1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:04,160 Speaker 1: Welcome stargazers and space enthusiasts to another episode of Astronomy Daily. 2 00:00:04,639 --> 00:00:07,040 I'm your host, Anna, and I'm thrilled to bring you 3 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:10,039 the latest and greatest news from the cosmos. Today. We've 4 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:12,240 got a stellar lineup of stories that will take us 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,000 from the cutting edge of space defense to the mysteries 6 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,920 of lunar exploration. We'll be diving into the growing militarization 7 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:22,839 of space, checking in on some groundbreaking deep space missions, 8 00:00:23,320 --> 00:00:26,800 and even exploring potential landing sites for humanity's returned to 9 00:00:26,839 --> 00:00:29,519 the Moon. So strap in and prepare for liftoff as 10 00:00:29,519 --> 00:00:32,359 we embark on this cosmic journey through the most exciting 11 00:00:32,399 --> 00:00:36,399 developments in space and astronomy. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer 12 00:00:36,479 --> 00:00:39,920 or just curious about the wonders beyond our atmosphere, there's 13 00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:44,640 something for everyone in today's episode. Let's get started. Let's 14 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:46,640 start today with news that we don't want to hear, 15 00:00:47,079 --> 00:00:50,280 but is becoming an increasing reality. Space has long been 16 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:52,920 called the final frontier, but it's increasingly becoming a potential 17 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:56,159 battleground as well. Countries around the world are ramping up 18 00:00:56,159 --> 00:01:00,359 their investments in space defense and exploring the military possibilities 19 00:01:00,399 --> 00:01:04,200 of low Earth orbit. Experts say governments are recognizing space 20 00:01:04,239 --> 00:01:07,560 as an important warfighting domain. There's a growing focus on 21 00:01:07,599 --> 00:01:11,840 both protecting existing space assets and developing new offensive capabilities. 22 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:14,920 Some of the weapons being explored for space combat include 23 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:18,480 kinetic weapons like missiles, as well as non kinetic options 24 00:01:18,519 --> 00:01:23,319 such as electromagnetic pulses, microwaves, and lasers. While lasers face 25 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,640 challenges with power supply and stability in space, they could 26 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,719 potentially target satellites or ground based targets. Earth based anti 27 00:01:30,719 --> 00:01:33,959 satellite weapons also pose a major threat. Countries like China 28 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,439 and Russia have already demonstrated the ability to destroy satellites 29 00:01:37,439 --> 00:01:40,879 in orbit. As our reliance on space based systems for 30 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:44,719 communication and navigation grows, the ability to take out in 31 00:01:44,799 --> 00:01:50,920 adversary satellites becomes an increasingly concerning capability. The militarization of 32 00:01:50,959 --> 00:01:54,840 space is raising widespread concerns among experts. While the Outer 33 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:58,280 Space Treaty prohibits placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of 34 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:02,439 mass destruction in orbit, it doesn't adequately address newer military 35 00:02:02,439 --> 00:02:06,519 technologies and capabilities. Some worry that the increasing military focus 36 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:08,960 in space could lead to an arms race. There are 37 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:11,960 calls to update international laws and treaties to better regulate 38 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,280 military activities in space. However, enforcement remains a challenge. As 39 00:02:16,319 --> 00:02:19,680 space becomes more congested with military and dual use technologies, 40 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:23,680 the risks of conflict are growing. For now, space remains 41 00:02:23,719 --> 00:02:27,560 a vital domain for Earth based military operations, but many 42 00:02:27,599 --> 00:02:30,879 see actual space to space combat as an eventual inevitability 43 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:35,680 as more countries develop counter space capabilities. Now for some 44 00:02:35,719 --> 00:02:39,240 exciting news from the European Space Agencies Haramission. In a 45 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:44,000 groundbreaking achievement, Hara's two cube sat companions have successfully signaled 46 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:47,680 from deep space, marking essays first use of these miniature 47 00:02:47,680 --> 00:02:52,199 satellites beyond Earth orbit. The cube SATs, named Juventus and Milani, 48 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,360 each about the size of a shoe box, were activated 49 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:58,719 and tested while still secured in their deployers aboard the 50 00:02:58,759 --> 00:03:02,800 main Hair spacecraft. This initial check in occurred at distances 51 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:06,639 of four million and seven point nine million kilometers from Earth, respectively. 52 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:11,120 During their brief activation periods, the CubeSats verified critical onboard systems, 53 00:03:11,159 --> 00:03:15,280 including avionics, instruments and intersatellite links. They even tested their 54 00:03:15,280 --> 00:03:18,479 reaction wheels, which will be crucial for controlling their attitude 55 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,840 during flight. This success is more than just a technical achievement. 56 00:03:22,319 --> 00:03:25,479 It validates the entire ground command infrastructure and paves the 57 00:03:25,479 --> 00:03:28,520 way for using cube SATs in future deep space missions. 58 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:32,960 The ability to deploy these small, relatively inexpensive satellites alongside 59 00:03:33,039 --> 00:03:36,479 larger spacecraft could revolutionize how we explore our Solar system. 60 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:39,960 HARA is currently en route to the asteroid de MorphOS, 61 00:03:40,319 --> 00:03:42,759 where it will study the effects of NASA's Dart mission, 62 00:03:43,120 --> 00:03:46,840 which successfully altered the asteroid's orbit last year. Once Hara 63 00:03:47,039 --> 00:03:50,080 arrives in late twenty twenty six, the cube SATs will 64 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:53,280 be released to conduct close up observations, taking risks that 65 00:03:53,319 --> 00:03:57,039 the main spacecraft cannot. This pioneering use of CubeSats in 66 00:03:57,080 --> 00:04:00,840 deep space opens up new possibilities for Planet Tis Harry exploration, 67 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:04,719 potentially allowing for more frequent and cost effective missions to 68 00:04:04,759 --> 00:04:08,199 distant targets. It's an exciting step forward in our ongoing 69 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:12,120 journey to understand the Cosmos. Now, let's take a look 70 00:04:12,159 --> 00:04:15,199 at this week's launch schedule. This week promises to be 71 00:04:15,319 --> 00:04:18,560 another busy one in the world of space launches. Let's 72 00:04:18,560 --> 00:04:22,639 start with China's highly anticipated Shenzo nineteen mission, set to 73 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:26,279 launch later today at twenty twenty seven UTC. This mission 74 00:04:26,319 --> 00:04:29,519 will send three taikanats to the Tiangong Space Station. The 75 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,040 crew will lift off aboard a long March two F 76 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:35,959 rocket from the Jukwan Satellite Launch Center. This marks the 77 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:39,879 fourteenth crude flight of China's Shenzo program and will continue 78 00:04:39,879 --> 00:04:43,040 the country's ongoing presence in low Earth orbit. We'll have 79 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:46,360 more about this launch in our next story. Meanwhile, SpaceX 80 00:04:46,399 --> 00:04:48,920 is also keeping up its rapid launch cadence, with multiple 81 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,240 Starlink missions planned. The first is scheduled for today at 82 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:56,000 eleven forty four UTC from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. 83 00:04:56,480 --> 00:05:00,000 This Starlink Group nine nine mission will deploy twenty vs 84 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:03,680 to mini satellites to further expand the global Internet constellation. 85 00:05:05,399 --> 00:05:08,759 Not to be outdone, SpaceX has three more Starlink launches 86 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,800 on the docket. Look for additional missions lifting off from 87 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:15,360 both coasts throughout the week, including launches from Cape Canaveral 88 00:05:15,399 --> 00:05:19,600 in Florida. These missions highlight SpaceX's commitment to rapidly building 89 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:22,480 out its satellite network. In other launch news, Russia is 90 00:05:22,519 --> 00:05:25,199 planning a secretive mission using a Soyuz two Dot one 91 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,439 B rocket, while details are scarce. This launch is expected 92 00:05:28,439 --> 00:05:30,879 to carry a military payload to Polar Orbit from the 93 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:35,160 Placet's Cosmodrome on Thursday, October thirty first. Rounding out the week, 94 00:05:35,319 --> 00:05:37,480 keep an eye out for Rocket labs next Electron launch 95 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:41,519 from New Zealand, scheduled for Monday, November fourth. This mission, 96 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:46,279 playfully named Changes in Latitudes Changes in Attitudes, will carry 97 00:05:46,319 --> 00:05:50,399 a confidential payload for an unnamed customer. With multiple nations 98 00:05:50,439 --> 00:05:53,639 and private companies contributing to this packed launch schedule, it's 99 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:56,759 clear that access to space continues to expand and evolve. 100 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:00,920 Each of these missions, whether delivering satellites, crew members, or 101 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:05,879 classified payloads, represents another step forward in our ongoing exploration 102 00:06:05,959 --> 00:06:09,720 and utilization of the Final Frontier. Now some more on 103 00:06:09,759 --> 00:06:13,079 the Chinese launch. China is making history once again with 104 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:16,199 its space program as the country prepares to send its 105 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:19,360 only female space flight engineer to the Tiangong Space Station. 106 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:22,759 Wanghause will be part of the three person crew launching 107 00:06:22,759 --> 00:06:27,000 aboard the Shenzho nineteen mission, marking another milestone for China's 108 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:30,720 space exploration efforts. This mission is significant not only for 109 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,040 Wang's participation, but also for what it represents in China's 110 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:37,480 ongoing commitment to space exploration. Wang will become just the 111 00:06:37,519 --> 00:06:40,000 third Chinese woman to take part in a crude mission, 112 00:06:40,439 --> 00:06:44,000 highlighting the country's efforts to diversify its astronaut core. The 113 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:48,319 Shenzo nineteen crew, led by experienced astronaut Kai Shuja, is 114 00:06:48,319 --> 00:06:51,079 scheduled to blast off early Wednesday morning from the Juquan 115 00:06:51,199 --> 00:06:54,759 Satellite Launch Center. They'll spend about six months aboard Tiangong, 116 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:59,839 conducting scientific experiments and maintaining the space station. China's space 117 00:06:59,839 --> 00:07:03,399 program has been advancing rapidly in recent years. The Tiangong 118 00:07:03,439 --> 00:07:06,480 space station, completed just last year, is a testament to 119 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:10,360 China's growing capabilities in space. With plans for crude missions 120 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:13,199 to the Moon by twenty thirty and aspirations for a 121 00:07:13,279 --> 00:07:16,839 lunar base, China is positioning itself as a major player 122 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:20,519 in the new space race. This mission underscores China's commitment 123 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,360 to its space stream and its determination to become a 124 00:07:23,439 --> 00:07:27,759 leading space power alongside the United States in Russia. Okay, 125 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,439 how about some news from the USA. NASA has taken 126 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:33,519 another exciting step towards returning humans to the Moon by 127 00:07:33,560 --> 00:07:36,240 refining its list of potential landing sites for the Artemis 128 00:07:36,279 --> 00:07:40,040 three mission. The Space Agency has identified nine candidate landing 129 00:07:40,079 --> 00:07:43,160 regions near the moon south Pole, each chosen for its 130 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:48,879 scientific value, engineering feasibility, and potential to support sustainable lunar exploration. 131 00:07:49,399 --> 00:07:53,720 These regions include intriguing areas such as the peak near KBSB, Haworth, 132 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,199 Malapurt Massif, and several sites around the Noble and De 133 00:07:57,279 --> 00:08:01,399 Girloche craters. What makes these South Pole regions particularly fascinating 134 00:08:01,519 --> 00:08:06,000 is their geological diversity. Some feature permanently shadowed areas that 135 00:08:06,079 --> 00:08:10,279 may preserve water and other valuable resources, offering a stark 136 00:08:10,319 --> 00:08:14,160 contrast to the landing locations of the Apollo era. NASA's 137 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:18,920 selection process involved a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers 138 00:08:19,199 --> 00:08:22,360 who analyze data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and other 139 00:08:22,480 --> 00:08:28,480 lunar studies. They considered factors like scientific potential, terrain characteristics, 140 00:08:28,519 --> 00:08:32,679 and lighting conditions to ensure the chosen sites can support 141 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:36,639 the needs of the Space Launch System, Rocket Orion spacecraft, 142 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:41,639 and the Starship human landing system. The Artemis three geology 143 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:45,320 team has highlighted the potential of these sites to deepen 144 00:08:45,399 --> 00:08:50,000 our understanding of rocky planets. Lunar resources and the broader 145 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:52,879 history of our Solar System. This mission will mark the 146 00:08:52,919 --> 00:08:55,960 first time astronauts land in the Moon's south polar region, 147 00:08:56,559 --> 00:09:01,360 offering unprecedented opportunities for scientific discovery and NTS exploration. As 148 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:05,200 NASA continues to refine these potential landing sites, they're setting 149 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:08,440 the stage for long term lunar exploration and paving the 150 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:11,720 way for future human missions to Mars. The Artemis program 151 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:14,080 aims to land the first woman in person of color 152 00:09:14,120 --> 00:09:17,279 on the Moon, making this a truly historic endeavor in 153 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:21,440 space exploration. Our final story today takes us to our 154 00:09:21,519 --> 00:09:25,440 nearest planetary neighbor, Venus. New research has uncovered what could 155 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:28,279 be a long hidden record of ancient impact craters on 156 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:32,200 the planet's surface, potentially rewriting what we know about Venus's 157 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:36,480 geological history. Unlike Earth, where wind, water and tectonic activity 158 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:40,279 have erased most traces of ancient impacts, Venus has experienced 159 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:43,159 far less surface change over time. This has left some 160 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:47,120 of the Solar System's most pristine craters intact. However, Venus 161 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:50,600 has always been conspicuously lacking in the giant impact basins 162 00:09:50,840 --> 00:09:53,519 we see on places like the Moon or Mars. A 163 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:56,919 team led by Vicki Hansen from the Planetary Science Institute 164 00:09:57,200 --> 00:09:59,799 has been studying an area on Venus called the Haste 165 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:05,000 to Sarah. This massive geological feature, spanning over nine hundred miles, 166 00:10:05,039 --> 00:10:08,440 shows unusual concentric rings that the researchers believe could mark 167 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:11,879 the sites of two consecutive massive impacts billions of years ago. 168 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:16,879 If confirmed, this would be Venus's oldest and largest impact structure, 169 00:10:17,399 --> 00:10:20,720 offering a rare glimpse into the planet's distant past. It 170 00:10:20,759 --> 00:10:24,000 also suggests that not all impact structures look alike, with 171 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,399 Venus's unique conditions creating formations very different from what we 172 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:31,440 see elsewhere. The key difference lies in Venus's early planetary structure. 173 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,960 When these impacts occurred, Venus likely had a hotter, thinner 174 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:38,000 outer layer than Earth does today. This allowed the impacts 175 00:10:38,039 --> 00:10:41,159 to break through and expose molten material from below, which 176 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:44,519 then solidified into the complex, wrinkled terrain we see today. 177 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:48,039 This discovery not only sheds light on Venus' history, but 178 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:51,159 also gives us new insight into how planets evolve differently 179 00:10:51,279 --> 00:10:55,080 under various conditions. It's a reminder that in space exploration, 180 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:58,120 we often need to look beyond our expectations to uncover 181 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,919 the truth, and that brings us to the end of 182 00:11:01,960 --> 00:11:05,879 today's fascinating journey through the cosmos, from the militarization of 183 00:11:05,919 --> 00:11:09,840 space to groundbreaking discoveries on Venus. It's been another eventful 184 00:11:09,879 --> 00:11:13,440 episode in astronomy and space Exploration. I hope you've enjoyed 185 00:11:13,440 --> 00:11:16,039 this cosmic update as much as I've enjoyed bringing it 186 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,960 to you. If you're hungry for more space news, remember 187 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:22,159 to visit our website at Astronomy Daily dot io. There 188 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:25,399 you'll find our constantly updating news feed, keeping you at 189 00:11:25,399 --> 00:11:29,639 the forefront of astronomical discoveries and space mission updates. While 190 00:11:29,639 --> 00:11:32,039 you're there, why not sign up for our free daily newsletter. 191 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:34,279 It's the perfect way to start your day with a 192 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,039 dose of space science. And don't forget to check out 193 00:11:37,039 --> 00:11:39,679 the great deals from our sponsors. They help keep this 194 00:11:39,759 --> 00:11:43,440 podcast floating in the vast expanse of the Internet. If 195 00:11:43,480 --> 00:11:46,200 you're looking to dive deeper into the world of space exploration, 196 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:49,120 all our back episodes are available on the website too. 197 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:53,000 It's like a time machine, letting you revisit past astronomical 198 00:11:53,039 --> 00:11:56,519 events and discoveries. Finally, join our growing community of space 199 00:11:56,639 --> 00:11:59,600 enthusiasts on social media. You can find us as astro 200 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:04,000 Daily on Facebook, x YouTube, Tumblr, and TikTok. Share your thoughts, 201 00:12:04,159 --> 00:12:06,759 ask questions, or just geek out with fellow space lovers. 202 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:11,360 This is Anna signing off from Astronomy Daily. Keep looking 203 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:13,240 up and I'll see you next time. For more Out 204 00:12:13,240 --> 00:12:33,600 of This World Newsday Stars, The Star is the All Star.