In this episode of Astronomy Daily, join host Anna as she navigates through the latest cosmic developments, from NASA's ambitious Roman Space Telescope to groundbreaking advancements in satellite technology. This episode is filled with stellar news that will inspire your curiosity about the universe.
Highlights:
- NASA's Roman Space Telescope: Discover the exciting designs for the Nancy Chris Roman Space Telescope, set to launch in 2027. With a field of view 100 times greater than Hubble, this mission aims to unravel the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter while capturing over a billion galaxies in unprecedented detail.
- Amazon's Project Kuiper Launch: Learn about Amazon's successful launch of 27 Project Kuiper satellites, marking a significant step in the race for satellite Internet. With plans for over 3,200 satellites, Amazon aims to compete with SpaceX's Starlink network and enhance global broadband coverage.
- ESA's Biomass Satellite: Explore the European Space Agency's groundbreaking biomass satellite, designed to study Earth's forests and their role in the carbon cycle. This mission promises to provide vital data on carbon storage and help mitigate climate change impacts.
- China's Proposed Spaceport in Malaysia: Delve into China's plans for its first overseas launch site in Malaysia, which could revolutionize equatorial launches and enhance China's launch capabilities. This project holds significant economic and geopolitical implications for the region.
- Astronaut Don Pettit's 70th Birthday: Celebrate the remarkable return of NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who marked his 70th birthday with a dramatic descent back to Earth after 220 days aboard the ISS. Hear his reflections on aging, space travel, and the future of human exploration.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) . Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
00:00 - This week's Astronomy Daily features a stellar lineup of space news
00:36 - The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is scheduled to launch in 2027
03:08 - Amazon successfully launched 27 Project Kuiper broadband satellites on April 28
05:51 - European Space Agency has successfully launched its groundbreaking biomass satellite
08:52 - China is exploring the establishment of its first overseas launch site with a proposed spaceport
11:59 - NASA astronaut Don Pettit celebrates his 70th birthday with a space return
✍️ Episode References
NASA's Roman Space Telescope
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov/ (https://www.nasa.gov/) )
Amazon's Project Kuiper
[Amazon]( https://www.amazon.com/ (https://www.amazon.com/) )
ESA's Biomass Satellite
[European Space Agency]( https://www.esa.int/ (https://www.esa.int/) )
China's Spaceport in Malaysia
[China Great Wall Industry Corporation]( http://www.cgwic.com/ (http://www.cgwic.com/) )
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily]( http://www.astronomydaily.io/ (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) )
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-exciting-space-discoveries-and-news--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-exciting-space-discoveries-and-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .
Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/26856708?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 hello and welcome to Astronomy Daily i'm
00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 your host Anna bringing you the most
00:00:05 --> 00:00:06 fascinating developments from the cosmos
00:00:06 --> 00:00:09 right to your earbuds today we've got a
00:00:09 --> 00:00:10 stellar lineup of space news to share
00:00:10 --> 00:00:13 with you we'll explore NASA's ambitious
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 plans for the Roman Space Telescope
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 check in on Amazon's Project Kyper
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 satellite launches and learn about the
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 ESA's groundbreaking biomass satellite
00:00:21 --> 00:00:23 that's set to study Earth's forests from
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 space we'll also look at a potential new
00:00:26 --> 00:00:27 spaceport collaboration between China
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 and Malaysia and hear about astronaut
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 Don Pettit who recently celebrated his
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 70th birthday in quite the extraordinary
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 way returning from space so settle in
00:00:37 --> 00:00:38 for your daily dose of astronomical
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 wonders as we journey through today's
00:00:40 --> 00:00:41 space
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 headlines the NASA team behind the Nancy
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 Grace Roman Space Telescope has just
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 shared exciting designs for the
00:00:48 --> 00:00:51 mission's three core surveys set to
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 launch in 2027 this revolutionary
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 telescope represents a significant leap
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 forward in our ability to study the
00:00:58 --> 00:01:01 cosmos what makes Roman truly special is
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 its unprecedented field of view a
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 staggering 100 times greater than that
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 of the Hubble Space Telescope this
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 panoramic capability will allow
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 scientists to capture vast regions of
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 space in extraordinary detail opening
00:01:15 --> 00:01:19 new frontiers in astronomical research
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 according to Gail Zowski an associate
00:01:21 --> 00:01:23 professor at the University of Utah and
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 co-chair of the Roman Observations Time
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 allocation committee the telescope's
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 primary mission is to answer fundamental
00:01:29 --> 00:01:32 questions about dark energy dark matter
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 and planets beyond our solar system but
00:01:35 --> 00:01:36 perhaps more importantly it aims to
00:01:36 --> 00:01:39 equip space researchers with powerful
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 new tools and data for scientific
00:01:41 --> 00:01:43 investigation the three survey designs
00:01:43 --> 00:01:46 will account for about 75% of Roman's
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 observations during its 5-year primary
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 mission the largest of these is the high
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 latitude wide area survey which will
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 reveal more than a billion galaxies
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 across the lifetime of the universe by
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 studying the distribution and shape of
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 these galaxies scientists hope to better
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 understand dark energy the mysterious
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 force behind our universe's accelerating
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 expansion the second core survey the
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 high latitude time domain survey will
00:02:12 --> 00:02:14 repeatedly observe the same region of
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 space to track how celestial objects
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 change over time this will help
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 scientists study phenomena like black
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 hole formations stars falling into black
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 holes and other variable celestial
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 events unlike the outward-looking
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 surveys the third core project the
00:02:29 --> 00:02:32 Galactic Bulge Time Domain Survey will
00:02:32 --> 00:02:33 peer directly into the heart of our own
00:02:34 --> 00:02:37 Milky Way galaxy this deep detailed view
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 will allow astronomers to monitor
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 hundreds of millions of stars including
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 those potentially harboring habitable
00:02:43 --> 00:02:46 worlds julie Mckenry Roman's senior
00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 project scientist at NASA Gddard notes
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 that these survey designs represent the
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 culmination of two years of input from
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 over 1 scientists across more than
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 350 institutions worldwide the mission
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 promises to dramatically advance our
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 understanding of the universe and
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 deliver new insights into some of
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 astronomy's most profound
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 mysteries moving on now to a launch that
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 has successfully happened amazon has
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 officially taken a major step into the
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 satellite internet arena with the
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 successful launch of 27 Project Kyper
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 Broadband spacecraft on April 28th a
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 blasted off from Florida's Cape
00:03:24 --> 00:03:27 Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:01
00:03:27 --> 00:03:28 p.m eastern time carrying these
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 satellites toward their new home in low
00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 Earth orbit this marks just the
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 beginning of a massive deployment plan
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 amazon will need more than 80 planned
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 launches to fully build out the Project
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 Kyper mega constellation which will
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 eventually comprise over 3
00:03:46 --> 00:03:49 satellites orbiting approximately 392 mi
00:03:49 --> 00:03:52 above Earth's surface while impressive
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 this number still falls short of
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 SpaceX's Starlink network which already
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 has more than 7 operational
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 satellites and continues to expand
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 rapidly the competition between these
00:04:04 --> 00:04:07 tech giants is intensifying in fact
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 SpaceX launched its own Starlink mission
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 less than 3 hours before Amazon's launch
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 with another following just hours
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 afterward this pace highlights the
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 aggressive expansion of the satellite
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 internet market with multiple companies
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 racing to secure their position in
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 Earth's increasingly crowded orbital
00:04:23 --> 00:04:26 highways for Amazon this operational
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 milestone comes after an initial test
00:04:28 --> 00:04:31 launch last October when two prototype
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 satellites were sent into orbit to
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 validate the company's technology the
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 satellites launched now represent
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 significant improvements over those
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 early prototypes with enhanced
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 performance across all systems including
00:04:42 --> 00:04:46 phased array antennas processors solar
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 arrays propulsion systems and optical
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 interatellite links the company has also
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 addressed concerns from the astronomical
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 community by coating the satellites with
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 a unique dialectric mirror film that
00:04:57 --> 00:05:00 scatters reflected sunlight making them
00:05:00 --> 00:05:03 less visible to groundbased observers
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 this demonstrates Amazon's awareness of
00:05:05 --> 00:05:06 the growing concerns about satellite
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 constellations interfering with
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 astronomical observations
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 if all proceeds according to plan the
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 Atlas V rocket will deploy these 27
00:05:15 --> 00:05:18 satellites at an altitude of 280 mi
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 after which they'll use their own
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 propulsion systems to reach their final
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 operational orbit amazon expects to
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 begin providing initial coverage to
00:05:26 --> 00:05:29 customers later this year as the
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 constellation takes shape the majority
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 of the remaining launches will be
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 handled by ULA's Atlas V and its
00:05:35 --> 00:05:38 successor the Vulcan Centaur rocket
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 amazon has also diversified its launch
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 partners by signing deals with Jeff
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 Bezos's Blue Origin SpaceX and
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 France-based Aryan Space ensuring
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 multiple pathways to orbit as this
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 ambitious project moves
00:05:50 --> 00:05:53 forward next up in a significant
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 milestone for Earth observation science
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 the European Space Agency has
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 successfully launched its groundbreaking
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 biomass satellite designed to
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 revolutionize our understanding of the
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 world's forests and their critical role
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 in Earth's carbon cycle the satellite
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 lifted off aboard a Vega Sea rocket from
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 Europe's spaceport in French Gana on
00:06:12 --> 00:06:16 April 29th at 11:15 Central European
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 Summertime less than an hour after the
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 dramatic liftoff the satellite separated
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 from the rocket's upper stage as planned
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 mission controllers at ESA's European
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 Space Operations Center in Germany
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 received the crucial first signal at
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 1228 KST confirming that biomass is
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 functioning properly in orbit this
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 signal relayed via the Troll ground
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 station in Antarctica marked the
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 beginning of the satellites operational
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 life over the coming days controllers
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 will focus on the launch and early orbit
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 phase meticulously verifying all systems
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 and executing a series of intricate
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 maneuvers to deploy the satellites
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 impressive 12 m wide mesh reflector
00:06:54 --> 00:06:58 which is supported by a 7.5 m boom this
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 delicate unfolding process is critical
00:07:00 --> 00:07:03 to the mission's success what makes
00:07:03 --> 00:07:06 biomass truly revolutionary is its pband
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 synthetic aperture radar the first of
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 its kind in space this specialized
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 instrument can penetrate forest canopies
00:07:12 --> 00:07:15 to measure woody biomass the trunks
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 branches and stems where most forest
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 carbon is stored these measurements will
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 serve as a proxy for carbon storage
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 allowing scientists to track how much
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 carbon is being stored in forests
00:07:25 --> 00:07:28 worldwide forest play an absolutely
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 vital role in Earth's carbon cycle by
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 absorbing and storing vast amounts of
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 carbon dioxide helping to regulate our
00:07:34 --> 00:07:37 planet's temperature often referred to
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 as Earth's green lungs forests absorb
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 approximately 8 billion tons of carbon
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 dioxide annually however deforestation
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 and degradation particularly in tropical
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 regions are releasing this stored carbon
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 back into the atmosphere one of the
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 major challenges scientists and
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 policymakers face is the current lack of
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 accurate data on forest carbon storage
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 and how these stocks are changing due to
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 rising temperatures increased
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 atmospheric carbon dioxide and
00:08:04 --> 00:08:07 human-driven land use changes biomass
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 aims to fill this critical knowledge gap
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 the data collected by this mission will
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 significantly reduce uncertainties in
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 carbon stock and flux estimates
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 including those related to land use
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 change forest loss and regrowth beyond
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 carbon monitoring biomass will also
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 enable mapping of subsurface geology in
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 deserts ice sheet structures and forest
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 floor topography providing a
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 multifaceted view of our planet that has
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 never before been possible from space
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 developed by a consortium of over 50
00:08:37 --> 00:08:40 companies led by Airbus UK the biomass
00:08:40 --> 00:08:43 mission represents a new frontier in
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 Earth observation technology one that
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 promises to enhance our understanding of
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 forest's roles in the carbon cycle and
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 climate system for years to
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 come china is exploring the
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 establishment of its first overseas
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 launch site with a proposed equatorial
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 spaceport in Malaysia a move that
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 carries significant strategic economic
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 and geopolitical implications
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 the China Great Wall Industry
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 Corporation has signed a letter of
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 intent with the Pahang State Development
00:09:09 --> 00:09:12 Corporation and Larara Yangasa a
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 Malaysian private company actively
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 involved in the country's space sector
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 the Malaysian state government has
00:09:18 --> 00:09:21 agreed to a one-year feasibility study
00:09:21 --> 00:09:24 for the proposed spaceport in Pahang if
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 approved this ambitious project named
00:09:26 --> 00:09:29 the Pahang International Spaceport could
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 be completed within the next 3 to 5
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 years and create more than 2 job
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 opportunities along with substantial
00:09:35 --> 00:09:38 spillover economic benefits in tourism
00:09:38 --> 00:09:41 research and technology sectors what
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 makes this location particularly
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 valuable is its near equatorial position
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 situated at approximately 3 to 4° north
00:09:48 --> 00:09:51 latitude launching rockets near the
00:09:51 --> 00:09:53 equator allows them to benefit from
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 Earth's rotational speed enabling
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 heavier payloads and more efficient fuel
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 usage this natural advantage could
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 significantly enhance China's launch
00:10:01 --> 00:10:04 capabilities and reduce costs a
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 delegation from the Malaysian
00:10:05 --> 00:10:08 organizations is expected to visit Wong
00:10:08 --> 00:10:12 Space City in Hainan South China in May
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 to further discuss the project china
00:10:14 --> 00:10:17 Great Wall Industry Corporation which
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 operates under the state-owned space
00:10:18 --> 00:10:21 contractor Cassie is the sole commercial
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 organization authorized by the Chinese
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 government to provide satellites
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 commercial launch services and carry out
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 international space
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 cooperation while the Pahang
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 International Space Port remains in an
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 early tenative phase experts note
00:10:36 --> 00:10:39 several potential benefits for China new
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 launch facilities could help ease a
00:10:40 --> 00:10:43 bottleneck in China's access to space
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 particularly in terms of launch
00:10:44 --> 00:10:47 frequency the spaceport could provide
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 options for commercial and civil
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 missions though more sensitive missions
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 would likely remain within China's
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 borders for Malaysia hosting the first
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 spaceport in Southeast Asia would
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 represent a significant leap forward in
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 the country's technological capabilities
00:11:01 --> 00:11:04 and regional standing
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 during Chinese President Xiinping's
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 recent state visit to Malaysia in
00:11:07 --> 00:11:09 midappril the two countries issued a
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 joint statement recognizing the great
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 potential for strengthening cooperation
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 in the space sector aiming to jointly
00:11:15 --> 00:11:18 enhance space capabilities cultivate the
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 space economy promote technological
00:11:20 --> 00:11:23 progress and safeguard national security
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 there are challenges to consider
00:11:25 --> 00:11:27 including geographical issues related to
00:11:27 --> 00:11:30 airline flight paths shipping lanes and
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 overflight of neighboring countries
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 particularly Indonesia regional dynamics
00:11:34 --> 00:11:37 also come into play as Indonesia has
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 been making its own space policy moves
00:11:38 --> 00:11:40 lately highlighting the traditional
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 rivalry between these Southeast Asian
00:11:42 --> 00:11:45 nations if successful this project would
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 symbolize China's growing global
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 ambitions in space extending their
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 launch infrastructure beyond mainland
00:11:51 --> 00:11:54 China for the first time and potentially
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 reshaping the regional balance of space
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 capabilities in Southeast
00:11:58 --> 00:12:01 Asia finally today a celebration with a
00:12:01 --> 00:12:04 difference not many people celebrate
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 their birthday by burning a fiery arc
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 through the atmosphere pulling 4.4 4gs
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 in freef fall back to Earth thudding
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 into the ground and emptying their
00:12:12 --> 00:12:15 stomach on the steps of Kazakhstan but
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 that's exactly how NASA astronaut Don
00:12:17 --> 00:12:20 Pettit marked his 70th birthday making
00:12:20 --> 00:12:23 him the oldest person to endure such a
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 physically demanding return from a long
00:12:25 --> 00:12:27 duration mission pettit recently
00:12:27 --> 00:12:29 completed 220 days aboard the
00:12:29 --> 00:12:32 International Space Station adding to
00:12:32 --> 00:12:35 his impressive career total of 590 days
00:12:35 --> 00:12:37 in space the third most alltime among
00:12:38 --> 00:12:41 NASA astronauts just over a week after
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 his dramatic return Pettit met with
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 reporters at Johnson Space Center to
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 share his
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 experiences it's good to be back on
00:12:48 --> 00:12:51 planet Earth he said as much as I love
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 exploring space going into the frontier
00:12:53 --> 00:12:56 and making observations you do reach a
00:12:56 --> 00:12:59 time when it's time to come home pettit
00:12:59 --> 00:13:02 who first ventured to space at age 47
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 noted that while he has some creeks and
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 groans in his body he feels much the
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 same as he did 20 years ago the most
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 challenging aspect of returning to Earth
00:13:10 --> 00:13:13 isn't the strain on major muscle groups
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 but rather the smaller muscles that go
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 unused during extended periods in
00:13:17 --> 00:13:19 microgravity
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 a week ago I was on station doing really
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 heavy squats and deadlifts i could float
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 around with the greatest of ease even
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 though I had no trapeze i was at the
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 peak of my game Pettit explained and
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 then you come back to Earth and it's
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 like I can't even get up from the floor
00:13:33 --> 00:13:35 anymore it's
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 humbling interestingly Pettit found that
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 microgravity actually provided relief
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 from some of the typical aches and pains
00:13:41 --> 00:13:44 associated with aging i love being in
00:13:44 --> 00:13:46 space when you're sleeping you're just
00:13:46 --> 00:13:48 floating and your body all those little
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 aches and pains heal up you feel like
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 you're 30 years old again and free of
00:13:52 --> 00:13:55 pain free of everything having visited
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 the space station on all four of his
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 space flights Pettit expressed strong
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 sentiments about NASA's plans to
00:14:01 --> 00:14:04 de-orbit the facility in 2030 i'm a firm
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 believer we don't need to dump the space
00:14:05 --> 00:14:07 station in the ocean if we don't want
00:14:07 --> 00:14:09 to," he said comparing the potential
00:14:09 --> 00:14:12 longevity of the ISS to that of the B-52
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 bomber which will have been flying for
00:14:14 --> 00:14:17 nearly a century before retirement as
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 for his own future in space exploration
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 Pettit hasn't ruled out another mission
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 when the flight docs say I'm ready to go
00:14:24 --> 00:14:26 back I'm ready to do it john Glenn flew
00:14:26 --> 00:14:29 at age 76 and I'm only 70 so I've got a
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 few more good years left i could see
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 getting another flight or two in before
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 I'm ready to hang up my rocket
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 nozzles pettit described what he calls
00:14:37 --> 00:14:40 the explorer's paradox when you're in
00:14:40 --> 00:14:43 civilization you long for wilderness
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 when in the wilderness you miss your
00:14:44 --> 00:14:47 family it's a sentiment that has likely
00:14:47 --> 00:14:50 existed for as long as humanity has had
00:14:50 --> 00:14:53 people who go off into the wilderness
00:14:53 --> 00:14:55 and one that captures the unique calling
00:14:55 --> 00:14:58 of those who venture beyond our
00:14:58 --> 00:15:01 atmosphere well that wraps up another
00:15:01 --> 00:15:03 fascinating episode of Astronomy Daily
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 from NASA's Roman Space Telescope with
00:15:05 --> 00:15:07 its panoramic view of space 100 times
00:15:07 --> 00:15:09 greater than Hubble to Amazon launching
00:15:09 --> 00:15:11 the first satellites in its massive
00:15:11 --> 00:15:14 project Kyper Internet constellation
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 we've explored ES's groundbreaking
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 biomass satellite that will help us
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 understand forest carbon storage like
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 never before and China's potential first
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 overseas launch site in Malaysia which
00:15:24 --> 00:15:26 could revolutionize equatorial launches
00:15:26 --> 00:15:28 and who could forget astronaut Don
00:15:28 --> 00:15:30 Pettit celebrating his 70th birthday
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 with perhaps the most dramatic return to
00:15:32 --> 00:15:35 Earth imaginable thanks so much for
00:15:35 --> 00:15:38 joining me today i'm Anna and if you
00:15:38 --> 00:15:40 enjoyed today's episode I'd love for you
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 to visit our website at
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 astronomyaily.io where you can catch up
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 on all the latest space and astronomy
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 news with our constantly updating news
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 feed and listen to all our back
00:15:49 --> 00:15:51 episodes and don't forget to subscribe
00:15:51 --> 00:15:54 to Astronomy Daily we're available on
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00:16:03 --> 00:16:05 next time keep looking up and stay
00:16:05 --> 00:16:17 curious about our cosmic neighborhood
00:16:17 --> 00:16:20 stories told
00:16:20 --> 00:16:26 [Music]