WEBVTT 0 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.920 Avery: Welcome back to Astronomy Daily, the podcast 1 00:00:02.920 --> 00:00:05.800 that brings you the universe one story at a 2 00:00:05.800 --> 00:00:07.280 time. I'm Avery. 3 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:10.280 Anna: And I'm Anna. We have a packed show for 4 00:00:10.280 --> 00:00:13.080 you today. We'll be covering SpaceX's 5 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:15.760 incredible new milestone with Starship. 6 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:18.680 Avery: A, uh, rundown of a very busy week for rocket 7 00:00:18.680 --> 00:00:20.160 launches all around the world. 8 00:00:20.480 --> 00:00:23.240 Anna: An ancient interstellar visitor spotted by 9 00:00:23.240 --> 00:00:26.080 the James Webb Space Telescope for the first 10 00:00:26.080 --> 00:00:28.960 time. And a unique way to celebrate 11 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:31.280 the unsung heroes of space history. 12 00:00:31.440 --> 00:00:34.100 Avery: It' big day for space news, so let's get 13 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:34.860 right to it. 14 00:00:35.180 --> 00:00:37.500 Anna: First up, the news that has everyone 15 00:00:37.580 --> 00:00:39.980 buzzing. SpaceX's Starship 16 00:00:40.060 --> 00:00:42.780 completed its 10th test flight. And 17 00:00:43.020 --> 00:00:45.780 what a flight it was. This was a truly 18 00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:48.420 spectacular demonstration of progress for the 19 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:49.980 world's largest rocket. 20 00:00:50.060 --> 00:00:52.460 Avery: It really was, Anna. Uh, this wasn't just 21 00:00:52.460 --> 00:00:54.500 about getting off the ground and reaching 22 00:00:54.500 --> 00:00:57.220 space. They hit a series of ambitious 23 00:00:57.220 --> 00:00:59.940 milestones that are absolutely critical for 24 00:00:59.940 --> 00:01:01.660 the rocket's operational future. 25 00:01:02.170 --> 00:01:04.730 Anna: Let's break them down. For the first time, 26 00:01:04.810 --> 00:01:07.690 they successfully opened and closed the 27 00:01:07.690 --> 00:01:09.930 payload door while coasting in space. 28 00:01:10.570 --> 00:01:13.490 This is that famous PEZ dispenser door we've 29 00:01:13.490 --> 00:01:15.850 heard about, designed to deploy the next 30 00:01:15.930 --> 00:01:17.930 generation of Starlink satellites. 31 00:01:18.090 --> 00:01:20.490 Avery: That test alone is a huge deal, 32 00:01:20.810 --> 00:01:23.170 but they didn't stop there. They also 33 00:01:23.170 --> 00:01:25.690 demonstrated an in space propellant 34 00:01:25.690 --> 00:01:28.370 transfer, moving super chilled liquid 35 00:01:28.370 --> 00:01:30.970 oxygen between tanks. This is a 36 00:01:30.970 --> 00:01:33.410 foundational technology for refuelling in 37 00:01:33.410 --> 00:01:35.710 orb, which is necessary for long duration 38 00:01:35.710 --> 00:01:37.350 missions to the moon and Mars. 39 00:01:37.670 --> 00:01:40.590 Anna: And the biggest one for me, Avery, was the 40 00:01:40.590 --> 00:01:43.190 successful reignition of a Raptor 41 00:01:43.190 --> 00:01:46.070 engine in space. Firing an engine 42 00:01:46.070 --> 00:01:48.550 in the vacuum of space is a completely 43 00:01:48.550 --> 00:01:50.710 different challenge than on the launch pad. 44 00:01:50.950 --> 00:01:53.750 This proves they can perform the deorbit burn 45 00:01:53.750 --> 00:01:56.630 needed to return to Earth or the landing burn 46 00:01:56.630 --> 00:01:58.630 for a lunar or Martian arrival. 47 00:01:58.870 --> 00:02:01.310 Avery: And we can't forget about the super heavy 48 00:02:01.310 --> 00:02:04.310 booster. After separation, it executed 49 00:02:04.310 --> 00:02:07.210 a perfect boostback burn and made a gentle 50 00:02:07.210 --> 00:02:09.730 targeted splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. 51 00:02:09.890 --> 00:02:12.370 The footage was just breathtaking. 52 00:02:12.610 --> 00:02:15.570 Anna: Absolutely picture perfect. It was 53 00:02:15.570 --> 00:02:18.050 so controlled. While catching it with the 54 00:02:18.050 --> 00:02:20.530 Mechazilla arms is the ultimate goal, 55 00:02:20.770 --> 00:02:23.050 proving they can bring it down to a precise 56 00:02:23.050 --> 00:02:26.050 location in the ocean is a massive hurdle 57 00:02:26.050 --> 00:02:28.970 cleared. It shows the hardware works as 58 00:02:28.970 --> 00:02:29.570 designed. 59 00:02:29.810 --> 00:02:32.330 Avery: So putting it all together, this is a 60 00:02:32.330 --> 00:02:35.010 monumental win for SpaceX and their vision. 61 00:02:35.250 --> 00:02:37.210 It's not just about their own goals. For 62 00:02:37.210 --> 00:02:40.150 Mars, NASA is relying heavily on a 63 00:02:40.150 --> 00:02:42.630 modified starship as the human landing system 64 00:02:42.630 --> 00:02:45.150 for its Artemis programme. This test flight 65 00:02:45.150 --> 00:02:47.790 will give everyone at the agency a lot more 66 00:02:47.790 --> 00:02:49.870 confidence that Starship can deliver. 67 00:02:50.270 --> 00:02:52.990 Anna: It sure will. The pace of development 68 00:02:53.230 --> 00:02:55.950 is just incredible. It Feels 69 00:02:55.950 --> 00:02:58.870 less like an incremental step and more like 70 00:02:58.870 --> 00:03:01.630 a giant leap towards a future where access to 71 00:03:01.630 --> 00:03:04.600 space is routine. Truly exciting times. 72 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:07.120 Avery: And um, while Starship may have stolen the 73 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:09.880 headlines, it was far from the only rocket 74 00:03:09.880 --> 00:03:12.640 leaving Earth. It's been an incredibly busy 75 00:03:12.640 --> 00:03:15.360 week for launches across the globe. A real 76 00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:17.680 showcase of the accelerating pace of the 77 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:18.680 modern space industry. 78 00:03:19.160 --> 00:03:21.960 Anna: Absolutely kicking things off. In Asia, 79 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:24.520 China's state owned CASC 80 00:03:25.160 --> 00:03:28.000 launched a Long March 2D rocket. It 81 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:30.480 was carrying another batch of satellites for 82 00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:32.840 their gowing Low Earth Orbit Internet 83 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:34.920 constellation, which is China's strateg 84 00:03:35.140 --> 00:03:37.180 strategic answer to services like Starlink 85 00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:38.020 and OneWeb. 86 00:03:38.100 --> 00:03:40.980 Avery: Back in the US SpaceX continued its 87 00:03:40.980 --> 00:03:43.300 relentless launch pace with the Falcon 9. 88 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:46.220 They successfully launched the NAOS mission, 89 00:03:46.220 --> 00:03:48.540 a highly advanced reconnaissance satellite 90 00:03:48.540 --> 00:03:51.139 for the French government. But the payload 91 00:03:51.139 --> 00:03:52.980 wasn't the only story here, was it? 92 00:03:53.140 --> 00:03:55.980 Anna: Not at all. The first stage booster that 93 00:03:55.980 --> 00:03:58.580 lofted that satellite was completing its 94 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:01.470 27th flight. Look at sink 95 00:04:01.470 --> 00:04:04.350 in 27 successful launches 96 00:04:04.350 --> 00:04:06.830 and landings for one piece of 97 00:04:06.830 --> 00:04:09.470 hardware. It's a number that completely 98 00:04:09.470 --> 00:04:11.870 redefines what's possible in aerospace. 99 00:04:11.870 --> 00:04:13.990 Avery: It's a stunning achievement in engineering 100 00:04:13.990 --> 00:04:16.670 and logistics. That level of reusability 101 00:04:16.910 --> 00:04:19.430 is what drives down costs and increases 102 00:04:19.430 --> 00:04:22.270 access to space for everyone. And speaking of 103 00:04:22.270 --> 00:04:24.910 other major players, Jeff Bezos's Blue 104 00:04:24.910 --> 00:04:27.150 Origin is preparing for a launch as well. 105 00:04:27.410 --> 00:04:29.770 Their New Shepard rocket is on the path for 106 00:04:29.770 --> 00:04:32.130 its next suborbital science mission. 107 00:04:32.450 --> 00:04:34.370 This flight, designated 108 00:04:34.370 --> 00:04:37.170 NS26, is packed with science. 109 00:04:37.570 --> 00:04:40.210 It's carrying over 40 payloads from 110 00:04:40.210 --> 00:04:43.089 NASA, universities and commercial 111 00:04:43.089 --> 00:04:44.130 research institutions. 112 00:04:44.370 --> 00:04:46.530 Anna: It's a great platform for microgravity 113 00:04:46.530 --> 00:04:49.370 research. This particular flight is carrying 114 00:04:49.370 --> 00:04:51.970 experiments to study everything from the 115 00:04:51.970 --> 00:04:54.250 behaviour of fluids in space, which is 116 00:04:54.250 --> 00:04:56.930 critical for life support systems, to how 117 00:04:56.930 --> 00:04:59.080 spaceflight affects plant cells and dn. 118 00:05:00.030 --> 00:05:02.510 Avery: And of course, rounding out the week, it 119 00:05:02.510 --> 00:05:04.910 wouldn't be space news without the steady 120 00:05:04.910 --> 00:05:07.550 drumbeat of Starlink launches. 121 00:05:07.870 --> 00:05:10.030 SpaceX sent up several more batches, 122 00:05:10.190 --> 00:05:13.150 continuing to expand the global coverage and 123 00:05:13.150 --> 00:05:15.790 capacity of their satellite Internet service. 124 00:05:16.510 --> 00:05:18.590 Anna: From government missions to commercial 125 00:05:18.590 --> 00:05:21.470 science and global Internet, it's a clear 126 00:05:21.470 --> 00:05:23.830 sign of a vibrant and diverse launch 127 00:05:23.830 --> 00:05:25.870 industry. Firing on all cylinders. 128 00:05:26.530 --> 00:05:28.650 Avery: All right, let's pivot. From the roar of 129 00:05:28.650 --> 00:05:31.410 rockets to the silent, steady gaze 130 00:05:31.410 --> 00:05:33.890 of our most powerful eye in the sky. 131 00:05:34.370 --> 00:05:37.290 The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a 132 00:05:37.290 --> 00:05:40.290 stunning new look at a mysterious visitor 133 00:05:40.290 --> 00:05:42.450 from far beyond our solar system. 134 00:05:43.490 --> 00:05:46.290 Anna: This is a really fantastic story of 135 00:05:46.290 --> 00:05:49.050 cosmic detective work. For the first time, 136 00:05:49.050 --> 00:05:51.410 Webb focused its powerful infrared 137 00:05:51.410 --> 00:05:54.300 instruments on an object named Comet 138 00:05:54.300 --> 00:05:56.860 3I ATLAS. 139 00:05:57.180 --> 00:06:00.140 The I in its name is crucial. It 140 00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:03.060 stands for interstellar. This means 141 00:06:03.060 --> 00:06:05.900 the Comet is not gravitationally bound to our 142 00:06:05.900 --> 00:06:08.300 Sun. It's just passing through from another 143 00:06:08.300 --> 00:06:08.940 star system. 144 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:11.580 Avery: And this isn't a common occurrence. It's only 145 00:06:11.580 --> 00:06:14.100 the third interstellar object we've ever 146 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:16.940 definitively identified, after Oumuamua 147 00:06:16.940 --> 00:06:19.740 and Borisov. And Webb's capabilities 148 00:06:19.820 --> 00:06:22.540 allowed for an unprecedented level of 149 00:06:22.540 --> 00:06:23.180 analysis. 150 00:06:24.090 --> 00:06:26.890 Anna: Exactly. Webb didn't just take a picture. It 151 00:06:26.890 --> 00:06:29.690 performed spectroscopy on the coma, which is 152 00:06:29.690 --> 00:06:32.650 the fuzzy atmosphere of gas and dust that 153 00:06:32.650 --> 00:06:35.650 boils off the comet's icy nucleus as it gets 154 00:06:35.650 --> 00:06:38.490 closer to the Sun. This allowed scientists 155 00:06:38.490 --> 00:06:40.570 to identify its chemical makeup. 156 00:06:40.970 --> 00:06:43.770 Avery: And what they found was truly unique. This 157 00:06:43.770 --> 00:06:46.130 comet has the highest ratio of carbon 158 00:06:46.130 --> 00:06:48.930 dioxide to water ever measured 159 00:06:48.930 --> 00:06:51.650 in any comet. It's incredibly 160 00:06:51.650 --> 00:06:54.410 rich in CO2, which suggests it formed 161 00:06:54.410 --> 00:06:57.030 in very cold 162 00:06:57.030 --> 00:06:58.870 region of its home star system. 163 00:06:59.510 --> 00:07:02.390 Anna: A region likely much colder and different 164 00:07:02.470 --> 00:07:04.910 from the birthplace of our own solar system's 165 00:07:04.910 --> 00:07:07.870 comets. This distinct chemical signature is 166 00:07:07.870 --> 00:07:10.230 like a birth certificate, providing clues 167 00:07:10.230 --> 00:07:12.350 about the specific conditions in the 168 00:07:12.350 --> 00:07:15.190 protoplanetary disc where it originated light 169 00:07:15.190 --> 00:07:15.750 years away. 170 00:07:16.310 --> 00:07:18.950 Avery: And there's another incredible detail. It's 171 00:07:18.950 --> 00:07:21.230 age. Based on its trajectory and 172 00:07:21.230 --> 00:07:23.900 composition, scientists estimate comet size 173 00:07:24.130 --> 00:07:26.690 3i atlas is roughly 7 174 00:07:27.090 --> 00:07:29.810 billion years old. That makes it 175 00:07:29.810 --> 00:07:32.650 significantly older than our entire solar 176 00:07:32.650 --> 00:07:34.770 system, which clocks in at, uh, about 177 00:07:34.770 --> 00:07:36.850 4.6 billion years. 178 00:07:37.730 --> 00:07:40.610 Anna: So we are looking at a pristine frozen 179 00:07:40.610 --> 00:07:43.290 relic from a star system that was mature 180 00:07:43.290 --> 00:07:46.170 before our sun even ignited. It's a 181 00:07:46.170 --> 00:07:49.010 time capsule from an ancient alien world. 182 00:07:49.170 --> 00:07:51.890 And studying it helps us understand the 183 00:07:51.890 --> 00:07:54.810 vast diversity of planetary systems across 184 00:07:54.810 --> 00:07:55.490 the Galax. 185 00:07:56.350 --> 00:07:58.670 Avery: For our last story, we're coming back down to 186 00:07:58.670 --> 00:08:01.590 Earth for a moment to look at a creative way 187 00:08:01.590 --> 00:08:04.230 people are celebrating the history of getting 188 00:08:04.230 --> 00:08:04.830 off it. 189 00:08:05.390 --> 00:08:08.190 Anna: This is a neat one. The design studio Chop 190 00:08:08.190 --> 00:08:10.710 Shop, known for their beautiful space themed 191 00:08:10.710 --> 00:08:13.190 artwork and apparel, is releasing a new 192 00:08:13.190 --> 00:08:16.190 series of their Great Leaps enamel pins. 193 00:08:16.670 --> 00:08:18.870 Avery: And these aren't just pins of the usual 194 00:08:18.870 --> 00:08:21.870 suspects like the Saturn V or 195 00:08:21.870 --> 00:08:23.670 the space shuttle. The whole point of this 196 00:08:23.670 --> 00:08:26.310 series is to celebrate the lesser known but 197 00:08:26.310 --> 00:08:28.410 incredibly important milestone milestones in 198 00:08:28.410 --> 00:08:29.050 space history. 199 00:08:29.690 --> 00:08:32.170 Anna: Right. They're shining a spotlight on moments 200 00:08:32.170 --> 00:08:34.450 that were foundational to everything that 201 00:08:34.450 --> 00:08:37.290 came after. For example, one of the new pins 202 00:08:37.370 --> 00:08:40.010 commemorates Robert Goddard's first 203 00:08:40.090 --> 00:08:42.370 successful liquid fueled rocket launch in 204 00:08:42.370 --> 00:08:44.730 1926, which was basically. 205 00:08:44.730 --> 00:08:47.090 Avery: The kitty hawk moment for the entire space 206 00:08:47.090 --> 00:08:49.810 age. It was a tiny rocket that flew for just 207 00:08:49.810 --> 00:08:52.170 2 1/2 seconds, but it proved the 208 00:08:52.170 --> 00:08:54.650 fundamental concept that would eventually 209 00:08:54.650 --> 00:08:55.770 take us to the moon. 210 00:08:56.090 --> 00:08:58.770 Anna: Another pen in the series celebrates a 211 00:08:58.770 --> 00:09:01.450 different kind of milestone, a political one. 212 00:09:02.010 --> 00:09:04.850 It honours the 1975 treaty between 213 00:09:04.850 --> 00:09:07.770 the United States and the Soviet Union that 214 00:09:07.770 --> 00:09:10.250 paved the way for the Apollo Soyuz test 215 00:09:10.250 --> 00:09:12.890 project and ultimately the International 216 00:09:13.210 --> 00:09:14.010 Space Station. 217 00:09:14.570 --> 00:09:16.930 Avery: That's so important to remember. Space 218 00:09:16.930 --> 00:09:19.210 exploration isn't just about engineering. 219 00:09:19.450 --> 00:09:22.090 It's about diplomacy, collaboration and 220 00:09:22.170 --> 00:09:24.690 shared human ambition. It's a cool way for 221 00:09:24.690 --> 00:09:26.590 space enthusiasts is to wear a piece of that 222 00:09:26.590 --> 00:09:29.190 deeper history on their jacket or backpack. 223 00:09:29.510 --> 00:09:32.310 Anna: It is. It's a wonderful reminder 224 00:09:32.550 --> 00:09:35.470 that for every famous giant leap there were 225 00:09:35.470 --> 00:09:38.190 countless smaller crucial steps that made it 226 00:09:38.190 --> 00:09:38.470 possible. 227 00:09:39.350 --> 00:09:41.350 And that brings us to the end of another 228 00:09:41.429 --> 00:09:43.870 episode. From the triumphant flight of 229 00:09:43.870 --> 00:09:46.270 starship to a 7 billion year old 230 00:09:46.270 --> 00:09:48.430 interstellar comet, it's been another 231 00:09:48.430 --> 00:09:49.830 remarkable day in space. 232 00:09:49.990 --> 00:09:52.420 Avery: It certainly has. Thanks so much for joining 233 00:09:52.420 --> 00:09:54.780 us on Astronomy Daily. We hope you enjoy the 234 00:09:54.780 --> 00:09:55.100 journey. 235 00:09:55.260 --> 00:09:57.660 Anna: You can find more content and connect with us 236 00:09:57.660 --> 00:10:00.460 on our social media channels. Just search for 237 00:10:00.540 --> 00:10:03.380 AstroDaily Pod or visit us on 238 00:10:03.380 --> 00:10:06.380 our website at ah astronomydaily.IO 239 00:10:06.780 --> 00:10:08.700 we love hearing from our listeners. 240 00:10:09.300 --> 00:10:11.260 Avery: M. Until next time, keep looking up.