Planetary Defense: How to Protect Earth from Deadly Asteroid Impacts
In this International Asteroid Day edition of the Intelligence Brief, we look at what NASA and others are doing to mitigate the threats of potential asteroid impacts in the future.
Micah Hanks
Micah Hanks is creator, co-founder, and Editor-in-Chief of The Debrief. He covers science, defense, and technology in his writing and podcasts, and you can find him at micahhanks.com and on X @MicahHanks.
International Asteroid Day: How the Puzzling 1908 Tunguska Event Prompted a UN Resolution
June 30th is International Asteroid Day, a date recognized by the adoption of a UN resolution commemorating the 1908 Tunguska event over Siberia.
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Becomes Focus of Recent Brazilian Senate Hearings
A recent Brazilian Senate hearing was organized to address the country's history of military involvement with unusual aerial objects.
Evidence of Non-Terrestrial Objects Surveilling Earth Could Be Revealed in New Research Effort
Evidence of non-terrestrial objects of intelligent origin could turn up in a place many wouldn't expect: images of the sky that predate the dawn of the Space Race.
Mysterious Transient Object Detected by Astronomers Packs a Powerful Pulsar Punch
Astronomers have spotted a transient object they say is unique—and potentially a lot more energetic—than past examples they have witnessed, according to new research.
Gravity Mystery Could Soon be Solved with Help From This Mind-Bending New Theoretical Model
Gravity remains one of the great mysteries of modern physics, and this Toronto-based researcher thinks a new theoretical model may finally help to resolve it.
Voyager Spacecraft Will Soon Power Down for Their Final Mission Into the Beyond
This week, we look at two of the most iconic spacecraft ever to leave Earth and go into space in search of the unknown, and what NASA has said about the final phase of their historic mission.
Summer Solstice 2022 Continues an Ancient and Mysterious Astronomical Tradition
Today marks the arrival of summer solstice 2022, resulting in the longest day of the year and heralding the arrival of summer.
An Anomaly Detected Deep Underground Could Point to New Fundamental Physics
A recent experiment deep below Russia's Caucasus mountains points to the existence of a new elementary particle: the sterile neutrino.
Climate Change: A Challenge for U.S. National Security
This week, we examine the DOD's concerns about climate change, and what the U.S. military and its allies are doing to combat it.
Did China’s “Sky Eye” Radio Telescope Detect Alien Signals? Not So “FAST”
China's Sky Eye telescope recently detected a series of "suspicious" signals, but are they signs of intelligent life, or something else?
China’s Chang’E-5 Lunar Lander Just Made a Surprising Discovery on the Moon
New evidence of water located on the lunar surface has been discovered in samples being studied by the Chang'E-5 lunar lander.
NASA Details Plans for New Study to Investigate Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
The U.S. space agency says its study of UAP will begin in late 2022, with the complete results "made available to the public."
The U.S. space agency says its study of UAP will begin in late 2022, with the complete results "made available to the public."
The U.S. space agency says its study of UAP will begin in late 2022, and "will be made available to the public."
The Artificial Intelligence Arms Race: Where Are We Now?
This week, we look at how current efforts at the Pentagon figure into concerns about an “artificial intelligence arms race”.
The Great Dimming of Betelgeuse: Answers Finally Emerge
A stellar mystery that has baffled astronomers may have been solved: what has been causing the "great dimming" of the star Betelgeuse?
Incursions at the Border: Homeland Security Agents Tell of Encounters With Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Sightings and video footage of aerial objects that defied explanation led one Customs and Border Patrol Agent to push for the creation of a UAP Task Force within the DHS.
Sightings and video footage of aerial objects that defied explanation led one Customs and Border Patrol Agent to push for the creation of a UAP Task Force within the DHS.
Sightings and video footage of aerial objects that defied explanation led one Customs and Border Patrol Agent to push for the creation of a UAP Task Force within the DHS.
Boeing’s Starliner Touches Down After Successful Mission to the ISS
Following the successful touchdown of NASA and Boeing’s new CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, we’ll be looking at what vehicles like Starliner may be able to provide to future orbital operations even beyond the ISS.
Congressional Hearings on UAP: Four Surprises That Came Up During Tuesday’s House Panel
In this installment of The Intelligence Brief, we’ll be looking at key points - and several surprises - that were touched on during Tuesday's Congressional hearings on UAP.
Highlights From The Congressional Hearing on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Join The Debrief for live coverage of the C3 Subcommittee Hearing on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena on May 17, 2022 at 9 AM ET.
Scientific Group Urges Congress to Ask “Piercing Questions” in House Panel on UAP
A leading scientific group engaged in the study of unidentified aerial phenomena is urging members of Congress to approach military witnesses with a number of specific questions during a House Panel on the subject, to be held on Tuesday.
As House Panel Prepares to Examine Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, New Questions Emerge
Here’s what we know about next week's Congressional hearings on UFOs, and the DOD's ongoing investigations into the phenomenon.
Here’s what we know about next week's Congressional hearings on UFOs, and the DOD's ongoing investigations into the phenomenon.
The Debrief reached out to the DOD to learn the latest about its UAP investigative group, the AOIMSG, and its coordination with Congress on the U.S. government's ongoing UAP investigations.
Intelligence Chief Warns of “Prolonged Conflict” in Ukraine
In recent days, DNI Avril Haines provided concerning new details on intelligence assessments about Russia’s long game in Ukraine.
$40 Billion Military Aid Bill for Ukraine Passes the House, as DOD Urges Support
The Ukraine bill, which adds $7 billion to the initial request for aid from President Biden, saw urging from DOD officials earlier this week.
Washington’s Ongoing UAP Problem
Here's what the Pentagon’s track record with UAP says about its level of transparency, and what must change going forward.
Ukraine: The Greatest Challenge
This week's newsletter focuses on recent statements by U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, and why he believes the war in Ukraine represents a threat to the global international security order.
“Probable Threat” over the U.S. Capitol was a Close Call, but Points to Problems for the FAA
This week, an aviation incident in Washington that occurred Wednesday night has many concerned about oversight by aviation officials in the Nation's Capitol.
How The Pentagon Helped Confirm an Interstellar Object Made Its Way to Earth
This week we'll be looking at how a meteor that might have gone unnoticed was revealed to have interstellar origins, with help from the Pentagon.
Brazilian Senators Call for Hearings to Examine Question of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Brazilian Senators are calling for a special session that aims to bring greater public awareness to the issue of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), according to an official Senate Requirement that was recently filed.
War Crimes in Ukraine: The Latest Evidence
In recent days, the world was shocked by images coming out of Ukraine depicting the apparent killings of civilians in Bucha.
NASA to Get a $26 Billion Boost in Biden’s 2023 Budget
With the recent release of the U.S. government’s proposed 2023 budget, this week we look at what President Biden’s proposal will help NASA accomplish in the coming year.
A Collective of Internet Archivists is Working to Preserve Ukraine’s Presence on the Web
A collective of rogue archivists is working to preserve online resources created by Ukraine, which are at risk of being lost forever in the midst of the country's war with Russia.
Analysis: Newly Released Version of Once-Classified Report Presents New Clues About the U.S. Government’s UAP Investigations
A once-classified version of the ODNI's June 2021 UAP report presents a clearer picture of the U.S. government's UAP investigations, but also raises new questions.
Meanwhile in Russia: War Crimes, Vanishing Officials, and Defiant Soldiers
As the battle in Ukraine rages on, hopes that the conflict will soon end are now being voiced by an increasing number of Russians.
NASA’s Airborn Observatory SOFIA Makes Its Way to South America to Study Nearby Galaxies
NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is equipped for scanning the South American skies with a reflecting telescope mounted aboard a Boeing 747SP.
NASA’s Moon Rocket Rollout to Bring Artemis-I Mission Closer to Launch
This week, we'll be looking at what NASA engineers and technicians had to say recently about the forthcoming rollout of the Artemis I mission's space launch system.
Scientific Conference on Anomalous Aerospace Phenomena To Convene This Summer
One of the largest scientific conferences dealing with the study of anomalous phenomena occurring in U.S. airspace has just been announced, according to a leading scientific coalition that studies aerial mysteries.
Texas Company Colossal to Battle Extinction with Breakthrough Genetic Engineering
Colossal Biosciences says it plans to take on the environmental issues that lead to critical endangerment, and even revive long-extinct species.
Colossal Biosciences says it plans to take on the environmental issues that lead to critical endangerment, and even revive long-extinct species.
Colossal Biosciences says it plans to take on the environmental issues that lead to critical endangerment, and even revive long-extinct species.
Cislunar Patrol: Enhancing the U.S. Military’s Detection of Objects in Space
This week, we look at the Air Force Research Laboratory's plans for its new Cislunar Highway Patrol System.
The “Moscow Signal”: How Russian Directed Microwave Rays Once Caused an International Incident
Decades ago, the Soviet Union admitted it spent decades blasting the U.S. Embassy in Moscow with "mysterious" beams.
Decades ago, the Soviet Union admitted it spent decades blasting the U.S. Embassy in Moscow with "mysterious" beams.
Decades ago, the Soviet Union admitted it spent decades blasting the U.S. Embassy in Moscow with mysterious rays later dubbed the "Moscow Signal".
Politics in Orbit: Russia and the Future of the International Space Station
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Intelligence Brief… with the battle ensuing on the ground in Ukraine, international...
Cyberattack Concerns Mount in the West as Russia Invades Ukraine
As the U.S. and other nations announce sanctions against Russia amidst the crisis in Ukraine, this week we examine concerns over retaliatory cyberattacks.
Into the Cosmic “Webb”: The Search for Interstellar Interlopers
The James Webb Space Telescope could do more than just give us glimpses of distant alien worlds; it may even help us spot a few interstellar visitors.
Nominee for DOD Inspector General Pledges “Comprehensive Assessment” of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena if Confirmed
The Biden Administration's nominee to serve as watchdog for the DoD admitted UAP was "not an issue with which I am currently familiar,” but that he is "willing to look into that and take any action that’s appropriate.”
NASA Just Revealed Who Will be Helping It Retrieve Samples from Mars
This week, NASA has made a big announcement about its future plans to retrieve samples from the surface of Mars.
NASA’s Updated Transition Plan for the International Space Station Includes Crashing it Into the Pacific
NASA has updated its transition plan for the international space station, as it nears the end of its operational lifespan.
A Surprise Discovery on Mars Offers Clues in the Search for Life
This week we look at what recent findings suggest about the possible existence of life on ancient Mars, and why the question of biology shouldn’t be ruled out.
“Ghosts” of the Early Universe Reveal Clues, and Controversies, About the Formation of Galaxies
Astronomers have learned surprising things from the oldest and most distant galaxies in our universe, a search that has also led to a few controversies.
A Rocket is About to Collide With the Moon… And That Might Be a Good Thing
A rocket is expected to crash into the Moon in early March... so why aren't many experts concerned? This week, we examine the surprising reasons why.
The James Webb Space Telescope Has Just Reached its New Home in Space
The James Webb Space Telescope will soon begin its long-anticipated mission of peering more deeply into the history of space than any telescope has ever done.
Report: NASA’s Human Space Exploration Efforts Need an Upgrade
This week, we look at what a newly released report says about NASA and how it can optimize its efforts toward human space exploration in the years ahead.