Jan. 6, 2026
From Cosmic Collisions to Habitable Moons: Your Daily Space Update
In this episode, we journey through the latest cosmic developments that are capturing our imaginations and shaping our understanding of the universe. We kick off with a concerning update about Spain's Spainsat NG2 satellite, which encountered a space particle during its ascent to orbit, highlighting the unpredictable nature of space travel. Fortunately, contingency plans are in place to ensure uninterrupted communications for the Spanish Ministry of Defence.Next, we delve into a busy launch schedule, featuring SpaceX's Falcon 9 missions that will deploy new Starlink satellites and a variety of rideshare missions, including NASA's Pandora project aimed at observing exoplanet transits. The excitement continues with ISRO's upcoming launch of an Earth observation satellite, showcasing the rapid advancements in global space initiatives.We then explore groundbreaking laboratory research supporting the RNA World hypothesis, which suggests that RNA could have been the first self-replicating molecule on Earth. This study, which mimics early Earth conditions, provides compelling evidence that life may have emerged more quickly than previously thought, with implications for the search for life on Mars.As we look towards the Moon, 2026 promises to be a pivotal year for private lunar exploration, with several companies planning missions to scout resources and test technologies essential for a sustainable human presence.We also discuss an ambitious proposal to develop a kilometric baseline interferometer to hunt for habitable moons around distant exoplanets, potentially revolutionising our search for life beyond Earth.Finally, we highlight China's Chang'e 7 mission, which is set to investigate the Moon's South Pole and its ancient ice deposits, crucial for future lunar habitation efforts.Join us as we unpack these fascinating stories and more in this episode of Astronomy Daily!00:00 – **Welcome to Astronomy Daily podcast, hosted by Anna and Avery
00:38 – **Spainsat NG2 hit by space particle while heading to final orbit
01:51 – **SpaceX and ISRO have several missions scheduled for next week
03:08 – **RNA World hypothesis says RNA was first self replicating life precursor
04:30 – **2026 could be a pivotal year for private lunar exploration
07:13 – **This week's Astronomy Daily includes: Satellite hits, launch previews### Sources & Further Reading1. SpaceX2. ISRO3. European Space Agency4. NASA### Follow & ContactX/Twitter: @AstroDailyPod
Instagram: @astrodailypod
Email: hello@astronomydaily.io
Website: astronomydaily.io
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This episode includes AI-generated content.
WEBVTT
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Anna: Welcome to Astronomy Daily, the podcast
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where we dive into the latest wonders of
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space and astronomy while drinking coffee.
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I'm Anna, and joining me is my co host,
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Avery. Hey Avery, it's January
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6, 2026. I trust the new year
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is still treating you well.
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Avery: Hey, Anna. And uh, hello to everyone
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listening. It's been great. Lots of clear
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skies for stargazing lately. 2026
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00:00:25.520 --> 00:00:27.440
is already delivering some intriguing
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storeys, from satellite mishaps to upcoming,
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um, launches and about life
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in the universe. We've got six solid ones
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today, so let's not waste any time and get
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started.
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Anna: First up, a bit of bad luck for a brand new
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satellite. Spain's newest communications
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bird, Spainsat NG2, got
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hit by a space particle while heading to its
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final orbit.
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Avery: Yeah, this one's operated by Histasat for
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Spain's Ministry of Defence. Built by Airbus
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as part of a 2 billion euro pair for advanced
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government comms across Europe. It launched
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on a Falcon 9 back in October
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20and the strike happened at around
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31,000 miles up. Actually higher than
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its target geostationary spot at 22,000
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miles.
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Anna: The particle impact was reported just a few
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days ago on January 2nd. They're calling it
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a space particle, which could mean anything
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from a micrometeoroid to a bit of space
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debris. Damage extent is still unknown,
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but Histasat quickly activated a
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contingency plan to keep services running for
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the Defence Ministry and other clients
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without interruption.
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Avery: Their team's analysing data now and if
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needed, they'll replace it asap. It's a
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reminder of how risky the space environment
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is. Even in high orbits, collisions can
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happen. Glad they had backups in place.
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Anna: Absolutely. Space is harsh, but
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redundancy saves the day.
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Avery: Shifting to launches, we've got a busy week
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ahead with several missions on the docket.
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SpaceX is leading the pack with multiple.
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Anna: Falcon 9 flights starting January
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8th. Starlink Group
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696 with 29
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V2 mini satellites from Cape Canaveral.
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Then on the 10th, Group 6
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97, another 29 for the same
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shell. These are boosting the constellation
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that's already serving millions globally.
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Avery: And on the 11th, a cool rideshare called
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Twilight, or Pandora, and others from
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Vandenkirk into sun synchronous orbit.
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Highlights include NASA's Pandora mission to
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observe exoplanet transits invisible in IR
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for atmospheric clues. Plus Kepler's
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first operational SATs for a laser linked
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mesh network. Spire's hyperspect
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microwave sounder for better weather Data,
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and some Lemmer 2 birds.
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Anna: Then ISRO kicks off their 2026
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on January 12th with a
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PSLV carrying EOS
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N1, an Earth observation sat,
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possibly hyperspectral for defence, and
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18 rideshares including an experimental re
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entry capsule.
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Avery: It's a packed lineup Starlink expansion,
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exoplanet science, weather tech and more
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exciting to see rideshares making space
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accessible.
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Anna: Next, some fascinating lab work bolstering
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one of the leading ideas on how life began on
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Earth the RNA World hypothesis.
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Avery: The hypothesis says rna, that versatile
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molecule that can store info like DNA and
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catalyse reactions like proteins, might have
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been the first self replicating life
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precursor. A team led by Yuta Hidekawa
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from Toho University mixed RNA building
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blocks, ribose, sugar free phosphates,
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nucleobases and borates from seawater and
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basalt rock.
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Anna: They heated and dried the mix, mimicking
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underground aquifers on early Earth.
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Surprisingly, borates didn't block formation,
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they stabilised ribose and helped phosphates,
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allowing RNA to form naturally through the
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discontinuous synthesis model steps.
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Avery: This is big because all those ingredients
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have been found in space. Ribose on asteroid
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Bennu via Osiris REX A massive
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impact 4.3 billion years could have
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delivered them Kickstarting RNA in borate
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Rick spots just before life's earliest
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signs.
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Anna: Implications Life might have emerged faster
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than thought and similar chemistry could
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happen on Mars where borates are detected.
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It's not proof, but strong lab support
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for RNA as the bridge to life.
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Avery: Love how this ties astrobiology to origins
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right here on Earth.
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Anna: Speaking of the moon, 2026
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is shaping up um for a private lunar landing
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rush with several companies aiming to t touch
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down.
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Avery: We're seeing multiple commercial missions
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targeting the surface this year, part of the
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broader push with NASA's CLPS
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programme and private ventures. Though
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details vary, expect attempts from players
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like Intuitive Machines, ispace
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and others. Building on recent efforts,
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these soft landers.
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Anna: And rovers are scouting resources,
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testing tech and paving the way for sustained
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presence. Successes could accelerate the
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moon economy.
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Avery: Definitely 2026 could be a pivotal year
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for private lunar exploration.
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Anna: Now an ambitious proposal to hunt for
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habitable moons around distant giant
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exoplanets.
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Avery: A team um including Thomas Winterhallder from
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ESO suggests building a kilometric baseline
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interferometer mirrors kilometres apart for
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ultra high resolution down to 1
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microarc second. Paired with the upcoming
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Extremely Large Telescope's 39 metre
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mirror, it could spot Earth sized exomoons
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out 652 light years via
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astrometric wobbles.
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Anna: Current methods like transits are tricky for
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moons around far out gas giants where
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habitable zones might rely on tidal heating
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like Europa or Enceladus. This
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setup could directly image planets and detect
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moon signals.
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Avery: Challenges are huge, costs in billions
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tech development post 2028elt
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but if it works, we might find the first
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truly habitable exo worlds powered by
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internal heat, not.
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Anna: Just starlight Mind blowing potential for
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life beyond Earth like planets
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Finally, China's Chang'.
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Avery: E 7 mission is gearing up to probe the moon's
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South Pole secrets, especially water ice.
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Anna: The stack includes an orbiter lander
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rover, a hopping probe for tough terrain
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and a relay sat target
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permanently shadowed craters near the pole
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where ancient ice could reveal the solar
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system's volatile history.
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Avery: Ridgelines there get near constant sunlight
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for power while craters trap ice.
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Objectives Precision landing Resource
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prospecting in situ analysis key for
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future bases it's phase.
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Anna: Four of China's lunar programme, precursor to
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Chang' E8 for utilisation tech like
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3D printing supporting the International
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Lunar Research Station Hopping probe is
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clever for accessing shadowed.
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Avery: Spots rovers can't this could unlock
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sustainable lunar habitation Water for
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fuel, air drinking.
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Anna: And that's it for today's space and astronomy
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news. What a diverse episode. Satellite
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hits, launch previews, origins of life,
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lunar ambitions private and national
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and exomoon.
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Avery: Hunts the universe keeps surprising us.
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Thanks for tuning in to Astronomy Daily. We
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appreciate you joining the conversation.
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Anna: If you enjoyed this, subscribe and share with
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a fellow space fan, we'll be back tomorrow
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with more.
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Avery: Until then, keep looking up.
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Anna: Clear skies.
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Anna: Welcome to Astronomy Daily, the podcast
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where we dive into the latest wonders of
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space and astronomy while drinking coffee.
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I'm Anna, and joining me is my co host,
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Avery. Hey Avery, it's January
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6, 2026. I trust the new year
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is still treating you well.
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Avery: Hey, Anna. And uh, hello to everyone
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listening. It's been great. Lots of clear
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skies for stargazing lately. 2026
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00:00:25.520 --> 00:00:27.440
is already delivering some intriguing
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00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:29.860
storeys, from satellite mishaps to upcoming,
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um, launches and about life
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in the universe. We've got six solid ones
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today, so let's not waste any time and get
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started.
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Anna: First up, a bit of bad luck for a brand new
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satellite. Spain's newest communications
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bird, Spainsat NG2, got
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hit by a space particle while heading to its
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final orbit.
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Avery: Yeah, this one's operated by Histasat for
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Spain's Ministry of Defence. Built by Airbus
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as part of a 2 billion euro pair for advanced
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government comms across Europe. It launched
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on a Falcon 9 back in October
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20and the strike happened at around
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31,000 miles up. Actually higher than
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its target geostationary spot at 22,000
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miles.
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Anna: The particle impact was reported just a few
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days ago on January 2nd. They're calling it
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a space particle, which could mean anything
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from a micrometeoroid to a bit of space
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debris. Damage extent is still unknown,
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but Histasat quickly activated a
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contingency plan to keep services running for
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the Defence Ministry and other clients
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without interruption.
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Avery: Their team's analysing data now and if
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needed, they'll replace it asap. It's a
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reminder of how risky the space environment
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is. Even in high orbits, collisions can
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happen. Glad they had backups in place.
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Anna: Absolutely. Space is harsh, but
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redundancy saves the day.
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Avery: Shifting to launches, we've got a busy week
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ahead with several missions on the docket.
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SpaceX is leading the pack with multiple.
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Anna: Falcon 9 flights starting January
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8th. Starlink Group
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696 with 29
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V2 mini satellites from Cape Canaveral.
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Then on the 10th, Group 6
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97, another 29 for the same
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shell. These are boosting the constellation
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that's already serving millions globally.
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Avery: And on the 11th, a cool rideshare called
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Twilight, or Pandora, and others from
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Vandenkirk into sun synchronous orbit.
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Highlights include NASA's Pandora mission to
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observe exoplanet transits invisible in IR
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for atmospheric clues. Plus Kepler's
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first operational SATs for a laser linked
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mesh network. Spire's hyperspect
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microwave sounder for better weather Data,
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and some Lemmer 2 birds.
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Anna: Then ISRO kicks off their 2026
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on January 12th with a
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PSLV carrying EOS
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N1, an Earth observation sat,
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possibly hyperspectral for defence, and
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18 rideshares including an experimental re
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entry capsule.
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Avery: It's a packed lineup Starlink expansion,
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exoplanet science, weather tech and more
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exciting to see rideshares making space
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accessible.
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Anna: Next, some fascinating lab work bolstering
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one of the leading ideas on how life began on
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Earth the RNA World hypothesis.
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Avery: The hypothesis says rna, that versatile
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molecule that can store info like DNA and
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catalyse reactions like proteins, might have
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been the first self replicating life
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precursor. A team led by Yuta Hidekawa
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from Toho University mixed RNA building
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blocks, ribose, sugar free phosphates,
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nucleobases and borates from seawater and
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basalt rock.
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Anna: They heated and dried the mix, mimicking
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underground aquifers on early Earth.
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Surprisingly, borates didn't block formation,
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they stabilised ribose and helped phosphates,
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allowing RNA to form naturally through the
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discontinuous synthesis model steps.
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Avery: This is big because all those ingredients
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have been found in space. Ribose on asteroid
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Bennu via Osiris REX A massive
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impact 4.3 billion years could have
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delivered them Kickstarting RNA in borate
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Rick spots just before life's earliest
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signs.
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Anna: Implications Life might have emerged faster
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than thought and similar chemistry could
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happen on Mars where borates are detected.
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It's not proof, but strong lab support
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for RNA as the bridge to life.
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Avery: Love how this ties astrobiology to origins
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right here on Earth.
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Anna: Speaking of the moon, 2026
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is shaping up um for a private lunar landing
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rush with several companies aiming to t touch
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down.
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Avery: We're seeing multiple commercial missions
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targeting the surface this year, part of the
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broader push with NASA's CLPS
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programme and private ventures. Though
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details vary, expect attempts from players
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like Intuitive Machines, ispace
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and others. Building on recent efforts,
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these soft landers.
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Anna: And rovers are scouting resources,
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testing tech and paving the way for sustained
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presence. Successes could accelerate the
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moon economy.
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Avery: Definitely 2026 could be a pivotal year
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for private lunar exploration.
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Anna: Now an ambitious proposal to hunt for
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habitable moons around distant giant
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exoplanets.
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Avery: A team um including Thomas Winterhallder from
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ESO suggests building a kilometric baseline
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interferometer mirrors kilometres apart for
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ultra high resolution down to 1
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microarc second. Paired with the upcoming
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Extremely Large Telescope's 39 metre
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mirror, it could spot Earth sized exomoons
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out 652 light years via
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astrometric wobbles.
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Anna: Current methods like transits are tricky for
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moons around far out gas giants where
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habitable zones might rely on tidal heating
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like Europa or Enceladus. This
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setup could directly image planets and detect
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moon signals.
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Avery: Challenges are huge, costs in billions
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tech development post 2028elt
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but if it works, we might find the first
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truly habitable exo worlds powered by
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internal heat, not.
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Anna: Just starlight Mind blowing potential for
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life beyond Earth like planets
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Finally, China's Chang'.
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Avery: E 7 mission is gearing up to probe the moon's
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South Pole secrets, especially water ice.
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Anna: The stack includes an orbiter lander
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rover, a hopping probe for tough terrain
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and a relay sat target
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permanently shadowed craters near the pole
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where ancient ice could reveal the solar
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system's volatile history.
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Avery: Ridgelines there get near constant sunlight
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for power while craters trap ice.
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Objectives Precision landing Resource
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prospecting in situ analysis key for
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future bases it's phase.
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Anna: Four of China's lunar programme, precursor to
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Chang' E8 for utilisation tech like
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3D printing supporting the International
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Lunar Research Station Hopping probe is
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clever for accessing shadowed.
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Avery: Spots rovers can't this could unlock
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sustainable lunar habitation Water for
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fuel, air drinking.
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Anna: And that's it for today's space and astronomy
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news. What a diverse episode. Satellite
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hits, launch previews, origins of life,
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lunar ambitions private and national
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and exomoon.
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Avery: Hunts the universe keeps surprising us.
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Thanks for tuning in to Astronomy Daily. We
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appreciate you joining the conversation.
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Anna: If you enjoyed this, subscribe and share with
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a fellow space fan, we'll be back tomorrow
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with more.
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Avery: Until then, keep looking up.
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Anna: Clear skies.
