"A successfully demonstrated NTP system will provide a leap-ahead in space propulsion capability, allowing agile and rapid transit over vast distances as compared to present propulsion approaches."

DARPA is considering a nuclear rocket for Moon missions

Nuclear Option

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency just handed out a $14 million dollar contract to develop a nuclear thermal propulsion system in space.

DARPA Is Considering a Nuclear Rocket for Moon Missions

Space travel could go nuclear.

The fighter jet AI — call-sign "banger" — won five rounds to zero.

AI fighter jet obliterates human Air Force pilot in simulated dogfight

Pew Pew

An AI-controlled virtual fighter jet just beat a human pilot in a dogfight, winning five rounds to zero as part of a DARPA contest.

AI Fighter Jet Obliterates Human Air Force Pilot in Simulated Dogfight

This could be a turning point in AI warfare.

"We watched the agents go from being able to barely fly the airplane and barely prevent [themselves] from crashing, into true behaviors that looked like dogfighting."

DARPA is testing F-16s flown by AI in virtual combat

How It Starts

DARPA is training artificial intelligence algorithms to fly fighter planes then pitting them against each other in virutal combat.

DARPA Is Testing F-16s Flown by AI in Virtual Combat

"A lot of them killed themselves on accident."

"Space telescopes currently in orbit are limited in ability to detect and distinguish small, dim objects next to large, bright objects."

DARPA deploys tiny satellite that could take best pictures of space ever

Pocket Cam

DARPA recently deployed a tiny camera satellite that the agency hopes can take sharp images of exoplanets that are usually washed out of pictures.

DARPA Deploys Tiny Satellite That Could Take Best Pictures of Space Ever

What if the Hubble Space Telescope was the size of a toaster?

The first satellite launches later this year.

DARPA is about to launch a military version of SpaceX's Starlink

Global Mesh

DARPA is preparing to launch the first experimental satellite of its Blackjack network, which would function like a military version of SpaceX's Starlink.

DARPA Is About to Launch a Military Version of SpaceX’s Starlink

The first satellite of the Blackjack network is launching later this year.

The researchers say it could be "absolutely a gamechanger."

New military test detects COVID-19 before it's infectious

Immediate Feedback

DARPA developed a new test for COVID-19 that can spot an infection within 24 hours, even earlier than people start spreading the coronavirus to others.

New Military Test Detects COVID-19 Before It’s Infectious

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/01/us-germ-warfare-lab-creates-test-for-pre-infectious-covid-19-carriers?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other">US germ warfare research leads to new early Covid-19 test</a> [The Guardian]

More on COVID-19 testing: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/what-its-like-covid-antibody-test">Here&#8217;s What It&#8217;s Like to Get a COVID Antibody Test</a>

Developments

A DARPA spokesperson called the test "absolutely a gamechanger."

"An agile nuclear thermal propulsion vehicle enables the [Defense Department] to maintain space domain awareness."

DARPA's working on a nuclear-powered rocket for easy Moon access

Moonage Daydream

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a nuclear-powered rocket to move cargo around Earth's orbit. For moon access.

DARPA’s Working on a Nuclear-Powered Rocket for Easy Moon Access

A literal moonshot.

It hopes to create an AI that can control 250 robots at a time.

DARPA is using gamers' brain waves to train robot swarms

Think Tank

Artificial intelligence researchers are studying the brain waves and eye movements of gamers to train an AI that can control fleets of military robots.

DARPA Is Using Gamers’ Brain Waves to Train Robot Swarms

If you're a gamer, the military wants to pick your brain.

Boeing quits — and kills — DARPA experimental spaceplane program

Grounded for Good

Boeing has quit DARPA's Experimental Spaceplane (XSP) project, prompting the military agency to announce it was killing the project altogether.

Boeing Quits — and Kills — DARPA Experimental Spaceplane Program

"This effectively ends the XSP program."

Researchers say they could someday grow buildings in space: "There's no way we’re going to carry building materials to space. We'll bring biology with us."

Scientists create "living concrete" that can heal itself

Moving Sidewalks

Scientists working with DARPA developed a living concrete, teeming with bacteria, that resembles Jell-O. It can grow and regenerate itself when it breaks.

/ darpa