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ESA

JWST produces first 3D map of Uranus’ auroras and upper atmosphere

Using JWST's NIRSpec to observe Uranus for almost a full rotation, astronomers produced the first three‑dimensional map of the planet's auroras and upper atmosphere, revealing how temperature and charged particles change with height and offering new clues to the ice giant's unusual magnetic field and energy distribution.

2026-02-19T06:11:15.657559-08:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Boeing   NASA  
Bloomberg • Julie Johnsson, Loren Grush, Sana Pashankar

NASA Classifies 2024 Starliner Mishap Alongside Challenger and Columbia Shuttle Disasters

By Bloomberg: NASA is putting the botched 2024 test flight of Boeing Co.’s Starliner capsule in the same category of disaster as the Challenger and Columbia shuttle accidents, underscoring the dramatic failures that kept a pair of astronauts stuck in space for nine months.

Also: Ars Technica, houstonchronicle.com, SpaceNews.com, Spaceflight Now, Space.com, AeroTime, Payload, Associated Press, Boeing, Space Policy Online, Aerospace America, Florida Today and 21 more
2026-02-19T10:02:21.748038-08:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Brooke Griswold

SpaceX and Blue Origin pivot to lunar development as Pentagon advances 'Golden Dome' missile-defence push

By DefenseNews.com: The largest U.S. commercial space companies recently shifted priorities toward lunar development, just as DOD pushes its next-gen missile shield plans.

Also: c4isrnet.com and Military Times
2026-02-19T11:06:44.179640-08:00