Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E78
In this exciting episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna takes you on a thrilling journey through the latest advancements in space exploration and astronomical research. From SpaceX's historic Fram 2 mission to groundbreaking studies on dark matter, this episode is packed with cosmic insights that will ignite your curiosity.
Highlights:
- Historic Fram 2 Mission: Join us as we celebrate SpaceX's groundbreaking Fram 2 mission, which marks the first human spaceflight to circle Earth over its poles. Discover the unique experiments the crew will conduct during their orbit, including the first attempt to grow mushrooms in microgravity.
- SpaceX's Busy Launch Schedule: Explore SpaceX's ramped-up launch cadence, featuring five Falcon 9 missions in one week. We discuss the implications of this operational tempo for the future of space access and exploration.
- Perseverance Rover's Spacesuit Research: Learn about NASA's Perseverance rover conducting crucial tests on spacesuit materials in the harsh Martian environment, paving the way for future human exploration of the Red Planet.
- Astronauts Return from ISS: Catch up with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who recently completed an extended nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station, and hear their reflections on the experience.
- Dark Matter's Influence on Planetary Rotation: Delve into new research suggesting that dark matter could affect the rotation of planets, potentially offering a novel way to study this mysterious substance and its implications for planetary habitability.
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, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! 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 to Astronomy Daily
01:05 - Overview of Fram 2 mission
10:30 - SpaceX launch schedule updates
17:00 - Perseverance rover's spacesuit research
22:15 - Astronauts' return from ISS
27:30 - Dark matter and planetary rotation
✍️ Episode References
Fram 2 Mission Details
[SpaceX]( https://www.spacex.com (https://www.spacex.com/) )
SpaceX Launch Schedule
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/) )
Perseverance Rover Research
[NASA Mars Exploration]( https://mars.nasa.gov/ (https://mars.nasa.gov/) )
Astronauts' ISS Mission
[NASA Astronauts]( https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts (https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts) )
Dark Matter Research
[Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory]( http://www.xao.ac.cn/ (http://www.xao.ac.cn/) )
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--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .
Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/26388552?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:01 hello and welcome to astronomy daily
00:00:01 --> 00:00:03 your Premier Source for all things space
00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 and astronomy I'm Anna and I'm thrilled
00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 to be your guide through the cosmos
00:00:07 --> 00:00:09 today we have an absolutely packed
00:00:09 --> 00:00:11 episode for you with some truly
00:00:11 --> 00:00:12 groundbreaking developments in space
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 exploration and astronomical research
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 the headlines are buzzing with spacex's
00:00:17 --> 00:00:19 latest achievement the historic Fram 2
00:00:20 --> 00:00:21 mission that has just sent the first
00:00:21 --> 00:00:23 ever human space flight over Earth's
00:00:23 --> 00:00:25 poles we'll dive into what makes this
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 Mission so special and the unique
00:00:27 --> 00:00:29 experiments the crew will be conducting
00:00:29 --> 00:00:31 as they Circle our planet in a way no
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 humans have done before but that's just
00:00:34 --> 00:00:35 the beginning of our Cosmic Journey
00:00:35 --> 00:00:38 today we'll also explore how Space X is
00:00:38 --> 00:00:40 ramping up its launch schedule to
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 unprecedented levels with multiple
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 missions taking off in Rapid succession
00:00:44 --> 00:00:47 this week alone then we'll head to Mars
00:00:47 --> 00:00:49 where NASA's perseverance Rover is
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 conducting fascinating tests on spacit
00:00:51 --> 00:00:54 materials giving us crucial data for
00:00:54 --> 00:00:55 future human exploration of the red
00:00:55 --> 00:00:58 planet the harsh Martian environment
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 poses unique challenges for astronaut
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 safety and this research could be key to
00:01:02 --> 00:01:05 overcoming them we'll also check in with
00:01:05 --> 00:01:07 NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni
00:01:07 --> 00:01:10 Williams who recently returned to Earth
00:01:10 --> 00:01:11 after what was supposed to be a brief
00:01:11 --> 00:01:14 Mission turned into a 9-month stay
00:01:14 --> 00:01:17 aboard the International Space Station
00:01:17 --> 00:01:19 and finally we'll explore new research
00:01:19 --> 00:01:22 suggesting something truly mind-bending
00:01:22 --> 00:01:23 that dark matter could actually be
00:01:23 --> 00:01:26 affecting planetary rotation potentially
00:01:26 --> 00:01:29 making planets spin faster this could
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 have profound implications for how we
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 understand our own Earth and distant
00:01:33 --> 00:01:36 exoplanets so strap in for a journey
00:01:36 --> 00:01:38 across our solar system and beyond as we
00:01:38 --> 00:01:40 explore the latest and Most Fascinating
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 developments in space science and
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 astronomy let's kick things off with
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 today's big story SpaceX has made
00:01:48 --> 00:01:49 history with the first ever human space
00:01:49 --> 00:01:52 flight to Circle Earth over its poles
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 the private Fram 2 mission lifted off
00:01:54 --> 00:01:55 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in
00:01:55 --> 00:01:59 Florida on March 31st at 9:46 p.m
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 Eastern Time carrying four space
00:02:01 --> 00:02:03 Travelers into a unique polar orbit that
00:02:03 --> 00:02:06 no human has experienced before the crew
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 launched aboard the crew Dragon capsule
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 resilience which has now completed its
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 fourth space mission after previously
00:02:12 --> 00:02:16 supporting crew 1 inspiration 4 and pois
00:02:16 --> 00:02:20 Dawn Falcon 9 booster b185 powered the
00:02:20 --> 00:02:22 launch for its sixth flight before
00:02:22 --> 00:02:24 successfully landing on spacex's drone
00:02:24 --> 00:02:27 ship a shortfall of Gravitas in the
00:02:27 --> 00:02:30 Atlantic Ocean this groundbreak mission
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 is commanded by Chun Wang of Malta who
00:02:33 --> 00:02:34 is joined by an international team
00:02:34 --> 00:02:36 including vehicle Commander Janek
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 mikkelson from Norway pilot Raba Roga of
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 Germany and Australian medical officer
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 and Mission specialist Eric Phillips all
00:02:44 --> 00:02:46 four our first-time space Travelers
00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 making this journey even more
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 remarkable after reaching orbit spacex's
00:02:51 --> 00:02:54 Bill gon Meer radioed the crew saying
00:02:54 --> 00:02:56 dragon on behalf of the Falcon team
00:02:56 --> 00:02:57 we're honored to deliver you safely to
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 your polar orbit enjoy the the views of
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 the poles send us some pictures and our
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 hearts and Minds will be flying with you
00:03:04 --> 00:03:05 as you go over the
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 polls the mission is named after the
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 famous Norwegian exploration ship Fram
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 which ventured into both Arctic and
00:03:13 --> 00:03:15 Antarctic regions in the late 19th and
00:03:15 --> 00:03:18 early 20th centuries Fram translates to
00:03:18 --> 00:03:22 forward or onward in Norwegian A fitting
00:03:22 --> 00:03:23 name for this pioneering space flight
00:03:23 --> 00:03:25 that carries the Same Spirit of
00:03:25 --> 00:03:27 exploration into Earth orbit during
00:03:27 --> 00:03:30 their 3 to 5 days in space the crew will
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 conduct 22 scientific experiments that
00:03:32 --> 00:03:35 leverage their unique orbital path these
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 include the first ever attempt to grow
00:03:37 --> 00:03:38 mushrooms in the microgravity
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 environment of space and operating a
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 machine that will capture the first
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 x-ray images of the human body while in
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 orbit additional studies will
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 investigate how space flight and
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 microgravity affect the human
00:03:50 --> 00:03:53 musculoskeletal system Fram 2 represents
00:03:53 --> 00:03:57 spacex's 17th human space flight overall
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 and its sixth private crude mission
00:04:00 --> 00:04:01 what makes this launch particularly
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 notable is that it came just 17 days
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 after spacex's previous astronaut launch
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 crew 10 to the International Space
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 Station marking the shortest interval
00:04:09 --> 00:04:12 between SpaceX crude missions to date
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 upon completion of their orbital Journey
00:04:14 --> 00:04:17 the Fram 2 crew Will Make History again
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 with the first Pacific ocean splash down
00:04:19 --> 00:04:22 for a SpaceX crude Mission previous
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 Dragon capsules have all landed in the
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 Atlantic off Florida's Coast but the
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 company is Shifting returns to the West
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 Coast to minimize risk to people and
00:04:30 --> 00:04:33 property during re-entry in one final
00:04:33 --> 00:04:35 research opportunity the crew will
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 forego the typical medical assistance
00:04:37 --> 00:04:38 normally provided to astronauts
00:04:38 --> 00:04:41 returning from space allowing scientists
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 to study how their bodies readapt to
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 Earth's gravity without intervention
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 valuable data for future space
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 exploration
00:04:50 --> 00:04:53 missions speaking of launches let's turn
00:04:53 --> 00:04:54 our attention now to this week's
00:04:54 --> 00:04:57 schedule it's been an exceptionally busy
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 period for SpaceX with this week alone
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 featuring five planned Falcon 9 launches
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 the company's impressive Cadence kicked
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 off with the starlink group 6 80 Mission
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 from Cape Canaveral which lifted off
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 just hours before the historic Fram 2
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 flight this starlink deployment carried
00:05:14 --> 00:05:18 a record 28 of spacex's upgraded V2 mini
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 optimized satellites to orbit marking
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 the first time these enhanced satellites
00:05:22 --> 00:05:25 have launched from the East Coast the
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 rapid fire succession of launches
00:05:26 --> 00:05:29 showcases spacex's growing operational
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 cap cap ability just consider that the
00:05:31 --> 00:05:34 booster used for the starlink 6 ad
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 mission was making its 17th flight after
00:05:36 --> 00:05:39 a turnaround of only 41 days numbers
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 that would have seemed impossible just a
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 few years ago looking ahead through the
00:05:43 --> 00:05:46 week SpaceX has scheduled three more
00:05:46 --> 00:05:49 starlink missions on April 1st Falcon 9
00:05:50 --> 00:05:52 is set to launch starlink group 11 13
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 from Vandenberg space force base in
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 California followed by two additional
00:05:56 --> 00:05:59 deployments starlink group 11 11 on on
00:05:59 --> 00:06:02 April 4th and Starling group 6 72 on
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 April 6th from opposite coast of the
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 United States the timing between the
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 Fram 2 crude Mission and the previous
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 crew 10 launch to the International
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 Space Station set a new record for
00:06:12 --> 00:06:15 SpaceX with just two weeks and 3 days
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 separating these human space flights
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 this compressed timeline demonstrates
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 the maturity of spacex's human space
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 flight program and the reliability of
00:06:23 --> 00:06:26 their Falcon 9 and dragon
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 systems while SpaceX dominates the
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 launch schedule this week they're not
00:06:30 --> 00:06:33 alone in reaching for orbit China also
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 has two launches planned with their
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 Chang Jang 2D rocket scheduled to lift
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 off on April 1st followed by what might
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 be one of the final flights of the Chung
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 Jang 6 rocket later in the week from the
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 taian satellite launch Center the
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 increasing frequency of SpaceX launches
00:06:48 --> 00:06:51 has become almost routine but it
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 represents a fundamental shift in space
00:06:53 --> 00:06:56 access just a decade ago achieving this
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 many orbital launches across an entire
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 year would have been consider Ed
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 remarkable for a single company now
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 space X is demonstrating the capability
00:07:04 --> 00:07:07 to achieve that in a single week while
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 simultaneously conducting historic human
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 space flight missions and expanding
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 their global satellite internet
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 constellation this operational Tempo not
00:07:15 --> 00:07:17 only serves spacex's commercial
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 interests but also provides crucial
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 experience for NASA's future crude
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 missions and demonstrates the kind of
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 launch Cadence that will be necessary as
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 Humanity expands its presence beyond
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 Earth
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 let's go to Mars now for an update this
00:07:31 --> 00:07:31 is
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 fascinating while the perseverance
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 Rovers primary mission on Mars focuses
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 on searching for signs of ancient
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 microbial life it's also quietly
00:07:39 --> 00:07:42 conducting crucial research that could
00:07:42 --> 00:07:44 directly impact the safety of future
00:07:44 --> 00:07:47 human explorers for the past four years
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 the Rover has been exposing small
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 swatches of space suit materials to the
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 harsh Martian environment in what
00:07:53 --> 00:07:56 amounts to the ultimate real world test
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 these material samples each measuring
00:07:58 --> 00:08:01 just 3/4 of an inch square are attached
00:08:01 --> 00:08:04 to a calibration Target for the Rover's
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 Sherlock instrument the selection
00:08:06 --> 00:08:08 includes pieces that would be integral
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 to any Mars astronauts protective gear a
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 polycarbonate helmet visor vectrin used
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 in glove palms for cut resistance two
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 variations of Teflon with dust repelling
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 properties and a complex material called
00:08:20 --> 00:08:23 ortho fabric the ortho fabric is
00:08:23 --> 00:08:25 particularly interesting as it combines
00:08:25 --> 00:08:28 multiple protective layers noch for
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 flame resistance like fire fighter gear
00:08:30 --> 00:08:33 breathable gortex and Kevlar for tiar
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 resistance similar to what's used in
00:08:34 --> 00:08:37 bulletproof vests together these
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 materials represent the building blocks
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 of what future Martian explorers might
00:08:41 --> 00:08:44 wear Mars presents an extremely hostile
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 environment for both humans and their
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 equipment unlike Earth with its
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 protective magnetic field that deflects
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 much of the sun's radiation Mars lost
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 its magnetic Shield billions of years
00:08:54 --> 00:08:57 ago along with most of its atmosphere
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 this leaves the surface exposed to
00:08:58 --> 00:09:01 intense Ultra Violet radiation that can
00:09:01 --> 00:09:03 rapidly degrade materials add to this
00:09:03 --> 00:09:06 the planet's freezing temperatures find
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 dust particles that can infiltrate
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 mechanisms and corrosive perits toxic
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 salts that permeate the Martian soil and
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 you have an environment engineered to
00:09:15 --> 00:09:17 break down almost anything we might send
00:09:17 --> 00:09:20 there mark Fri of NASA's Johnson Space
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 Center explains the forward-thinking
00:09:22 --> 00:09:25 nature of this experiment this is one of
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 the forward-looking aspects of the
00:09:26 --> 00:09:29 Rover's Mission not just thinking about
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 its current science but also about what
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 comes next we're preparing for people to
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 eventually go and explore Mars the data
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 being collected is particularly valuable
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 because it shows how quickly different
00:09:40 --> 00:09:43 materials degrade remarkably about half
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 of all the changes observed in the
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 samples occurred within just the first
00:09:46 --> 00:09:49 200 days on Mars with vectran appearing
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 to deteriorate most rapidly this gives
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 Engineers crucial information about how
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 frequently space suits might need
00:09:55 --> 00:09:58 replacement or repair during extended
00:09:58 --> 00:10:00 missions scientists are especially
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 concerned about maintaining flexibility
00:10:02 --> 00:10:05 and tear resistance in spacit materials
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 as Sherlock team member Joby razal
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 Hollis notes Mars is a really harsh
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 tough place the radiation in particular
00:10:11 --> 00:10:14 is pretty nasty when these materials
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 degrade they can become brittle similar
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 to how white plastic lawn furniture
00:10:18 --> 00:10:20 yellows and cracks after years in
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 sunlight but likely happening much
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 faster on
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 Mars the research team is now preparing
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 to publish their findings while
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 scientists at NASA Johnson are develing
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 veloping earth-based simulations that
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 can replicate Martian conditions they
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 plan to subject identical materials to
00:10:35 --> 00:10:37 simulated Martian carbon dioxide
00:10:37 --> 00:10:39 atmospheres air pressure and ultraviolet
00:10:39 --> 00:10:42 light then stress test them to determine
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 how much structural Integrity they've
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 lost the fabric materials are designed
00:10:46 --> 00:10:50 to be tough but flexible fre explains we
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 want to know the extent to which they
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 lose their strength and flexibility over
00:10:53 --> 00:10:56 time as Fabrics weaken they can Fray and
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 tear allowing a space suit to leak both
00:10:58 --> 00:11:00 heat and air
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 a potentially fatal situation for any
00:11:01 --> 00:11:04 Mars Explorer This research represents a
00:11:04 --> 00:11:06 critical step in preparing for human
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 exploration of the red planet
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 demonstrating how current robotic
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 missions are directly enabling future
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 human missions by solving practical
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 challenges before astronauts ever set
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 foot on Martian
00:11:17 --> 00:11:20 soil well we finally got to see Butch
00:11:20 --> 00:11:22 and Sunni addressing the world today in
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 their first sitdown TV interview since
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 returning
00:11:25 --> 00:11:27 home after 9 months aboard the
00:11:27 --> 00:11:30 International Space Station 200 78 days
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 longer than planned NASA astronauts
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams have
00:11:34 --> 00:11:37 finally returned to Earth what began as
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 a routine 8-day test flight of Boeing
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 Starliner spacecraft transformed into
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 one of the most dramatic Extended Stays
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 in space history turning them into
00:11:46 --> 00:11:49 household names in the process the
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 veteran astronauts splashed down off
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 Florida's Coast two weeks ago not in the
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 Boeing capsule that carried them up but
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 in a SpaceX dragon that came to their
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 rescue their unprecedented Mission
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 extension came after Starliner
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 experienced multiple technical issues
00:12:04 --> 00:12:08 during its June 2023 launch including
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 Thruster failures and helium leaks that
00:12:10 --> 00:12:13 raised serious safety concerns about the
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 capsule's return
00:12:14 --> 00:12:17 capability in their first news
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 conference since returning home both
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 astronauts displayed remarkable
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 composure and professionalism despite
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 their ordeal I'll start and point the
00:12:25 --> 00:12:28 finger and I'll blame me Wilmore told
00:12:28 --> 00:12:30 reporters sharing responsibility for the
00:12:30 --> 00:12:33 missions issues I could have asked some
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 questions and the answers to those
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 questions could have turned the tide all
00:12:36 --> 00:12:38 the way up and down the chain we all are
00:12:38 --> 00:12:41 responsible we all own this The Saga
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 took on additional Dimensions when
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 President Trump publicly urged spacex's
00:12:45 --> 00:12:48 Elon Musk to accelerate the rescue
00:12:48 --> 00:12:50 mission adding political pressure to an
00:12:50 --> 00:12:53 already complicated situation meanwhile
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 NASA engineers and Boeing officials
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 spent months deliberating the safest
00:12:57 --> 00:13:00 course of action before ultimately
00:13:00 --> 00:13:02 determining that Starliner was too risky
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 to bring the astronauts home despite
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 everything they experienced both Wilmore
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 and Williams expressed continued
00:13:08 --> 00:13:11 confidence in Boeing spacecraft when
00:13:11 --> 00:13:13 asked if they would fly on Starliner
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 again Williams responded emphatically
00:13:15 --> 00:13:19 we're all in she added that the vehicle
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 has a lot of capability and she wants to
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 see it succeed Wilmore echoed this
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 sentiment saying he'd return in a
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 heartbeat because we're going to rectify
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 all the issues that we encountered we're
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 going to fix them we're going to make it
00:13:32 --> 00:13:35 work the pair is scheduled to meet with
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 Boeing Leadership this week to provide
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 detailed feedback on their flight
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 experience Wilmore emphasized that the
00:13:41 --> 00:13:44 meeting is not for pointing fingers but
00:13:44 --> 00:13:46 rather to make the path clearer going
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 forward both astronauts have been
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 adjusting well to life back on Earth
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 Williams waited until she was studer on
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 her feet before reuniting with her two
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 Labrador Retrievers the day after
00:13:57 --> 00:14:00 Splashdown describing the moment as pure
00:14:00 --> 00:14:03 joy will Moore meanwhile has already
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 received his first terrestrial
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 assignment from his wife replacing all
00:14:06 --> 00:14:09 the shrubs in their yard before summer
00:14:09 --> 00:14:11 NASA Engineers still don't fully
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 understand what caused Starliner
00:14:12 --> 00:14:15 Thruster malfunctions with more testing
00:14:15 --> 00:14:18 plan through summer the space agency may
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 require another uncrewed test flight
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 before allowing astronauts aboard again
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 but that potential redo Could Happen by
00:14:24 --> 00:14:27 Year's End despite Starliner troubled
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 development NASA officials May
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 maintained that their strategy of having
00:14:30 --> 00:14:33 two competing us companies providing
00:14:33 --> 00:14:35 space station Transportation remains
00:14:35 --> 00:14:37 sound however with the International
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 Space Station scheduled for retirement
00:14:39 --> 00:14:42 in just 5 years the window for Boeing to
00:14:42 --> 00:14:44 establish Starliner as a reliable crew
00:14:44 --> 00:14:46 transport is rapidly
00:14:46 --> 00:14:49 closing finally today a dark matter
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 update Dark Matter remains one of the
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 most enigmatic components of our
00:14:53 --> 00:14:56 universe making up approximately 85% of
00:14:56 --> 00:14:58 all matter it's practically invisible
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 detec able only through its
00:15:00 --> 00:15:02 gravitational effects but new research
00:15:02 --> 00:15:04 suggests we might have another way to
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 observe its presence through its
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 influence on planetary
00:15:07 --> 00:15:10 rotation scientists from the shinjang
00:15:10 --> 00:15:12 astronomical Observatory at the Chinese
00:15:12 --> 00:15:14 Academy of Sciences have published
00:15:14 --> 00:15:17 intriguing findings suggesting that dark
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 matter could actually make planets spin
00:15:19 --> 00:15:22 faster their paper aptly titled Dark
00:15:22 --> 00:15:24 Matter spins the planet proposes that
00:15:24 --> 00:15:26 planets act as natural Dark Matter
00:15:26 --> 00:15:29 collectors gradually accumulating these
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 mysterious particles over billions of
00:15:31 --> 00:15:34 years when Dark Matter particles enter a
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 planet they don't interact with normal
00:15:36 --> 00:15:38 matter in conventional ways instead
00:15:38 --> 00:15:40 through Quantum effects like tunneling
00:15:40 --> 00:15:42 they can deposit energy into the
00:15:42 --> 00:15:45 planet's interior this energy transfer
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 manifests in two ways heating the planet
00:15:47 --> 00:15:50 and accelerating its rotation the
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 researchers simulated this dark matter
00:15:52 --> 00:15:54 capture process in 15 confirmed
00:15:54 --> 00:15:57 exoplanets including notable examples
00:15:57 --> 00:16:00 like 55 canri d also known as lier and
00:16:00 --> 00:16:03 Epsilon aidon B they also applied their
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 model to more familiar worlds like
00:16:05 --> 00:16:08 Jupiter and our own Earth for Earth
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 specifically their calculations predict
00:16:10 --> 00:16:13 some measurable effects Dark Matter
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 heating combined with solar energy could
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 increase Earth's surface atmospheric
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 temperature by approximately
00:16:19 --> 00:16:24 0 Kelvin over 100 years and 0.15
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 Kelvin over a millennium more
00:16:26 --> 00:16:28 dramatically Earth's rotation period
00:16:28 --> 00:16:30 could decrease by about 12 seconds over
00:16:30 --> 00:16:33 the next century and potentially 120
00:16:34 --> 00:16:37 seconds over a thousand years these
00:16:37 --> 00:16:39 might sound like small changes but
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 they're significant enough that we
00:16:40 --> 00:16:43 should be able to detect them with
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 current ground-based measurement methods
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 this provides astronomers with a
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 potential new Avenue for confirming dark
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 Matter's existence and properties the
00:16:51 --> 00:16:54 implications extend beyond pure physics
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 the team suggests that dark matter
00:16:55 --> 00:16:57 interactions might play a role in
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 planetary habitability
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 by altering thermal conditions within
00:17:01 --> 00:17:03 planets Dark Matter could affect the
00:17:03 --> 00:17:06 stability of liquid water and influence
00:17:06 --> 00:17:09 atmospheric Evolution key factors in
00:17:09 --> 00:17:11 determining whether a world can support
00:17:11 --> 00:17:13 life despite the theoretical nature of
00:17:13 --> 00:17:16 this work it represents an Innovative
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 approach to the Dark Matter
00:17:17 --> 00:17:20 puzzle rather than focusing solely on
00:17:20 --> 00:17:22 microscopic particle physics or Cosmic
00:17:22 --> 00:17:25 scale observations these researchers are
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 looking at planetary scale effects that
00:17:27 --> 00:17:30 accumulate over long time periods Dark
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 Matter candidates range from weakly
00:17:32 --> 00:17:35 interacting massive particles wimps to
00:17:35 --> 00:17:38 axians to primordial black holes if any
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 of these particles are indeed captured
00:17:39 --> 00:17:42 by planets the energy released when they
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 annihilate each other could contribute
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 to the heating and rotational effects
00:17:46 --> 00:17:48 described in the study as the authors
00:17:48 --> 00:17:50 note this research could prove
00:17:50 --> 00:17:52 especially valuable as Humanity
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 continues searching for potentially
00:17:53 --> 00:17:57 habitable worlds beyond our solar system
00:17:57 --> 00:17:59 understanding how dark matter influences
00:17:59 --> 00:18:01 planetary conditions might help us
00:18:01 --> 00:18:03 better assess which exoplanets could
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 support life adding yet another factor
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 to consider in our quest to find a
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 second home Among the
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 [Music]
00:18:09 --> 00:18:11 Stars that wraps up today's Journey
00:18:11 --> 00:18:14 Through the cosmos from spacex's
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 groundbreaking polar mission to the
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 Intriguing effects of Dark Matter on
00:18:17 --> 00:18:20 planetary rotation we've covered some
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 truly fascinating developments in space
00:18:22 --> 00:18:25 exploration and astronomy I'm Anna your
00:18:25 --> 00:18:27 Guide to the Stars here at astronomy
00:18:27 --> 00:18:29 daily and it's been my absolute pleasure
00:18:29 --> 00:18:32 sharing these stories with you space
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 science moves at an incredible pace and
00:18:34 --> 00:18:36 there's always something new to discover
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 together if you're hungry for more space
00:18:38 --> 00:18:41 news between our episodes I've got you
00:18:41 --> 00:18:44 covered head over to astronomy daily.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 where our constantly updating Newsfeed
00:18:46 --> 00:18:48 brings you the latest happenings in
00:18:48 --> 00:18:51 space and astronomy as they unfold
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 you'll also find our complete episode
00:18:53 --> 00:18:55 archive there perfect for catching up on
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 anything you might have missed the
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 conversation doesn't end when our
00:18:58 --> 00:19:01 episodes do join our community of space
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 enthusiasts on social media by searching
00:19:03 --> 00:19:06 for Astro daily pod you'll find us on X
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 Facebook YouTube YouTube music Instagram
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00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 questions and astronomical observations
00:19:12 --> 00:19:15 with us we love hearing from fellow
00:19:15 --> 00:19:18 Cosmic explorers until next time keep
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 looking up at those Stars the universe
00:19:20 --> 00:19:23 is vast and mysterious but together
00:19:23 --> 00:19:25 we're understanding more of it every day
00:19:25 --> 00:19:27 this is Anna signing off from astronomy
00:19:27 --> 00:19:29 daily where we believe the sky is just
00:19:29 --> 00:19:32 the beginning
00:19:32 --> 00:19:50 [Music]