00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily I'm your host
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 Anna today we've got a packed episode
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 covering India's ambitious new space
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 projects spacex's plans to catch
00:00:08 --> 00:00:11 Starship exciting discoveries about
00:00:11 --> 00:00:13 water on the moon groundbreaking
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 observations from a new x-ray telescope
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 and concerns about satellite
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 interference with radio astronomy let's
00:00:19 --> 00:00:22 Dive Right In First up today India has
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 recently greenlit an ambitious slate of
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 space projects showcasing its commitment
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 to becoming a major player in space
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 exploration the Indian government has
00:00:30 --> 00:00:34 allocated a substantial $2.7 billion for
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 these Endeavors which are set to push
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 the boundaries of the nation's space
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 capabilities at the Forefront of these
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 plans is the chandron 4 Mission a bold
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 lunar sample return effort aimed at
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 collecting material from the moon's
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 South polar region this Mission Builds
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 on the success of chandron 3 and
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 demonstrates India's growing expertise
00:00:53 --> 00:00:56 in lunar exploration equally exciting is
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 India's approval of its first Venus
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 Orbiter Mission known as shuk on while
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 initially planned for an earlier launch
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 the mission is now targeted for 2028
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 this Venture will allow India to join
00:01:08 --> 00:01:09 the select group of Nations that have
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 sent spacecraft to our planetary
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 neighbor perhaps most ambitious is
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 India's plan to develop its first space
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 station module named the paraa anic
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 station or Bas this project signifies
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 India's aspirations for a long-term
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 human presence in Space the first module
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 is slated for launch by the end of 2028
00:01:28 --> 00:01:30 with full operational status expected Ed
00:01:30 --> 00:01:32 by 2035 these projects not only
00:01:32 --> 00:01:34 highlight India's technological
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 advancements but also underscore its
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 determination to become a key player in
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 the global space Arena let's delve
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 deeper into India's ambitious chreon 4
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 Mission this lunar sample return
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 Endeavor is set to be a complex
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 operation involving four modules
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 launched across two separate rocket
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 flights the first launch will carry a
00:01:52 --> 00:01:53 Lander and a sample collecting a sender
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 vehicle targeting the lunar South Pole
00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 region the second launch will deliver a
00:01:58 --> 00:02:00 transfer module and a re-entry module to
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 lunar orbit the mission's primary goal
00:02:03 --> 00:02:04 is to collect lunar samples from shiv
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 Shakti point where the chandran 3
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 spacecraft previously landed once
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 collected the Ascender will launch from
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 the moon's surface and transfer its
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 Precious Cargo to the re-entry module
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 this module will then make the crucial
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 Journey back to Earth aiming for a safe
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 touchdown with the lunar samples intact
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 this ambitious project not only pushes
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 India's space capabilities but also sets
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 the stage for future crude missions to
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 the moon the technology de veloped and
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 tested during chandron 4 will be
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 critical for India's goal of Landing
00:02:34 --> 00:02:37 astronauts on the lunar Surface by 2040
00:02:37 --> 00:02:39 an India space Ambitions continue to
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 grow with plans now approved for the
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 country's first space station module the
00:02:43 --> 00:02:46 module named bays1 is set to launch by
00:02:46 --> 00:02:49 December 2028 this marks a significant
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 step for India's space program as they
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 aim to have a fully operational space
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 station by 2035 meanwhile India's Venus
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 Orbiter Mission known as shukraan has
00:02:59 --> 00:03:00 faced some delay
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 originally planned for an earlier launch
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 the mission is now targeted for March
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 2028 the Orbiter will carry a suite of
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 scientific instruments to study Venus's
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 atmosphere geology and evolution these
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 projects along with the chandrian 4
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 Mission we just discussed demonstrate
00:03:16 --> 00:03:17 India's commitment to becoming a major
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 player in space exploration with a
00:03:20 --> 00:03:23 budget of nearly $150 million allocated
00:03:23 --> 00:03:25 for the Venus Mission alone it's clear
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 that India is investing heavily in its
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 space future next up SpaceX is gearing
00:03:30 --> 00:03:31 up for another groundbreaking
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 achievement in space flight history with
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 their upcoming Starship test flight the
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 company plans to attempt something truly
00:03:38 --> 00:03:41 revolutionary catching the massive super
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 heavy first stage booster using the
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 Chopstick arms of the launch Tower at
00:03:45 --> 00:03:48 their Star based facility in Texas this
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 ambitious maneuver if successful would
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 take rocket reusability to the next
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 level instead of landing on a ship at
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 sea or a designated pad catching the
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 booster right on the launch Mount could
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 dramatically reduce turn around time
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 between flights SpaceX has been
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 practicing with these Tower arms
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 designed to lift both stages of Starship
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 recent photos show them raising the
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 super heavy booster to the expected
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 catch height while SpaceX says they've
00:04:13 --> 00:04:14 been ready for this next test flight
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 since early August regulatory reviews
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 have delayed the launch the FAA isn't
00:04:20 --> 00:04:21 expected to complete its assessment
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 until late November at the earliest when
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 it does fly this will be starship's
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 fifth test flight each previous Mission
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 has shown improvement with the last one
00:04:30 --> 00:04:31 reaching orbital velocity before a
00:04:31 --> 00:04:34 successful splash down of both stages if
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 SpaceX can pull off this catch it would
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 be a major milestone in their quest to
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 make Starship rapidly and fully reusable
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 a key to their goals of affordable space
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 access and eventual Mars colonization
00:04:46 --> 00:04:47 and let's take a look now at what's
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 going on in China Chinese private space
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 companies are making significant strides
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 in developing reusable rocket technology
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 two firms deep blue Aerospace and
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 landspace have recently conducted
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 impressive high altitude hop tests with
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 their prototype Vehicles landspace
00:05:02 --> 00:05:03 achieved a notable milestone in late
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 August with its jqu 3 Hopper prototype
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 the vehicle soared to an altitude of 10
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 km during a 200se second flight that
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 included a crucial engine reignition
00:05:13 --> 00:05:17 test the single tan 12b engine performed
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 flawlessly accurately Landing just 1.2 M
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 from the center of the pad not to be
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 outdone deep blue Aros space is
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 preparing for its own high altitude test
00:05:26 --> 00:05:27 their Shing Yan one first stage
00:05:27 --> 00:05:30 prototype also known as nebula 1 1 is
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 being Reed for a flight between 5 and 10
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 km this follows successful lower
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 altitude tests with their subscale
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 nebula M vehicle both companies are
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 aiming to develop fully reusable orbital
00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 launchers lands space's finished jk3
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 will stand taller than a falcon 9 at
00:05:46 --> 00:05:49 nearly 77 M powered by nine methane
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 fueled engines deep blue's shingan 1
00:05:52 --> 00:05:53 will feature nine kerosene burning
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 engines in a configuration similar to
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 the Falcon 9 these tests represent
00:05:58 --> 00:05:59 significant progress for China ch's
00:05:59 --> 00:06:02 commercial space sector as they work
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 towards costeffective reusable launch
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 capabilities to serve the growing demand
00:06:06 --> 00:06:07 for satellite
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 deployment new research has revealed
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 that water is far more abundant on the
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 moon than previously thought a study
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 Based on data from NASA's Moon mineraly
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 mapper has shown that water and hydroxy
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 molecules are widespread across the
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 lunar surface not just confined to the
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 poles as once believed the analysis
00:06:25 --> 00:06:27 found water hidden in ice deposits in
00:06:27 --> 00:06:30 shaded areas and inside enriched rocks
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 interestingly hydroxy molecules which
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 are components of water form when solar
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 protons interact with oxygen in the
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 lunar regolith these findings suggest
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 that future astronauts may be able to
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 find Water Resources even near the
00:06:42 --> 00:06:45 moon's equator two types of lunar rocks
00:06:45 --> 00:06:46 were identified as potential water
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 sources the dark marab basalts are
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 relatively dry while the anorthosite
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 rocks found in the lunar Highlands
00:06:52 --> 00:06:55 contain more water heating these rocks
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 could potentially provide a long-lasting
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 water supply for lunar missions
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 while Polar Ice deposits Remain the most
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 accessible water source this new
00:07:04 --> 00:07:05 understanding of lunar water
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 distribution opens up possibilities for
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 more flexible Mission planning however
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 extracting water from rocks would
00:07:12 --> 00:07:15 require significant energy expenditure
00:07:15 --> 00:07:16 these discoveries are crucial for future
00:07:16 --> 00:07:19 lunar exploration and potential bases as
00:07:19 --> 00:07:20 they could reduce the need to transport
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 water from Earth understanding the
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 moon's Water Resources is a key step in
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 making long-term lunar missions
00:07:26 --> 00:07:29 sustainable Japan's x-ray Imaging
00:07:29 --> 00:07:32 inspect R roscopy Mission or xrism has
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 unveiled its first results and they're
00:07:34 --> 00:07:36 absolutely fascinating this Space
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 Telescope operated by jaxa with issa's
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 participation has captured stunning
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 observations of two Cosmic phenomena
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 first up xrism studied a super massive
00:07:45 --> 00:07:48 black hole at the heart of Galaxy NGC
00:07:48 --> 00:07:52 4 about 62 million light years away
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 the telescope tracked super heated
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 plasma circling the black hole at
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 distances as close as
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 0 light years this unprecedented
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 view is giving astronomers new insights
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 into how these Cosmic Giants feed and
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 grow but that's not all exuism also
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 turned its gaze to a supernova Remnant
00:08:08 --> 00:08:09 called N1
00:08:09 --> 00:08:12 132d in our Galactic neighbor the large
00:08:12 --> 00:08:15 melanic Cloud this Cosmic bubble of
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 plasma ejected from a massive star about
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 3 years ago revealed some surprises
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 instead of the expected spherical shell
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 The Remnant is more donut-shaped and
00:08:24 --> 00:08:27 expanding at a mindboggling 2.6 million
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 milph even more astonishing it's
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 temperature clocks in at a scorching 18
00:08:31 --> 00:08:34 billion de F these observations are
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 helping scientists better understand the
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 life cycles of massive stars and how
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 elements are distributed throughout the
00:08:39 --> 00:08:42 cosmos with over 3 proposals
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 submitted for future studies it's clear
00:08:44 --> 00:08:47 that xrism is just getting started in
00:08:47 --> 00:08:50 revolutionizing our view of the X-ray
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 Universe while starlink satellites have
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 already raised concerns about their
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 impact on visible light astronomy new
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 research reveals they may pose an even
00:08:58 --> 00:09:01 greater threat to radio astronomy recent
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 observations using the low frequency
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 array or low far have shown that
00:09:05 --> 00:09:08 spacex's second generation v2o mini
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 starlink satellites are emitting up to
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 32 times more radio waves than their
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 predecessors these unintentional radio
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 emissions are astonishingly bright about
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 10 million times brighter than the
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 faintest astronomical objects loar can
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 detect this means any radio telescope
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 observing when a starlink satellite
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 passes overhead could have its data
00:09:26 --> 00:09:29 completely overwhelmed as companies like
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 space X and one web plan to launch tens
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 of thousands more satellites astronomers
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 are increasingly concerned about the
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 future of radio astronomy without proper
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 regulations and cooperation from
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 satellite operators our ability to study
00:09:41 --> 00:09:42 the universe through radio waves could
00:09:42 --> 00:09:45 be severely compromised this underscores
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 the urgent need for dialogue between the
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 astronomy community and satellite
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 companies to find solutions that allow
00:09:51 --> 00:09:53 both internet access and scientific
00:09:53 --> 00:09:56 research to
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 coexist and that brings us to the end of
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 today's astronomy daily I hope you've
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 enjoyed this Cosmic Journey Through the
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 latest space and astronomy news thanks
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 so much for tuning in if you're hungry
00:10:06 --> 00:10:09 for more head over to our website at
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 astronomy
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00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 and Tik Tok this is Anna signing off
00:10:28 --> 00:10:31 until next time keep looking
00:10:31 --> 00:10:52 [Music]
00:10:52 --> 00:10:56 up um