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Firefly is set to acquire Princeton-based SciTec for $855 million, aiming to strengthen its defense capabilities, especially in missile warning and tracking systems. The deal, expected to close by the end of 2025, aligns with Firefly's shift toward becoming a vertically integrated defense contractor amid geopolitical tensions and increased European defense spending.
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On November 14, 2025, Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie safely returned to Earth after a nine-day delay caused by space debris damage to their original Shenzhou-20 return capsule. They landed in the Gobi Desert aboard the newer Shenzhou-21 spacecraft. The incident highlights growing risks from orbital debris amid China's expanding space ambitions.
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Pedro Hernandez, convicted in 2017 for the murder of Etan Patz, has had his conviction overturned and is now set for a retrial. The Manhattan DA's office announced readiness to proceed, with jury selection due by June 1, or Hernandez will be released. The case remains a landmark in child abduction history.
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In late 2025, Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket carrying NASA's twin Mars orbiters, marking a milestone in reusable rocket technology. Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome suffered significant launchpad damage during a Soyuz crewed mission, threatening future launches. SpaceX's Starship V3 booster experienced a critical failure during ground testing, delaying its development. Russia removed veteran cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev from a SpaceX mission amid espionage allegations. Russia and India continue talks on rocket engine cooperation.
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Turkey has begun constructing its TF-2000 naval air defense destroyer, part of the Steel Dome multi-layered system, and signed a deal to export a light corvette to Romania. The country is also developing its domestic missile and radar systems amid regional tensions.