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China's huge step in space that could have chilling impact if war breaks out

China's huge step in space that could have chilling impact if war breaks out

Daily Mirror4 days ago
A tense space race is currently underway between NASA and China - with China now taking the lead in a move that could see it become able to disrupt the satellites' of other nations while in space
China has taken one huge step in its space mission which could have a chilling impact here on Earth, and allow China to completely shut down communications and other vital infrastructure in a conflict scenario.
Two of its satellites, the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25, appear to have docked together in the country's first attempt to refuel a satellite in orbit. The satellites performed the manoeuvre more than 20,000 miles above the Earth while in geosynchronous orbit - which matches the pace of the rotation of the planet. There haven't been any updates from Beijing on the move, but civilian satellite trackers show them closing in on each other until they merge in to one.


According to Ars Technica, the two satellites docking in geosynchronous orbit could show China now has the technology to disable a satellite belonging to another country while in space. If another country's satellites were to be disabled in conflict, it could cause mass disruption - impacting everything from communication to navigation, weather forecasting and could even cause certain industries to shut down.
The US Space Force is reportedly not far behind in its own research into orbital refueling. This is due to military satellites often having limited supplies. Next summer, the military wing of America's space exploration industry expects to perform its first refueling of a military asset. After the Chinese satellites docked, two of the Space Force's inspector satellites were seen moving towards them.

Military and commercial satellites often choose geosynchronous orbit - which is at an altitude of around 22,236 miles - because it gives them a fixed view of a planet. It helps military forces detect early warnings of missile attacks.
In April, China successfully launched three astronauts into space on a mission to re-staff its in-orbit space station. Staff who work at the launch site as well as some of their families and other members of the public gathered in organised lines to watch the rocket take-off.
The launch of China's Shenzhou-20 was seen as a ramping up of a tense space race between NASA and China to create bases on the moon, and from there, lift off to Mars. The far side of the moon is an increasingly popular destination.
Images show the three astronauts - or taikonauts as they are called in China - waving to adoring crowds and onlookers at the aunch event. The Shenzhou 20 mission's astronauts are Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, Lin Xiqiang, deputy director general of China Manned Space Agency, said.
They were replacing three astronauts on the Chinese space station. The launch took place from Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert, in northwestern China. Like those before them, they will stay there for roughly six months. The three-person crew were sent in October last year and have been in space for 175 days, said Lin.
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The key piece of evidence that shows interstellar object is really an alien spacecraft, according to experts
The key piece of evidence that shows interstellar object is really an alien spacecraft, according to experts

Daily Mail​

timea day ago

  • Daily Mail​

The key piece of evidence that shows interstellar object is really an alien spacecraft, according to experts

Earlier this month, astronomers spotted a bizarre interstellar object hurtling through the solar system. Dubbed 3I/ATLAS, this 12 miles (20km) long visitor has travelled to our sun from another star on a journey that could have taken billions of years. But now, a leading physicist says he has spotted the key piece of evidence that shows 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spacecraft. Professor Avi Loeb, a theoretical physicist and cosmologist from Harvard University, told MailOnline that this interstellar object is simply too big to be natural. Experts suggest that it must either be an exceptionally large solid mass or a smaller comet with a bright envelope of gas and dust. If it is not a comet, Professor Loeb says 3I/ATLAS is so impossibly large that the chances of it naturally reaching our sun are incredibly low. Professor Loeb says: 'It is difficult to imagine a natural process that would favour a plunge towards the inner solar system at 60 kilometres per second. 'An alternative is that the object targets the inner solar system by some technological design.' 3I/ATLAS was first spotted by astronomers on July 1 by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System. After tracing its orbital path, scientists realised that its extremely elliptical orbit and high speed meant its origins lay outside the solar system. This makes it only the third interstellar object that humanity has detected, following 'Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019. Arriving from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, 3I/ATLAS is currently heading towards the inner solar system at 135,000 miles per hour. NASA predicts that it will reach its closest point to the sun on October 30, at a distance of 130 million miles (210 million km) - passing just within the orbit of Mars. Thankfully, the object poses no threat to Earth and will pass harmlessly at around 150 million miles (240 million km) away at its closest point. Since the object is currently around 300 million miles (490 million km) from Earth, astronomers can't directly measure how large it is. Instead, they try and work out how much light the object gives off and estimate its size based on how reflective it might be. If it is a solid object like an asteroid, which reflects around five per cent of the light that hits it, then 3I/ATLAS must be between 12 and 14 miles (20-24km) in diameter. That makes 3I/ATLAS up to 200 times larger than the 100-metre-long and extremely thin 'Oumuamua. Professor Loeb says this fact immediately made him suspicious since large objects are typically much rarer than smaller ones. Professor Loeb says: 'Now you ask, "how many objects on the scale of 'Oumuamua are there for each object that is 24 kilometres in size?" 'The answer is about a million. But we haven't seen a million 'Oumuamua-sized interstellar objects before seeing this one, it's very strange.' But Professor Loeb says that the strangeness of 3I/ATLAS' size doesn't stop there. In a paper, now accepted for publication by the Research Notes of the AAS, Professor Loeb asked what it would take for an object of 3I/ATLAS' size to reach Earth. Based on how often we see objects of this size, previous research calculated how many 12-mile-long objects could exist out in the Milky Way. When Professor Loeb took this number and multiplied it by the mass of 3I/ATLAS, the result 'makes zero sense'. 'This ends up being a quarter of the mass of the stars in the Milky Way,' says Professor Loeb. 'But because only two per cent of the mass in stars is in heavy elements that make rocks, you don't have the mass to make enough rocks of this size.' The implication is that 3I/ATLAS is much, much rarer than its appearance in our Solar System suggests. In fact, Professor Loeb argues that objects this big are too rare for their appearance in the inner solar system to be random. Professor Loeb says: 'It's not like these objects are floating around in all directions, this object was aiming to get to the inner solar system. 'The question is: "Why was it sent in the direction of the inner solar system?"' Professor Loeb isn't sure what this says about 3I/ATLAS' origins, but he compares the situation to the novel 'Rendezvous with Rama' by Arthur C. Clarke. In that story, an interstellar object arriving in the solar system turns out to be an alien spacecraft sent by an advanced civilisation. However, just like in Arthur C. Clarke's fictional account, Professor Loeb suggests that scientists will need to do a lot more investigation before we know what 3I/ATLAS is. Could it be anything else? The alternative explanation for 3I/ATLAS' apparent size is that it is much smaller and much more reflective than any asteroid. That would be possible if the interstellar object is a comet, a ball of ice and dust which moves very quickly through space. If it were a comet, the heat from the sun would evaporate a layer of ice and dust, which would reflect back a lot of light. This would explain why 3I/ATLAS appears to be so bright while maintaining that its core is small enough to be natural. This is the accepted answer among most astronomers and space agencies, with NASA and the European Space Agency labelling the object an 'interstellar comet '. While Professor Loeb says that this is the 'simplest and most likely' solution, he doesn't think that the evidence for the comet theory is conclusive. For example, he points to a recent observation by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT). The VLT did not find direct evidence of dust or gas being released by the object, but concluded that it was a comet based on surface 'reddening' caused by dust. Professor Loeb maintains that this could simply be caused by the fact that the surface is red. Likewise, observations showing the fuzzy streak of the comet's gas layer could be an artefact of the long exposure images and 3I/ATLAS' high speed. This doesn't mean that 3I/ATLAS isn't a comet, but Professor Loeb believes it's still too early to rule out the possibility that it is a solid object. 'The good news is that it will come closer to the sun and it will get heated up by sunlight,' says Professor Loeb. 'The more it is heated, the more mass it would shed if it were a comet, and the easier it will be for us to tell what this object is.' Our first interstellar visitor sailed past Earth at at 97,200mph in 2017, but what exactly was Oumuamua? A cigar-shaped object named 'Oumuamua sailed past Earth at 97,200mph (156,428km/h) in October. It was first spotted by a telescope in Hawaii on 19 October, and was observed 34 separate times in the following week. It is named after the Hawaiian term for 'scout' or 'messenger' and passed the Earth at about 85 times the distance to the moon. It was the first interstellar object seen in the solar system, and it baffled astronomers. Initially, it was thought the object could be a comet. However, it displays none of the classic behavior expected of comets, such as a dusty, water-ice particle tail. The asteroid is up to one-quarter mile (400 meters) long and highly-elongated - perhaps 10 times as long as it is wide. That aspect ratio is greater than that of any asteroid or asteroid observed in our solar system to date. But the asteroid's slightly red hue — specifically pale pink — and varying brightness are remarkably similar to objects in our own solar system. Around the size of the Gherkin skyscraper in London, some astronomers were convinced it was piloted by aliens due to the vast distance the object traveled without being destroyed – and the closeness of its journey past the Earth. Alien hunters at SETI – the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence based at Berkeley University, California said there was a possibility the rock was 'an alien artefact'. But scientists from Queen's University Belfast took a good look at the object and said it appears to be an asteroid, or 'planetesimal' as originally thought. Researchers believe the cigar-shaped asteroid had a 'violent past', after looking at the light bouncing off its surface. They aren't exactly sure when the violent collision took place, but they believe the lonely asteroid's tumbling will continue for at least a billion years.

Huge EV boost as new chargers planned for UK add 249 miles in just 5 minutes
Huge EV boost as new chargers planned for UK add 249 miles in just 5 minutes

Daily Mirror

time2 days ago

  • Daily Mirror

Huge EV boost as new chargers planned for UK add 249 miles in just 5 minutes

EV drivers tired of slow charges are in for a major boost as automotive giant prepares to roll out its ultra-fast 'Flash Charges' across the UK, dramatically enhancing the country's EV infrastructure Brits with electric vehicles (EVs) are set to experience a giant leap forward in charging technology - but there's one small catch. Chinese automotive giant BYD is preparing to bring its ultra-fast 'Flash Chargers' across the UK in a move set to dramatically enhance the UK's EV infrastructure, making charging quicker and more convenient than ever before. The new chargers, capable of delivering up to 1 megawatt (1,000 kW) of power, are engineered to reduce charging times substantially. ‌ However, these new technologies won't be rolled out in the UK until 2026, meaning EV owners will have to wait months before getting their hands on the super-fast chargers. The news comes shortly after BYD announced the creation of its own ultra-fast EV charger, representing a major step forward in the industry. It stands out for its remarkable capability — it can add approximately 1.2 miles of range every second, meaning drivers could gain up to 249 miles of range in just five minutes. ‌ EV sales hit 315k in 72 hours for one car brand as 500-mile range car launches This speed is comparable to the time it takes to refuel traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, effectively closing the gap between electric and petrol/diesel cars in terms of convenience and usability. The rollout of these high-speed chargers is expected to make EV ownership significantly more attractive to a broader range of drivers. In an exclusive interview with the Independent, BYD special advisor Alfredo Altavilla confirmed the company's ambitious plans. He stated: "In 2026. You will get a few stations in every country in Europe. They will be branded BYD, but they will be open to everybody." ‌ So while Flash Chargers will carry BYD branding, they will be accessible to all electric vehicle owners, not just those driving the manufacturer's models. But it's important to note that only vehicles equipped to handle megawatt-level charging will be able to take full advantage of the fastest charging speeds these stations will offer. BYD's latest car tech — the Super e-Platform — features a 1,000V high-voltage architecture with a Flash Charging Battery. It is available in the Han L and Tang L models, which can already be ordered in China. ‌ BYD's advisor told the Independent that Denza — the manufacturer's more upmarket brand — models would debut BYD's new technology across the UK and Europe, along with SUVs and sports cars from BYD's luxury brand Yangwang. Altavilla said: "The idea is for Denza and Yangwang to be the so-called technology manifesto of the BYD group. Those are the two brands where all new technologies will be firstly introduced. So, the flash charging for example." The introduction of BYD's Flash Chargers represents a major milestone in the evolution of EV infrastructure in the UK. With the ability to add nearly 250 miles of range in just five minutes, these chargers promise to make EVs even more practical and appealing for everyday use. As the UK moves towards a more environmentally friendly future, such innovations are set to play a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of greener technology and reducing our reliance on planet-killing fossil fuels.

'Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's once-in-a-lifetime feature humbled me'
'Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's once-in-a-lifetime feature humbled me'

Daily Mirror

time2 days ago

  • Daily Mirror

'Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's once-in-a-lifetime feature humbled me'

We rarely learn about space travel on this side of the pond. By the time I departed the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, I was ready to single-handedly campaign for it to be added to the school syllabus myself. I get it. Why would we bother learning about what else is out there when we can barely get our own affairs in order on this planet? But there are so many invaluable lessons to be learned from a trip to KSCVC. Eye-opening really doesn't cut it. There was one moment in particular that left me feeling truly humbled. Our visit coincided with a rocket launch, which has now become an almost bi-weekly occurrence on the Space Coast due to the battle of the billionaires - and I was so glad it did. An unconscious smile crept across my face as Elon Musk's latest Starlink satellite shot into orbit, thankfully going far smoother than their failed Starship attempt days later, while I got a shot in the arm of how small and insignificant we are. We watched on from the Banana Creek Launch Viewing bleachers outside the Apollo/Saturn V Center, but visitors will soon have the option of taking a seat at the Visitor Complex's newest attraction, The Gantry at LC-39. The finishing touches were still being made during our trip, but we'd been given a behind-the-scenes look around the day before. Its four tiers and 360-degree views will provide an unparalleled rocket launch experience. There's also a full-scale model of a rocket engine that will simulate a test fire, an interactive rocket building experience to see if you've got a future in space engineering, and NASA's largest Earth Information Center. It will join the Apollo/Saturn V Center on the bus tour that's included with admission, and you even get a close-up look at another humbling sight - the Vehicle Assembly Building, the largest single-story building in the world and where, as the name suggests, components are put together ready for launch. It's well worth planning your visit around one, but there's still so much to see and do regardless. You ideally need two days to fully take in all there is on offer, although you could cram in most of the must-sees if you arrive promptly for opening at 9am and stick around until closing at 5pm. And that's not because of endless queues or overcrowded rooms. It's just testament to how detailed, vast and insightful the whole place is. After passing the NASA meatball and entering via a security check, you're first met with the Rocket Garden, which has flowered since the doors first opened in 1967 to now include rockets from the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. Beyond the garden you'll find Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, offering a look at the here and now as well as the future of space exploration. For me and many others I spoke to, the tear-jerking highlight is Space Shuttle Atlantis. It's a proper rollercoaster of emotions that begins with utter awe as a series of small presentations culminate in the reveal of Atlantis itself, the orbiter that went to space and back 33 times. You can then experience the thrill of a simulated launch, before being brought back down to earth by Forever Remembered, a tribute to the 14 astronauts who were lost in the Columbia and Challenger disasters. Each exhibit houses personal items from that astronaut, putting their sacrifice into perspective. The Apollo/Saturn V Center is a short bus ride away, but there are plenty of them in rotation and you're never standing in queues for long. The Apollo missions are where it all started and you get to relive the drama and feel the weight of expectation from that era. One of the things the Visitor Complex does really well throughout is telling a story, by setting the scene with a trio of video presentations upon your arrival to an attraction, before letting you go and explore for yourself at your own pace. It keeps the flow of visitors manageable and gives structure to what could otherwise be an overwhelming experience. And there's so much to see and do once again at this stop, the most glaring being the actual Saturn V rocket, the largest ever flown. You will really feel you'd benefit of a second day at the Centre to take in everything back at the main complex. The Heroes and Legends exhibition, including the US Astronauts Hall of Fame, puts the spotlight on the people who make it possible. And at an additional cost, you can actually chat with an astronaut in a Q&A session while enjoying a drink and a bite to eat. Or alternatively, a more widescale presentation is included with admission. That's not to mention the IMAX theatre, kids play area and Hyperdeck VR game, which I'll be returning one day to avenge my defeat on. With single-day tickets costing $77 plus tax for an adult and $67 plus tax for a child, plus a two-day ticket offering a significant discount at $91 per adult/$81 per child, money's worth doesn't even cut it. Particularly, when you compare it to the cost of a day out at Florida's most talked-about attractions like Disney World and Universal. KSCVC is less than an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Orlando and also Melbourne, where we flew into courtesy of TUI. So there's no need to stay nearby to visit, although it was great fun at the Courtyard by Marriott Titusville, where you'll often see the astronauts staying themselves and space gear being slowly delivered across the lagoon. All in all, I struggle to think of a better example of teaching your children without them even realising they're learning. KSCVC is the ideal blend of museum and theme park, experience and education. Many will go away with lofty dreams of becoming an astronaut, and who knows, one amongst the thousands might well do it. But the most important message is that you can do anything you put your mind to. ( brings to life the epic story of the US space programme, offering a full day or more of fun, inspiration, and educational activities. Single-day admission is $77 per adult/$67 per child plus tax, and the two-day ticket is $91 per adult/$81 per child plus tax. Located just 45 minutes from Orlando, Florida, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open daily at 9am, with closing times varying by season. Guest can embrace their passion for outer space at the ( The hotel offers spectacular views from the hotel's rooftop bar, The Space Bar ( which serves local food and drinks and provides a prime viewing area for rocket launches. Rooms start from $170 plus taxes per night, on a room-only basis. ( offers return flights to Melbourne Orlando Airport, Florida from £362 per person. Price is based on two adults departing from London Gatwick, with 15kg hold luggage and 10kg hand luggage per person, plus complimentary meals and drinks. To book, go to visit your local TUI holiday store or download the app.

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