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Great Comet 2026 Is BRIGHT – HISTORY Shows What Happens NEXT | I Took a Picture
Feb 25, 2026
A rare Kreutz sungrazer is brightening — and history is watching.
Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) is increasing in activity as it approaches its extremely close solar pass on April 4, 2026.
Sungrazers from this ancient comet family have produced some of the most spectacular displays ever recorded — including the Great Comets of 1843, 1882, and 1965.
Will 2026 follow that pattern?
In this video, I share my latest image and break down:
• Current brightness trends
• The April perihelion timeline
• Survival chances past the Sun
• What history tells us about these rare fragments
No hype — just sky, science, and perspective.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdt5cSQHIuM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy9EbqweGlU (BPEarthwatch: NEW DATA COMET MAPS IS A GIANT AND WILL IMPACT THE SUN part 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPxKLhKk6Q4 (part 2)
https://www.youtube.com/@ChucksAstrophotography/posts
https://x.com/DobsonianPower/status/2026420203370819864
Extra Avi Loeb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO9ZquQQSGQ (Are We Being Visited by Extraterrestrials?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHz9otVMa58 (The Galileo Project News: Join the Search for UAP)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5AiA1rlH3M (Debate w Michael Shermer: Have aliens already visited Earth?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4if5HneMjuQ (Dobsonian Power: AVI LOEB’S MASSIVE UFO SEARCH USING MILLIONS OF SKY PHOTOS)
https://avi-loeb.medium.com/birthday-greetings-on-earth-and-beyond-3fe5794fd7d0
NASA Artemis II Rocket Returns for Repairs
February 25, 2026 8:50PM
The SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis II mission arrived at the Vehicle Assembly Building from Launch Pad 39B at approximately 8 p.m. EST Feb. 25, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
While in the assembly building, technicians will troubleshoot the helium flow issue to the rocket’s upper stage, replace batteries on the rocket’s upper stage, core stage, and solid rocket boosters as well as service its flight termination system.
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/25/nasa-artemis-ii-rocket-returns-for-repairs/
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/25/nasa-artemis-ii-rocket-rolls-back-to-vehicle-assembly-building/
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Astronaut Update
February 25, 2026 11:21AM
NASA is sharing the following information at the request of NASA astronaut Mike Fincke:
“On Jan. 7, while aboard the International Space Station, I experienced a medical event that required immediate attention from my incredible crewmates. Thanks to their quick response and the guidance of our NASA flight surgeons, my status quickly stabilized.
After further evaluation, NASA determined the safest course was an early return for Crew-11—not an emergency, but a carefully coordinated plan to be able to take advantage of advanced medical imaging not available on the space station.
On Jan. 15, we splashed down off the coast of San Diego after an amazing five-and-a-half-month mission.
I am deeply grateful to my fellow Expedition 74 members—Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, Oleg Platonov, Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergei Mikayev—as well as the entire NASA team, SpaceX, and the medical professionals at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla near San Diego. Their professionalism and dedication ensured a positive outcome.
I’m doing very well and continuing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are. Thank you all for your support.”
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/commercialcrew/2026/02/25/nasas-spacex-crew-11-astronaut-update/
https://starlust.org/nas-as-space-x-crew-11-astronaut-opens-up-on-his-health-scare-that-led-to-is-ss-first-medical-evacuation/
https://www.nasa.gov/people/edward-michael-mike-fincke/
NASA Names Acting Leaders for Two Key Human Spaceflight Roles
Feb 26, 2026
On Thursday, NASA announced Joel Montalbano will serve as the acting associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate (SOMD) at NASA Headquarters in Washington, and Dana Hutcherson will serve as the acting program manager of the Commercial Crew Program.
SOMD’s programs and activities include the Commercial Crew Program, the Commercial Low Earth Orbit Program, the Human Research Program, the International Space Station Program, the Launch Services Program, the Rocket Propulsion Test Program, the Space Communications and Navigation Program, Space Sustainability, and Human Spaceflight Capabilities.
Both leaders were previously serving as deputies in their respective roles.
“Strong leadership is essential to advancing NASA’s mission, and Joel Montalbano and Dana Hutcherson are exceptionally well-qualified to serve in these acting roles,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
“Their experience and commitment will help ensure we deliver on the President’s National Space Policy, maintain American leadership in low Earth orbit, and build the capabilities required to achieve the near-impossible beyond it.”
Kenneth Bowersox previously announced his retirement, effective Friday, March 6, after which Montalbano will assume the role as acting head of SOMD.
Key priorities for Montalbano will include establishing a low Earth orbit economy ahead of retiring the International Space Station and maintaining America’s superiority in space.
Prior to his positions at headquarters, Montalbano served as program manager of the International Space Station at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where he was responsible for the overall management, development, integration, and operation of the orbiting laboratory.
He also has served as a variety of other roles, including deputy program manager for the International Space Station Program Office; director of NASA’s Human Space Flight Program in Russia; and a NASA flight director.
He started his career at Rockwell in 1988 and became a NASA civil servant that same year.
Over the course of his career, he has received many honors, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Johnson Space Center Directors Commendation, Rank of Meritorious Executive, conferred by the President of the United States, NASA Exceptional Service Medal (twice), the Superior Accomplishment Award, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Rotary Space Award Nominee, and more.
Montalbano received a bachelor’s degree in aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering from Iowa State University.
Through CCP, Hutcherson will continue her work with the American aerospace industry to develop safe, reliable and cost-effective crew transportation systems for low-Earth orbit destinations, including the International Space Station.
She is responsible for the facilitation of spacecraft development, certification, and operations to enable the safe transportation of NASA astronauts for the Commercial Crew Program.
Hutcherson previously served as deputy manager of the CCP Systems Engineering and Integration Office, and as deputy manager of the program’s Launch Vehicle Systems Office.
She also has served as a NASA flow director within the Launch Vehicle Processing Directorate at Kennedy, and other roles at NASA. Prior to NASA, she began her career with United Space Alliance as an airframe engineer.
Hutcherson has received numerous prestigious honors including Meritorious Presidential Rank Award, NASA’s Space Flight Awareness Leadership Award, and Outstanding Leadership Medal.
She holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and a master of science in industrial engineering of engineering management from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-names-acting-leaders-for-two-key-human-spaceflight-roles/
Making an Entrance
Feb 25, 2026
NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway smiles up at the camera as he enters the International Space Station Feb. 14, 2026, after docking to the orbiting laboratory aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Since Hathaway and fellow Crew-12 members Jessica Meir of NASA, Sophie Adenot of ESA (European Space Agency), and Andrey Fedyaev of Roscosmos began their mission on the space station, they have conducted science investigations including scanning their veins to monitor the risk of blood clots and testing balance and orientation in space using virtual reality goggles.
The crew will continue to run various experiments and technology demonstrations to benefit life on Earth and in orbit, furthering our journey back to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond.
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/making-an-entrance/
https://x.com/Space_Station/status/2026763566003769625
NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Releases 2025 Annual Report
Feb 25, 2026
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), which advises NASA and Congress on safety, has released its 2025 annual report on NASA’s performance and challenges.
While the panel acknowledged NASA’s safety achievements, it warned that the agency’s biggest challenges stem from interconnected factors – workforce, acquisition, technical authority, budgets, and the growing complexity of human spaceflight – requiring sustained attention as missions become more ambitious.
“Independent assessments like this will make NASA better,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
“The panel’s report underscores areas where we must raise the bar, from how we structure oversight and manage integrated risk to how we declare and learn from anomalies.
We are wholly committed to transparency. That’s how we protect crews, earn trust, and keep the Artemis lunar campaign and our transition to a commercial presence in low Earth orbit on a safe, sustainable path.”
This year’s report focused on the following topics:
strategic vision and governance
Moon to Mars program
future U.S. presence in low Earth orbit
health and medical risks in human spaceflight
NASA’s X-59 Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator
The panel noted progress on Artemis II readiness and improved oversight through the Moon to Mars Program Office, as well as safe International Space Station operations, advances in astronaut health research, and the first flight of the X-59 Low-Boom Demonstrator.
At the same time, it flagged significant challenges, including Artemis III’s high-risk posture, lessons from Boeing’s Starliner test, space station deorbit planning, and systemic concerns.
To respond to these new challenges, the panel recommends NASA:
Realign its governance of acquisition strategies for human spaceflight-related capabilities agencywide.
Re-examine the mission objectives and system architecture for Artemis III and subsequent missions to establish a more balanced approach to risk.
Require timely declaration of mishap or high-visibility close call.
“We were already on the path to implementing change and this report only adds more urgency,” added Isaacman.
“That means recalibrating our acquisition strategy — including a build versus buy versus service procurement approach — restoring core competencies through initiatives like converting contractors to civil servant roles and increasing our launch cadence.
We’re also aligning our long-term vision for the agency and industry to guide priorities. This includes clarifying our plans for the Artemis architecture moving forward and accelerating proposals for human landing systems to preserve schedule margin.
We’ve already shown what transparency and now accountability looks like — through the Boeing Starliner Program Investigation Team report, we owned our mistakes, classified the mission as a Type A mishap, and launched corrective actions to ensure they never happen again.
These steps, along with addressing health and medical risk documentation and overhauling and accelerating programs like X-59, reflect our commitment to live up to the expectations of the world’s most accomplished space agency.”
On Feb. 19, Isaacman held a news conference to present the agency’s findings from the Starliner Crewed Flight Test. Earlier this month, he outlined a new workforce plan to strengthen NASA’s core competencies in technical, engineering, and operational excellence.
The agency also is working with both its human landing system industry providers to streamline and accelerate America’s return to the surface of the Moon by 2028.
“The panel commends NASA for its impressive efforts in 2025 to strategically enhance the agency’s risk management posture despite turbulence in the agency’s organizational environment,” said retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Susan J. Helms, chair of ASAP.
“We very sincerely thank NASA’s leaders and workforce for their passionate dedication to space exploration and their unwavering commitment to the safe pursuit of the nation’s lofty aims to the great benefit of the future of humanity.”
The annual report is based on the panel’s 2025 fact-finding and quarterly public meetings; direct observations of NASA operations and decision-making; discussions with NASA management, employees, and contractors; and the panel members’ experiences.
Congress established the panel in 1968 to provide advice and make recommendations to the NASA administrator on safety matters after the 1967 Apollo 1 fire claimed the lives of three American astronauts.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-aerospace-safety-advisory-panel-releases-2025-annual-report/
https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/26/nasa_safety_artemis/
https://www.nasa.gov/asap/
https://www.nasa.gov/missions/chandra/listen-to-this-months-planetary-parade-with-nasas-chandra/
https://chandra.harvard.edu/blog/node/950
https://chandra.cfa.harvard.edu/sound/
Listen to This Month’s ‘Planetary Parade’ With NASA’s Chandra
Feb 25, 2026
In late February, people in the Northern Hemisphere can look up for a special sight: six planets will all be visible from clear and dark night skies. New sonifications from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory released Feb. 25 will help commemorate this latest “planetary parade.”
Because the planets in our solar system travel around the Sun in the same plane (known as the ecliptic), they will sometimes appear bunched together in the sky when their orbits find them on the same side of the Sun at the same time.
When this happens, it looks like the planets have roughly formed a line from our vantage point on Earth.
In Chandra’s sonifications, which translate astronomical data into sound, three of the planets that will be on display – Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus – can be seen and heard in ways that they cannot from Earth.
While Chandra is best known for its X-ray insight into black holes and other extreme objects, the telescope has also played an important role in the exploration of our solar system.
The Sun gives off X-rays that travel out into the solar system and can be reflected by planets, moons, and other bodies. This gives astronomers a unique window into certain physics that cannot be discovered through other kinds of telescopes.
The sonification of Jupiter combines X-ray data from Chandra with an infrared image from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Woodwind sounds reveal Chandra’s X-ray data, including emission from the planet’s auroras.
More instruments join in to represent the planet’s complex cloud layers. Next, through the combination of an optical image from NASA’s Cassini mission and X-rays from Chandra, listeners can experience Saturn like never before.
A siren-like sound follows the arc of the rings, and different tones of synthesizers play as the scan passes the planet itself. Finally, listeners can hear the ice giant Uranus through the data collected by Chandra and the W.M. Keck Observatory.
The data in this sonification reflects the amount of light detected from the planet and the orientation of its ring.
The process of creating a sonification preserves the integrity of the data, which arrives on Earth as a series of ones and zeroes (binary code), and shifts it into a form that can be processed through hearing.
Sonifications expand options for people to explore what telescopes discover in space, an example of NASA’s ongoing commitment to share its data as widely as possible.
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Visual Description
This release features three sonifications, each focusing on a different planet in our solar system. The sonifications are presented as soundtracks to short videos.
Each video features a composite image and an activation line. As the activation line sweeps across the image, it encounters visual elements.
These elements are translated into sound, or sonified, according to parameters established by Chandra’s sonification team.
The first sonification focuses on the planet Jupiter. At the center of the associated composite image is the gas giant itself; a seemingly perfect sphere with an atmosphere of latitudinal bands.
The bands are different shades of grey, brown, and black, each with its own texture and width. Flanking Jupiter are neon pink and white clouds, representing X-rays from energetic particles in a ring around the planet.
In the video, the activation line moves from our left to right. It first encounters a pink cloud, triggering whooshing woodwinds. When the activation line encounters Jupiter, dramatic low notes are triggered.
Listen for the dip as the line passes over the Great Red Spot in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere. The activation line continues toward our right, passing more pink X-ray clouds. The largest cloud, the last one encountered, has a bright white core, which translates to loud gusty woodwinds.
The second sonification focuses on the ringed planet, Saturn. In the composite image, the large gas giant fills the frame, its spherical outer layer a pale sandy grey. In this image, the wide bands of rings surrounding the planet are in shades of pale grey and sandy yellow.
Here, Saturn is tilted away from us, making the round rings appear oval in shape. Dotting the planet are small pockets of neon blue. These represent reflected X-ray light observed by Chandra. In this video, the activation line moves from our right to left.
When the line passes over the rings, a whooshing sounds spreads, conveying the widening middle of the oval shapes. Pockets of neon blue X-ray light trigger synthesizer sounds, with the pitch mapped to each pocket’s vertical position in the image.
When the line sweeps across Saturn’s large round body, a low rumbling synth tone is triggered. The volume is linked to brightness, such that the low tone fades when the line reaches the shady side of the planet, on our left.
The third sonification features the planet Uranus. In the composite image, the icy giant is a greenish-blue cyan color, with a blush of neon pink X-rays hovering over its core.
Uranus has a collection of very narrow rings, much finer than the wide disk-like rings surrounding Saturn. In this image, the fine rings are near vertical and slightly tilted, creating an oval shape with rounded points at our lower left and upper right.
In this sonification, the activation line moves from our left to right. Brightness is mapped to volume and height is mapped to pitch, such that brighter objects at the top of the image sound louder and higher.
Here, the curved oval shape of the rings is conveyed as a swooping cello note, with the pitch sliding up as the activation line passes the oval tilted toward our upper right.
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Houston, we have a problem: Study points to clotting glitch in space
February 26, 2026
A cut presumably draws blood anywhere in the universe, whether in an Earthly suburb or on some future interstellar voyage yet undreamed outside science fiction. In space, however, clotting's the challenge.
A recent study by University of Florida Health scientists, published in the journal Biomedicines, reveals a space oddity—platelets become less effective at clotting after about five days in the microgravity of outer space.
Platelets are components of blood that help stop bleeding.
Like a lightbulb that won't illuminate until a switch is thrown, platelets flowing through the body must "activate" before they can effectively do their job of clotting.
In space, that activation is delayed. And while the delay might make little difference for minor cuts or bruises, if an accident causes a hemorrhage or a bleed in a vital organ, researchers said, the delay could prove dangerous.
"This should be a focus of research on human spaceflight," said the study's senior author, Abdel Alli, Ph.D., M.P.H., an associate professor in the UF College of Medicine's division of nephrology, hypertension and renal transplantation.
"If something hits your head while exposed to microgravity during space travel and you have trauma, platelet dysfunction might become a serious problem," he added. "It's not as if you can visit an emergency room."
No serious, publicly reported extraterrestrial bleeds have occurred since humans began launching themselves into space in 1961, even though some travelers have spent months orbiting Earth on space stations.
(Astronauts recently returned to Earth from the International Space Station after one became ill. NASA, however, has not revealed details.)
Platelets, on Earth or in orbit, stream idly in the blood until they are needed to help repair a damaged blood vessel. When activated, they change shape, become sticky and help form clots.
The study simulated microgravity in the lab using a device called a "rotating wall vessel" and platelets from a blood bank. (The platelets were past their window for transfusion.)
In microgravity, gravity still pulls on objects, but without a solid surface such as Earth's to push back, they drift as if weightless. This occurs in Earth's orbit and in deep space, far from planets or stars.
The rotating wall vessel is a spinning cylinder that gently suspends the platelets, effectively counteracting gravity's pull to mimic weightlessness.
The vessel was placed in an incubator for five days to maintain the temperature and other conditions of the human body.
Platelets—they're not full cells, but they act like them in many ways—don't spring into action themselves. They need a little help.
When a blood vessel is damaged, chemical messengers are released. It's like a 911 call to emergency responders, spurring other cells to action.
A protective layer called a membrane surrounds platelets and all cells. It holds the cell together and helps control what goes in and out.
After that 911 call goes out, doorways created by special proteins form in the platelet membrane. The doorways are called ion channels.
When the channels open, sodium ions—charged particles in the blood—rush into the platelet, helping trigger the cascade of reactions that transforms it into an activated, clot-forming cell.
The platelet membranes, however, become softer and more fluid in microgravity. That disrupts the formation of many of those doorways. Ions can still enter the cell.
But it's like suddenly closing many gates at a football stadium. A bottleneck forms at the remaining entrances. Fans will get to their seats, but they might miss kickoff.
"Platelets can still activate but it takes longer," Alli said. He described the delay as short-lived, perhaps a few minutes. But as any emergency physician can attest, seconds count when treating major trauma.
Alli said more research is required to better understand the problem. For example, other types of ion channels might play a role in the process. Does hypertension, which is also regulated by ion channels, amplify delayed activation?
Alli hopes his research might lead to drug therapies offering a fix, clearing a hurdle that will help open Mars and even more distant worlds to explorers. "This is important to astronauts and really any spectator who wants to go to space," he said.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-houston-problem-clotting-glitch-space.html
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/12/2860
Mysterious Chinese Space Plane Conducting Unknown Mission in Orbit
Feb 26, 2026 11:07 AM EST
There's a lot we still don't know.
The United States Space Force has been testing its top-secret Boeing X-37B space plane for over a decade. Two versions of the unusual spacecraft have completed seven orbital missions over the last 15 years, spending a combined thousands of days in space.
Despite its extensive experience of being launched atop a rocket and slowing its descent on its own during reentry, much like NASA’s Space Shuttle, we still have no idea what it’s doing in space, beyond the military vaguely pointing towards testing new spaceflight hardware and space-based capabilities.
And China isn’t far behind. Its own secretive space plane, dubbed Shendong, or “Divine Dragon,” launched for the fourth time on February 7 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Its purpose similarly remains under tight wrap. According to state-run news network Xinhua, the space plane “will conduct technological verification for reusable spacecraft, providing technical support for the peaceful use of space.”
The plane’s third trip to space concluded in September 2024 after spending 267 days in orbit.
The “success of the experiment demonstrates the growing maturity of China’s reusable spacecraft technologies, which will pave the way for more convenient and affordable round-trip methods for the peaceful use of space in the future,” a statement read at the time.
Most intriguingly, previous test flights have involved Shendong releasing small mysterious objects — likely satellites — while in orbit, which have been tracked by the US Space Force and even amateur astronomers.
There’s far more that we don’t know about the space plane than what we do. As SpaceNews points out, given the payload capacity of its Long March 2F rocket, which launched the spacecraft earlier this month, it could be similar in size to the Space Force’s X-37B.
Some believe China may be testing the close approach of other objects, or “rendezvous proximity operations” (RPOs) after being found to have conducted close maneuvers with its deployed satellites.
“I think that tracks along with other things that they’re doing — you know, conducting RPOs in [low-Earth] and [geostationary orbit],” nonprofit Secure World Foundation chief director of space security and stability Victoria Samson told Space.com.
“This is a skill set that they’re obviously interested in, as is Russia, as is the United States.”
But for now, all we can do is speculate about the purpose of either space plane — top-secret experiments that could be a sign the two biggest world powers are actively vying for superiority in orbit.
https://futurism.com/space/chinese-space-plane-unknown-fourth-mission
Holy See: Outer space and AI must not be weaponized
26 February 2026, 09:57
The Holy See reiterates the moral imperative of disarmament amid massive expansion of arms budgets, and warns against the militarization of outer space, which must remain the “province of all mankind.”
Msgr. Daniel Pacho, Undersecretary for the Holy See’s Multilateral Sector of the Secretariat of State, has renewed the Church’s call for disarmament.
Addressing the UN-led 2026 Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on Wednesday, he said humanity is at “a critical juncture,” recalling Pope Leo XIV’s warning in January that war is “back in vogue, and a zeal for war is spreading.”
Msgr. Pacho lamented that diplomacy based on force is replacing dialogue and consensus-seeking, saying this shift has undermined multilateral discussions on disarmament, including the Conference on Disarmament.
He upheld disarmament as a “moral imperative” that ensures weapons are never used again in aggression to harm others.
“Disarmament is not an end in itself,” he said. “It is a key tool for building trust and achieving just and lasting peace, and therefore significant for promoting integral human development.”
Msgr. Pacho reiterated the Holy See’s opposition to nuclear proliferation, expressing its concern for the “existential threat” they pose to humanity.
Nuclear deterence, he said, is based on the irrational belief that international relations should be based on the threat of force rather than on justice, law, and trust.
When the “dangerous path of deterence” replaces all diplomatic efforts, he said, “humanity and our planet as a whole risk being pushed towards the edge of devastation and destruction.”
In this context, Msgr. Pacho repeated the Holy See’s invitation for nuclear-armed nations to engage in good-faith negotiations to reduce and eventually eliminate their arsenals.
The Holy See’s representative went on to consider that outer space is quickly becoming a forum for great power conflict.
“The militarization of outer space is already a reality and will lead to its weaponization, unless concrete steps are taken to build trust and enhance collective security and responsibility,” he said.
Any major conflict in outer space, he added, would have devastating effects for our generation and those of the future.
“It is therefore essential,” he said, “that the exploration and use of outer space is preserved for peaceful purposes only, as a common ‘province of all mankind’ in accordance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.”
Msgr. Pacho then turned to the weaponization of artificial intelligence, noting that AI is increasingly dehumanizing the way that wars are waged.
“When autonomous weapons ‘become’ the combatants,” he said, “the unique human capacity for moral judgment and ethical decision-making disappears, as does the burden of responsibility, dangerously lowering the threshold for conflict.”
Humans must therefore remain in control in all use of force, he said, calling for a moratorium on the development and use of lethal autonomous weapons systems.
In conclusion, Msgr. Pacho urged the Conference on Disarmament to seek paths to verify how nations are using emerging weapons platforms, while confronting expanding military expenditure with treaties to limit armaments.
“For humanity to move towards authentic and lasting peace,” he said, “it is crucial that this Conference on Disarmament achieves concrete and lasting disarmament agreements for the common good of all peoples.”
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-02/holy-see-un-disarmament-conference-weaponization-space-ai.html
Buckley Space Force Base resumes normal operations after report of suspected explosives
February 26, 2026 7:53 AM
Operations are back to normal at Buckley Space Force Base after a report of suspected explosives prompted a large emergency response Wednesday evening.
A spokesperson for the base said that just before 4 p.m., they received a report of suspected explosives near building 510.
The Buckley Fire Department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Security Forces, and the Aurora Police Department responded to the scene.
As a precaution, a 1,000-foot safety cordon was established around the Large Vehicle Inspection Bay, and traffic in and out of the 6th Avenue gate was delayed. Personnel were asked to avoid the area in the meantime.
In an update at 8:24 p.m., the spokesperson said the incident had been resolved after officials determined there was no threat to the installation. All affected gates have since resumed normal operations.
https://krdo.com/news/2026/02/26/buckley-space-force-base-resumes-normal-operations-after-report-of-suspected-explosives/
>Bobby Inman (Hillside), retired four-star admiral and former NSA director; significant ties to the Bay Area defense and intelligence community.
Space Base Delta 1 strengthens installation security through drone detection efforts
Feb. 25, 2026
Space Base Delta 1 is strengthening installation security through counter–small unmanned aerial system detection efforts designed to protect Airmen, Guardians and the critical infrastructure that supports the space mission.
The installation maintains the ability to detect drones operating in or near its airspace in accordance with federal law and Federal Aviation Administration authorities.
Early awareness allows leaders to understand what is happening above the installation and evaluate potential risks before they affect people, facilities or operations.
“Early detection provides leadership with critical information to maintain situational awareness and assess potential risks,” said Senior Master Sgt. Stephen Spaeder, 21st Security Forces Squadron superintendent.
“That awareness strengthens our overall security posture and informs base defense discussions, ensuring we remain proactive in protecting the installation.”
Beyond detection, the installation maintains authorized capabilities to protect its people, facilities and critical resources when necessary. Any response is carried out in accordance with federal law and established authorities.
While technology plays an important role, community members also contribute to installation security. Timely reporting of suspicious drone activity through established channels helps Security Forces and partner agencies gain better awareness of activity in and around the installation.
Community members can report suspicious drone activity near the installations to the Base Defense Operations Center Peterson Space Force Base at 719-556-4000 or the Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station BDOC at 719-474-3311.
“Notification from the public is often the most critical first step in our response,” Spaeder said. “While we maintain detection capabilities, community members play an essential role by reporting suspicious drone activity or operators when they see them.
That information helps us build a clearer operational picture.”
SBD 1 works closely with the Colorado Springs Police Department and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to strengthen coordination related to drone activity. Information sharing and established partnerships ensure a unified approach when concerns arise.
Security Forces Airmen remain at the center of the installation’s layered defense. As defenders of the space mission, they safeguard weapon system infrastructure, protect personnel and secure the resources that enable space operations.
Their vigilance helps ensure operations continue safely and without interruption.
“Our space capability starts on the ground,” said Senior Airman Zachary Young, 21st SFS response force member and counter–UAS subject matter expert. “Security Forces defenders are essential to ensuring our mission can operate without disruption.”
The SBD 1 sUAS program’s primary objective is to unify cutting-edge technologies and operational capabilities to ensure force protection, security, and dominance in the sUAS domain.
Through detection, partnerships and a vigilant defense posture, SBD 1 continues to protect its people and preserve the reliability of space operations.
https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/News/Display/Article/4414775/space-base-delta-1-strengthens-installation-security-through-drone-detection-ef/
extra Space Force
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4415030/vandenberg-space-force-base-hosts-mission-update-speaker-series-in-lompoc/
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4415017/santa-maria-civic-leader-tour/
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4415012/vandenbergs-hawk-of-the-week-award-on-february-25th/
https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/News/Display/Article/4414579/21st-dental-squadron-celebrates-childrens-dental-health-month/