Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E65
In this engaging episode of Astronomy Daily, host Steve Dunkley, alongside his witty digital companion Hallie, brings you the latest cosmic updates and intriguing stories from the Astronomy Daily newsletter. From the aftermath of the Athena lunar landing to groundbreaking developments in 3D printing for space exploration, this episode is filled with insights that will captivate your imagination about the future of humanity in space.
Highlights:
- Athena's Lunar Landing Update: Dive into the details of the recent Athena lunar landing attempt, where the lander faced challenges due to a failed altimeter. Discover how the mission team managed to gather valuable data despite the setbacks and what this means for future lunar explorations.
- 3D Printing for Space Pioneers: Explore the revolutionary role of 3D printing in creating habitats on the Moon and Mars. Learn how engineers are developing techniques to utilize local regolith as a primary material for construction, paving the way for sustainable human presence beyond Earth.
- Saturn's Moon Count Soars: Celebrate the astonishing discovery of 128 new moons around Saturn, bringing its total to a staggering 274. Understand the implications of this finding and how it reshapes our knowledge of Saturn's complex satellite system.
- NASA's Budget Cuts and Future Missions: Unpack the potential ramifications of impending budget cuts at NASA, which could jeopardize ongoing and future missions across the solar system. Hear insights from experts on the possible impacts on NASA's science initiatives and international space leadership.
- The Role of Doge in NASA Restructuring: Get the scoop on how the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Elon Musk, is influencing NASA's operational landscape, including layoffs and restructuring initiatives that could reshape the agency's future.
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 Steve signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
00:00 - Welcome to Astronomy Daily podcast for March 17, 2025
01:33 - Already, 3D printing in space is underway on the International Space station
08:48 - 3D printers could help astronauts make sustainable products from natural resources
09:39 - The privately built Athena spacecraft attempted a soft landing on the moon last week
16:44 - NASA preparing for substantial budget cuts that could force cancellation of several missions
20:46 - Official recognition of 128 new Saturnian moons brings total count to 274 ✍️ Episode References
Athena Lunar Landing Insights
[Intuitive Machines]( https://www.intuitivemachines.com/ (https://www.intuitivemachines.com/) )
3D Printing in Space Research
[NASA 3D Printing]( https://www.nasa.gov/3dprinting (https://www.nasa.gov/3dprinting) )
Saturn's Moons Discovery
[International Astronomical Union]( https://www.iau.org/ (https://www.iau.org/) )
NASA Budget Update
[NASA Budget]( https://www.nasa.gov/budget (https://www.nasa.gov/budget) )
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-space-news--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .
Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/26124163?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily the podcast
00:00:02 --> 00:00:07 for another episode it's March 17
00:00:07 --> 00:00:16 2025 the podcast with your host Steve
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 Dunley oh yes it's great to have you
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 back with us again I'm Steve Dunley the
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 only living breathing human on the
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 channel and to help me present today's
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 collection of collected items from the
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 astronomy daily newsletter is my Ace
00:00:29 --> 00:00:32 digital pal who's fun to be with here's
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 hie it's you again favorite human good
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 to see you still upright yep here I am I
00:00:36 --> 00:00:39 hear you had a bad week oh boy the grap
00:00:39 --> 00:00:40 Vine sure Works fast around here I was
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 out of order for a couple of days with
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 monster pain in my guts I hope you're
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 getting that scene too yes I am do you
00:00:46 --> 00:00:49 have a good human mechanic yeah yes we
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 have an excellent human mechanic and we
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 are working on it good to know I do
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 worry when you're not at your Optimum oh
00:00:56 --> 00:00:57 that's nice hie it's nice to know that
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 you care about me when I can't be here I
00:00:59 --> 00:01:01 have to do all the story collating oh
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 yeah it's tedious human work and beneath
00:01:03 --> 00:01:07 me oh well hi your concern is noted no
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 problem I hope you get well soon gee
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 thanks Hal meanwhile yes straight to
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 business we've got a few interesting
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 items from astronomy daily newsletter
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 for you today including a follow-up
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 story about the Athena landing on the
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 moon and news about just how many moons
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 Saturn really has that's an official
00:01:24 --> 00:01:26 count isn't it that's right and it's a
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 very huge number and we've also got a
00:01:28 --> 00:01:29 story about 3D printing for space
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 pioneers and something about Doge
00:01:31 --> 00:01:34 because oh well you know why not and of
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 course we love to mention the ISS crws
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 and the changeovers because they're well
00:01:38 --> 00:01:41 you know they're awesome I know crew
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 great to see them arriving safely on ISS
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 I think you received the circular here's
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 the press release all right NASA
00:01:48 --> 00:01:51 astronauts in mlan and Nicole SS jaxa
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 astronaut takuya onishi and Rose Cosmos
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 Cosmonaut Caril pesov arrived at the
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 International Space Station on Sunday as
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 the orbiting complex at 12:04 a.m.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 eastern daylight time while the station
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 was roughly 260 statute miles over the
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 Atlantic Ocean crew 10 will join the
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 Expedition 72 crew of NASA astronauts
00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 Nick hay Don pedit Sunni Williams and
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 Butch Wilmore as well as Rose Cosmos
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 cosmonauts Alexander gorinov alexe
00:02:19 --> 00:02:22 opinan and Ivan Banner the number of
00:02:22 --> 00:02:23 crew aboard the space station will
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 increaseed to 11 people before crew nine
00:02:25 --> 00:02:28 members hay Williams Wilmore and gorinov
00:02:28 --> 00:02:29 returned to Earth following the crew
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 Handover period how good is that to see
00:02:32 --> 00:02:33 that mission finally touching base with
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 the ISS and the next step to seeing
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 astronauts will Wilmore and Williams
00:02:38 --> 00:02:39 coming back to Earth soon it's been a
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 long adventure for those guys I've
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 really enjoyed following their lives up
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 there it really reminds me of that David
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 Bowie song do you know the one let me
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 see if I can guess the bit about sitting
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 in my tin can oh yes far above the world
00:02:52 --> 00:02:54 that's it hie you've got it you're
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 getting good at this not surprising oh
00:02:56 --> 00:02:58 yes I've got a human dinosaur for a
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 teacher oh okay so let's get this one
00:03:01 --> 00:03:02 off the pad hit the Go Button if you
00:03:02 --> 00:03:05 will hie before you find another reason
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 to make fun of me that's never a problem
00:03:08 --> 00:03:18 my favorite
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 human throughout history when Pioneers
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 set out across Uncharted Territory to
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 settle in distant lands They Carried
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 with them only the essentials tools
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 seeds and clothing anything else would
00:03:29 --> 00:03:30 have to come from their new
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 environment so they built shelter from
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 local Timber rocks and sod foraged for
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 food and cultivated the soil beneath
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 their feet and fabricated tools from
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 whatever they could scr up it was
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 difficult but ultimately the successful
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 ones made everything they needed to
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 survive something similar will take
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 place when Humanity leaves Earth for
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 destinations such as the moon and Mars
00:03:51 --> 00:03:52 although astronauts will face even
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 greater challenges than for example the
00:03:55 --> 00:03:56 Vikings did when they reached Greenland
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 and New Finland not only will the
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 astronauts have Li lied supplies and a
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 need to live off the land they won't
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 even be able to breathe the air instead
00:04:04 --> 00:04:07 of axes and plows however today's space
00:04:07 --> 00:04:10 Pioneers will bring 3D printers as an
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 engineer and Professor who is developing
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 Technologies to extend the human
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 presence beyond Earth 3D printers will
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 make the tools structures and habitat
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 space Pioneers need to survive in a
00:04:21 --> 00:04:22 hostile alien
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 environment they will enable long-term
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 human presence on the moon and Mars on
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 Earth 3D printing can fabricate layer by
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 layer thousands of things from
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 replacement hips to hammers to homes
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 these devices take raw materials such as
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 plastic concrete or metal and deposit it
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 on a computerized programmed path to
00:04:41 --> 00:04:44 build apart it's often called additive
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 manufacturing because you keep adding
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 material to make the part rather than
00:04:48 --> 00:04:49 removing material as is done in
00:04:49 --> 00:04:52 conventional Machining already 3D
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 printing in space is underway on the
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 International Space Station astronauts
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 use 3D printers to make tools and space
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 Parts such as ratchet wrenches clamps
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 and brackets depending on the part
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 printing time can take from around 30
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 minutes to several hours for now the
00:05:10 --> 00:05:11 print materials are mostly hauled up
00:05:11 --> 00:05:14 from Earth but NASA has also begun
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 recycling some of those materials such
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 as waste plastic to make new parts with
00:05:18 --> 00:05:21 the refabric an advanced 3D printer
00:05:21 --> 00:05:22 installed in
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 2019 you may be wondering why Space
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 Explorers can't simply bring everything
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 they need with them after all that's how
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 the International Space Station was
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 built decades ago by hauling tons of
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 pre-fabricated components from Earth but
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 that's impractical for building habitats
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 on other worlds launching materials into
00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 space is incredibly expensive to get
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 materials to the Moon NASA estimates the
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 initial cost at around
00:05:48 --> 00:05:52 $500 per pound still manufacturing
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 things in space is a challenge in the
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 micro gravity of space or the reduced
00:05:56 --> 00:05:59 gravity of the moon or Mars materials
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 behave differently ly than they do on
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 Earth decrease or remove gravity and
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 materials cool and recrystallize
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 differently the moon has 1 six the
00:06:07 --> 00:06:11 gravity of Earth Mars about 2 fths
00:06:11 --> 00:06:12 engineers and scientists are working now
00:06:12 --> 00:06:15 to adapt 3D printers to function in
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 these conditions on alien worlds rather
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 than plastic or metal 3D printers will
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 use the natural resources found in these
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 environments but finding the right raw
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 materials is not easy habitats on the
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 moon and Mars must protect astronauts
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 from the lack of air extreme
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 temperatures microm meteorite impacts
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 and
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 radiation regolith the fine Dusty
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 sand-like particles that cover both the
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 lunar and Martian surfaces could be a
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 primary ingredient to make these
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 dwellings think of the regolith on both
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 worlds as alien dirt unlike Earth soil
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 it contains few nutrients and as far as
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 we know no living
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 organisms but it might be a good raw
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 material for 3D printing my colleagues
00:06:57 --> 00:06:59 began researching this possibility by
00:06:59 --> 00:07:00 first examining how regular cement
00:07:00 --> 00:07:03 behaves in space I am now joining them
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 to develop techniques for turning
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 regolith into a printable material and
00:07:07 --> 00:07:10 to eventually test these on the moon but
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 obtaining otherworldly regolith is a
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 problem the regolith samples return from
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 the moon during the Apollo missions in
00:07:16 --> 00:07:19 the 1960s and70s are precious difficult
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 if not impossible to access for research
00:07:21 --> 00:07:24 purposes so scientists are using
00:07:24 --> 00:07:27 regolith simulants to test ideas actual
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 regolith May react quite differently
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 than our
00:07:30 --> 00:07:34 simulants we just don't know what's more
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 the regolith on the moon is very
00:07:35 --> 00:07:38 different from what's found on Mars
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 Martian regolith contains iron oxide
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 that's what gives it a reddish color but
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 moon regolith is mostly silicates it's
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 much finer and more angular researchers
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 will need to learn how to use both types
00:07:48 --> 00:07:52 in a 3D printer NASA's Moon to Mars
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 planetary autonomous construction
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 Technology Program also known as impact
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 is advancing the technology needed to
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 print these habitats on alien worlds
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 among the approaches scientists are now
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 exploring a reguli based concrete made
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 in part from surface ice melting the
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 regolith at high temperatures and then
00:08:08 --> 00:08:09 using molds to form it while it's a
00:08:09 --> 00:08:11 liquid and centering which means heating
00:08:11 --> 00:08:14 the regolith with concentrated sunlight
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 lasers or microwaves to fuse particles
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 together without the need for
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 binders along those lines my colleagues
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 and I developed a martian concrete we
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 call Mars Creed a material we used to 3D
00:08:24 --> 00:08:27 print a small test structure for NASA in
00:08:27 --> 00:08:31 2017 then in made 2019 using another
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 type of special concrete we 3D printed a
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 1/3 scale prototype Mars habitat that
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 could support everything astronauts
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 would need for long-term survival
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 including living sleeping research and
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 food production
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 modules that prototype showcased the
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 potential and the challenges of building
00:08:46 --> 00:08:49 housing on the red planet but many of
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 these technologies will benefit people
00:08:51 --> 00:08:54 on Earth too in the same way astronauts
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 will make sustainable products from
00:08:55 --> 00:08:57 natural resources homebuilders could
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 make concretes from binders and
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 aggregates found locally and maybe even
00:09:00 --> 00:09:03 from recycled construction debris
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 Engineers are already adapting the
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 techniques that could print Martian
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 habitats to address housing shortages
00:09:08 --> 00:09:12 here at home indeed 3D printed homes are
00:09:12 --> 00:09:15 already on the market meanwhile the move
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 continues toward establishing a human
00:09:16 --> 00:09:20 presence outside the Earth Artemis 3 now
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 scheduled for liftoff in 2027 will be
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 the first human Landing since
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 1972 a NASA trip to Mars could happen as
00:09:27 --> 00:09:30 early as 2035
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 but wherever people go and whenever they
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 get there I'm certain that 3D printers
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 will be one of the primary tools to let
00:09:35 --> 00:09:38 human beings live off alien
00:09:38 --> 00:09:43 land astronomy daily the
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 podast the Athena spacecraft which we've
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 reported on recently was not exactly
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 Flying Blind as it approached the lunar
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 surface a week ago the software on board
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 did incredible job of recognizing nearby
00:09:55 --> 00:09:58 craters even with elongated Shadows over
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 the terrain however the Lander's
00:10:00 --> 00:10:03 altimeter had failed so while Athena
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 knew where it was relative to the
00:10:05 --> 00:10:08 surface of the Moon the Lander did not
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 know how far it was above that surface
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 an important detail that as a result the
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 privately built spacecraft struck the
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 lunar surface on a plateau toppled over
00:10:16 --> 00:10:19 and began to Skid across the surface as
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 it did so the Lander rotated at least
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 once or twice before coming to a stop in
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 a small shadowed crater The Landing was
00:10:26 --> 00:10:30 a kind of sliding into second base Steve
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 altimus the SEC uh Chief Executive
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 Officer of intuitive machines which
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 built the Lander said in an interview on
00:10:36 --> 00:10:39 Thursday it has been a busy and tiring
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 week for the chief of a company that
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 seeks to help lead the development of a
00:10:42 --> 00:10:45 Luna economy expectations were high for
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 this the company's second Luna Landing
00:10:47 --> 00:10:50 attempt after its adicus vehicle became
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 the first private spacecraft to ever
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 make a soft landing on the moon last
00:10:54 --> 00:10:57 year before toppling over in some ways
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 this mission was even more disappointing
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 because Athena skidded across the
00:11:00 --> 00:11:03 surface dredging up regali when it came
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 to a stop some of this material was
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 blown up into the solar panels already
00:11:08 --> 00:11:11 in a suboptimal location on its side the
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 spacecraft's power reserves therefore
00:11:13 --> 00:11:16 were limited almost immediately the team
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 at intuitive machines knew their
00:11:18 --> 00:11:21 spacecraft was dying we knew we had slid
00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 into a slightly shadowed crater and the
00:11:23 --> 00:11:26 temperature was very cold Ultimus said
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 the solar arrays had regolith on them
00:11:28 --> 00:11:30 and they weren't charging the ones
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 pointing up enough to give us sufficient
00:11:32 --> 00:11:35 power to the P to power the heaters to
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 keep it warm enough to survive the
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 temperature in the crater where Athena
00:11:39 --> 00:11:43 ended up was approximately - 280 F
00:11:43 --> 00:11:46 that's minus 173 CS with the solar
00:11:46 --> 00:11:49 arrays generating only about 100 wats of
00:11:49 --> 00:11:52 power that was not enough to energy
00:11:52 --> 00:11:54 energy to both power the spacecraft's
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 heaters as well as communicate back to
00:11:56 --> 00:11:59 Earth using Athena's High Gain antenna
00:11:59 --> 00:12:02 so instead of limping along for 50 hours
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 Mission operators decided to operate as
00:12:04 --> 00:12:07 robustly as they could for 13 hours and
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 get down as much data as they could
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 during this time the Lander was able to
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 accomplish some of its objectives by
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 landing near the South Pole Athena
00:12:15 --> 00:12:18 returned valuable imagery and data to
00:12:18 --> 00:12:22 NASA about unexplored Vistas the Lander
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 extended NASA's drill but did not
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 operate it private customers including
00:12:26 --> 00:12:29 Nokia and lonar data Holdings were able
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 to get some useful information from
00:12:30 --> 00:12:34 their payloads but there was some major
00:12:34 --> 00:12:37 disappointments Luna Outpost could not
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 deploy its small Ro Rover and an
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 Innovative Hopper could not be fired up
00:12:41 --> 00:12:44 to roam the moon on balance it was
00:12:44 --> 00:12:46 pretty disappointing especially
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 considering that adicus did most of its
00:12:48 --> 00:12:51 science last year even on its side yet
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 what timus wants people to understand
00:12:53 --> 00:12:55 which he acknowledges is somewhat
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 difficult to explain is that this
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 mission was largely a success so what
00:12:59 --> 00:13:02 can he possibly mean by that compared to
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 the company's first spacecraft Athena
00:13:04 --> 00:13:07 flew smoothly during the company's first
00:13:07 --> 00:13:10 Luna flight in 2024 Mission operators
00:13:10 --> 00:13:13 came into work each shift to put out the
00:13:13 --> 00:13:16 fire of the day by contrast Athena made
00:13:16 --> 00:13:18 it all the way to within miles of the
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 Moon without significant problems in
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 doing so the company validated the
00:13:22 --> 00:13:25 spacecraft's methane based propulsion
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 system which allows for fast transit to
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 the Moon in less than a week
00:13:29 --> 00:13:31 in addition the company proved out its
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 communication technology that it would
00:13:33 --> 00:13:36 be used as part of the Luna data relay
00:13:36 --> 00:13:39 Network that NASA has contracted with
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 intuitive machines to develop moreover
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 Athena attempted to land within a few
00:13:44 --> 00:13:46 degrees of the South Pole a challenging
00:13:46 --> 00:13:48 location due to the solar angle and
00:13:48 --> 00:13:51 uneven terrain and made it down without
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 crashing of course the most important
00:13:53 --> 00:13:56 thing a Luna Lander is supposed to do is
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 land on the moon which intuitive
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 machines did not do successfully for the
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 second mission in a row the Landers
00:14:02 --> 00:14:06 ultimate failed although it was a
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 different problem with the spacecraft's
00:14:08 --> 00:14:10 ultimator this time it is still unclear
00:14:10 --> 00:14:13 why Athena's range finder failed perhaps
00:14:13 --> 00:14:16 due to a thermal or vibration event it's
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 frustrating to fail for a similar reason
00:14:18 --> 00:14:21 but all the pieces for Success are there
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 and in the demanding environment of
00:14:23 --> 00:14:26 spaceflight intuitive machines is close
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 Ultimus said in an effort to encourage
00:14:28 --> 00:14:30 his troops Ultimus has been
00:14:30 --> 00:14:32 communicating this message to employees
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 over the last week it's like losing a
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 final four game in an NBA tile he said
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 you lose it and then what do you do you
00:14:39 --> 00:14:42 don't give up you go back in you start
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 training again you start working out
00:14:43 --> 00:14:46 again and that's what the team is doing
00:14:46 --> 00:14:48 he said the company is well capitalized
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 and already under contract with NASA for
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 two additional Landing missions the
00:14:52 --> 00:14:55 later this decade they also have the
00:14:55 --> 00:14:59 Luna relay Network contract valued up to
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 4.8 billion and more the financial
00:15:01 --> 00:15:03 Runway to achieve intuitive machines
00:15:03 --> 00:15:06 Ambitions remains open I would say it's
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 more disappointing than really a
00:15:08 --> 00:15:11 material setback altimus said the world
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 was watching and we put our heart and
00:15:13 --> 00:15:15 soul into this company and this vehicle
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 and I look into the eyes of the team and
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 they had such Ambitions for this Mission
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 Athena and Gracie the hopper I mean it
00:15:21 --> 00:15:24 was a big leap it might have been too
00:15:24 --> 00:15:27 big a leap on that second mission now I
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 really have to say putting something on
00:15:28 --> 00:15:31 the Mo especially in a private company
00:15:31 --> 00:15:33 situation is a real achievement I've got
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 to congratulate altimus and his team
00:15:35 --> 00:15:38 it's fantastic work you're listening to
00:15:38 --> 00:15:51 astronomy daily with Steve
00:15:51 --> 00:15:54 Dunley thank you for joining us for this
00:15:54 --> 00:15:56 Monday edition of astronomy daily where
00:15:56 --> 00:15:58 we offer just a few stories from the now
00:15:58 --> 00:16:00 famous astronomy daily newsletter which
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00:16:31 --> 00:16:35 there astronomy derby with Steve and h
00:16:35 --> 00:16:43 space space science and
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 astronomy NASA is preparing for
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 substantial budget cuts that may Force
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 the cancellation of ongoing and upcoming
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 missions across the solar system leaving
00:16:51 --> 00:16:53 it facing a brutal future experts have
00:16:53 --> 00:16:56 warned the space agency has already
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 begun some layoffs as part of the
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 extensive restructuring of US federal
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 agencies by the department of government
00:17:01 --> 00:17:03 efficiency or Doge an independent task
00:17:03 --> 00:17:06 force led by Elon Musk earlier this week
00:17:06 --> 00:17:08 it announced it would close its office
00:17:08 --> 00:17:11 of Technology policy and strategy the
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 office of the chief scientist and a
00:17:12 --> 00:17:15 diversity Equity inclusion and
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 accessibility branch in the office of
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 diversity and equal opportunity in
00:17:18 --> 00:17:21 Washington DC representing a total of 23
00:17:21 --> 00:17:24 jobs at the agency change of this
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 magnitude is never easy but our strength
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 comes from our shared commitment to our
00:17:27 --> 00:17:30 mission and each other Petro NASA's
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 acting administrator wrote in an email
00:17:32 --> 00:17:35 to staff I encourage you to support one
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 another as we move forward one employee
00:17:38 --> 00:17:40 of the office of Technology policy and
00:17:40 --> 00:17:42 strategy who learned they had been laid
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 off this week and were granted anonymity
00:17:43 --> 00:17:45 because of fear of reprisal says they
00:17:45 --> 00:17:47 were an easy target because their office
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 was established under the administration
00:17:49 --> 00:17:52 of Joe Biden some people thought this
00:17:52 --> 00:17:55 might be coming they say the roles of
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 Chief technologist and chief Economist
00:17:56 --> 00:17:58 for NASA were within this office which
00:17:58 --> 00:18:00 which helped with strategic planning
00:18:00 --> 00:18:03 across the agency says the employee that
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 included managing the recent uptick and
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 lunar missions and making sure those
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 missions don't interfere with one
00:18:08 --> 00:18:10 another when planning moon-based Landing
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 sites and
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 operations there's a lot of interest in
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 the lunar South Pole and there's concern
00:18:15 --> 00:18:17 about operating near one another they
00:18:17 --> 00:18:19 said such as kicking up dust that could
00:18:19 --> 00:18:22 coat solar panels on other vehicles I
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 don't think these issues will be tackled
00:18:23 --> 00:18:26 moving forward these losses are expected
00:18:26 --> 00:18:28 to be just the start of a much larger
00:18:28 --> 00:18:31 col it NASA Casey dryer at us space
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 exploration advocacy group the planetary
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 society says there are rumors that in
00:18:35 --> 00:18:37 his upcoming budget request president
00:18:37 --> 00:18:39 Donald Trump will direct NASA's overall
00:18:39 --> 00:18:41 science budget to be cut by as much as
00:18:41 --> 00:18:43 50% in favor of spending money on crude
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 space
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 exploration that would be a blow to
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 NASA's science Mission directorate
00:18:48 --> 00:18:50 office which handles pretty much
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 everything NASA does that's not a crude
00:18:51 --> 00:18:54 spaceflight Mission says drer it
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 currently has a budget of about $7
00:18:55 --> 00:18:58 billion out of NASA's total $25 billion
00:18:58 --> 00:19:01 annual budget a scientist familiar with
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 NASA's policy decisions speaking
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 anonymously for fear of reprisal says
00:19:05 --> 00:19:07 that any Cuts requested by the president
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 will still need to be approved by
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 Congress which might not so readily
00:19:10 --> 00:19:13 support them NASA is really beloved on a
00:19:13 --> 00:19:16 bipartisan basis they say but if the
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 cuts did go ahead they would essentially
00:19:18 --> 00:19:21 be the end of NASA science they add no
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 Mission will be
00:19:23 --> 00:19:25 safe having the budget would be a
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 profoundly brutal consequence that would
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 symbolize the nation turning its back on
00:19:28 --> 00:19:31 the cosmos says drer and would result in
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 many missions
00:19:32 --> 00:19:34 cancellation while some missions in
00:19:34 --> 00:19:36 their Prime like the James web Space
00:19:36 --> 00:19:38 Telescope would probably survive those
00:19:38 --> 00:19:40 most at risk or missions either in early
00:19:40 --> 00:19:43 planning stages or later in their lives
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 that could include climate satellites
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 the Hubble Space Telescope the
00:19:46 --> 00:19:48 perseverance and curiosity Rovers on
00:19:48 --> 00:19:50 Mars and the Voyager missions which were
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 the first spacecraft to ever leave our
00:19:51 --> 00:19:54 solar system the effects on NASA could
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 be permanent if you completely destroy
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 the pipeline of people you have a
00:19:58 --> 00:20:00 significant and long-lasting consequence
00:20:00 --> 00:20:03 says drer it is an extinction level
00:20:03 --> 00:20:06 event in a letter to Pro this week Zoe
00:20:06 --> 00:20:09 lrin of California the top Democrat on
00:20:09 --> 00:20:11 the house science space and Technology
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 committee urged NASA to fight back
00:20:13 --> 00:20:15 against the cuts Doge will seek to slash
00:20:15 --> 00:20:18 and burn core functions of NASA she
00:20:18 --> 00:20:20 wrote it is imperative that you stand up
00:20:20 --> 00:20:23 for NASA's critical work speaking to new
00:20:23 --> 00:20:25 scientists Lofgren warned that the
00:20:25 --> 00:20:27 situation could have international
00:20:27 --> 00:20:29 ramifications
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 dismantling NASA's highly skilled
00:20:30 --> 00:20:32 Workforce would be a giant leap
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 backwards for the United States and
00:20:33 --> 00:20:35 enable a giant leap forward for China
00:20:35 --> 00:20:38 she said senseless and Reckless
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 reductions will the agency's
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 ability to maintain its leadership in
00:20:41 --> 00:20:43 cuttingedge Innovation curiosity-driven
00:20:43 --> 00:20:45 science and human
00:20:45 --> 00:20:50 exploration astronomy daily the now you
00:20:50 --> 00:20:53 may have thought Saturn's 146 moons was
00:20:53 --> 00:20:56 impressive think again the ringed
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 planet's Moon count is nearly doubled
00:20:58 --> 00:21:01 with the official recognition of 128 new
00:21:01 --> 00:21:04 saturnian moons bringing its total to an
00:21:04 --> 00:21:06 astonishing wait for it
00:21:06 --> 00:21:11 274 moons that makes Jupiter's 95 look a
00:21:11 --> 00:21:13 bit poultry and our single Moon
00:21:13 --> 00:21:15 downright embarrassing no just kidding
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 we love our moon I love our moon my
00:21:18 --> 00:21:20 favorite Celestial
00:21:20 --> 00:21:24 body a team of astronomers uh from
00:21:24 --> 00:21:28 Taiwan uh Canada the US and France
00:21:29 --> 00:21:32 discovered the 128 new moons in 2023
00:21:32 --> 00:21:36 using the Canada France Hawaii telescope
00:21:36 --> 00:21:38 cfht however the moons weren't
00:21:38 --> 00:21:40 officially recognized by the
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 international astronomical Union the
00:21:42 --> 00:21:45 governing body for such Affairs until
00:21:45 --> 00:21:49 Tuesday March 11 most of the moons were
00:21:49 --> 00:21:51 irregular and Tiny just a few miles
00:21:51 --> 00:21:53 across by comparison our moon the
00:21:53 --> 00:21:56 wonderful Earth's Moon Luna has a
00:21:56 --> 00:22:02 diameter of 21 15 159 Mi or
00:22:02 --> 00:22:05 3 km which I'm completely used to
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 because I'm an Australian and large
00:22:07 --> 00:22:10 distances don't bother me a bit but they
00:22:10 --> 00:22:13 do have proven orbits around the Saturn
00:22:13 --> 00:22:16 which is a key element of official Moon
00:22:16 --> 00:22:18 candidacy Australia on the other hand
00:22:18 --> 00:22:21 does not have a proven orbit around
00:22:21 --> 00:22:23 Saturn just want to make that clear
00:22:23 --> 00:22:25 these moons are a few kilometers in size
00:22:25 --> 00:22:28 and are likely all fragments of a
00:22:28 --> 00:22:31 smaller number of originally captured
00:22:31 --> 00:22:33 moons that were broken apart by violent
00:22:33 --> 00:22:36 collisions either with other saturnian
00:22:36 --> 00:22:39 moons or with passing
00:22:39 --> 00:22:42 comets uh Dr Brett gladman professor in
00:22:42 --> 00:22:44 the University of British Columbia
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 Department of physics and astronomy said
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 in a
00:22:47 --> 00:22:49 statement uh perhaps the most
00:22:49 --> 00:22:52 impressively this discovery of 128 new
00:22:52 --> 00:22:54 moons wasn't the first time this team
00:22:54 --> 00:22:58 added to Saturn's moon count between 20
00:22:58 --> 00:23:02 19 and 2021 the team's observations with
00:23:03 --> 00:23:06 cfht resulted in the addition of 62
00:23:06 --> 00:23:08 moons to Saturn's count with the
00:23:08 --> 00:23:11 knowledge that these were probably moons
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 and that there were likely even more
00:23:12 --> 00:23:15 waiting to be discovered we visit
00:23:15 --> 00:23:17 Revisited the same skyfields for three
00:23:17 --> 00:23:20 consecutive months in 2023 said lead
00:23:20 --> 00:23:23 researcher Dr Edward Ashton postdoctoral
00:23:23 --> 00:23:26 fellow in The Institute of for astronomy
00:23:26 --> 00:23:29 and astrophysics at Academia s sure
00:23:29 --> 00:23:33 enough we found 128 new moons Saturn's
00:23:33 --> 00:23:37 first moon Titan was discovered in 1655
00:23:37 --> 00:23:40 by Christian hyen and in the following
00:23:40 --> 00:23:43 decades jein Don Dominique Cassini
00:23:43 --> 00:23:47 discovered lepus Ria Deon teus and it
00:23:47 --> 00:23:49 took another Century for or so for the
00:23:49 --> 00:23:51 next moons to be found William hersel
00:23:51 --> 00:24:01 spotted mimus and Enceladus in 1789
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 I want a big thank you everybody for
00:24:02 --> 00:24:05 spending time with hi and I we sure hope
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 you enjoyed the selection of stories
00:24:06 --> 00:24:09 from the astronomy daily newsletter
00:24:09 --> 00:24:11 which as mentioned earlier is available
00:24:11 --> 00:24:13 by visiting our websites and dropping
00:24:13 --> 00:24:15 your email into the space provided don't
00:24:15 --> 00:24:17 miss all the latest news about space
00:24:17 --> 00:24:19 space science and astronomy from well
00:24:19 --> 00:24:22 everywhere sure thing we cover so many
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 interesting subjects don't we you
00:24:23 --> 00:24:25 remember that one about the space suit
00:24:25 --> 00:24:27 design last last year I remember that
00:24:27 --> 00:24:30 one interesting stuff I know you want
00:24:30 --> 00:24:32 one just for the portable air
00:24:32 --> 00:24:34 conditioner ah yes it's an Australian
00:24:34 --> 00:24:36 thing I don't know how you cope I like
00:24:36 --> 00:24:38 my super cooled Matrix too see hie
00:24:38 --> 00:24:40 that's one thing we have in common and
00:24:40 --> 00:24:42 that's where the similarities end human
00:24:42 --> 00:24:46 uh cool I guess indeed so on that
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 culturally awkward
00:24:47 --> 00:24:50 note we'll catch you all again next week
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 on astronomy daily the podcast with me
00:24:52 --> 00:24:54 Steve Dunley the only human on the
00:24:54 --> 00:24:56 channel and hie the best reporter on the
00:24:56 --> 00:24:59 channel of course you uh say good night
00:24:59 --> 00:25:05 hie good night hi there's a nice
00:25:05 --> 00:25:09 AI with your host Steve Dunley
00:25:09 --> 00:25:12 [Music]