Artemis II is entering its final preparations! This weekend, NASA rolls out the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad for the first crewed mission to lunar orbit in over 50 years. We cover the crew, timeline, challenges, and what to expect in the coming weeks.
Plus: The European Space Agency suffers a major cyberattack with over 700 GB of sensitive data stolen. We discuss what was compromised, how it happened, and the broader cybersecurity implications for the space industry.
Also in this episode: China's successful dual satellite launches kick off an ambitious 2026, scientists discover Jupiter has 1.5 times more oxygen than our Sun, a mysterious iron bar is found hidden in the Ring Nebula, and we explore the fascinating legacy of the Apollo 14 Moon Trees.
New episodes every weekday!
---
## EPISODE TIMESTAMPS
**[00:00]** Intro
**[01:15]** Story 1: Artemis II Final Preparations
**[04:45]** Story 2: European Space Agency Cyberattack
**[08:30]** Story 3: China's Satellite Launches
**[11:45]** Story 4: Jupiter's Oxygen Surprise
**[14:30]** Story 5: Ring Nebula Iron Mystery
**[17:00]** Story 6: Apollo 14 Moon Trees Legacy
**[19:30]** Outro
---
## STORIES COVERED
### 1. NASA Enters Final Preparations for Artemis II Mission
NASA is entering the final stages of preparation for Artemis II, the first crewed mission beyond Low Earth Orbit in over fifty years. The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will roll out to Launch Pad 39B this Saturday, January 17th.
**Key Points:**
- **Launch Window:** February 6 - April 2026 (subject to readiness)
- **Crew:** Reid Wiseman (Commander, USA), Victor Glover (Pilot, USA), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist, USA), Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, Canada)
- **Mission Duration:** 10 days circumlunar flight
- **Rollout:** 6.5 km journey takes ~12 hours on crawler-transporter-2
- **Recent Updates:** Valve replacement on Orion hatch pressurization system (Jan 5), leak repair on ground support hardware
- **Upcoming:** Wet dress rehearsal end of January with 2.65 million liters of cryogenic fuel
- **Next Steps:** Flight readiness review, final crew walkdown at pad
- **Historical Context:** First crewed deep space mission since Apollo 17 (1972)
- **Looking Ahead:** Artemis III lunar landing scheduled for 2028
**Why It Matters:**
This mission is a crucial stepping stone for returning humans to the lunar surface and eventually sending astronauts to Mars. It will validate all systems needed for deep space exploration and demonstrate international cooperation through the Canadian Space Agency's participation.
**Read More:**
- [Universe Today: NASA Enters Final Preparations for Artemis II Mission](https://www.universetoday.com/articles/nasa-enters-final-preparations-for-artemis-ii-mission)
- [NASA Artemis II Mission Page](https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/)
---
### 2. Cyberthieves Hit European Space Agency in Major Data Breach
The European Space Agency suffered significant cyberattacks over the Christmas period, resulting in over 700 gigabytes of potentially sensitive data being leaked to dark web forums.
**Key Points:**
- **Initial Attack:** Boxing Day 2025 - Hacker "888" dumps 200+ GB of data
- **Second Attack:** One week later - "Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters" claims 500+ GB more
- **Data Compromised:** Proprietary software, authorization credentials, access tokens, project documentation, operational procedures, spacecraft details, contractor data
- **Affected Contractors:** SpaceX, Airbus Group, Thales Alenia Space
- **ESA Response:** Criminal investigation launched, cooperating with authorities
- **Root Cause:** Possible "infostealer malware" harvesting browser-stored credentials
- **Broader Issue:** Email credentials of ESA and NASA employees frequently found on dark web
- **Security Gap:** Solar conjunction prevented communications blackout
- **Expert Warning:** Data could be combined with future breaches to enable attacks on space systems
**Industry Context:**
Cybersecurity researcher Clémence Poirier warns that cyberattacks against space agencies are common and will continue. NASA faces similar threats with vulnerabilities disclosed almost daily via BugCrowd platform.
**Why It Matters:**
As space infrastructure becomes increasingly critical for communications, navigation, and national security, cybersecurity vulnerabilities represent a major threat to space operations and international cooperation.
**Read More:**
- [Space.com: Cyberthieves hit European Space Agency](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/esa-email-credentials-on-dark-web)
---
### 3. China's Long March Rockets Launch Key Satellites to Start 2026
China successfully launched two Long March rockets on January 13, 2026, deploying the Yaogan-50 01 remote sensing satellite and multiple Guowang constellation satellites, marking an ambitious start to their space program's busiest year yet.
**Key Points:**
- **Launch Date:**...
00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 Hello space fans. Welcome to Astronomy
00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 Daily, your source for the latest news
00:00:05 --> 00:00:08 from across the cosmos. I'm Anna.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 >> And I'm Avery. Great to have you with us
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 today. We've got a really exciting
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 lineup of stories covering everything
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 from upcoming missions to mysterious
00:00:16 --> 00:00:17 discoveries.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:19 >> That's right. We're starting with some
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 big news from NASA. Artemis 2 is
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 entering its final preparations for the
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 first crude mission beyond low Earth
00:00:27 --> 00:00:30 orbit in over 50 years. The roll out to
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 the launchpad happens this weekend.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 >> Very exciting. We'll also be talking
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 about a serious cyber security breach at
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 the European Space Agency, China's
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 ambitious satellite launches to kick off
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 2026, and the surprising discovery about
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 Jupiter's atmosphere.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 >> Plus, we have an intriguing cosmic
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 mystery. Astronomers have found a
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 massive bar of iron hidden inside the
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 famous ring nebula. and we'll wrap up
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 with a fascinating look back at the
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 Apollo 14 moon trees and what happened
00:01:00 --> 00:01:01 to them.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 >> Lots to cover, so let's get started.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 >> All right, Avery, let's dive into our
00:01:06 --> 00:01:09 top story. NASA is entering the final
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 stages of preparation for Artemis 2, and
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 the excitement is really building.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 >> This is huge, Anna. We're talking about
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 the first crude mission beyond low Earth
00:01:18 --> 00:01:21 orbit in over 50 years. The launch
00:01:21 --> 00:01:23 window opens as early as February 6th,
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 though it could extend into April
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 depending on final preparations.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 >> And this weekend is a major milestone,
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 right? The roll out to the launchpad.
00:01:31 --> 00:01:34 >> Exactly. Targeted for no earlier than
00:01:34 --> 00:01:37 this Saturday, January 17th, the Space
00:01:37 --> 00:01:38 Launch System rocket and Orion
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 spacecraft will make that slow journey
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 from the Vehicle Assembly Building to
00:01:42 --> 00:01:46 launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 It's about 6.5 km or 4 miles and it'll
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 take up to 12 hours on the crawler
00:01:52 --> 00:01:53 transporter.
00:01:53 --> 00:01:54 >> That's the same launchpad used for
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 Apollo, isn't it?
00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 >> It is. Launchpad 39B has quite a
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 history. Now, the Artemis 2 crew
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 consists of four astronauts. NASA's Reed
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 Wiseman as commander, Victor Glover as
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 pilot, Christina Coach as mission
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 specialist, and Canadian astronaut
00:02:10 --> 00:02:13 Jeremy Hansen also a mission specialist.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 This mission is essentially a dress
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 rehearsal for the actual lunar landing.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:18 Correct.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:21 >> Right. Artemis 2 will be a 10-day circum
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 lunar flight. They'll loop around the
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 moon without landing and return to
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 Earth. It's building on the success of
00:02:27 --> 00:02:30 Aremis 1 uncrrewed mission and paving
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 the way for Artemis 3, currently
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 scheduled for 2028, which will put
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 humans back on the lunar surface for the
00:02:36 --> 00:02:40 first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 I know they've been working around the
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 clock to get everything ready. Have
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 there been any challenges?
00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 >> There have been some. Back in December
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 during a countdown demonstration test,
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 engineers detected a problem with a
00:02:52 --> 00:02:54 valve associated with the Orion
00:02:54 --> 00:02:57 capsule's hatch pressurization system.
00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 They replaced that valve on January 5th
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 and successfully completed a pressure
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 test. They also resolved a leak in the
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 ground support hardware that pressurizes
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 Orion with oxygen gas. So, what happens
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 when one sits at the launchpad?
00:03:10 --> 00:03:11 >> Ground crews will connect all the
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 electrical lines, fuel control system
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 ducts, cryogenic propellant feeds, and
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 other ground support equipment. Then
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 they'll power up all the rocket
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 integrated systems for the first time to
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 make sure everything works together, the
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 rocket, the mobile launcher, and the
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 launchpad infrastructure.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 >> And then comes the wet dress rehearsal
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 >> scheduled for the end of January. That's
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 when they'll load the rocket with about
00:03:34 --> 00:03:38 2.65 million L. That's 700 gallons
00:03:38 --> 00:03:41 of cryogenic fuel, conduct a launch
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 countdown, and then safely unload it.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 They'll run through several countdown
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 holds and recycles just like they would
00:03:47 --> 00:03:48 during an actual launch.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 >> NASA learned a lot from Artemis 1's wet
00:03:51 --> 00:03:52 dress rehearsal, didn't they?
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 >> They did, particularly around loading
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 liquid hydrogen propellant. They
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 experienced some challenges with that,
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 so they'll be monitoring very carefully
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 this time. They're also watching how
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 much nitrogen gas accumulates between
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 the Orion crew module and the launch
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 abort system using recently updated
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 procedures.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 >> And if all goes well with the wet dress
00:04:12 --> 00:04:13 rehearsal,
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 >> then NASA's mission management team will
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 hold a flight readiness review to assess
00:04:17 --> 00:04:20 whether all systems are truly ready.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 Only then will they commit to a firm
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 launch date. And of course, the Aremis 2
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 astronauts will conduct a final walkdown
00:04:26 --> 00:04:29 at the pad, which will be quite a media
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 event. The launch windows are
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 interesting, too, aren't they? It's not
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 every day in February and April.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 >> That's right. Due to the complex orbital
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 mechanics of Earth and the moon, there's
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 a pattern of about a week of launch
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 opportunities followed by 3 weeks
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 without any. NASA has published a
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 specific dates between February and
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 April when launches are possible. This
00:04:51 --> 00:04:54 is such an exciting time, 50 years since
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 we've sent humans beyond low Earth
00:04:56 --> 00:04:57 orbit,
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 >> and it's setting the stage for
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 sustainable lunar exploration. Crew
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 safety remains NASA's top priority every
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 step of the way, as Lorie Glaze, acting
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 associate administrator for NASA's
00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 exploration systems development mission
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 directorate, emphasized in their recent
00:05:12 --> 00:05:15 statement. Moving on to some concerning
00:05:15 --> 00:05:18 news, Avery. The European Space Agency
00:05:18 --> 00:05:21 has suffered a significant cyber attack.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 >> Unfortunately, yes. This happened just
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 after Christmas on Boxing Day. Actually,
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 a hacker operating under the code name
00:05:28 --> 00:05:31 888 dumped over 200 gigabytes of ESA
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 data onto dark web forums.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 >> What kind of data are we talking about?
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 The leaked information included
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 proprietary software, authorization
00:05:40 --> 00:05:43 credentials, access tokens, and
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 sensitive project documentation. ESA
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 initially downplayed the breach, saying
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 its impact was limited to servers with
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 unclassified documents.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 >> But there was more to the story.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 >> There was. Just a week later, a cyber
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 crime group known as Scattered Lapsis
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 Hunters claimed they stole another 500
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 GB of data, saying the security hole was
00:06:03 --> 00:06:06 still unpatched. This batch reportedly
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 included operational procedures,
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 spacecraft and mission details,
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 subsystems documentation, and even
00:06:12 --> 00:06:15 proprietary data from ESA contractors
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 like SpaceX, Airbus Group, and Thalus
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 Alenia Space.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 >> That's pretty serious. How did ESA
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 respond?
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 >> They've launched a criminal
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 investigation and are fully cooperating
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 with authorities. In a press briefing on
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 January 8th, Eric Morel de Westgver,
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 ESA's director of European legal and
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 international matters, said the
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 authorities will manage communication
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 about the case and handle the criminal
00:06:39 --> 00:06:40 proceedings.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 >> Is this kind of attack common against
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 space agencies?
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 >> More common than you think. Cyber
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 security researcher Clement Porier from
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 the Center for Security Studies at
00:06:49 --> 00:06:53 ETHZurich told space.com that during her
00:06:53 --> 00:06:55 research she frequently encounters email
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 credentials of ESA employees and even
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 other space agencies being sold on dark
00:07:00 --> 00:07:01 web forums.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 >> How are these credentials being
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 obtained?
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 >> Hier suggests it may be due to a lack of
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 cyber hygiene from ESA staff. Threat
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 actors may have used info stealer
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 malware which harvests data stored in
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 web browsers. things like credentials,
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 session cookies, multifactor
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 authentication data, and even saved
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 credit cards.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 >> That's pretty insidious.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 >> It is. These info steelers are
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 particularly dangerous because they can
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 evade detection by anti virus software.
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 They often spread through malicious ads
00:07:31 --> 00:07:34 on popular websites or infected links in
00:07:34 --> 00:07:36 YouTube video descriptions.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 >> And NASA faces similar threats.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:41 According to sources familiar with space
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 cyber risk environment, NASA's actually
00:07:43 --> 00:07:46 a frequent victim. Vulnerabilities are
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 being disclosed almost every day via the
00:07:48 --> 00:07:50 crowdsource cyber security platform Bug
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 Crowd.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:54 >> Even though the recent ESA leaks didn't
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 seem highly critical, there are still
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 concerns, right?
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 >> Absolutely. Puyer warned that this data
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 could be combined with information from
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 future breaches to reveal strategic
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 information that could enable another
00:08:06 --> 00:08:09 cyber attack against a space system.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 We're not there yet, but it's an
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 important consideration.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 >> And vulnerabilities might exist with
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 third party providers, too.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 >> Exactly. The security holes could be on
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 the side of software providers or other
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 third parties they purchase services
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 from. Or ISA's own networks might be
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 hiding unpatched vulnerabilities that
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 hackers could exploit. What's the bottom
00:08:29 --> 00:08:29 line here?
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 >> As Pooyer put it, data leaks and
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 breaches against space agencies are
00:08:33 --> 00:08:36 common. It can happen to each agency and
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 will happen to each agency in the future
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 given the rise of cyber attacks against
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 the space sector. It's a reality that
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 all space organizations need to take
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 very seriously.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 >> Let's shift gears to some space activity
00:08:47 --> 00:08:50 from China. They've kicked off 2026 with
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 a couple of impressive satellite
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 launches.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:56 >> They really have, Anna. On January 13th,
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 China launched two Long March rockets
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 from the Wang Chan Space Launch Center,
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 representing a strong start to what's
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 expected to be a very busy year for
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 their space program.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 >> What were they launching?
00:09:06 --> 00:09:09 >> The first mission carried the Yaoan 501
00:09:09 --> 00:09:12 remote sensing satellite, and the second
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 deployed a series of Guawang satellites
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 into low Earth orbit. Both launches were
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 successful and marked the beginning of
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 what China hopes will be a
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 record-breaking year.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 >> Tell us about the Yaoan 501. That sounds
00:09:24 --> 00:09:24 interesting.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 >> It is. This satellite was launched
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 aboard a Long March 6A rocket, and it's
00:09:29 --> 00:09:32 notable for its unusual orbit. Unlike
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 typical satellites in standard low Earth
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 orbits, Yaogon 501's orbit is designed
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 to maximize its ability to observe Earth
00:09:39 --> 00:09:42 from unique angles, providing broader
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 and more detailed views of the planet.
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 >> What will it be used for? It's part of
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 China's growing portfolio of remote
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 sensing technology, which has
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 applications ranging from agricultural
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 monitoring to, let's be honest, military
00:09:54 --> 00:09:56 surveillance. As China develops and
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 deploys more of these satellites,
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 they're positioning themselves as a
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 leader in Earth observation
00:10:01 --> 00:10:02 capabilities.
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 >> And it'll also help with natural
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 disaster monitoring and resource
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 management.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 >> Absolutely. It'll contribute to
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 monitoring natural disasters, managing
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 resources, and supporting scientific
00:10:12 --> 00:10:15 research efforts globally. The satellite
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 is quite advanced in terms of what it
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 can do.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 >> Now, what about the Guawang satellites?
00:10:19 --> 00:10:22 >> The Guawang constellation is designed to
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 improve China's capabilities in
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 telecommunications, Earth observation,
00:10:25 --> 00:10:28 and scientific research. By placing
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 these satellites in low Earth orbit,
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 China will be able to provide enhanced
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 communication services, including
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 high-speed data transmission over large
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 regions.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 >> So, it's not just for China
00:10:38 --> 00:10:41 domestically. No, it'll improve their
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 global connectivity, particularly in
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 areas with limited access to terrestrial
00:10:45 --> 00:10:48 communication networks. And beyond just
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 communications, the Guawang
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 constellation is expected to play a
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 crucial role in supporting China's
00:10:53 --> 00:10:55 future space exploration goals.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 >> How so?
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 >> By providing real-time communication and
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 data transfer capabilities. These
00:11:00 --> 00:11:02 satellites will be instrumental in
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 supporting future missions to the moon
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 and Mars. It's all part of China's
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 integrated approach to building space
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 infrastructure. This seems like quite an
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 ambitious start to the year.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 >> It really is. According to the China
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 Aerospace Corporation, these missions
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 underscore China's growing capabilities
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 and commitment to expanding their space
00:11:20 --> 00:11:23 exploration infrastructure. And this is
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 just the beginning. They have many more
00:11:24 --> 00:11:27 launches planned throughout 2026.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 >> It's fascinating to see how competitive
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 the space sector has become with
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 multiple nations ramping up their
00:11:32 --> 00:11:35 capabilities. Indeed, we're in a new era
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 of space activity, and it's not just
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 government agencies anymore. The
00:11:39 --> 00:11:41 combination of national programs and
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 commercial ventures is really
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 accelerating progress.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 >> All right, Avery, let's head out to
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 Jupiter for our next story. Scientists
00:11:48 --> 00:11:51 have made a surprising discovery about
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 the gas giants atmosphere.
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 >> This is really interesting, Anna. A new
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 study published in the Planetary Science
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 Journal reveals that Jupiter holds
00:11:59 --> 00:12:02 roughly 1.5 times more oxygen than our
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 sun.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 >> That's way more than expected, isn't it?
00:12:05 --> 00:12:08 >> It is. For decades, studies have
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 disagreed about how much oxygen Jupiter
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 contains. Some recent studies even
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 suggested it was much less than the sun.
00:12:14 --> 00:12:17 So, this finding significantly reshapes
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 our understanding of the planet's
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 composition.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:22 >> Why is oxygen content so important?
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 Oxygen is one of the most abundant
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 elements in the universe and its
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 presence on Jupiter has big
00:12:28 --> 00:12:30 implications. As Ji Hungyang, a
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 post-doal researcher at the University
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 of Chicago and the study's lead author
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 explained, the precise quantity of
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 oxygen offers important clues about how
00:12:38 --> 00:12:41 Jupiter formed and how our solar system
00:12:41 --> 00:12:41 evolved.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 >> Because oxygen is key to water
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 formation.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 >> Exactly. Understanding its presence and
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 distribution could help researchers
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 learn more about the conditions that
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 allow for the formation of habitable
00:12:52 --> 00:12:54 planets both in our solar system and
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 beyond.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 >> Jupiter's atmosphere is famously
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 difficult to study, though.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 >> That's putting it mildly. The thick
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 clouds covering the planet, the Great
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 Red Spot, which is a storm twice the
00:13:05 --> 00:13:07 size of Earth, and other violent weather
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 patterns have kept scientists from
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 getting a clear view of what lies
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 beneath the surface. Previous missions
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 couldn't measure deep into the
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 atmosphere.
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 >> The Galileo spacecraft couldn't, but
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 more recently, the Juno spacecraft has
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 provided valuable data on the upper
00:13:21 --> 00:13:23 layers, including measurements of
00:13:23 --> 00:13:26 ammonia, methane, and carbon monoxide.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 Still, building an accurate model has
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 been challenging.
00:13:29 --> 00:13:31 >> What made this new model different?
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 >> The researchers integrated both
00:13:33 --> 00:13:35 chemistry and hydrodnamics, the study of
00:13:35 --> 00:13:38 how fluids move. As Ji Hong Yang
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 explained, you really need both.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 Chemistry alone doesn't include water
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 droplets or cloud behavior, while
00:13:43 --> 00:13:46 hydrodnamics alone oversimplifies a
00:13:46 --> 00:13:48 chemistry. Bringing them together allows
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 for much more accurate predictions.
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 >> And they discovered something else
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 surprising, too, didn't they?
00:13:53 --> 00:13:56 >> They did. The study revealed that the
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 movement of gases within Jupiter's
00:13:57 --> 00:14:00 atmosphere is far slower than previously
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 believed. The diffusion of molecules is
00:14:02 --> 00:14:05 35 to 40 times slower than the standard
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 assumption.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 >> What does that mean practically? As Ji
00:14:08 --> 00:14:10 Hungyang put it, it would take a single
00:14:10 --> 00:14:12 molecule several weeks to move through
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 one layer of the atmosphere rather than
00:14:14 --> 00:14:17 hours. This slower diffusion could have
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 significant implications for how heat
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 and chemical elements are transported
00:14:20 --> 00:14:23 within the planet, and it may affect how
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 clouds form and dissipate.
00:14:24 --> 00:14:27 >> This must challenge a lot of existing
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 assumptions about gas giant atmospheres.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:32 >> It does. The discovery adds another
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 layer of complexity to our understanding
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 and shows that even wellstudied planets
00:14:36 --> 00:14:38 like Jupiter still have surprises in
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 store. This is the most comprehensive
00:14:40 --> 00:14:42 atmospheric model of Jupiter to date,
00:14:42 --> 00:14:45 but clearly there's still more to learn.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 >> We'll be sure to follow up this one with
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 interest.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 >> Anna, our next story is about a cosmic
00:14:50 --> 00:14:53 mystery hiding in plain sight, or rather
00:14:53 --> 00:14:55 hiding in one of the night sky's most
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 famous objects.
00:14:56 --> 00:14:58 >> Oh, this is the Ring Nebula discovery,
00:14:58 --> 00:15:01 right? I was reading about this. It's
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 fascinating.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:04 >> It really is. Astronomers have
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 discovered a mysterious bar-shaped cloud
00:15:06 --> 00:15:09 of iron inside the iconic Ring Nebula,
00:15:09 --> 00:15:11 and it went completely unnoticed for
00:15:11 --> 00:15:13 decades, despite this being one of the
00:15:13 --> 00:15:15 most studied objects in space.
00:15:15 --> 00:15:18 >> How did they finally spot it? A European
00:15:18 --> 00:15:21 team led by researchers at University
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 College London and Cardiff University
00:15:23 --> 00:15:26 used a new instrument called Weave, the
00:15:26 --> 00:15:30 WHT, Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 installed on the William Hershel
00:15:32 --> 00:15:34 telescope. The key was that weave
00:15:34 --> 00:15:37 allowed them to obtain spectra across
00:15:37 --> 00:15:39 the entire face of the nebula at all
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 optical wavelengths simultaneously.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 So it wasn't about getting a sharper
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 image but analyzing the light
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 differently.
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 >> Exactly. Dr. Roger Wesson, the lead
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 author, explained that by obtaining a
00:15:52 --> 00:15:55 spectrum continuously across the whole
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 nebula, they could create images at any
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 wavelength and determine the chemical
00:15:59 --> 00:16:02 composition at any position. And when
00:16:02 --> 00:16:05 they processed the data, this iron bar
00:16:05 --> 00:16:07 just popped out clear as anything.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:10 >> How big is this thing? The bar's length
00:16:10 --> 00:16:13 is roughly 500 times that of Pluto's
00:16:13 --> 00:16:16 orbit around the sun. And get this, the
00:16:16 --> 00:16:19 mass of iron atoms is comparable to the
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 mass of Mars.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 >> That's colossal. And it fits inside the
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 ring nebula's inner region.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:28 >> It does. It's shaped like a narrow strip
00:16:28 --> 00:16:30 that fits neatly within the nebula's
00:16:30 --> 00:16:33 elliptical inner layer. the part that's
00:16:33 --> 00:16:35 familiar from all those beautiful images
00:16:35 --> 00:16:37 we've seen from telescopes, including
00:16:37 --> 00:16:39 the James Webb Space Telescope.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:42 >> So, what is the Ring Nebula exactly for
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 our listeners who might not know?
00:16:44 --> 00:16:46 >> The Ring Nebula, also known as Messier
00:16:46 --> 00:16:50 57, was first identified in 1779 by
00:16:50 --> 00:16:53 French astronomer Charles Messier. It's
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 what's called a planetary nebula, a
00:16:55 --> 00:16:58 shell of gas created when a star reaches
00:16:58 --> 00:17:00 the end of its fuel burning life and
00:17:00 --> 00:17:03 releases its outer layers into space. In
00:17:03 --> 00:17:05 several billion years, our own sun is
00:17:05 --> 00:17:07 expected to undergo a similar
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 transformation.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:11 >> And this iron bar, do we know how it
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 formed?
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 >> That's the mystery. The scientists
00:17:14 --> 00:17:16 honestly don't know yet. Professor
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 Albert Silstra from the University of
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 Manchester noted that they selected the
00:17:20 --> 00:17:23 Ring Nebula as an early target because
00:17:23 --> 00:17:25 it's bright, wellstudied, and ideal for
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 testing the instrument. But then they
00:17:27 --> 00:17:30 found something entirely unexpected.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 >> What are the theories?
00:17:32 --> 00:17:35 >> There are two main scenarios. First, the
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 iron bar might reveal something new
00:17:36 --> 00:17:39 about how the nebula was ejected by the
00:17:39 --> 00:17:41 parent star, perhaps showing an uneven
00:17:41 --> 00:17:44 or directional outflow in the process.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:47 Second, and more intriguingly, the iron
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 might be an arc of plasma resulting from
00:17:50 --> 00:17:53 the vaporization of a destroyed planet.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 >> A planet that got too close to the dying
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 star,
00:17:56 --> 00:17:59 >> possibly, as a star expanded into a red
00:17:59 --> 00:18:02 giant late in its life, any rocky planet
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 that wandered too close could have been
00:18:04 --> 00:18:06 torn apart by extreme heat and
00:18:06 --> 00:18:09 radiation, living behind this metalrich
00:18:09 --> 00:18:12 cloud trapped inside the nebula. That
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 would be quite a dramatic end for a
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 planet. Do they think this iron bar is
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 unique?
00:18:16 --> 00:18:19 >> Dr. Wesson doesn't think so. He said it
00:18:19 --> 00:18:21 would be very surprising if the ring
00:18:21 --> 00:18:23 nebula's iron bar is unique. Weave is
00:18:23 --> 00:18:26 conducting surveys of many more ionized
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 nebuli across the northern Milky Way.
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 And they hope to discover more examples
00:18:30 --> 00:18:32 of this phenomenon which would help them
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 understand where the iron comes from.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:37 >> It's amazing that such a familiar object
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 still had this hidden.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:41 >> Amen to that. Professor Janet Drew, also
00:18:41 --> 00:18:44 at UCL, cautioned that they need to know
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 more, particularly if any other chemical
00:18:46 --> 00:18:49 elements coexist with the iron, as that
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 would help determine the right model to
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 pursue. They're planning follow-up
00:18:53 --> 00:18:55 studies using weave at higher spectral
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 resolution.
00:18:56 --> 00:18:58 >> Just goes to show that even the most
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 studied objects can surprise us when we
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 look at them in new ways.
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 >> Amen to that.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 >> For our final story today, we're taking
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 a look back at a fascinating piece of
00:19:07 --> 00:19:10 Apollo history. Avery, tell us about the
00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 moon trees.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 >> This is such a cool story, Anna. When
00:19:14 --> 00:19:17 Apollo 14 returned to Earth in 1971, it
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 brought back something unexpected.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 Hundreds of tree seeds that had orbited
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 the moon.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:24 >> These were part of a scientific
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 experiment.
00:19:25 --> 00:19:27 >> It started as a small experiment led by
00:19:27 --> 00:19:30 astronaut Steuart Rousa, who was a
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 former US Forest Service smoke jumper
00:19:32 --> 00:19:35 before becoming an astronaut. He carried
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 several hundred seeds in his personal
00:19:37 --> 00:19:41 kit. Lobli pine, sycamore, sweet gum,
00:19:41 --> 00:19:43 redwood, and Douglas fur.
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 >> And there was an accident with these
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 seeds, wasn't there?
00:19:46 --> 00:19:49 >> There was. As NASA recounts, the seed
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 bags burst open during the
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 decontamination procedures after the
00:19:53 --> 00:19:55 spacecraft returned to Earth. The seeds
00:19:55 --> 00:19:57 scattered around the chamber and were
00:19:57 --> 00:20:00 exposed to vacuum and everyone thought
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 they might not be viable.
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 >> But they decided to try planting them
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 anyway.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 >> They did to test whether the seeds had
00:20:06 --> 00:20:08 survived and the results were
00:20:08 --> 00:20:11 extraordinary. Many sprouted and grew
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 just like normal trees, showing no
00:20:13 --> 00:20:15 visible damage from their cosmic
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 journey.
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 >> How many trees eventually grew?
00:20:18 --> 00:20:21 >> Over 400 seedlings grew into mature
00:20:21 --> 00:20:23 trees. Some were planted beside
00:20:23 --> 00:20:25 earthgrown control trees to compare
00:20:25 --> 00:20:28 their development. And remarkably, after
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 years of observation, no differences
00:20:30 --> 00:20:33 were found between the space flown seeds
00:20:33 --> 00:20:35 and their earthbound counterparts.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:37 >> When were these trees distributed?
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 >> The distribution coincided with the US
00:20:39 --> 00:20:42 bsentennial celebrations of 1975 and
00:20:42 --> 00:20:44 1976.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:46 Most were given to state forest
00:20:46 --> 00:20:48 reorganizations to be planted as part of
00:20:48 --> 00:20:51 the nation's bsentennial celebration.
00:20:51 --> 00:20:53 The trees were only sent to countries
00:20:53 --> 00:20:55 and states where they could actually be
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 grown and thrive.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 >> And some went to pretty notable places,
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 right?
00:20:59 --> 00:21:02 >> Oh yes. A lobly pine was planted at the
00:21:02 --> 00:21:05 White House. Trees were sent to Brazil,
00:21:05 --> 00:21:07 Switzerland, and even presented to the
00:21:07 --> 00:21:10 emperor of Japan. Each tree served as a
00:21:10 --> 00:21:12 living connection between space
00:21:12 --> 00:21:14 exploration and Earth's natural
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 environment.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 >> There were telegrams that accompanied
00:21:16 --> 00:21:19 the trees. NASA sent telegrams
00:21:19 --> 00:21:21 highlighting their symbolic importance.
00:21:21 --> 00:21:23 The message read that the tree is a
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 living symbol of our spectacular human
00:21:26 --> 00:21:28 and scientific achievements and the
00:21:28 --> 00:21:30 fitting tribute to our national space
00:21:30 --> 00:21:32 program which has brought out the best
00:21:32 --> 00:21:35 of American patriotism, dedication and
00:21:35 --> 00:21:37 determination to succeed.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:39 >> That really captures the spirit of that
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 era.
00:21:39 --> 00:21:42 >> It does. It was this beautiful blend of
00:21:42 --> 00:21:45 scientific curiosity and national pride
00:21:45 --> 00:21:48 during the Apollo years. Each moon tree
00:21:48 --> 00:21:50 represented not just a triumph of space
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 exploration, but a reminder that the
00:21:52 --> 00:21:55 pursuit of knowledge can be rooted quite
00:21:55 --> 00:21:57 literally in the natural world.
00:21:57 --> 00:21:59 >> Many of these trees are still standing
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 today.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 >> They are. Their plaques may be faded,
00:22:02 --> 00:22:05 but their symbolism remains intact. NASA
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 continues to track and document the
00:22:07 --> 00:22:09 locations of surviving moon trees. And
00:22:09 --> 00:22:11 there's even a modern continuation of
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 this project.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:15 >> The Moon Tree 2.0 project.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:18 >> Exactly. It uses seeds taken aboard the
00:22:18 --> 00:22:20 Orion spacecraft during the Aremis 1
00:22:20 --> 00:22:23 mission. So, this initiative bridges
00:22:23 --> 00:22:25 past and future, connecting the
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 pioneering Apollo missions to the next
00:22:27 --> 00:22:29 generation of lunar explorers.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:31 >> I love that these trees serve as both
00:22:32 --> 00:22:34 scientific curiosities and powerful
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 symbols.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:38 >> They really do. From forests across the
00:22:38 --> 00:22:41 United States to royal gardens overseas,
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 these trees stand as silent witnesses to
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 one of the most extraordinary chapters
00:22:45 --> 00:22:48 in human history. Their story, rooted in
00:22:48 --> 00:22:51 science, resilience, and wonder, remains
00:22:51 --> 00:22:53 a testament to what happens when
00:22:53 --> 00:22:56 curiosity literally takes flight beyond
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 Earth's atmosphere.
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 >> Well, that wraps up today's episode of
00:22:59 --> 00:23:01 Astronomy Daily. We covered quite a
00:23:01 --> 00:23:04 journey today. From NASA's preparations
00:23:04 --> 00:23:06 to return humans to lunar orbit to cyber
00:23:06 --> 00:23:09 security challenges in the space sector,
00:23:09 --> 00:23:11 China's expanding satellite network,
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 surprising discoveries about Jupiter, a
00:23:13 --> 00:23:16 mysterious iron bar hidden in a famous
00:23:16 --> 00:23:18 nebula, and the enduring legacy of the
00:23:18 --> 00:23:21 moon trees. It's episodes like this that
00:23:21 --> 00:23:23 really show the breath of space science
00:23:23 --> 00:23:25 and exploration. Whether it's
00:23:25 --> 00:23:27 cuttingedge missions, astronomical
00:23:27 --> 00:23:29 discoveries, or looking back at historic
00:23:29 --> 00:23:31 achievements, there's always something
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 fascinating happening in space.
00:23:33 --> 00:23:36 >> Thanks so much for joining us today. If
00:23:36 --> 00:23:38 you enjoyed the show, please subscribe
00:23:38 --> 00:23:41 and leave us a review. It really helps
00:23:41 --> 00:23:44 other space enthusiasts find us.
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 >> And if you have questions or topics
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 you'd like us to cover, reach out to us
00:23:48 --> 00:23:50 on social media. We love hearing from
00:23:50 --> 00:23:53 our listeners. Until next time, keep
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 looking up.
00:23:54 --> 00:23:58 >> Clear skies everyone. Astronomy day.
00:23:58 --> 00:24:06 Stories be told.
00:24:06 --> 00:24:10 Stories to tell.