product · May 20, 2026
NRL Launches Glowbug-2 Instrument for Gamma-Ray Detection on May 18, 2026
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The Naval Research Laboratory launched Glowbug-2 on May 18, 2026 to enhance space domain awareness and cosmic anomaly detection. The instrument builds on Glowbug-1 which cataloged more than 100 GRBs and a dozen solar flares over 21 months. Glowbug-2 uses four large sensing panels of special crystals that glow when hit by gamma rays with advanced light-sensors capturing flashes. The panels are identical to hardware in development for NASA’s StarBurst Multimessenger Pioneer mission. The launch occurred 18 May 2026.
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