Thursday, July 13, 2023

IN A NUTSHELL: "Unforgiving" Heat-Wave Forecast ??

 ...According to Heat.gov, the government’s heat portal, 108 million people are under heat alerts.

Heat indexes, a metric that gauges how much stress the heat and humidity will place on the human body, will be downright dangerous in many spots. Excessive-heat warnings blanket much of California, southern Nevada, western Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma, while heat advisories cover the surrounding areas, as well as part of Florida.

“Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” wrote the National Weather Service in Dallas.

Heat alerts issued by the National Weather Service. (Pivotal Weather)
Heat alerts issued by the National Weather Service. (Pivotal Weather)© Pivotal Weather/Pivotal Weather

Across the Southwest, meteorologists are warning that the heat risk is “extreme” and could have dire consequences, such as an “increase in heat-related illnesses, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.” Heat stroke can quickly prove fatal. Excessive heat kills far more Americans annually than do hurricanes and tornadoes combined and disproportionately affects the elderly, the poor and other systemically vulnerable populations.

China Reveals Updated Plans For NEW Moon Base!

Space Force wants 'Foo Fighter' Satellites to Track Hypersonic Missiles | Space.com

In April of this year, SpaceX launched a set of 10 advanced new satellites known as Tranche 0 for the U.S. Space Force as part of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a satellite constellation to boost the service's missile detection and tracking capabilities.

Space Force wants 'Foo Fighter' satellites to track hypersonic missiles

satellites above Earth watch missiles being launched
An illustration of satellites tracking various types of missiles including a hypersonic glide vehicle. (Image credit: Space Development Agency)
The U.S. Space Force's Space Development Agency wants a satellite constellation known as FOO Fighter to help it better detect and track hypersonic missiles. 
In a contract opportunity posted on July 7, the Space Force's Space Development Agency (SDA) described its planned Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter program, also known as F2 or FOO Fighter. The document states that the program will initially consist of a constellation of eight satellites equipped with both infrared and optical sensors that will "accelerate the ability to provide fire-control in support of global detection, warning and precision tracking of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems." 
In general terms, fire-control incorporates various technologies such as radar or other sensors, targeting computers and ranged weapons together into a cohesive system that can detect threats or targets and then direct weapons or other countermeasures at them. Such a satellite constellation would presumably be able to detect and track hypersonic missiles, then direct interceptors to destroy them. The SDA aims to launch the prototype FOO Fighter constellation in 2026, according to the contract opportunity, which adds that additional details about the program are available but classified at the Top Secret level.
The program shares its name with the infamous UFOs that plagued Allied aviators during World War Two. These mysterious balls of light were reported on numerous occasions worldwide despite not appearing on radar. Many pilots reported that the luminous orbs appeared to be able to out-maneuver their aircraft, according to Smithsonian Magazine. To this day, there isn't a definitive explanation for the Foo Fighters of World War Two, although several prosaic hypotheses have been put forward including reflections of light or atmospheric discharges of static electricity.
UFOs aside, the development of technologies that can out-maneuver modern military aircraft and tracking systems are prompting the development of the FOO Fighter constellation and other programs. Some new types of hypersonic weapons such as glide vehicles are capable of much higher levels of speed and maneuverability than previous missiles, meaning new detection and tracking capabilities and even new interceptors are needed to counter them.
 —  Atlas V rocket launches missile-detecting satellite for U.S. Space Force
 — Maxar will build 14 missile-tracking satellites for new warning system
 —  DARPA's 'Glide Breaker' hypersonic missile interceptor program enters new phase
The FOO Fighter program adds to the U.S. military's continuing pursuit of space-based sensors designed to warn of and track both current and emerging threats such as hypersonic missiles. 
In August 2022, United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched the sixth and final satellite in the Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO) constellation, which provides "infrared surveillance to support missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence," according to the Space Force.
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And in April of this year, SpaceX launched a set of 10 advanced new satellites known as Tranche 0 for the U.S. Space Force as part of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a satellite constellation to boost the service's missile detection and tracking capabilities.'

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Workshop: “How Data from Space is Impacting Life on Earth”


Please join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to learn how industries – from agriculture, forestry, disaster response and financial services – are using satellite data to solve problems, drive innovation, and enhance products and services used by millions of Americans every day.

Representatives from these industries will discuss how they are using earth observation data available from NASA through its Earth Information Center and commercial companies to better forecast crop yields, respond to natural disasters, and more accurately assess risk across a range of business activities.

We will conclude the workshop with a reception sponsored by our partners Maxar and Capella Space.

Details

Date:
Thursday, July 13
Time:
1:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Cost:
Free
Website:
https://events.uschamber.com/nasa713eic

Organizer

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Phone:
202-463-5620
Email:
bhigginbotham@uschamber.com
Website:
View Organizer Website

TONIGHT 8-11PM: Live Music Angel Robles

  ANGEL ROBLES is k nown for an eclectic set list  that spans multiple genres, . .   He utilizes loop pedals, acoustic guitars, and backing...