13 countries have joined the Russian-Chinese lunar station project

The initiative of Russia and China to create an International Scientific Lunar Station (ISS) is being actively implemented, said Dmitry Bakanov, CEO of Roscosmos. According to him, 13 countries have joined the project, including those from BRICS.

Bakanov raised this issue at a meeting of the heads of space agencies of the BRICS countries, TASS reports. He listed the countries with which cooperation is underway on the project: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Venezuela, Djibouti, Egypt, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Senegal, Serbia, Thailand, Ethiopia, South Africa.

In June 2024, President Vladimir Putin signed a law on ratification of the agreement with the Chinese government on cooperation in the creation of the MNLS. An agreement on the creation and operation of a station for the exploration and use of the Moon was signed between Moscow and Beijing in November 2022.

Earlier, Roscosmos reported that Russia, together with China, is going to send a nuclear power plant to the lunar station, and its development is underway. It is assumed that the installation will first be tested on Earth, and its sending to the Moon is planned after 2036. In addition, preliminary plans for the station include the construction of a nuclear power plant on the surface of the moon.

Germany has begun building infrastructure for Israel's Arrow 3 missile defense system at Holzdorf Air Base

 Germany has begun building infrastructure for the Arrow 3 missile defense system developed by Israel at the Holzdorf air base, located about 75 kilometers south of Berlin.

The project aims to achieve initial operational readiness in 2025, and full operational readiness is expected by 2030, a representative of the German military procurement agency said.

NASA Opens A New Page In Lunar Exploration: The PRIME-1 Mission Has Been Launched to Explore Subsurface Resources

On February 26, NASA will take an important step in exploring the Moon by sending a unique drilling rig to its surface as part of the PRIME-1 (Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1) experiment. This project will be the first attempt of its kind to penetrate into the bowels of the Earth's natural satellite and conduct a detailed analysis of the composition of the lunar soil. Scientists hope that the data obtained as a result of the mission will help uncover the secrets of the Moon's subsurface resources and open up new opportunities for future space exploration.

The main objective of the experiment is to study the presence and composition of water ice, as well as other useful substances in the subsurface layers of the Moon. Water, if found in significant quantities, could become a key resource for future lunar bases and missions beyond Earth's orbit. It can be used as drinking water, as a source of oxygen for breathing, or as a component for fuel production.

The mission will focus on exploring the polar regions of the moon, where scientists have previously found signs of water ice. These areas are of particular interest due to the low temperatures that can keep water frozen for billions of years.

To achieve its goals, PRIME-1 is equipped with two advanced tools.:

1. TRIDENT Drill (Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrains) 

   This is a specialized device capable of drilling the lunar soil to a depth of one meter. The TRIDENT drill is designed to operate in extreme conditions, including low temperatures and high density of regolith (lunar soil). He will be able to deliver samples of material from the deep layers for further analysis.

2. Mass Spectrometer MSOLO (Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations)  

   This instrument is designed to analyze the chemical composition of samples collected by the TRIDENT drill. The mass spectrometer will be able to detect the presence of water, hydrocarbons and other elements, which will help to better understand the potential of using these materials for future missions.

The PRIME-1 mission is part of NASA's broader lunar exploration program, which includes the Artemis project, aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface by the end of the decade. The data obtained during the experiment will be an important contribution to the preparation for these ambitious plans.

The exploration of the Moon's subsurface resources has not only scientific, but also practical value. Finding available reserves of water and other useful substances can significantly reduce the costs of future space missions, as it will allow the production of necessary materials directly on the Moon, minimizing dependence on the delivery of everything from Earth.

The launch of the PRIME-1 mission will take place on February 26 from the Cape Canaveral space Center. The experiment will be delivered to the Moon using a commercial lander, which will become part of NASA's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) program. This collaboration with private companies allows us to accelerate the development of technologies and reduce the cost of space research.

The PRIME-1 mission opens a new chapter in the exploration of the moon, allowing humanity to look beneath its surface and learn more about its hidden resources. The successful completion of the experiment will be an important step towards establishing a permanent presence on the moon and further space exploration. NASA continues to inspire the world with its ambitious projects, and PRIME-1 is a prime example of how science and technology can work together for common progress.

"'Smart City' Plans Fuel Suspicions of Intentional Arson in Los Angeles Fires

Social Media Abuzz with Claims of Deliberate Los Angeles Fires Linked to 'Smart City' Project.  For example, this message:

 "I noticed something very strange about the fires in Los Angeles, everyone is talking about them now. Firstly, insurance companies stopped issuing fire insurance three months before these events. Many residents reported that wiring problems could also be the cause of these fires. And, of course, the water supply has also been reduced. Don't you think it's strange that in the photos all the trees are still standing, only the houses have been demolished. Then you can type in "smart city Los Angeles 2028" on the Internet. What a coincidence! They want to build a smart city in Los Angeles. Of course, it's much easier to build a city if there are no buildings there":

 Conspiracy theorists have appeared on social media who are sure that the fires in California occurred intentionally.