Episodes

Revolutionary ARC Spacecraft: A new player in private spaceflight, Inversion, is set to change the game with its ARC spacecraft, designed to deliver cargo from orbit to Earth in under an hour. This hypersonic vehicle, targeting military applications, promises unprecedented rapid delivery capabilities and could redefine space logistics as we know it. Uncertain Future for Juno: NASA's Juno probe, which has been orbiting Jupiter since 2016, faces an uncertain future due to the ongoing US Governmen...

Jeff Bezos' Vision for Orbital Data Centers: Jeff Bezos has proposed a revolutionary concept of building large-scale data centers in Earth's orbit within the next 10 to 20 years. This ambitious idea aims to leverage continuous solar power and extreme cold temperatures in space to optimize computing efficiency. However, the technical and economic challenges associated with such a venture are immense, with potential costs reaching into the tens of billions. The Rarity of Technological Civilizatio...

In this episode of SpaceTime , we explore the future of our universe, the latest advancements in mapping our Milky Way, and the pivotal role fungi played in the evolution of life on land. The Universe's Fate: A Big Crunch in 20 Billion Years A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics reveals that the universe is approaching the midpoint of its 33 billion-year lifespan and may end in approximately 20 billion years. Lead author Henry Tighe from Cornell...

Sponsor Details: This episode is brought to you with the support of NordVPN. ...enhance your online privacy with the best in the game. Tiy get our special Space Nuts price and bonus deal , visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts (https://nordvpn.com/spacenuts) or use the code SPACENUTS at checkout. Cosmic Questions: Black Holes, Antimatter Stars, and Meteor Photography In this enlightening Q&A episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle a series of fascinating listen...

New Method for Detecting Gravitational Waves: Physicists are proposing a groundbreaking approach to detect mid-band gravitational waves, a frequency range currently unreachable by existing instruments. Utilizing optical resonator technology, this novel method could expand our understanding of systems like binary white dwarfs and massive black hole mergers, paving the way for a potential global network of detectors. Reevaluating Exoplanet Water Content: Recent research challenges the assumption ...

Biggest Supermoon of 2025: Mark your calendars for October 6th at 11:48 PM Eastern Time, as we prepare for the largest supermoon of 2025. This full moon, known as the Harvest Moon, will appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical micro moon, offering a stunning celestial display just after sunset. Interstellar Comet 3i Atlas: Excitement is building around the interstellar comet 3i Atlas, the third such object detected in our solar system. The European Space Agency is mobilizing thre...

In this episode of SpaceTime , we delve into the intriguing potential for life on the dwarf planet Ceres, explore NASA's latest mission to study the heliosphere, and celebrate the achievements of the University of Melbourne's Spirit Nanosat. Ceres: A Potentially Habitable World? Recent research published in Science Advances suggests that Ceres, currently a frigid and frozen world, may have once harboured conditions suitable for life. By modelling the planet's thermal and chemical history, scie...

In this exciting episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson delve into the remarkable achievements of the International Space Station as it approaches its 25th anniversary of continuous human occupation. The discussion also explores the potential for lunar mining, particularly in the moon's craters, and the innovative advancements in 3D printed rocket motors that are shaping the future of space exploration. Episode Highlights: - International Space Station Milestone...

Enceladus: A Potential Haven for Life: New analysis of data from the Cassini spacecraft reveals that Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, possesses complex chemical reactions in its subsurface ocean. This finding confirms that the moon has the essential conditions for a habitable environment, including liquid water, energy sources from hydrothermal vents, and organic molecules crucial for life. Strange Behavior of Titan's Atmosphere: Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is exhibiting unusual atmospheric ...

(00:00:00) Mercury's Shrinking Secrets: Insights into the Solar System's Smallest Planet (00:00:43) Mercury's Ongoing Shrinkage (00:03:11) NASA's Carruthers Geocorona Observatory (00:11:52) Insights from Martian Meteorite NWA 16254 (00:14:23) Tech News In this episode of SpaceTime , we explore the intriguing dynamics of Mercury's shrinking size, embark on a mission to unveil Earth's elusive exosphere, and uncover the secrets of ancient volcanic activity on Mars. Mercury's Ongoing Shrinkage...

(00:00:00) Stardust from Beyond: Unveiling the Secrets of Asteroid Bennu and Saturn's Mysteries (00:00:47) Scientists have discovered minerals older than our solar system embedded in asteroid Bennu (00:10:22) Scientists using NASA's Webb telescope have uncovered mysterious features in Saturn's atmosphere (00:14:58) NASA's Parker Solar Probe completes 25th close approach to the sun (00:17:27) The Science Report In this episode of Space Time, we uncover groundbreaking discoveries that challen...

Chang' E6 Mission Reveals Moon's Secrets: China's Chang' E6 mission has unveiled surprising thermal asymmetry on the Moon's far side, showing it is approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius) cooler than the near side. This discovery sheds light on the Moon's dual characteristics, suggesting that uneven distribution of heat-producing elements during its formation played a crucial role in its geological history. Galactic Wave of Stars: Data from the European Space Agency's Gaia sp...

Firefly Aerospace Faces Setback: Firefly Aerospace's path to launching its Alpha rocket has hit another obstacle following an anomaly during a recent ground test in Texas. The loss of the first stage booster for Alpha Flight 7 adds to the challenges the company has faced, including a previous in-flight anomaly. Despite the setbacks, Firefly remains committed to investigating the issues and has other boosters in production, including plans for a larger rocket called Eclipse. SpaceX's Busy Launch...

Rogue Planet's Dazzling Auroras: The James Webb Space Telescope has made an astonishing discovery of intense auroral displays on the rogue planet SIMP-0136, which drifts through interstellar space without a star. Researchers found that these auroras, likely generated by an unseen moon, contribute to heating the planet's upper atmosphere, with temperatures soaring over 1500 degrees Celsius and clouds composed of silicate grains. Astrosat Celebrates a Decade: India's first dedicated space astrono...

Full Moons, Curved Space, and the Simulation Hypothesis In this captivating Q&A episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle an array of intriguing questions from listeners. From the effects of full moons on human behaviour to the complexities of curved space and the possibility of living in a simulation, this episode is packed with thought-provoking discussions that will stretch your cosmic imagination. Episode Highlights: - Full Moon Effects: The hosts addre...

Moon Rock Challenges Lunar History: A tiny moon rock collected by Apollo 17, sample 76535, is revolutionizing our understanding of the Moon's early history. New simulations suggest it formed deep within the Moon's crust and rose to the surface 4.25 billion years ago through a gentle process rather than a violent impact. This finding indicates that the Moon's large impact basins could be 300 million years older than previously thought, prompting a reevaluation of the heavy bombardment period that...

Sierra Space's Dream Chaser Faces Challenges: The Sierra Space Dream Chaser, designed for cargo delivery to the International Space Station, is encountering significant delays and cost overruns. With critical issues in its thermal protection system and flight software revealed during pre-flight testing, the timeline for its inaugural mission remains uncertain, reminding us of the complexities involved in developing reusable spaceplanes. NISAR Satellite Sends Stunning First Images: The NASA-ISRO...

In this episode of SpaceTime , we dive into the cosmos to uncover the secrets of the early universe, explore the potential for black hole atmospheres, and examine the intriguing history of habitability on Mars, alongside the launch of a new deep space antenna by the European Space Agency. Mysterious Red Dots in the Early Universe Astronomers have identified a population of enigmatic red dots in the early universe, potentially representing exotic stellar atmospheres around ancient black holes. ...

Artemis 2, Wormholes, and Einstein Crosses In this thrilling episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson bring you the latest updates from the world of astronomy. From the anticipated Artemis 2 mission to the tantalising possibility of wormholes, and the discovery of a rare Einstein cross, this episode is a cosmic journey through some of the most exciting developments in space science. Episode Highlights: - Artemis 2 Update: Andrew and Fred Watson discuss the Artemi...

Commercial Space Station on the Horizon: Vast Space is set to launch Haven One, the world's first commercial space station, in May 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Designed for a four-person crew, Haven One promises high-speed internet and stunning views of Earth, marking a significant step toward the future of human activity in low Earth orbit. Nasa's Swift Observatory Rescue Mission: NASA has awarded Catalyst Space Technologies a $30 million contract to rescue the aging Swift Observatory...

NASA and SpaceX Prepare for Major Launch: The countdown is on for the launch of NASA's Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) from Cape Canaveral this Wednesday. Designed to study the heliosphere, IMAP aims to enhance our understanding of cosmic radiation and protect future astronauts on long-duration missions. Joining IMAP on the Falcon 9 rocket is NOAA's Space Weather Follow-on L1 satellite, crucial for monitoring solar activity, and the Carruthers Geo Corona Observatory, which wil...

In this episode of SpaceTime , we celebrate a major milestone in exoplanet discoveries, unravel the enigmatic surface of Venus, and delve into the intriguing tale of interstellar comet 3I ATLAS. Exoplanet Count Surpasses 6,000 Astronomers have reached an impressive milestone, confirming their 6,000th exoplanet, a testament to the rapid pace of discoveries since the first detection of an exoplanet in 1995. This milestone not only highlights the evolving understanding of our galaxy but also rais...

Australia's Spirit Satellite Takes Selfies in Orbit: The Spirit nanosatellite has successfully completed its first mission phase, orbiting Earth for over 600 days and taking selfies to confirm its systems are operational. Equipped with an Italian Space Agency instrument to detect gamma ray bursts, Spirit features an autonomous repointing system that allows it to respond immediately to cosmic events, showcasing the potential of AI in space exploration. US and UK Military Satellites Conduct Histo...

NASA's Artemis 3 Mission Faces High Risk of Delay: The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel has raised concerns regarding the timeline for the Artemis 3 mission, warning that SpaceX's Starship may not be ready for the planned late 2026 lunar landing. Key issues include the need for successful flight tests and the unproven capability of propellant transfer in orbit, raising questions about contingency plans for the mission. Hayabusa2's Extended Mission to Asteroid 1998 KY26: Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecr...