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Alejandro S. Borlaff

@asborlaff.bsky.social
387 followers 373 following 105 posts

NASA Space Scientist at Ames Research Center. Astrofísico. Desarrollando telescopios espaciales y protegiendo el Cielo Oscuro. cps.iau.org. Views are my own.

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Reposted by Alejandro S. Borlaff
Jonathan McDowell @planet4589.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Did an interview at the ESA open day with @spacerocksofficial.bsky.social
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Four years after the end of the incredible NASA/DLR SOFIA Airborne Observatory, PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics) got selected as NASA's next space FIR observatory. Go PRIMA! www.nasa.gov/news-release...
nasa.gov
NASA Selects Far-Infrared Telescope as First in New Mission Class - NASA
NASA announced Wednesday a mission to explore the history and evolution of the universe, PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), is advancing to
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Dr. Jessie Christiansen @aussiastronomer.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Congrats to the whole PRIMA team on the selection of NASA's first Probe Explorer mission!!!!!! @caltechipac.bsky.social will be PRIMA's science center, and we look forward to working with everyone over the next decade on this exciting project! www.nasa.gov/news-release...
nasa.gov
NASA Selects Far-Infrared Telescope as First in New Mission Class - NASA
NASA announced Wednesday a mission to explore the history and evolution of the universe, PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), is advancing to
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Dr./Prof. Meredith MacGregor @mmacgreg.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
YES!!! LET'S GO PRIMA!!! Such a joy to be part of this wonderful team 🌌🔭🚀 www.nasa.gov/news-release...
nasa.gov
NASA Selects Far-Infrared Telescope as First in New Mission Class - NASA
NASA announced Wednesday a mission to explore the history and evolution of the universe, PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics), is advancing to
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
As we work through the Roman Space Telescope commissioning, I wanted to share a few thoughts about my personal experience as part of the mission team during the past 3 years and also about working in NASA in general too. science.nasa.gov/missions/rom...
science.nasa.gov
Roman Commissioning - NASA Science
Roman is making its three-month journey from Earth to Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 2, or L2. Along the way, Roman is undergoing a process called commissioning,
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Jonathan McDowell @planet4589.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I am deeply honored to be awarded this year's Loftus Space Sustainability Award by the International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety. I'm looking forward to meeting colleagues in the space sustainability community at the IAASS meeting in Antibes next month.
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Growing up is realizing that the scene where John Wick falls over 222 steps and then has to walk them up again is perhaps the most relatable and realistic scene of the whole saga.
static.klipy.com
John Wick 4 Fall
ALT: John Wick 4 Fall
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Zach Weinersmith @zachweinersmith.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Can we please stop doing this? I made a comic about it and everything!
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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 15/09/2026
“As a result of exquisite planning by our orbital dynamics team, brilliant execution by the operations team, and a precise launch from SpaceX, Roman has fuel for at least 22 years of potential science operations,” said Jamie Dunn, center director at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. #NASARoman 🔭
science.nasa.gov
Fuel Savings Double Potential Lifetime for NASA's Roman Mission - NASA Science
The results are in: NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's very accurate first mid-course correction, along with other fuel savings, are expected to more
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Jonathan O'Callaghan @astrojonny.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
22 years. I'll be 60 when this stops working. Incredible.
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Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
#OTD in 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison launched into orbit as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour making her the first Black woman to travel into space. An incredible life: + Physician (M.D., Cornell 1981) + Peace Corps Area Medical Officer in Sierra Leone & Liberia #WomenInSTEM 🧵
A classic NASA color portrait of Dr. Mae Carol Jemison, the first Black woman in space, captured in her official astronaut attire. She stands confidently in the center of the frame wearing a vibrant orange NASA flight suit with the American flag patch on her left shoulder, a blue-and-red NASA worm logo on her right, and a name tag reading “MAE JEMISON” above a mission patch. A large circular mission insignia for STS-47 (“Gibson APT Brown / Lee Davis Jemison Morgan”) is visible on her chest. She holds her white-and-black astronaut helmet with both hands in front of her torso, her short dark hair neatly styled, and offers a warm, radiant smile that conveys pride, determination, and joy. The background is a softly blended blue studio backdrop evoking the vastness of space. The composition blends technical precision with personal warmth, celebrating her historic 1992 flight aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour as Mission Specialist, where she conducted experiments in materials science and bone cell research. The image powerfully symbolizes her groundbreaking contributions to space exploration, diversity in STEM, and her lifelong commitment to making science accessible to all.A color portrait of Dr. Mae Carol Jemison, the first Black woman to travel into space and a pioneering engineer, physician, and advocate for science education. In this warm, studio-lit photograph from 2013, she appears as a confident woman with short, stylishly layered dark hair, smiling directly at the camera with a bright, engaging expression that radiates warmth, intelligence, and approachability. She wears a soft blue V-neck top, large silver hoop earrings, and a striking black cord necklace featuring a prominent circular turquoise pendant that rests at her collarbone. The background is a smooth, neutral gradient, keeping the focus entirely on her poised and professional presence. The overall composition is intimate and celebratory, conveying quiet strength and accomplishment while highlighting her enduring role as an inspirational figure in STEM and in women’s history.
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Jonathan O'Callaghan @astrojonny.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Does anyone know how many human-made craters are on the Moon?
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ESA Operations @operations.esa.int · 01/09/2026
🔥Samba’s reentry was recorded! There is fire streaking across the sky in this first image from the ROSIE plane campaign. Credit: ESA/ROSIE/University of Stuttgart (HEFDiG) Read more: www.esa.int/Space_Safety...
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Aurélien Genin @astroaure.eurosky.social · 01/09/2026
☄️ Et voilà la première image de la désintégration du satellite Samba 🤩 📸 ESA/ROSIE/University of Stuttgart (HEFDiG)/A.Genin
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Si teneis la oportunidad de pasaros por la Complutense este viernes, vamos a hablar de como hacer ciencia en la frontera entre la tierra y el espacio, y como ese ecosistema necesita nuestra ayuda. Viernes, 10am, Facultad de Fisicas UCM!
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Need assistance from the Neurology community in Bluesky. Can soft wearable exosuits improve the quality of walking for patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)? I am considering something like the Ascentiz exosuit but it seem focused on sports, not support. Please 🔄! ascentizexo.com
ascentizexo.com
Ascentiz | World's First Modular Exoskeleton for Walking & Hiking
Featuring swappable Knee & Hip Joint Modules —from daily mobility to ambitious adventures, your interface to infinite abilities.
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NPR @npr.org · 28/08/2026
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches Aug. 30 on a mission to explore some of the most pressing mysteries of the cosmos. n.pr/3SzgeEI
n.pr
NASA is about to launch a space telescope that could change how we see the universe
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches Aug. 30 on a mission to explore some of the most pressing mysteries of the cosmos.
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Johnny Vector @johnnyvector.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
And Dominic is crushing it on the broadcast! (Megan too, but I never worked with her.)
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 30/08/2026
The telescope has been set free in space! Successful deployment! #Roman
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Karen Masters @karenlmasters.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
It’s on its way! Now the commissioning work starts for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope even while it’s still enroute to L2. #romanlaunch
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CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 30/08/2026
This is a neat view of the separation of the #Roman telescope from the rocket. Very Sci-Fi looking!
Looking out from the bay of a rocket with the large Roman telescope now seperated and moving away from it. The dish antenna of the telescope is visible.
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
I have been working for Roman Space Telescope for four years now, and I could not picture a better launch. Go Roman! Let's explore the Universe for all humankind.
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Space Telescope Science Institute @stsci.edu · 28/08/2026
🚨 The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is “go” for launch! 🚨 Meteorologists with the U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 Weather Squadron are predicting a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch, which is targeted for 7:26 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 30 from Kennedy. #NASARoman 🔭
science.nasa.gov
NASA's Roman Space Telescope ‘Go' for Launch
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is “go” for launch following completion of the agency and SpaceX's Launch Readiness Review Friday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
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Olga Zamora @omzamora.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Me sumo al agradecimiento
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Michele Catanzaro para @elperiodico.com. "La solución [a la superpoblacion de satélites en órbita terrestre] no es enviar todos los telescopios al espacio. Los satélites ya están impactando a los telescopios espaciales" Gracias por contar con nosotros 💪 www.elperiodico.com/es/sociedad/...
elperiodico.com
La carrera por llenar el cielo de satélites complica a los telescopios la detección de asteroides peligrosos
Después de lanzar miles de satélites de telecomunicación como los de Starlink, tecnológicas y estados planean centros de datos espaciales y satélites-espejo para iluminar la noche
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Outstanding article by Jonathan O'Callaghan. "Time, however, is very much of the essence. The number of satellites, many experts say, is already bordering on unsustainable." You can't run an exponential growth model on a finite planet. Time to wake up. www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
scientificamerican.com
If millions of satellites launch to space, is chaos the inevitable outcome?
SpaceX and other companies want to put millions of satellites into space. Could orbit run out of room?
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Center for Space Environmentalism @space-environment.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
"Ultimately we might find that the capacity of Earth orbit, rather than being in the millions of spacecraft, may not be much more than the number of satellites already in orbit today." www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
scientificamerican.com
If millions of satellites launch to space, is chaos the inevitable outcome?
SpaceX and other companies want to put millions of satellites into space. Could orbit run out of room?
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Very poor comparison and a sad incorrect argument. Space research actually allow us to understand ways to protect life on Earth, and what went wrong on other worlds. Earth and Space research are complementary, not competitors.
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Center for Space Environmentalism @space-environment.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
"Nearly all controlled ozone-depleting substances have been phased out. Low-Earth orbit is now creating a different source of reactive material. ... The concern is scientifically plausible, but its scale remains unsettled." spacedaily.com/t-satellite-... #SpaceEnvironment #Ozone #Space
spacedaily.com
The world banned CFCs and put the ozone layer on a path to recovery. Now thousands of dying satellites are introducing aluminium oxide nanoparticles into the upper atmosphere — particles scientists wa...
Satellite reentries are adding alumina nanoparticles to the upper atmosphere. The ozone-depletion pathway is credible, but current models disagree sharply on its scale.
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Alexandra Witze @alexwitze.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The Swift re-boost mission has failed. www.nasa.gov/news-release...
nasa.gov
NASA Updates Next Steps for Commercial Swift Boost Mission - NASA
Due to an ongoing commercial spacecraft attitude control issue, NASA and Katalyst Space announced Wednesday the LINK spacecraft will not capture or boost an
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
"Positioning a space-related idea, activity, product or policy as a benefit to “all humankind,” even if it could damage Earth or the larger cosmic environment, would be starwashing." Great article by Marissa E. Yingling
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Krista Elliott @kristaelliott.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
I used to yell about this a lot when working in wetland conservation. You can't only fund what's shiny or adorable, or entire ecosystems collapse.
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 06/08/2026
Like someone still has to be out there creating the knowledge the AI is going to chop up and regurgitate later on. I truly do understand that the technology can be powerful and transformative but it has to have something to transform. The research can’t all be just on improving the regurgitation.
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 06/08/2026
I understand that funding bodies want to go all in on AI as the shiny new innovation thing. But if all the grants start going to AI at the expense of everything else then the research sector is going to end up looking like a farm with dozens of threshers hacking away in a field with no wheat.
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AEMET @aemet.es · 03/08/2026
Las temperaturas en Europa occidental entre el 15 de mayo y 15 de julio fueron muy anómalamente altas en comparación con los mismos períodos de 1951-1980 y 1991-2020. Sin cambio climático habría sido prácticamente imposible alcanzar temperaturas tan altas durante esos dos meses.
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Center for Space Environmentalism @space-environment.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
We just filed a Reply Comment with FCC opposing Cowboy Space’s 20,000-satellite constellation. Instead of engaging with the science on atmospheric pollution and astronomy hazards, they relied on procedural deflections. Read our full filing here: www.spaceenvironmentalism.org/actions/publ...
spaceenvironmentalism.org
Reply Comment to the Cowboy Space Corporation consolidated opposition and r
July 30, 2026 Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 via ICFS Electronic Filing In the Matter of: Cowboy Space Application for “Stampede” Constellation ICFS File No. ...
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Meredith Rawls @merrdiff.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
We all do And if you're @sundogplanets.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy, sometimes workers show up at your neighbor's farm with a U-Haul to quietly take the space junk away
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astrafoxen @astrafoxen.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Amazing #arXiv pull today with new direct imaging of asteroid 44 Nysa. I just wanna say- WOAH WHAT THE HEY WTF IS THIS ASTEROID SHAPE?? What's with all those concavities?? And holy crap it's apparently a contact TRINARY with a half-kilometer-sized moon??? arxiv.org/abs/2607.25786
Surface features identified on Nysa in the 2026-02-15 SHARK-VIS dataset. Edge indentations are marked with pink ovals and shadowed features are marked with purple arrows. Each feature is marked with a corresponding letter; the measured size and description of these features can found in table 5 as shown below:

Feature	Type	Width (km)	Depth(km)
A	Crater/secondary basin	38	6
B	Crater	20	
C	Crater	35	
D	Crater	21	3
E	Southern cavity *	53	17
F	Northern cavity	44	5
G	Crater	17	
H	Crater	8	
I	Collum/Valley		
J	Collum/ValleyImage of the Nysa system taken by the Large BInocular Telescope on 2026-Feb-15 after processing with a blind deconvolution method. The position of the moon is marked with a pink arrow.
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Jonathan McDowell @planet4589.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
SWIFT reboost mission in trouble (but not game over yet) - LINK in multi-axis spin with two of three reaction wheels down.
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CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 27/07/2026
Just because there are challenges in trying to police Earth’s orbit, doesn’t mean it can’t be treated like a global commons. And sure, maybe many countries won’t sign into an “Earth orbit treaty”. Then, the UN can apply pressures at the global level to deal with that. We can’t just give up.
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CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 27/07/2026
There was a time when no international laws existed about the production and release of CFCs into the atmosphere. Then, scientists, experts and activists brought an excellent case forward, the United Nations listened and The Montreal Protocol was made. We’re not here to just roll over and give up.
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CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 27/07/2026
Nope. I don’t accept this position — that we are powerless to change the outcome of this mess. We have a small, time-critical window where we can collectively navigate through this. Also don’t forget, these are commercial entities that are selling products/services that are subject to laws.
space.com
Private companies could ruin the night sky for the entire world, and international law can't stop them
"The regulatory environment and regulatory framework has significant gaps and holes in it. Essentially, the technology is outpacing the regulatory environment."
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Sadly it's not just #JodrellBank losing funding, with deep cuts across the board for UK astronomy. One example is the HiPERCAM project whose funding has been entirely cut to save £50K/yr - peanut-levels of £s. Spectacular fast transient science lost, for what? 🔭😡 www.zmescience.com/science/astr...
zmescience.com
One of Astronomy’s Fastest Cameras May Stop Operating Over a $67,000 Funding Gap
The camera that checked JWST’s clock is losing its funding.
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Prof. Sam Lawler @sundogplanets.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 27/07/2026
"This is more than just a niche issue for astronomers. This is an issue that's going to affect the quality of life for everybody on Earth." www.space.com/space-exploration/sat…
space.com
Private companies could ruin the night sky for the entire world, and international law can't stop them
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can single-handedly approve space projects that will change the night sky around the world. The international community can do very little against it.
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Los bomberos forestales de la comunidad de Madrid llevan años avisando de esto. No se les ha escuchado. No hay medios. Sin prevencion vamos a vivir la DANA una y otra y otra vez. elpais.com/espana/madri...
elpais.com
Los bomberos forestales de Madrid vuelven a la calle y alcanzan 150 días de huelga: “La plantilla no puede más”
Los huelguistas exigen mejoras en sus condiciones laborales, con aumentos de salario y el fin de la temporalidad
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Alejandro S. Borlaff @asborlaff.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
NASA's Madrid Deep Space Communication Complex under smoke and flames from the forest fires in Spain. 24 July 2026.
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Center for Space Environmentalism @space-environment.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
"Space datacenters would release staggering levels of pollution that would probably alter the Earth’s atmosphere and be 'catastrophic' for the planet, space industry experts and environmental groups warn in a new petition demanding a review of their impacts." www.theguardian.com/science/2026...
theguardian.com
Space datacenters proposed by Musk and Bezos ‘catastrophic’ for planet, experts warn
New US petition demands review of plans from tech companies amid fears of environmental destruction
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Aurélien Genin @astroaure.eurosky.social · 21/07/2026
🛰️ La chute du périgée de LINK s'est arrêtée pour se stabiliser vers 348km. C'est le signe que le satellite manœuvre bien et arrive à contrôler son altitude 🥳 J'imagine que le satellite va continuer de laisser son apogée descendre et commencer à aligner son inclinaison avec celle de Swift
Evolution des paramètres orbitaux de LINK et Swift
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