Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E188
Welcome to another episode of Astronomy Daily, your go-to source for the latest in space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and today we're diving into a cosmic lineup of stories that span from SpaceX missions to innovative methods of studying solar storms and satellite mishaps.
Highlights:
- SpaceX Crew-8 Mission : After weather-related delays, SpaceX's Crew-8 mission is finally on its way back to Earth. The Dragon spacecraft, Endeavor, has undocked from the ISS, marking the end of a seven-month mission for its four astronauts. Tune in for live coverage of the splashdown and a post-splashdown news conference.
- China's Tiangong Space Station : China is preparing for its 14th manned mission to the Tiangong space station. The Shenzhou 19 spacecraft is set for launch, with the crew ready to conduct advanced scientific experiments. Discover how China's space program continues to evolve and expand.
- Boeing's Financial Setback: Boeing's CST-100 Starliner program faces another $250 million charge due to delays and costs. Despite mounting losses, Boeing remains committed to overcoming these challenges, emphasizing improved risk management.
- Tree Rings and Solar Storms : Researchers have found a novel way to study extreme space weather by examining tree rings. This method could enhance our understanding of solar storms and their potential impacts on Earth, offering insights for future preparedness.
- Miniature Monoliths in Space: Inspired by "2001: A Space Odyssey," miniature monoliths have traveled to space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard. This unique mission combines science fiction and reality, creating a collectible for sci-fi enthusiasts.
- Intelsat 33e Satellite Loss: Intelsat declares its Intelsat 33e satellite a total loss following a breakdown. The incident highlights concerns over space debris and the need for improved satellite durability.
For more cosmic news, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (https://www.astronomydaily.io) . There, you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, explore sponsor links for out-of-this-world deals, and catch up on all our previous episodes.
Join our celestial community on social media . Find us as #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTube, Tumblr, and TikTok . Share your thoughts and connect with fellow space enthusiasts.
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.
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily your go-to
00:00:02 --> 00:00:03 podcast for the latest in space and
00:00:03 --> 00:00:06 astronomy news I'm your host Anna and
00:00:06 --> 00:00:07 today we've got a packed episode
00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 covering everything from SpaceX missions
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 to solar storms and satellite mishaps
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 buckle up space enthusiasts because
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 we're about to embark on a cosmic
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 journey through today's most exciting
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 developments in the world of space
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 exploration and astronomical
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 discoveries after weeks of weather
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 related delays spacex's Crew 8 mission
00:00:29 --> 00:00:30 has finally begun it Journey back to
00:00:30 --> 00:00:33 Earth the dragon spacecraft aptly named
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 Endeavor undocked from the International
00:00:35 --> 00:00:38 Space Station yesterday at 5:05 p.m.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 eastern time this marked the end of a
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 prolonged stay for the four astronauts
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 aboard who had been eagerly awaiting
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 their return trip the undocking process
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 went smoothly as Endeavors separated
00:00:48 --> 00:00:49 from the station while orbiting about
00:00:49 --> 00:00:53 260 Mi above the Pacific Ocean now the
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 spacecraft is on a trajectory that will
00:00:55 --> 00:00:56 bring it back to our planet with a
00:00:57 --> 00:00:58 splash down expected off the coast of
00:00:58 --> 00:01:01 Florida early tomorrow morning around
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 3:30 a.m. eastern time this return
00:01:03 --> 00:01:05 Journey caps off the eighth long
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 duration NASA and roscosmos Astronaut
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 mission that SpaceX has conducted to the
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 ISS the crew consisting of NASA
00:01:12 --> 00:01:13 astronauts Matthew Dominic Michael
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 Barrett and Janette EPS along with
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 Russian cosmonaut Alexander greenin
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 launched on March 3rd and have spent
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 over 7 months in space their return was
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 significantly delayed due to poor
00:01:25 --> 00:01:26 weather conditions in the splash down
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 area primarily caused by Hurricane
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 Milton the storm's impact was so severe
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 that it even led to the temporary
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 closure of NASA's Kennedy Space Center
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 for those interested in watching the
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 splash down live NASA will be streaming
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 the event on NASA plus following the
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 touchdown a posts spash down news
00:01:44 --> 00:01:45 conference is scheduled for later in the
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 morning where we'll likely get more
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 details about the mission and the cruise
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 experiences while on the subject of
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 trips into space China is gearing up for
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 its 14th Mann mission to the tiangong
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 space station with the shenzo 19 space
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 set to launch in the near future the
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 spacecraft and its Long March 2f rocket
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 have already been moved to the service
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 Tower at the jquan satellite launch
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 Center in the GOI desert where they'll
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 undergo final checks before liftoff this
00:02:12 --> 00:02:14 Mission marks another significant step
00:02:14 --> 00:02:17 in China's ambitious space program as it
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 will be the eighth crew to live aboard
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 Chang gong while the names of the
00:02:21 --> 00:02:22 astronauts haven't been released yet
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 they'll be taking over from the current
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 crew who've been on board since April
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 what's particularly interesting about
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 this mission is the Evol ing nature of
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 the tasks assigned to the astronauts
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 according to Wang yanan Chief editor of
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 Aerospace magazine the shenzo 19 crew
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 will be undertaking more advanced
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 scientific and technological experiments
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 than their predecessors this shift in
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 Focus comes as the astronauts have
00:02:46 --> 00:02:47 become more familiar with life on the
00:02:47 --> 00:02:50 station and its systems are now fully
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 operational the tiangong Space Station
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 completed in 20122 is a testament to
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 China's growing space capabilities
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 orbiting about 400 km above of Earth
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 it's one of the most complex space
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 structures ever built consisting of a
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 core module and two science capsules as
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 China continues to push the boundaries
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 of its space exploration we can expect
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 to see even more ambitious missions and
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 groundbreaking research coming from the
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 tiangong space station in the
00:03:17 --> 00:03:20 future and now a look at Boeing's latest
00:03:20 --> 00:03:24 wos Boeing's CST 100 Starliner program
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 is facing yet another setback as the
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 Aerospace giant has announced a new $250
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 million charge against earnings in the
00:03:31 --> 00:03:34 third quarter this latest Financial hit
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 brings the total losses on the Starliner
00:03:36 --> 00:03:40 project to a staggering 1.85 billion the
00:03:40 --> 00:03:41 charge is primarily due to scheduled
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 delays and higher testing and
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 certification costs it's a significant
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 blow to Boeing's defense space and
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 security business unit which has been
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 grappling with challenges across several
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 fixed price programs despite these
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 mounting losses Boeing's new CEO Kelly
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 ortberg has made it clear that the
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 company won't be walking away away from
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 troubled programs like Starliner in a
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 recent earnings call ortberg emphasized
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 that abandoning such contracts is not a
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 viable option for Boeing instead the
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 company is focusing on improving its
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 risk management and working more closely
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 with customers to address potential
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 issues before they escalate ortberg
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 acknowledged that there's no quick fix
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 for these challenging contracts but
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 stressed the importance of seeing them
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 through this commitment to the Starliner
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 program comes at a time when Boeing is
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 also evaluating ways to streamline its
00:04:29 --> 00:04:30 business
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 while the core commercial Aviation and
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 defense sectors are safe the company may
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 consider divesting from some Fringe
00:04:36 --> 00:04:39 areas to improve efficiency and focus as
00:04:39 --> 00:04:40 Boeing continues to navigate these
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 choppy Waters the space industry will be
00:04:43 --> 00:04:44 watching closely to see how the
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 Starliner program evolves and whether
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 the company can turn the tide on its
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 substantial
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 losses now this is a pretty novel idea
00:04:52 --> 00:04:55 in a fascinating development researchers
00:04:55 --> 00:04:56 have uncovered a new way to study
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 extreme space weather events by
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 examining tree Rings this discovery
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 could revolutionize our understanding of
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 solar storms and their potential impacts
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 on Earth solar storms while often
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 providing us with beautiful auroral
00:05:08 --> 00:05:11 displays can pose serious threats to our
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 technology and infrastructure these
00:05:13 --> 00:05:14 events can disrupt satellite
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 Communications GPS systems and even
00:05:16 --> 00:05:19 power grids but now thanks to the work
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 of a team led by Amy hessle from the
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 Eberly College of Arts and Sciences we
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 have a new tool to study these phenomena
00:05:25 --> 00:05:28 when severe solar storms occur they
00:05:28 --> 00:05:29 produce energetic particles that
00:05:29 --> 00:05:32 interact with our atmosphere creating
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 radiocarbon an unstable radioactive
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 isotope of carbon trees absorb this
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 carbon from the air as they grow leaving
00:05:39 --> 00:05:42 a record of these events in their annual
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 rings the team has identified evidence
00:05:44 --> 00:05:47 of several extreme solar storms known as
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 miak events in tree ring records dating
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 back thousands of years these findings
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 challenge previous assumptions about how
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 trees absorb radiocarbon suggesting a
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 more complex process than initially
00:05:58 --> 00:05:59 thought this research isn't just
00:05:59 --> 00:06:02 academic it has real world implications
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 for our safety and preparedness
00:06:04 --> 00:06:05 understanding the frequency and
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 intensity of past solar storms can help
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 us better prepare for future events
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 potentially saving lives and protecting
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 critical infrastructure as we continue
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 to rely more heavily on technology
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 vulnerable to space weather this new
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 method of studying solar storms through
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 tree rings could prove invaluable in our
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 efforts to safeguard our modern world
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 against the unpredictable moods of our
00:06:27 --> 00:06:30 sun next in a fasc a blend of Science
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 Fiction and reality miniature monoliths
00:06:33 --> 00:06:36 inspired by the iconic film 2001 A Space
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 Odyssey have recently made their journey
00:06:38 --> 00:06:42 to space these small black slabs modeled
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 after the mysterious monoliths from
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 Stanley Kubrick's Masterpiece hitched a
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 ride on Blue origins new Shephard
00:06:47 --> 00:06:50 vehicle the mission known as NS 27
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 launched from Blue Origins facility in
00:06:52 --> 00:06:55 West Texas the tiny monoliths measuring
00:06:55 --> 00:07:00 just 0.4x 1.6 x 3.5 in were part of a
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 unique payload aboard the RSS Carmen
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 line capsule this uncrewed flight marked
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 the first mission for blue origin second
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 human rated launch vehicle the monoliths
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 were flown for space manic a satellite
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 Mission integrator in collaboration with
00:07:13 --> 00:07:16 Croatian publisher amaranthine books
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 upon their return to Earth these space
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 fairing replicas will be paired with
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 special editions of Clark's novel
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 creating a truly outof this world
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 collectible for sci-fi
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 enthusiasts but the monoliths weren't
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 alone on their Cosmic Journey the new
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 Shepard vehicle carried 11 other
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 payloads including navigation sensors
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 for blue Origins moon landing program
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 and student designed postcards the
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 mission successfully reached above the
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 Carmen line the boundary between Earth's
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 atmosphere and space before safely
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 returning to terrafirma it's worth
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 noting that this isn't the first time
00:07:48 --> 00:07:51 2001 A Space Odyssey has Inspired Real
00:07:51 --> 00:07:54 space missions back in 2001 NASA
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 astronaut Thomas Jones carried a copy of
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 the book and a miniature monolith aboard
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 the space shuttle Atlantis cementing the
00:08:00 --> 00:08:03 film's enduring influence on space
00:08:03 --> 00:08:05 exploration finally today the hits keep
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 coming for Boeing in a surprising turn
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 of events intelsat has declared its
00:08:09 --> 00:08:12 intelsat 33 EC communication satellite a
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 total loss following an unexpected
00:08:15 --> 00:08:18 breakdown on October 19th this satellite
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 which had been in operation for just 7
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 years was expected to have a lifespan of
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 15 to 20 years the sudden failure has
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 left intat scrambling to move affected
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 customers in Europe Africa and parts of
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 the asia-pacific region to other
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 platforms what's particularly concerning
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 is the debris field created by this
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 incident the US space force has reported
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 tracking around 20 pieces shortly after
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 the breakdown while other tracking
00:08:41 --> 00:08:43 companies have observed even more
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 fragments Swiss company s2a systems
00:08:45 --> 00:08:48 noted 40 pieces and us-based exoanalytic
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 solutions spotted 57 fragments this
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 sudden increase in space debris poses a
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 Potential Threat to other satellites in
00:08:55 --> 00:08:58 geostationary orbit intelsat is
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 currently working with with the
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 satellites manufacturer Boeing and
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 government agencies to analyze data and
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 determine the cause of the failure this
00:09:05 --> 00:09:08 isn't the first time intelsat has faced
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 satellite issues the intelsat 33e had
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 already experienced propulsion system
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 problems that had reduced its expected
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 operational lifetime additionally its
00:09:17 --> 00:09:20 predecessor intat 29e failed after only
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 3 years in orbit as the investigation
00:09:22 --> 00:09:25 continues this incident serves as a
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 stark reminder of the challenges and
00:09:26 --> 00:09:29 unpredictability of satellite operations
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 it also highlights the growing concern
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 over space debris and the need for
00:09:32 --> 00:09:35 improved satellite durability and debris
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 mitigation strategies in our
00:09:37 --> 00:09:40 increasingly crowded orbital
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 environment and that wraps up our Cosmic
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 Journey for today I hope you've enjoyed
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 this episode of astronomy daily as much
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 as I've enjoyed bringing it to you
00:09:48 --> 00:09:50 before we sign off I want to remind you
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 that the universe is vast but staying
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00:11:06 --> 00:11:10 St told