America's Next Saturn-bound Robotic Explorer Is Officially in Assembly!

NASA / Johns Hopkins APL

NASA’s Dragonfly Mission Begins Rotorcraft Integration, Testing Stage (News Release - March 10)

NASA Dragonfly’s integration and testing – the activities involved in assembling the mission’s rotorcraft lander and testing it for the rigors of launch and extreme conditions of space – is officially underway in clean rooms and control rooms at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland.

In partnership with teams across government, industry and academia, APL is building the car-sized, nuclear-powered drone for NASA. Dragonfly is scheduled to launch no earlier than 2028 for a six-year voyage to Saturn’s moon Titan, where it will explore a range of diverse sites to study the chemistry, geology and atmosphere of the terrestrial moon and ultimately advance our understanding of life’s chemical origins.

Primary activities during the first weeks of this effort included power and functional testing on two critical components: the Integrated Electronics Module (IEM) and the Power Switching Units (PSUs). Think of the IEM as Dragonfly’s “brain,” containing the spacecraft’s core avionics (such as command and data handling, guidance and navigation, and communications) in a single space-saving and power-efficient box. The IEM and both PSUs were connected to Dragonfly’s wiring system and passed their first power-service checks.

“This milestone essentially marks the birth of our flight system,” said Elizabeth Turtle, Dragonfly principal investigator from APL. “Building a first-of-its kind vehicle to fly across another ocean world in our Solar System pushes us to the edge of what’s possible, but that’s exactly why this stage is so exciting. The team is doing an outstanding job, and every component we install and every test we run brings us one step closer to launching Dragonfly to Titan.”

Much work has led up to this point. The aeroshell and cruise-stage assemblies are moving forward with integration and testing at Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado. The team completed a thorough aerodynamic test series in the wind tunnels of NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Testing continues in the Titan Chamber at APL of the foam coating that will insulate the rotorcraft from Titan’s frigid temperatures.

The science payload is coming together at locations around the country and internationally. The flight radio has been delivered, and additional flight systems are scheduled for delivery and testing within the next six months.

Dragonfly integration and testing will continue at APL through this year and into early 2027, when system-level testing is planned at Lockheed Martin. Late next year, the lander returns to APL for final space-environment testing before heading to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in spring 2028 for launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket that summer.

“Starting integration and testing is a huge milestone for the Dragonfly team,” said Annette Dolbow, the Dragonfly integration and test lead at APL. “We’ve spent years designing and refining this amazing rotorcraft on computer screens and in laboratories, and now we get to bring all those elements together and transform Dragonfly into an actual flight system.”

Source: NASA.Gov

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NASA / Johns Hopkins APL / Ed Whitman


NASA / Johns Hopkins APL / Steve Gribben

Today marks 40 days since my Mom's passing.

My family attended a Mass this morning to honor her.

Images of the Day #2: Ladies in White...

Richard T. Par

Just thought I'd share these illustrations of two ladies in white standing on a hilltop balcony...staring at distant house lights in the dark valley below. Just like the images of the hybrid ship in my previous entry, these pictures were rendered through ChatGPT. Unlike the images of the hybrid ship, these illustrations (which I rendered two days before I created those pictures of the ship) weren't based on a sketch I drew, but very specific descriptions in the prompt that I typed to create these AI images.

So what motivated me to render these particular images, you ask? Just me being a hopeless romantic. The illustration above is more faithful to the vision that was stuck in my head for years while the picture below has better image quality. Carry on!


Richard T. Par

Images of the Day: An AI Sea Vessel...

Richard T. Par

As mentioned in this Blog entry, I used ChatGPT to create other AI illustrations...not because I've forsaken traditional artwork using mechanical pencils and Crayola markers, but to quickly jot out concepts of different things like ships and military vehicles that have been on my mind for a while.

In the two AI images posted here, you see renderings of a hybrid ship that's part cruise liner and part research vessel.

In the sketch I made that's shown directly below (See? I told you that I didn't eschew traditional drawings for artificial intelligence), you can spot three trapezoid-shaped compartments near the top of the structure at the center of this vessel... Those are hotel rooms. I imagine that adventure-seeking one-percenters would book these rooms—which are basically intended to be penthouse suites.

Behind the center structure is a small submarine (specifically, a deep sea submersible that would be used to explore such locales as the sunken Titanic...but designed much better than OceanGate's Titan sub that made headlines in 2023) that could be deployed during the ship's expeditions. The submarine would obviously not be used for a journey to Antarctica or the Arctic region. I envisioned two submersibles being staged on the deck of this ship, but ChatGPT had difficulty rendering the one sub you see in these illustrations!

This ship would be equipped with its own helicopter (whose size is not to scale with the ship in these images) that could be parked inside the hangar that's visible near the stern of this vessel.

I imagined this ship traveling to such distant locales as Point Nemo—a spot in the South Pacific Ocean that's farthest from any land, located 1,670 miles (2,688 kilometers) from the nearest shore. To make such a trip, this ship would be nuclear-powered (hence the absence of smoke stacks)...like U.S. aircraft carriers and such non-military vessels as some Russian icebreakers! Speaking of icebreakers, this ship would also be one, as depicted by the vessel traveling through a field of ice in the two illustrations of this entry.

Speaking of U.S. aircraft carriers, I imagined this ship to be a floating city like the military vessels, and just as long too! Which is why I used ChatGPT to render multiple versions of this ship until it finally churned out the illustration at the top of this entry. As you can see, the vessel is so lengthy that there are not three but five trapezoidal penthouse suites at the middle of this ship! So cool.

How much would it cost to build this ship and who would operate it, you ask? I have no clue! I'm just amused that ChatGPT was able to bring this concept from my mind to the computer screen (and then sheets of paper, as I intend to print out these illustrations) with a properly-worded prompt.

Have a nice day.


Richard T. Par


Richard T. Par

A New Poster for THE BROKEN TABLE...

Just thought I'd share this new poster for my 2020 short film, The Broken Table!

There are no plans to submit my project to any more film festivals or even shoot a sequel (considering the fact that I have no screenplay for one, and my lead actress, MJ, has been residing in her home country of Saudi Arabia since 2020), but I just wanted to use the latest wonders of technology to create new material for the film. Yes, I'm referring to ChatGPT.

Anyways, creating new posters for cinematic work that I did over half a decade ago isn't the only thing I used AI for. More illustrations to come later. Happy Monday!


Richard T. Par

My Mom was finally laid to rest today. May she forever be at peace.

A video slideshow that I created to celebrate the life of my wonderful Mom is at the bottom of this entry.

The Latest Update on America's Newest Stealth Bomber...

USAF

DAF Increases B-21 Raider Production Capacity to Deliver Combat Capability Faster (Press Release)

AURORA, Colo. (AFNS) -- The Department of the Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corp. have reached an agreement to expand production capacity for the B-21 Raider, accelerating delivery of the Air Force’s next-generation stealth bomber fleet.

The agreement applies $4.5 billion in funding already authorized and appropriated under the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation legislation. This agreement accelerates the approved acquisition profile by increasing annual production capacity by 25%, compressing delivery timelines while preserving cost and performance discipline.

The B-21 program delivered aircraft on schedule in 2025 and remains on track for aircraft on the ramp at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 2027. The accelerated production agreement builds on that demonstrated performance, translating program stability into faster fielding of combat capability.

“The B-21 is foundational to our long-range strike capability and to credible deterrence,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “Accelerating production capacity now ensures we deliver operational capability to combatant commanders faster — strengthening our ability to outpace, deter, and, if necessary, defeat emerging threats. This is disciplined execution at the speed the security environment demands.”

Currently executing flight tests, the long-range, penetrating strike aircraft is designed to operate in the most contested environments and hold any target at risk. The B-21 integrates advanced stealth, resilient networking, and a modern, data-driven command and control architecture — ensuring that the Joint Force retains a decisive advantage in an increasingly complex battlespace.

Source: United States Air Force

Up Next: The Los Angeles Summer Olympics!

Earlier today, the closing ceremony was held for the Milano Cortina Games at the historic Verona Arena in Italy. This event capped off two weeks of sporting competitions that saw Team USA win a total of 33 medals—12 of them gold, and 8 of those 12 gold medals being won by women! Among these women were stellar figure skater Alysa Liu and veteran alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who earned Olympic gold in women's slalom...her first since she won the giant slalom at the Pyeongchang Winter Games in 2018.

Other Team USA heroes that emerged from the 2026 Games were Alysa Liu's fellow figure skaters Amber Glenn, Ilia Malinin, Madsion Chock, Evan Bates, Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea; alpine skier Breezy Johnson; freestyle skiers Elizabeth Lemley, Alex Ferreira, Connor Curran, Kaila Kuhn and Christopher Lillis; speed skater Jordan Stolz and monobob pilot Elana Meyers Taylor. And to top things off, the members of the men and women's hockey teams who both bested Canada in their respective gold medal games to take home the hardware. In the case of the men's hockey team, today's win was America's first victory since the "Miracle on Ice" team defeated the Soviets at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York.

With the 2026 Games now in the books, all eyes turn to the LA28 Olympics in Southern California! The Los Angeles Summer Games will actually have events (the majority of them soccer matches) that take place in Northern California as well as other states like Oklahoma, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Missouri. But the main events such as track and field, gymnastics, swimming, basketball, baseball and flag football will occur in downtown Los Angeles and Los Angeles County, respectively.

The closest competitions to where I reside, in Pomona, will be held in the city of Industry (for mountain biking) and the Pomona Fairgrounds (for cricket)! For personal reasons, I don't wanna think too far ahead (even though 2028 is only two years away), but I'm excited about the prospect of attending Olympic events only 4 to 10 miles from where I live. Hope you guys had a nice weekend!

ULA's Newest Launch Vehicle Has Another SRB Anomaly While Completing Its Fourth Flight to Earth Orbit...

United Launch Alliance

U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command and United Launch Alliance Successfully Launch USSF-87 Mission Aboard a Vulcan Rocket (News Release - February 12)

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) System Delta 80 (SYD 80) and its mission partners successfully completed a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) after a pre-dawn liftoff at 4:22 a.m. EST (1:22 a.m. PST) today aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This was the second NSSL mission for ULA’s Vulcan rocket.

“We’re proud of everyone and the work they’ve done to make today’s launch a success and increase America’s warfighting capability.” said Mr. Stephen Burke, Vulcan System Program Director.

The Vulcan rocket successfully delivered the mission to the designated orbits despite an observed anomaly early in flight on one of the four solid rocket motors. The USSF SYD 80 team will work closely with ULA per our mission assurance space flightworthiness process before the next Vulcan national security space mission.

The USSF-87 mission included a variety of payloads that will not only advance space technology but also benefit current and future programs of record. The Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) space system is a capability supporting the U.S. Space Command’s space surveillance operations as a high-performance, dedicated Space Surveillance Network sensor. Built by Northrop-Grumman, it was deployed approximately 6.5 hours after liftoff.

The system was delivered to orbit by ULA’s Vulcan in the “VC4S” configuration, featuring a Centaur V upper stage, four solid rocket motors and a standard payload fairing. It capitalizes on ULA’s industrial base to deliver highly-capable solutions that achieve space dominance for our national security.

In addition to GSSAP, USSF-87 included additional research, development and training systems, which Guardians will use to refine tactics, techniques and procedures for precision on-orbit maneuvers. These systems will also enhance and validate resiliency and protection in geosynchronous orbit.

Systems Delta 80 (SYD 80) -- who directed today’s mission -- executes the U.S. Space Force's core function of Space Access, performing space lift and range control missions in close partnership with the 30th and 45th Space Launch Deltas (SLD 30, SLD 45). Additionally, the Delta develops resilient and ready launch and test infrastructure to expand U.S. economic, technological and scientific leadership. Furthermore, SYD 80 delivers servicing, mobility and logistics capabilities that operate in, from and to the space domain.

Source: Space Systems Command

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United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket today successfully launched national security spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit, including a "neighborhood watch" mission to patrol the strategic high ground of space.

Despite the solid rocket motor performance anomaly, the Vulcan… pic.twitter.com/HQCOquvofZ

— ULA (@ulalaunch) February 12, 2026

The Vulcan vehicle rolls during its wild ride to orbit in this tracking video captured south of the launch site by Max Q Productions @CarstensPete pic.twitter.com/FvmkrvJYnz

— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) February 12, 2026

Europe's Newest Rocket Takes Flight in its Most Powerful Configuration...

Arianespace Successfully Launches 32 Amazon Leo Satellites with the First Ariane 64 (Press Release)

On February 12, 2026 at 1:45 p.m. local time (4:45 p.m. UTC, 5:45 p.m. CET), Arianespace successfully launched 32 Amazon Leo satellites with Ariane 64 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. The satellites were delivered to a low-Earth orbit, at an altitude of approximately 465 km. The mission lasted 1 hour and 54 minutes, from lift-off to separation of all the satellites.

The mission, called VA267 (LE-01 for Amazon Leo), initiated the first of 18 Ariane 6 launches booked to support the deployment of the Amazon Leo constellation. It also marked the first launch for the constellation performed by a European launcher.

David Cavaillolès, Arianespace's CEO said “Today's successful flight marks a major milestone for Arianespace, for our customer Amazon Leo and for the whole European space sector. With the first flight of Ariane 64, Europe's heavy-lift launcher has demonstrated its ability to deliver the most demanding large-scale constellation missions. We are proud to support Amazon Leo with a reliable, high-performance European launch solution as we begin a series of 18 missions enabling the deployment of their constellation. We thank Amazon Leo for their confidence and are proud to support them as a trusted launch partner.”

Martin Sion, ArianeGroup's CEO announced “This new success is a major milestone for the development of Ariane 6 as it was the first flight in the four-booster version. This successful entry into service once again highlights the quality of the teams at ArianeGroup and its European partners. Now, Europe has two versions of Ariane 6 heavy launcher to meet all of its needs. Our teams are already working to improve the launcher's competitiveness through the development of evolutions that will increase its payload capacity. In 2026, we will therefore accelerate production and integrate major improvements so that Ariane 6 will be even better.”

For this new range of constellation-type missions, Ariane 6 incorporates various adaptations to accommodate the increased payload mass.

Flight VA267, the first launch of Ariane 6 in its four-booster configuration, carried the heaviest payload ever placed into orbit by the European launcher. During this mission, Ariane 6 delivered around 20 metric tons into orbit – about twice the payload capacity of the two-booster Ariane 62 variant. It demonstrates the full-power capability of Ariane 6 and its ability to meet the requirements of large-scale constellation deployments.

Ariane 6 also flew for the first time with its long fairing configuration. During this mission, the 32 Amazon Leo satellites were accommodated under a 20-meter-high fairing, giving the launcher a height of 62 meters.

This flight VA267 is a major milestone for the development of Ariane 6 under the European Space Agency's oversight.

Source: Arianespace