Kelsey D. Atherton
Popular Science
Albuquerque, NM, United States
Contact Kelsey
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Past articles by Kelsey:
Ukraine is getting mobile bridges from the US. Here’s how they can help.
These structures are deployed by a tank-like vehicle, and are technically called Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges. → Read More
This small prototype submarine could fly through the water for covert missions
The sleek exterior and interior design makes this vehicle seem like something straight out of a James Bond movie. → Read More
US intelligence: Energy weapons or attacks very unlikely to have caused ‘Havana syndrome’
The Washington Post reports that US intelligence agencies don't think that this cluster of symptoms was caused by foreign actors or weapons. → Read More
Why the Space Force is testing out tech for small, high-flying satellites
The US Space Force has a contract for about $10 million with Astranis, a maker of satellites designed for high orbit. Here's why. → Read More
Why the US might be finding more unidentified flying objects
The new frequency of sightings have led to two big questions: what exactly are the objects, and why were they not detected until now? → Read More
Why Americans Are So Unsettled by the Chinese Spy Balloon
China’s balloon, whatever its purpose, became a physical and observable reminder of the often-invisible work nations do to keep tabs on one another. → Read More
Ukraine is getting flying bombs with a 93-mile range
These munitions are called GLSDBs, which stands for Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs, and they employ a rocket engine to fly. → Read More
Spy balloons have been surveilling humans since 1794
While the US recently downed the Chinese spy balloon using an F-22, the use of balloons to gather information is nothing new in wars. → Read More
Is the truth out there? Decoding the Pentagon’s latest UFO report
Trying to make sense of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena is tricky, but here are some smart ways to think about the topic and its history. → Read More
Why the Navy is getting fast new medical ships
Unlike large hospital ships like the USNS Mercy, these new vessels will be catamarans that are faster and more nimble. → Read More
The Army takes another crack at augmented reality headsets
The Microsoft devices are called the Integrated Visual Augmentation System. In the past, soldiers have reported problems using them. → Read More
The US Navy used solar-powered Saildrones to scout in the Persian Gulf
In an exercise, two solar-powered Saildrones functioned as scouts, sending back information to a US Navy destroyer. Here's why. → Read More
A new radar installation in the Pacific will let US forces look over the horizon
Here's what an over-the-horizon radar does, why the US might want one in the Pacific, and how other systems like it work. → Read More
Australia’s stealthy military drone sub will be called Ghost Shark
Earlier this month, the country revealed what it would be calling a new large underwater robotic vessel: Ghost Shark → Read More
A look at the new B-21 Raider—and the stealth bomber that preceded it
The B-21 Raider made its first public debut in early December. Here's how it appears different from its predecessor, the B-2 Spirit. → Read More
The Patriot missiles going to Ukraine have a long wartime history
The US said it will send one system of Patriot missiles to Ukraine. Here's what to know about the history of these weapons, and what they do. → Read More
The Mayhem drone will aim to collect intelligence at hypersonic speeds
The Department of Defense awarded a contractor $334 to develop a new spy drone. Its goal is to collect secrets at hypersonic speeds. → Read More
Armored vehicles with laser weapons are coming to a US fort next year
Testing this is the first step towards having a deeply protective tool that can roll into battle against drones and mortars. → Read More
The Army skips off-the-shelf drones for a new custom quadcopter
The Rangers are the second Army formation to field the Skydio-built RQ-28A drones, a quadcopter similar to the company's X2D drones. → Read More
How a robotic arm could help the US Army lift artillery shells
An artillery shell can weigh as much as 90 pounds, making lifting the rounds a good task for a robotic arm. Here's what to know. → Read More