TYB
Large Earthquake Strikes China in warned area M6.0 (M5.9) Seismic Progression – dutchsinse and frens
8/18/2026
UDPATE!!!! August 19, 2026… Worked all night! It is now 545am central time next day August 18, 2026.
The magnetosphere program which showed in this video is complete and we have released it to the world for free open source public use!
https://www.dutchsinse.com/real-time-earth-magnetosphere-monitor-free-open-source-program/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrLUE-0soXg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx_nPpTnlko (Thornews: ECLIPSE SEASON UPDATE: Stay Cool & Play Defense, y'all. + Hurricane & Flood Watch the 28th ish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3ayoFUMeLo (Max Velocity: A Giant Storm Threat Is Developing Now…)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seS3p8JQEYs (Fox Weather: Indiana Governor Mike Braun Talks State's Recovery After Days Of Severe Weather, Flooding)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2uDR0VLqMg (On the Pulse with Silki: EVACUATIONS AND COLLAPSES ! MORE BIG Quakes HIT Granada in Spain - Residents in Fear)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCK0t34dVRU (EarthMaster: China Earthquake activity….,Watching the Java Trench area for larger EQ. Tuesday Night update)
-
solar
https://watchers.news/epicenter/ai-model-forecasts-solar-active-region-emergence-more-than-9-hours-in-advance/
https://astrobiology.com/2026/08/18/intense-but-harmless-exo-space-weather-around-an-m-dwarf-with-a-single-hemisphere-dynamo/
-
storms and floods
https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/blogs/ag-weather-forum/blog-post/2026/08/19/flooding-concerns-continue-illinois-2
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2026/08/19/historic-flooding-indianapolis-central-indiana-photos/91350603007/
https://wchstv.com/news/local/gov-morrisey-declares-state-of-emergency-following-severe-weather
https://www.wbez.org/weather/2026/08/19/pritzker-signs-disaster-proclamation-to-aid-recovery-after-months-of-relentless-and-unprecedented-storms
https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2026/08/19/power-outages-wisconsin-storms-severe-weather
https://www.npr.org/2026/08/18/nx-s1-5931978/u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-solicits-long-term-solutions-for-juneaus-glacial-floods
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/govt-warns-of-fresh-flood-in-subarnarekha/articleshow/133351028.cms
https://www.socialnews.xyz/2026/08/19/philippine-authorities-verifying-27-severe-weather-related-deaths/
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/08/19/schools-temporarily-closed-in-northern-myanmar-as-ayeyawady-river-floods-low-lying-villages
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40069971
https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/08/1168165
-
wildfires
https://dailydispatch.com/fire-news/oregon/oregon-wildfires-scorch-2-63-million-acres-nearly-four-times-the-annual-average/
https://www.eenews.net/articles/firefighting-resources-are-critically-low-in-record-fire-year/
https://www.kcra.com/article/pge-undergrounding-power-lines-placer-county/73468980
https://jonesbororightnow.com/news/268862-arkansas-department-of-agriculture-launches-new-active-wildfire-dashboard/
https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/19/colorado-homeowners-insurance-wildfire-risk/
https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2026/08/19/rain-aids-wildfire-fight-northern-minnesota-need-relief-outpaces-donations/
https://vicksburgnews.com/mississippians-urged-to-be-wildfire-aware/
https://www.newsminer.com/alerts/more-than-20-homes-damaged-as-tok-wildfire-grows/article_5b4bad18-64cf-4d73-85b5-4c13fcbdb197.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/britain-faces-heat-floods-wildfires-125900556.html
https://www.tovima.com/world/indonesias-wildfires-nearly-double-in-july-alone/
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/19/belgium-wildfire-encircled-overnight-but-situation-still-complicated-officials-say
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/08/18/over-2000-emergency-personnel-tackle-wildfires-still-raging-in-portugal
1/2
typhoons and hurricanes
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/08/19/after-lalas-flooding-another-storm-or-hurricane-could-hit-hawaii-this-weekend/
https://www.newsweek.com/new-hurricane-threats-grow-in-pacific-days-after-lalas-destruction-12341259
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/08/18/when-will-your-internet-return-spectrum-details-restoration-hurdles-after-lala/
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2026/08/19/over-40k-still-without-power-across-hawaii-after-lala-damages-grid-lines/
https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/s0-drone-demonstrates-new-dual-altitude-capability-in-hurricane-lala/
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/typhoon-threat-builds-as-rain-soaks-guam/article_4c1e182b-361a-4181-89ba-1ed19137e072.html
https://www.kuam.com/story/354717300/potential-category-4-typhoon-expected-to-pass-the-far-northern-marianas-this-weekend
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3364564/shanghai-port-sees-christmas-shipment-delays-twin-typhoons-create-10-day-backlog
https://newsonjapan.com/article/150416.php
-
tornadoes
https://www.wtae.com/article/pennsylvania-tornado-armstrong-county-orchard-hills/73474720
https://www.cleveland.com/weather/2026/08/six-tornadoes-touched-down-in-ohio-during-last-weeks-storms.html
https://mynews4.com/news/local/nevada-averages-two-tornadoes-a-year-reno-sparks-hasnt-had-one-confirmed-since-2002
-
earthquakes
https://newjersey.news12.com/2026/08/18/study-says-2024-tewksbury-earthquake-likely-came-from-mountainville-fault-not-ramapo-fault/1ZN8r2C0wQOrSahjTSRkP5
https://abc7.com/post/35-magnitude-earthquake-rattles-riverside-county-usgs-says/19702307/
https://sovanews.tv/en/2026/08/19/earthquake-strikes-georgia-magnitude-3-tremors-recorded/
https://en.haberler.com/did-an-earthquake-occur-in-istanbul-citizens-2300528/
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2288384/magnitude-4-3-quake-struck-balut-island-in-sarangani
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1282227
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/18/world/asia/afghanistan-quake-tracker.html
https://www.ntd.com/magnitude-5-9-earthquake-strikes-northwestern-china-usgs-says_1167219.html
https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2026/08/19/granada-earthquakes-damage-historic-sites-and-close-alhambras-alcazaba/
https://phys.org/news/2026-08-topography-mountains-large-earthquakes.html
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2026-08/colombia-earthquake-cesvi-warns-of-trafficking-risk-for-children.html
-
volcanoes
https://phys.org/news/2026-08-volcano-myths-unravel-plumes-yellowstone.html
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/08/19/mt-anak-krakatau-erupts-more-than-two-dozen-times-blankets-nearby-island-in-ash
https://en.antaranews.com/news/427577/three-indonesian-volcanoes-erupt-in-rapid-succession-tuesday-night
-
dailys
https://schumannresonance.today/
https://www.weather.gov/
https://www.weatherbug.com/news/Severe-Storms-Spot-the-Great-Plains-Mississippi-Basin
https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn
https://www.tornadohq.com/
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquakes-volcanoes/news/327134/Volcano-earthquake-report-for-Wednesday-19-Aug-2026.html
https://www.spaceweather.gov/
https://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=19&month=08&year=2026
2/2
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/the-other-august-meteor-shower-how-to-spot-the-kappa-cygnids-tonight
extra space objects
https://spacedaily.com/n-a-shape-nobody-had-catalogued-before/
The Other August Meteor Shower: How To Spot the Kappa Cygnids Tonight
August 18, 2026
The Perseids may get most of the attention in August, but they aren’t the only meteors streaking across the late-summer sky.
Tonight, August 18, 2026, keep an eye out for the Kappa Cygnid meteor shower, a much quieter display that reaches its maximum in mid-August.
The International Meteor Organization lists the Kappa Cygnids as active from August 3 through August 28, with a predicted maximum on August 17—meaning tonight is still an excellent time to look.
Don’t expect dozens of shooting stars per hour. Under ideal dark-sky conditions, the Kappa Cygnids produce only about three meteors per hour near their peak.
But what this shower lacks in numbers, it can make up for in character. Its meteors move noticeably more slowly across the sky than the speedy Perseids, making a Kappa Cygnid an especially satisfying catch for patient skywatchers.
What Are the Kappa Cygnids?
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through streams of dust and small pieces of debris in space. When those particles enter our atmosphere at high speed, they heat up and produce the bright streaks we call meteors or “shooting stars.”
The Kappa Cygnids appear to radiate from the constellation Cygnus the Swan, near the star Kappa Cygni. That apparent point of origin is known as the shower’s radiant.
The radiant is only a matter of perspective—the meteors can appear almost anywhere in the sky. Trace the path of a true Kappa Cygnid backward, however, and it should lead toward the Cygnus region.
NASA notes that the shower reaches only about three meteors per hour at its peak, which is why the Kappa Cygnids are easily overshadowed by the far more prolific Perseids occurring at nearly the same time.
How Are Kappa Cygnids Different From Perseids?
Speed is one of the easiest clues.
According to the International Meteor Organization, Kappa Cygnid meteors enter Earth’s atmosphere at about 23 kilometers per second, or roughly 14 miles per second.
Perseid meteors race in at about 59 kilometers per second, or around 37 miles per second. That means a Kappa Cygnid can appear to move rather leisurely compared with the quick flashes produced by the Perseids.
And yes—the Perseids are still around, too. Their official activity period lasts through August 24, so a meteor spotted tonight could belong to either shower or simply be a random, or “sporadic,” meteor.
1/2
Where Should You Look Tonight?
Start by finding Cygnus, one of the easiest summertime constellations to recognize from much of the Northern Hemisphere.
Its brightest star, Deneb, forms one corner of the famous Summer Triangle along with Vega and Altair. Cygnus stretches through the Milky Way and is often described as looking like a great bird flying across the heavens—or, alternatively, a cross.
You do not need to stare directly at the radiant to see Kappa Cygnids. In fact, meteors often look longer and more impressive when spotted some distance away from their radiant.
NASA recommends taking in a broad expanse of sky rather than concentrating on one tiny area. A reclining lawn chair or blanket is ideal: simply lean back and look up.
What Time Is Best?
Give the sky a chance to become fully dark and plan to watch for at least an hour.
The Moon is waxing toward First Quarter, which occurs at 2:46 UTC on August 20—or 10:46 p.m. EDT on August 19—so there will be some moonlight during the evening.
For better meteor hunting, find the darkest location you reasonably can, away from porch lights, streetlights, and brightly illuminated buildings.
Once outside, allow your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. Avoid checking your phone, since a bright screen can spoil your night vision.
NASA gives similar advice for meteor-shower viewing: seek a dark, open location, get comfortable, and give your eyes time to adapt.
And be patient. With a shower that produces only a few meteors per hour, you may go long stretches without seeing anything.
Then, without warning, one may glide across the stars.
Will the Kappa Cygnids Put On a Big Show in 2026?
Probably not—and that’s part of what makes this a different kind of skywatching experience.
The Kappa Cygnids have shown periods of increased activity in some previous years. The International Meteor Organization notes enhanced activity in 2007, 2014, and 2021, suggesting a possible roughly seven-year pattern.
Because of that cycle, enhanced rates are not expected in 2026. So this isn’t a meteor “storm,” and it shouldn’t be advertised as one. Think of tonight instead as a celestial scavenger hunt.
The Perseids have already enjoyed their big moment. Now the quieter Kappa Cygnids offer an excuse to spend another warm August evening beneath the stars—and perhaps catch one of summer’s lesser-known shooting stars for yourself.
Tonight’s Skywatching Tip: Don’t count meteors minute by minute. Find a dark spot, settle in comfortably, and give the sky your attention for an hour or more. With the Kappa Cygnids, patience is part of the show.
2/2
We're getting hit with everything from critical mass to biblical mass.
NASA Establishes State Hubs to Grow Technical Aerospace Workforce
Aug 19, 2026
NASA has awarded approximately $10.5 million to seven institutions to help strengthen and streamline state-based pathways for students into skilled technical jobs in the aerospace industry.
The awards were made through the new NASA Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs initiative, or NASA State Hubs. This investment in state ecosystems is designed to accelerate the development of technical roles to meet the talent demands of the space industry.
“The need for technical talent is already urgent and will only continue to grow as we return humanity to the Moon and set our sights on Mars and beyond,” said Elaine Ho, associate administrator for the Office of STEM Engagement at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
“NASA is uniquely positioned to be the catalyst and convener that accelerates America’s aerospace workforce development and fosters the next generation of technicians.”
The newly awarded NASA State Hubs, represented across seven states, will function as strategic conveners that align industry employers, community colleges, high school career and technical education programs, and workforce systems to facilitate bringing students into high‑demand technical jobs, including welders, electricians, machinists, and other highly trained workers who use advanced STEM knowledge and technical skills in their occupations.
Over the next three years, the selected organizations will create programs that build critical skills identified by industry leaders, illuminate career pathways through education and apprenticeships, and build connections between employers and job seekers.
The awarded organizations are:
Antelope Valley Community College District in Lancaster, California
Georgia Tech Research Corporation
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Southern Utah University
Space Florida
State Board for Community Colleges and Occupation Education, Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado
Texas Space Commission
NASA State Hubs cooperative agreements are funded by the Office of STEM Engagement through its Next Gen STEM Project.
The Office of STEM Engagement advances NASA’s mission by boosting the nation’s research capacity, building technical expertise, and strengthening participation in aerospace fields.
The Next Gen STEM project extends this impact by preparing high school and community college students for future aerospace careers through strategic partnerships and competitive awards that develop the vital skills needed to power our Golden Age of exploration and innovation.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-establishes-state-hubs-to-grow-technical-aerospace-workforce/
moar, amore
https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/johnson/behind-the-lens-meet-nasa-johnsons-photographers/
https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/elephant-butte-reservoir-runs-low/
https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/nasa-student-aviation-challenge-focuses-on-nations-infrastructure/
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-b777-gets-new-coat-of-paint/
NASA’s LRO Images Falcon 9 Crater on Moon, Learns New Details
Aug 18, 2026
Between Aug. 11 and 12, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) captured a series of images of a new crater on the Moon.
The crater formed on Aug. 5, when a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage impacted the surface following its January 2025 launch of the Firefly Blue Ghost 1 mission.
To capture imagery of the impact, engineers tilted the spacecraft so its cameras would point toward the crater each time LRO passed about 60 miles above the Moon, traveling 1 mile per second.
The orbiter circles the Moon from pole to pole every two hours, while the Moon slowly rotates underneath it. To photograph a specific spot, the spacecraft must wait until that location turns into view, which took six days in this case.
Getting the pointing right was only half the challenge; timing had to be accurate as well. If the camera snapped even 10 seconds too early or too late, the target would drift off-center by 10 miles.
Because of the variety of viewing angles, scientists could see the crater under multiple lighting conditions that revealed unique features. In images where the crater rim stood out, scientists measured its 60‑foot width.
Scientists also determined the crater is less than 10 feet deep based on the length of its shadow.
To capture these details, LRO used its Narrow-Angle Camera, which can spot features as small as 3 feet wide.
The images above show bright and dark rays stretching out from the crater. The darker streaks are made of surface dust and rocks altered over a long time by solar wind, galactic cosmic rays, and micrometeorite impacts.
This weathered material was excavated by the collision from 1.5 feet into the lunar surface. The brighter streaks near the crater rim are made of fresh material excavated from deeper underground.
Finding the impact site took global coordination among experts and hobbyists. Independent astronomers first identified the rocket’s trajectory using publicly available data.
NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies, which tracks natural objects that could pose hazards to Earth for the agency’s Planetary Defense program, used this opportunity to test and validate tools and techniques for predicting impacts.
Based at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the center incrementally refined the trajectory until identifying the location of impact, which it provided to the Republic of Korea for their Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri) team.
The team used the high-resolution LUTI camera on Danuri a few hours later to image the crater, finding the prediction was accurate to about 0.6 miles.
After capturing images of the crater, the Danuri mission sent coordinates to NASA’s LRO team to help refine their follow-up imaging sequence.
Comparing their new crater images with the pre-impact images, the LRO team updated the crater center coordinates: 19.4759°N, 266.7138°E, 511 meters elevation.
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moon/nasas-lro-images-falcon-9-crater-on-moon-learns-new-details/
https://phys.org/news/2026-08-nasa-lro-images-falcon-crater.html
moar
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2026/08/18/nasa-esa-astronauts-wrap-up-station-spacewalk/
https://www.nasa.gov/reference/venous-haemostasis/
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-b777-gets-new-coat-of-paint/
https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/physics-of-the-cosmos/community/roses-25-new-opportunity-d-9-hwo/
GAO To NASA: Your Action Items Are One Year Overdue
August 19, 2026
According to GAO: “Dear Administrator Isaacman: The purpose of this letter is to call your personal attention to three areas where open recommendations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) should be given high priority”.
“In January 2026, we reported that, on a government-wide basis, 77 percent of our recommendations made 5 years ago were implemented. NASA’s recommendation implementation rate was 72 percent.
As of July 2026, NASA has 46 open recommendations, including four priority recommendations. Since our August 2025 letter, NASA has not implemented any priority recommendations.
Fully implementing these open priority recommendations could significantly improve NASA’s operations.
We are highlighting the following areas that warrant your timely and focused attention:
Monitoring program costs.
Managing cybersecurity risks
Using federal contracting metrics
https://nasawatch.com/2026/08/19/gao-to-nasa-your-action-items-are-one-year-overdue/
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-26-109162.pdf
moar
https://www.space.com/astronomy/mars/perseverance-rover-watchs-alien-solar-eclipse-on-mars-space-photo-of-the-day-for-aug-19-2026
https://www.cleveland.com/community/2026/08/nasa-glenn-research-center-inspiring-next-generation-of-aerospace-and-stem-careers.html
https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2089765323184492612
https://x.com/Soph_astro/status/2090112720527863954
Mysterious Russian 'space activity' causes US Air Force flight to Antarctica to turn around: report
August 19, 2026
An FAA notice issued last week advises that "Russian aerospace activities will take place" and that there is "possible debris" in several areas throughout airspace over the southern Indian Ocean.
A mysterious incident over the southern Indian Ocean forced a U.S. Air Force aircraft to turn around due to an unnamed hazard in space.
According to several New Zealand-based news outlets, a U.S. Air Force (USAF) C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft left Christchurch Airport on New Zealand's South Island on Tuesday (Aug. 18) bound for McMurdo Station in Antarctica.
Aircraft trackers using flight radar software noticed the C-17 turn around over the ocean some two hours into its flight.
According to a statement from New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority given to the country's Stuff news outlet, the C-17 turned around after the Russian Air Traffic Management Corporation issued a notice advising of "space activity, potentially hazardous to aviation en route to Antarctica."
It still remains unknown what that activity might have entailed, and the USAF has yet to issue a statement.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) on Aug. 10 for a large region of airspace over Australia and the Indian Ocean known as the Melbourne Flight Information Region, or YMMM.
The notice states that, beginning on Aug. 14, "Russian aerospace activities will take place" and that there is "possible debris" in several areas throughout the massive YMMM airspace.
It's possible that the notice that caused the C-17 to turn around was related to this NOTAM, which was still active as of Tuesday.
There is precedent that might give some clues as to what that aerospace activity might have been.
In the last few years, pieces of falling space debris reentering Earth's atmosphere have caused several airspace closures.
In November 2022, for example, the core stage of a Chinese Long March 5B rocket fell to Earth in an uncontrolled reentry over Spain, prompting multiple airspace closures out of caution.
In January 2025, SpaceX's Starship exploded on its seventh test flight, raining fiery debris over the Atlantic Ocean near the Turks and Caicos islands.
The FAA activated a "Debris Response Area" near the falling debris, causing some aircraft to have to divert to secondary airports due to low fuel.
That same month, a study published in the journal Scientific Reports found there is a 26% chance of "an uncontrolled space debris reentry in busy airspaces" due to the sharp increase in space traffic in recent years.
But experts say much more data is needed to determine how to mitigate risks and how to respond in the event of such debris incidents.
Of course, there remains the chance that Russia's notice to air crews wasn't caused by falling space debris at all. Governments regularly issue similar notices when they are testing weapons that fly to high altitudes, such as ballistic missiles.
Typically, however, such tests are planned far in advance, meaning any notices would have been issued long before the USAF's C-17 took to the air.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/mysterious-russian-space-activity-causes-us-air-force-flight-to-antarctica-to-turn-around-report
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/361021785/mystery-us-air-force-flight-aborts-antarctic-trip-returns-nzurch
Elon Musk Says Goldman Sachs’ $1.8 Trillion Space Economy Forecast Is Too Low: ‘It Will Be Much Bigger’
August 19, 2026 3:14 AM
Elon Musk says Goldman Sachs’ $1.8 trillion estimate for the global space economy by 2035 is too conservative, arguing reusable rockets, satellite networks and orbital computing could create a far larger market.
Goldman Sees A $1.8 Trillion Market
"It will be much bigger," Musk wrote on X Tuesday, responding to a post highlighting Goldman Sachs’ new "Second Space Age" report.
Goldman says space is becoming "a new pillar of the industrial economy" as lower launch costs, private capital and commercial infrastructure reshape an industry once dominated by governments.
The report cites a global space economy reaching $1.8 trillion by 2035 and says more than $55 billion flowed into the space ecosystem in 2025.
Goldman notes launch costs have fallen from roughly $55,000 per kilogram during the Space Shuttle era to around $3,000 today, largely because of rocket reusability.
SpaceX Expands Starlink And Orbital AI
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ:SPCX) is already pushing several markets that could stretch those forecasts.
Its second-quarter revenue nearly doubled to $7.8 billion, while Starlink revenue rose 66% and subscribers doubled to 12 million. The company expects to launch at least 1,000 next-generation Starlink V3 satellites within a year.
Musk is also betting on orbital AI infrastructure. SpaceX has sought approval for up to one million solar-powered data-center satellites, while executives aim to begin orbital AI computing demonstrations by late 2027.
Musk has argued much of the required technology already exists in Starlink.
Starship Could Unlock Much Bigger Markets
That ambition rests heavily on Starship. SpaceX says rapid, full reusability could lower launch costs and support much higher flight rates.
Musk has also tied Starship to lunar logistics, Mars settlement and eventual point-to-point transportation on Earth. Recent coverage noted SpaceX is considering additional "spaceports" as it targets thousands of Starship flights each year.
SpaceX’s first public quarterly report showed $7.81 billion in revenue, a $47.5 billion backlog and 78 launches year-to-date, while Starlink operates across 167 countries.
Goldman frames the opportunity broadly, spanning communications, defense, Earth observation, launch and orbital infrastructure.
Musk’s view is that those categories may describe only the opening phase. If orbital AI, mass satellite connectivity and reusable interplanetary transport become commercial realities, the market could extend well beyond that $1.8 trillion benchmark.
According to Benzinga Edge Rankings, SpaceX stock provides a favorable price trend in the Short, Medium and Long term.
https://www.benzinga.com/news/space/26/08/61292898/elon-musk-says-goldman-sachs-1-8-trillion-space-economy-forecast-is-too-low-it-will-be-much-bigger
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2089745945030193224
https://x.com/zerohedge/status/2089740880177496277
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4577373/starcom-activates-320th-recruiting-squadron-to-prepare-next-generation-of-guard/
moar
https://www.vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/News/Video/videoid/1019367/
https://x.com/USSpaceForce/status/2089783048166350859
https://x.com/USSpaceForce/status/2090087705103245781
https://x.com/US_SpaceCom/status/2089716618737926369
STARCOM activates 320th Recruiting Squadron to prepare next generation of Guardians
Aug. 19, 2026
Space Training and Readiness Command activated the U.S. Space Force’s 320th Recruiting Squadron during a ceremony Aug. 14 at the Parr Club.
Space Delta 1 commander Col. Krista N. St. Romain officiated the activation, formally passing command of the new squadron to Lt. Col. Jason Cano. The moment marked a decisive step in shaping the force needed for tomorrow’s space mission.
“The 320th Recruiting Squadron shows how an agile, forward‑thinking team leverages innovation to build awareness and interest nationwide,” said Col. Krista N. St. Romain, Space Delta 1 commander.
“They prove we can recruit specialized talent and secure top‑tier Guardians from coast to coast, ensuring our dominance from, in and to space.”
The 320 RCS, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, is the Space Force’s first dedicated recruiting squadron and the home of the Guardian Talent Scout program.
The unit expands the service’s reach by strengthening outreach, building key partnerships and helping applicants see how their skills align with the space mission.
Col. Lacresha A. Merkle, Air Force Recruiting Service commander, said “The squadron’s activation marks a major advancement in how the Space Force identifies and prepares future Guardians."
She emphasized that the 320 RCS is designed to find the talent required for contested operations in the space domain and ensure those Guardians are ready to join the fight from day one.
1/2
As the Space Force grows, attracting top talent is essential to presenting a ready force to combatant commanders.
“Our mission to maintain space superiority depends entirely on one critical resource: our people,” said Lt. Col. Jason Cano, 320 RCS commander. “The Space Force wins by finding talent that reflects our core values of Character, Connection, Commitment and Courage.”
GTS operate as the Space Force’s forward‑edge messengers, bringing the mission directly to communities, schools, and professional organizations.
Working in tandem with AFRS partners who continue processing all Space Force applicants, they expand awareness of Space Force opportunities while giving the service sharper visibility into emerging talent and applicant trends.
AFRS provides operational authority, guidance, training, and support to the 320 RCS with day-to-day operational authority provided by the 369th Recruiting Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
The 24 AFRS enlisted accessions recruiting squadrons around the country support the 320 RCS with administrative processing of applicants, local recruit engagements, and Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) coordination.
STARCOM and Delta 1 will leverage the operational expertise of AFRS as together they take this historic first step towards the evolution and continued advancement of the Space Force recruiting mission.
GTS are advancing a modern recruiting model that pairs broad digital reach with precise, high‑impact engagement in key communities.
They also equip AFRS personnel on Space Force roles and requirements, ensuring applicants receive clear, mission‑aligned guidance from their very first interaction.
“By leveraging the Semper Supra application and strengthening our relationship with AFRS, we will amplify the Space Force story and build a highly competitive national talent pipeline,” Cano said.
Although based at JBSA-Randolph, the squadron's influence extends far beyond Texas.
Talent scouts participate in select high-visibility events such as state fairs, national expos and community gatherings, pairing digital reach with targeted in-person engagement to maintain a national presence despite the squadron's small footprint.
The 320 RCS also supports STEM-focused events and develops educational resources introducing students to space-related careers, strengthening the long-term talent pipeline.
“Every Guardian is a talent scout and recruiter sensor, and every engagement is an opportunity to strengthen national security,” Cano said. “Stand fast, innovate relentlessly, and let us bring the best of America into our ranks. Join the constellation.”
Operating with a small number of personnel, the 320 RCS maximizes its reach through digital and virtual engagement, allowing it to monitor applicant flow, provide guidance and maintain awareness of recruiting operations across multiple regions supporting applicants, recruiters and partner organizations regardless of geographic distance.
As the Space Force expands, the service is preparing to grow its recruiting capability to support both enlisted and officer accessions.
To explore full and part-time opportunities within the Space Force, visit, www.SpaceForce.com and AIM High App. To speak with a recruiter near you, click here.
2/2
Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight
Aufust 18, 2026
"This mission marks China's first-ever successful recovery attempt of the first stage of an orbital-class launch vehicle using landing legs, and China's first successful booster recovery on land."
China just notched another big spaceflight milestone.
The Beijing startup LandSpace successfully landed the first stage of its Zhuque-3 rocket this evening (Aug. 18), becoming the first Chinese company ever to do so during an orbital launch.
It was just the second Chinese orbital rocket touchdown overall. The first was pulled of on July 10 by a Long March 10B, which is built by the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
The Long March 10B had some help returning to Earth, settling softly into a net-like device affixed to a ship at sea. But Zhuque-3 came down on terra firma and stayed upright thanks to a set of landing legs, like those sported by SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9 rocket.
"This mission marks China's first-ever successful recovery attempt of the first stage of an orbital-class launch vehicle using landing legs, and China's first successful booster recovery on land," LandSpace said via X this evening.
"It is a pivotal flight test for Zhuque-3 as it transitions from the technological demonstration and verification phase toward the engineering application phase of reusability," the company added.
"This mission further verified the design correctness and reliability of the Zhuque-3 reusable launch vehicle system, validated its first-stage recovery capability and engineering maturity."
Zhuque-3 broadly resembles the Falcon 9, which made its first landing way back in 2015 and now has more than 600 of them under its belt.
Both feature a reusable booster and an expendable upper stage, and they're about the same height — 230 feet (70 meters) for the Falcon 9 and 216 feet (66 m) for Zhuque-3.
Their lifting power is similar as well. Zhuque-3 can haul about 40,350 pounds (18,300 kilograms) to low Earth orbit, while the Falcon 9's LEO payload capacity is 50,265 pounds (22,800 kg).
The two rockets use two very different fuels, however — a combination of liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket-grade kerosene for the Falcon 9, compared to LOX and liquid methane for Zhuque-3.
This "methalox" mixture is also used by Starship, the fully reusable megarocket that SpaceX is developing to help humanity settle the moon and Mars, among other spaceflight tasks.
Today's launch — which occurred from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone in northwest China at 7:35 p.m. EDT (2335 GMT; 7:35 a.m. on Aug. 19 Beijing time) — was the second overall for the Zhuque-3.
The rocket first flew on Dec. 2, 2025, on a mostly successful debut; Zhuque-3's upper stage reached orbit as planned, which is rare for a first flight.
LandSpace tried to bring the booster back for a touchdown that day as well, but the attempt failed.
Zhuque-3 suffered "an abnormal combustion" as it neared the ground, according to the state-run outlet Xinhua (translation by Google), and ended up exploding near the designated landing pad.
Today's mission, however, was an unqualified success for the Zhuque-3: The rocket's upper stage delivered a satellite called Honghu 03, which was developed by Hongqing Technology, to its designated orbit, LandSpace wrote in another X post today.
Zhuque-3 is part of a concerted Chinese push toward rocket reusability, an efficiency-boosting feature that has helped make the Falcon 9 the world's leading launcher by far. (The SpaceX rocket flew 165 times in 2025, roughly equalling the activity of all other orbital launchers combined.)
For example, CASC isn't just working on the Long March 10 line (which includes the 10A crew-carrying variant); its Long March 12A and 12B rockets will also have reusable first stages.
The Long March 12A has lifted off once to date, in December 2025, and its debut was similar to that of Zhuque-3: The Long March 12A second stage reached orbit successfully, but its booster failed to stick the landing.
And then there are the private rockets. A number of Chinese companies in addition to LandSpace are working on vehicles with reusable first stages, including CAS Space, Deep Blue Aerospace, Galactic Energy, iSpace, Orienspace and Space Pioneer.
So Chinese rocket landings may not be a novelty for much longer.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/touchdown-private-chinese-rocket-aces-landing-on-2nd-ever-flight
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1368558.shtml
moar China
https://english.aawsat.com/varieties/5308710-chinese-space-program-pioneer-liu-jiyuan-dies-93
>door of all doors
Fly around Schiaparelli Crater with Mars Express
19/08/2026
ESA’s Mars Express takes us on another mesmerising flight, this time around one of the biggest craters on Mars. Despite measuring a huge 460 km across, Schiaparelli Crater seems to be relatively shallow.
Perhaps it has been filled in over the last few billion years by sediment blown by the wind or deposited by water, by lava – or by a combination of all three.
Schiaparelli Crater is named after Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli (1835–1910). Although he studied Mercury and Venus, he is best known for his observations of the Red Planet.
During the ‘Great Opposition’ of 1877, when Mars passed close to Earth, Schiaparelli mapped the planet, perceiving several straight dark lines across the red surface.
He assumed that these were natural water-filled channels and used the equivalent Italian word, ‘canali’.
However, other astronomers thought he meant canals, meaning artificial irrigation and transportation routes, which led to a few astronomers, and a large number of the general public, believing that they had been created by intelligent martians.
Now we know that Schiaparelli’s ‘canali’ were illusions created by the comparatively poor telescopes of the time and there are no water-filled channels on Mars today.
Nevertheless, we do believe that water was once present in this region of the planet, perhaps in the form of a lake.
Schiaparelli Crater is also important in popular culture, being the final destination of astronaut Mark Watney in Andy Weir’s novel ‘The Martian’.
Enjoy the flight, and be sure to turn up the volume for the full audio guide experience.
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/08/Fly_around_Schiaparelli_Crater_with_Mars_Express
https://x.com/esascience/status/2090004097676059032
extra ESA
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/epsilon/First_spacewalk_completed_for_Sophie_Adenot
https://x.com/esa/status/2089805608459423840
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/08/Replay_MTG-I2_pre-launch_media_briefing
Russia and Ukraine exchange 103 POWs – MOD
19 Aug, 2026 09:38 | Updated 19 Aug, 2026 10:40
The swap was carried out with humanitarian mediation from the UAE, according to Moscow
Russia and Ukraine have conducted another prisoner of war exchange, returning over a hundred servicemen to each side, the Defense Ministry in Moscow announced on Wednesday.
In a statement published on social media, the ministry said that “103 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime.” In exchange, 103 Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war were transferred to Kiev.
The returned Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving psychological and medical assistance, according to the ministry. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is working with the freed soldiers.
Lantratova noted that of the 103 returned Russian soldiers, 31 are wounded. “Among those who returned are fathers of many children, and some are very young men,” she added.
The soldiers will later be transported to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation at Defense Ministry medical facilities.
During the exchange, Lantratova met Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmitry Lubinets.
The two sides exchanged lists of missing persons, as well as letters from relatives for servicemen who remain in captivity. They also agreed to arrange the delivery of parcels to POWs held by both sides.
The exchange was carried out with humanitarian mediation from the United Arab Emirates, the ministry added.
The swap is the latest in a series of prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kiev despite the ongoing conflict.
The previous exchange took place on June 26, when the two sides returned 160 servicemen each, also with UAE mediation. Earlier that month, Russia and Ukraine also exchanged 185 POWs each, while another 205 servicemen from each side were released in May.
Moscow and Kiev have also continued exchanging the bodies of fallen soldiers. The UAE has repeatedly acted as a mediator in humanitarian contacts between the two sides.
https://www.rt.com/russia/644394-russia-ukraine-103-pow-exchange/
extra RT
https://www.rt.com/russia/644387-lavrov-warns-uk-drones/
https://www.rt.com/russia/644380-greek-tanker-attacked-black-sea/
https://www.rt.com/russia/644385-ukraine-fedorov-calls-election/
https://www.rt.com/news/644361-russia-egypt-politico-bias/
She died in "Green"ville.
Ukraine Strikes Three Russian Drone Depots, Logistics Bridge and UAV Control Sites
Aug 19, 2026 18:50
Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck multiple Russian military targets across temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories overnight on August 19, including three UAV depots, drone control infrastructure, a logistics bridge, and concentrations of military equipment, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian forces targeted a road bridge across the Molochna River near the city of Molochansk. The General Staff said Russian forces had been using the bridge to support military logistics in the occupied territory.
Three Russian UAV storage facilities were also struck during the operation. Two were located near Novopetrykivka and Novotroitske in the Donetsk region, while another was targeted near Lobacheve in the Luhansk region.
In temporarily occupied Crimea, Ukrainian forces struck a ground-based relay station near Olenivka used to control Russian Geran- and Gerbera-type attack drones.
A separate Russian UAV command post was targeted near Verkhnii Rohachyk in the occupied part of Ukraine’s Kherson region.
The strikes also extended to Russian logistics and military equipment in the Luhansk region. Ukrainian forces hit a material and technical supply depot in occupied Kadiivka, as well as an area where Russian weapons and military equipment were concentrated in Lysychansk.
The latest strikes come as Ukrainian units continue targeting specialized Russian military equipment on the battlefield. On August 19, the Unmanned Systems Battalion of the 68th Separate Airmobile Brigade reported the destruction of a rare Russian Zemledeliye remote minelaying system and released footage of the strike.
The brigade said Russian forces had used the Zemledeliye remote engineering minelaying system to rapidly deploy minefields, creating significant obstacles for Ukrainian troops. According to the unit, the system was destroyed in a precision strike and can no longer be used to lay mines.
https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/ukraine-strikes-three-russian-drone-depots-logistics-bridge-and-uav-control-sites-21840
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/19/ukrainian-drone-strikes-oil-refinery-in-bashkortostan-a93527
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Fire-Breaks-Out-at-Rosneft-Owned-Refinery-After-Ukrainian-Drone-Strike.html
https://united24media.com/world/massive-drone-barrage-hits-russia-as-smoke-rises-from-one-of-its-largest-explosives-plants-21823
other Russia and Ukraine
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-confirms-strike-on-soyuz-rocket-engine-workshop-major-fire-at-russian-space-center/
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/maritime-disruptions-in-west-asia-drone-attacks-on-russian-ports-pushing-up-premium-on-crude-oil/article71365896.ece
https://voennoedelo.com/en/posts/id19095-ukrainian-drone-attacks-could-reach-vladivostok-experts-say
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/82699
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/19/ukrainian-drone-strike-kills-woman-in-belgorod-region-2-a93534
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/19/world/europe/ukraine-kyiv-cathedral-russia-drone-strike.html
https://www.ukrinform.net/amp/rubric-ato/4155748-russian-drone-strikes-medical-workers-responding-to-call-in-kherson-two-injured.html
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/2026-08-19/live-updates-905953
other Israel
https://news.antiwar.com/2026/08/19/israeli-strikes-in-gaza-kill-10-palestinians-as-idf-ramps-up-massacres-after-netanyahu-kushner-meeting/
https://vinnews.com/2026/08/19/idf-eliminates-hamas-nukhba-company-commander-and-three-platoon-commanders-in-al-shati-strike/
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/idf-hamas-tunnels-gaza
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-latest-strikes-targeted-hamas-operatives-seemingly-rejecting-us-request-to-only-hit-imminent-threats/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-hamas-operatives-were-at-police-station-it-targeted-in-strike-that-killed-9-including-teen-girl/
https://www.ifcj.org/news/stand-for-israel-blog/idf-targets-terror-tunnels-and-hamas-commanders
https://vinnews.com/2026/08/19/idf-chief-military-will-not-allow-hostile-forces-to-establish-along-borders/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-closes-gaza-probe-of-world-central-kitchen-deaths-inquiry-into-killing-of-hind-rajab-ongoing/
Live Updates: Mossad chief Goffman spoke to Syria before strikes, IDF kills four Hamas terrorists
August 19, 2026
Iraqi parliament speaker asks Iranian counterpart for special status on Hormuz oil exports • Israel confirms strikes on Syria's Idlib airbase after US envoy condemns attack
August 19, 8:44 PM
Mossad director, Syria foreign minister discussed Turkish military presence before strikes
The head of Israel's Mossad spy agency, Roman Gofman, held a phone call with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani last week in which they discussed Turkey's military presence in Syria, three people familiar with the matter said.
The call, which the sources said took place on August 14, came days before Israel launched airstrikes on a Syrian military airbase in the north of the country on Tuesday.
It marks one of the highest-level contacts yet between Israel and the new Syrian government since the fall of former dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2014.
The Israeli prime minister's office, which handles queries regarding Mossad, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for Shaibani.
This is a developing story.
August 19, 8:44 PM
IDF chief in Syria: Israel will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves on its borders
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir toured southern Syria, warning that Israel would act to prevent terrorist threats and the emergence of a significant military threat along its borders.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir warned during a visit to southern Syria on Wednesday that Israel would not allow hostile forces to establish themselves along its borders and would use its military power wherever and whenever necessary.
During the visit, Zamir held an operational situational assessment and toured southern Syria. As part of the tour, he spoke with reserve soldiers operating in the area and expressed his appreciation for their service and operational activity in the sector.
August 19, 5:20 PM
IDF targets Hamas commanders in Gaza, Palestinian sources say nine people killed in strikes
The IDF said that it targeted two Hamas commanders in separate strikes against the Nuseirat and Tuffah areas in Gaza, with one of them having participated in the October 7th Massacre.
The IDF announced on Wednesday that the Air Force struck two Hamas commanders, one of whom participated in the October 7th Massacre, in Nuseirat.
The IDF noted that it later struck a Hamas commander in the Tuffah area of Gaza, and that both of the terrorists planned to attack soldiers in the Strip.
According to Reuters, citing the Hamas-led Health Ministry, an airstrike at a police post in Gaza City killed nine Palestinians.
The attack in Nuseirat killed one Palestinian, medics told Reuters, with Wednesday's death toll rising to at least 10.
The military said that prior to the strike, steps were taken to mitigate harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance.
1/2
August 19, 2:40 PM
IDF Gaza Division seals two Hamas tunnels spanning two kilometers along Yellow Line
Drone footage released by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit shows the tunnels running underground at length, packed with sandbags.
Two tunnels belonging to Hamas were sealed in the Gaza Strip, the military announced on Wednesday.
The IDF's Gaza Division Combat Engineers were deployed to seal the tunnels, which had a combined length of more than two kilometers.
Drone footage released by the IDF shows the tunnels running underground at length, packed with sandbags.
Drone footage of one of the Gaza terror tunnels that was sealed shortly thereafter, published August 19, 2026. (Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
IDF continues to work, clearing out Hamas infrastructure east of the Yellow Line
The IDF also said that troops operating in the area are working in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, while maintaining that the IDF continues to work to remove immediate threats.
August 19, 2:35 PM
Iraqi parliament speaker asks Iranian counterpart for special status on Hormuz oil exports
Iraq's parliament speaker Haibat al-Halbousi called for special status for Iraqi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz during talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Baghdad on Wednesday, his office said in a statement, without providing further details.
August 19, 2:29 PM
Authorities arrest PA's Jerusalem Affairs minister for questioning - report
The arrest was made at Ashraf Hassan Abbas al-Awar's home in the Silwan neighborhood in east Jerusalem.
Israeli authorities arrested the Palestinian Authority's Jerusalem Affairs Minister, Ashraf Hassan Abbas al-Awar, at his home in the Silwan neighborhood in east Jerusalem on Wednesday morning, the PA's official news agency WAFA reported.
Awar was taken for questioning, according to the reports.
This is a developing story.
August 19, 2:29 PM
IDF issues first war crimes probe since beginning of Israel-Hamas War
The IDF examined five major cases, including the Islamic Red Crescent and the death of Hind Rajab, resulting in two criminal probes, two disciplinary probes, and the closure of one file.
The IDF's Military Advocate-General's Corps on Wednesday issued its first landmark war crimes report since October 7 regarding over 150 probes, addressing the World Central Kitchen (WCK) saga, the Islamic Red Crescent saga, and three other major cases.
The investigations of IDF Military Advocate-General Maj.-Gen. Itay Offir and his staff into five major cases resulted in the opening of two criminal probes, two disciplinary probes, and the closure of one of the cases.
The Jerusalem Post understands that, over time, additional update reports will be issued, but this is the first step after heavy global criticism of Israel and the IDF for not issuing final reports until now, despite grave cases against them in international judicial bodies.
August 19, 11:10 AM
Israel's Syria strike risked scrambling Turkish jets, military escalation, US envoy tells 'Post'
US envoy Tom Barrack warned that Israel's strike on Abu al-Duhur airbase, near Idlib, Syria, could have led to a rapid escalation into a direct military confrontation, possibly including Turkey.
On Tuesday evening, the Prime Minister's Office took credit for a strike on Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib, Syria. US Ambassador to Turkey and the Trump administration's special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, said that the strike “carried a real risk of rapid escalation into a direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey as well as Syria.”
“Turkish forces were not aware that the Israeli aircraft were en route to that specific Syrian base, nor of their intended purpose, and therefore could potentially have been inclined to scramble their own jets in the belief that they themselves were under attack,” Barrack said in a Wednesday interview with The Jerusalem Post.
“The events of yesterday were serious and worrisome. However, we are relieved that no human life was harmed and that the situation did not escalate,” he added.
August 19, 11:10 AM
Emirati oil tanker changes course from original UAE destination to Iran - report
An Emirati oil tanker that was detained in the northern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz has changed its course towards the port of Bandar Abbas in Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-run Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday.
The tanker's original destination was the port of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, but is now making its way to Iran, according to the report.
August 19, 8:02 AM
IDF to conduct siren test in central Israel
The IDF Home Front Command will conduct a siren test at a military base near Kibbutz Hafetz Haim, close to Gedera, at 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, the military announced.
2/2
https://www.aboutamazon.
com/news/transportation/amazon-prime-air-drone-delivery-expansion
Amazon Prime Air drone delivery is expanding to nearly 500 cities and towns this year
August 19, 2026
Prime Air delivers millions of items in as fast as 30 minutes and will reach communities with tens of millions of customers by year-end.
Key takeaways
Amazon Prime Air plans to serve nearly 500 cities and towns by the end of 2026.
Prime Air offers millions of items by drone at everyday low prices, in as fast as 30 minutes.
Prime Air's industry-leading Detect-and-Avoid system enables our drones to independently monitor airspace and make real-time safety decisions.
Amazon’s Prime Air service is rapidly expanding and plans to reach nearly 500 cities and towns in the United States by the end of 2026—a sixfold increase from its current footprint—bringing ultrafast drone delivery to communities with tens of millions of customers across the country.
Prime Air offers the widest selection of items by drone, including millions of groceries, electronics, cosmetics, medications, and household products at everyday low prices, delivered in as fast as 30 minutes.
Prime Air drone delivery sites have the highest average delivery volumes in the U.S., with thousands of deliveries made daily.
Prime Air drone delivery currently serves customers in cities across seven states, including Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas, with plans to launch in Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Idaho, and New York soon.
“Customers already turn to Amazon for fast Same- and Next-Day Delivery, and Prime Air provides them an even speedier option when they need it, with deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes,” said David Carbon, vice president of Amazon Prime Air.
“We've already delivered hundreds of thousands of packages to customers by drone this year, and by the end of 2026 we plan to reach customers in nearly 500 cities and towns.
We're pairing the convenience of ultrafast drone delivery with the low prices and selection customers love about Amazon.”
Where are Amazon drone deliveries available?
Prime Air drone delivery is currently offered in these locations and the surrounding areas in the U.S., and each Prime Air site serves an area of approximately 175 square miles:
Tolleson, Arizona (Phoenix metro area)
Ruskin, Florida (Tampa metro area)
Kansas City, Kansas
Papillion, Nebraska (Omaha metro area)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Hazel Park, Michigan (Detroit metro area)
Pontiac, Michigan (Detroit metro area)
Richmond, Texas (Houston metro area)
San Antonio, Texas
Richardson, Texas (Dallas metro area)
Waco, Texas
Prime Air plans to launch soon in the Chicago, Illinois; Syracuse, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; and Boise, Idaho metro areas, with more communities to come later this year.
1/2
What items are eligible for drone delivery?
Most of Prime Air's drone delivery locations offer millions of items at Amazon's everyday low prices—from popular categories like groceries, cosmetics, medications, and electronics to niche products that are often harder to track down elsewhere.
This includes devices like Apple iPhones, Samsung Galaxy cellphones, Apple AirTags, Apple AirPods, Ring doorbells, and Alpha Grillers Instant Read Food Thermometers.
Nearly all items 5 pounds or less that fit in a large shoebox can be delivered by drone, meaning more than 60% of the items customers are most frequently purchasing from Amazon are eligible.
Orders arrive in as fast as 30 minutes, with most orders arriving around 60 minutes after checkout. Prime members get free ultrafast drone delivery as an exclusive perk on orders $50 or more.
For Prime members with orders under $50, the delivery fee is $2.99. Customers without a Prime membership pay a $4.99 delivery fee.
How does Prime Air drone delivery work?
Drone delivery is integrated into the existing Amazon shopping experience: same app, same checkout, and same customer service that includes returns and Amazon’s A-to-z Guarantee. Customers can check if their area has drone delivery and browse eligible items.
Customers will see and confirm their delivery point when placing their first drone delivery order. They can choose to keep the same delivery point for future orders or select a new area at any time.
Once the drone arrives at the preferred delivery point with a customer’s order, it will check to confirm there are no people, pets, or vehicles in the way before safely delivering the package.
How does Amazon deliver safely by drone?
Prime Air is built to operate responsibly, and the safety of the employees, customers, and communities Amazon serves is the top priority.
Prime Air holds Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 certification, the same framework used for commercial air carriers, representing the highest level of FAA oversight for drone delivery operations.
Multiple independent systems keep our highly autonomous drones operating safely and predictably throughout flight, even in unexpected situations.
Prime Air’s industry-leading Detect-and-Avoid system continuously monitors the airspace and environment around the drone.
It’s similar to a trained pilot who scans the surrounding airspace, and it allows the drones to independently see and make real-time decisions while in flight.
Prime Air drones use onboard cameras and sensors for navigation, obstacle detection, and safe delivery; they do not track individuals or record movements.
There is no live camera feed monitored by any person. The onboard camera data is processed by the drone itself for safe navigation.
Prime Air also engineered the drones for real-world conditions, like flying in light rain and a range of temperatures.
They're also fully electric with zero exhaust emissions. During drop-off, the sound level is below that of an idling delivery truck parked curbside and lasts about 30 seconds.
During flight at altitude, it's comparable to a window fan on low and is typically not heard indoors.
How does Prime Air complement Amazon's other delivery options?
Prime Air drone delivery: Delivery in as fast as 30 minutes on up to millions of items through highly autonomous drone technology from Amazon's sites in primarily suburban areas.
Amazon Now: 30-minute delivery in dozens of cities across the U.S. on thousands of fresh groceries, household items, and locally relevant items customers need right away, delivered from specialized smaller locations in more populated areas.
1-hour and 3-hour delivery: A selection of more than 90,000 items and everyday essentials, delivered through Amazon's Same-Day Delivery network.
Same-Day Delivery: Millions of items available for Same-Day Delivery in more than 10,000 cities and towns across the country, including a growing number of smaller towns and rural areas.
2/2
https://www.liberationtimes.com/home/the-push-for-ufo-disclosure-intensifies-as-pressure-mounts-on-donald-trump
https://x.com/jamescfox/status/2088100743714668759
https://x.com/jamescfox/status/2088669614737613280
https://x.com/jamescfox/status/2089382117675315377
https://x.com/jamescfox/status/2089755167893635360
https://x.com/jamescfox/status/2090072027528937764
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBXmqvFs0Ec (Dr Phil: David Grusch: The Whistleblower Who Told Congress We're Not Alone)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zawJJ1lHFvs (ET Communication: Politicians, Lawyers, A.I. or Telepaths | Bigelow Podcast Ep. 3)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M63sAqZ878M (UFO Whistleblowers' FULL immunity requests for Trump to release videos & photos - Psicoactivo #1122)
The Push for UFO Disclosure Intensifies as Pressure Mounts on Donald Trump
19 August 2026
A growing number of advocates are pressing President Trump to reveal what they believe is evidence of advanced non‑human intelligence and its technologies interacting with humanity, an effort that has accelerated in recent days.
The push follows new remarks from Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) whistleblower and former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch, who appeared last week on the Dr Phil podcast, urging the Trump administration to take decisive action on the UAP issue.
Grusch’s comments come as Stephen Miller, one of Trump’s closest and longest‑serving advisers, has reportedly been asked by the President to examine the UAP portfolio.
Miller, a central architect of Trump‑era policy and a dominant voice within his political operation, is now seen by disclosure advocates as a key figure in determining how the administration approaches the subject.
During the interview with Dr Phil - a friend of President Trump - Grusch said, “I hope President Trump delivers on his promise – I think this is going to be the singular thing which is going to define his legacy.”
He went on to argue that the responsibility now rests with Trump’s inner circle, adding, “Mr Miller and the President’s team need to realise this is going to be the defining moment of his legacy, because even if Trump doesn’t disclose, the genie is out of the bottle now and we’re going to look back on ‘what did the President know and why didn’t he get the information out?’”
Since 14 August, documentary filmmaker James Fox has released a series of four videos featuring different UAP whistleblowers - including David Grusch - urging President Trump to take action on the issue.
Their appeals focus on the declassification of UAP‑related material - including photographs and documentation of retrieved craft and alleged non‑human bodies - and on securing immunity and protection for individuals who could face repercussions for violating Non‑Disclosure Agreements to share what they know.
The additional whistleblowers appearing in Fox’s videos include Dylan Borland, a former Air Force geospatial intelligence specialist; Matthew Brown, a former Department of War official; and Dr Eric Davis, an aerospace engineer known for his work on advanced propulsion concepts.
Grusch, in his appeal to President Trump, said he is prepared to “provide a full historical accounting to the National Security Council principals, the White House Chief of Staff and make any supporting public statements that are authorised to help this administration move disclosure forward.”
He added that he is ready to assist the administration in identifying the records, programs and personnel involved in classified UAP activities, and in bringing “any improperly concealed activities back under lawful presidential and congressional oversight.”
He concluded his message with a direct call to action: “Mr President, give us the authorisation, and we’re ready to go.”
Another disclosure effort is emerging from billionaire and Trump donor Robert Bigelow, whose interest in UAPs spans several decades. Two weeks ago, Bigelow said that in February he advised President Trump on how he might address the nation regarding the issue.
“I was emphasizing that the disclosure process, starting with confirmation, is a big deal. That, you know, it really is important for somebody like the President of the United States to say, ‘yeah, they’re real, they’re here. And eliminate all the other nonsense, all the noise that’s been going on for 80 years,’” Bigelow said.
1/2
Describing the guidance he offered, Bigelow stated:
“This, this is what I want you to say, Mr President: ‘A non-human, intelligent presence has been on Earth for a very long time, using spacecraft and with performances completely beyond our capabilities and our human physics.’
And that’s it, to say nothing else. That’s it, that’s all. Because what this is, is disclosure. And it’s actually confirmation.”
Bigelow has recently launched a new podcast series with veteran investigative journalist George Knapp, and in the latest episode he appeared to take a more cautious stance on disclosure than Grusch, emphasising the need to protect secrecy.
In yesterday’s podcast episode, discussing the private‑sector gatekeepers allegedly involved in reverse‑engineering programs related to non‑human technology, Bigelow said:
“The companies need more money. They need more scientists involved, but they have to maintain their secrecy at all costs because we are in competition with China and Russia on the exact same thing [non-human technology], and they don't have the concerns about secrecy that we do.”
Outlining his view of how disclosure should unfold, Bigelow added:
“It needs to be a process, a step-by-step, partial process delivery.
It needs to be truthful, and we need to engage, find ways to engage one of the most important assets that this country has - it’s the gatekeepers - and do it in a way that is really a great new era of partnership that has never existed for 80 years.”
Liberation Times understands that advocates are attempting to persuade President Trump to deliver some form of disclosure speech before the midterm elections on 3 November 2026.
Their goal is to prompt a public acknowledgement that some UAPs are of non-human origin.
Lue Elizondo, the former head of the Pentagon’s UAP program AATIP, is also widely believed to be in a position to work with the Trump administration and help guide a potential disclosure effort.
Sources also tell Liberation Times that the U.S. government - including its UAP office, the All‑domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) - is aware of data indicating extreme‑performance incidents.
These reportedly include objects traversing the Atlantic Ocean from end to end in three seconds, as well as similar episodes of rapid acceleration observed in the vicinity of Japan.
Another source told Liberation Times that the CIA’s chief scientist acts as an operational gatekeeper for programs involving the retrieval and reverse-engineering of vehicles allegedly of non-human origin within the Agency’s Directorate of Science and Technology.
According to the source, the CIA’s deputy director within the Science and Technology directorate serves as the administrative gatekeeper for those programs.
Betty Sapp, former Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), has been described by Liberation Times sources as another key gatekeeper.
According to those sources, Sapp worked with former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and his deputy Stephanie O’Sullivan on an Obama‑era program focused on locating UAP, recovering them, and attempting to reverse‑engineer their technology.
In his autobiography - ‘Facts and Fears’ - Clapper highlighted Sapp and O’Sullivan as women who consistently outperformed their male colleagues.
Sapp had previously worked with Clapper in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence or USD(I), and he later helped advance her career by supporting her appointment as the NRO’s deputy director in April 2009.
Clapper writes, ‘when the NRO director retired in April, we moved Betty Sapp, my USD(I) deputy for portfolio, programs, and resources, to NRO as the principal deputy director.’
Since appearing in the UAP documentary Age of Disclosure, Liberation Times understands that Clapper has stepped back from efforts to promote UAP transparency.
One source told Liberation Times that he has grown uncomfortable with the recent surge of attention.
Some sources told Liberation Times they fear that whistleblowers could face retaliation if the UAP issue slips from the political agenda.
Whether President Trump is prepared to disclose any information related to UAPs remains unclear, with sources offering differing accounts of his level of interest and of how the White House is currently approaching the issue.
2/2
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/former-us-scientist-claims-alien-bodies-stored-1815156
https://www.uniladtech.com/news/pentagon-ufo-scientist-plea-trump-reveal-files-alien-races-754198-20260819
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUHod7F6dU0 (Newsnation: Dr Eric Davis, UFO whistleblower claims government is hiding 4 species of aliens)
Government Relocated Recovered Alien Bodies Into Military Medical Institutes, Defence Expert Claims
19 August 2026, 3:40 PM BST
A former US defence intelligence scientist has claimed that the government relocated what he alleges were recovered non-human biological remains to military medical institutes, saying he has seen classified evidence of at least four unidentified species stored in secret facilities.
The news came after the Trump administration began developing a framework to allow UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) whistleblowers to come forward without breaching confidentiality commitments.
Davis says he has viewed top-secret records, photographs and scientific reports that he believes document the recovery of extraterrestrial remains from alleged UFO crash sites, but remains bound by an SF-312 non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that could affect his security clearances and employment if he discusses classified information.
Four Alleged Species and the 'Ontological Shock' of Witnessing Them
Davis said in an interview that he has seen evidence of a minimum of four distinct species.
He described the classic 'greys', or the slender humanoid figures with grey skin often associated with UFO folklore and popularised by films such as Steven Spielberg's 1977 Close Encounters of the Third Kind or alongside tall, humanoid entities known as 'Nordics.'
He also spoke of alleged 'Insectoid' figures resembling giant praying mantis-like creatures and a fourth group, 'Reptilians,' described as having lizard-like features.
When witnesses claim to encounter such beings, they often experience what Davis calls 'ontological shock,' a psychological reaction in which the brain attempts to interpret unfamiliar experiences using recognisable references.
'They'll try to overlay what their imagination helps them understand what it is they're seeing that's so strange and otherworldly,' he said.
1/2
Davis said identifying where the alleged remains were stored was difficult, but he offered a possible explanation for their reported relocation.
'We did have a hint of where those bodies went to when they were recovered. That institute got split up into two or three components and relocated into different military medical institutes by the first Obama administration,' Davis said
Immunity Plea to Trump As Whistleblower Framework Takes Shape
Davis has worked on the US government's secret Advanced Aerospace Weapon System Applications Program and says he investigated UAP-related cases for 30 years.
Now, with the White House reportedly considering protections for UAP whistleblowers, he is calling for his confidentiality restrictions to be removed. He argues that releasing evidence related to alleged recovered craft and biological material would not compromise national security.
'Mr President, with your signature, you could waive the SF-312 NDA to protect UAP whistleblowers like myself. I respectfully request that you take swift and decisive action, as the nature of UAP should not be kept deeply classified,' Davis said, addressing Trump directly.
Nothing is confirmed yet, so the allegations should be treated with caution. The US government and military have repeatedly said there is no confirmed evidence that extraterrestrial life exists or that alien spacecraft have been recovered.
Despite Davis's claims, no publicly released evidence has conclusively established that the US government has recovered extraterrestrial material or biological remains.
Still, the story has gained attention online. Reddit communities have circulated clips of Davis's comments, with users debating whether recent guidance from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which states that existing NDAs do not prevent disclosures to authorised UAP representatives, would be enough to protect insiders who speak publicly.
One commenter on r/UFOs wrote, 'If he's really seen what he says he's seen, why wait? Just leak it anonymously.' Another replied, 'Because anonymity doesn't stop the civil penalties. He wants the president's signature, not just a workaround.'
Davis's allegations therefore remain claims rather than established facts.
However, they come as the UAP disclosure movement continues to push for greater transparency, with other whistleblowers, including David Grusch, Dylan Borland and Matthew Brown, also publicly calling for protections to release information they say the public deserves to see.
Whether Trump approves any waiver of NDA restrictions remains unclear. But if such protections are introduced, Davis says he is prepared to present photographs and documentation of what he describes as recovered craft and non-human remains that he believes have been hidden from public view for decades.
2/2
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/935210724/society-for-uap-studies-resumes-its-public-seminar-series-foundations-of-a-new-field
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRa1mPPW7wgpYD499MHAH2HVXYl1fEtWc
Society for UAP Studies Resumes Its Public Seminar Series, Foundations of a New Field
August 19, 2026, 14:00 GMT
SUAPS resumes free, biweekly UAP Studies Seminar Series on YouTube, hosted by Dr. Maya Cowan, examining how UAP research is developing as an academic subject
UAP studies sit at the intersection of science, culture, and curiosity, and that makes it a rich space for academic exploration.”— Dr. Maya Cowan, PhD Host of SUAPS UAP Seminar SeriesHOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES, August 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ – Society for UAP Studies Resumes Its Public Seminar Series, Foundations of a New Field
Biweekly program returns September 10, free and open to the public, livestreamed on YouTube
HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 17, 2026. The Society for UAP Studies (SUAPS) will resume the UAP Studies Seminar Series: Foundations of a New Field on September 10, 2026.
The series ran through the spring before pausing for the summer, time SUAPS used to confirm a new lineup and a new host. It returns every two weeks on Thursdays at 2 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Central), streamed live on YouTube. There is no cost and no registration required to watch.
Dr. Maya Cowan, a PhD in anthropology at Binghamton University, hosts the series.
Sessions bring in researchers working across anthropology, aerospace engineering, physics, philosophy of science, and cultural studies to examine how the study of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) is developing as an academic subject.
That work is unfolding alongside new government transparency initiatives and data releases, which have widened the pool of material available for study.
Each session addresses one part of that inquiry: the theoretical foundations of UAP research, cultural and anthropological perspectives, standards of evidence, collaboration across scientific and humanistic disciplines, and the politics of how knowledge in this area gets made and legitimized. Sessions pair a research presentation with a moderated discussion, and most include a guest scholar.
"Bringing researchers from different disciplines into the same room, so to speak, is how this field actually gets built," said Dr. Michael C. Cifone, Founding Executive Director of SUAPS.
"We don't get to shortcut the evidence. That's the whole point of doing this as a seminar series rather than a press conference: show the work, let people ask hard questions, and let the science hold up or not."
1/2
Fall 2026 lineup
September 10, 2026, 2 p.m. Eastern
Benjamin Fields, BA, is a researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and a research associate at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science.
He won the SETI Institute's 2022 Forward Award, has published in the International Journal of Astrobiology, and sits on the steering committee of NASA's Technosignature Study Analysis Group, with a background spanning optical SETI searches, Bayesian biosignature modeling, and technosignature strategy.
His talk, "UAP in a SETI Context: Constructing Astrobiologically Plausible Origin Scenarios for ET Visitation," evaluates both local and interstellar origin scenarios against established SETI and astrobiology frameworks: what observational predictions each would need to meet, and how current UAP data measure up against those benchmarks.
September 24, 2026, 2 p.m. Eastern
Madalyn K. Shaw, a PhD candidate in the Department of Art History at the University of Toronto, presents "Photography, Evidence, and Imagination: Visual Culture in the UFO Movement."
Shaw's dissertation research looks at UFO photographs not just as claimed proof or exposed fraud, but as cultural artifacts, and asks what that visual record can tell researchers about how the public has come to recognize, and argue over, what counts as evidence.
Further speakers will be announced through the fall.
Who the series is for
The series is built for university faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, researchers in related disciplines, science communicators, and anyone curious about evidence-based UAP inquiry.
No specialized background is required, only curiosity and a willingness to think critically.
About Maya Cowan
Cowan's research focuses on the scientific study of UAP and on the emergence of UAP studies as a formal academic discipline, with particular attention to stigma, skepticism, and how evidence gets defined and gathered in this field.
She has taught anthropology at Binghamton University and the University of Saskatchewan.
About the Society for UAP Studies
The Society for UAP Studies is a US based 501(c)(3) non-profit advancing the rigorous, interdisciplinary academic study of unidentified anomalous phenomena.
Its Public Seminar Series brings researchers working at the frontier of the field to a general audience, free and open to all. Learn more at www.societyforuapstudies.org.
2/2
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mars-cydonia-metropolis-claims-pareidolia-1815131
https://ancientastronauts.com/research/waterfront-property-on-mars
https://x.com/JasonMartell/status/2088986357024821553
https://x.com/JasonMartell/status/2086179391357481243
Ancient Aliens Mars Theory: Bizarre Claims Suggest Metropolis Existed Next to Long-Lost Ocean
19 August 2026, 1:59 PM BST
A UFO researcher claims a Martian metropolis once existed on a vanished ocean's shore, sparking debate between enthusiasts and scientists over the Cydonia region's landforms and their origins
Recent outlandish claims from a prominent UFO researcher suggest that a sprawling extraterrestrial metropolis once stood on the shores of a long-lost ocean on the red planet.
The Ancient Aliens Mars theory, promoted by television personality Jason Martell, focuses on the Cydonia region, where advocates argue strange hills are actually the crumbling remnants of a coastal settlement.
According to enthusiasts referencing NASA orbital imagery, a distinct topographical boundary separates elevated highlands from a smooth basin that allegedly held vast volumes of water millions of years ago.
Proponents claimed that landmarks such as the famous 'Face on Mars' and the D&M Pyramid mirror the strategic planning of historic Earth waterfront hubs like Venice and ancient Memphis.
Critics noted that the grand narrative relies entirely on subjective interpretations of historical, low-resolution photography rather than empirical sediment analysis.
Mainstream geologists firmly maintained that standard natural processes, including sweeping lava flows and millions of years of severe wind erosion, shaped the controversial Martian terrain without any intelligent intervention.
The renewed fringe discourse underscores a deep divide between alternative space speculation and rigorous planetary science.
Investigating the Ancient Aliens Mars Theory
The Cydonia region has been a focal point for extraterrestrial speculation since 1976, when the Viking 1 spacecraft captured an image of a mesa resembling a giant human face.
Several of the area's most discussed landforms, including the infamous 'Face on Mars', the D&M Pyramid and a structure known as the city complex, appear to align precisely along this proposed topographical boundary.
Martell, a regular guest on the History Channel television programme Ancient Aliens, argues that the specific arrangement of these Martian landforms mirrors the layout of waterfront cities built throughout human history.
He claims the giant face might have been intentionally constructed as a monumental viewing platform, designed to overlook both the water and the sprawling alien settlement.
1/2
In a recent blog post detailing the hypothesis, the researcher compared this speculative setup to famous Earth cities built along major coastlines.
He cited bustling urban centres such as Venice, Alexandria, Amsterdam, Singapore, Dubai and Manhattan as modern examples of how civilisations naturally gravitate towards water.
He also pointed to ancient settlements like Memphis on the Nile and Ur beside the Euphrates, framing them as classic examples of an ingrained instinct to settle near vital planetary resources.
He argues that just as human civilisations built along coastlines for essential access to food, trade and transport, an ancient Martian race may have established a permanent settlement along the edge of a Martian sea.
The argument relies heavily on interpretations of grainy photographs, looking for geometric patterns that suggest intelligent design rather than natural rock erosion.
Experts Dismiss the Theory as Pareidolia
Mainstream scientists firmly insist the claims are nothing more than visual tricks and wishful thinking.
They maintain that the entire argument rests on subjective interpretations of older imagery rather than any physical evidence, sediment analysis or detailed geological study.
Experts point out that the supposed shoreline was simply traced onto a satellite image by hand, lacking the corroborating topographical data needed to prove a body of water ever existed at that elevation.
Meanwhile, geologists explain that the flat, smooth basin is far more likely to have been formed by standard geological processes.
Sweeping lava flows, ancient dust movement or millions of years of severe wind erosion provide a much more scientifically sound explanation for the terrain than a long-lost ocean.
Furthermore, geologists question the likelihood of an advanced civilisation constructing permanent monuments from easily eroded sedimentary rock.
Scientists also state that seeing complex buildings or human faces in distant rock formations is entirely down to pareidolia.
This is a common psychological phenomenon where the human brain tricks itself into seeing familiar, recognisable shapes in random patterns of light and shadow.
Even the most vocal proponents of the hypothesis admit they lack the formal scientific background to verify their claims.
They acknowledge that professional geological specialists would need to examine the surface of the planet directly to prove water was ever present at the site, leaving the claims unproven by the broader scientific community.
Public fascination with Martian anomalies shows no sign of diminishing despite relentless pushback from academia. As long as grainy archives exist, alternative historians will continue challenging standard paradigms.
2/2
Reality Check: Secret Soviet UFOs | KGB swarms suburban house in UFO hunt
August 18, 2026
The UFO story is not just an American one. As a new era of drone war rages in Eastern Europe, strange sightings in the skies invite questions about an overlooked Cold War mystery in the same region.
Archive records beg an urgent question: why did the Soviets seriously investigate an alleged crashed UFO behind the Iron Curtain, and why can't anyone close the case today?
NewsNation takes you on the ground to Estonia with the scientists pushing for answers, and the man who claims to have a piece of the mysterious "Object M."
Features new interviews between Ross Coulthart and Dennis Asberg, Dr. Beatriz Villarroel, and Mart Sander.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
0:00 The Drone Wars
2:49 Stalin and the Soviet Union
4:56 George Knapp smuggles Soviet KGB files out of Russia
13:08 David Grusch: U.S. in UFO Cold War with Russia & China
15:47 Dennis Asberg and Beatriz Villarroel investigating 'Object M'
19:24 Why KGB flooded this Estonian suburb
26:30 Meet Igor Volke, Estonian UFOlogist
28:43 NewsNation visits the so-called 'UFO House'
33:17 Meet Mart Sander & where is 'Object M' today?
46:10 Can testing results on 'Object M' be trusted?
50:05 Estonia's long history of UFO sightings
54:28 How NATO nations monitor airspace today in former Soviet Union
57:22 Russian drone incursions
1:00:07 Ross Coulthart's Closing Message
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-vjO5Xn56s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQULI6QqIhY (Inside Estonia's Object M: What is buried under a suburban garden in Tallinn? | Reality Check)
https://x.com/DrBeaVillarroel/status/2090125264462172286
https://x.com/rosscoulthart
extra disclosure dejour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puMWRZ5S3o8 (New Paradigm Institute: ANOMALOUS — Official Teaser)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtsJL-K9X1o (Camp Gagnon: Knights Templar’s SECRET Plan for a New Atlantis)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffPDbL0yBRI (Total Disclosure Podcast: UAP Task Force Intel Analyst TELLS ALL: What the Government Is Hiding about UFOs (Ft. Lenval Logan))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHUGmwqdi60 (Journey To Truth: DNA, Planetary Grids & The Living Zodiac - Correcting Inversions | Laura Eisenhower - Kona Hawaii)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8EtOhrDVWc (Night Shift: When Does a Whistleblower Become a Traitor?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f-yyzbLD54 (Why Files The Basement: Mitch Horowitz | Gandhi, Reagan, and the Occultists History Erased)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko_9xC0Hx3Y (Cristina Gomez: Billionaire Just Said Something That Should Worry Everyone)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9PszG4Bwrk (Alexis Brooks: Skinwalker Ranch's Owner Just Said 'We're Not In Control.' Darryl Anka "Bashar" Predicted It First!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvJXfKMAjyY (ChaosMoogle: UFO Saved a Pilot? The Real UFO Footage They Tried to Bury 4K)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17gZruMgsbo (Luis Andrés Jaspersen Revilla2026-08-18 UFO fleet over San Luis Potosí, S L P, Mexico)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Og5UmUh3GM (SET / Bay Area SkepticsI: UFOs and Life Out There: Some Skepticism, Some Optimism)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbzp8ETHloM (Gaia: You May Have Volunteered for Earth)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liFE_yXvzRo (The Nephilim Looked Like Clowns - 46 - The Sandown Clown)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYVQfLi6wMA (Joe Rogan Experience #2542 - Steve Hilton)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm2vrUnjCsE (Holly Madison: Spend the Night with Me in ELVIS PRESLEY’s Suite!)