Project Moon Dust
This week on The Micah Hanks Program, we look at the strange saga of Project Moon Dust, what is known about the Cold War-era program from official documents.
Micah Hanks
Micah Hanks is a writer, podcaster, and creator/co-founder of The Debrief. He covers science, technology and futurism, and you can find him at micahhanks.com and on Twitter @MicahHanks.
For Half a Century, Our Calculations on Nuclear Explosions in Space Have Been Wrong, Los Alamos Scientist Reveals
This scientist says we can protect space technologies by fixing math errors related to nuclear explosions in space that have gone undetected for close to half a century.
3000-Year-Old Discoveries at Philistine Temple Reveal Psychoactive Rituals Linked to Mother Goddess Cult
Botanical remains and archaeological evidence from a 3,000-year-old temple in Israel are shedding light on the mysterious ancient Philistines.
DARPA-Funded Wireless Communication Breakthrough Takes Data Transmission to Another Dimension… Literally.
A breakthrough in the creation of 3D processors using semiconductor technology could reshape the future of wireless communication.
James Webb Space Telescope Has Detected Something Enormous Hiding in One of the Farthest Known Galaxies
Astronomers have made a massive discovery in one of the most distant known galaxies with help from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
Chang’e-5 Sample Analysis Reveals Moon’s Hidden History, Curious Link to “Anomalous” Crater
Samples collected by China’s Chang’e-5 lander have revealed connections to a mysterious crater that has long perplexed astronomers.
Look: ESA’s ERS-2 Satellite Captured in Striking Images During Reentry into Earth’s Atmosphere
The ESA's ERS-2 satellite was captured in striking images during the spacecraft’s reentry into Earth’s atmosphere last month.
Speed Record Breaking 80 mph Glacier Fracture in Antarctica is Fastest Ever Observed
The fastest known large-scale ice shelf breakage in Antarctica has been observed by researchers, according to new findings.
James Webb Space Telescope Solves Cosmic Mystery of ‘Missing’ Giant Planets Around Young Stars
The James Webb Space Telescope has revealed new data that reveals why some stars are unable to possess giant planets.
In Antarctica, These Mysterious Formations of Ice Are Vanishing. Half a Century of Satellite Images May Help Explain Why.
These odd looking humps in Antarctica are vanishing, and scientists are using half a century of satellite imagery to try and explain why.
Russia’s Tactical Nuclear Weapons Threshold Revealed in New Document Leak
Newly leaked information has revealed Moscow’s threshold for the use of tactical nuclear weapons in a series of formerly secret documents.
Disinfo and the UFO
We look at the role of disinformation in the bizarre hall of mirrors of Ufology, and historical case studies involving how lies, misdirection, and psychological warfare have been used to steer the UFO narrative for more than half a century.
Discovery Points to Promising Conditions For Ancient Life on Mars
Scientists may have explained the origin of organic materials on Mars that could shed light on whether life once existed on the planet.
Creation of Two Novel Isotopes Could Produce New Insights into Mysteries of Atomic Nuclei
A pair of new isotopes have reportedly been created, an achievement could yield promising new insights into the mysteries of atomic nuclei.
5,000-Year-Old Smashed Skull of Vittrup Man Tells Violent Story of an Ancient Ritual Sacrifice
A new study into the enigmatic Vittrup Man reveals new clues about his origins and the harsh way of life that led to his death millennia ago.
This Massive Solar Farm, One of the Largest Projects in DoD History, Is Changing How We Look at Solar Energy
The massive Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage facility went online this month following announcements that the project had reached substantial completion.
Feeling Burnout at Your Job? Mindfulness in the Digital Workplace Could Help, Study Says
Improving mindfulness can potentially help mitigate stress and burnout, according to the findings of a new study that looked at how anxiety and overload can be prevented in the digital workspace.
Breakthrough in Quantum Measurement of Gravity Achieved Using Levitating Magnets
Physicists are one step closer to the measurement of gravity at the quantum level, findings that may broaden our understanding of some of the most mysterious forces at work in our universe.
A Monstrous Reptile Rumored to be Largest of Its Kind on Earth Has Been Discovered in the Amazon Rainforest
A massive new species of anaconda that could potentially be the largest currently in existence has been uncovered in the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador, according to a newly published study.
Dormant for Thousands of Years, These Organisms Are Suddenly Waking Up. Now Scientists Are Concerned.
Researchers have found that as global temperatures steadily rise, tiny organisms long dormant are now coming alive.
Pyramid at Giza’s Controversial Restoration Has Been Halted by Egyptian Authorities
A contentious restoration of the Menkaure Pyramid at Giza has been canceled according to Egyptian authorities.
Military Officials Tracking High-Altitude Balloon Spotted Over Western United States (Updated)
A high-altitude balloon is being tracked over the Western United States, according to officials who spoke on Friday with knowledge of the matter.
New Phase of Matter Created During Experiments with Exotic Particles in Quantum Processor
A new phase of matter previously recognized only in theory has been created by researchers using a quantum processor.
Ancient Discoveries in South American Cave Revealed to be Thousands of Years Older Than Experts Thought
Research into the emergence of rock art in Patagonia has revealed that imagery depicted at the Cueva Huenul 1 cave is thousands of years older than archaeologists previously estimated.
Leaked Documents Reveal Beijing’s Big Business of Hacking
The existence of newly leaked documents revealing the Chinese government’s use of hackers for hire offer new insights into Beijing’s ongoing espionage efforts.
UFOs and U.S. Presidents: Aerial Phenomena and the Oval Office
This week we take a historical deep dive into investigations of aerial phenomena and their relationship to the Oval Office.
AI Propaganda is Dangerously Persuasive and Could be Used in Covert Operations, New Study Warns
AI propaganda generated by popular large language models is remarkably persuasive, according to new findings that compared AI-generated content to real propaganda produced by countries like Russia and Iran.
U.S. Navy to Equip Game-Changing Underwater Sensor System That Mimics Biology to Detect and Track Anomalies
U.S. Navy Plans to Deploy Underwater Sensor System That Mimics Biology to Detect and Track Anomalies
U.S. Navy Plans to Deploy Underwater Sensor System That Mimics Biology to Detect and Track Anomalies
A sophisticated new underwater sensor system aims to replicate the abilities of one of nature’s most formidable aquatic mammals.
Naval Research Laboratory Leverages Exotic Properties of 2D Waveguides to Capture the Light of Dark Excitons
The milestone discovery of waveguides based on 2D materials with “exotic” properties has been achieved by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
Mission to Investigate Potentially Hazardous Objects in Orbit Lifts Off Aboard Rocket Lab Electron Rocket
Aerospace company Rocket Lab has successfully deployed a satellite on a mission to inspect space junk for potential removal from orbit.
In Antarctica, Dark Matter Mystery Comes into Focus as South Pole Telescope Extends Our View of the Cosmos
An upgraded camera system on Antarctica's South Pole Telescope could offer astronomers clues to a longstanding cosmic mystery.
James Webb Space Telescope Has Discovered an Enormous Remnant of the Early Universe That Astronomers Say Shouldn’t Exist
The James Webb Space Telescope has made an 11-billion-year-old discovery more massive than the Milky Way, and it shouldn't exist.
Mysterious ‘National Security Threat’ Revealed in Cryptic Statements by House Intel Chair
This week, a concerning statement issued by the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee about a mysterious national security threat is examined.
Fiery Satellite Images Reveal New Insights on the Latest Volcanic Eruption That Has Rocked Iceland
Recent satellite images are offering a glimpse of the latest eruption in Iceland, along with other unique insights into the ongoing volcanic activity.
The Sol Foundation UAP Initiative
This week, joining us are Dr. Garry Nolan and Dr. Peter Skafish of The Sol Foundation. who discuss the release of new videos featuring lectures from the organization's first event.
A Breakthrough in the Control of Quantum Phenomena at Room Temperature Has Been Achieved, Researchers Say
The control of quantum phenomena at room temperature has been achieved, according to the findings of a pioneering new study.
These Natural Heart-Shaped Features Top Our List of the World’s Most Romantic Locations
Just in time for Valentine's Day, here are several of the most striking natural heart-shaped formations found anywhere in nature.
The U.S. Space Force is Celebrating Valentine’s Day by Launching a Mysterious Classified Mission into Orbit
The U.S. Space Force is celebrating Valentine's Day by launching a classified national security mission from Cape Canaveral.
12,940-Year-Old Rare Artifact is the Oldest of Its Kind Ever Discovered in the Americas
A rare artifact has been discovered at a mammoth kill site in Wyoming, believed to be the oldest of its kind ever found in the Americas.
U.S. Air Force Prepares to Unleash ‘LITENING’ with Its New Large Aperture Targeting Pod
The U.S. Air Force is gearing up to equip its new LITENING targeting pod with enhanced electro-optical and infrared capabilities.
Innovative Solar Sail Propulsion System Could Soon Drive Spacecraft for Science Missions, NASA Projects
NASA says it cleared a “key technology milestone” last month that could help move the agency toward future use of solar sail technology.
Strategic Anomaly Detection Effort Uses SETI Ellipsoid Technique to Scour the Cosmos for Technosignatures
New research reveals how the SETI Ellipsoid technique could move SETI researchers one step closer to discovering intelligence elsewhere in the cosmos.
Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion Technology One Step Closer as Aerospace Company Looks Toward Prototype Tests
Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney says it is advancing toward ground tests of its new Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion prototype.
NASA Just Tested a New Experimental Hybrid Antenna for Deep Space Laser Communications
NASA says recent tests with an experimental hybrid antenna were successfully able to receive radio frequency and near-infrared laser signals being dispatched from the Psyche spacecraft on its journey into deep space.
The Sol Foundation, Academia’s New UAP Think Tank, Releases Videos of Lectures from Its Inaugural Symposium
Videos of presentations featured during the Sol Foundation symposium have now been made freely available to the public.
This is Heavy, Doc: The DeLorean is Back, With an Incredible New Look
DeLorean will unveil the Alpha5 this year, a modern take on the famous gull-wing door automobile depicted in the 'Back to the Future' trilogy.
New Energy World Record Achieved in Final Tritium Experiments at UK’s Massive JET Research Facility
A new energy world record has been achieved by the Joint European Torus (JET), the latest milestone in the field of fusion science.
‘They Are Rare, and Very Hard to Find.’ NASA’s Roman Telescope Could Solve a Cosmic Mystery by Viewing These Weird Celestial Objects
NASA’s Roman Telescope may soon help unravel one of the greatest mysteries about our universe, with help from a strange cosmic phenomenon.
Global Conflict From AI? The Startling Decisions AI Makes in Wargame Simulations
This week, we look at the question of whether AI might be able to provoke a global conflict based on recent wargame simulations.
Plasmas: Life-like Luminous Phenomena?
This week, we examine a new science paper that argues many modern UAP sightings could represent manifestations of plasmas in space and in the atmosphere.