🚀 Starship Booster Damaged in Test

Astronomers using advanced clustering algorithms analyzed the free orbital elements of objects within the classical Kuiper belt, searching for previously undiscovered structures beyond the known overdensity at 44 astronomical units.

The team applied the DBSCAN (Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise) algorithm to barycentric free orbital elements, which identified a new structure at 43 AU just inward of the known kernel.

This finding questions whether the kernel is a single large structure or two distinct ones, a question that upcoming observations from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's LSST (Legacy Survey of Space and Time) may resolve.

Researchers analyzed high-frequency radar data from Mars' south polar cap to investigate the source of anomalously bright reflections, which were previously hypothesized to be indicative of subglacial liquid water.

The SHARAD (Shallow Radar) instrument, using a novel spacecraft maneuver, obtained a basal return that was previously undetectable, allowing for a diagnostic cross-frequency comparison with lower-frequency MARSIS data.

Radar response modeling suggests the bright reflections are not from liquid water but a localized, low-roughness region of dry rock, challenging the long-held subglacial lake hypothesis on Mars.

SpaceX engineers conducted pre-launch testing on their newest Starship first-stage booster at their South Texas facility, only one day after the massive rocket had rolled out from the factory.

The test campaign was designed to validate the booster’s redesigned propellant systems and its structural strength before a static fire, but suffered some sort of major damage during these early operations.

This significant setback could delay the next integrated flight test, impacting timelines for NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Artemis program, which relies on the vehicle for future lunar landings.

Scientists at NJIT's (New Jersey Institute of Technology) Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research tracked the impact of recent powerful X-class solar flares on the plasma-filled upper layer of Earth's atmosphere.

A new network of radio telescopes recorded ionospheric jolts from a rare sequence of intense flares, including an X5.1 event marking 2025’s strongest flare, which disrupted radio signals and GPS accuracy.

These measurements provide crucial data on space weather's effects, improving forecasting models that protect essential satellite communications and navigation systems from severe solar storm-induced disruptions, according to CSTR (Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research) researchers.

Blue Origin executives revealed an ambitious roadmap for upgrading their New Glenn heavy-lift rocket, outlining plans for enhanced performance and capability just one week after its successful second orbital launch.

The company detailed plans for a new variant with more main engines for super-heavy lift capability, with phased enhancements to increase payload performance and launch cadence beginning with the third New Glenn flight.

According to the company, these upgrades are designed to enhance reliability and position New Glenn to compete directly with SpaceX's Falcon Heavy for lucrative national security and commercial satellite contracts.