Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E79
In this captivating episode of Astronomy Daily, host Anna takes you on an exhilarating journey through the latest developments in space exploration and astronomical research. From SpaceX's ongoing Starship challenges to the groundbreaking SphereX mission, this episode is filled with cosmic insights that will inspire your curiosity.
Highlights:
- SpaceX's Starship Investigations: Explore the latest updates on SpaceX's Starship program as the FAA closes one investigation while keeping another open. We delve into the implications of the recent test flight failures and the corrective actions SpaceX is implementing to move forward.
- Blue Origin's New Glenn Progress: Learn about Blue Origin's completed investigation into the New Glenn rocket's failed landing attempt. Discover the corrective measures being taken as the company prepares for its next launch, aiming to enhance the rocket's reusability and reliability.
- NASA's SphereX Mission Launch: Marvel at the first images captured by NASA's SphereX mission, a revolutionary observatory designed to map the entire celestial sky. We discuss its unique capabilities and the scientific questions it aims to address during its mission.
- Historic Fram 2 Mission: Join us as we celebrate SpaceX's Fram 2 mission, which successfully sent the first humans to orbit Earth's poles. Discover the significance of this mission and the groundbreaking scientific experiments being conducted by its crew.
- Astronauts Return from ISS: Catch up with NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams as they readjust to life on Earth after an extended stay aboard the International Space Station due to Boeing's Starliner issues. Hear their reflections on their unique experiences in space.
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 - SpaceX Starship investigation updates
10:30 - Blue Origin's New Glenn investigation results
17:00 - SphereX mission's first images
22:15 - Overview of the Fram 2 mission
27:30 - Astronauts' return from ISS
✍️ Episode References
SpaceX Starship Updates
[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/) )
Blue Origin New Glenn Investigation
[Blue Origin]( https://www.blueorigin.com (https://www.blueorigin.com/) )
SphereX Mission Details
[NASA SphereX]( https://www.nasa.gov/spherex (https://www.nasa.gov/spherex) )
Fram 2 Mission Overview
[SpaceX]( https://www.spacex.com (https://www.spacex.com/) )
Astronauts' ISS Mission
[NASA Astronauts]( https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts (https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts) )
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/26406148?utm_source=youtube
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 welcome to astronomy daily your Cosmic
00:00:02 --> 00:00:05 connection to the stars and Beyond I'm
00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 Anna and today we're exploring a
00:00:07 --> 00:00:09 universe of fascinating developments in
00:00:09 --> 00:00:11 space exploration and astronomy coming
00:00:11 --> 00:00:13 up in the next few minutes we'll dive
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 into the latest on spacex's Starship
00:00:15 --> 00:00:18 program as the FAA closes one
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 investigation while keeping another open
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 we'll also get the details on Blue
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 Origins completed investigation into
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 their new Glenn Rockets failed Landing
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 attempt and what it means for their
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 upcoming launch then we Marvel at the
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 first images from NASA's groundbreaking
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 spherex Mission a new Observatory that's
00:00:35 --> 00:00:39 set to map the entire Celestial Sky Plus
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 we'll join the historic Fram 2 mission
00:00:41 --> 00:00:42 that just sent the first humans to orbit
00:00:42 --> 00:00:45 Earth's poles and catch up with the NASA
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 astronauts who finally returned home
00:00:47 --> 00:00:50 after their Extended Stay in space due
00:00:50 --> 00:00:53 to Boeing Starliner issues so strap in
00:00:53 --> 00:00:54 for liftoff as we journey through
00:00:54 --> 00:00:56 today's biggest space headlines right
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 here on astronomy daily let's kick
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 things off with updates from a couple of
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 FAA
00:01:02 --> 00:01:04 investigations the Federal Aviation
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 Administration has recently closed its
00:01:06 --> 00:01:08 investigation into spacex's seventh
00:01:08 --> 00:01:11 Starship test flight which ended in an
00:01:11 --> 00:01:13 explosion back in January however the
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 agency is keeping its probe open
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 regarding the subsequent March test
00:01:17 --> 00:01:18 flight that also resulted in an
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 explosion during a similar phase of
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 flight this represents an interesting
00:01:22 --> 00:01:24 development in Elon musk's Flagship
00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 Space Program according to the faa's
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 findings the January flight failure was
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 likely caused by stronger than
00:01:31 --> 00:01:33 anticipated vibrations during flight
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 which led to increased stress on the
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 propulsion system hardware and its
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 eventual failure despite this setback
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 SpaceX implemented 11 corrective actions
00:01:43 --> 00:01:45 that satisfied the FAA enough to allow
00:01:46 --> 00:01:47 the company to proceed with its eighth
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 test flight in March the situation
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 illustrates the challenging nature of
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 developing Next Generation space
00:01:54 --> 00:01:56 technology Starship standing at an
00:01:56 --> 00:01:59 impressive 400 ft tall is at the center
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 of musk's ambitious goal to eventually
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 colonize Mars these back-to-back
00:02:04 --> 00:02:06 explosions represent novel setbacks for
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 SpaceX at a time when musk has been
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 publicly pushing for faster progress
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 what's particularly noteworthy is that
00:02:13 --> 00:02:15 the FAA allowed SpaceX to launch the
00:02:15 --> 00:02:17 eighth test flight while the
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 investigation into the previous failure
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 was still underway a sign of the
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 agency's confidence in spacex's
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 corrective measures however when that
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 flight also ended in Failure at around
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 the same phase it raised new questions
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 about the underlying issues with the
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 vehicle the FAA has made it clear that
00:02:35 --> 00:02:36 Starship cannot return to flight until
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 the agency deems it safe enough for the
00:02:38 --> 00:02:41 public with the investigation into the
00:02:41 --> 00:02:43 March explosion still ongoing SpaceX
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 faces uncertainty about when they'll be
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 able to attempt a ninth test flight
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 these developmental challenges are not
00:02:49 --> 00:02:51 uncommon in the space industry but they
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 do highlight the complexity of creating
00:02:53 --> 00:02:56 a fully reusable super heavy lift launch
00:02:56 --> 00:02:59 system despite these setbacks SpaceX
00:02:59 --> 00:03:00 continues to make make incremental
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 progress with each test flight Gathering
00:03:03 --> 00:03:06 valuable data even from failures for now
00:03:06 --> 00:03:07 the space Community watches with
00:03:07 --> 00:03:10 anticipation as SpaceX Works to identify
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 and address the root causes of these
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 failures with the hope that future tests
00:03:14 --> 00:03:15 will bring Starship closer to
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 operational
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 status meanwhile in another decision
00:03:19 --> 00:03:22 from the FAA this week blue origin has
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 reached a significant milestone in its
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 new Glenn program with the Federal
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 Aviation Administration announcing on
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 March 31st that it has accepted the
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 findings of blue Origins investigation
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 into the failed booster Landing during
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 the Rockets inaugural flight on January
00:03:37 --> 00:03:39 16th while the First new Glenn Mission
00:03:39 --> 00:03:41 successfully delivered its upper stage
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 to orbit as planned the first stage
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 booster was unable to land on Blue
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 Origins recovery ship in the Atlantic
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 Ocean according to the FAA statement the
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 mishap report identified the proximate
00:03:52 --> 00:03:55 cause as the booster's inability to
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 restart its engines which prevented the
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 critical re-entry burn from occurring
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 resulting in the loss of the stage Dave
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 limp blue Origins chief executive had
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 previously hinted at the problem during
00:04:07 --> 00:04:08 the commercial space conference in
00:04:08 --> 00:04:11 February suggesting that issues with
00:04:11 --> 00:04:12 propellant management were behind the
00:04:12 --> 00:04:14 failed Landing attempt now the company
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 has officially confirmed that the three
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 be4 engines did not reignite properly
00:04:19 --> 00:04:22 leading to The Landing failure as part
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 of the investigation blue origin has
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 identified seven corrective actions that
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 will need to be implemented before the
00:04:29 --> 00:04:30 next launch
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 these measures primarily focus on
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 propellant management and engine bleed
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 control improvements the company has
00:04:37 --> 00:04:38 stated they're already addressing these
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 issues in preparation for their next
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 flight with the investigation complete
00:04:43 --> 00:04:46 and the faa's acceptance of the findings
00:04:46 --> 00:04:48 blue origin is now authorized to return
00:04:48 --> 00:04:51 to flight provided all other licensing
00:04:51 --> 00:04:53 requirements are met the company has set
00:04:53 --> 00:04:55 an ambitious timeline targeting late
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 spring for the next new Glenn launch
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 this upcoming Mission will include
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 another booster Landing attempt which
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 they've playfully nicknamed so you're
00:05:03 --> 00:05:04 telling me there's a
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 chance in a social media post limp
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 expressed confidence in their approach
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 stating we're confident that the
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 propellant and bleed control work we're
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 doing will increase our chances of
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 Landing the booster on our next flight
00:05:17 --> 00:05:19 and like we've said all along we'll keep
00:05:19 --> 00:05:20 trying until we
00:05:20 --> 00:05:23 do while blue origin hasn't provided
00:05:23 --> 00:05:24 specific details about potential
00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 payloads for the next mission or a more
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 precise launch date the completion of
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 this investigation represents a critical
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 step forward for the company's heavy
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 lift rocket program the recovery of the
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 first stage is a key part of blue origin
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 strategy to make new Glenn partially
00:05:41 --> 00:05:43 reusable following a similar approach to
00:05:43 --> 00:05:46 that pioneered by SpaceX with its Falcon
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47
00:05:47 --> 00:05:51 Rockets next up NASA has reached an
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 exciting Milestone with its newest space
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 Observatory the spherex mission which
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 stands for spectr photometer for the
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 history of the universe epic of
00:06:00 --> 00:06:02 reionization and Isis Explorer has
00:06:02 --> 00:06:04 powered on its detectors for the first
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 time since launching on March 11th
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 capturing its inaugural images from
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 space these initial images while still
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 uncalibrated and not yet ready for
00:06:13 --> 00:06:16 scientific use confirm that all systems
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 are functioning exactly as intended each
00:06:19 --> 00:06:22 spherix exposure consists of six images
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 that together provide a remarkably wide
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 view of the cosmos with each image
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 containing more than 100 light
00:06:28 --> 00:06:32 sources including stars and galaxies the
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 observatory's field of view covers a
00:06:34 --> 00:06:37 rectangular area approximately 20 times
00:06:37 --> 00:06:39 wider than the full moon what makes
00:06:39 --> 00:06:41 sphex unique is its approach to
00:06:41 --> 00:06:44 surveying the sky unlike telescopes such
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 as Hubble or James web that focus on
00:06:47 --> 00:06:50 small detailed areas sphx takes a much
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 broader perspective The Observatory
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 detects infrared light which is
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 invisible to the human eye and breaks it
00:06:56 --> 00:06:59 down into remarkable detail each of
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 spher six detectors captures light in 17
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 distinct wavelength bands allowing
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 scientists to analyze a total of 102
00:07:07 --> 00:07:10 different infrared Hues in every
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 exposure this spectroscopic capability
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 is crucial for understanding the
00:07:14 --> 00:07:17 composition of celestial objects and
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 determining their
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 distances by collecting light from
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 hundreds of millions of stars and
00:07:22 --> 00:07:25 galaxies across more wavelengths than
00:07:25 --> 00:07:27 any previous all Sky survey telescope
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 sphex will help scientists invest
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 vestigate fundamental questions ranging
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 from the physics that govern the
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 universe less than a second after the
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 big bang to the origins of water in our
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 galaxy The Observatory Works through an
00:07:40 --> 00:07:42 ingenious system when light enters SPH
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 X's telescope it's directed down two
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 separate paths that each lead to a row
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 of three detectors these detectors
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 function like eyes and sitting on top of
00:07:51 --> 00:07:54 them are specialized color filters
00:07:54 --> 00:07:56 unlike standard filters that block all
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 wavelengths except one spher X's filters
00:07:58 --> 00:08:01 are more like rainbow tinted glasses
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 with the blocked wavelengths changing
00:08:02 --> 00:08:05 gradually from the top of the filter to
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 the bottom during its 2-year primary
00:08:07 --> 00:08:10 Mission sphex will map the entire
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 Celestial Sky four times over once
00:08:13 --> 00:08:15 routine science operations begin in late
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 April the observatory will take
00:08:17 --> 00:08:20 approximately 600 exposures every day
00:08:20 --> 00:08:22 for the spacecraft to properly detect
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 infrared light its detectors and other
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 Hardware have been cooling down to their
00:08:27 --> 00:08:29 final operating temperature of around is
00:08:29 --> 00:08:32 350° f as heat can overwhelm the
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 telescope's infrared detection
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 capabilities project scientists are
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 clearly thrilled with the results so far
00:08:39 --> 00:08:42 as Olivier Dory sphex project scientist
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 at Caltech and NASA's jet propulsion
00:08:44 --> 00:08:47 laboratory remarked our spacecraft has
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 opened its eyes on the universe it's
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 performing just as it was designed to
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 this sentiment was echoed by Jamie Bach
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 sphere X's principal investigator who
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 noted that based on the images we are
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 seeing we can now say that the
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 instrument team nailed
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 it next an update on the story we
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 brought you yesterday in a historic
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 first for human space flight SpaceX has
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 successfully launched the Fram 2 mission
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 sending four people into a polar orbit
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 around Earth a trajectory never before
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 flown by humans the crew Dragon
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 spacecraft resilience lifted off on
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 Monday at 9:46 p.m. eastern time
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 carrying a crew of private astronauts
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 who are now experiencing views of our
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 planet that no human has ever witnessed
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 firsthand the mission is commanded by
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 chunwang of Malta who personally funded
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 this groundbreaking Venture Wong is
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 joined by an international team
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 including Norwegian Jan Mickelson
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 serving as vehicle Commander German
00:09:39 --> 00:09:42 pilot Raba Rogue and Australian Eric
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 Phillips as Mission specialist and
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 medical officer all four are spaceflight
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 rookies making their achievement even
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 more
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 remarkable today we become the 681
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 humans to Fly Above the Carmen line and
00:09:54 --> 00:09:57 the 626 to orbit the earth Wang
00:09:57 --> 00:10:00 announced shortly after reaching orbit
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 the crew is now sending back
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 breathtaking images of Earth's most
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 remote regions including unprecedented
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 views of the polar regions captured
00:10:07 --> 00:10:10 through resilience's Cupa window the
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 mission derives its name from a famous
00:10:12 --> 00:10:14 Norwegian exploration vessel that
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 conducted pioneering Arctic and
00:10:16 --> 00:10:18 Antarctic Expeditions in the early 20th
00:10:18 --> 00:10:21 century living up to its namesake Fram 2
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 aims to push boundaries with nearly two
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 dozen scientific experiments during
00:10:25 --> 00:10:28 their orbital Journey the all inspiring
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 images being shared by the crew showcase
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 Earth's poles blanketed in white
00:10:32 --> 00:10:34 offering a perspective that brings home
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 the fragility and beauty of our planet
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 in a way never before documented by
00:10:38 --> 00:10:41 human eyes these unique orbital
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 observations May provide valuable
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 scientific insights while also capturing
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 the imagination of people
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 worldwide it seems the world's media
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 have suddenly discovered space flight
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 and so they can't get enough of Butch
00:10:53 --> 00:10:56 and Sunni and yes even we have another
00:10:56 --> 00:10:59 update today after 9 months in space
00:10:59 --> 00:11:01 NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunni
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 Williams are finally readjusting to life
00:11:03 --> 00:11:06 on Earth following their unexpectedly
00:11:06 --> 00:11:08 Extended Stay aboard the International
00:11:08 --> 00:11:10 Space Station what was originally
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 planned as an 8-day test mission aboard
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 Boeing Starliner spacecraft turned into
00:11:15 --> 00:11:18 a 9-month orbital marathon after
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 propulsion system issues forced NASA to
00:11:20 --> 00:11:23 bring the capsule back empty it's great
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 getting back I went for a run although
00:11:25 --> 00:11:27 very slow Williams shared in a recent
00:11:27 --> 00:11:30 interview from Houston just felt good to
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 feel air even though it was humid air
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 like blowing past you and seeing other
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 people on the track it's really nice
00:11:35 --> 00:11:38 it's home both astronauts who returned
00:11:38 --> 00:11:40 to Earth aboard a SpaceX crew Dragon
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 capsule in March underwent routine
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 medical checks before reuniting with
00:11:44 --> 00:11:44 their
00:11:44 --> 00:11:47 families despite the extended Mission
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 they seem to be embracing simple Earth
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 Pleasures like walking dogs and spending
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 time with loved ones but their work with
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 Boeing is far from Over the veteran
00:11:55 --> 00:11:58 astronauts both former US Navy test
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 pilots are scheduled to meet with Boeing
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 Leadership this week to discuss
00:12:02 --> 00:12:05 Starliner future as the only humans to
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 have actually flown in the spacecraft
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 their insights are
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 invaluable we had a very unique
00:12:11 --> 00:12:14 perspective of being in the spacecraft
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 nobody else had that perspective
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 Williams explained she added that
00:12:18 --> 00:12:20 they'll be discussing where we stand and
00:12:20 --> 00:12:22 where we think we need to go with
00:12:22 --> 00:12:25 Starliner development NASA and Boeing
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 now plan to conduct ground tests of
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 Starliner troubled propulsion system
00:12:28 --> 00:12:30 this summer with the next flight test
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 not expected until early
00:12:32 --> 00:12:35 2026 that mission could well be uncrewed
00:12:35 --> 00:12:37 a possibility Williams seems to support
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 I think that is already the plan because
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 there will be new components added to
00:12:40 --> 00:12:42 the spacecraft or replaced on the
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 spacecraft so we'd really like to test
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 that out see how that works she said I
00:12:47 --> 00:12:50 think that's probably a smartwise idea
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 the Starliner program has faced
00:12:51 --> 00:12:54 significant challenges with development
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 costs ballooning to more than $2 billion
00:12:56 --> 00:12:59 since 2016 for NASA these setbacks have
00:12:59 --> 00:13:02 left spacex's crew dragon as the
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 agency's only us option for transporting
00:13:04 --> 00:13:07 astronauts to and from the ISS a
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 concerning situation given NASA's desire
00:13:10 --> 00:13:13 for redundant access systems despite
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 these challenges Wilmore and Williams
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 maintain their professionalism and
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 commitment to helping Boeing overcome
00:13:17 --> 00:13:20 starliners technical issues
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 demonstrating the resilience that
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 defines the astronaut core the
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 commercial space flight landscape is
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 experiencing both remarkable
00:13:27 --> 00:13:29 breakthroughs and significant Growing
00:13:29 --> 00:13:31 Pains as evidenced by recent
00:13:31 --> 00:13:34 developments across the industry we're
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 witnessing a fascinating contrast
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 between spacex's rapid iteration
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 philosophy and Boeing's more traditional
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 approach to spacecraft development
00:13:42 --> 00:13:44 SpaceX continues to push boundaries with
00:13:44 --> 00:13:47 its Starship program despite consecutive
00:13:47 --> 00:13:50 explosive test failures these setbacks
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 highlight the inherent challenges of
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 developing revolutionary rocket systems
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 yet the company maintains its aggressive
00:13:55 --> 00:13:58 testing schedule this approach building
00:13:58 --> 00:14:01 f testing often and accepting some
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 failures has become spacex's signature
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 methodology though it occasionally puts
00:14:05 --> 00:14:07 them at odds with regulatory bodies like
00:14:07 --> 00:14:10 the FAA meanwhile Boeing's struggles
00:14:10 --> 00:14:12 with Starliner represent a different
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 challenge in commercial space flight the
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 company's more conservative development
00:14:16 --> 00:14:18 process hasn't shielded it from
00:14:18 --> 00:14:21 significant technical issues cost
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 overruns and schedule delays the
00:14:23 --> 00:14:26 contrast between Starliner difficulties
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 and spacex's successful crew Dragon
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 program under scores how different
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 engineering cultures can yield vastly
00:14:31 --> 00:14:34 different outcomes blue origin's partial
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 success with new Glenn adds another
00:14:36 --> 00:14:38 dimension to this competitive landscape
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 their ability to reach Orbit on the
00:14:40 --> 00:14:42 first attempt was impressive even if the
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 booster Landing failed this positions
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 them as a potentially serious competitor
00:14:47 --> 00:14:49 in the heavy lift Market though they
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 remain years behind SpaceX and
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 operational
00:14:52 --> 00:14:54 capability what's particularly striking
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 is how these commercial developments are
00:14:56 --> 00:14:59 reshaping human space exploration
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 NASA has effectively outsourced low
00:15:01 --> 00:15:04 earth orbit Transportation transforming
00:15:04 --> 00:15:06 from operator to customer this
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 transition frees the agency to focus
00:15:08 --> 00:15:11 resources on deep space exploration
00:15:11 --> 00:15:13 while leveraging commercial Innovation
00:15:13 --> 00:15:15 the emergence of purely private missions
00:15:15 --> 00:15:18 like Fram 2 signals another evolution in
00:15:18 --> 00:15:20 commercial space flight moving beyond
00:15:20 --> 00:15:22 government contracts to entirely new
00:15:22 --> 00:15:25 markets these missions demonstrate
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 growing commercial capabilities while
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 expanding our understanding of what
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 possible in Earth orbit despite the
00:15:31 --> 00:15:34 challenges we're seeing competition
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 between multiple providers is ultimately
00:15:36 --> 00:15:39 strengthening the industry each failure
00:15:39 --> 00:15:42 provides valuable data and each success
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 expands capabilities the current
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 difficulties facing these companies
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 aren't signs of failure but rather the
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 expected turbulence of an industry
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 pushing into New Frontiers while
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 striving to make space flight more
00:15:54 --> 00:15:57 routine reliable and
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 accessible what an rible journey through
00:15:59 --> 00:16:02 space news we've taken today from the
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 ongoing development challenges with
00:16:03 --> 00:16:06 spacex's Starship to Blue origins new
00:16:06 --> 00:16:08 Glen progress NASA's exciting new
00:16:08 --> 00:16:11 spherex telescope capturing its first
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 images and the groundbreaking Fram 2
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 polar orbit Mission we've also checked
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 in with astronauts Wilmore and Williams
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 as they readjust to Earth after their
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 Extended Stay in space these stories
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 collectively showcase both the
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 challenges and triumphs that Define our
00:16:24 --> 00:16:27 current ERA of space exploration whether
00:16:27 --> 00:16:29 it's the regulatory hurdles fac in
00:16:29 --> 00:16:31 private companies or the cuttingedge
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 science being conducted in orbit we're
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 witnessing a remarkable period of
00:16:34 --> 00:16:37 innovation and Discovery this has been
00:16:37 --> 00:16:40 Anna your host for astronomy daily if
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 you've enjoyed today's episode and want
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00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 and astronomy news please visit our
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00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 thank you for listening and remember to
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 keep looking up at the stars the
00:17:08 --> 00:17:10 universe is full of Wonders and we'll be
00:17:10 --> 00:17:12 here to share them with you until next
00:17:12 --> 00:17:18 time
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