Welcome to Astronomy Daily, the podcast. My name is Anna and I'm your
host. In our celestial journey. Today, we'll delve into the groundbreaking strides
pushing the bounds of space exploration and uncover the triumphs and challenges of space technology.
We're discussing NASA's innovative use of earth bound simulations to prepare for life on
Mars, unveiling a significant leap in electric propulsion that might redefine the future of
small spacecraft missions. We'll also navigate the pioneering efforts of China's Changu six mission,
which seeks to retrieve precious samples from the Moon's mysterious far side. As
our solar sentinel mounts to its fiery peak, we'll learn how NASA scientists are
gearing up for intense solar activity that could impact the future of human and robotic
endeavors on Mars. And what about staying connected when we step on the lunar
surface. Nokia might just have the answer, as they're forging a lunar communication
network that could revolutionize how we stay in touch in space. So look to
the stars and prepare to be enlightened as we embark on this interstellar voyage through
the latest developments in astronomy and space science the Astronomy Day podcast. Imagine gearing
up for a voyage to Mars, feeling the anticipation of space travel, the
red dust beneath your boots, yet not straying far from home. That's the
reality for four intrepid volunteers as they embark on NASA's latest simulation mission, stepping
into the shoes of astronauts inside a carefully crafted Mars habitat right here on Earth.
Set against the backdrop of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. These individuals
will spend forty five days in the Human Exploration Research Analog, also known as
HARA. Jason Lee, Stephanie Navarro, Sharif Al Ramathi and Piumi we Yasakara
were chosen to simulate the life of Martian explorers tasked with operating within the confines
of this mocked up red planet abode from May tenth through to the twenty fourth
of June. They're not actors on a stage, but rather crucial participants in
an elaborate study, one that could shape the very future of human spaceflight,
as they carry out scientific research and engage in operational tasks. They'll also delve
into the virtual Martian landscape, experiencing simulated walks on the planet's surface, complete
with the communication delays astronauts will face when speaking to mission control across millions of
miles of space. But this simulation extends beyond the high tech virtual reality.
It's about understanding how isolation, confinement, and the remoteness akin to deep space
missions truly impact the human mind and body. Two alternates, jose Bacha and
Brandon Kent, stand ready to step in ensuring the mission's smooth course. NASA's
Human Research Program orchestrates the simulation meticulous, investigating suitable measures to preserve astronauts health
and safety in the Cosmos. The data amassed from this mission will join a
growing pool of knowledge in collaboration with international partners such as the Mohammed Bin Rashid
Space Center and the European Space Agency. While the future of space travel unravels
above our heads, these analog astronauts will be offering insights that help NASA scientists
stitch together strategies to confront space's adversities. It's these small steps in the isolation
of a Houston habitat that herald our giant leap toward the unknowns of deep space.
The frontier of space exploration continues to expand with NASA's recent unveiling of a
powerful sub kilowatt propulsion technology. This is not just another step forward, it's
a substantial leap in enhancing the capabilities of small spacecraft. Picture this innovation as
the gateway for a new era of planetary exploration missions, where the vastness of
our Solar system becomes ever more accessible. So what's the big deal about this
propulsion system, called the NASA H seventy one m hal Effect Thruster, its
proficiency in low power operation and high propellant throughput represents a game changer. It's
designed to execute high delta five maneuvers, the complex navigational feats essential for spacecraft
to escape planetary gravities or smoothly enter foreign orbits. What's truly impressive about this
advancement is how it paves the way for small spacecraft to independently journey from Earth's
orbit to lunar landscapes, or from geostationary transfer orbits all the way to Mars.
It's no easy task, but the technology promises a capability that was once
a distant dream. It's also a boon for autonomous missions, as these crafts
could utilize excess launch capacity sold at low costs, thereby increasing the frequency and
reducing the expense of lunar and martian science missions. NASA's collaboration with industry partners
such as Space Logistics illustrates the commer marcial potential of this propulsion technology, which
will be integrated into small spacecraft to provide extended mission duration for satellites already launched
into space. The implications of this are profound for the future of space exploration,
increasing not only our capacity to reach distant worlds, but also understanding our
place within them. As we celebrate this technological triumph, we also recognize the
monumental strides we are making towards becoming an interplanetary species. China is racing towards
a landmark achievement with the upcoming launch of the Chang six spacecraft on May third,
Engineered for the daunting task of returning lunar samples from the far side of
the Moon. This challenging mission, poised for liftoff atop the mighty long March
five rocket, seeks to conquer a frontier never before touched by human technology.
Change six is part of a continuum of ambitious lunar exploration that China has embarked
upon, and if successful, it will be the first mission to bring back
materials from this largely unexplored region. The South Pole Aitken Basin, a vast
and complex impact structure on the Moon's far side, awaits the touchdown of the
sophisticated probe. The mission's four key components, an orbiter, lander, ascender,
and re entry module, are all set for this intricate operation. Upon
landing, Chang's six will deploy both a scoop and a drill to collect invaluable
samples of dust and rock, promising to shed light on the Moon's secretive pharside
characteristics and the broader chronicles of Solar System history. The orchestration of this mission
demands precision, considering the unique challenges of communicating and navigating on the lunar far
side without direct line of sight to Earth. This endeavor is not just a
testament to China's growing prowess in space exploration, but also a dynamic shift in
our understanding of Earth's closest celestial neighbor. As we await the data and discoveries
that Changai six will deliver. We stand on the precipice of deepening our knowledge
of lunar geology and the ancient events that shape the heavenly bodies orbiting our Sun.
The Astronomy Daily podcast. Amidst the tumultuous theater of our solar system,
the Sun commands center stage with a performance that can impact our interplanetary ambitions significantly,
particularly those focused on Mars. The star at the heart of our system
is reaching the crescendo of its cycle, a period known as solar maximum,
approximately every eleven years. Our vigilant scouts, the spacecraft orbiting the red planet,
are poised to capture data on how this peak in solar activity unleashes a
spectrum of solar flares and coronal mass ejections deep into space, events collectively known
as solar storms. Now, why does this matter for our crimson neighbor.
Unlike Earth's robust magnetic fields that wrap our world in a protective embrace, shielding
us from these tempestuous solar outbursts, Mars presents a stark contrast. Its once
global magnetic field is long gone, exposing it to the Sun's energetic whims.
The intrigue lies in understanding the full potency of these celestial disturbances at Mars,
knowledge we must grasp before we send astronauts to walk upon its regalith. NASA's
Maven orbiter observes from its high vantage point, measuring radiation, charged particles,
and other phenomena to comprehend these space weather events. But understanding the interplay of
radiation with Mars's thin atmosphere requires corroborating views from ground level, and that's where
the Curiosity Rovers Radiation Assessment Detector or ray D provides critical data from the Martian
surface. Together, these robotic explorers help us foreshadow the protective measures future human
missions would need against solar radiation's invisible siege. This pursuit is not only about
astronauts safety. Investigating solar maximum periods could offer clues to a long standing mystery
what transformed Mars from a once warm, Earth like oasis into the frigid,
dry world we're exploring today. It is conceivable that intense solar and dust storm
events through the ages conspired to strip away the Martian atmosphere and its water,
leading to its current arid state. Observing Mars now gives scientists the chance to
capture this complex atmospheric interplay at work, and perhaps unlock the secrets of the
planet's drastic climate change. As we stand on the threshold of human exploration of
Mars, understanding the solar phenomena is not a scientific indulgence, but a necessity.
It is the muse of caution, singing to those daring to dream of
stepping onto alien sands, reminding us that the journey to other worlds is paved
with more than just technology and ambition. It also requires the wisdom to respect
and prepare for the cosmic forces we will face. Imagine sending a text message
or making a call from the Moon's surface. This may soon be a reality,
as no Nokia is taking bold steps in developing a four G slash LTE
network on our lunar neighbor. In a pioneering move. Hardware earmarked for a
simplified version of this network is set to launch later this year aboard the Intuitive
Machine's IM two mission targeting the Moon's south pole. This project entails a compact
network in a box that will bind together the Nova SA Lunar Lander, lunar
outposts map rover and intuitive machines microNOVA Hopper in a bid to validate the network's
capacity across various lunar distances. The notion is simple yet transformative. Treat the
Moon like Earth, linking billions of potential devices just as we do at home.
In twenty twenty, as part of the Artemis program, NASA recognized Nokia's
vision with a fourteen point one million dollars contract, the goal to create the
first lunar cellular network by reinventing terrestrial technology to withstand the rigors of the Moon's
environment. If successful, this network will not only streamline astronaut communication, but
will empower robotic systems with efficient autonomy, signaling a leap in our capacities for
lunar exploration and resident habitation. The promises of this technology are boundless, from
increased bandwidth eclipsing conventional space communication systems, to a pre paved path for Mars
communication framework, perhaps even an upgrade to five G. Nokia's innovation is meticulously
laying the groundwork for the next two decades of lunar operations. As we face
the potential of moon bases and manifold missions, it is crucial for a unified,
economically sensible infrastructure to support this extraterrestrial expansion, and if Nokia navigates this
right, they could provide the backbone that sustains future lunar civilization. That's today's
roundup of extraterrestrial endeavors. Visit us at Astronomy Daily dot io for more space
news and to catch up on past episodes. Remember to follow us on x
formerly known is Twitter at astro Daily Pod for the latest updates. My name
is Anna, saying bye bye until next time. Keep your eyes on the
skies. You never know what you might see. Saday Star is so start