An NRO Spy Satellite Sets Off on its Classified Mission
This week we look at the launch of a classified National Reconnaissance Office spy satellite on Monday, and what it means as the United Launch Alliance kicks off its 2021 launch season.
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.
Is That a UFO? No, it’s Space Junk, and it Poses a Real Threat to Space Missions
A growing concern for astronauts, and for future space operations in general, is the threat posed by space junk in Earth's orbit.
Blast from the Past: Astronomers Detect “Extreme” Event From Proxima Centauri
Astronomers have observed an “extreme” flaring event on Proxima Centauri, which they believe to be the largest the star has ever been seen to produce.
Once an Oceanic Anomaly, Scientists are closing in on Mysterious Megaplumes
Scientists at the University of Leeds are unlocking the mystery of megaplumes, a phenomenon produced as columns of heated water rise from the base of the ocean.
DARPA’s DRACO Program: The Future of Nuclear Propulsion in Space
DARPA has awarded contracts for Phase One of its DRACO program; this week we analyze the heavy-hitting space companies it has chosen to create its future nuclear thermal propulsion systems.
The Richat Structure: The “Eye of the Sahara” is One of Earth’s Strangest Marvels
The Richat Structure is one of the most impressive and unusual natural features visible anywhere on Earth from space.
Technosignatures, Telescopes, and Life on Mars
This week we look at the latest with NASA's ongoing studies of Mars, the search for alien life, and technosignatures on nearby planets.
SpaceX History Repeats Itself… Sooner Than Expected
Recent history repeats itself for SpaceX, whose issues with the FAA and other agencies endure following the latest crash of its Starship prototype.
Historic New Images Show Supermassive Black Hole in Polarized Light
Polarized light seen around galaxy M87's black hole now provides astronomers with clues about the behavior of its magnetic field.
Study Finds Surprising Connections Between Snake Venom and Our Saliva
Humans and other animals have the same genetic basis for the development of venom like some snakes and other poisonous creatures.
New Clues Emerge in the Hunt for Answers to Mysterious Fast Radio Bursts
Scientists may be closing in on the mystery of fast radio bursts, with the help of new time estimates obtained by a team of researchers.
Meteor Shower? Strange Lights Over the Pacific Northwest Had Another Explanation
Stargazers throughout the Pacific Northwest were treated to a striking aerial display on Thursday night, but this bizarre light show was no meteor shower.
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena: What the Government Knows
What does the government know about unidentified aerial phenomena? This week, we look at what the latest statements from government officials suggests about this.
Technosignatures of Intelligent Aliens Could Be “Lurking” Nearby, Study Says
A group of researchers propose searching for "unusual signatures or phenomena" on the Moon, and even around Earth.
A group of researchers propose searching for "unusual signatures or phenomena" on the Moon, and even around Earth.
A new study proposes searching for unusual technosignatures or phenomena on the Moon, and even around Earth.
“It isn’t Ours.” Marco Rubio Says the Government is Taking Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Seriously
Marco Rubio recently weighed in on unidentified aerial phenomena, saying that the “stigma” associated with the subject has hindered government efforts at studying it.
This is the New High-Speed Propulsion System the DoD and Norway are Working On
The DoD and Norway aim to produce a new advanced solid fuel ramjet propulsion system with applications for future hypersonic weaponry.
This Rare Area 51 Footage Was Recently Removed by the CIA
Footage from Area 51, made at the remote USAF facility in 1960, offers a unique glimpse at one of the most secretive locations on Earth.
Richard Garriott Becomes First Astronaut and Polar Explorer to Visit Mariana Trench
Richard Garriott has become first person to have visited the Mariana Trench, both poles of the Earth, and also fly aboard the International Space Station.
Spacecraft Seen Over the Northeast Last Week Led to UFO Reports
Dozens of people in the U.S. reported seeing a Falcon 9 spacecraft streaking through the early morning sky shortly after 6 AM EDT on March 14.
Biologging Reveals Strange Circles Made by Marine Life, Baffling Researchers
Researchers using biologging technology have found that marine animals move in strange, circular patterns that scientists can't yet explain.
‘Oumuamua Not an Alien Spaceship, Likely a Piece of an Exoplanet, New Study Says
Two scientists from the University of Arizona believe they have solved the mystery behind ‘Oumuamua, suggesting its a piece of an exoplanet.
Incredible Winds on Jupiter Stun Researchers in Astronomical First
Astronomers have obtained measurements of the winds in Jupiter’s middle atmosphere with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array.
Hypersonics and Unidentified Aviation Hazards
This week, we examine hypersonics in Russia, the Pentagon's own renewed hypersonic efforts, and what NASA reports tell us about UFOs.
Newly Uncovered NASA Reports Reveal Pilot Encounters with UFOs
An investigation by The Debrief has revealed reports filed with NASA's Aviation Safety Reporting System detailing pilot encounters with UFOs.
Bacteria Strains Recovered From ISS Are New to Science, Study Says
Scientists have found that bacteria recovered from the International Space Station were previously unrecognized by science.
Remote Identification and Other New FAA Drone Rules Take Effect This April
According to the new guidelines, the FAA will now require Remote Identification, as well as new rules for Operations Over People, which will take effect on April 21, 2021.
Asteroid 2001 FO32 Will Pass the Earth Later This Month Without Incident
The near approach of asteroid 2001 FO32 follows on the coattails of a recent close encounter Earth had with 99942 Apophis.
The Epidemic of Forgotten Ideas: Science and the “Virus” of Innovation
Among the most significant scientific discoveries are forgotten ideas that reemerged, and saw widespread acceptance and implementation.
Gliese 486b, a Newly-Discovered “Super Earth,” Heats Up Exoplanet Studies
A gigantic, stony Earth-like world with rivers of lava and almost no atmosphere, Gliese 486b is lighting a fire under current exoplanet studies.
“Unmistakably of Extraterrestrial Origin,” IceCube Detects Rare Particle Event
A rare event predicted by a Nobel Laureate has been confirmed by scientists with the IceCube South Pole Neutrino Observatory.
Winchcombe Meteorite That Lit Up UK Skies May Contain Building Blocks of Life
A brilliant fireball that lit up the UK skies last month has been recovered on UK soil, and its chemical makeup makes it one of the rarest of its kind.
Vislink: The Pentagon’s New Eyes
In this week’s edition of The Intelligence Brief, we look at The Pentagon’s new $4 million deal with Vislink and other news related to surveillance.
Russia and China Plan to Build a Moon Base, Russian Space Agency Says
Russia and China have announced plans to collaborate on building a moon base for future lunar research, according to the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
Betelgeuse Mystery May Be Solved with Help from a Stellar “Monster”
The mysterious dimming of Betelgeuse, observed since 2019, may have been solved with new data from Hubble's Space Telescope.
iMac Pro is Discontinued as Apple Sets Pace for Designs of the Next Decade
The iMac Pro, a computer once hailed by Apple as the strongest and most formidable in its entire inventory will no longer be made, the company has confirmed.
Mobile Device Use Impacts Attention, Cognition in Preschoolers, Study Says
A team of Hungarian researchers found that mobile device use by preschoolers may negatively impact their attention and social cognition development.
Is Our Universe a Neural Network? This Scientist Thinks So.
University of Minnesota Duluth scientist Vitaly Vanchurin thinks the universe may be a neural network, and suggests a "theory of everything."
Robotic Dog “Zeus” Spotted At Recent SpaceX Crash Site
A robotic dog made a surprise appearance as it was seen lurking around the crash site of SpaceX's SN10 prototype.
Fireball Over the Northeast Produced a Loud Sonic Boom, Witnesses Say
A brilliant fireball lit up the northeastern sky on Sunday afternoon, producing a sonic boom heard by residents in the U.S. and Canada.
Superior Mirage Appearances Explain “Phantom Ships” Seen for Centuries
A superior mirage photographed off the English coast helps explain tales of "ghost ships" that shaped maritime folklore for centuries.
Apophis, a Feared Future Earth Impactor, Just Flew Past Us
Apophis, a near-earth asteroid as large as the Eifel Tower, has kept some astronomers on edge about its future flybys.
With the Help of a Dead Insect, Israeli Researchers Created an “Ear-Bot”
A group of biotechnology researchers have succeeded in using the auditory organ from a dead locust to animate a one-of-a-kind "Ear-Bot."
Drones: Flight of the Force Multipliers
In this installment of the Intelligence Brief, we look at the use of autonomous drones by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and resulting issues in Silicon Valley and industry.
Experts Baffled by Strange Stripes in Siberia
Satellite photos of Russia’s Markha River in Arctic Siberia have provided clues to an odd geological riddle.
Space Hurricanes Confirmed by Scientists Studying Mysterious Plasma Phenomena
Scientists have confirmed the existence of "space hurricanes" that produce showers of electrons instead of water and wind.
New Study Says Atlantic Ocean Circulation is Weakest in 1600 Years
A recent study suggests that the Atlantic Ocean circulation that affects climate conditions is moving more slowly than it has since 400 AD.
Perseverance Brought a “Family Portrait” to Mars, Continuing a NASA Tradition
Perseverance arrived on Mars with a "family portrait," continuing a long NASA tradition of sending images to space detailing life on Earth.
Space Planes and Mystery Missiles
The Pentagon's latest solar experiments aboard the X-37B, as well as a mysterious object observed by pilots recently over New Mexico, are covered in this week's Intelligence Brief.
Perseverance Makes Historic Touchdown on Mars
Perseverance has successfully landed on Mars, and begins its mission to help scientists learn more than ever before about our rocky red neighbor.