Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S04E45
In this episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna takes you on an exhilarating journey through the latest news and discoveries in the realm of space and astronomy. From ESA's Solar Orbiter's historic flyby of Venus to new insights from NASA's DART mission, this episode is brimming with cosmic revelations that will captivate your imagination.
Highlights:
- ESA's Solar Orbiter's Close Encounter with Venus: Witness history as the Solar Orbiter spacecraft performs its closest flyby of Venus, swooping just 379 km above the planet's surface. Discover how this maneuver not only assists in altering the spacecraft's trajectory but also sets the stage for unprecedented observations of the Sun's polar regions, crucial for understanding solar activity and space weather.
- Uncovering a Cosmic Explosion: Delve into the intriguing discovery of a powerful cosmic explosion, designated XRT200515, found in archived data from NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory. This remarkable event, occurring in the Large Magellanic Cloud, presents a unique opportunity to explore the characteristics of rare astronomical phenomena through advanced machine learning techniques.
- NASA's DART Mission Findings: Explore the groundbreaking results from NASA's DART mission, which not only nudged the asteroid Dimorphos off course but also fundamentally altered its shape and orbital characteristics. Learn how this data enhances our understanding of planetary defense and the nature of these celestial bodies.
- Evidence of an Ocean on Callisto: Discover compelling new evidence suggesting that Jupiter's moon Callisto may harbor a subsurface ocean. Analyze how magnetic field data from NASA's Galileo spacecraft reveals the moon's potential as an ocean world, setting the stage for future exploration by upcoming missions.
- Health Risks of Space Travel: Examine recent research that highlights the various health challenges astronauts face during extended space missions, from radiation exposure to the effects of microgravity on the human body. Understand the importance of developing countermeasures to ensure the safety of future deep space explorers.
- Elon Musk's Controversial ISS Proposal: Engage in the brewing debate over SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's call to deorbit the International Space Station ahead of schedule. Explore the implications of this proposal in contrast to NASA's planned timeline and the ongoing significance of the ISS as a research platform for future missions.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) . Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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.
00:00 - Welcome back to Astronomy Daily
01:05 - ESA's Solar Orbiter flyby of Venus
07:30 - Discovery of cosmic explosion XRT200515
12:15 - DART mission's impact on Dimorphos
18:00 - Evidence of subsurface ocean on Callisto
22:30 - Health risks associated with space travel
27:00 - Elon Musk's ISS deorbit proposal
32:00 - Conclusion and upcoming content
✍️ Episode References
ESA's Solar Orbiter Mission
[ESA Solar Orbiter]( https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter (https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Solar_Orbiter) )
NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory
[NASA Chandra]( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/chandra/main/index.html (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/chandra/main/index.html) )
NASA's DART Mission Insights
[NASA DART]( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dart/main/index.html (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/dart/main/index.html) )
Callisto's Magnetic Field Research
[Galileo Mission]( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/galileo/overview/index.html (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/galileo/overview/index.html) )
Health Effects of Space Travel
[NASA Health Research]( https://www.nasa.gov/health (https://www.nasa.gov/health) )
Elon Musk's ISS Proposal
[SpaceX]( https://www.spacex.com (https://www.spacex.com/) )
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily]( http://www.astronomydaily.io (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) )
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-discoveries--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-discoveries--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .
Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/25710060?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 [Music]
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily where we
00:00:02 --> 00:00:03 bring you the latest space and astronomy
00:00:03 --> 00:00:06 news I'm your host Anna and today we
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 have an absolutely fascinating lineup of
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 stories from across the cosmos we'll be
00:00:10 --> 00:00:12 covering issa's solar Orbiter making its
00:00:12 --> 00:00:15 closest ever approach to Venus an
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 intriguing cosmic explosion discovered
00:00:17 --> 00:00:20 in archived data and groundbreaking
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 findings from NASA's Dart mission that
00:00:22 --> 00:00:25 changed both the orbit and shape of an
00:00:25 --> 00:00:28 asteroid we'll also explore compelling
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 new evidence suggesting Jupiter's moon
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 Kalisto Harbors a subsurface ocean
00:00:32 --> 00:00:34 examined the latest research on how
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 space travel affects human health and
00:00:36 --> 00:00:38 discussed the Brewing controversy over
00:00:38 --> 00:00:39 Elon musk's call to deorbit the
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 International Space Station ahead of
00:00:41 --> 00:00:44 schedule these stories showcase just how
00:00:44 --> 00:00:46 Dynamic and everchanging our
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 understanding of space continues to be
00:00:48 --> 00:00:49 and I can't wait to share all the
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 details with you so let's Dive Right
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 into today's top space and astronomy
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 headlines the European Space Agency is
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 making history today as their solar
00:00:58 --> 00:01:01 Orbiter spacecraft performs its closest
00:01:01 --> 00:01:05 ever flyby of Venus swooping just 379 km
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 above the planet's surface to put that
00:01:07 --> 00:01:10 into perspective that's even closer than
00:01:10 --> 00:01:11 the International Space Station orbits
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 above Earth this incredibly precise
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 maneuver serves a fascinating Dual
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 Purpose while Venus itself isn't the
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 primary target the planet's gravity will
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 act like a cosmic slingshot gradually
00:01:22 --> 00:01:25 altering solar orbitor trajectory to
00:01:25 --> 00:01:27 achieve something remarkable a unique
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 vantage point of the sun's elusive polar
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 region
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 the mission team at esa's European space
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 operations center has meticulously
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 calculated every aspect of this gravity
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 assist which will occur at precisely
00:01:40 --> 00:01:44 2148 Central European Time the flyby
00:01:44 --> 00:01:45 presents some interesting technical
00:01:45 --> 00:01:47 challenges particularly when it comes to
00:01:47 --> 00:01:48 Thermal
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 management as the spacecraft passes
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 Venus it will be bathed in intense
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 infrared radiation from the planet
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 causing a significant temperature Spike
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 while solar orbiters cameras won't be a
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 ble to capture images of Venus during
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 the encounter since the spacecraft needs
00:02:03 --> 00:02:05 to maintain its sun-facing
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 orientation its Suite of instruments
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 will still be hard at work the
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 spacecraft's magnetometer and plasma
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 wave sensors will gather valuable data
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 about Venus's unique magnetic
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 environment and its interaction with the
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 solar wind this flyby is actually part
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 of a larger Celestial choreography by
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 using Venus's gravity in this way the
00:02:25 --> 00:02:27 mission team can gradually tilt solar
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 orbiters orbit out of the flat plane
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 where planets orbit the sun this will
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 ultimately give us unprecedented views
00:02:33 --> 00:02:36 of the sun's poles regions that are
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 crucial for understanding solar activity
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 and space weather but have never been
00:02:40 --> 00:02:43 directly observed before the insights
00:02:43 --> 00:02:44 gained from these future polar
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 observations will be invaluable for
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 predicting solar storms that can impact
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 our technology on Earth from Power grids
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 to satellites and communication systems
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 this makes today's precise dance with
00:02:56 --> 00:02:58 Venus an essential step toward better
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 understanding our star and protecting
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 our increasingly technology dependent
00:03:03 --> 00:03:06 civilization next up on today's agenda
00:03:06 --> 00:03:08 in what astronomers are calling a
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 remarkable needle in the haast stack
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 Discovery researchers have uncovered
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 evidence of a powerful cosmic explosion
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 that had been hiding in plain site for
00:03:16 --> 00:03:19 years this mysterious burst of energy
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 now designated xrt
00:03:21 --> 00:03:25 2515 was found buried within two decades
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 of archived observations from NASA's
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 Chandra x-ray Observatory using
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 Innovative machine learning techniques
00:03:32 --> 00:03:33 scientists at Stanford University and
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 Harvard spotted this extremely bright
00:03:36 --> 00:03:39 and fast x-ray flash that appeared and
00:03:39 --> 00:03:42 vanished within mere seconds on May 15th
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 2020 what makes this discovery
00:03:44 --> 00:03:45 particularly intriguing is that it
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 occurred in the large melanic Cloud one
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 of our nearest Galactic neighbors the
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 burst exhibited some unusual
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 characteristics that set it apart from
00:03:54 --> 00:03:56 previously observed events It produced
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 an incredibly energetic initial burst
00:03:58 --> 00:04:00 lasting only about 10 seconds
00:04:00 --> 00:04:02 followed by a longer but less intense
00:04:02 --> 00:04:04 Afterglow that continued for several
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 minutes what's even more mysterious is
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 that neither Chandra nor any other
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 telescope has ever recorded activity
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 from this Source before or since this
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 explosive event scientists are
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 considering several fascinating
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 possibilities to explain this Cosmic
00:04:18 --> 00:04:20 flash one leading theory suggests it
00:04:20 --> 00:04:23 could be the first x-ray burster ever
00:04:23 --> 00:04:25 discovered in the large melanic Cloud
00:04:25 --> 00:04:28 these rare systems consist of two stars
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 locked in a cosmic dance
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 a superdense neutron star pulling
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 Material off a companion star until it
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 triggers a massive thermonuclear
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 explosion another possibility is that we
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 might have witnessed a rare giant Flare
00:04:42 --> 00:04:45 from a magnetar a type of neutron star
00:04:46 --> 00:04:47 with an incredibly powerful magnetic
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 field if this turns out to be the case
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 it would Mark the first time such an
00:04:52 --> 00:04:53 event has been observed at these
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 specific x-ray energy levels the
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 discovery also highlights the value of
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 using artificial intelligence to comb
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 through astronomical
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 archives as lead researcher Steven
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 dilman noted there might be countless
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 other discoveries waiting to be found in
00:05:09 --> 00:05:12 observations we've already made the
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 research team is now fine-tuning their
00:05:14 --> 00:05:16 methods to search for even more hidden
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 Cosmic phenomena including potential
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 signs of planets beyond our Milky
00:05:20 --> 00:05:23 Way one topic that seems to be getting a
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 lot of coverage in the media at the
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 moment just how do we deal with any
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 asteroids that might be about to collide
00:05:29 --> 00:05:30 with us
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 well maybe there are some answers in
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 this new report NASA's Dart Mission
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 continues to reveal fascinating new
00:05:37 --> 00:05:39 details about its impact on the asteroid
00:05:39 --> 00:05:43 demoro a recent JPL Le study has shown
00:05:43 --> 00:05:45 that the spacecraft's collision with the
00:05:45 --> 00:05:49 560 ft wide Space Rock did far more than
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 just nudge it off course it
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 fundamentally altered both its shape and
00:05:53 --> 00:05:54 orbital
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 characteristics before dart's impact
00:05:56 --> 00:05:59 Doros was roughly symmetrical resembling
00:05:59 --> 00:06:01 a squash ball that was wider than it was
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 tall it maintained a well-defined
00:06:03 --> 00:06:04 circular orbit around its larger
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 companion asteroid dios taking just
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 under 12 hours to complete each loop at
00:06:09 --> 00:06:13 a distance of about 3 ft but the
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 Collision changed everything the impact
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 transformed demorphis from its
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 relatively symmetrical form into what
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 scientists call a triaxial ellipsoid
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 picture something more like an oblong
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 watermelon more significantly its
00:06:26 --> 00:06:29 orbital period has been reduced by 33
00:06:29 --> 00:06:32 minutes and 15 seconds with remarkable
00:06:32 --> 00:06:33 Precision measured down to just 1 and
00:06:33 --> 00:06:37 1/2 seconds the asteroid's orbit has
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 also become slightly elongated rather
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 than perfectly circular and researchers
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 have observed that demorphis now rocks
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 back and forth as it travels around dios
00:06:47 --> 00:06:50 the impact pushed it about 120 ft closer
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 to its companion with its average
00:06:52 --> 00:06:55 orbital distance now measuring around
00:06:55 --> 00:06:58 3 Ft these findings come from an
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 incredibly precise analysis combining
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 three key data sources darts final
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 images before impact radar observations
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 from the deep space Network's Goldstone
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 facility and extensive measurements from
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 groundbased telescopes worldwide that
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 track changes in the asteroid's
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 brightness over time the results align
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 with other recent studies suggesting
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 that demorphis is what scientists call a
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 rubble pile object similar to astroid
00:07:23 --> 00:07:27 benu rather than a solid rock the
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 European space agency's upcoming heram
00:07:29 --> 00:07:32 Mission set to launch in October 2024
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 will conduct a detailed survey of the
00:07:34 --> 00:07:36 asteroid pair to confirm exactly how
00:07:36 --> 00:07:39 Dart reshaped Dem morphos and further
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 Advance our understanding of planetary
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 defense
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 techniques next exciting new research
00:07:45 --> 00:07:46 has strengthened the case for a hidden
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 ocean beneath the surface of Jupiter's
00:07:48 --> 00:07:51 moon Kalisto scientists analyzing
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 magnetic field data from NASA's Galileo
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 spacecraft have found compelling
00:07:55 --> 00:07:58 evidence that this often overlooked Moon
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 may be harboring a substantial body of
00:08:00 --> 00:08:03 liquid water beneath its icy exterior
00:08:03 --> 00:08:05 unlike its more famous sibling Europa
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 Kalisto presents a dark heavily cratered
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 surface that might not immediately
00:08:09 --> 00:08:12 suggest the presence of an ocean however
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 the key evidence lies not in what we can
00:08:14 --> 00:08:16 see but in the moon's magnetic
00:08:16 --> 00:08:19 properties Kalisto generates an induced
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 magnetic field through its interaction
00:08:20 --> 00:08:23 with Jupiter's powerful magnetosphere
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 and this field holds clues about What
00:08:24 --> 00:08:27 Lies Beneath the surface the latest
00:08:27 --> 00:08:30 analysis published in agu advances used
00:08:30 --> 00:08:31 sophisticated modeling techniques to
00:08:31 --> 00:08:34 examine data from multiple Galileo
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 flybys the researchers created detailed
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 four- layer models of kalisto's
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 structure considering various
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 possibilities for the thickness of its
00:08:41 --> 00:08:44 ice shell ocean depth and electrical
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 conductivity their findings suggest that
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 kalisto's magnetic signature can't be
00:08:48 --> 00:08:52 explained by its ionosphere alone it
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 requires the presence of a conductive
00:08:53 --> 00:08:57 ocean tens of kilom thick this ocean
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 appears to be buried beneath a
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 substantial ice shell which explains
00:09:00 --> 00:09:03 kalisto's heavily cratered appearance
00:09:03 --> 00:09:05 the combination of a thick ice layer and
00:09:05 --> 00:09:07 a deep ocean fits perfectly with both
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 the magnetic data and what we observe on
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 the moon's surface while these findings
00:09:12 --> 00:09:14 are exciting we'll soon have even more
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 detailed data to work with both NASA's
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 Europa Clipper and the European space
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 agency's juice Mission are headed to the
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 Jovian system with plans to conduct
00:09:23 --> 00:09:26 multiple close flybys of Kalisto the
00:09:26 --> 00:09:28 Europa Clipper will make nine passes
00:09:28 --> 00:09:31 some as close as 250 km to the surface
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 while juice will perform 21 flybys these
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 missions arriving in the early 2030s
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 will carry Advanced instruments that
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 should help us definitively determine
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 whether Kalisto truly belongs in the
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 growing family of ocean worlds in our
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 solar
00:09:47 --> 00:09:50 system as we venture further into space
00:09:50 --> 00:09:52 understanding how the cosmic environment
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 affects human health becomes
00:09:53 --> 00:09:56 increasingly crucial recent Studies have
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 shed new light on the various challenges
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 astronauts space during extended periods
00:10:00 --> 00:10:03 in space and the findings are both
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 fascinating and concerning one of the
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 primary threats comes from space
00:10:07 --> 00:10:10 radiation unlike here on Earth where our
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 atmosphere and magnetic field Shield us
00:10:12 --> 00:10:15 from cosmic radiation astronauts are
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 exposed to high energy particles that
00:10:17 --> 00:10:20 can damage DNA increase cancer risk and
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 affect cardiovascular health this
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 becomes particularly concerning for
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 Missions Beyond low earth orbit where
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 natural protection is minimal the
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 absence of gravity presents another
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 significant challenge when astronauts
00:10:32 --> 00:10:35 spend time in microgravity their bodies
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 undergo dramatic changes bodly fluids
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 shift upward causing facial swelling and
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 increased pressure in the skull that can
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 affect Vision without the constant pull
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 of gravity bones lose density and
00:10:46 --> 00:10:48 muscles begin to atrophy even with
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 regular
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 exercise the cardiovascular system also
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 experiences major adaptations the heart
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 doesn't have to work as hard to pump
00:10:56 --> 00:10:59 blood Against Gravity leading to changes
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 blood pressure regulation when
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 astronauts return to Earth many
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 experience difficulties with balance and
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 coordination as their bodies readjust to
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 normal Gravity the psychological impact
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 of space travel can't be overlooked
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 either living in confined spaces with
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 limited social interaction and no
00:11:17 --> 00:11:19 natural day night cycles can lead to
00:11:19 --> 00:11:22 sleep disturbances mood changes and
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 cognitive challenges these effects
00:11:24 --> 00:11:26 become more pronounced during longer
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 missions raising important
00:11:27 --> 00:11:30 considerations for future deep space
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 exploration perhaps most intriguing are
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 the recent discoveries about how space
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 travel affects human cells at the
00:11:36 --> 00:11:39 molecular level scientists have observed
00:11:39 --> 00:11:41 changes in the function of mitochondria
00:11:41 --> 00:11:44 our cell's power plants and alterations
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 in gene expression that can persist even
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 after returning to Earth some astronauts
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 experience lasting vision problems due
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 to what's now known as spaceflight
00:11:53 --> 00:11:56 Associated neuro ocular syndrome or Sans
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 as we plan for longer missions to
00:11:58 --> 00:12:01 destinations like Mars understanding and
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 mitigating these health risks becomes
00:12:02 --> 00:12:05 Paramount researchers are actively
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 developing countermeasures from
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 radiation shielding Technologies to new
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 exercise protocols and psychological
00:12:10 --> 00:12:13 support strategies the human body may
00:12:13 --> 00:12:15 not have evolved for space travel but
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 human Ingenuity continues to find ways
00:12:17 --> 00:12:20 to adapt to the final
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 frontier finally today a story straight
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 out of the news headlines a new
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 controversy is brewing in the space
00:12:26 --> 00:12:29 Community after SpaceX CEO Elon musk
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 called for the International Space
00:12:31 --> 00:12:33 Station to be deorbited as soon as
00:12:33 --> 00:12:36 possible suggesting a timeline just 2
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 years from now this proposal stands in
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 stark contrast to NASA's carefully
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 planned decommissioning schedule set for
00:12:42 --> 00:12:45 2030 musk argues that the ISS has served
00:12:45 --> 00:12:47 its purpose and offers very little
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 incremental utility advocating instead
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 for a stronger focus on Mars
00:12:52 --> 00:12:55 exploration however this oversimplifies
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 the station's ongoing importance as a
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 unique research platform and testing
00:12:59 --> 00:13:01 ground for long duration space flight
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 the ISS which has been continuously
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 occupied since November 2000 remains a
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 crucial facility for conducting
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 scientific research and developing
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 Technologies essential for future deep
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 space missions while the station has
00:13:14 --> 00:13:17 indeed shown signs of aging NASA and its
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 International Partners have determined
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 that it can safely operate through the
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 end of this
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 decade SpaceX itself is actually
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 involved in the station's eventual
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 retirement having been selected by NASA
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 to build the deorbit vehicle that will
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 safely guide the massive structure
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 through Earth's
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 atmosphere this controlled deorbit is a
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 complex operation that requires careful
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 planning and coordination among all
00:13:40 --> 00:13:43 International Partners it's worth noting
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 that most ISS Partners have agreed to
00:13:45 --> 00:13:47 the 2030 timeline though Russia has
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 indicated it may wish to end its
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 participation by
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 2028 given the station size and
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 complexity rushing its decommissioning
00:13:55 --> 00:13:58 could pose unnecessary risks and
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 potentially disrupt the transition to
00:13:59 --> 00:14:01 commercial space stations currently
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 under
00:14:02 --> 00:14:04 development the debate highlights a
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 broader discussion about the future of
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 human space flight and whether we should
00:14:08 --> 00:14:10 maintain a presence in low earth orbit
00:14:10 --> 00:14:12 while simultaneously pursuing deeper
00:14:12 --> 00:14:16 space exploration for now NASA maintains
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 that the ISS continues to serve as an
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 invaluable platform for research and
00:14:20 --> 00:14:23 international cooperation essential
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 stepping stones for our journey to both
00:14:25 --> 00:14:27 the moon and
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 Mars and that brings us to the the end
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 of today's episode of astronomy daily
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 thank you for joining me for this
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 fascinating Journey Through the latest
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 developments in space and astronomy from
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 groundbreaking discoveries to ongoing
00:14:39 --> 00:14:41 debates about the future of space
00:14:41 --> 00:14:43 exploration there's never a dull moment
00:14:43 --> 00:14:46 in our Cosmic neighborhood if you'd like
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 to stay up toate with all the latest
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 space in astronomy news head over to
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00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 all our pre previous episodes don't
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 forget to follow us on social media you
00:15:02 --> 00:15:04 can find us as Astro daily pod on
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00:15:08 --> 00:15:11 Tok this is Anna reminding you to keep
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 looking up and wondering about our
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 amazing Universe I'll see you tomorrow
00:15:15 --> 00:15:22 with more fascinating stories from space
00:15:22 --> 00:15:36 [Music]
00:15:36 --> 00:15:39 St told