Trump peace initiative – Lavrov
11 Feb, 2026 11:24
A settlement in the Ukraine conflict was close following the meeting last year between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump, but Kiev and its European backers have since acted to sabotage peace efforts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
The two leaders held face-to-face talks in Anchorage, Alaska in August, where they discussed ways to end the fighting between Moscow and Kiev.
They later described the summit positively, with Putin calling it “frank” and “substantive” and Trump saying it was “productive.”
In an interview with the Empatia Mauchi online project on Wednesday, Lavrov recalled that, ahead of the negotiations in Alaska, US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff brought a document to Moscow that “outlined all fundamental principles and proposed resolving outstanding issues… strictly in accordance with realities on the ground.”
“In Anchorage, we developed approaches building upon the American initiative and proposals, which charted a viable path to peace.
That framework made it entirely feasible to swiftly finalize a comprehensive settlement agreement,” he stressed.
The foreign minister reiterated that Moscow’s key goals in the conflict are to assure its own security and to “protect Russians [living in Ukraine] from the [Kiev] Nazi regime’s campaign to eradicate all ties to the Russian language, culture, history, and Orthodoxy.”
The initial US proposal said that the rights of the Russian-speakers must be restored, but in its “final versions leaked to the press after intensive negotiations between American, European, and Ukrainian representatives post-Alaska, all such references had vanished,” he noted.
“All subsequent versions reflected attempts by [Ukraine’s] Vladimir Zelensky and, principally, his patrons in Britain, Germany, France, and the Baltic states to undermine this American initiative,” Lavrov insisted.
According to the minister, Moscow remains committed to the settlement of the Ukraine conflict and the balanced interests of the involved sides.
“Listen: Compromise cannot extend to fundamental principles upon which a state’s existence depends – least of all when the lives of millions hang in the balance,” he said.
This was the stance of Moscow’s delegation during the talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, Lavrov noted.
https://www.rt.com/news/632287-ukraine-us-eu-lavrov/
Russian border region targeted in Ukrainian drone attack – governor
11 Feb, 2026 13:51
Ukraine has targeted Russia’s Belgorod Region with a “massive drone attack,” Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on Wednesday.
At least six civilians, including a woman, were injured by shrapnel and blast waves in drone strikes across the region, Gladkov said. Residential and commercial buildings and civilian vehicles were also damaged in the Ukrainian attacks, he added.
Belgorod, located close to Ukrainian-controlled territory, endures regular artillery and drone attacks.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have caused power and heating outages by striking the city’s energy infrastructure, including with US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems.
In its daily update on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting three HIMARS rockets, 14 glide bombs, and 458 fixed-wing drones.
Nearly a quarter of the drone interceptions occurred overnight, with Volgograd Region hardest hit. Local authorities in the southern Russian territory reported no casualties.
Ukraine has intensified cross-border attacks as its own cities face an energy crisis from Russian retaliatory strikes and infrastructure decay. Moscow says it aims to disable Ukrainian arms production capacity to curb deep strikes against Russian civilian targets.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky accused Russia of violating a limited energy ceasefire agreed at the request of US President Donald Trump to facilitate peace talks.
rump dismissed the claim, saying Moscow observed the pause for a week as promised.
https://www.rt.com/russia/632307-belgorod-ukraine-drone-attacks/
Zelensky turns to the elderly to fix manpower shortages
11 Feb, 2026 11:03
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has signed a decree permitting men over the age of 60 to enlist in the military under one-year contracts, as Kiev scrambles to address chronic manpower shortages amid mounting battlefield losses.
Published on Monday, the measure allows older volunteers to serve provided they pass a medical examination and obtain written consent from a unit commander. Candidates for officer positions require additional approval from the General Staff.
A two-month probationary period applies, and contracts automatically terminate if martial law is lifted. The move expands upon legislation passed last year that first opened the door to conscripting men who had reached the previous age limit.
The decree comes as Ukraine’s forced mobilization campaign, widely known as ‘busification’, has sparked public outrage and violent street confrontations between draft officers and reluctant recruits.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto recently described the drive as an “open manhunt,” while Ukraine’s own ombudsman, Dmitry Lubinets, reported a 340-fold surge in complaints against recruitment officials since 2022, calling the situation a “systemic crisis.”
Manpower shortages have plagued Kiev’s forces throughout the conflict amid mounting casualties.
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov estimated in December that Ukraine had lost nearly 500,000 servicemen in 2025 alone, stripping Kiev of the ability to replenish its ranks through compulsory mobilization.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has suggested that total Ukrainian military casualties, including killed, wounded, missing, and captured, have already exceeded one million.
Zelensky, however, has continued to cite dramatically lower figures. In a recent interview, he claimed only 55,000 Ukrainian troops had been killed since February 2022.
The number has been widely ridiculed as implausible, with critics pointing out that between March 2025 and January 2026 alone, nearly 14,000 sets of Ukrainian remains were returned to Kiev through official repatriations with Russia.
Critics suggest the government is deliberately understating fatalities to avoid paying compensation to families of the fallen.
Ukrainian media have estimated the state is withholding up to $30 billion in owed payments – nearly half of the country’s 2026 military budget.
Ukrainian MP Sergey Nagornyak recently acknowledged that officials avoid reporting bad news to superiors, leaving the government in a “bubble of lies.”
https://www.rt.com/russia/632297-ukraine-zelensky-elderly-military/