Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade says it has compelled Russian soldiers to surrender in Kharkiv Oblast using only first-person-view drones and unmanned ground vehicles, marking what the Ukrainian military calls the first capture of enemy troops without deploying infantry.

Video released on 9 July shows drones striking Russian bunkers before robotic platforms advanced on the damaged positions. The surviving Russian soldiers reportedly laid down their arms and were guided to Ukrainian lines by the same remote-controlled systems. The brigade reported no Ukrainian casualties and said earlier attempts to seize the fortifications by conventional means had failed.

The operation underscores Kyiv’s growing reliance on autonomous and remotely operated weapons to offset manpower constraints and reduce battlefield losses as the war with Russia enters its fourth year.

An analysis of the U.S. Army’s fiscal-2026 budget finds that approximately $1.6 billion originally authorised as assistance for Ukraine has been reassigned to the Pentagon’s own programmes, according to details reported by RIA Novosti. The funds are being used to replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles and lessen reliance on foreign suppliers.

The reallocation highlights Washington’s effort to rebuild inventories depleted by earlier transfers of arms to Kyiv while aligning defence spending with domestic priorities. The shift comes amid continuing debate in Washington over the scale and duration of U.S. military support for Ukraine.

The Royal Navy has introduced a new capability involving crewless minesweeping equipment designed to detect and neutralize naval mines. This system, known as SWEEP, is an uncrewed surface vehicle that tows three advanced minesweeping systems mounted on small pontoon floats. Concurrently, Romania has assumed command of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group (MCM BS TG) for a six-month period, overseeing operations to neutralize military mines in the Black Sea. The Royal Navy's HMS Iron Duke is currently leading a multinational mine countermeasures exercise, PHOTEX, off Portland, involving NATO member countries including Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This exercise, named Sea Breeze 25, is focused on preparing for post-conflict mine countermeasures operations in the Black Sea region.

The Space Shuttle Discovery is set to be relocated from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia, to Space Center Houston under a provision included in President Donald Trump's recent tax and immigration legislation, informally known as the "Big, Beautiful Bill." The measure, supported by U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, allocates $85 million for the shuttle's transport and construction of a new exhibit space in Houston. However, the Smithsonian estimates the total cost could reach $300 million. The move would transfer the shuttle from a museum with free admission to one charging $30 per visitor, raising concerns about accessibility and taxpayer expense. Despite the legislative provision, the Smithsonian has expressed commitment to retaining the shuttle in Chantilly, indicating ongoing debate over the relocation.

Ukraine marked the Day of the Anti-Aircraft Missile Forces and the Day of Army Aviation on July 3, 2025, with President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing gratitude to the soldiers who protect the country’s skies and support ground operations. Zelensky acknowledged the vital role of anti-aircraft missile troops in defending Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure, and military facilities from Russian missiles, drones, and aircraft. The Ukrainian Air Force highlighted the arrival of additional air defense systems from allied countries, enhancing the country’s defensive capabilities. Meanwhile, the Army Aviation of the Land Forces was recognized for its mobility and multifaceted role, including fire support, troop and weapon delivery, and evacuation of the wounded. The day honored pilots, crew members, technicians, and engineers who operate combat aircraft under challenging conditions, contributing significantly to Ukraine’s defense efforts in key operations such as Mariupol and Zmiiniy Island. These commemorations underscore the importance of Ukraine’s air defense and aviation units in maintaining the country’s security amid ongoing conflict.

Turkey is hosting the Anatolian Eagle-2025, an international air defense exercise held at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya province. The exercise has drawn participation and observation from 34 countries, with a total of 1,059 air photographers following the event, including 502 foreign guests. The training features NATO allies and partner countries such as the United States, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Hungary, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, among others. The event includes realistic combat training and operational cohesion enhancement, with scenarios simulating crisis phases before the outbreak of war for the first time in such an international exercise.

Aircraft such as Qatar's Eurofighter Typhoon and the U.S. Air Force's F-16 jets have been active participants. Concurrently, the Anadolu-2025 Special Forces Exercise is underway under the auspices of the Turkish General Staff Special Forces Command, involving 19 countries in active participation and three countries as observers. Turkish Special Forces have showcased advanced technology, including fiber-optic cable-equipped FPV drones and armed quadrupedal robots, highlighting the integration of cutting-edge equipment in multinational drills. The exercises emphasize Turkey's role in fostering multinational military cooperation and readiness.

A bipartisan bill titled the "Bunker Buster Act" has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Republican Representative Mike Lawler of New York. The legislation would authorize President Donald Trump to transfer U.S. B-2 stealth bombers and 30,000-pound GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs to Israel if Iran is found to be continuing or resuming its nuclear weapons program.

This measure aims to enhance Israel's military capabilities to strike Iran in response to Tehran's nuclear enrichment activities, while allowing the U.S. to hold Iran accountable without direct involvement. The U.S. has never before provided such advanced aircraft to any of its allies. The proposal has garnered bipartisan support and is seen as a strategic move to deter Iran's nuclear ambitions amid ongoing regional tensions.

U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, have introduced the bipartisan “Bunker Buster Act,” authorising President Donald Trump to transfer B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs to Israel if U.S. intelligence determines Iran has resumed efforts to build a nuclear weapon.

The measure would give Israel access to the only aircraft capable of carrying the GBU-57, a weapon designed to destroy heavily fortified underground targets. The U.S. Air Force operates 19 B-2 bombers and has never released them to an ally, making the proposed transfer an unprecedented enhancement of Israel’s long-range strike capability.

Read more

NASA's Mobile Launcher 2 (ML-2), designed to support the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B variant, has completed stacking with the installation of its 10th and final module at Kennedy Space Center. The tower has now reached its full height, and work will continue on internal outfitting and umbilical structures to prepare for future Artemis missions, starting with Artemis IV. Concurrently, NASA's Exploration Ground Systems teams completed the Artemis II core stage Program Specific Engineering Test, which verified avionics, propulsion systems for the RS-25 engines, and auxiliary power units. Additionally, NASA and Northrop Grumman successfully fired a ground-based Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) solid rocket motor, producing 3.9 million pounds of thrust over more than two minutes. In Europe, the Prometheus engine, intended to power future European rockets, has passed a series of successful ignition tests, marking progress toward launching American rockets from continental Europe.

President Donald Trump will host the pilots who participated in the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at the White House during the July 4 Independence Day celebrations. The event will feature a flyover in Washington, D.C., by B-2 stealth bombers, F-35, and F-22 fighter jets, all of which took part in the mission targeting Iran's nuclear sites. The pilots, including those from Whiteman Air Force Base, have been invited as special guests to commemorate their role in the operation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the pilots' attendance, emphasizing their presence at the official Independence Day ceremony. The flyover and the White House event underscore the administration's recognition of the military operation conducted last month.

Following a ballistic missile launch from Yemen toward Israel by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested that B-2 stealth bombers might need to conduct operations in Yemen. Huckabee remarked that while it was previously believed that missile attacks on Israel had ceased, the Houthis launched another missile over Israeli territory. He credited Israel's missile interception system for allowing civilians to seek shelter safely during the attack. Huckabee's comments implied a potential U.S. military response, stating, "Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen." The remarks came shortly after the missile was intercepted, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned that American B-2 stealth bombers might “visit Yemen” after Israel intercepted a ballistic missile launched on 1 July by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

In a post on X, Huckabee said he had believed the missile threat to Israel was over but that the Houthis had fired “another one over our heads.” He added that Israel’s air-defence system allowed residents to take shelter until an all-clear was issued.

The ambassador’s public reference to deploying B-2 bombers—a long-range aircraft capable of precision strikes—marks an unusually blunt response from a senior U.S. diplomat and underscores rising regional tension following repeated Houthi attempts to target Israel.

A long-defunct NASA communications satellite has unexpectedly emitted a powerful pulse of radio waves, providing a rare glimpse into how abandoned spacecraft can still affect observations from Earth. Relay 2, launched in 1964 and declared inoperative in 1967, produced a burst that momentarily outshone every other radio source in the sky, according to a peer-reviewed study released this week in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Read more

Hannah Thomas, a former Greens parliamentary candidate and advocate for Palestinian rights, sustained serious injuries during her arrest at an unauthorized pro-Palestine protest in Sydney, Australia. She has accused New South Wales (NSW) Police of "extreme violence and brutality" and faces charges of hindering or resisting a police officer. Thomas reportedly may suffer permanent vision loss in one eye as a result of the incident. Despite her allegations, a senior police official has defended the officers' conduct during the arrest. The event has drawn criticism and highlighted tensions surrounding political protests in the region. Meanwhile, unrelated reports note that former Hamas hostage condemned an anti-Israel protest in Canada, and other news covers local Sydney developments including celebrity sightings and ongoing court cases involving nurses from a viral video.

Northrop Grumman conducted a static fire test of the Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) solid rocket motor, designed for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and the Artemis IX mission, on June 26 at its Promontory, Utah facility. During the test, the rocket motor experienced an anomaly when the nozzle fractured, causing the engine's nozzle to separate and resulting in a sustained fire and smoke. The test ended prematurely with the destruction of the booster less than two minutes after ignition. The BOLE motor represents an evolved five-segment solid rocket motor intended to enhance the SLS, with the test marking the first full-scale ground test of this design. The incident raises questions about the future use of this booster design in upcoming NASA missions.

SpaceX conducted multiple Falcon 9 launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in late June 2025. On June 25, SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites as part of the Starlink 10-16 mission, with liftoff occurring at 3:54 pm ET from pad SLC-40. This launch followed less than 12 hours after SpaceX sent four astronauts to the International Space Station. The Falcon 9 rocket flew a north-easterly trajectory to deploy the satellites into low Earth orbit.

Subsequently, SpaceX planned another Falcon 9 launch shortly after midnight on June 28, aiming to deploy 27 Starlink satellites in the early hours from Florida’s Space Coast. This launch was expected to set a new turnaround record for pad 40 if liftoff occurred within the first 28 minutes of the four-hour launch window. Additionally, SpaceX announced the Falcon 9 would carry the US Space Force’s multi-manifest USSF-178 mission, which includes a new weather system space vehicle for Space Systems Command and BLAZE-2 small prototype satellites designed for operational research and development. Meanwhile, Rocket Lab also conducted a launch deploying HawkEye 360 satellites and announced an upcoming mission named 'Symphony in the Stars.' Weather conditions were noted as uncertain for the early morning Starlink launch on June 28.

The Turkish Air Force has showcased the capabilities of its 101st Air Refueling Squadron, known as "Asenalar Filo," based at Incirlik Air Base in Adana. The unit operates tanker aircraft that fly at 26,000 feet and roughly 950 km per hour, transferring between 1 and 1.5 tons of fuel each minute to combat jets.

The high-altitude refueling enables F-16 and F-4E/2020 Phantom fighters to remain on station for extended periods, strengthening Turkey’s ability to conduct continuous air-patrol missions over its national airspace, referred to by the military as “Gök Vatan,” and to support NATO operations. Military officials said the squadron’s performance reduces the need for aircraft to return to base, improving response times and operational reach across the alliance’s southern flank.

An exceptionally bright daylight meteor, or fireball, streaked across the southeastern United States at about 12:25 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, startling residents from Alabama to Virginia and triggering reports of loud booms in metro Atlanta.

NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office said the object was a roughly three-foot-wide asteroidal fragment weighing more than a ton. It entered the atmosphere 48 miles above Oxford, Georgia, hurtling at nearly 30,000 mph before exploding 27 miles above West Forest, Georgia with a force equivalent to 20–30 tons of TNT.

Read more

Military analysts say last weekend’s U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities, conducted with B-2 bombers and bunker-buster munitions, are likely to strengthen North Korea’s long-standing conviction that a sizable nuclear arsenal is the only reliable shield against regime-threatening intervention.

Commentators from the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy and CNN Brasil note that Kim Jong Un already regards nuclear weapons as “non-negotiable,” but the Iran operation provides a fresh cautionary tale for Pyongyang: countries without deployable atomic arms—citing Iraq, Libya and now Iran—remain open to punitive strikes. Experts warn that North Korea may accelerate warhead production, refine intercontinental ballistic missiles and deepen technology exchanges with Russia, which has supplied air-defence systems and other hardware in return for North Korean ammunition shipments.

Read more

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his choice of words after reporters pressed him on why his initial congratulatory statement on a recent B-2 stealth-bomber mission referred only to “our boys in bombers.”

At a 26 June Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said the phrase is a long-standing military expression and stressed that he is “very proud” of the female pilot who took part in the operation. “I don’t care if it’s a male or a female, and neither do the American people,” he added, laughing off suggestions that the omission reflected bias.

The exchange follows growing public attention to the role of women in U.S. combat aviation, where the Air Force now counts more than 800 female pilots across its active-duty ranks, including several qualified to fly the nuclear-capable B-2.

Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade says it has compelled Russian soldiers to surrender in Kharkiv Oblast using only first-person-view drones and unmanned ground vehicles, marking what the Ukrainian military calls the first capture of enemy troops without deploying infantry.

Video released on 9 July shows drones striking Russian bunkers before robotic platforms advanced on the damaged positions. The surviving Russian soldiers reportedly laid down their arms and were guided to Ukrainian lines by the same remote-controlled systems. The brigade reported no Ukrainian casualties and said earlier attempts to seize the fortifications by conventional means had failed.

The operation underscores Kyiv’s growing reliance on autonomous and remotely operated weapons to offset manpower constraints and reduce battlefield losses as the war with Russia enters its fourth year.

An analysis of the U.S. Army’s fiscal-2026 budget finds that approximately $1.6 billion originally authorised as assistance for Ukraine has been reassigned to the Pentagon’s own programmes, according to details reported by RIA Novosti. The funds are being used to replenish U.S. weapons stockpiles and lessen reliance on foreign suppliers.

The reallocation highlights Washington’s effort to rebuild inventories depleted by earlier transfers of arms to Kyiv while aligning defence spending with domestic priorities. The shift comes amid continuing debate in Washington over the scale and duration of U.S. military support for Ukraine.

The Royal Navy has introduced a new capability involving crewless minesweeping equipment designed to detect and neutralize naval mines. This system, known as SWEEP, is an uncrewed surface vehicle that tows three advanced minesweeping systems mounted on small pontoon floats. Concurrently, Romania has assumed command of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group (MCM BS TG) for a six-month period, overseeing operations to neutralize military mines in the Black Sea. The Royal Navy's HMS Iron Duke is currently leading a multinational mine countermeasures exercise, PHOTEX, off Portland, involving NATO member countries including Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This exercise, named Sea Breeze 25, is focused on preparing for post-conflict mine countermeasures operations in the Black Sea region.

The Space Shuttle Discovery is set to be relocated from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia, to Space Center Houston under a provision included in President Donald Trump's recent tax and immigration legislation, informally known as the "Big, Beautiful Bill." The measure, supported by U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, allocates $85 million for the shuttle's transport and construction of a new exhibit space in Houston. However, the Smithsonian estimates the total cost could reach $300 million. The move would transfer the shuttle from a museum with free admission to one charging $30 per visitor, raising concerns about accessibility and taxpayer expense. Despite the legislative provision, the Smithsonian has expressed commitment to retaining the shuttle in Chantilly, indicating ongoing debate over the relocation.

Ukraine marked the Day of the Anti-Aircraft Missile Forces and the Day of Army Aviation on July 3, 2025, with President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing gratitude to the soldiers who protect the country’s skies and support ground operations. Zelensky acknowledged the vital role of anti-aircraft missile troops in defending Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure, and military facilities from Russian missiles, drones, and aircraft. The Ukrainian Air Force highlighted the arrival of additional air defense systems from allied countries, enhancing the country’s defensive capabilities. Meanwhile, the Army Aviation of the Land Forces was recognized for its mobility and multifaceted role, including fire support, troop and weapon delivery, and evacuation of the wounded. The day honored pilots, crew members, technicians, and engineers who operate combat aircraft under challenging conditions, contributing significantly to Ukraine’s defense efforts in key operations such as Mariupol and Zmiiniy Island. These commemorations underscore the importance of Ukraine’s air defense and aviation units in maintaining the country’s security amid ongoing conflict.

Turkey is hosting the Anatolian Eagle-2025, an international air defense exercise held at the 3rd Main Jet Base Command in Konya province. The exercise has drawn participation and observation from 34 countries, with a total of 1,059 air photographers following the event, including 502 foreign guests. The training features NATO allies and partner countries such as the United States, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Hungary, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, among others. The event includes realistic combat training and operational cohesion enhancement, with scenarios simulating crisis phases before the outbreak of war for the first time in such an international exercise.

Aircraft such as Qatar's Eurofighter Typhoon and the U.S. Air Force's F-16 jets have been active participants. Concurrently, the Anadolu-2025 Special Forces Exercise is underway under the auspices of the Turkish General Staff Special Forces Command, involving 19 countries in active participation and three countries as observers. Turkish Special Forces have showcased advanced technology, including fiber-optic cable-equipped FPV drones and armed quadrupedal robots, highlighting the integration of cutting-edge equipment in multinational drills. The exercises emphasize Turkey's role in fostering multinational military cooperation and readiness.

A bipartisan bill titled the "Bunker Buster Act" has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democratic Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Republican Representative Mike Lawler of New York. The legislation would authorize President Donald Trump to transfer U.S. B-2 stealth bombers and 30,000-pound GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs to Israel if Iran is found to be continuing or resuming its nuclear weapons program.

This measure aims to enhance Israel's military capabilities to strike Iran in response to Tehran's nuclear enrichment activities, while allowing the U.S. to hold Iran accountable without direct involvement. The U.S. has never before provided such advanced aircraft to any of its allies. The proposal has garnered bipartisan support and is seen as a strategic move to deter Iran's nuclear ambitions amid ongoing regional tensions.

U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, and Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, have introduced the bipartisan “Bunker Buster Act,” authorising President Donald Trump to transfer B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs to Israel if U.S. intelligence determines Iran has resumed efforts to build a nuclear weapon.

The measure would give Israel access to the only aircraft capable of carrying the GBU-57, a weapon designed to destroy heavily fortified underground targets. The U.S. Air Force operates 19 B-2 bombers and has never released them to an ally, making the proposed transfer an unprecedented enhancement of Israel’s long-range strike capability.

Read more

NASA's Mobile Launcher 2 (ML-2), designed to support the Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B variant, has completed stacking with the installation of its 10th and final module at Kennedy Space Center. The tower has now reached its full height, and work will continue on internal outfitting and umbilical structures to prepare for future Artemis missions, starting with Artemis IV. Concurrently, NASA's Exploration Ground Systems teams completed the Artemis II core stage Program Specific Engineering Test, which verified avionics, propulsion systems for the RS-25 engines, and auxiliary power units. Additionally, NASA and Northrop Grumman successfully fired a ground-based Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) solid rocket motor, producing 3.9 million pounds of thrust over more than two minutes. In Europe, the Prometheus engine, intended to power future European rockets, has passed a series of successful ignition tests, marking progress toward launching American rockets from continental Europe.

President Donald Trump will host the pilots who participated in the recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at the White House during the July 4 Independence Day celebrations. The event will feature a flyover in Washington, D.C., by B-2 stealth bombers, F-35, and F-22 fighter jets, all of which took part in the mission targeting Iran's nuclear sites. The pilots, including those from Whiteman Air Force Base, have been invited as special guests to commemorate their role in the operation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the pilots' attendance, emphasizing their presence at the official Independence Day ceremony. The flyover and the White House event underscore the administration's recognition of the military operation conducted last month.

Following a ballistic missile launch from Yemen toward Israel by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested that B-2 stealth bombers might need to conduct operations in Yemen. Huckabee remarked that while it was previously believed that missile attacks on Israel had ceased, the Houthis launched another missile over Israeli territory. He credited Israel's missile interception system for allowing civilians to seek shelter safely during the attack. Huckabee's comments implied a potential U.S. military response, stating, "Maybe those B2 bombers need to visit Yemen." The remarks came shortly after the missile was intercepted, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned that American B-2 stealth bombers might “visit Yemen” after Israel intercepted a ballistic missile launched on 1 July by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

In a post on X, Huckabee said he had believed the missile threat to Israel was over but that the Houthis had fired “another one over our heads.” He added that Israel’s air-defence system allowed residents to take shelter until an all-clear was issued.

The ambassador’s public reference to deploying B-2 bombers—a long-range aircraft capable of precision strikes—marks an unusually blunt response from a senior U.S. diplomat and underscores rising regional tension following repeated Houthi attempts to target Israel.

A long-defunct NASA communications satellite has unexpectedly emitted a powerful pulse of radio waves, providing a rare glimpse into how abandoned spacecraft can still affect observations from Earth. Relay 2, launched in 1964 and declared inoperative in 1967, produced a burst that momentarily outshone every other radio source in the sky, according to a peer-reviewed study released this week in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Read more

Hannah Thomas, a former Greens parliamentary candidate and advocate for Palestinian rights, sustained serious injuries during her arrest at an unauthorized pro-Palestine protest in Sydney, Australia. She has accused New South Wales (NSW) Police of "extreme violence and brutality" and faces charges of hindering or resisting a police officer. Thomas reportedly may suffer permanent vision loss in one eye as a result of the incident. Despite her allegations, a senior police official has defended the officers' conduct during the arrest. The event has drawn criticism and highlighted tensions surrounding political protests in the region. Meanwhile, unrelated reports note that former Hamas hostage condemned an anti-Israel protest in Canada, and other news covers local Sydney developments including celebrity sightings and ongoing court cases involving nurses from a viral video.

Northrop Grumman conducted a static fire test of the Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) solid rocket motor, designed for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) and the Artemis IX mission, on June 26 at its Promontory, Utah facility. During the test, the rocket motor experienced an anomaly when the nozzle fractured, causing the engine's nozzle to separate and resulting in a sustained fire and smoke. The test ended prematurely with the destruction of the booster less than two minutes after ignition. The BOLE motor represents an evolved five-segment solid rocket motor intended to enhance the SLS, with the test marking the first full-scale ground test of this design. The incident raises questions about the future use of this booster design in upcoming NASA missions.

SpaceX conducted multiple Falcon 9 launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida in late June 2025. On June 25, SpaceX launched 27 Starlink satellites as part of the Starlink 10-16 mission, with liftoff occurring at 3:54 pm ET from pad SLC-40. This launch followed less than 12 hours after SpaceX sent four astronauts to the International Space Station. The Falcon 9 rocket flew a north-easterly trajectory to deploy the satellites into low Earth orbit.

Subsequently, SpaceX planned another Falcon 9 launch shortly after midnight on June 28, aiming to deploy 27 Starlink satellites in the early hours from Florida’s Space Coast. This launch was expected to set a new turnaround record for pad 40 if liftoff occurred within the first 28 minutes of the four-hour launch window. Additionally, SpaceX announced the Falcon 9 would carry the US Space Force’s multi-manifest USSF-178 mission, which includes a new weather system space vehicle for Space Systems Command and BLAZE-2 small prototype satellites designed for operational research and development. Meanwhile, Rocket Lab also conducted a launch deploying HawkEye 360 satellites and announced an upcoming mission named 'Symphony in the Stars.' Weather conditions were noted as uncertain for the early morning Starlink launch on June 28.

The Turkish Air Force has showcased the capabilities of its 101st Air Refueling Squadron, known as "Asenalar Filo," based at Incirlik Air Base in Adana. The unit operates tanker aircraft that fly at 26,000 feet and roughly 950 km per hour, transferring between 1 and 1.5 tons of fuel each minute to combat jets.

The high-altitude refueling enables F-16 and F-4E/2020 Phantom fighters to remain on station for extended periods, strengthening Turkey’s ability to conduct continuous air-patrol missions over its national airspace, referred to by the military as “Gök Vatan,” and to support NATO operations. Military officials said the squadron’s performance reduces the need for aircraft to return to base, improving response times and operational reach across the alliance’s southern flank.

An exceptionally bright daylight meteor, or fireball, streaked across the southeastern United States at about 12:25 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, startling residents from Alabama to Virginia and triggering reports of loud booms in metro Atlanta.

NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office said the object was a roughly three-foot-wide asteroidal fragment weighing more than a ton. It entered the atmosphere 48 miles above Oxford, Georgia, hurtling at nearly 30,000 mph before exploding 27 miles above West Forest, Georgia with a force equivalent to 20–30 tons of TNT.

Read more

Military analysts say last weekend’s U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities, conducted with B-2 bombers and bunker-buster munitions, are likely to strengthen North Korea’s long-standing conviction that a sizable nuclear arsenal is the only reliable shield against regime-threatening intervention.

Commentators from the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Policy and CNN Brasil note that Kim Jong Un already regards nuclear weapons as “non-negotiable,” but the Iran operation provides a fresh cautionary tale for Pyongyang: countries without deployable atomic arms—citing Iraq, Libya and now Iran—remain open to punitive strikes. Experts warn that North Korea may accelerate warhead production, refine intercontinental ballistic missiles and deepen technology exchanges with Russia, which has supplied air-defence systems and other hardware in return for North Korean ammunition shipments.

Read more

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his choice of words after reporters pressed him on why his initial congratulatory statement on a recent B-2 stealth-bomber mission referred only to “our boys in bombers.”

At a 26 June Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said the phrase is a long-standing military expression and stressed that he is “very proud” of the female pilot who took part in the operation. “I don’t care if it’s a male or a female, and neither do the American people,” he added, laughing off suggestions that the omission reflected bias.

The exchange follows growing public attention to the role of women in U.S. combat aviation, where the Air Force now counts more than 800 female pilots across its active-duty ranks, including several qualified to fly the nuclear-capable B-2.