00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily your source
00:00:02 --> 00:00:04 for the latest space and astronomy news
00:00:04 --> 00:00:06 I'm your host Anna and today we've got
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 an exciting lineup of stories to share
00:00:08 --> 00:00:09 with you we'll be covering NASA's
00:00:09 --> 00:00:12 legendary Voyager 1 spacecraft returning
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 to full operations after a communication
00:00:14 --> 00:00:17 issue taking a Peak at how astronauts
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 celebrated Thanksgiving aboard the
00:00:19 --> 00:00:21 International Space Station and getting
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 updates on spacex's Starship program
00:00:24 --> 00:00:25 we'll also explore fascinating new
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 findings from asteroid ryugu samples and
00:00:29 --> 00:00:30 look at China's latest achievements in
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 space including new mapping satellites
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 and cargo missions stay with us for all
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 these stories and more so let's get
00:00:37 --> 00:00:40 started in an impressive display of
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 engineering prowess NASA has
00:00:42 --> 00:00:43 successfully brought Voyager one back to
00:00:43 --> 00:00:46 full operations following a concerning
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 communication disruption last month the
00:00:48 --> 00:00:51 veteran spacecraft now an incredible
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 15.4 billion miles from Earth had
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 unexpectedly switched from its primary
00:00:56 --> 00:00:59 x-band radio transmitter to a weaker
00:00:59 --> 00:01:00 s-band transmitter
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 temporarily halting the flow of valuable
00:01:03 --> 00:01:06 scientific and Engineering data the
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 situation was particularly challenging
00:01:08 --> 00:01:10 given the vast distance involved it
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 takes nearly 23 hours for signals to
00:01:13 --> 00:01:14 make a round trip between Earth and
00:01:14 --> 00:01:19 Voyager 1 but earlier this month Mission
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 Engineers managed to reactivate the
00:01:21 --> 00:01:23 x-band transmitter restoring data
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 collection from all four of voyager's
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 operational science instruments the
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 issue stemmed from the spacecraft's
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 fault protection system which had
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 deactivated the xand transmitter when a
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 heater was activated this protective
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 measure is crucial for preserving power
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 for critical operations especially given
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 Voyager 1's extremely limited power
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 supply the spacecraft relies on
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 electricity generated by the heat from
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 decaying plutonium which decreases by
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 about four Watts every year what makes
00:01:51 --> 00:01:54 this achievement even more remarkable is
00:01:54 --> 00:01:55 that both Voyager spacecraft are
00:01:55 --> 00:01:58 operating with razor thin power margins
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 over the years the mission team has had
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 to make difficult decisions shutting
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 down all non-essential systems to keep
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 these historic probes functioning
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 despite operating in temperatures far
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 colder than their original design
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 specifications the remaining science
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 instruments continue to send back
00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 valuable data about Interstellar space
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 after 47 years of operation Voyager 1
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 and its twin Voyager 2 Remain the only
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 human-made objects operating in
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 interstellar space while their Advanced
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 age presents ongoing challenges for
00:02:29 --> 00:02:32 NASA's mission team this latest recovery
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 demonstrates the incredible durability
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 of these pioneering spacecraft and the
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 dedication of the engineers who keep
00:02:38 --> 00:02:39 them
00:02:39 --> 00:02:41 running now here's a story for our many
00:02:42 --> 00:02:43 listeners who like to celebrate
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 Thanksgiving the holiday season took on
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 a whole new perspective this year as
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 four NASA astronauts aboard the
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 International Space Station shared their
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 unique Thanksgiving celebration with us
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 here on Earth Commander Sunni Williams
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 along with crew mates Don Pettit Nick ha
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 and Butch wil more beamed down a special
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 message from their orbital home giving
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 us a glimpse into how they're marking
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 this traditionally Earthbound holiday
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 While most of us gathered around dining
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 room tables these astronauts celebrated
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 with their own special Feast though
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 perhaps not quite what you'd expect
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 their Thanksgiving spread included some
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 familiar holiday favorites like smoked
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 turkey and butternut squash along with
00:03:24 --> 00:03:25 some more unusual additions like
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 brussels sprouts and believe it or not
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 sardines all carefully prepared for
00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 consumption in microgravity the crew
00:03:33 --> 00:03:34 took a moment to reflect on what they're
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 thankful for with Butch Wilmore noting
00:03:36 --> 00:03:38 some uniquely astronaut specific
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 blessings including the ability to lay
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 on the ceiling thanks to zero gravity
00:03:43 --> 00:03:44 but they also shared more Universal
00:03:44 --> 00:03:47 Sentiments of gratitude appreciation for
00:03:47 --> 00:03:49 family friends and the support of those
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 back on Earth who keep them connected to
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 home Don Pettit touched on something
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 many of us can relate to the challenge
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 of being away from loved ones during the
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 holidays but he pointed out that modern
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 technology allows them to stay connected
00:04:03 --> 00:04:05 virtually with family and friends even
00:04:05 --> 00:04:09 from 250 m above Earth it's a reminder
00:04:09 --> 00:04:10 that whether we're separated by
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 continents or orbital planes the spirit
00:04:13 --> 00:04:14 of togetherness that defines
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 Thanksgiving finds a way to bridge the
00:04:17 --> 00:04:20 gap let's move on to some SpaceX
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 news SpaceX continues to make
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 significant strides with its Starship
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 program following the successful
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 completion of flight 6 the aftermath of
00:04:28 --> 00:04:31 this latest test has kept teams busy at
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 Starbase with Comprehensive inspection
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 and repair work underway across various
00:04:35 --> 00:04:36 systems and
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 structures in the immediate hours after
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 the launch Engineers began examining the
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 launch Tower's Chopsticks the mechanical
00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 arms designed to catch returning
00:04:45 --> 00:04:47 Vehicles while these systems experienced
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 less stress than during flight 5 due to
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 the absence of a booster Landing attempt
00:04:51 --> 00:04:54 the sheer power of all 33 Raptor engines
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 necessitated thorough checkups the
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 launch Mount has received particular
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 attention with scaffolding quickly
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 installed around its upper section and
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 the implementation of the Dance Floor a
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 movable platform that allows detailed
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 inspection of the mounts lower sections
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 these rapid response protocols have
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 become increasingly efficient with each
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 launch demonstrating spacex's growing
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 expertise in post-flight
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 operations several systems showed signs
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 of wear from flight six including the
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 booster quick disconnect system which
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 required repairs after being scorched
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 during launch the ship quick disconnect
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 arm also sustained damage with burnt
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 umbilicals and notable charring on
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 protective doors perhaps most
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 surprisingly the tower's weather and
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 Communications antenna experienced
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 bending from launch forces a first for
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 the
00:05:41 --> 00:05:44 program looking ahead to flight 7
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 preparations are already well underway
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 booster 14 has completed its initial
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 cryogenic testing and is being fitted
00:05:50 --> 00:05:54 with grid fins ship 33 designated as the
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 first block 2 ship to fly has received
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 its full complement of six Raptor 2
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 engines and is preparing for static fire
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 testing the launch profile for flight 7
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 appears similar to its predecessors with
00:06:05 --> 00:06:07 a ship targeted to land in the Indian
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 Ocean near Australia if current planning
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 holds we could see this next launch as
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 early as January 11th looking further
00:06:14 --> 00:06:17 ahead SpaceX has ambitious plans for
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 2025 with environmental assessments
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 underway to support up to 25 launches
00:06:21 --> 00:06:24 from Starbase including three night
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 launches though these currently won't
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 include booster Landing
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 attempts next up today in a fascinating
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 development from the world of asteroid
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 sample analysis scientists have
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 discovered that specimens from asteroid
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 ryugu became home to earth-based
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 microorganisms after their return to our
00:06:42 --> 00:06:45 planet this finding emerged during
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 research led by Matthew GJ at Imperial
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 College London providing valuable
00:06:49 --> 00:06:51 insights into how terrestrial life forms
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 interact with extraterrestrial
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 materials the sample in question
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 collected by jaxa's Hayabusa 2
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 spacecraft and returned to Earth in
00:07:00 --> 00:07:03 December 2020 showed remarkable evidence
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 of microbial colonization within just
00:07:06 --> 00:07:08 one week of exposure to Earth's
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 atmosphere scientists observed 11
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 microbes on the sample surface even more
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 impressively this population exploded to
00:07:17 --> 00:07:20 147 microorganisms just a week later
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 while initially intriguing the team
00:07:22 --> 00:07:24 conclusively determined these weren't
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 alien life forms their appearance only
00:07:27 --> 00:07:28 after the samples exposure to Earth's
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 atmosphere combined with their rapid
00:07:30 --> 00:07:33 population growth clearly identified
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 them as terrestrial in origin the
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 microorganisms were likely bacteria
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 similar to the common basilla species
00:07:39 --> 00:07:42 found in soil and rocks this discovery
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 has significant implications for future
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 space exploration particularly regarding
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 planetary protection protocols it
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 demonstrates just how readily
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 earth-based microorganisms can colonize
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 and survive on extraterrestrial
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 materials raising important
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 considerations for both sample return
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 missions and Planetary
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 Exploration the findings serve as a
00:08:02 --> 00:08:04 crucial reminder of the challenges we
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 face in maintaining pristine conditions
00:08:06 --> 00:08:09 when studying materials from space they
00:08:09 --> 00:08:11 also highlight the importance of careful
00:08:11 --> 00:08:13 contamination controls in future
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 missions especially as we continue our
00:08:15 --> 00:08:18 search for evidence of life beyond Earth
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 the research underscores an impressive
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 yet concerning truth Earth's
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 microorganisms are remarkably successful
00:08:25 --> 00:08:27 colonizers capable of establishing
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 themselves even on materials from
00:08:28 --> 00:08:31 millions of miles away this adaptability
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 could have profound implications for our
00:08:34 --> 00:08:35 understanding of how life might spread
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 throughout the solar system whether
00:08:37 --> 00:08:40 naturally or through human
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 exploration China's Space Program
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 continues to Mark significant Milestones
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 with several notable developments this
00:08:46 --> 00:08:50 month the tanjo 7 cargo spacecraft which
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 had been serving China's tiangong space
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 station since January completed its
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 Mission with a controlled re-entry into
00:08:56 --> 00:08:59 Earth's atmosphere after delivering
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 crucial supplies to the station and
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 being loaded with waste materials the
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 spacecraft made its final descent on
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 November 17th providing us with
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 spectacular footage of its fiery return
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 through Earth's atmosphere but before
00:09:12 --> 00:09:16 its dramatic finale tanjo 7 had one last
00:09:16 --> 00:09:19 task to complete the spacecraft deployed
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 a small satellite called Bay 08 equipped
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 with Earth observation capabilities and
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 Optical communication systems adding
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 another piece to China's growing space
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 infrastructure
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 in a separate development China has
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 bolstered its satellite imaging
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 capabilities with the successful launch
00:09:36 --> 00:09:39 of two new mapping satellites the seway
00:09:39 --> 00:09:42 gouging 203 and 04 satellites lifted off
00:09:42 --> 00:09:45 aboard a long march 2C rocket from the
00:09:45 --> 00:09:48 jukan satellite launch Center these
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 Advanced satellites represent a
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 significant upgrade to China's existing
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 Network featuring High Precision radar
00:09:54 --> 00:09:56 systems capable of producing detailed
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 images regardless of weather conditions
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 or time of day
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 what makes these satellites particularly
00:10:01 --> 00:10:04 noteworthy is their enhanced payload
00:10:04 --> 00:10:07 efficiency which has improved by 25%
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 over previous versions they're designed
00:10:09 --> 00:10:12 to support a wide range of applications
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 from natural resource management to
00:10:14 --> 00:10:17 Urban safety and emergency response the
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 satellites all- weather Imaging
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 capabilities make them especially
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 valuable for disaster management
00:10:22 --> 00:10:24 allowing rapid assessment of natural
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 disasters even under challenging
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 conditions these developments highlight
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 China as growing sophistication in space
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 operations from maintaining a permanent
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 space station to expanding its satellite
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 infrastructure for both commercial and
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 scientific purposes it's another
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 reminder of how space technology
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 continues to evolve and Advance across
00:10:43 --> 00:10:46 multiple Nations and
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 programs well that brings us to the end
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 of today's space news Roundup it's been
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 another fascinating day of developments
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 in space exploration and astronomy from
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 voyagers impressive recovery to
00:10:57 --> 00:10:59 groundbreaking discoveries from asteroid
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 examples and the continuing evolution of
00:11:01 --> 00:11:04 our space capabilities around the globe
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 I'm Anna and I've enjoyed bringing you
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 these stories today if you want to stay
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 up to dat with all the latest space and
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 astronomy news be sure to visit our
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 website at astronomy
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00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 free daily newsletter and access our
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00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 the latest developments in space
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 exploration and astronomy you'll also
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00:11:42 --> 00:11:45 about the fascinating world of space
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 exploration thank you for listening to
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 astronomy daily keep looking up and I'll
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 see you tomorrow with more exciting
00:11:50 --> 00:11:54 stories from the final
00:11:54 --> 00:12:03 frontier St
00:12:03 --> 00:12:06 the St is the to
00:12:06 --> 00:12:14 [Music]