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Science Daily

Curiosity finds largest organics yet on Mars; abiotic sources can't fully explain abundance

Analysis of a rock sample collected by NASA's Curiosity rover found the largest organic molecules yet detected on Mars — decane, undecane and dodecane — compounds that could be fatty‑acid fragments. Researchers say known abiotic sources, including meteorites, cannot fully account for the measured abundance, raising implications for sample‑return and planetary protection.

Also: thedebrief.org, Science Alert and dailygalaxy.com
2026-02-12T06:53:34.749322-08:00
Satellite   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Wall Street Journal • Alexander Ward, Robbie Gramer

U.S. Covertly Smuggled Thousands of Starlink Terminals into Iran to Bypass Tehran’s Internet Blackouts

By Wall Street Journal: The Trump administration covertly sent terminals into Iran in an effort to keep dissidents online following Tehran’s stifling of internet access.

Also: tass.com
2026-02-12T12:57:20.165595-08:00
Satellite   ArianeGroup   Project Kuiper   Europe   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
Space.com • Mike Wall

Ariane 6 A64 completes first flight, lofts 32 Amazon (Kuiper) satellites — Europe’s most powerful rocket reaches orbit

By Space.com: It was the Ariane 6 rocket's sixth flight overall, and the first to feature its most powerful variant.

Also: Space Intel Report, Aerospace America, ESA, airlive.net, newsroom.arianespace.com and 4 more
2026-02-12T09:24:43.456467-08:00