WEBVTT 0 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.040 Anna: Hello and welcome to Astronomy Daily, your 1 00:00:02.040 --> 00:00:03.720 daily dose of everything happening in the 2 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:06.190 cosmos. I'm, your host, Anna, and I'm 3 00:00:06.190 --> 00:00:08.230 thrilled to bring you today's roundup of the 4 00:00:08.230 --> 00:00:10.510 most fascinating developments in space and 5 00:00:10.510 --> 00:00:13.350 astronomy. We've got an action packed episode 6 00:00:13.350 --> 00:00:15.790 for you today. We'll explore China's latest 7 00:00:15.790 --> 00:00:18.550 achievements with their methane powered 8 00:00:18.550 --> 00:00:20.990 rocket launch and their upcoming asteroid 9 00:00:20.990 --> 00:00:23.550 sample return mission. Then we'll dive into 10 00:00:23.550 --> 00:00:26.040 some intriguing Mars mysteries as, scientists 11 00:00:26.040 --> 00:00:28.120 may have finally solved the puzzle of those 12 00:00:28.120 --> 00:00:30.360 strange dark streaks on the Martian surface. 13 00:00:31.240 --> 00:00:33.600 Plus, we'll uncover the truth behind that 14 00:00:33.600 --> 00:00:35.800 mysterious light streak that appeared over US 15 00:00:35.800 --> 00:00:38.480 skies during a recent aurora storm. Get 16 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:40.880 updates on SpaceX's busy Starlink launch 17 00:00:40.880 --> 00:00:43.160 schedule, and check in with NASA's 18 00:00:43.160 --> 00:00:45.400 Perseverance rover as it explores an ancient 19 00:00:45.400 --> 00:00:47.920 region on Mars that could hold clues to the 20 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:50.760 planet's watery past. So stick around 21 00:00:50.760 --> 00:00:52.640 as we journey through today's most exciting 22 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:54.760 space news right here on Astronomy Daily. 23 00:00:55.640 --> 00:00:57.680 China has made significant strides in the 24 00:00:57.680 --> 00:00:59.560 commercial space race with Beijing based 25 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:02.340 Landspace Technology successfully launching 26 00:01:02.340 --> 00:01:05.220 their Jukui 2E Y2 carrier rocket 27 00:01:05.220 --> 00:01:07.860 last Saturday. The rocket blasted off from 28 00:01:07.860 --> 00:01:09.820 the Juquan satellite launch center in 29 00:01:09.820 --> 00:01:12.500 northwest China at 12:12pm local time, 30 00:01:12.740 --> 00:01:14.940 marking the fifth flight for the Jukui 2 31 00:01:14.940 --> 00:01:17.380 series. What makes this launch 32 00:01:17.380 --> 00:01:19.740 particularly noteworthy is that Landspace is 33 00:01:19.740 --> 00:01:22.700 doubling down on methane as a rocket fuel. In 34 00:01:22.700 --> 00:01:24.700 fact, the company made history in July 35 00:01:24.700 --> 00:01:27.620 2023 when it became the world's first 36 00:01:27.620 --> 00:01:29.940 to successfully launch a methane liquid 37 00:01:29.940 --> 00:01:32.250 oxygen rocket launch, beating out major 38 00:01:32.250 --> 00:01:34.810 competitors like Elon Musk's SpaceX 39 00:01:34.970 --> 00:01:37.130 and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin. 40 00:01:38.010 --> 00:01:39.970 Methane is gaining popularity in the 41 00:01:39.970 --> 00:01:42.530 aerospace industry for good reason. It's 42 00:01:42.530 --> 00:01:44.250 considered less polluting than traditional 43 00:01:44.250 --> 00:01:47.250 rocket fuels, offers enhanced safety, and 44 00:01:47.250 --> 00:01:49.450 comes with a lower price tag. These 45 00:01:49.450 --> 00:01:51.730 advantages make methane particularly well 46 00:01:51.730 --> 00:01:54.250 suited as a propellant for reusable rockets, 47 00:01:54.410 --> 00:01:56.570 which is exactly what Landspace is working 48 00:01:56.570 --> 00:01:59.330 toward. Saturday's launch successfully 49 00:01:59.330 --> 00:02:01.850 deployed six satellites into orbit, showing 50 00:02:01.850 --> 00:02:04.490 progress from their previous launches. Their 51 00:02:04.490 --> 00:02:06.450 first successful methane powered launch 52 00:02:06.450 --> 00:02:09.130 didn't carry any real satellites, while their 53 00:02:09.130 --> 00:02:12.130 second launch in December 2023 managed to 54 00:02:12.130 --> 00:02:14.650 place three satellites into orbit. This 55 00:02:14.650 --> 00:02:16.970 latest mission carried payloads developed by 56 00:02:16.970 --> 00:02:19.330 Chinese firm Spacedee, including a radar 57 00:02:19.330 --> 00:02:21.730 satellite, two multispectral satellites, and 58 00:02:21.730 --> 00:02:23.850 three satellites for scientific experiments. 59 00:02:24.940 --> 00:02:26.540 This launch included some technical 60 00:02:26.540 --> 00:02:28.500 improvements that will support Landspace's 61 00:02:28.500 --> 00:02:31.180 reusability goals. The company implemented a 62 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:33.140 new propulsion method that involved chilling 63 00:02:33.140 --> 00:02:35.380 both liquid oxygen and methane below their 64 00:02:35.380 --> 00:02:38.260 boiling points to boost thrust. Landspace 65 00:02:38.260 --> 00:02:40.860 founder and CEO Zhang Chung Wu has 66 00:02:40.860 --> 00:02:42.780 indicated that the company is actively 67 00:02:42.780 --> 00:02:44.700 developing reusable rockets with test 68 00:02:44.700 --> 00:02:47.500 launches expected in the second half of 2025. 69 00:02:48.140 --> 00:02:50.420 The race to develop reusable rockets has 70 00:02:50.420 --> 00:02:52.820 intensified since SpaceX demonstrated how 71 00:02:52.820 --> 00:02:55.010 they can dramatically lower costs for for 72 00:02:55.010 --> 00:02:56.970 launch vehicles and space transportation. 73 00:02:57.370 --> 00:02:59.370 Chinese commercial space companies have been 74 00:02:59.370 --> 00:03:02.290 particularly active since 2014, when the 75 00:03:02.290 --> 00:03:04.250 government opened the industry to private 76 00:03:04.250 --> 00:03:06.850 investment, with land space being one of the 77 00:03:06.850 --> 00:03:08.930 earliest and best funded entrants in the 78 00:03:08.930 --> 00:03:09.210 field. 79 00:03:10.649 --> 00:03:13.170 In more news from China today, China is 80 00:03:13.170 --> 00:03:15.170 ramping up its ambitious space exploration 81 00:03:15.170 --> 00:03:16.730 program with the upcoming launch of the 82 00:03:16.730 --> 00:03:19.690 Tianwen 2 asteroid probe, scheduled for late 83 00:03:19.690 --> 00:03:22.010 May from the Qichong satellite launch center. 84 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.560 After being transported to the launch area on 85 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:26.960 May 14, the spacecraft is currently 86 00:03:26.960 --> 00:03:29.040 undergoing final inspections before its 87 00:03:29.040 --> 00:03:31.560 historic journey begins. This mission 88 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:34.160 represents China's first attempt to collect 89 00:03:34.160 --> 00:03:37.040 samples from interplanetary space, marking 90 00:03:37.040 --> 00:03:38.920 another significant milestone in the 91 00:03:38.920 --> 00:03:41.120 country's rapidly advancing space program. 92 00:03:41.600 --> 00:03:44.182 The primary Target is asteroid 2016 93 00:03:44.338 --> 00:03:46.920 HO3, a small 100 meter 94 00:03:46.920 --> 00:03:48.920 asteroid that follows a unique orbit around 95 00:03:48.920 --> 00:03:51.140 Earth as what scientists call a, quasi 96 00:03:51.140 --> 00:03:53.540 satellite. While it doesn't orbit Earth 97 00:03:53.540 --> 00:03:56.060 directly like our moon, it follows a path 98 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:58.420 around the sun that keeps it as a constant 99 00:03:58.420 --> 00:04:00.940 companion to our planet. Once 100 00:04:00.940 --> 00:04:03.620 Tianwen 2 reaches its destination, it will 101 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:06.020 deploy a mechanical arm to scoop up dust 102 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:08.460 samples from the asteroid's surface. But the 103 00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:10.940 mission doesn't end there. The spacecraft 104 00:04:10.940 --> 00:04:13.620 will also explore Comet 311P, 105 00:04:13.940 --> 00:04:16.220 providing an unprecedented opportunity to 106 00:04:16.220 --> 00:04:18.700 study two distinct celestial bodies during a 107 00:04:18.700 --> 00:04:21.280 single mission. This sample return 108 00:04:21.280 --> 00:04:23.600 mission follows in the footsteps of similar 109 00:04:23.680 --> 00:04:26.000 successful ventures by other spacefaring 110 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:28.320 nations, including the United States and 111 00:04:28.320 --> 00:04:30.600 Japan, who have previously landed on 112 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:33.480 asteroids. However, this represents China's 113 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:35.840 first venture into asteroid exploration and 114 00:04:35.840 --> 00:04:38.480 sample collection. The Tianwen 2 mission 115 00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:40.400 comes on the heels of China's impressive 116 00:04:40.400 --> 00:04:42.440 achievement earlier this year with the Chang' 117 00:04:42.440 --> 00:04:45.000 E 6 lunar probe, which made history as the 118 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:47.160 first mission to bring back samples from the 119 00:04:47.160 --> 00:04:50.080 moon's far side. This consistent progress 120 00:04:50.080 --> 00:04:52.400 demonstrates China's growing capabilities and 121 00:04:52.400 --> 00:04:54.840 determination to establish itself as a 122 00:04:54.840 --> 00:04:57.320 leading space power. Looking ahead, 123 00:04:57.720 --> 00:05:00.040 China has already announced plans for Tianwen 124 00:05:00.040 --> 00:05:02.720 3, an even more ambitious mission scheduled 125 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:05.240 for around 2028 that aims to return 126 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:07.920 samples from Mars. These missions 127 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:10.240 reflect the intensifying space race between 128 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:13.000 China and the United States as both nations 129 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:15.530 accelerate their exploration plans with 130 00:05:15.530 --> 00:05:18.370 increasingly sophisticated missions. The 131 00:05:18.370 --> 00:05:20.770 upcoming Tianwen 2 launch will be closely 132 00:05:20.770 --> 00:05:22.610 watched by the international scientific 133 00:05:22.610 --> 00:05:25.210 community as the samples it returns could 134 00:05:25.210 --> 00:05:27.650 provide valuable insights into the 135 00:05:27.650 --> 00:05:30.370 composition of asteroids and the early solar 136 00:05:30.370 --> 00:05:33.090 system, potentially offering clues about the 137 00:05:33.090 --> 00:05:34.650 origins of life on Earth. 138 00:05:35.610 --> 00:05:37.530 Next, let's take a look at the first of two 139 00:05:37.530 --> 00:05:39.850 stories we have today from the Red Planet 140 00:05:40.250 --> 00:05:42.450 dark streaks that mysteriously appear on 141 00:05:42.450 --> 00:05:44.970 Martian slopes and have puzzled planetary 142 00:05:44.970 --> 00:05:47.410 scientists since they were first observed in 143 00:05:47.410 --> 00:05:50.370 the late 1970s. These features, known 144 00:05:50.370 --> 00:05:52.850 as slope streaks, are typically darker than 145 00:05:52.850 --> 00:05:55.130 their surroundings and can extend for 146 00:05:55.130 --> 00:05:57.210 hundreds of meters down steep terrain. 147 00:05:58.090 --> 00:06:00.970 In 2011, researchers discovered similar 148 00:06:01.050 --> 00:06:03.210 but shorter lived features called recurrent 149 00:06:03.210 --> 00:06:05.970 slope lineae, or rsl, triggering an 150 00:06:05.970 --> 00:06:08.490 intense debate about their origins. For 151 00:06:08.490 --> 00:06:10.850 decades, scientists have been divided on 152 00:06:10.850 --> 00:06:12.410 whether these streaks are evidence of 153 00:06:12.410 --> 00:06:15.290 something extraordinary liquid water flowing 154 00:06:15.290 --> 00:06:17.610 on the Martian surface or merely the result 155 00:06:17.610 --> 00:06:19.810 of dry processes like dust movements. 156 00:06:20.530 --> 00:06:22.190 A new study published in Nature 157 00:06:22.190 --> 00:06:24.910 Communications may have finally resolved this 158 00:06:24.910 --> 00:06:27.830 long standing mystery. A big focus of 159 00:06:27.830 --> 00:06:30.070 Mars research is understanding modern day 160 00:06:30.070 --> 00:06:32.870 processes on Mars, including the possibility 161 00:06:32.870 --> 00:06:35.730 of liquid water on the surface, explains 162 00:06:35.730 --> 00:06:38.690 Adamus Valentinus from Brown University, who 163 00:06:38.690 --> 00:06:41.050 co authored the research. The water 164 00:06:41.050 --> 00:06:43.410 hypothesis suggested that small amounts from 165 00:06:43.410 --> 00:06:46.210 buried ice, subsurface aquifers, or 166 00:06:46.210 --> 00:06:48.770 unusually humid air could mix with salt 167 00:06:49.010 --> 00:06:51.650 to create briny flows capable of persisting 168 00:06:51.650 --> 00:06:53.650 even in Mars's freezing conditions. 169 00:06:54.770 --> 00:06:57.210 To settle the debate, Valentinas and his 170 00:06:57.210 --> 00:06:59.330 colleague Dr. Valentin Bickle from the 171 00:06:59.330 --> 00:07:02.010 University of Bern used machine learning to 172 00:07:02.010 --> 00:07:04.530 create the first global catalog of these 173 00:07:04.530 --> 00:07:07.440 features. After training their algorithm 174 00:07:07.440 --> 00:07:09.960 on confirmed slope streak sightings, they 175 00:07:09.960 --> 00:07:12.600 analyzed over 86,000 high resolution 176 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:15.520 satellite images identifying 500,000 177 00:07:15.520 --> 00:07:18.480 individual slope streaks. Once we had this 178 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:21.079 global map, we could compare it to databases 179 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:23.800 of temperature, wind speed, hydration, 180 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:26.680 rockslide activity, and other factors, says 181 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:29.120 Bickle. Then we could look for 182 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:31.200 correlations over hundreds of thousands of 183 00:07:31.200 --> 00:07:34.010 cases. Their findings were conclusive. 184 00:07:34.330 --> 00:07:36.370 These features appear more frequently in 185 00:07:36.370 --> 00:07:38.690 areas with above average wind speed and dust 186 00:07:38.690 --> 00:07:41.570 deposition factors that strongly suggest a 187 00:07:41.570 --> 00:07:43.930 dry origin rather than liquid water. 188 00:07:45.050 --> 00:07:47.170 Neither type of streak shows associations 189 00:07:47.170 --> 00:07:49.250 with factors you'd expect if water were 190 00:07:49.250 --> 00:07:51.490 involved, such as specific slope 191 00:07:51.490 --> 00:07:53.730 orientations, high humidity, or temperature 192 00:07:53.730 --> 00:07:56.690 fluctuations. The researchers concluded 193 00:07:56.690 --> 00:07:58.730 that slope streaks most likely form when 194 00:07:58.730 --> 00:08:01.210 layers of fine dust suddenly slide off steep 195 00:08:01.210 --> 00:08:03.980 slopes, while RSLs are more commonly found 196 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:06.340 in places with frequent rockfalls and dust 197 00:08:06.340 --> 00:08:09.100 devils, those mini whirlwinds of dust and 198 00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:11.420 grit that dance across the Martian surface. 199 00:08:11.820 --> 00:08:14.300 Our findings suggest that Martian slopes 200 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:16.740 currently do not experience seasonal 201 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:19.180 transient flows of liquid water or brines, 202 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:22.380 underscoring the dry desert. Like Nature of 203 00:08:22.380 --> 00:08:25.340 Mars, the authors write, this conclusion 204 00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:27.740 has important implications for future Mars 205 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:30.230 missions, as it suggests these areas are 206 00:08:30.230 --> 00:08:32.190 unlikely to be habitable environments, 207 00:08:32.430 --> 00:08:34.630 potentially easing planetary protection 208 00:08:34.630 --> 00:08:36.630 constraints for landed missions targeting 209 00:08:36.630 --> 00:08:37.390 these regions. 210 00:08:39.150 --> 00:08:41.990 Meanwhile, a mystery back here on Earth on 211 00:08:41.990 --> 00:08:44.669 the night of Saturday, May 17, sky watchers 212 00:08:44.669 --> 00:08:46.390 across the United States were treated to an 213 00:08:46.390 --> 00:08:49.030 unexpected light show. A brilliant stream of 214 00:08:49.030 --> 00:08:51.230 whitish light stretched across the night sky, 215 00:08:51.390 --> 00:08:54.280 visible as far south as New Mexico, with a 216 00:08:54.280 --> 00:08:56.720 major auroral display Already underway Due to 217 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:58.560 solar particles hitting Earth's magnetic 218 00:08:58.560 --> 00:09:01.120 field, many observers initially thought they 219 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:03.400 were witnessing Steve. That's the strong 220 00:09:03.400 --> 00:09:06.280 thermal emission velocity enhancement, a 221 00:09:06.280 --> 00:09:08.760 rare aurora adjacent phenomenon that creates 222 00:09:08.760 --> 00:09:11.560 white mauve streaks in the ionosphere. But 223 00:09:11.560 --> 00:09:13.880 this wasn't Steve at all. Astronomer Jonathan 224 00:09:13.880 --> 00:09:16.040 McDowell, who specializes in tracking 225 00:09:16.040 --> 00:09:18.440 activity in Earth orbit, quickly identified 226 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:21.010 the true source, a fuel dump from the upper 227 00:09:21.010 --> 00:09:23.690 stage of China's Zhuque 2 rocket at an 228 00:09:23.690 --> 00:09:25.970 altitude of about 250 kilometers. 229 00:09:26.770 --> 00:09:29.570 As reported earlier in the show, just Hours 230 00:09:29.570 --> 00:09:31.810 earlier, at 04:12 UTC, 231 00:09:32.290 --> 00:09:34.690 Beijing based startup Landspace Technology 232 00:09:35.090 --> 00:09:37.770 had launched their Jukui 2E Y2 233 00:09:37.770 --> 00:09:40.530 carrier rocket carrying six satellites into 234 00:09:40.530 --> 00:09:43.210 orbit. The striking visual effect occurred 235 00:09:43.210 --> 00:09:45.610 when the rocket's upper stage released unused 236 00:09:45.610 --> 00:09:48.280 methalox fuel, a mixture of methane and 237 00:09:48.280 --> 00:09:50.360 liquid oxygen, while passing over the 238 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:53.000 southwestern United States. At that 239 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:55.360 altitude, right in Earth's ionosphere, the 240 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:57.680 fuel created a chemical light show through 241 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:59.360 reactions with the charged plasma 242 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.920 environment. According to physicists, 243 00:10:02.160 --> 00:10:04.760 these reactions can include ion molecule, 244 00:10:04.760 --> 00:10:07.440 charge exchange, electron ion recombination, 245 00:10:07.680 --> 00:10:10.400 and optical emissions from chemiluminescence. 246 00:10:10.880 --> 00:10:13.170 In m simpler terms, we when rocket fuel 247 00:10:13.170 --> 00:10:15.410 interacts with the ionosphere at night, it 248 00:10:15.410 --> 00:10:17.890 can create a long lived glow visible from the 249 00:10:17.890 --> 00:10:20.370 ground. While we've seen rocket fuel create 250 00:10:20.370 --> 00:10:23.090 strange spirals in the sky before this 251 00:10:23.090 --> 00:10:25.810 particular manifestation, a straight white 252 00:10:25.810 --> 00:10:27.970 streak resembling Steve appears to be 253 00:10:27.970 --> 00:10:30.250 something new. With methalox gaining 254 00:10:30.250 --> 00:10:32.290 popularity as a rocket fuel due to its 255 00:10:32.290 --> 00:10:34.890 efficiency, cleaner combustion, and 256 00:10:34.890 --> 00:10:37.770 potential for in situ production on Mars, we 257 00:10:37.770 --> 00:10:39.930 might see more of these unusual light shows 258 00:10:39.930 --> 00:10:42.830 in our night skies in the future. So if you 259 00:10:42.830 --> 00:10:45.630 spotted this mysterious streak on May 17, now 260 00:10:45.630 --> 00:10:48.350 you know it wasn't an aurora or Steve, but 261 00:10:48.350 --> 00:10:50.550 rather the after effects of humanity's 262 00:10:50.550 --> 00:10:53.350 expanding activities in space, bringing a bit 263 00:10:53.350 --> 00:10:55.590 of cosmic chemistry right to our doorstep. 264 00:10:56.390 --> 00:10:58.350 Okay, moving on. Let's take a look at this 265 00:10:58.350 --> 00:11:00.750 week's launch schedule. SpaceX is ramping up 266 00:11:00.750 --> 00:11:02.870 for an exceptionally busy week, with at least 267 00:11:02.870 --> 00:11:04.910 three Starlink satellite launches planned 268 00:11:04.910 --> 00:11:07.400 across both coasts of the United States. The 269 00:11:07.400 --> 00:11:09.200 ambitious schedule reflects the company's 270 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:11.680 accelerating pace as it works to expand its 271 00:11:11.680 --> 00:11:14.640 global Internet constellation. The week began 272 00:11:14.640 --> 00:11:17.000 with a Falcon 9 scheduled to launch Starlink 273 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.800 Group 12 to 15 from Space Launch Complex 274 00:11:19.800 --> 00:11:22.720 40 at Cape Canaveral in Florida. However, 275 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:25.080 the countdown was held at just under 2 1/2 276 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:28.080 minutes before liftoff. Unlike most Starlink 277 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:29.760 missions, which typically have four hour 278 00:11:29.760 --> 00:11:32.160 launch windows, this one had an unusually 279 00:11:32.160 --> 00:11:34.830 short 35 minute window. The hold 280 00:11:34.910 --> 00:11:37.870 resulted in a scrub as Falcon 9's highly 281 00:11:37.870 --> 00:11:40.310 chilled fuel warms too quickly to allow for a 282 00:11:40.310 --> 00:11:43.030 reset within the same window. The mission 283 00:11:43.030 --> 00:11:45.230 would have carried 23 satellites, including 284 00:11:45.230 --> 00:11:47.830 both standard V2 mini satellites and 285 00:11:47.830 --> 00:11:50.790 specialized direct to cell variants. Later 286 00:11:50.790 --> 00:11:52.630 in the week, another Florida launch is 287 00:11:52.630 --> 00:11:55.630 planned, with Starlink Group 1222 lifting off 288 00:11:55.630 --> 00:11:58.350 from the same pad on Saturday. This 289 00:11:58.350 --> 00:12:00.270 mission will similarly carry a mixture of 290 00:12:00.270 --> 00:12:02.630 Starlink V2 mini and and direct to cell 291 00:12:02.630 --> 00:12:04.950 satellites on a southeasterly trajectory over 292 00:12:04.950 --> 00:12:07.710 the Atlantic Ocean. But perhaps the most 293 00:12:07.710 --> 00:12:10.190 significant launch of the week will come from 294 00:12:10.190 --> 00:12:12.750 Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. 295 00:12:13.470 --> 00:12:15.710 On Sunday, SpaceX plans to initiate 296 00:12:15.710 --> 00:12:18.630 construction of an entirely new orbital shell 297 00:12:18.630 --> 00:12:21.150 for the Starlink Constellation with the Group 298 00:12:21.470 --> 00:12:24.470 171 mission. This launch represents 299 00:12:24.470 --> 00:12:26.470 a major milestone as the first Starlink 300 00:12:26.470 --> 00:12:28.900 mission targeting a polar sun synchronous 301 00:12:28.900 --> 00:12:31.540 orbit at a 97 degree inclination since the 302 00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:34.380 earlier Group 3 deployments which used older 303 00:12:34.380 --> 00:12:37.180 V1.5 satellites. The 304 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:39.380 polar orbit will enable Starlink to provide 305 00:12:39.380 --> 00:12:41.940 coverage at high latitudes, including the 306 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:44.500 Arctic and Antarctic region's areas that have 307 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.700 historically had limited access to reliable 308 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:49.540 Internet connectivity. This expansion into 309 00:12:49.540 --> 00:12:51.620 polar orbits represents the next phase in 310 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.820 SpaceX's plan to provide truly global 311 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:56.240 coverage. All three missions will include 312 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:58.760 landing attempts on SpaceX's autonomous drone 313 00:12:58.760 --> 00:13:00.920 ships positioned in the Atlantic and Pacific 314 00:13:00.920 --> 00:13:03.320 Oceans. These recoveries continue to 315 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:05.520 demonstrate the company's reusability model, 316 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:07.880 which has revolutionized launch economics, 317 00:13:07.880 --> 00:13:10.120 with some boosters now having flown more than 318 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:12.920 two dozen missions. If all launches proceed 319 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:15.920 as planned, SpaceX will surpass 60 missions 320 00:13:15.920 --> 00:13:18.680 for 2025, continuing their record 321 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:20.650 breaking launch cadence and and further 322 00:13:20.650 --> 00:13:22.530 cementing their dominance in the commercial 323 00:13:22.530 --> 00:13:23.130 launch market. 324 00:13:24.010 --> 00:13:26.250 Also this week we have launches planned from 325 00:13:26.250 --> 00:13:28.610 China and Russia. The first of several 326 00:13:28.610 --> 00:13:30.530 Chinese launches expected this week will 327 00:13:30.530 --> 00:13:32.810 launch from Launch Complex 201 328 00:13:34.410 --> 00:13:36.449 at AH, the Wencheng Space Launch Site in 329 00:13:36.449 --> 00:13:38.690 China on Tuesday, May 20 at 330 00:13:38.690 --> 00:13:41.530 11:50 UTC. There is no 331 00:13:41.530 --> 00:13:43.410 information regarding the mission's payload 332 00:13:43.410 --> 00:13:45.530 at present, however, the hazard warning 333 00:13:45.530 --> 00:13:47.850 notices published indicate that the Changjang 334 00:13:47.850 --> 00:13:50.710 7A CZ7A will 335 00:13:50.710 --> 00:13:53.110 fly due east from the launch site. Another 336 00:13:53.110 --> 00:13:55.070 Chinese launch is expected on Wednesday, May 337 00:13:55.070 --> 00:13:58.070 21 at 400 UTC during 338 00:13:58.070 --> 00:14:00.750 a launch window extending from 3:54 until 339 00:14:00.910 --> 00:14:03.810 4:15 UTC. A Kinetica 1 will lift off 340 00:14:03.810 --> 00:14:06.570 from Site 130 at Juquan Satellite Launch 341 00:14:06.570 --> 00:14:09.050 center in China. Published hazard notices 342 00:14:09.050 --> 00:14:11.290 indicate a southwesterly trajectory for the 343 00:14:11.290 --> 00:14:13.450 flight. This mission will serve as the first 344 00:14:13.450 --> 00:14:16.410 Kinetica 1 mission of 2025 and the 345 00:14:16.410 --> 00:14:18.770 seventh overall. And finally rounding out a 346 00:14:18.770 --> 00:14:21.410 busy week of launches, a Russian Soyuz 347 00:14:21.410 --> 00:14:24.290 2.1 A with a Fregat M M 4th stage 348 00:14:24.530 --> 00:14:27.086 will launch an unknown payload on Friday, May 349 00:14:27.174 --> 00:14:30.170 23rd at 0700 UTC from the 350 00:14:30.170 --> 00:14:32.930 Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia. 351 00:14:33.410 --> 00:14:36.090 This will be the third launch for a Soyuz in 352 00:14:36.090 --> 00:14:39.010 2025 and the 113th orbital 353 00:14:39.010 --> 00:14:41.090 launch attempt worldwide this year. 354 00:14:42.420 --> 00:14:44.460 M Finally today, let's return to Mars. 355 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:47.700 NASA's Perseverance rover is embarking on an 356 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:49.580 exciting new chapter of its Martian 357 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:52.060 adventure, exploring a region that scientists 358 00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:54.220 believe could harbor some of the oldest rocks 359 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:56.860 on the entire planet. After spending five 360 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:59.340 months investigating Witch Hazel Hill, the 361 00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:01.580 nuclear powered rover has now moved on to a 362 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:04.220 new area of interest dubbed Crocodylon. 363 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:06.340 The name, which means the crocodile in 364 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:08.850 Norwegian, was chosen by mission scientists 365 00:15:08.850 --> 00:15:11.050 after a mountain ridge on Norway's Prinz 366 00:15:11.050 --> 00:15:13.810 Karls foreland Island. This 73 367 00:15:13.810 --> 00:15:16.250 acre plateau of rocky outcrops 368 00:15:16.410 --> 00:15:18.970 sits downslope to the west and south of Witch 369 00:15:18.970 --> 00:15:21.650 Hazel Hill on the lower slope of Jezero 370 00:15:21.650 --> 00:15:24.330 Crater's rim. What makes Crocodylan 371 00:15:24.330 --> 00:15:26.690 particularly tantalizing is its geological 372 00:15:26.690 --> 00:15:29.530 age. These rocks formed before Jezero Crater 373 00:15:29.530 --> 00:15:31.850 was even created, dating back to Mars 374 00:15:31.850 --> 00:15:33.770 earliest geological period known as the 375 00:15:33.770 --> 00:15:36.420 Noachian Era. In fact, they're among the 376 00:15:36.420 --> 00:15:38.740 oldest accessible rocks on the entire Martian 377 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:41.700 surface. An early investigation of the 378 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:43.740 region revealed the presence of clay 379 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:46.460 minerals, which require liquid water to form. 380 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:49.020 This provides compelling evidence that 381 00:15:49.020 --> 00:15:51.139 abundant water once flowed across this 382 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:53.860 ancient landscape long before an asteroid 383 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:56.780 impact created Jezero Crater. Clay 384 00:15:56.780 --> 00:15:58.740 minerals are especially important in the 385 00:15:58.740 --> 00:16:01.220 search for past life because they're known on 386 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:03.830 Earth to preserve organic compounds, the 387 00:16:03.830 --> 00:16:06.590 fundamental building blocks of life. Ken 388 00:16:06.590 --> 00:16:08.950 Farley, deputy project scientist for 389 00:16:08.950 --> 00:16:11.750 Perseverance, explained the significance if 390 00:16:11.750 --> 00:16:14.310 we find a potential biosignature here, it 391 00:16:14.310 --> 00:16:16.070 would most likely be from an entirely 392 00:16:16.070 --> 00:16:18.190 different and much earlier epoch of Mars 393 00:16:18.190 --> 00:16:20.670 evolution than the one we found last year in 394 00:16:20.670 --> 00:16:22.510 the crater with Chayava Falls. 395 00:16:23.390 --> 00:16:25.550 That previous discovery featured chemical 396 00:16:25.550 --> 00:16:27.470 signatures and structures that could have 397 00:16:27.470 --> 00:16:30.140 been formed by ancient life. The 398 00:16:30.140 --> 00:16:31.860 rover, which celebrated its 399 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:34.740 1,500th day of surface operations 400 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:37.700 on May 9, is currently analyzing a rocky 401 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:39.500 outcrop called Copper Cove. 402 00:16:40.300 --> 00:16:42.420 Orbital data suggests that other areas of 403 00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:45.260 Crocodylon may contain olivine and carbonate 404 00:16:45.260 --> 00:16:47.900 minerals. While olivine forms from 405 00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:50.500 magma, carbonates typically develop when rock 406 00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:52.380 reacts with carbon dioxide dissolved in 407 00:16:52.380 --> 00:16:55.220 liquid water. On Earth, carbonates 408 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:57.340 excel at, preserving fossilized microbial 409 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:59.530 life, recording ancient climate conditions. 410 00:16:59.930 --> 00:17:02.290 The Perseverance team has also implemented a 411 00:17:02.290 --> 00:17:04.730 new sampling strategy, allowing some cored 412 00:17:04.730 --> 00:17:07.330 samples to remain unsealed. This gives the 413 00:17:07.330 --> 00:17:09.210 mission flexibility to replace earlier 414 00:17:09.210 --> 00:17:11.370 samples if more scientifically compelling 415 00:17:11.370 --> 00:17:13.130 features are discovered down the road. 416 00:17:13.930 --> 00:17:16.770 Katie Stack, Morgan Perseverance's acting 417 00:17:16.770 --> 00:17:19.010 project scientist, noted, we have been 418 00:17:19.010 --> 00:17:21.370 exploring Mars for over four years, and every 419 00:17:21.370 --> 00:17:23.530 single filled sample tube we have on board 420 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:25.979 has its own unique and compelling story to 421 00:17:25.979 --> 00:17:28.779 tell. As Perseverance continues its 422 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:30.979 methodical exploration of this ancient 423 00:17:30.979 --> 00:17:33.939 Martian landscape, each rock it analyzes 424 00:17:33.939 --> 00:17:36.179 brings us closer to understanding Mars's 425 00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:38.699 distant past and potentially answering 426 00:17:38.699 --> 00:17:40.899 whether life once existed on our neighboring 427 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:41.459 planet. 428 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:45.259 Well, what an incredible week in space and 429 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:48.059 astronomy news. We've m truly spanned the 430 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:50.150 solar system in today's episode. From 431 00:17:50.150 --> 00:17:52.190 groundbreaking rocket launches here on Earth 432 00:17:52.190 --> 00:17:55.030 to the mysteries of Mars and beyond, the 433 00:17:55.030 --> 00:17:56.590 pace of innovation in space technology 434 00:17:56.830 --> 00:17:59.150 continues to accelerate, with China's 435 00:17:59.150 --> 00:18:01.590 landspace joining the race to develop methane 436 00:18:01.590 --> 00:18:03.950 powered rockets, technology that could 437 00:18:03.950 --> 00:18:06.069 revolutionize our access to space through 438 00:18:06.069 --> 00:18:08.670 reusability and efficiency. Their 439 00:18:08.670 --> 00:18:11.230 upcoming Tianwen 2 mission represents another 440 00:18:11.230 --> 00:18:13.470 significant step in asteroid exploration, 441 00:18:13.870 --> 00:18:16.710 joining efforts by NASA, JAXA and other space 442 00:18:16.710 --> 00:18:18.750 agencies to understand these ancient 443 00:18:18.750 --> 00:18:21.540 celestial bodies. Looking ahead, 444 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:24.380 watch for SpaceX's continued expansion of 445 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:26.860 their Starlink constellation, particularly 446 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:29.420 the new Polar Orbit Shell, which will enhance 447 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:32.140 global coverage. The Russian Soyuz launch 448 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:34.260 carrying its mysterious payload will 449 00:18:34.260 --> 00:18:36.980 certainly be worth monitoring as well. On 450 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:39.500 Mars, Perseverance's exploration of the 451 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:42.100 ancient Crocodilan region may yield some of 452 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:44.140 the most significant discoveries yet about 453 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:46.810 the Red Planet's early history. The rover's 454 00:18:46.810 --> 00:18:49.170 investigation of those Noachian era rocks 455 00:18:49.330 --> 00:18:51.410 could fundamentally change our understanding 456 00:18:51.410 --> 00:18:54.170 of Mars's potential habitability. And the 457 00:18:54.170 --> 00:18:56.010 scientific detective work that solved both 458 00:18:56.010 --> 00:18:58.410 the mystery of Mars slope streaks and the 459 00:18:58.410 --> 00:19:00.290 strange light phenomenon over the United 460 00:19:00.290 --> 00:19:03.010 States reminds us that space science is 461 00:19:03.010 --> 00:19:05.570 constantly evolving, with new observations 462 00:19:05.570 --> 00:19:08.490 challenging our previous assumptions. The 463 00:19:08.490 --> 00:19:10.570 coming weeks promise even more excitement as 464 00:19:10.570 --> 00:19:12.730 these missions progress and new launches take 465 00:19:12.730 --> 00:19:15.690 flight. Our understanding of the cosmos grows 466 00:19:15.690 --> 00:19:17.170 richer with each passing day. 467 00:19:18.930 --> 00:19:21.050 And that's all for this episode of Astronomy 468 00:19:21.050 --> 00:19:23.930 Daily. I'm Anna and I want to thank you 469 00:19:23.930 --> 00:19:26.450 for joining me on this cosmic journey through 470 00:19:26.450 --> 00:19:28.850 today's most fascinating space and astronomy 471 00:19:28.850 --> 00:19:31.450 news. If you're hungry for more space content 472 00:19:31.450 --> 00:19:34.090 and let's be honest, who isn't, I invite you 473 00:19:34.090 --> 00:19:37.010 to visit our website@astronomydaily.IO 474 00:19:37.250 --> 00:19:39.170 where you can sign up for our free daily 475 00:19:39.170 --> 00:19:41.600 newsletter. It's the perfect way to stay 476 00:19:41.600 --> 00:19:44.000 updated on all the latest developments in 477 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:46.640 space exploration and astronomy with our 478 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:49.640 constantly updating news feed. Don't miss 479 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:52.040 a single episode by subscribing to Astronomy 480 00:19:52.040 --> 00:19:54.560 Daily on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, 481 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.480 YouTubeMusic, or wherever you get your 482 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:59.040 podcasts. New episodes drop daily, 483 00:19:59.360 --> 00:20:01.400 bringing you the most compelling stories from 484 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:04.400 across the universe. Until next time, keep 485 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:06.480 looking up. There's always something amazing 486 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:08.810 happening in our cosmic neighborhood. This 487 00:20:08.810 --> 00:20:11.730 has been Anna for Astronomy Daily, your daily 488 00:20:11.730 --> 00:20:13.530 dose of space news and wonder.