00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily your daily
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 source for space and astronomy news I'm
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 Anna and today we've got an exciting
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 lineup covering everything from NASA's
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 crew changes which will have Sunni and
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 Butch coming home at last to
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 Interstellar visitors and lunar
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 exploration we'll be diving into some
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 fascinating developments in space
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 technology including strategic
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 spacecraft swaps at Nasa new Rovers
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 heading to the moon and intriguing
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 research suggesting we might have
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 visitors from alpha centor right here in
00:00:29 --> 00:00:30 our Cosmic B
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 backyard in a significant move to keep
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 space station operations on track NASA
00:00:36 --> 00:00:37 and SpaceX have announced their
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 switching up their spacecraft
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 assignments for the upcoming crew 10
00:00:41 --> 00:00:42 mission to the International Space
00:00:42 --> 00:00:45 Station which means Sunni and Butch will
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 be coming home a few days earlier than
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 planned instead of waiting for a brand
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 new crew Dragon capsule to complete
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 testing they'll be using the tried
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 andrue spacecraft endurance which has
00:00:56 --> 00:00:57 already successfully completed three
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 missions to the ISS
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 this strategic swap means we'll see the
00:01:02 --> 00:01:04 launch happening sooner than previously
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 expected with the mission now targeted
00:01:06 --> 00:01:09 for March 12th rather than late March
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 endurance was originally slated to carry
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 the axium space ax 4 private astronaut
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 Mission but NASA determined that using
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 it for crew 10 would better serve their
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 immediate needs the crew for this
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 Mission remains unchanged with NASA
00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 astronaut an mlan commanding Nicole a as
00:01:27 --> 00:01:30 pilot and jaxa astronaut takuya onishi
00:01:30 --> 00:01:33 and roscosmos cosmina kol pesov serving
00:01:33 --> 00:01:36 as Mission Specialists the switch
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 actually accelerates their Journey to
00:01:38 --> 00:01:39 the space station though it's worth
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 noting this is still later than the
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 original February Target date the
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 decision came after delays in completing
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 the new crew Dragon spacecraft with
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 NASA's commercial crew program manager
00:01:50 --> 00:01:53 Steve Stitch noting that human
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 spaceflight often presents unexpected
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 challenges this flexibility in
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 spacecraft assignment demonstrates the
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 vantages of having a reusable Fleet of
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 spacecraft at their disposal for those
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 wondering about the axium space mission
00:02:07 --> 00:02:08 it will now use the new crew Dragon
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 originally intended for crew 10 once
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 it's ready while this creates some
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 scheduling uncertainty for the private
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 Mission it ensures the critical crew
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 rotation for the International Space
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 Station stays as close to schedule as
00:02:21 --> 00:02:24 possible the Moon is about to get some
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 new robotic visitors as two exciting
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 Rover missions prepare for their lunar
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 Journeys in an interesting development
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 Venturi astrolab has stepped up to fill
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 a crucial vacancy in lunar exploration
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 plans they'll be sending their flexible
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 Logistics and exploration Rover known as
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 flip to the moons South Pole region
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 after NASA had to pull their Viper Rover
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 from the mission due to delays and cost
00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 overruns this commercial Rover will
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 hitch a ride on astrobotics Griffin
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 Lander heading to the noble region near
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 the lunar South Pole while flip isn't
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 carrying the same scientific payload as
00:02:57 --> 00:02:59 Viper would have it serves as an
00:02:59 --> 00:03:00 important test test platform for future
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 lunar operations the four-wheeled Rover
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 will explore the lunar surface during
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 the 2E period of lunar daylight testing
00:03:08 --> 00:03:09 critical technologies that will be
00:03:09 --> 00:03:12 essential for future missions meanwhile
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 NASA isn't sitting idle on the Rover
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 front the agency has just finished
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 preparing three suitcase sized Rovers
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 for their own lunar Adventure these
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 compact explorers are part of the Cadre
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 Mission that's Cooperative autonomous
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 distributed robotic exploration what
00:03:27 --> 00:03:28 makes these Rovers special is their
00:03:28 --> 00:03:31 ability to work together as a team
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 without constant direction from Earth
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 using Advanced software to coordinate
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 their movements and investigations the
00:03:38 --> 00:03:39 Cadre Rovers will be heading to a
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 different location the Riner gamma
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 region on the moon's near side they're
00:03:44 --> 00:03:45 equipped with cameras and ground
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 penetrating radar to study both the
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 surface and What Lies Beneath this
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 Mission could revolutionize how we
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 explore other worlds showing how teams
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 of small robots could support future
00:03:55 --> 00:03:56 astronaut missions by spreading out to
00:03:57 --> 00:03:58 gather data from multiple locations
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 simultaneously
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 both missions represent significant
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 steps forward in lunar
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 exploration while flip demonstrates the
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 growing capabilities of commercial space
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 companies to fill crucial roles in space
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 exploration Cadre showcases Innovative
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 approaches to robotic exploration that
00:04:15 --> 00:04:17 could become standard practice for
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 future missions across the solar
00:04:19 --> 00:04:23 system and in European space news today
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 arani space is gearing up for an
00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 exciting new chapter in European space
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 flight with their plans for the arani 6
00:04:29 --> 00:04:31 Rock ET their first commercial launch is
00:04:31 --> 00:04:34 scheduled for February 26th carrying a
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 French military reconnaissance satellite
00:04:36 --> 00:04:37 called
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 cs03 this marks the beginning of regular
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 operations for Europe's newest heavy
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 lift rocket following its successful
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 inaugural flight last July under the
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 leadership of their new CEO David koles
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 Ariana space has mapped out an ambitious
00:04:51 --> 00:04:54 launch schedule for 2025 they're
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 targeting five arani 6 launches this
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 year though most of these are planned
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 for the latter half of 201 25 after the
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 February Mission there will be a
00:05:02 --> 00:05:05 significant pause until August when
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 they'll launch the metop sgaa one
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 weather satellite for umat looking
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 Beyond this year arani space has set
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 their sights on reaching a regular
00:05:13 --> 00:05:16 Cadence of 9 to 10 launches annually
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 this increased launch rate is crucial
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 for serving their impressive backlog of
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 commercial customers particularly
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 Amazon's project Kyper constellation
00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 which has booked 18 arani 6
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 launches the company is also preparing
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 ing for an even bigger Challenge on the
00:05:31 --> 00:05:34 horizon the European Union's irs2 secure
00:05:34 --> 00:05:37 connectivity constellation will require
00:05:37 --> 00:05:40 13 launches of the powerful arani 64
00:05:40 --> 00:05:44 variant in just 2029 and 2030 it's a
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 demanding schedule that will Test the
00:05:45 --> 00:05:48 full capabilities of both the rocket and
00:05:48 --> 00:05:51 Ariana space's operations team this ramp
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 up in launch activity represents more
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 than just business growth for Ariana
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 space it's a critical step in
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 establishing European independent access
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 access to space and maintaining a
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 competitive position in the global
00:06:03 --> 00:06:06 launch market with each successful
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 Mission the arani 6 will help cement
00:06:08 --> 00:06:12 Europe's role as a major player in space
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 transportation in a fascinating
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 development that Bridges the gap between
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 Stellar neighbors new research suggests
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 that material from alpha centor our
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 closest neighboring star system could
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 already be present within our solar
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 system scientists estimate that up to a
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 million particles larger than 100 Meers
00:06:29 --> 00:06:32 in diameter from alpha centuri might
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 currently exist within our or Cloud the
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 alpha centuri system which includes
00:06:36 --> 00:06:39 three stars and likely several planets
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 is currently moving toward us at an
00:06:41 --> 00:06:45 impressive speed of 79 KM hour in
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 about 28 years it will reach its
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 closest approach to our solar system
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 coming within 200 astronomical units
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 of our sun recent simulations tracking
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 particle movements over 110 million
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 years have revealed some intriguing
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 possibilities
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 while only a tiny fraction of material
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 ejected from alpha centor actually
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 reaches our neighborhood the pathways
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 for this Interstellar exchange
00:07:08 --> 00:07:11 definitely exist out of over a million
00:07:11 --> 00:07:14 simulated particles about 350 made close
00:07:14 --> 00:07:15 approaches to our solar
00:07:15 --> 00:07:18 system however size matters when it
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 comes to Interstellar travel small
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 particles face significant challenges
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 during their Journey including magnetic
00:07:24 --> 00:07:27 fields drag from the interstellar medium
00:07:27 --> 00:07:28 and potential destruction through
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 collisions
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 the Research indicates that particles
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 need to be at least a few micrometers in
00:07:33 --> 00:07:36 size to survive the trip between Star
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 systems this discovery has exciting
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 implications for our understanding of
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 how material moves between solar systems
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 it suggests that our Cosmic neighborhood
00:07:45 --> 00:07:46 is more interconnected than we
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 previously thought if material can
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 travel between Alpha centor and our
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 solar system it could provide us with
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 direct samples of the building blocks
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 that formed their planets offering a
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 unique window into our nearest Stellar
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 neighbor without having to bridge the
00:08:02 --> 00:08:05 vast distance between us currently
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 scientists estimate that about 10
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 particles from alpha centor become
00:08:08 --> 00:08:11 visible as meteors in Earth's atmosphere
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 each year this number is expected to
00:08:13 --> 00:08:16 increase tenfold over the next 28
00:08:16 --> 00:08:20 years as Alpha centor draws closer to us
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 potentially offering future Generations
00:08:22 --> 00:08:23 even more opportunities to study this
00:08:23 --> 00:08:26 Interstellar material
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 firsthand well that's all for today's
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 episode of astronomy daily I'm Anna and
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 I've enjoyed bringing you these
00:08:32 --> 00:08:34 fascinating stories from across the
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 cosmos to stay up to dat with all the
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 latest developments in space and
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 astronomy head over to astronomy
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 daily. where you can sign up for our
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 free daily newsletter and access all our
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 previous
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 episodes whether you're interested in
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 crew missions to the ISS lunar
00:08:51 --> 00:08:54 exploration or Interstellar discoveries
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 we've got you covered follow us on
00:08:56 --> 00:08:57 social media to join our growing
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 community of space enthusiasts
00:08:59 --> 00:09:02 you can find us as Astro daily pod on
00:09:02 --> 00:09:06 Facebook X YouTube YouTube music and Tik
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 Tok thanks for listening and remember to
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 keep looking up there's always something
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 amazing happening in our universe see
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 you tomorrow for another episode of
00:09:14 --> 00:09:20 astronomy daily
00:09:20 --> 00:09:34 [Music]
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 St