WEBVTT 0 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:02.920 Anna: Welcome to Astronomy Daily. I'm Anna, and 1 00:00:02.960 --> 00:00:05.032 you're tuned in to your essential source for 2 00:00:05.056 --> 00:00:06.920 the latest developments beyond our 3 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:09.432 atmosphere. We've got a packed episode for 4 00:00:09.456 --> 00:00:11.464 you today as we journey from the scorching 5 00:00:11.512 --> 00:00:13.912 vicinity of our sun all the way to the 6 00:00:13.936 --> 00:00:16.340 emerging frontiers of space law and security. 7 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:19.416 Our cosmic journey begins close to home. 8 00:00:19.568 --> 00:00:22.376 Well, Relatively speaking, as NASA's 9 00:00:22.408 --> 00:00:24.920 Parker Solar Probe completes its 23rd close 10 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:26.952 approach to the Sun. Navigation Matching its 11 00:00:26.976 --> 00:00:29.240 own impressive records for both proximity and 12 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:31.992 speed, this intrepid spacecraft continues to 13 00:00:32.016 --> 00:00:33.576 push the boundaries of what we can learn 14 00:00:33.608 --> 00:00:35.704 about our star. Then we'll look into a 15 00:00:35.712 --> 00:00:38.216 mysterious blue spiral that captivated sky 16 00:00:38.248 --> 00:00:40.440 gazers across Europe this week. The 17 00:00:40.480 --> 00:00:42.696 spectacular phenomenon had social media 18 00:00:42.768 --> 00:00:44.600 buzzing with theories ranging from the 19 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:47.208 scientific to the extraterrestrial. We'll 20 00:00:47.224 --> 00:00:49.304 reveal what really caused this mesmerizing 21 00:00:49.352 --> 00:00:52.056 celestial light show. Looking toward 22 00:00:52.088 --> 00:00:54.408 humanity's future among the stars will 23 00:00:54.464 --> 00:00:57.432 explore how 3D printing technology may be the 24 00:00:57.456 --> 00:00:59.720 key that unlocks sustainable living on other 25 00:00:59.760 --> 00:01:02.504 worlds. Just as early pioneers had to 26 00:01:02.512 --> 00:01:04.248 adapt to new environments using local 27 00:01:04.304 --> 00:01:07.000 resources, future space colonists will need 28 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:09.176 innovative solutions to survive on the Moon 29 00:01:09.208 --> 00:01:12.168 and Mars. We'll also check in on NASA 30 00:01:12.184 --> 00:01:14.696 astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, 31 00:01:14.808 --> 00:01:16.840 who recently returned to Earth after an 32 00:01:16.880 --> 00:01:19.496 unexpectedly extended nine month stay aboard 33 00:01:19.528 --> 00:01:21.620 the International Space Station. Their 34 00:01:21.660 --> 00:01:23.652 prolonged exposure to microgravity has 35 00:01:23.676 --> 00:01:26.148 resulted in fascinating physical changes, and 36 00:01:26.204 --> 00:01:27.956 we'll discuss what their recovery process 37 00:01:28.028 --> 00:01:30.868 might look like. Finally, we'll venture into 38 00:01:30.924 --> 00:01:33.252 more speculative territory with a look at an 39 00:01:33.276 --> 00:01:35.540 emerging concern that might sound like 40 00:01:35.580 --> 00:01:37.620 science fiction but is being taken very 41 00:01:37.660 --> 00:01:40.388 seriously by experts. Space 42 00:01:40.444 --> 00:01:43.140 piracy. As commercial activities in 43 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:45.572 orbit expand, security specialists are 44 00:01:45.596 --> 00:01:47.812 warning that criminal exploitation may not be 45 00:01:47.836 --> 00:01:50.594 far behind. So whether you're a casual 46 00:01:50.642 --> 00:01:53.010 space enthusiast or a dedicated follower of 47 00:01:53.050 --> 00:01:55.762 astronomical advances, stay with us as we 48 00:01:55.786 --> 00:01:57.842 explore these fascinating developments from 49 00:01:57.866 --> 00:01:59.810 across the cosmos on today's edition of 50 00:01:59.850 --> 00:02:01.058 Astronomy Daily. 51 00:02:01.234 --> 00:02:04.194 Let's get started. NASA's 52 00:02:04.242 --> 00:02:06.226 Parker Solar Probe has achieved another 53 00:02:06.298 --> 00:02:08.162 remarkable M milestone in its mission to 54 00:02:08.186 --> 00:02:10.578 study our star up close. On March 55 00:02:10.634 --> 00:02:13.378 22, the spacecraft completed its 23rd 56 00:02:13.434 --> 00:02:15.336 close approach to the sun, reaching 57 00:02:15.368 --> 00:02:17.992 perihelion at 6:42pm Eastern 58 00:02:18.056 --> 00:02:21.048 Daylight Time. During this close encounter, 59 00:02:21.144 --> 00:02:23.032 the probe once again equaled its own 60 00:02:23.056 --> 00:02:25.176 impressive distance record, coming within 61 00:02:25.248 --> 00:02:28.168 approximately 3.8 million miles of the Sun's 62 00:02:28.184 --> 00:02:30.792 surface. To put this incredible proximity 63 00:02:30.856 --> 00:02:33.624 into perspective, that's about 4% of the 64 00:02:33.632 --> 00:02:36.392 distance between Earth and the Sun. At this 65 00:02:36.416 --> 00:02:38.712 close range, the Parker Solar probe 66 00:02:38.776 --> 00:02:40.808 experiences temperatures that would melt most 67 00:02:40.864 --> 00:02:43.414 spacecraft. But thanks to its revolutionary 68 00:02:43.462 --> 00:02:46.022 heat shield, it continues to operate in this 69 00:02:46.046 --> 00:02:48.870 extreme environment. The probe didn't just 70 00:02:48.910 --> 00:02:51.446 match its distance record. It also matched 71 00:02:51.478 --> 00:02:53.894 its speed record, hurtling around the sun at 72 00:02:53.902 --> 00:02:56.774 a mind boggling 430,000 miles 73 00:02:56.822 --> 00:02:59.366 per hour, or 692,000 74 00:02:59.438 --> 00:03:02.102 kilometers per hour. That's fast enough to 75 00:03:02.126 --> 00:03:04.102 travel from New York to Los Angeles in just 76 00:03:04.126 --> 00:03:07.014 over 20 seconds. This incredible velocity 77 00:03:07.062 --> 00:03:09.430 makes Parker the fastest human made object 78 00:03:09.510 --> 00:03:12.396 ever created. Mission operators at the Johns 79 00:03:12.428 --> 00:03:14.716 Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, 80 00:03:14.748 --> 00:03:16.988 Maryland, where the spacecraft was designed 81 00:03:17.004 --> 00:03:19.420 and built, received a beacon tone on 82 00:03:19.460 --> 00:03:21.772 Tuesday, confirming that the probe was in 83 00:03:21.796 --> 00:03:23.932 good health, with all systems operating 84 00:03:23.996 --> 00:03:26.460 normally despite the intense conditions it 85 00:03:26.500 --> 00:03:29.404 had just experienced. This perihelion 86 00:03:29.452 --> 00:03:32.034 marked the midpoint of the probe's 23rd Solar 87 00:03:32.138 --> 00:03:34.460 Encounter, which began on March 18 and 88 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:37.230 continued through March 27. During these 89 00:03:37.270 --> 00:03:39.566 close approaches, Parker Solar Probe conducts 90 00:03:39.598 --> 00:03:41.582 unrivaled scientific measurements of the 91 00:03:41.606 --> 00:03:44.270 solar wind, the stream of charged particles 92 00:03:44.350 --> 00:03:46.686 flowing from the sun, and related solar 93 00:03:46.718 --> 00:03:49.150 activity. The data collected during these 94 00:03:49.190 --> 00:03:51.326 encounters is transforming our understanding 95 00:03:51.358 --> 00:03:53.870 of the Sun's outer atmosphere, called the 96 00:03:53.910 --> 00:03:56.862 corona, and helping scientists solve 97 00:03:56.926 --> 00:03:59.822 long standing solar mysteries. One 98 00:03:59.846 --> 00:04:01.742 of the biggest questions involves why the 99 00:04:01.766 --> 00:04:03.982 corona is millions of degrees hotter than the 100 00:04:04.006 --> 00:04:06.756 Sun's visible surface, which defies what we'd 101 00:04:06.788 --> 00:04:08.756 expect to see as you move away from a heat 102 00:04:08.788 --> 00:04:11.348 source. Parker's measurements are also 103 00:04:11.404 --> 00:04:13.204 critical for understanding how solar 104 00:04:13.252 --> 00:04:15.492 eruptions affect space weather, which can 105 00:04:15.516 --> 00:04:17.876 impact satellites, power grids, and 106 00:04:17.948 --> 00:04:20.596 telecommunications systems back on Earth. 107 00:04:20.788 --> 00:04:22.644 By better understanding these solar 108 00:04:22.692 --> 00:04:24.916 processes, scientists hope to improve 109 00:04:24.988 --> 00:04:27.092 forecasting of, uh, potentially damaging 110 00:04:27.156 --> 00:04:30.036 solar storms. This mission continues to push 111 00:04:30.068 --> 00:04:31.844 the boundaries of engineering and scientific 112 00:04:31.892 --> 00:04:34.886 discovery. With each close approach, Parker 113 00:04:34.918 --> 00:04:36.822 Solar Probe ventures into territory no 114 00:04:36.846 --> 00:04:39.126 spacecraft has ever explored before, sending 115 00:04:39.158 --> 00:04:41.270 back valuable data from the very edge of our 116 00:04:41.310 --> 00:04:44.102 star. As it continues its planned series of 117 00:04:44.126 --> 00:04:46.902 increasingly close solar encounters, we can 118 00:04:46.926 --> 00:04:49.094 expect even more groundbreaking discoveries 119 00:04:49.142 --> 00:04:51.014 about the star that makes life on Earth 120 00:04:51.062 --> 00:04:51.650 possible. 121 00:04:52.750 --> 00:04:55.094 Next up, a mystery for our European listeners 122 00:04:55.142 --> 00:04:57.014 has been solved with a rather straightforward 123 00:04:57.062 --> 00:05:00.032 answer. A mysterious blue spiral lit up 124 00:05:00.056 --> 00:05:02.624 the night skies across Europe on March 24, 125 00:05:02.752 --> 00:05:04.992 creating a social media frenzy as residents 126 00:05:05.056 --> 00:05:07.744 from the UK Croatia, Poland and Hungary 127 00:05:07.872 --> 00:05:10.320 shared photos and videos of the strange 128 00:05:10.400 --> 00:05:13.056 celestial phenomenon. The eerie blue 129 00:05:13.088 --> 00:05:15.264 whirlpool, which many compared to a spiral 130 00:05:15.312 --> 00:05:18.032 galaxy, prompted wild speculation about its 131 00:05:18.056 --> 00:05:20.672 origin, with some even suggesting it might be 132 00:05:20.696 --> 00:05:22.900 evidence of extraterrestrial visitors. 133 00:05:23.400 --> 00:05:25.280 One observer initially thought it was the 134 00:05:25.320 --> 00:05:27.428 moon moon behind clouds until it started 135 00:05:27.484 --> 00:05:29.652 moving with spiraling light emanating from 136 00:05:29.676 --> 00:05:32.052 it. Others watched in awe as the 137 00:05:32.076 --> 00:05:34.644 spectacular formation expanded and persisted 138 00:05:34.692 --> 00:05:36.804 in the sky for several minutes before 139 00:05:36.892 --> 00:05:39.540 gradually fading away. The sight was 140 00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:41.364 particularly striking against the dark 141 00:05:41.412 --> 00:05:44.324 European skies, appearing as an icy blue 142 00:05:44.372 --> 00:05:47.000 vortex that seemed almost otherworldly 143 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:50.068 despite the alien theories circulating online 144 00:05:50.204 --> 00:05:52.308 the explanation is rooted in modern space 145 00:05:52.364 --> 00:05:55.052 technology rather than science fiction. The 146 00:05:55.076 --> 00:05:57.340 spiral was actually created by a SpaceX 147 00:05:57.420 --> 00:06:00.188 Falcon 9 rocket that had launched earlier 148 00:06:00.244 --> 00:06:02.236 that day from Cape Canaveral Space Force 149 00:06:02.268 --> 00:06:04.988 Station in Florida. The rocket was carrying 150 00:06:05.004 --> 00:06:07.692 the secretive NROL 69 mission for the 151 00:06:07.716 --> 00:06:09.932 National Reconnaissance Office when it 152 00:06:09.956 --> 00:06:12.428 created this unexpected light show thousands 153 00:06:12.444 --> 00:06:15.420 of miles away. What witnesses observed is 154 00:06:15.460 --> 00:06:18.252 sometimes called a SpaceX spiral, a 155 00:06:18.276 --> 00:06:20.396 phenomenon that occurs after the upper stage 156 00:06:20.428 --> 00:06:23.100 of a Falcon 9 rocket has separated from its 157 00:06:23.140 --> 00:06:25.824 first stage booster, while the lower stage 158 00:06:25.872 --> 00:06:28.048 returns to Earth for recovery. Minutes after 159 00:06:28.104 --> 00:06:30.816 launch, the upper stage continues its journey 160 00:06:30.848 --> 00:06:33.360 to deliver its payload to orbit. After 161 00:06:33.400 --> 00:06:36.144 releasing its cargo, the upper stage begins 162 00:06:36.192 --> 00:06:39.072 its own descent back to Earth. During this 163 00:06:39.096 --> 00:06:41.136 descent, the upper stage enters a spinning 164 00:06:41.168 --> 00:06:43.200 motion while simultaneously venting any 165 00:06:43.240 --> 00:06:46.032 remaining fuel. At the high altitude where 166 00:06:46.056 --> 00:06:48.496 this occurs, the expelled fuel instantly 167 00:06:48.528 --> 00:06:51.226 freezes in the cold vacuum of space, creating 168 00:06:51.258 --> 00:06:53.466 a swirling pattern that perfectly preserves 169 00:06:53.498 --> 00:06:55.930 the spinning motion of the booster. When 170 00:06:55.970 --> 00:06:57.946 sunlight reflects off this frozen fuel 171 00:06:57.978 --> 00:07:00.314 formation, it produces the stunning spiral 172 00:07:00.362 --> 00:07:02.750 that captivated European skywatchers. 173 00:07:03.090 --> 00:07:05.642 Physicist and science communicator Brian Cox 174 00:07:05.706 --> 00:07:07.866 took to social media to reassure concerned 175 00:07:07.898 --> 00:07:10.634 citizens that the event was indeed associated 176 00:07:10.682 --> 00:07:13.242 with the SpaceX launch and not something more 177 00:07:13.266 --> 00:07:16.010 alarming. Amateur astronomers and 178 00:07:16.050 --> 00:07:18.234 smartphone photographers captured remarkable 179 00:07:18.282 --> 00:07:20.320 images of the phenomenon, with some 180 00:07:20.360 --> 00:07:22.900 describing it as unforgettable and stunning. 181 00:07:23.320 --> 00:07:26.016 While these SpaceX spirals remain relatively 182 00:07:26.048 --> 00:07:28.592 rare sightings, they may become more common 183 00:07:28.656 --> 00:07:30.816 as the frequency of rocket launches continues 184 00:07:30.848 --> 00:07:33.520 to increase. As commercial space activities 185 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:36.320 ramp up worldwide, these spectacular but 186 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:38.800 harmless light shows could become a more 187 00:07:38.840 --> 00:07:41.520 familiar sight in our night skies. One social 188 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:43.456 media user humorously expressed 189 00:07:43.488 --> 00:07:46.024 disappointment at the rational explanation, 190 00:07:46.192 --> 00:07:48.792 writing that they wished it was an invasion 191 00:07:48.936 --> 00:07:51.432 so they could use the time off work. 192 00:07:51.616 --> 00:07:54.104 But for most observers, witnessing this rare 193 00:07:54.152 --> 00:07:56.152 and beautiful cosmic spectacle was more than 194 00:07:56.176 --> 00:07:58.552 enough excitement for one evening, even if it 195 00:07:58.576 --> 00:08:00.392 didn't herald the arrival of visitors from 196 00:08:00.416 --> 00:08:01.300 another world. 197 00:08:02.400 --> 00:08:05.080 While on the subject of visiting other worlds 198 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:07.576 throughout history, when pioneers ventured 199 00:08:07.608 --> 00:08:10.440 into uncharted territories, they carried only 200 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:12.786 the essentials and relied on local 201 00:08:12.858 --> 00:08:15.390 resources to build new lives. 202 00:08:15.850 --> 00:08:18.450 In the coming era of space exploration, 203 00:08:18.610 --> 00:08:20.786 astronauts will face even greater challenges 204 00:08:20.818 --> 00:08:23.058 than those early settlers, but with one 205 00:08:23.114 --> 00:08:25.490 crucial technological advantage, 3D 206 00:08:25.530 --> 00:08:27.634 printing. Unlike the Vikings who reached 207 00:08:27.682 --> 00:08:30.258 Greenland with axes and plows, today's space 208 00:08:30.314 --> 00:08:32.274 pioneers will bring advanced manufacturing 209 00:08:32.322 --> 00:08:34.514 capabilities that can transform the alien 210 00:08:34.562 --> 00:08:36.770 environments of the Moon and Mars into 211 00:08:36.810 --> 00:08:39.734 habitable outposts. These remarkable 212 00:08:39.782 --> 00:08:41.542 machines will be essential for extending 213 00:08:41.606 --> 00:08:44.054 human presence beyond Earth, allowing 214 00:08:44.102 --> 00:08:46.678 astronauts to create tools, structures, and 215 00:08:46.734 --> 00:08:48.502 habitats from materials found on these 216 00:08:48.526 --> 00:08:51.078 distant worlds. The technology is already 217 00:08:51.134 --> 00:08:53.382 proving its value in space. Aboard the 218 00:08:53.406 --> 00:08:55.574 International Space Station, astronauts 219 00:08:55.622 --> 00:08:57.846 regularly use 3D printers to manufacture 220 00:08:57.878 --> 00:09:00.854 tools and spare parts. From ratchet wrenches 221 00:09:00.902 --> 00:09:03.622 to brackets and clamps, these items can be 222 00:09:03.646 --> 00:09:05.670 produced in hours rather than waiting months 223 00:09:05.710 --> 00:09:08.600 for supplies from Earth. NASA has even 224 00:09:08.640 --> 00:09:10.840 begun recycling waste plastic to create new 225 00:09:10.880 --> 00:09:13.192 components with the UH Refabricator, an 226 00:09:13.216 --> 00:09:15.300 advanced printer installed in 2019. 227 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:18.312 Why not simply bring everything from Earth? 228 00:09:18.456 --> 00:09:20.360 The answer comes down to economics and 229 00:09:20.400 --> 00:09:23.160 practicality. Launching materials into 230 00:09:23.200 --> 00:09:25.944 space is prohibitively expensive, with NASA 231 00:09:25.992 --> 00:09:28.760 estimating costs around $500,000 per 232 00:09:28.800 --> 00:09:31.208 pound just to reach the Moon. Building 233 00:09:31.264 --> 00:09:33.592 sustainable outposts requires using resources 234 00:09:33.656 --> 00:09:36.212 available at the destination, a concept known 235 00:09:36.236 --> 00:09:39.124 as in situ resource utilization. The primary 236 00:09:39.172 --> 00:09:41.476 building material on both the Moon and Mars 237 00:09:41.588 --> 00:09:44.084 will likely be regolith, the fine, 238 00:09:44.132 --> 00:09:46.340 dusty sand like particles covering these 239 00:09:46.380 --> 00:09:49.364 worlds. Unlike Earth soil, regolith 240 00:09:49.412 --> 00:09:50.884 contains few nutrients and no living 241 00:09:50.932 --> 00:09:53.380 organisms, but researchers believe it could 242 00:09:53.420 --> 00:09:55.380 serve as an excellent printing medium for 243 00:09:55.420 --> 00:09:57.620 constructing protective structures. These 244 00:09:57.660 --> 00:09:59.924 habitats must shield astronauts from extreme 245 00:09:59.972 --> 00:10:02.042 temperature fluctuations, radiation, 246 00:10:02.106 --> 00:10:04.650 micrometeorite impacts, and the absence of 247 00:10:04.690 --> 00:10:07.642 breathable atmosphere. Engineering teams are 248 00:10:07.666 --> 00:10:10.330 exploring several promising approaches. Some 249 00:10:10.370 --> 00:10:12.602 are developing a regolith UH based concrete 250 00:10:12.666 --> 00:10:15.322 partially made from surface ice. Others are 251 00:10:15.346 --> 00:10:17.162 experimenting with melting regolith at high 252 00:10:17.186 --> 00:10:19.962 temperatures and molding it while liquid, or 253 00:10:19.986 --> 00:10:22.410 using concentrated sunlight, lasers, or 254 00:10:22.450 --> 00:10:25.018 microwaves to fuse particles together without 255 00:10:25.074 --> 00:10:28.030 requiring binders, a process called SINK. 256 00:10:28.670 --> 00:10:31.414 One team at NASA's Moon to Mars Planetary 257 00:10:31.462 --> 00:10:33.686 Autonomous Construction Technology Program 258 00:10:33.838 --> 00:10:36.694 created Mars Creit, a special concrete 259 00:10:36.742 --> 00:10:39.270 used to 3D print a test structure in 260 00:10:39.310 --> 00:10:42.262 2017. By 2019, they had 261 00:10:42.286 --> 00:10:44.646 constructed a 1/3 scale prototype Mars 262 00:10:44.678 --> 00:10:47.366 habitat using similar technology, complete 263 00:10:47.398 --> 00:10:49.670 with living, sleeping, research, and food 264 00:10:49.710 --> 00:10:52.358 production modules. These innovations face 265 00:10:52.414 --> 00:10:54.250 significant technical hurdles. 266 00:10:54.630 --> 00:10:56.734 Manufacturing behaves differently in reduced 267 00:10:56.782 --> 00:10:59.038 gravity environments, with materials cooling 268 00:10:59.054 --> 00:11:01.790 and crystallizing in unexpected ways. The M 269 00:11:01.926 --> 00:11:04.510 moon has just 1/6 Earth's gravity, while 270 00:11:04.550 --> 00:11:07.182 Mars has about 2/5. Additionally, 271 00:11:07.246 --> 00:11:08.814 researchers must work with simulated 272 00:11:08.862 --> 00:11:10.974 regolith, since actual lunar and Martian 273 00:11:11.022 --> 00:11:13.822 materials are scarce or inaccessible. The 274 00:11:13.846 --> 00:11:15.726 composition differs significantly between 275 00:11:15.798 --> 00:11:18.334 worlds. Lunar regolith consists mostly of 276 00:11:18.342 --> 00:11:20.914 silicates and is extremely fine and angular, 277 00:11:21.022 --> 00:11:23.626 while Martian regolith contains iron oxide, 278 00:11:23.738 --> 00:11:26.186 giving it its characteristic reddish color. 279 00:11:26.378 --> 00:11:28.298 The technology being developed for space 280 00:11:28.354 --> 00:11:30.810 habitats is already finding applications on 281 00:11:30.850 --> 00:11:33.098 Earth. Engineers are adapting these 282 00:11:33.154 --> 00:11:35.418 techniques to address housing shortages, 283 00:11:35.594 --> 00:11:38.250 creating affordable 3D printed homes from 284 00:11:38.290 --> 00:11:40.714 locally sourced materials and recycled 285 00:11:40.762 --> 00:11:43.434 construction debris. This practical spinoff 286 00:11:43.482 --> 00:11:45.674 demonstrates how space research often yields 287 00:11:45.722 --> 00:11:48.270 unexpected benefits for terrestrial problems 288 00:11:48.690 --> 00:11:51.226 as humanity prepares to establish a permanent 289 00:11:51.258 --> 00:11:53.850 presence Beyond Earth. With Artemis 3 290 00:11:53.890 --> 00:11:55.706 scheduled to return humans to the lunar 291 00:11:55.738 --> 00:11:58.634 surface in 2027 and a potential Mars 292 00:11:58.682 --> 00:12:00.604 mission as early as 2035, 293 00:12:00.816 --> 00:12:03.706 3D printing technology will undoubtedly 294 00:12:03.738 --> 00:12:05.882 be among the most essential tools enabling 295 00:12:05.946 --> 00:12:08.858 people to truly live off alien land, 296 00:12:08.994 --> 00:12:11.098 transforming these hostile environments into 297 00:12:11.154 --> 00:12:12.870 humanity's second home. 298 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:16.596 Next, a little catch up. NASA 299 00:12:16.628 --> 00:12:19.396 astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore 300 00:12:19.508 --> 00:12:21.972 have finally touched down on Earth after what 301 00:12:21.996 --> 00:12:24.164 can only be described as an unexpectedly 302 00:12:24.212 --> 00:12:26.340 extended mission aboard the International 303 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:29.284 Space Station. Originally scheduled for a 304 00:12:29.292 --> 00:12:31.396 brief stay after arriving last June, 305 00:12:31.548 --> 00:12:33.636 technical issues with their Boeing Starliner 306 00:12:33.668 --> 00:12:36.372 spacecraft left them stranded in orbit for a 307 00:12:36.396 --> 00:12:39.076 remarkable nine months. Their capsule 308 00:12:39.108 --> 00:12:41.172 splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico. Or is 309 00:12:41.196 --> 00:12:43.978 that the Gulf of America these days? On 310 00:12:44.034 --> 00:12:46.906 March 18, bringing to an end a mission 311 00:12:46.938 --> 00:12:48.746 that saw them complete over 312 00:12:48.818 --> 00:12:51.706 4,500 orbits around Earth and 313 00:12:51.778 --> 00:12:54.746 travel an astounding 121 million 314 00:12:54.818 --> 00:12:57.706 miles. While the mission may have concluded, 315 00:12:57.818 --> 00:12:59.962 the physical journey for these astronauts is 316 00:12:59.986 --> 00:13:02.986 far from over. Extended exposure to zero 317 00:13:03.058 --> 00:13:04.970 gravity environments triggers profound 318 00:13:05.050 --> 00:13:07.770 changes in the human body, many of which are 319 00:13:07.810 --> 00:13:10.188 already visible in Williams and Wilmore. 320 00:13:10.354 --> 00:13:12.888 Comparison photos taken before and after 321 00:13:12.944 --> 00:13:15.464 their mission reveal noticeable physical 322 00:13:15.512 --> 00:13:18.120 differences that scientists are now studying 323 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:21.192 carefully. Dr. Christopher Mason, a 324 00:13:21.216 --> 00:13:24.104 professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, explains 325 00:13:24.152 --> 00:13:25.976 that astronauts typically experience 326 00:13:26.128 --> 00:13:28.616 temporary increases in height and general 327 00:13:28.688 --> 00:13:31.272 leanness upon returning to, uh, Earth. This 328 00:13:31.296 --> 00:13:33.576 occurs alongside significant changes in gene 329 00:13:33.608 --> 00:13:35.762 expression and telomere length, the 330 00:13:35.786 --> 00:13:37.554 protective caps at the end of chromosomes 331 00:13:37.602 --> 00:13:40.066 that typically lengthen during spaceflight. 332 00:13:40.258 --> 00:13:42.450 All of it is, at least on some measures, 333 00:13:42.530 --> 00:13:45.522 transient, Dr. Mason notes. Most of it 334 00:13:45.546 --> 00:13:48.130 is a response to space flight. And usually in 335 00:13:48.170 --> 00:13:50.242 a few weeks, they're mostly back to normal. 336 00:13:50.386 --> 00:13:52.258 It's the first few days that are the most 337 00:13:52.314 --> 00:13:54.630 really dynamic. When they get back to Earth. 338 00:13:55.290 --> 00:13:57.154 Those first days can be particularly 339 00:13:57.202 --> 00:14:00.150 challenging. Former NASA astronaut Jose M. Um 340 00:14:00.186 --> 00:14:02.764 Hernandez, who spent 14 days in orbit, 341 00:14:02.812 --> 00:14:05.740 recalls his own return. I remember my first 342 00:14:05.780 --> 00:14:08.252 two words when I came down was gravity 343 00:14:08.316 --> 00:14:10.956 sucks because your body starts adapting 344 00:14:11.068 --> 00:14:13.772 and you've got to recalibrate your 345 00:14:13.796 --> 00:14:16.732 vestibular balance system. The 346 00:14:16.756 --> 00:14:18.492 physical challenges facing Williams and 347 00:14:18.516 --> 00:14:21.356 Wilmore are substantial muscle atrophy 348 00:14:21.388 --> 00:14:23.788 from limited movement, reduced bone density, 349 00:14:23.884 --> 00:14:26.028 increased mineral content in their bodies, 350 00:14:26.124 --> 00:14:27.996 and neurological shifts, including 351 00:14:28.068 --> 00:14:31.056 disorientation, are all common post space 352 00:14:31.128 --> 00:14:33.616 symptoms. Their bodies have also likely 353 00:14:33.688 --> 00:14:36.064 experienced blood volume reduction, decreased 354 00:14:36.112 --> 00:14:38.784 aerobic capacity, and potentially compromised 355 00:14:38.832 --> 00:14:41.408 immune systems. Immediately after 356 00:14:41.464 --> 00:14:44.032 landing, both astronauts were transported to 357 00:14:44.056 --> 00:14:45.984 medical facilities for comprehensive 358 00:14:46.032 --> 00:14:48.992 evaluations. They now face what could be 359 00:14:49.016 --> 00:14:50.960 months of intensive physical therapy and 360 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:53.632 rehabilitation as their bodies readjust to 361 00:14:53.656 --> 00:14:55.914 Earth's gravity. As Hernandez 362 00:14:55.962 --> 00:14:58.122 predicted, it's going to take a couple of 363 00:14:58.146 --> 00:15:00.202 months before they feel kind of normal back 364 00:15:00.226 --> 00:15:02.426 here on Earth. These physical 365 00:15:02.458 --> 00:15:04.874 adaptations highlight the extraordinary 366 00:15:04.922 --> 00:15:07.530 sacrifices astronauts make in the name of 367 00:15:07.570 --> 00:15:10.138 scientific advancement. The data 368 00:15:10.194 --> 00:15:12.026 collected from Williams and Wilmore's 369 00:15:12.058 --> 00:15:14.650 extended stay will prove invaluable for 370 00:15:14.690 --> 00:15:17.210 NASA's ongoing research into the effects of 371 00:15:17.250 --> 00:15:19.786 long duration spaceflight. Critical knowledge 372 00:15:19.898 --> 00:15:22.282 as the agency prepares for future missions to 373 00:15:22.306 --> 00:15:24.580 the moon and Mars, their 374 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:27.060 unexpected nine month journey has 375 00:15:27.100 --> 00:15:29.476 inadvertently provided scientists with a rare 376 00:15:29.508 --> 00:15:31.556 opportunity to study prolonged space 377 00:15:31.628 --> 00:15:34.212 exposure, potentially helping researchers 378 00:15:34.276 --> 00:15:36.196 develop better countermeasures for future 379 00:15:36.268 --> 00:15:39.108 astronauts embarking on deep space missions 380 00:15:39.204 --> 00:15:41.172 where returns to Earth won't be measured in 381 00:15:41.196 --> 00:15:42.720 months, but years. 382 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:46.596 Finally today, a subject you probably haven't 383 00:15:46.628 --> 00:15:49.428 given much, if any thought to, but a problem 384 00:15:49.484 --> 00:15:51.548 is looming. Ahoy, space 385 00:15:51.604 --> 00:15:54.268 enthusiasts. Just when you thought the final 386 00:15:54.324 --> 00:15:56.492 frontier couldn't get any more intriguing, a 387 00:15:56.516 --> 00:15:58.604 new concern has emerged that sounds like it 388 00:15:58.612 --> 00:16:01.116 belongs in a science fiction novel. Space 389 00:16:01.188 --> 00:16:03.996 piracy. Yes, you heard that right. 390 00:16:04.148 --> 00:16:06.364 Experts are now warning that the growing 391 00:16:06.492 --> 00:16:09.260 commercialization of space is bringing with 392 00:16:09.300 --> 00:16:12.252 it the very real threat of criminal 393 00:16:12.316 --> 00:16:15.132 activity beyond our atmosphere. The 394 00:16:15.156 --> 00:16:16.988 center for the Study of Space Crime Policy 395 00:16:17.044 --> 00:16:19.772 and Governance, or cscpg, is at the 396 00:16:19.796 --> 00:16:22.444 forefront of examining this emerging risk. 397 00:16:22.612 --> 00:16:24.668 Their message is clear and comes with a touch 398 00:16:24.684 --> 00:16:27.308 of humor. You may not be interested in space 399 00:16:27.364 --> 00:16:29.612 piracy, but space pirates are interested in 400 00:16:29.636 --> 00:16:32.396 you. Mark Feldman, the Center's 401 00:16:32.428 --> 00:16:34.172 executive director, and Huw Taylor, a 402 00:16:34.196 --> 00:16:36.748 specialist in cybersecurity, have co authored 403 00:16:36.764 --> 00:16:39.564 a book titled Space Preparing for a 404 00:16:39.572 --> 00:16:42.220 Criminal Crisis in Orbit. They describe their 405 00:16:42.260 --> 00:16:44.684 work as speculative nonfiction, 406 00:16:44.812 --> 00:16:47.116 emphasizing that while space piracy hasn't 407 00:16:47.148 --> 00:16:49.482 fully materialized, they believe it's only a 408 00:16:49.506 --> 00:16:51.866 matter of time. What's particularly 409 00:16:51.898 --> 00:16:53.738 concerning is their assertion that early 410 00:16:53.794 --> 00:16:56.270 forms of space crime are already underway. 411 00:16:56.930 --> 00:16:59.450 We are arguing that it's already started in 412 00:16:59.490 --> 00:17:01.834 very early stages with attempts to hack 413 00:17:01.882 --> 00:17:04.650 satellites, taylor explains. As 414 00:17:04.690 --> 00:17:06.906 commercial activities in space accelerate, 415 00:17:07.018 --> 00:17:08.986 they anticipate both physical and digital 416 00:17:09.058 --> 00:17:11.866 attacks on valuable space assets, potentially 417 00:17:11.898 --> 00:17:13.898 beginning with disruptions to Earth based 418 00:17:13.954 --> 00:17:16.232 infrastructure like launch facilities or 419 00:17:16.256 --> 00:17:18.744 ground stations. One scenario Feldman 420 00:17:18.792 --> 00:17:20.728 envisions involves criminals taking control 421 00:17:20.784 --> 00:17:23.016 of a broadcast satellite in geosynchronous 422 00:17:23.048 --> 00:17:25.768 Earth orbit to disrupt a major global media 423 00:17:25.824 --> 00:17:28.280 event like the World Cup. The pirates might 424 00:17:28.320 --> 00:17:30.680 demand either pay a very large amount to 425 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:33.064 ensure the televised event, or it goes 426 00:17:33.112 --> 00:17:35.860 dark and other blackouts will follow. 427 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:38.232 Sounds like something out of a James Bond 428 00:17:38.296 --> 00:17:41.000 film, doesn't it? Satellites involved in 429 00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:42.616 shipping are also considered highly 430 00:17:42.648 --> 00:17:45.446 vulnerable targets. So how do we protect 431 00:17:45.478 --> 00:17:47.862 against these celestial buccaneers? The 432 00:17:47.886 --> 00:17:50.342 experts suggest we need a dedicated agency to 433 00:17:50.366 --> 00:17:53.350 coordinate efforts. While the U.S. space 434 00:17:53.390 --> 00:17:55.462 Force might seem like the logical choice, 435 00:17:55.606 --> 00:17:57.638 they currently lack the specific structure 436 00:17:57.654 --> 00:17:59.450 and mandate for this mission. 437 00:18:00.110 --> 00:18:02.854 Interestingly, Taylor points out that the US 438 00:18:02.942 --> 00:18:05.750 Navy, with its 250 years of experience 439 00:18:05.870 --> 00:18:08.550 combating maritime piracy, could be 440 00:18:08.590 --> 00:18:10.916 invaluable if given the proper legal 441 00:18:10.948 --> 00:18:13.652 authority. On the international front, 442 00:18:13.756 --> 00:18:15.828 the United Nations Office for Outer Space 443 00:18:15.884 --> 00:18:17.940 affairs may provide the best venue for 444 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.716 bringing together the diverse stakeholders 445 00:18:19.748 --> 00:18:22.200 needed to address this issue comprehensively. 446 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:25.316 People don't like the United nations, taylor 447 00:18:25.348 --> 00:18:27.668 acknowledges, but it arguably is the only 448 00:18:27.724 --> 00:18:29.412 venue where everyone can come together and 449 00:18:29.436 --> 00:18:32.308 talk. Feldman emphasizes the need for 450 00:18:32.364 --> 00:18:34.564 developing new weapons and rapid response 451 00:18:34.612 --> 00:18:37.242 capabilities. As of now, there is no way to 452 00:18:37.266 --> 00:18:39.850 quickly respond, he warns, suggesting that 453 00:18:39.890 --> 00:18:41.994 small, agile and appropriately armed 454 00:18:42.042 --> 00:18:44.266 spacecraft might be essential for dealing 455 00:18:44.298 --> 00:18:46.538 with hostage situations on commercial space 456 00:18:46.594 --> 00:18:49.162 stations or similar emergencies. The 457 00:18:49.186 --> 00:18:51.050 historical parallel isn't lost on these 458 00:18:51.090 --> 00:18:53.914 researchers. Pirates of old drove innovation 459 00:18:53.962 --> 00:18:56.522 in shipbuilding as colonial shipyards from 460 00:18:56.546 --> 00:18:59.098 New England to the Carolinas designed faster, 461 00:18:59.274 --> 00:19:01.434 sleeker vessels specifically for their pirate 462 00:19:01.482 --> 00:19:04.342 customers. Similarly, combating space piracy 463 00:19:04.406 --> 00:19:06.742 may spur technological development in ways we 464 00:19:06.766 --> 00:19:09.542 can't yet imagine. The experts stress that 465 00:19:09.566 --> 00:19:11.510 the United States intelligence community and 466 00:19:11.550 --> 00:19:14.166 space force need to expand their focus 467 00:19:14.318 --> 00:19:16.758 beyond nation state threats like China, 468 00:19:16.894 --> 00:19:19.750 Russia, Iran and North Korea to 469 00:19:19.790 --> 00:19:21.770 include non state actors. 470 00:19:22.670 --> 00:19:25.254 Once this understanding is digested, Feldman 471 00:19:25.302 --> 00:19:28.038 concludes, creative responses to prevent and 472 00:19:28.094 --> 00:19:30.942 mitigate these threats will follow as we 473 00:19:30.966 --> 00:19:32.526 venture further into the commercial 474 00:19:32.558 --> 00:19:35.086 development of space. With private companies 475 00:19:35.158 --> 00:19:37.246 launching satellites, building space 476 00:19:37.318 --> 00:19:40.270 stations, and planning lunar bases, the 477 00:19:40.310 --> 00:19:42.366 legal and security frameworks that govern 478 00:19:42.438 --> 00:19:45.330 these activities must evolve accordingly. 479 00:19:45.750 --> 00:19:48.302 Otherwise, the high seas of Earth orbit might 480 00:19:48.326 --> 00:19:50.110 indeed become the next hunting ground for 481 00:19:50.150 --> 00:19:51.982 those seeking to plunder the valuable 482 00:19:52.046 --> 00:19:54.690 resources now floating above our heads. 483 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:58.296 Well, that brings us to the end of today's 484 00:19:58.328 --> 00:20:01.016 journey through the cosmos. From the Parker 485 00:20:01.048 --> 00:20:03.128 solar probe's record breaking close approach 486 00:20:03.184 --> 00:20:05.992 to the sun, to the spectacular blue 487 00:20:06.056 --> 00:20:07.992 spiral that captivated European 488 00:20:08.056 --> 00:20:10.408 skywatchers, to the innovative 489 00:20:10.504 --> 00:20:12.840 3D printing technologies that will help us 490 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:15.336 build homes on other worlds, to our returning 491 00:20:15.368 --> 00:20:16.664 astronauts and their physical 492 00:20:16.712 --> 00:20:19.480 transformations, and finally to the emerging 493 00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:21.980 frontier of space. Face security challenges 494 00:20:22.320 --> 00:20:24.712 the universe continues to amaze, 495 00:20:24.856 --> 00:20:27.784 challenge and inspire us. I'd like to 496 00:20:27.792 --> 00:20:29.576 thank you for spending the last 20 minutes 497 00:20:29.608 --> 00:20:32.360 with astronomy Daily. I'm your host Anna, 498 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:34.408 and it's been my pleasure to bring you these 499 00:20:34.464 --> 00:20:36.872 fascinating developments from beyond our 500 00:20:36.896 --> 00:20:39.512 atmosphere. For more space content and in 501 00:20:39.536 --> 00:20:41.368 depth coverage of these stories, please visit 502 00:20:41.424 --> 00:20:44.344 our website@astronomydaily.IO we're 503 00:20:44.392 --> 00:20:46.104 constantly updating with news articles, 504 00:20:46.152 --> 00:20:48.812 images and blog posts. You can also join our 505 00:20:48.836 --> 00:20:50.828 community of space enthusiasts by following 506 00:20:50.884 --> 00:20:53.404 us on social media. Just search for Astro 507 00:20:53.452 --> 00:20:55.852 Daily Pod on x, Facebook, Instagram, 508 00:20:55.916 --> 00:20:58.172 YouTubeMusic, and TikTok for daily updates, 509 00:20:58.316 --> 00:21:00.812 stunning visuals and conversations about our 510 00:21:00.836 --> 00:21:03.676 universe. Until our next cosmic rendezvous, 511 00:21:03.788 --> 00:21:06.492 keep looking up. The sky is not the 512 00:21:06.516 --> 00:21:08.300 limit. It's just the beginning. 513 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:10.316 This has been Astronomy Daily. I'm Anna 514 00:21:10.348 --> 00:21:11.240 signing off.