Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S03E198
Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your Daily source for the latest in space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna, and today we have an exciting array of stories that will take you from the latest SpaceX mission to the International Space Station to groundbreaking discoveries about Mars and Venus.
Highlights:
- SpaceX Resupply Mission: SpaceX has successfully launched its 31st commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station. The Dragon spacecraft carried over 6,000 pounds of supplies and cutting-edge scientific experiments, including AstroBeat, a project exploring cold welding in microgravity for spacecraft repair.
- Australia's Space Milestone: Gilmore Space Technologies has been granted Australia's first orbital launch permit, paving the way for the ERIS rocket's inaugural flight. This development highlights the burgeoning space industry in Australia and its potential economic impact.
- Parker Solar Probe's Venus Maneuver: NASA's Parker Solar Probe is preparing for its final Venus gravity assist, setting the stage for an unprecedented approach to the Sun. This maneuver will bring the probe closer to the solar surface than any human-made object has ever ventured.
- Mars's Crusty Surface Explained: New insights from NASA's InSight mission reveal the chemical processes behind Mars's distinctive crusty soil layer. This discovery has significant implications for future Mars exploration and potential human missions.
- NEOWISE's Final Mission: After 15 years of service, NASA's NEOWISE spacecraft has completed its mission, leaving a legacy of over 3,000 near-Earth object discoveries. The upcoming NEO Surveyor, set to launch in 2027, will continue its crucial planetary defense mission.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (https://www.astronomydaily.io) . Sign up for our free Daily newsletter to stay informed on all things space. Join our community on social media by searching for #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 --> 00:00:01 hello everybody here we are again
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 welcome to astronomy daily your daily
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 dose of space and astronomy news I'm
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 your host Anna and today we have an
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 exciting lineup of stories from across
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 the cosmos we'll be diving into spacex's
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 latest mission to the International
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 Space Station exploring groundbreaking
00:00:16 --> 00:00:19 discoveries about Mars and Venus and
00:00:19 --> 00:00:20 catching up with several other
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 fascinating developments in space
00:00:22 --> 00:00:25 exploration from commercial space flight
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 to planetary science we've got an
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 incredible show ahead so let's get
00:00:29 --> 00:00:31 started SpaceX has kicked off the week
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 with another successful launch to the
00:00:33 --> 00:00:35 International Space Station marking
00:00:35 --> 00:00:38 their 31st commercial resupply Mission
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 the dragon spacecraft lifted off Monday
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 night from NASA's Kennedy Space Center
00:00:42 --> 00:00:45 in Florida carrying more than 6
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 pounds of vital supplies and fascinating
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 new scientific experiments to our
00:00:50 --> 00:00:51 orbiting
00:00:51 --> 00:00:53 laboratory among the cargo are several
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 groundbreaking experiments that could
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 shape the future of space
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 exploration one particularly Innovative
00:00:59 --> 00:01:02 project will test a new way to repair
00:01:02 --> 00:01:04 spacecraft hulls From the Inside Out
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 called astrobeat this experiment will
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 explore cold welding in microgravity
00:01:09 --> 00:01:11 potentially leading to revolutionary
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 repair methods that don't require heat a
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 crucial advancement for future deep
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 space missions the mission also includes
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 the coronal diagnostic experiment or
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 codex which will help us better
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 understand solar wind formation using a
00:01:25 --> 00:01:26 special instrument called a coronograph
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 to block out most of the Sun's light
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 scientists will be able to study the
00:01:32 --> 00:01:35 solar Corona in unprecedented detail in
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 what could be a glimpse into future
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 space farming researchers are sending
00:01:39 --> 00:01:42 Antarctic Moss to test how well it
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 handles the combined effects of cosmic
00:01:44 --> 00:01:45 radiation and
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 microgravity this research could be
00:01:47 --> 00:01:49 vital for identifying plants suitable
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 for long duration space missions the
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 dragon spacecraft is scheduled to remain
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 docked at the station until December
00:01:56 --> 00:01:57 when it will return to Earth with
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 research samples and cargo SPL flashing
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 down off the Florida coast this Mission
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 represents another step forward in our
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 ongoing efforts to maintain and utilize
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 the International Space Station as our
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 Premier orbital research
00:02:11 --> 00:02:14 platform now one for our listeners down
00:02:14 --> 00:02:16 under Australia space industry has just
00:02:17 --> 00:02:18 achieved a remarkable Milestone that
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 marks a new chapter in the country's
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 space exploration
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 capabilities Gilmore space Technologies
00:02:24 --> 00:02:26 has been awarded Australia's first ever
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 orbital launch permit clearing the way
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 for their AIS ET to make its Maiden
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 flight from the Bowen orbital Spaceport
00:02:32 --> 00:02:33 in North
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 Queensland this historic permit was
00:02:36 --> 00:02:37 granted by the minister for industry and
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 Science and the Australian space agency
00:02:40 --> 00:02:43 under the space launches and returns act
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 the legislation requires that any
00:02:45 --> 00:02:46 objects launched from Australian soil
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 reaching altitudes above 100 kilm must
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 meet strict safety and operational
00:02:52 --> 00:02:55 conditions including providing a 30-day
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 notice before launch the company's
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 journey to this point has been
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 impressive since beginning their rocket
00:03:01 --> 00:03:03 program in 2015 Gilmore space has grown
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 to employ over 200 people and built a
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 network of more than 300 Australian
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 suppliers they've already completed
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 crucial pre-launch testing including a
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 successful wet dress rehearsal that
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 brought their AIS rocket to within 10
00:03:16 --> 00:03:19 seconds of launch the Bowen orbital
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 Spaceport which opened its doors in
00:03:21 --> 00:03:22 April after receiving its license in
00:03:22 --> 00:03:25 March stands as Australia's first
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 orbital launch facility it's one of only
00:03:27 --> 00:03:29 a handful of private orbital launch
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 sites worldwide positioned to support
00:03:31 --> 00:03:34 launches into low and mid inclination
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 orbits this development isn't just about
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 reaching space it's about creating
00:03:38 --> 00:03:41 opportunities right here on Earth the
00:03:41 --> 00:03:42 project has already generated
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 significant economic impact across the
00:03:44 --> 00:03:47 region with rockets being designed on
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 the Gold Coast and launched from North
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 Queensland it's a perfect example of how
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 space industry development can drive
00:03:53 --> 00:03:56 local Innovation and create high value
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 jobs in multiple
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 regions next up let's head back to the
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 sun NASA's Parker solar probe is gearing
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 up for a pivotal moment in its
00:04:05 --> 00:04:08 groundbreaking mission on November 6th
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 the spacecraft will execute its final
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 Venus gravity assist maneuver swooping
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 within just 233 miles of the planet
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 surface this carefully choreographed
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 Celestial dance will set the stage for
00:04:20 --> 00:04:23 an unprecedented achievement in space
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 exploration the Venus flyby will adjust
00:04:25 --> 00:04:27 Parker's trajectory into its final
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 orbital configuration ultimately
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 bringing it closer to our star than any
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 human-made object has ever ventured on
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 December 24th the probe will skim just
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 3.86 million miles from the solar
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 surface literally touching the outer
00:04:42 --> 00:04:45 Corona of our sun what's particularly
00:04:45 --> 00:04:47 fascinating about these Venus flybys is
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 how they've yielded unexpected
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 scientific Treasures the probe's
00:04:51 --> 00:04:54 Widefield imager or whisper made a
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 remarkable Discovery during a previous
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 Venus encounter when scientists pointed
00:04:58 --> 00:05:01 the instrument at Venus hoping to study
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 its cloud cover they found it could
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 actually see through the planet's thick
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 atmosphere right down to the surface
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 which glows in near infrared light due
00:05:10 --> 00:05:14 to its scorching temperature of 869 de F
00:05:14 --> 00:05:15 this final flyby has been carefully
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 planned to help solve some intriguing
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 mysteries from previous passes The
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 Whisper images have shown puzzling
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 bright patterns that don't quite match
00:05:24 --> 00:05:25 what we expected from earlier radar
00:05:25 --> 00:05:28 mapping missions scientists hope this
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 last close approach will help them
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 determine whether these variations are
00:05:31 --> 00:05:34 due to different surface materials or
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 perhaps areas where more recent volcanic
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 activity has left its Mark after
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 completing this Venus maneuver Parker
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 will be primed for its historic solar
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 Approach at this extreme proximity it
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 will pass through plasma still
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 physically connected to the Sun and
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 potentially weather solar eruptions from
00:05:50 --> 00:05:53 inside them much like a surfer diving
00:05:53 --> 00:05:55 beneath a braking Wave It's a testament
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 to Modern engineering that we've built
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 something capable of withstanding such
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 extreme
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 conditions next up why is the surface of
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 Mars so crusty I'll answer that question
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 right after a quick word from a
00:06:07 --> 00:06:10 sponsor now let's head off to Mars in a
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 fascinating breakthrough scientists have
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 finally unraveled one of Mars enduring
00:06:13 --> 00:06:16 Mysteries why its soil forms such a
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 distinctive crusty layer this discovery
00:06:19 --> 00:06:22 comes from an unexpected Source NASA's
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 Insight Mission which landed on the red
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 planet back in 2018 while the mission's
00:06:27 --> 00:06:28 heat flow and physical properties
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 package nicknamed The Martian mole
00:06:31 --> 00:06:34 didn't reach its intended depth it still
00:06:34 --> 00:06:36 provided invaluable data about the
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 planet's surface composition the
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 instrument managed to penetrate just 16
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 in into the Martian soil encountering
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 what scientists Now understand is a
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 remarkably complex layer of material the
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 German Aerospace center team analyzing
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 the data found that the top 40 cm of
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 Martian soil experiences dramatic
00:06:57 --> 00:06:59 temperature swings while the surface
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 temperature fluctuates by a staggering
00:07:01 --> 00:07:06 110 to 130° C during a Martian day just
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 beneath the surface these variations
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 decrease to only 5 to
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 7° this sophisticated temperature dance
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 creates perfect conditions for a
00:07:15 --> 00:07:18 fascinating chemical process during
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 winter and spring when there's
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 sufficient moisture in the atmosphere
00:07:21 --> 00:07:24 salty brins form in the soil for about
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 10 hours each day as these brins
00:07:26 --> 00:07:29 solidify they create a natural cement
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 that hard hardens the soil into what
00:07:30 --> 00:07:34 scientists call durac crust this process
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 explains why Mars has such a
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 characteristic hardened surface layer
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 extending about 8 in deep the soil
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 itself has proven to be an excellent
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 insulator with properties similar to
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 basaltic sand below the Crusty surface
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 layer scientists found material
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 comparable to Consolidated sand mixed
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 with coarser Basalt fragments one
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 scientist compared the mechanical
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 properties to Floral foam lightweight
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 and por
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 but with a distinctive
00:08:01 --> 00:08:03 structure this discovery isn't just
00:08:03 --> 00:08:05 academically interesting it has
00:08:05 --> 00:08:08 significant implications for future Mars
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 exploration understanding the soil's
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 properties and behavior is crucial for
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 planning future missions especially when
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 considering human exploration of the red
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 planet the way the soil forms and
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 behaves will impact everything from
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 construction projects to potential
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 resource utilization on
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 Mars finally today we need to say
00:08:27 --> 00:08:30 goodbye to an old friend of planet Earth
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 after 15 years of dedicated service
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 NASA's neowise spacecraft has completed
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 its final mission in dramatic fashion
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 burning up in Earth's atmosphere on
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 November 1st this veteran Space
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 Telescope which has been one of our most
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 successful asteroid Hunters leaves
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 behind an impressive Legacy of Discovery
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 and scientific advancement originally
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 launched as wise the Widefield infrared
00:08:52 --> 00:08:55 survey Explorer in December 2009 the
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 spacecraft began its Journey with a
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 different Mission altogether it was
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 initially C with studying the universe
00:09:00 --> 00:09:03 in infrared wavelengths where it
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 excelled at finding luminous galaxies
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 and hidden black holes but it was when
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 the spacecraft got its second chance at
00:09:09 --> 00:09:11 life as neowise that it truly made its
00:09:11 --> 00:09:14 Mark in planetary defense when its
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 original coolant Supply ran out in 2011
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 Engineers found they could repurpose the
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 spacecraft for a new Mission hunting
00:09:21 --> 00:09:24 near Earth objects this twist of fate
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 proved remarkably successful as neowise
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 went on to identify and track over 3
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 neear objects during its extended
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 Mission the spacecraft's eventual demise
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 was not unexpected its low earth orbit
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 combined with the current solar maximum
00:09:39 --> 00:09:42 a period of increased solar activity
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 sealed its fate as the sun's heightened
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 activity caused Earth's atmosphere to
00:09:46 --> 00:09:49 expand neowise lacking any propulsion
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 system was gradually pulled down until
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 its final plunge but this isn't the end
00:09:54 --> 00:09:57 of NASA's asteroid hunting efforts the
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 torch will be passed to NEOS surveyor
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 scheduled for launch in 2027 this new
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 spacecraft will be the first Space
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 Telescope specifically designed for
00:10:05 --> 00:10:08 hunting near Earth objects in infrared
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 wavelengths carrying forward Neo wise's
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 crucial mission of planetary defense
00:10:13 --> 00:10:16 with even more advanced
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 capabilities well that's all for today's
00:10:18 --> 00:10:21 episode of astronomy daily I'm Anna and
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 I want to thank you for joining me on
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 this journey through the latest
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 developments in space exploration and
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 astronomical discoveries if you'd like
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00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 time keep looking up and wondering about
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 the mysteries of our universe this is
00:11:00 --> 00:11:08 Anna signing off
00:11:08 --> 00:11:22 [Music]