The Naval Research Laboratory says Glowbug-2 launched on May 15 aboard the STP-H11 payload from Cape Canaveral, combining gamma-ray science with space-domain-awareness work.
The Naval Research Laboratory says its Glowbug-2 instrument launched on May 15, 2026, aboard the STP-H11 payload from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The Navy-built detector is designed to observe short gamma-ray bursts and related cosmic radiation signatures from orbit. NRL said the mission combines scientific observations with space-domain-awareness goals.
According to the announcement, Glowbug-2 is expected to operate for about one year, with a possible extension. NRL and the U.S. Navy published the launch notice on May 18.
NASA materials describe STP-H11 as a partnership payload tied to the Space Test Program and indicate it is headed for installation on the outside of the International Space Station's Columbus module after launch.
The launch adds a new instrument to a mission line that NRL and NASA have already linked to gamma-ray science and orbital monitoring. NRL described Glowbug-2 as an advanced gamma-ray detector, while NASA's HEASARC notes the Glowbug mission lineage.
No early telemetry or first-light results were included in the public announcements reviewed for this report.
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