Lockheed Martin completes delivery of 10th GPS 3 satellite
Thursday, 16 February 2023 18:57![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![The GPS 3 Space Vehicle 05 satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Credit: Lockheed Martin](https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/51200755636_ec30091f78_k.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1)
The U.S.
What is a UFO? The US shot down three mysterious objects as interest and concern increase over unidentified craft
Thursday, 16 February 2023 18:20![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![In 2020, the U.S. Navy released multiple videos of unidentified aerial phenomena, sparking interest in the public and government. Credit: U.S. Navy What is a UFO? The US shot down three mysterious objects as interest and concern increase over unidentified craft](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/what-is-a-ufo-the-us-s.jpg)
On the heels of the Feb. 4, 2023, shooting down of a Chinese balloon suspected of spying on the U.S., American fighter jets have shot down three additional objects in or near U.S. airspace.
When the media asked Glen VanHerck, the Air Force general responsible for overseeing North American airspace, about these events, he refused to rule out extraterrestrial forces at play. Other military officialslater clarified that otherworldly origins aren't a serious consideration, but the comment highlighted the U.S. government's lack of knowledge about these objects.
As a space policy expert, I'm often confronted with questions about UFOs and little green people. However, as these recent episodes have shown, a UFO is far more likely to be human-made, rather than originating from some faraway place in the universe.
An extremely lightweight fission rocket could reach the solar gravitational lens in 15 years
Thursday, 16 February 2023 18:04![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Aerogel that will be used to stabilize the fission fuel in the new FFRE. Credit: NASA / Ryan Weed An extremely lightweight fission rocket could reach the solar gravitational lens in 15 years](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2023/an-extremely-lightweig.jpg)
Novel propulsion ideas for moving around space seem like they're a dime a dozen recently. Besides the typical argument between solar sails and chemical propulsion lies a potential third way—a nuclear rocket engine. While we've discussed them here at UT before, NASA's Institute of Advanced Concepts has provided a grant to a company called Positron Dynamics for the development of a novel type of nuclear fission fragment rocket engine (FFRE). It could strike the balance between the horsepower of chemical engines and the longevity of solar sails.
FFREs are not a new concept in themselves, but many have massive technical hurdles to overcome before they can be considered useful. Their advantages, such as high specific impulse and extremely high power density, are offset by their disadvantages, such as requiring a complicated form of plasma levitation.
Opinion | A new leap in opportunities for the exploration and utilization of space
Thursday, 16 February 2023 17:56![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![Illustration of NASA astronauts on the lunar South Pole.](https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/image.jpeg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1)
Although the development of the SLS was driven by launch needs for human exploration of the Moon and Mars, it provides a much greater level of capability for the broader spacefaring community.
Webb reveals intricate networks of gas and dust in nearby galaxies
Thursday, 16 February 2023 15:00![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2023/02/ngc_1433_miri_image/24715687-1-eng-GB/NGC_1433_MIRI_image_card_full.jpg)
Researchers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope are getting their first look at star formation, gas, and dust in nearby galaxies with unprecedented resolution at infrared wavelengths. The data have enabled an initial collection of 21 research papers which provide new insight into how some of the smallest-scale processes in the Universe — the beginnings of star formation — impact the evolution of the largest objects in our cosmos: galaxies.
Chinese rocket firm Space Pioneer set for first launch
Thursday, 16 February 2023 12:16![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://i0.wp.com/spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/tianlong2-vertical-2023-space-pioneer-3.png?fit=300%2C192&ssl=1)
HELSINKI — Commercial launch firm Space Pioneer announced new funding this week and will soon take a shot at becoming China’s first such company to reach orbit with a liquid propellant rocket.
Webb uncovers new details in Pandora's Cluster
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/webb-pandora-cluster-marker-gravitational-lens-megacluster-bg.jpg)
NASA study seeks to understand impact effects on Mars rocks
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/mars-perseverance-sol-695-random-rocks-meteor-debris-bg.jpg)
SpaceDaily Streamlines Imaging Process with ChatGPT's Technology
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/rocketgirl-typist-with-a-future-bg.jpg)
SpaceX halts plans to convert oil rigs into floating offshore launch pads
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/spacex-starship-offshore-launch-platform-deimos-render-kendall-dirks-bg.jpg)
China's space station experiments pave way for new space technology
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/china-space-station-tiangong-crew-marker-bg.jpg)
Upsurge in rocket launches could impact the ozone layer
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/global-ozone-reductions-2020-bg.jpg)
Brain changes in fighter pilots may cast light on astronauts during space travel
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/targo-pilot-helmet-bg.jpg)
Two crews set for Tiangong station in '23
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/china-tiangong-shenzhou-14-15-crews-six-astronauts-bg.jpg)
Hope probe to move to a new Mars orbit and observe deimos
Thursday, 16 February 2023 11:46![](/plugins/content/jlexcomment/assets/icon.png)
![](https://www.spxdaily.com/images-bg/mars-hope-perseverance-tianwen-collage-bg.jpg)