technical updates

Ground-based observations suggest the former geostationary inspector satellite suffered a fragmentation event months after retirement, raising new concerns about debris in high Earth orbit. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/8pk3xX5

Using the world's most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider, scientists have found that the quark-gluon plasma that filled the universe just after the Big Bang really was a primordial "soup." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ysri2P3

Friday, Jan. 30, 2026: Follow NASA's last major test of SLS before the launch of Artemis 2 and a crew of astronauts around the moon. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/91TXpu7

The National Reconnaissance Office just revealed the existence of its "JUMPSEAT" line of spy satellites, eight of which launched to Earth orbit between 1971 and 1987. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/8DAmekj

"What makes the event even more extraordinary is that it did not involve a single volcano, but multiple active sources." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/L1dlZEG

The United States is no longer competing against a single rival in a largely symbolic race. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/aqOFL70

To understand what Americans are experiencing with this winter blast, we need to look more than 20 miles above the surface of Earth, to the stratospheric polar vortex. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/LtCM4xs

Deneb, Vega and Altair are among the brightest stars in the night sky. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/AptVKuY

SpaceX plans to launch the 12th test flight of its Starship megarocket in six weeks, according to Elon Musk. It will be the first mission of the bigger, more powerful Starship "V3." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/h1m5zsu

"We used to think that only very simple molecules could be created in these clouds. But we have shown that this is clearly not the case." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/0XviFIj

The SLS wet dress rehearsal is the rocket's last major hurdle before launch. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/FpfJ0C4

What role will F-15 jets play in the future of supersonic flight? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/29YIs7N

The Lego Technic NASA Artemis has a few nifty tricks up its sleeve. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/2xpsI1P

"A strong magnetic field is very important for life on a planet." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/OKa7IP5

The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission went into quarantine on Jan. 23, keeping everything on track for a possible launch in early February. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/m8ZGWFP

Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader are coming to Batuu! from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/gZ7JWHi

'There will be loss. There will be sacrifice. We must all face judgment for the evils of our past' from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/8n9Nk4U

"These results from the Dark Energy Survey shine new light on our understanding of the universe and its expansion." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/2dAkCLy

A newly uncovered immune chain reaction in the gut may explain why people with inflammatory bowel disease face a much higher risk of colorectal cancer. Researchers found that a powerful inflammatory signal flips on specialized gut immune cells, which then call in waves of white blood cells from the bone marrow and rewire them in ways that help tumors grow. This process appears to damage DNA in the gut lining and create a tumor-friendly environment. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/JM5P9IB

Falling space junk is becoming a real-world hazard, and scientists have found a clever new way to track it using instruments already listening to the Earth itself. By tapping into networks of earthquake sensors, researchers can follow the sonic booms created when space debris tears through the atmosphere, revealing where it traveled, broke apart, and possibly hit the ground. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/TD0h62q

A distant Sun-like star suddenly went dark for months, stunning astronomers who quickly realized something massive was passing in front of it. Observations revealed a gigantic disk of gas and dust filled with vaporized metals, swirling around an unseen companion object. For the first time, scientists directly measured the motion of these metallic winds inside such a disk. The findings suggest that even ancient star systems can still experience catastrophic planetary smashups. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/dKHUQBV

Artemis 2 is at the launch pad, but several big tests must be performed before it launches as soon as Feb. 6. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/m1VznP3

Blue Origin will use a flight-proven booster on the next launch of its New Glenn rocket. The liftoff, which is targeted for late February, will be just the third for New Glenn to date. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/VIdu1zG

Learn how to spot Sirius, Procyon and their canine constellations, and discover the myths and science behind the dog stars. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/t4IiWV5

Spawned by Mattel's classic 1980s toy line, this summer spectacle arrives June 5, 2026. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/NxpX5vM

Researchers have identified a promising new weapon against triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. An experimental antibody targets a protein that fuels tumor growth and shuts down immune defenses, effectively turning the immune system back on. In early tests, the treatment slowed tumor growth, reduced lung metastases, and destroyed chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/IAq9hVv

"It is exciting to think that Little Red Dots may represent the first direct observational evidence of the birth of the most massive black holes in the universe." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/tBQ8MAh

Starfleet Academy's third mission is remarkably light on peril, but that isn't necessarily a problem from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/9nGMsV1

‘Blake’s 7’ is heading back to deep space as Emmy-nominated director Peter Hoar launches a new indie studio and plans a reboot of the cult British sci-fi drama. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/U9k0v8o

Astronaut Suni Williams left NASA late last month after 27 years of service. She spent a total of 608 days in space, more than all but one other American astronaut. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/SL2Of5q

"Dark matter can be red hot when it is born, but still have time to cool down before galaxies begin to form." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/WYO4ULq

Bungie's next game returns with a new in-engine trailer and more details ahead of its long-awaited release. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/s0OaLAW

"I don't think anyone's made this connection between the surface fluid pattern and the interior properties of these planets." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/xEnfqwK

Blue Origin will launch six people to the final frontier on Thursday (Jan. 22), and you can watch the space tourism mission live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/EXVNjGF

The origin of super-Earths and sub-Neptunes has been revealed in a system of four young planets that are dramatically losing their thick atmospheres. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/weNW0nQ

The total solar eclipse on Nov. 25, 2030, will mainly cross the Indian Ocean, but views will be possible from Australia, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Ql0foqZ

Astonishingly, we can identify molecules present in the atmospheres of exoplanets. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/62gcQlZ

The evacuation raises a question worth exploring: how do astronauts stay healthy in space, and why is this early evacuation so unusual? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/zJS2tqj

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the best sub-250g drone ever made and redefines what’s possible in this regulator-friendly drone category. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/JoAsb0X

"One thing popped out as clear as anything, this previously unknown 'bar' of ionized iron atoms, in the middle of the familiar and iconic ring." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/lSZgIEs

Researchers have identified OTULIN, an immune-regulating enzyme, as a key trigger of tau buildup in the brain. When OTULIN was disabled, tau vanished from neurons and brain cells remained healthy. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about tau’s necessity and highlight a promising new path for fighting Alzheimer’s and brain aging. Scientists now believe OTULIN may act as a master switch for inflammation and age-related brain decline. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/cnPxKCs

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/VWXFerQ

With the moon out of the way on Jan. 18, bright Jupiter and Saturn become stand-outs in the January night sky. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/KvkTEls

The protostar is launching the longest outburst ever seen at 32 light-years long. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ABkQF61

Tiny plastic particles drifting through the oceans may be quietly weakening one of Earth’s most powerful climate defenses. New research suggests microplastics are disrupting marine life that helps oceans absorb carbon dioxide, while also releasing greenhouse gases as they break down. By interfering with plankton, microbes, and natural carbon cycles, these pollutants reduce the ocean’s ability to regulate global temperatures. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/dXNI4Mo

'I think walking onto the bridge and sitting on the captain's chair blew my mind.' from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ZLC18TN

SpaceX will launch its first national security mission of the year tonight (Jan. 16), and you can watch the action live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/E4PSwdq

Four ISS crewmembers were brought home a month early due to an undisclosed but non-emergency "medical concern". from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/DNc3Imx

SETI@home has been one of the largest citizen science projects ever, with millions of users around the world. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/t67VyBJ

It's apparently never too early to start the MCU hype machine rolling! from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/gBMKjCw

A recent string of cyberattacks against the European Space Agency is just the tip of the iceberg, a researcher said, claiming that email credentials of ESA employees are regularly leaked online. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/KPQd1zu

The shadow nebula LDN 1245 is located in the constellation Cassiopeia. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/7V5ga4G

"If they were purely made up of stars, they would be the densest galaxies in the universe." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/kHVl0GO

"Our study provides a new direction to understand the whole evolutionary history of massive stars toward the formation of black hole binaries." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/xidzl2f

"It's hopeful about the future, and we need that optimistic enthusiasm right now." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/vs3QZUe

A SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying 29 Starlink satellites launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/AohG1yO

'It felt really warm and welcoming. It was a lovely atmosphere the whole time.' from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/GL1KcpD

"It points to a slow starvation rather than a single dramatic death blow." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/wWKYukO

"Microgravity pushed evolution into corners of the phage we still don't fully understand" from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/VBH4S1J

"This result shows that the Event Horizon Telescope is not only useful for producing spectacular images, but can also be used to understand the physics that govern black hole jets." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/3pMWCU2

The astronauts are scheduled to leave in a matter of days. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/U8tHSWq

"We are in constant contact with NASA." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/q7E3VTn

From the Upside Down through the Devil's Anus and beyond. Here are 6 times these theoretical wormholes turned up in sci-fi shows and movies. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/iQkm9ZD

A new study warns that war in Gaza has pushed children to the edge, leaving many too hungry, weak, or traumatized to learn. Education has nearly collapsed, with years of schooling lost to conflict, hunger, and fear. Researchers say children are losing faith in the future and in basic ideas like peace and human rights. Without urgent aid, Gaza faces the risk of a lost generation. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/20NhxTs

A new international trial has delivered striking results for people on dialysis, showing that daily fish oil supplements can sharply reduce serious heart-related events. Patients taking fish oil had far fewer heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac deaths than those on placebo. Researchers say this is especially important because dialysis patients face extreme cardiovascular risk and few proven treatment options. The findings mark a rare breakthrough in kidney care. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/V28URNc

In a striking real-world experiment, flu patients spent days indoors with healthy volunteers, but the virus never spread. Researchers found that limited coughing and well-mixed indoor air kept virus levels low, even with close contact. Age may have helped too, since middle-aged adults are less likely to catch the flu than younger people. The results highlight ventilation, air movement, and masks as key defenses against infection. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3lhf10i

A rapid climate collapse during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction devastated ocean life and reshuffled Earth’s ecosystems. In the aftermath, jawed vertebrates gained an unexpected edge by surviving in isolated marine refuges. Over millions of years, they diversified into many forms while competitors faded away. This ancient reset helped determine which creatures would dominate the planet ever after. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/SQGYx0B

Scientists have discovered an enormous stream of super-hot gas erupting from a nearby galaxy, driven by a powerful black hole at its center. The jets stretch farther than the galaxy itself and spiral outward in a rare, never-before-seen pattern. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope pierced through thick dust to reveal this violent outflow. The process is so intense it’s robbing the galaxy of star-forming gas at a staggering rate. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/oHkeuIr

Scientists have identified a brand-new species of worm living in the Great Salt Lake, marking only the third known animal group able to survive its extreme salinity. The species, named Diplolaimelloides woaabi with guidance from Indigenous elders, appears to exist only in this lake. How it got there remains a mystery, with theories ranging from ancient oceans to birds transporting it across continents. The discovery could help scientists track the lake’s health as conditions rapidly change. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/x1Dh4es

"These nine objects are special." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/AsITBZf

The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is a powerful drone featuring three cameras that can capture images in 100MP resolution and video in 6K and it's still at its lowest price. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/kqRTwB9

NASA will return four astronauts to Earth early from the International Space Station due to a medical concern with one of the Crew-11 astronauts. Here's the latest news. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/hJQZian

NASA has decided to bring the four astronauts of SpaceX's Crew-11 mission home from the International Space Station early due to a medical issue experienced by a crewmember in orbit. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/UErJoDK

"Nothing in my professional training as an X-ray astronomer had prepared me for something like this." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Nj5lXkh

Your guide to February's full Snow Moon, from peak times to skywatching highlights. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/i6fGQgj

NASA just postponed a spacewalk because of a medical concern with an astronaut. Here's how the agency has handled such issues in the past. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/BFQ4iLA

The galaxy cluster appears hotter and more mature than it should for its young age, challenging what we think we know about how these cities of galaxies form. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/RvykOWe

NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman will conduct a historic spacewalk outside the International Space Station on Thursday morning (Jan. 8), and you can watch the action live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Xg7wtFP

Jared Leto's sci-fi flick hits the Disney+ streaming grid starting January 7. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/MF6DvTp

Roguelite structure, mysterious narrative, and breakneck third-person shooter action come together once again in Housemarque's Saros. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/EOwU6CJ

NASA's Curiosity rover has sent back a striking new "postcard" from high on the slopes of Mount Sharp, offering a dramatic look at the rugged Martian landscape it's been exploring for more than a decade. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ZEUDvzy

"This is a tale of a failed galaxy." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/DwobHXE

Artemis 2, NASA's next astronaut mission to the moon, is gearing up for a launch that could occur as soon as Feb. 6. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/Ncwsu64

A meltwater lake that formed in the mid-1990s on Greenland’s 79°N Glacier has been draining in sudden, dramatic bursts through cracks and vertical ice shafts. These events have accelerated in recent years, creating strange triangular fracture patterns and flooding the glacier’s base with water in just hours. Some drainages even pushed the ice upward from below, like a blister forming under the glacier. Scientists now wonder whether the glacier can ever return to its previous seasonal rhythm. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/a1PVT95

The Department of Defense is taking administrative action against former NASA astronaut and current U.S. Senator Mark Kelly over remarks he made in a 90-second video in November. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/2ibh3IB

We'll be battling aliens, surviving cosmic horrors, and conquering the stars in 2026 with these upcoming space and sci-fi games. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/ArSNWVC

"If this interaction between dark matter and neutrinos is confirmed, it would be a fundamental breakthrough." from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/eIfZFul

Researchers using China’s “artificial sun” fusion reactor have broken through a long-standing density barrier in fusion plasma. The experiment confirmed that plasma can remain stable even at extreme densities if its interaction with the reactor walls is carefully controlled. This finding removes a major obstacle that has slowed progress toward fusion ignition. The advance could help future fusion reactors produce more power. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/uNT4JKt

Your daily rhythm may matter more for brain health than previously thought. Older adults with weaker, more disrupted activity patterns were far more likely to develop dementia than those with steady routines. A later daily energy peak was also linked to higher risk. The study points to the body clock as a possible early warning sign for cognitive decline. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/ywK6zYG

Scientists may have cracked the case of whether a seven-million-year-old fossil could walk upright. A new study found strong anatomical evidence that Sahelanthropus tchadensis was bipedal, including a ligament attachment seen only in human ancestors. Despite its ape-like appearance and small brain, its leg and hip structure suggest it moved confidently on two legs. The finding places bipedalism near the very root of the human family tree. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/wD7YcEh

Scientists have developed molecular devices that can switch roles, behaving as memory, logic, or learning elements within the same structure. The breakthrough comes from precise chemical design that lets electrons and ions reorganize dynamically. Unlike conventional electronics, these devices do not just imitate intelligence but physically encode it. This approach could reshape how future AI hardware is built. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/H5PMxkm

SpaceX will launch the first mission of 2026 tonight (Jan. 2), and you can watch the action live. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/t9Hznkq

SpaceX will soon lower the orbits of about 4,400 Starlink satellites, to decrease the threat they pose to other spacecraft and reduce space traffic overall. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/p3PVAmx

Entertainment is the final frontier, as you experience everything from Starfleet to the Green Lantern Corps and Godzilla in 2026. from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/gU3NBkh

Scientists studying Alzheimer’s in African Americans have uncovered a striking genetic clue that may cut across racial lines. In brain tissue from more than 200 donors, the gene ADAMTS2 was significantly more active in people with Alzheimer’s than in those without it. Even more surprising, this same gene topped the list in an independent study of White individuals. The discovery hints at a common biological pathway behind Alzheimer’s and opens the door to new treatment strategies. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/A2tbsXf

Lego has recently released their first-ever Star Trek set, the 3600-piece U.S.S Enterprise, but is it better than Playmobil's model? from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/TGptD8d

Think you know your Le Guin from your Liu? Let’s find out from Latest from Space.com https://ift.tt/JVHzjFm