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Native Hawaiians Push Back Against Space Force's Telescope Project on Haleakalā   The U.S. Space Force’s recent proposal to construct up to seven new telescopes on the summit of Haleakalā, a revered volcanic mountain on the Hawaiian island of Maui, has sparked significant opposition from the local community. This initiative, part of the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research (AMOS STAR) facility, aims to enhance satellite tracking and prevent orbital collisions. However, many native Hawaiians argue that the project disrespects sacred land and perpetuates historical injustices. The proposed AMOS STAR facility would encompass an optics lab and several telescope domes on an acre of land near the existing Haleakalā Observatory. Public scoping meetings held between May 13 and 15 allowed residents to voice their concerns as the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is drafted. These meetings highlighted the deep cultural and spiritual significance...

A 25-Year Mystery Solved: How Advanced Tracking Revived the Trail of a Forgotten Satellite In an age where the vastness of space continues to awe and perplex, the rediscovery of the Infra-Red Calibration Balloon (S73-7) satellite, lost for a quarter of a century, serves as a thrilling reminder of both the challenges and triumphs inherent in space exploration. Launched in 1974 and disappearing twice from radar—first in the 1970s and again in the 1990s—the S73-7 has finally been found, shedding light on the silent tales of our orbital endeavors. The Journey of S73-7 Originally part of the United States Air Force's Space Test Program, the S73-7 embarked on its celestial voyage on April 10, 1974. Its primary mission was to inflate and serve as a calibration target for remote sensing equipment within "The Hexagon System." Despite being a smaller counterpart to the larger KH-9 Hexagon satellite, S73-7 was crucial in the calibration process. However, the satellite failed to infl...