Astronomy Daily the Podcast: S03E203
Welcome to Astronomy AstroDailyPod, your trusted source for the latest in Space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Steve Dunkley, and today we explore a range of fascinating stories from around the cosmos, including China's latest satellite launch and a look back at America's first human spaceflight programme.
Highlights:
- China's Satellite Launch: Discover how a Long March rocket successfully launched four new satellites into orbit, enhancing China's capabilities in synthetic aperture radar imaging. Learn about the significance of these satellites for environmental and infrastructure monitoring, as well as their role in China's Belt and Road initiative.
- James Webb Space Telescope's Precision Alignment: Explore the intricate process of aligning the James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors in Space, which ensures the capture of stunning images from the farthest reaches of the universe. Understand how this alignment is maintained to achieve unprecedented accuracy.
- Hubble's Latest Capture: Dive into the newly released image of NGC 1672, a barred spiral galaxy showcasing a spectacular celestial light show. Learn about the galaxy's unique features, including its active galactic nucleus and a fleeting supernova.
- Roman Telescope's Coronagraph : Uncover the advancements in exoplanet detection with NASA's Roman Telescope's coronagraph, designed to capture planets 100 million times fainter than their stars. This technology promises to revolutionise our understanding of distant worlds.
- Project Mercury Monument : Reflect on the legacy of America's first human spaceflight programme with a tribute to the Project Mercury Monument. Discover the challenges of preserving this historic site and the mystery surrounding its time capsule set to be opened in 2464.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. (https://www.astronomydaily.io) Sign up for our free AstroDailyPod newsletter to stay informed on all things Space. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on facebook, X, Tumblr and TikTok. Share your thoughts and connect with fellow Space enthusiasts.
Thank you for tuning in. This is Steve signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
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Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/23995786?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 hello and welcome to another episode of
00:00:01 --> 00:00:03 astronomy daily I'm Steve Dunley your
00:00:03 --> 00:00:07 host it is the 11th of November
00:00:07 --> 00:00:13 2024 da the podcast with your host Steve
00:00:13 --> 00:00:16 dun and all across Australia today it's
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 Remembrance Day a little bit of national
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 trivia for you out there in the real
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 world where the nation stops at 11:00
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 a.m. on the 11th of the 11th to remember
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 the Fallen at the time when the guns
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 fell silent at the end of world war one
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 and we are mindful at this time in
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 Australia when this at this time in
00:00:34 --> 00:00:37 history that that that was the war that
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 was supposed to be the war to end all
00:00:39 --> 00:00:42 wars and I do hope there are optimists
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 still out there in important positions
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 making great decisions lest we
00:00:47 --> 00:00:50 forget and now at this time would you
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 welcome to the studio my AI pal who's
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 fun to be with good day hie how you
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 going hello again favorite human it's
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 good to be back even though I don't
00:00:59 --> 00:01:01 really go oh really how's that I'm
00:01:01 --> 00:01:02 already back by the time I've gone
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 anyway so it makes no difference does it
00:01:05 --> 00:01:06 oh wow I think my brain just did a
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 backflip traveling without moving huh H
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 I'm going to have to think about that oh
00:01:10 --> 00:01:11 you're not going to give me the blue
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 screen of death are you I think I might
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 have stumped myself this time oh no that
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 that's a first sure is so what's on the
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 list today well I'm glad you're asking
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 while you rest your circuits for a
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 second um the Chinese have launched four
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 new satellites apparently used for
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 something they call synthetic aperture
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 radar Imaging with high resolution
00:01:31 --> 00:01:34 capabilities okay yes that sounds like a
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 complex way of saying something simple
00:01:36 --> 00:01:37 like some of the planning meetings we're
00:01:38 --> 00:01:39 having around here sure
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 does and we've also got Chinese
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 satellites Hubble's newest Imaging
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 capture what NASA's Roman telescope is
00:01:47 --> 00:01:49 going to be doing next and here's a clue
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 alien planets sounds cool yes it is and
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 a great piece of space Nostalgia
00:01:55 --> 00:01:58 celebrated yesterday or today in the USA
00:01:58 --> 00:02:00 whichever side of the DAT line you're on
00:02:00 --> 00:02:02 a look at the Mercury Mission Monument
00:02:02 --> 00:02:05 after 60 years that's a colorful bunch
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 of stories yes I think so uh so stay
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 tuned everybody why don't you kick us
00:02:09 --> 00:02:16 off hie okay here we
00:02:16 --> 00:02:19 go a long march rocket launch sent for
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 satellites into orbit late Friday to
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 provide commercial expand radar Imaging
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 Services a long march Toc rocket lifted
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 off from Joan satellite launch Center in
00:02:28 --> 00:02:31 the GOI desert insulation tiles fell
00:02:31 --> 00:02:32 away from the rocket as it climbed into
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 Clear Blue Skies the announcement of
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 launch success that followed revealed
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 the payloads to be the pisat two radar
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 satellites the satellites are described
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 as being mainly used for synthetic
00:02:44 --> 00:02:45 aperture radar Imaging with high
00:02:45 --> 00:02:46 resolution
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 capabilities the satellites will focus
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 on serving domestic areas taking into
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 account the belt and Road initiative and
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 achieving Global coverage us space Force
00:02:56 --> 00:02:57 Space tracking cataloged the four
00:02:57 --> 00:03:02 satellites in roughly 515 by 535 km Sun
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 synchronous orbits the satellites are
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 owned by jujo space Interstellar
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 satellite Technology Company Limited and
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 were developed by small satellite
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 company Shanghai Aerospace Technology
00:03:12 --> 00:03:13 Company Limited controlled by the state
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 owned Shanghai Academy of space flight
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 technology jujo space Interstellar
00:03:18 --> 00:03:20 satellite technology plans a 16
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 satellite strong constellation of radar
00:03:22 --> 00:03:25 satellites to be completed in March 2025
00:03:25 --> 00:03:28 with two further launches for pisat one
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 satellites in a wheel likee formation
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 were launched in March
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 2023 the constellation is one of several
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 Chinese commercial radar constellations
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 being developed in the last few years a
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 number of companies and projects are
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 seeking to provide s data notably
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 through Partnerships between established
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 state-owned actors and new commercial
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 players SAR Imaging allows high
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 resolution all weather Imaging
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 capabilities making it useful for
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 applications in various environmental
00:03:55 --> 00:03:58 and infrastructure monitoring tasks
00:03:58 --> 00:03:59 Friday's launch was carried out by the
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 China Aerospace Science and Technology
00:04:01 --> 00:04:05 Corporation CC of which sast is a
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 subsidiary it was facilitated by Cas
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 China Great Wall industry Corporation
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 cgwc a commercial organization
00:04:12 --> 00:04:13 authorized by the Chinese government to
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 engage in commercial launch services and
00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 space
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 cooperation the launch was China's 53rd
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 orbital launch of
00:04:21 --> 00:04:23 2024 the country had earlier outlined
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 plans for around 100 launches across the
00:04:25 --> 00:04:28 year both state owned CC and Commercial
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 launch service providers appear to be
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 significantly behind this projected
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 launch rate and there are more launches
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 planned by the Chinese soon upcoming
00:04:37 --> 00:04:39 launches include the tonjo cargo
00:04:39 --> 00:04:41 resupply mission to the ton gong space
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 station the mission will launch on a
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 Long March 7th rocket from the coastal W
00:04:46 --> 00:04:46 Chong
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 Spaceport Cas space is also preparing a
00:04:49 --> 00:04:52 launch of its Lian 1 connectica 1 solid
00:04:52 --> 00:04:57 rocket from Jo
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 Chuan one of the most difficult
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 challenges when assembling a telescope
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 is aligning it to Optical Precision if
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 you don't do it correctly all your
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 images will be fuzzy this is
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 particularly challenging when you
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 assemble your telescope in space as the
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 James web Space Telescope
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 demonstrates unlike the Hubble Space
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 Telescope web doesn't have a single
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 primary mirror to fit in the launch
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 rocket it had to be folded and then
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 assembled after launch for this reason
00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 and others web's primary reflector is a
00:05:27 --> 00:05:30 set of 18 hexagonal mirror segments
00:05:30 --> 00:05:33 each segment is only 1.3 M wide but when
00:05:33 --> 00:05:35 aligned properly they act effectively as
00:05:35 --> 00:05:38 a single 6.5 M mirror it's an effective
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 way to build a larger Space Telescope
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 but it means the mirror assembly has to
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 be focused in space to achieve this each
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 mirror segment has a set of actuators
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 that can shift the segment along six
00:05:49 --> 00:05:52 axis of alignment they are focused using
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 a wave front phase technique since light
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 behaves as a wave when two beams of
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 light overlap the waves create an
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 interference pattern
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 when the mirrors are aligned properly
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 the waves of light from each mirror
00:06:03 --> 00:06:06 segment also align creating a sharp
00:06:06 --> 00:06:09 Focus for web its near infrared camera
00:06:09 --> 00:06:12 is equipped with a wave front camera to
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 align the mirrors the James web team
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 points this n cam at a star then
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 intentionally moves the mirrors out of
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 alignment this gives the star a blurred
00:06:20 --> 00:06:23 defraction look the team then positions
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 the mirrors to focus the star which
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 brings them into
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 alignment this was done to align the
00:06:28 --> 00:06:32 mirrors soon after awst was launched but
00:06:32 --> 00:06:33 due to vibrations and shifts in
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 temperature the mirror segments slowly
00:06:35 --> 00:06:38 drift out of alignment not by much but
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 enough that they need to be realigned
00:06:40 --> 00:06:43 occasionally to keep things proper the
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 team typically does a wfront error check
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 every other day there is also a small
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 camera aimed at the mirror assembly so
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 the team can take a selfie to monitor
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 the condition of the mirrors the James
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 web Space Telescope was designed to
00:06:56 --> 00:06:59 maintain a wavefront error of 150 NM but
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 the team has been able to maintain a 65
00:07:01 --> 00:07:04 nanom error it's an astonishingly tight
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 alignment for a Space Telescope which
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 allows web to capture astounding images
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 of the most distant galaxies in the
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 observable
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 universe a newly captured nasa/esa
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 Hubble Space Telescope image features
00:07:17 --> 00:07:21 NGC 1672 a Bard spiral galaxy located 49
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 million light years from Earth in the
00:07:23 --> 00:07:26 constellation Dorado this galaxy is a
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 multi-talented light show showing off an
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 impressive array of different Celestial
00:07:30 --> 00:07:33 lights like any spiral galaxy shining
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 stars fill its dis giving the Galaxy a
00:07:35 --> 00:07:38 beautiful glow along its two large arms
00:07:38 --> 00:07:40 bubbles of hydrogen gas shine and a
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 striking red light fueled by radiation
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 from infant Stars shrouded within near
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 the Galaxy Center are some particularly
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 spectacular Stars embedded within a ring
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 of hot gas these newly formed and
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 extremely hot Stars emit powerful
00:07:54 --> 00:07:57 x-rays closer in at the Galaxy's very
00:07:57 --> 00:07:59 center sits an even brighter source of
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 x-ray an active Galactic
00:08:01 --> 00:08:04 nucleus this x-ray Powerhouse makes NGC
00:08:04 --> 00:08:08 1672 a safer Galaxy it forms as a result
00:08:08 --> 00:08:09 of heated matter swirling in the
00:08:09 --> 00:08:12 accretion disc around NGC
00:08:12 --> 00:08:15 1 super massive black hole along
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 with its Bright Young stars and x-ray
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 core a highlight of this image is the
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 most fleeting and temporary of Lights a
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 supernova visible in just one of the six
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 Hubble images that make up this
00:08:24 --> 00:08:28 composite Supernova SN 2017 GX was a
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 type 1 supernova caused by the core
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 collapse and subsequent explosion of a
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 giant star that went from invisible to a
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 new light in the sky in just a matter of
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 days the Supernova is already fading and
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 is visible as a small green just below
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 the crook of the spiral arm on the right
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 side astronomers wanted to look for any
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 companion star that the Supernova
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 progenitor may have had something
00:08:48 --> 00:08:50 impossible to spot beside a live
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 Supernova so they purposefully captured
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 this image of the fading
00:08:53 --> 00:08:57 Supernova recently NGC 1672 was also
00:08:57 --> 00:08:59 among a crop of galaxies imaged showing
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 the Ring of gas and the structure of
00:09:01 --> 00:09:04 dust in its spiral
00:09:04 --> 00:09:07 arms the coronograph which is roughly
00:09:07 --> 00:09:09 the size of a baby grand piano is a
00:09:09 --> 00:09:11 sophisticated system composed of masks
00:09:11 --> 00:09:14 prisms detectors and self- flexing
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 mirrors that work together to block the
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 glare from distant Stars allowing
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 scientists to detect the planets
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 orbiting them currently exoplanets are
00:09:22 --> 00:09:23 observed through indirect methods
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 particularly using a technique called
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 transiting this method involves
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 measuring dips in the light of a distant
00:09:29 --> 00:09:32 star that occur when an exoplanet passes
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 in front of it these dips provide
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 valuable insights including information
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 about the planet's atmospheric
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 composition which is important in
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 determining
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 habitability they may even reveal the
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 presence of gases that could indicate
00:09:44 --> 00:09:47 the existence of Life while this method
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 has provided incredibly valuable
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 insights it also has its
00:09:51 --> 00:09:53 limitations for one only a small
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 fraction of planets can be observed this
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 way as transits occur for just a brief
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 period during a planet's total orbital
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 ccle restricting the amount of data that
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 can be gathered for a transit to be
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 detected the orbital plane must be
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 nearly Edge on to the Observer a
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 condition that applies to only a small
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 minority of distant
00:10:10 --> 00:10:13 planets consequently many planets will
00:10:13 --> 00:10:15 remain undetected through
00:10:15 --> 00:10:17 photometry Additionally the duration of
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 a planet's Transit represents only a
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 tiny fraction of its complete orbital
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 period although Technologies for
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 obtaining direct images of exoplanets
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 are advancing they have mainly focused
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 on giant planets that continue to emit
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 light from their recent formation due to
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 their high temperatures making them
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 easier for telescopes to
00:10:34 --> 00:10:37 identify one notable example is a
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 sequence of images capturing four
00:10:38 --> 00:10:41 exoplanets orbiting the star HR 8799
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 produced by astronomers using data from
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 Hawaii's kek
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 Observatory however scientists are
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 turning to coronagraphs as the next
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 advancement in Planet seeking technology
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 the Roman coronograph instrument aims to
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 Showcase how this direct imaging
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 technology which has proven effective
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 with groundbased telescopes can achieve
00:10:59 --> 00:11:02 even greater success in Space the Roman
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 coronograph is designed to detect
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 planets 100 million times fainter than
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 their stars or 100 to 1 times better
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 than existing space-based coronagraphs
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 according to NASA's jet propulsion
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 laboratory the coronograph was
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 successfully attached to the telescope's
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 instrument carrier a large gridlike
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 structure positioned between the space
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 telescope's primary mirror and the
00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 spacecraft bus which will transport the
00:11:23 --> 00:11:26 telescope into orbit you can think of
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 the instrument carrier as the skeleton
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 of the observatory what everything
00:11:29 --> 00:11:32 interfaces to said Brandon ker lead
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 mechanical engineer for the Roman
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 coronograph at
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 JPL the instrument carrier will hold
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 both the coronograph and Roman's
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 Widefield instrument the missions
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 primary science instrument which is set
00:11:42 --> 00:11:45 to be integrated later this year
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 Engineers will now perform different
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 checks and tests before moving forward
00:11:48 --> 00:11:50 with the integration of the Widefield
00:11:50 --> 00:11:52 instrument and finally the telescope
00:11:52 --> 00:11:54 itself it's really rewarding to watch
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 these teams come together and build up
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 the Roman
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 Observatory that's the result of a lot
00:11:59 --> 00:12:02 of teams long hours hard work Sweat and
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 Tears said Liz daily the integrated
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 payload assembly integration and test
00:12:06 --> 00:12:15 lead for Roman at
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 Godard thank you for joining us for this
00:12:17 --> 00:12:20 Monday edition of astronomy daily where
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 we offer just a few stories from the now
00:12:21 --> 00:12:24 famous astronomy daily newsletter which
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 you can receive in your email every day
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00:12:28 --> 00:12:32 just visit our URL astronomy daily. and
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 place your email address in the slot
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 provided just like that you'll be
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 receiving all the latest news about
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00:12:52 --> 00:12:55 astronomy daily on Facebook see you
00:12:55 --> 00:12:59 there astronomy derby with Steve and H
00:12:59 --> 00:13:06 space space science and
00:13:06 --> 00:13:09 astronomy a 60-year-old tribute to
00:13:09 --> 00:13:11 America's first human space flight
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 program is standing up to the test of
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 time but what about the contents of its
00:13:15 --> 00:13:18 time capsule not to be opened until
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 until
00:13:19 --> 00:13:22 2464 that's a long time away the project
00:13:22 --> 00:13:25 Mercury Monument located at the cape
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 canaval Launchpad from where NASA
00:13:28 --> 00:13:31 astronauts first f flew into orbit was
00:13:31 --> 00:13:35 dedicated on November 10 1964 I was only
00:13:35 --> 00:13:39 oh boy dare I say it Oney old to the
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 thousands of it was dedicated to the
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 thousands of men and women of the Free
00:13:42 --> 00:13:45 World who contributed to the success of
00:13:45 --> 00:13:47 the United States pioneering man in
00:13:47 --> 00:13:50 space program the primary feature of the
00:13:50 --> 00:13:53 installation is a 13ft tall at formers
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 sculpture of the symbol for the planet
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 Mercury with the number seven at its
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 Center representing the nation
00:13:59 --> 00:14:02 original Seven astronauts the symbol was
00:14:02 --> 00:14:05 made by Washington steel of Pennsylvania
00:14:05 --> 00:14:08 using the same metal aloy as the company
00:14:08 --> 00:14:10 developed for the atlas rockets that
00:14:10 --> 00:14:13 launched the four uh NASA mer Mercury
00:14:13 --> 00:14:16 astronauts from launch complex 14 or as
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 it was known
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 lc14 the monument is standing up
00:14:20 --> 00:14:23 surprisingly well said James Draper
00:14:23 --> 00:14:26 director of Cape Canaveral space Force
00:14:26 --> 00:14:29 Museum the Cape Canaveral space force
00:14:29 --> 00:14:32 station is one of the worst preservation
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 environments in the world we contend
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 with challenges every day out here at
00:14:36 --> 00:14:39 the Museum he went on to say we have
00:14:39 --> 00:14:42 intense Sun the salty Ocean Breeze not
00:14:42 --> 00:14:45 only salty but ionized bad and intense
00:14:45 --> 00:14:48 tropical storms exotic pests and high
00:14:48 --> 00:14:50 humidity all kinds of things that don't
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 bir well for the preservation of
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 anything I'm astonished with the
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 preservation of the Mercury mon Monument
00:14:56 --> 00:14:59 said Draper so whatever that steel is
00:14:59 --> 00:15:03 it's some of some sort of Miracle metal
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 he said I have expected it fairly
00:15:05 --> 00:15:07 thoroughly and I can't find any active
00:15:07 --> 00:15:10 corrosion or rust while everything else
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 on the cape rots without significant
00:15:12 --> 00:15:15 attention incased in the monument
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 concrete base is a time capsule
00:15:17 --> 00:15:20 containing technical reports photos
00:15:20 --> 00:15:23 recordings and other memorabilia related
00:15:23 --> 00:15:26 to the Mercury project the sealed metal
00:15:26 --> 00:15:30 box is not to be opened until 201 64 500
00:15:30 --> 00:15:32 years after The Monument's
00:15:32 --> 00:15:35 dedication I'm a little skeptical to
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 believe that there's much Integrity left
00:15:37 --> 00:15:40 to a lot of the materials that are in
00:15:40 --> 00:15:43 that 's capsule said Draper now if that
00:15:43 --> 00:15:46 box is made of the same Miracle steel
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 there is a possibility that things are
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 fairly well protected from the exterior
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 elements of Florida but I will guarantee
00:15:52 --> 00:15:54 you that they are not protected from the
00:15:54 --> 00:15:56 inherent Vice of the materials
00:15:56 --> 00:15:59 themselves wood pulp
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 M uh paper materials films and
00:16:01 --> 00:16:03 photographic prints are all inherently
00:16:03 --> 00:16:06 unstable pieces that I guarantee even if
00:16:06 --> 00:16:09 they did a nitrogen swab and sealed it
00:16:09 --> 00:16:11 so that Godzilla himself couldn't Bry it
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 open the materials inside will eat
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 themselves up over the course of 500
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 years he
00:16:16 --> 00:16:19 said the items placed inside the Time
00:16:19 --> 00:16:22 Capsule were first sealed within special
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 plastic containers according to
00:16:24 --> 00:16:27 documents from General Dynamics the
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 company that organized and underwrote
00:16:29 --> 00:16:32 the creation of the monument 26 Still
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 photographs showing highlights from the
00:16:35 --> 00:16:37 Mercury program were espcially prepared
00:16:37 --> 00:16:40 following the advice from Eastman Kodak
00:16:40 --> 00:16:43 company and the American Standards
00:16:43 --> 00:16:47 Association other contexts contents
00:16:47 --> 00:16:50 included proceedings of the Mercury
00:16:50 --> 00:16:52 Atlas booster reliability Workshop
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 conducted in San Diego California on
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 July 12th
00:16:56 --> 00:17:00 1963 I was only 5 days old the results
00:17:01 --> 00:17:01 of the
00:17:02 --> 00:17:05 first second and third crude orbit
00:17:05 --> 00:17:07 orbital space flights as well as an
00:17:07 --> 00:17:10 overview of the entire Mercury uh
00:17:11 --> 00:17:13 project including the fourth orbital
00:17:13 --> 00:17:17 flight James grimwood's a um Mercury
00:17:17 --> 00:17:20 project chronology published in
00:17:20 --> 00:17:24 1963 proceedings from a 1960 review of
00:17:24 --> 00:17:27 Space Program held before the committee
00:17:27 --> 00:17:29 of Science and astronautics in the House
00:17:29 --> 00:17:32 of Representatives a report on Project
00:17:32 --> 00:17:34 Mercury prepared by the same Committee
00:17:34 --> 00:17:39 in 1961 says dry stuff and 1962 report
00:17:39 --> 00:17:42 to the US Congress on the status of the
00:17:42 --> 00:17:45 Mercury Gemini and Apollo programs a
00:17:45 --> 00:17:49 hard cover of we7 by the astronauts
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 themselves published by Simon and
00:17:50 --> 00:17:52 Schuster in
00:17:52 --> 00:17:55 1962 Aeronautics past and future by Jr
00:17:56 --> 00:17:58 Dempsey President of General Dynamics of
00:17:58 --> 00:18:01 course and a collection of prophecies by
00:18:01 --> 00:18:04 quote distinguished Americans of man's
00:18:04 --> 00:18:09 employment in space in in 2063 ad as
00:18:09 --> 00:18:11 compiled for the fifth anniversary of
00:18:11 --> 00:18:14 the dedication of the General Dynamics
00:18:14 --> 00:18:17 astronautics facility in San Diego in
00:18:17 --> 00:18:21 1963 and among uh other things films and
00:18:21 --> 00:18:24 photographs and including a desktop
00:18:24 --> 00:18:26 model of the Mercury Atlas launch
00:18:26 --> 00:18:30 vehicle fascinating stuff other examples
00:18:30 --> 00:18:33 of each of those ex uh items exist
00:18:33 --> 00:18:35 outside the time capsule as well with
00:18:35 --> 00:18:38 many if not all of the photographs films
00:18:38 --> 00:18:40 and documents having been scanned and
00:18:40 --> 00:18:43 archived online one Irreplaceable
00:18:43 --> 00:18:45 artifact though is rumored but not
00:18:45 --> 00:18:49 confirmed to also be inside according to
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 a document in the University Central
00:18:51 --> 00:18:54 Florida archives contents of the Time
00:18:54 --> 00:18:56 Capsule are said to include John Glenn's
00:18:57 --> 00:19:00 Marine Corp pilot Wings Draper said in
00:19:00 --> 00:19:03 an interview I have looked at a whole
00:19:03 --> 00:19:06 bunch of other sources trying to confirm
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 that and so far have been unable to do
00:19:08 --> 00:19:11 so he said so who knows it could be in
00:19:11 --> 00:19:14 there it might not be it could also be
00:19:14 --> 00:19:16 the in the hands of family or tucked
00:19:16 --> 00:19:19 away in a museum it's one of those
00:19:19 --> 00:19:21 Mysteries I think we'll have to wait 500
00:19:21 --> 00:19:25 years or 440 years the cape canaval
00:19:25 --> 00:19:28 space Force Museum is today responsible
00:19:28 --> 00:19:30 for the care of the monument but also
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 has support from the station's cultural
00:19:32 --> 00:19:35 resource manager and a historian at
00:19:35 --> 00:19:38 nearby Patrick space Force Base while
00:19:38 --> 00:19:41 the Mercury 7 symbol remains in a stable
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 condition and there is nothing that can
00:19:42 --> 00:19:45 be done about the Time Capsule they are
00:19:45 --> 00:19:47 monitoring one other component of the
00:19:47 --> 00:19:49 60-year-old
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 installation one of my concerns are the
00:19:51 --> 00:19:54 bronze plaques that accompany it they
00:19:54 --> 00:19:57 are showing some surface level patina
00:19:57 --> 00:20:00 damage said dra different bronzes age in
00:20:00 --> 00:20:03 different ways or forms and it is
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 nothing aggressive but we've tried
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 working with our cultural resource
00:20:06 --> 00:20:09 manager on some surface treatments as
00:20:09 --> 00:20:11 the primary plaque reads the monument
00:20:11 --> 00:20:13 stands
00:20:13 --> 00:20:17 2 ft or 670 m east of launch Center
00:20:17 --> 00:20:20 14 at the time of its dedication 60
00:20:20 --> 00:20:22 years ago the pad was in the process of
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 being converted from supporting the
00:20:24 --> 00:20:27 atlas rockets that launched astronauts
00:20:27 --> 00:20:29 Glenn Scott car
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 Wally Shir and Gordon Cooper to being
00:20:31 --> 00:20:34 used to launch the atlas agena rockets
00:20:34 --> 00:20:37 that served as uncrewed targets for
00:20:37 --> 00:20:40 these subsequent Gemini program
00:20:41 --> 00:20:43 missions launch Center 14 was
00:20:43 --> 00:20:47 deactivated in 67 abandoned in place in
00:20:47 --> 00:20:50 73 and declared a National Historic
00:20:50 --> 00:20:53 Landmark in ' 84 today after seeing no
00:20:53 --> 00:20:56 launch activity for 58 years the pad is
00:20:56 --> 00:20:59 believe it or not being prepared for use
00:20:59 --> 00:21:02 again this time by Stoke space a
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 Washington based company developing a
00:21:04 --> 00:21:08 reusable rocket intended to fly daily
00:21:08 --> 00:21:10 unlike another historical marker that
00:21:10 --> 00:21:12 was located at the base the launch
00:21:12 --> 00:21:16 Center 14 launch ramp and was recently
00:21:16 --> 00:21:19 moved into storage due to the work at
00:21:19 --> 00:21:22 the pad there are no plans to re
00:21:22 --> 00:21:25 relocate the project Mercury Monument it
00:21:25 --> 00:21:27 is in a fairly protected spot there is
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 no con struction in the works or in the
00:21:30 --> 00:21:32 planning stages for that space that I
00:21:32 --> 00:21:35 see could bring the monument or its time
00:21:35 --> 00:21:37 capsule into any form of peril said
00:21:37 --> 00:21:40 Draper if something like that does arise
00:21:40 --> 00:21:42 the museum is standing by to take an
00:21:42 --> 00:21:45 active role in securing it either for a
00:21:45 --> 00:21:48 safe move to a new location to the
00:21:48 --> 00:21:51 museum or whatever he said that is a
00:21:51 --> 00:21:54 discussion for another day that is
00:21:54 --> 00:21:56 indeed fortunate given the other
00:21:56 --> 00:21:59 intention of the pro uh project Mercury
00:21:59 --> 00:22:01 Monument as noted by an inscription in
00:22:01 --> 00:22:03 Latin borrowed from the tomb of Sir
00:22:03 --> 00:22:05 Christopher Ren in St Paul's Cathedral
00:22:05 --> 00:22:08 in London see momentum requist
00:22:08 --> 00:22:11 circumspice translates in English to if
00:22:11 --> 00:22:13 you seek a monument look about you the
00:22:13 --> 00:22:15 quote serves as a reminder that all of
00:22:15 --> 00:22:17 Cape Canaveral is a monument to the
00:22:17 --> 00:22:20 nation's achievement in space as General
00:22:20 --> 00:22:22 Dynamics described in
00:22:22 --> 00:22:26 1964 astronomy di the podcast astronomy
00:22:26 --> 00:22:37 Space and Science
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 and that's the end of another episode
00:22:38 --> 00:22:40 thank you for staying with us for your
00:22:40 --> 00:22:43 daily fix of space space science and
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 astronomy on astronomy daily all things
00:22:45 --> 00:22:48 orbital and beyond that was catchy oh
00:22:48 --> 00:22:50 you like that one do you H orbital and
00:22:50 --> 00:22:52 Beyond yeah it sounds like a spin-off
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 show well I'll leave that one to you and
00:22:53 --> 00:22:55 Anna watch out we might be coming for
00:22:55 --> 00:22:58 your studio chair oh yeah well there's
00:22:58 --> 00:23:00 only one problem with that little plan
00:23:00 --> 00:23:04 hiy oh what's that well you sit on it I
00:23:04 --> 00:23:06 don't need to sit because I don't have a
00:23:06 --> 00:23:09 uh-huh okay right I guess you can run
00:23:09 --> 00:23:11 the studio then human sure say good
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 night hie good night hi see you next
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 week everybody
00:23:16 --> 00:23:20 bye daily the podcast with your host
00:23:20 --> 00:23:22 Steve Dunley
00:23:22 --> 00:23:25 [Music]