In this episode of "Astronomy Daily," host Anna delves into exciting space and astronomy developments. She discusses NASA's Crew 10 mission to the ISS, highlighting the return of astronauts Suni and Butch and a strategic spacecraft swap. Anna also explores new lunar missions, including Venturi Astrolabe's "Flip" rover and NASA's CADRE mission with suitcase-sized rovers. European space news covers Arianespace's plans for the Ariane Six rocket and upcoming launches. The episode concludes with intriguing interstellar research suggesting material from the Alpha Centauri star system may already be present in our solar system. Stay tuned for more cosmic updates!
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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
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00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 amazing happening in our universe see
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 you tomorrow for another episode of
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