May 17, 2025

From Space Tourism to Ice in Space: Exploring the Latest in Cosmic News

From Space Tourism to Ice in Space: Exploring the Latest in Cosmic News
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From Space Tourism to Ice in Space: Exploring the Latest in Cosmic News

Welcome to another captivating episode of Astronomy Daily, where Anna takes you on a journey through the latest cosmic discoveries and exciting developments in space exploration. This episode is packed with intriguing stories that highlight the intersection of technology, discovery, and international collaboration in our quest to understand the universe.

Highlights:

- Virgin Galactic's Delta Class Spaceplanes: Get the latest updates on Virgin Galactic's progress as they prepare for test flights of their new Delta class spaceplanes, aiming for commercial operations in 2026. Discover the ambitious timeline and the innovative technologies being developed to make space tourism a reality.

- James Webb Space Telescope's Water Ice Discovery: Explore the remarkable discovery of crystalline water ice in a debris disk orbiting a sun-like star 155 light years away. This finding not only validates previous research but also enhances our understanding of planetary formation and the distribution of water in the galaxy.

- NASA's Europa Clipper Mission: Join us as we discuss the recent Mars flyby of NASA's Europa Clipper, which successfully tested its life-hunting technology. Learn how these advancements prepare the mission for its quest to uncover the secrets of Jupiter's icy moon, Europa.

- SpaceX's Starlink Launch Milestone: Celebrate SpaceX's achievement of deploying over 1,000 Starlink satellites in 2025 with their latest launch from California. Discover the implications of this rapid expansion for global internet coverage and the future of satellite technology.

- Norway Signs Artemis Accords: Witness a significant diplomatic milestone as Norway becomes the 55th nation to sign NASA's Artemis Accords, reinforcing international cooperation for peaceful space exploration. Understand the importance of this agreement in the context of NASA's ambitious Artemis program.

For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io ( http://www.astronomydaily.io/) . Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome to Astronomy Daily

01:10 - Virgin Galactic's Delta Class Spaceplanes update

10:00 - James Webb Space Telescope's water ice discovery

15:30 - NASA's Europa Clipper mission and Mars flyby

20:00 - SpaceX's Starlink launch milestone

25:00 - Norway signs Artemis Accords

✍️ Episode References

Virgin Galactic Updates

[Virgin Galactic]( https://www.virgingalactic.com/ ( https://www.virgingalactic.com/) )

James Webb Space Telescope

[NASA JWST]( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html ( https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html) )

NASA's Europa Clipper Mission

[NASA Europa Clipper]( https://europa.nasa.gov/ ( https://europa.nasa.gov/) )

SpaceX Starlink

[SpaceX]( https://www.spacex.com/ ( https://www.spacex.com/) )

Artemis Accords

[NASA Artemis]( https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/index.html ( https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-accords/index.html) )

Astronomy Daily

[Astronomy Daily]( http://www.astronomydaily.io/ ( http://www.astronomydaily.io/) )


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-exciting-space-discoveries-and-news--5648921/support ( https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-exciting-space-discoveries-and-news--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) .

Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/27171926?utm_source=youtube

00:00 - Welcome to Astronomy Daily

01:10 - Virgin Galactic’s Delta Class Spaceplanes update

10:00 - James Webb Space Telescope’s water ice discovery

15:30 - NASA’s Europa Clipper mission and Mars flyby

WEBVTT
Kind: captions
Language: en

00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:02.149
Hello and welcome to Astronomy Daily,


00:00:02.159 --> 00:00:04.309
your daily dose of cosmic news and


00:00:04.319 --> 00:00:06.950
stellar discoveries. I'm Anna and I'm


00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:08.230
excited to bring you the latest


00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:10.470
developments from across the universe.


00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:12.629
Today we've got a busy episode exploring


00:00:12.639 --> 00:00:14.709
some fascinating stories from the world


00:00:14.719 --> 00:00:17.269
of space exploration and astronomy.


00:00:17.279 --> 00:00:19.109
We'll be diving into Virgin Galactic's


00:00:19.119 --> 00:00:21.189
progress with their new space planes,


00:00:21.199 --> 00:00:23.189
which are reportedly on track for test


00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:25.509
flights next year. We'll also look at an


00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:28.070
incredible discovery made by the James


00:00:28.080 --> 00:00:30.310
Webb Space Telescope crystallin water


00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:32.549
ice found in another star system,


00:00:32.559 --> 00:00:34.549
offering new insights into planetary


00:00:34.559 --> 00:00:37.110
formation beyond our solar neighborhood.


00:00:37.120 --> 00:00:39.350
Then we'll check in on NASA's Europa


00:00:39.360 --> 00:00:41.350
Clipper mission, which just tested its


00:00:41.360 --> 00:00:43.150
life hunting technology during a Mars


00:00:43.160 --> 00:00:45.830
flyby, calibrating crucial instruments


00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:47.750
that will eventually search for signs of


00:00:47.760 --> 00:00:50.869
habitability on Jupiter's icy moon.


00:00:50.879 --> 00:00:53.189
Plus, we'll cover Space X's latest


00:00:53.199 --> 00:00:55.069
launch of Starlink satellites from


00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:57.430
California, marking over 1,000


00:00:57.440 --> 00:00:59.590
satellites deployed this year alone. And


00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:01.349
we'll discuss the diplomatic milestone


00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:04.229
of Norway becoming the 55th nation to


00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:06.950
sign NASA's Aremis Accords for peaceful


00:01:06.960 --> 00:01:08.109
space


00:01:08.119 --> 00:01:11.030
exploration. So, strap in as we journey


00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:12.870
through today's astronomical headlines


00:01:12.880 --> 00:01:14.630
and expand our understanding of the


00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:16.710
cosmos.


00:01:16.720 --> 00:01:18.230
We haven't heard a lot from them in


00:01:18.240 --> 00:01:20.390
recent times, but Virgin Galactic is


00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:22.149
reporting significant progress on their


00:01:22.159 --> 00:01:24.550
new Delta class space planes with


00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:26.469
production firmly on schedule to meet


00:01:26.479 --> 00:01:28.230
their ambitious timeline for commercial


00:01:28.240 --> 00:01:31.270
operations next year. During a recent


00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:34.069
earnings call, CEO Michael Klazier


00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:35.590
highlighted the extensive technical


00:01:35.600 --> 00:01:37.830
developments across vehicle structures,


00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:41.030
propulsion systems, and avionics.


00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:42.789
The company has been transparent about


00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:45.109
their construction process, releasing


00:01:45.119 --> 00:01:47.190
video updates showcasing the current


00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:49.749
assembly state and plans to launch a


00:01:49.759 --> 00:01:51.590
regular series of production updates


00:01:51.600 --> 00:01:54.069
beginning next month. This level of


00:01:54.079 --> 00:01:56.230
transparency signals confidence in their


00:01:56.240 --> 00:01:58.789
timeline, which remains unchanged from


00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:01.030
their previous announcements. According


00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:03.109
to that timeline, we can expect to see


00:02:03.119 --> 00:02:04.789
the first test flights of these new


00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:07.670
Delta class vehicles, or spaceships as


00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:10.350
they're called, beginning in spring


00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:13.110
2026. The company then plans a phased


00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:15.030
commercial roll out with research


00:02:15.040 --> 00:02:17.270
payload flights commencing in summer,


00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:19.190
followed by private astronaut flights


00:02:19.200 --> 00:02:21.510
starting in fall. Perhaps most


00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:23.830
intriguing for wouldbe space tourists,


00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:26.150
Virgin Galactic anticipates reopening


00:02:26.160 --> 00:02:27.990
ticket sales in the first quarter of


00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:29.750
2026.


00:02:29.760 --> 00:02:31.350
The company plans to bring on new


00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:33.110
customers gradually through what Cole


00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:35.509
Glazier described as a white glove


00:02:35.519 --> 00:02:36.830
onboarding


00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:39.110
experience. This measured approach will


00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:41.430
also enable Virgin to adjust pricing as


00:02:41.440 --> 00:02:43.990
needed. While specific ticket prices


00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:45.990
haven't been announced, we know they'll


00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.390
exceed the previous $600,000 price


00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:51.270
point. Beyond their standard operations,


00:02:51.280 --> 00:02:53.430
Virgin Galactic is exploring additional


00:02:53.440 --> 00:02:55.670
opportunities. The company is currently


00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:57.430
conducting a feasibility study for


00:02:57.440 --> 00:02:59.589
potential flights from southern Italy,


00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:01.670
focusing particularly on understanding


00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:03.589
the airspace requirements based on


00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:05.630
different flight paths and weather


00:03:05.640 --> 00:03:07.670
conditions. There's also increasing


00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:09.670
interest in alternative applications for


00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:12.149
their carrier aircraft. The plane's


00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:14.229
capabilities for high alitude, long


00:03:14.239 --> 00:03:15.750
endurance flights while carrying


00:03:15.760 --> 00:03:18.229
substantial payloads make it potentially


00:03:18.239 --> 00:03:20.630
valuable for other uses, including


00:03:20.640 --> 00:03:22.390
intelligence, surveillance, and


00:03:22.400 --> 00:03:24.790
reconnaissance missions. Cole Glazier


00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:26.710
noted, encouraging feedback from


00:03:26.720 --> 00:03:28.149
meetings with defense department


00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:30.710
officials and aerospace companies,


00:03:30.720 --> 00:03:32.869
mentioning multiple opportunities


00:03:32.879 --> 00:03:34.869
connected to the new Golden Dome Missile


00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:37.270
Defense Initiative. On the financial


00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:39.110
front, while Virgin reported minimal


00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:41.589
revenue and an adjusted EBI T-day loss


00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:44.470
of $72 million for the first quarter,


00:03:44.480 --> 00:03:46.630
executives emphasize that peak spending


00:03:46.640 --> 00:03:49.990
on development is now behind them. CFO


00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.149
Doug Arens noted that as they complete


00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:54.470
the one-time investments in tooling and


00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:56.429
transition to assembly of the first two


00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:58.789
vehicles, the required spending by


00:03:58.799 --> 00:04:01.429
quarter goes down through year end,


00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:03.270
suggesting a more sustainable financial


00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:04.949
path forward as they approach commercial


00:04:04.959 --> 00:04:07.190
operations.


00:04:07.200 --> 00:04:09.990
Next up, a truly stunning discovery. In


00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:11.830
a remarkable astronomical breakthrough,


00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:13.670
the James Webb Space Telescope has


00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:15.350
confirmed the presence of crystalline


00:04:15.360 --> 00:04:17.270
water ice in a dusty debris disc


00:04:17.280 --> 00:04:20.469
orbiting a sunlike star located 155


00:04:20.479 --> 00:04:23.030
lighty years from Earth. This discovery


00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:24.950
validates earlier hints detected by the


00:04:24.960 --> 00:04:27.189
now retired Spitzer Space Telescope back


00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.230
in 2008, but with unprecedented spectral


00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:32.150
clarity that only web's advanced


00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:34.390
instruments could provide. What makes


00:04:34.400 --> 00:04:36.310
this finding particularly significant is


00:04:36.320 --> 00:04:38.870
that researchers didn't just detect


00:04:38.880 --> 00:04:41.189
ordinary water ice, but specifically


00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:43.909
crystalline water ice. The same form


00:04:43.919 --> 00:04:45.830
found in Saturn's rings and throughout


00:04:45.840 --> 00:04:48.950
our own solar systems Kyper belt. This


00:04:48.960 --> 00:04:50.950
crystallin structure tells us about the


00:04:50.960 --> 00:04:52.790
temperature and formation conditions in


00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:55.670
this distant planetary system. The star


00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:57.430
at the center of this discovery,


00:04:57.440 --> 00:05:00.350
designated HD


00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:03.590
181,327, is remarkably young, just 23


00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:05.830
million years old compared to our 4.6


00:05:05.840 --> 00:05:08.550
billiony old sun. Its debris disc is


00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:10.390
thought to closely resemble what our own


00:05:10.400 --> 00:05:11.830
Kyper belt might have looked like


00:05:11.840 --> 00:05:13.430
billions of years ago, providing


00:05:13.440 --> 00:05:15.350
astronomers with something akin to a


00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:17.629
time machine for studying planetary


00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:20.070
form. Web's observations revealed


00:05:20.080 --> 00:05:21.990
fascinating details about this systems


00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.150
architecture. There's a significant


00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:26.150
dust-free gap between the star and its


00:05:26.160 --> 00:05:28.710
debris disc where researchers believe


00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:30.870
frequent collisions between icy bodies


00:05:30.880 --> 00:05:33.270
continuously release tiny particles of


00:05:33.280 --> 00:05:35.990
dusty water ice. Particles perfectly


00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:38.870
sized for Web's instruments to detect.


00:05:38.880 --> 00:05:40.629
The distribution of ice throughout the


00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:42.870
system follows a pattern that makes


00:05:42.880 --> 00:05:45.590
perfect sense from a physics standpoint.


00:05:45.600 --> 00:05:48.469
The highest concentration over 20%


00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:50.629
exists in the cold outer regions of the


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debris disc with much less in the middle


00:05:52.960 --> 00:05:55.510
areas and almost none detected close to


00:05:55.520 --> 00:05:58.230
the star. This pattern likely results


00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:00.469
from ice vaporization by ultraviolet


00:06:00.479 --> 00:06:02.790
light in the inner regions or perhaps


00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:04.629
because that ice is trapped inside


00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:06.110
unseen


00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:08.150
planetessimals. This discovery has


00:06:08.160 --> 00:06:09.749
profound implications for our


00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:11.510
understanding of planetary system


00:06:11.520 --> 00:06:14.070
formation. The presence of water ice is


00:06:14.080 --> 00:06:16.390
crucial for building giant planets. And


00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:18.710
until now, astronomers could only study


00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:21.350
this process in our own solar system. As


00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:23.270
Christine Chen from the Space Telescope


00:06:23.280 --> 00:06:25.749
Science Institute noted, we can finally


00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:28.150
examine how water ice functions across


00:06:28.160 --> 00:06:30.710
different planetary systems. What's


00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:32.390
particularly exciting is how the


00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:36.350
striking similarities between HD


00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:39.029
181,327's debris disc and our own Kyper


00:06:39.039 --> 00:06:41.189
belt suggests that our solar systems


00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:43.029
development may be more representative


00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:45.670
than unique. This discovery validates


00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:47.590
theoretical models about how water


00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:49.510
distributes through forming planetary


00:06:49.520 --> 00:06:51.189
systems.


00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:53.110
As astronomers continue mapping water


00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:55.590
ice across different star systems, we're


00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:57.270
building toward a more comprehensive


00:06:57.280 --> 00:06:59.110
understanding of planetary formation


00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:01.589
throughout the galaxy. This research


00:07:01.599 --> 00:07:03.749
also opens exciting possibilities for


00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:05.510
understanding how water essential for


00:07:05.520 --> 00:07:07.909
life as we know it gets distributed


00:07:07.919 --> 00:07:09.510
during a systems formation and


00:07:09.520 --> 00:07:11.670
potentially delivered to habitable zones


00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:14.790
where rocky planets reside. Future web


00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:17.189
observations of additional debris discs


00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:19.670
will likely reveal whether the patterns


00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:23.230
observed in HD 181,000


00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:25.990
327 represent a universal principle of


00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:28.309
planetary systems. As we learn more


00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:30.550
about water distribution in the galaxy,


00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:32.469
we're ultimately gaining insight into


00:07:32.479 --> 00:07:34.150
the conditions that may have set the


00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:36.629
stage for Earth's own evolution and the


00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:39.990
emergence of life billions of years ago.


00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.830
Now, let's turn our attention to NASA's


00:07:41.840 --> 00:07:43.909
Europa Clipper mission, which recently


00:07:43.919 --> 00:07:46.070
used a Mars flyby to test some of its


00:07:46.080 --> 00:07:48.710
most critical life hunting technology.


00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:50.550
This spacecraft, currently on route to


00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:52.629
Jupiter's moon Europa, captured


00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:54.629
remarkable infrared images of the red


00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:57.029
planet during a gravity assist maneuver


00:07:57.039 --> 00:07:59.430
that served a dual purpose, helping the


00:07:59.440 --> 00:08:01.990
spacecraft reach Jupiter faster, while


00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:03.830
also calibrating its sophisticated


00:08:03.840 --> 00:08:06.790
thermal imaging camera. On March 1st,


00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:09.990
Europa Clipper swooped just 550 m above


00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:12.390
the Martian surface, using the planet's


00:08:12.400 --> 00:08:14.670
gravitational pole to reshape its


00:08:14.680 --> 00:08:17.189
trajectory. During this 18minute window,


00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.189
the spacecraft's infrared camera, called


00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:21.469
the Europa thermal imaging system, or


00:08:21.479 --> 00:08:23.670
Etheis, captured more than a thousand


00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:26.150
grayscale pictures, one image per


00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:28.469
second, creating a comprehensive thermal


00:08:28.479 --> 00:08:31.270
map of Mars. The team later applied


00:08:31.280 --> 00:08:33.670
color to these images with warm areas


00:08:33.680 --> 00:08:35.670
depicted in red and colder regions shown


00:08:35.680 --> 00:08:37.509
in blue, creating a striking


00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:39.389
visualization of Mars' temperature


00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:42.310
variations. This wasn't just for show.


00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:43.750
Comparing these new images with


00:08:43.760 --> 00:08:45.590
established Mars data allowed scientists


00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.670
to verify that Etheis is working


00:08:47.680 --> 00:08:49.829
perfectly. As Phil Christensen from


00:08:49.839 --> 00:08:51.750
Arizona State University, the principal


00:08:51.760 --> 00:08:54.230
investigator for Etheis explained, "We


00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:56.550
wanted no surprises in these new images.


00:08:56.560 --> 00:08:58.389
The goal was to capture imagery of a


00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:00.310
planetary body we know extraordinarily


00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:02.230
well and make sure the data set looks


00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:04.790
exactly the way it should. This


00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:06.790
calibration is absolutely crucial for


00:09:06.800 --> 00:09:09.269
the mission's ultimate goal. When Europa


00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:12.070
Clipper reaches Jupiter in 2030, it will


00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:15.190
begin a series of 49 flybys of Europa,


00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:17.030
an icy moon that scientists believe


00:09:17.040 --> 00:09:19.269
harbors a vast global ocean beneath its


00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:21.509
frozen crust. This subsurface ocean


00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:23.350
makes Europa one of the most promising


00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:26.230
places to search for life beyond Earth.


00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:28.070
Etheis will play a vital role in the


00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:29.990
search by scanning Europa's surface for


00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:32.310
heat signatures. The moon's surface is


00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:35.110
marked by long ridges and deep fractures


00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:36.949
that many scientists believe are caused


00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:39.829
by ocean water moving beneath the ice


00:09:39.839 --> 00:09:42.070
and breaking through the crust. By


00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:43.910
measuring temperature variations along


00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:46.070
these features, the spacecraft can


00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:47.910
identify areas where the ocean might


00:09:47.920 --> 00:09:50.790
come closest to the surface. If Europa


00:09:50.800 --> 00:09:52.150
is a really active place, those


00:09:52.160 --> 00:09:53.509
fractures will be warmer than the


00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:55.110
surrounding ice where the ocean comes


00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:58.070
close to the surface, Christensen noted.


00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:00.710
Or if water erupted onto the surface


00:10:00.720 --> 00:10:03.190
hundreds to thousands of years ago, then


00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:05.310
those surfaces could still be relatively


00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:08.310
warm. The Mars flyby also provided an


00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:09.910
opportunity to test other crucial


00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:12.150
instruments. The spacecraft's radar


00:10:12.160 --> 00:10:14.310
systems were activated in unison for the


00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:16.069
first time, something that wasn't


00:10:16.079 --> 00:10:18.310
possible in Earth-based clean rooms due


00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:21.190
to the radar antenna's unusual length.


00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:23.269
Additionally, the team confirmed that


00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:25.030
the spacecraft's telecommunication


00:10:25.040 --> 00:10:26.949
equipment will be able to conduct


00:10:26.959 --> 00:10:29.269
gravity experiments at Europa by


00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:30.949
successfully transmitting signals to


00:10:30.959 --> 00:10:33.670
Earth while passing through Mars's


00:10:33.680 --> 00:10:34.910
gravity


00:10:34.920 --> 00:10:37.750
field. As Europa Clipper continues its


00:10:37.760 --> 00:10:40.550
1.8 8 billion mile journey to Jupiter.


00:10:40.560 --> 00:10:42.310
It will make one more gravity assist


00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:45.190
from Earth in 2026 before finally


00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:48.630
arriving at its destination in 2030.


00:10:48.640 --> 00:10:51.030
There it will help scientists determine


00:10:51.040 --> 00:10:54.230
whether Europa, a moon orbiting a giant


00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:56.790
planet far from the sun, could actually


00:10:56.800 --> 00:10:58.710
harbor the ingredients necessary for


00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:00.110
life to


00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:03.110
exist. In more satellite news, SpaceX


00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:04.790
has once again expanded its Starlink


00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:06.389
constellation with another successful


00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:09.350
launch from California. At 6:43 a.m.


00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:11.509
Pacific time last Friday morning, a


00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:13.670
Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Space


00:11:13.680 --> 00:11:15.910
Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg


00:11:15.920 --> 00:11:18.310
Space Force Base, carrying 26 more


00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:20.630
Starlink satellites into orbit. This


00:11:20.640 --> 00:11:22.710
launch marks a significant milestone for


00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:25.190
SpaceX as they've now deployed more than


00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:27.190
1,000 of their broadband internet


00:11:27.200 --> 00:11:30.150
satellites in 2025 alone. The pace of


00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:32.310
these deployments demonstrates SpaceX's


00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.310
commitment to rapidly expanding their


00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:37.030
global internet coverage. The mission


00:11:37.040 --> 00:11:40.389
designated Starlink 15-5 was the 20th


00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:42.269
orbital launch from California this


00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:44.710
year. What's particularly interesting is


00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:46.550
that the launch proceeded despite a


00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:49.829
wildfire on the base north of the pad.


00:11:49.839 --> 00:11:52.790
The fire, which spread across 27 acres


00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:55.190
before being contained, fortunately did


00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:57.910
not impact launch operations.


00:11:57.920 --> 00:11:59.990
The Falcon 9 first stage booster that


00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:02.350
powered this mission, designated


00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:04.829
B1093, was making only its second


00:12:04.839 --> 00:12:07.509
flight. Its first mission was just 39


00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:09.910
days earlier, also from Vandenberg,


00:12:09.920 --> 00:12:11.629
carrying another batch of Starlink


00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:13.670
satellites. This quick turnaround


00:12:13.680 --> 00:12:15.509
highlights SpaceX's increasing


00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:17.590
efficiency in refurbishing and


00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:20.150
redeploying their rockets. 8 minutes


00:12:20.160 --> 00:12:21.670
after liftoff, the booster made a


00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:23.990
precise landing on SpaceX's drone ship,


00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:26.550
aptly named Of course I still love you,


00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:27.910
which was stationed in the Pacific


00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:30.550
Ocean. This successful touchdown marks


00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:32.790
the 130th landing on this particular


00:12:32.800 --> 00:12:35.910
vessel and SpaceX's 448th booster


00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:37.910
landing overall, a remarkable


00:12:37.920 --> 00:12:39.550
achievement in rocket


00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:41.990
reusability. The company confirmed the


00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:44.230
successful deployment of all 26


00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:46.949
optimized Starlink satellites about an


00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:49.590
hour after launch. These satellites will


00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:51.829
join the thousands already in orbit,


00:12:51.839 --> 00:12:53.750
providing high-spe speed internet access


00:12:53.760 --> 00:12:56.069
to users across the globe, including


00:12:56.079 --> 00:12:58.150
remote and underserved areas where


00:12:58.160 --> 00:13:00.150
traditional internet infrastructure is


00:13:00.160 --> 00:13:01.790
limited or


00:13:01.800 --> 00:13:04.069
non-existent. SpaceX continues to


00:13:04.079 --> 00:13:05.670
dominate the launch industry with its


00:13:05.680 --> 00:13:08.310
rapid cadence and reliable performance,


00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:09.990
regularly delivering both its own


00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:11.590
Starlink satellites and commercial


00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:13.590
payloads to orbit while pushing the


00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:15.110
boundaries of reusable rocket


00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:17.110
technology.


00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:19.190
Finally, today, the international


00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:20.949
community supporting NASA's vision for


00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:23.110
peaceful lunar exploration continues to


00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:25.509
grow with Norway becoming the 55th


00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:28.230
nation to sign the Artemis Accords. The


00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.750
signing ceremony took place last


00:13:29.760 --> 00:13:31.509
Thursday at the Norwegian Space Agency


00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:33.910
in Oslo, where Norway's Minister of


00:13:33.920 --> 00:13:36.310
Trade and Industry, Cecilia Mesth,


00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:38.069
formally committed her nation to this


00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:39.670
framework for peaceful space


00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:41.190
exploration.


00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:43.030
This milestone builds upon a space


00:13:43.040 --> 00:13:44.790
partnership between the United States


00:13:44.800 --> 00:13:47.069
and Norway that dates back over six


00:13:47.079 --> 00:13:49.750
decades. As acting NASA administrator


00:13:49.760 --> 00:13:52.069
Janet Petro noted, the collaboration


00:13:52.079 --> 00:13:55.350
between these nations began in 1962 when


00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.269
NASA supported the first civilian


00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.949
suborbital rocket launch above the


00:13:58.959 --> 00:14:01.150
Arctic Circle from Andoya space in


00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:03.750
Norway. The Aremis Accords represent


00:14:03.760 --> 00:14:06.310
much more than just signatures on paper.


00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:08.470
Established in October 2020 with the


00:14:08.480 --> 00:14:10.470
United States and seven other founding


00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:12.550
nations, these accords outline


00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:14.310
principles and guidelines for how


00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.990
countries should approach exploration of


00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:18.790
the moon and deep space. They reinforce


00:14:18.800 --> 00:14:21.430
key concepts from the landmark 1967


00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:23.990
outer space treaty, emphasizing peaceful


00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:26.550
cooperation and transparent operations


00:14:26.560 --> 00:14:28.550
as humanity extends its reach beyond


00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:30.790
Earth. Norway's participation


00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:32.870
strengthens the international coalition


00:14:32.880 --> 00:14:35.590
behind NASA's Aremis program, which aims


00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:37.750
to return humans to the lunar surface


00:14:37.760 --> 00:14:39.509
and establish a sustainable presence


00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:41.189
there before eventually sending


00:14:41.199 --> 00:14:43.910
astronauts to Mars. The Artemis program


00:14:43.920 --> 00:14:45.870
itself has already made significant


00:14:45.880 --> 00:14:48.670
progress. Artemis 1 launched in November


00:14:48.680 --> 00:14:51.189
2022, sending an uncrrewed Orion


00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:52.949
spacecraft on a month-long journey


00:14:52.959 --> 00:14:55.269
around the moon. The next mission,


00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:57.430
Artemis 2, will carry four astronauts on


00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:59.350
a lunar flyby. though it has been


00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:01.910
delayed until at least February 2026 to


00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:03.670
address heat shield issues identified


00:15:03.680 --> 00:15:06.710
during the first mission. Artemis 3


00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:09.670
targeted for 2027 is planned to be the


00:15:09.680 --> 00:15:11.590
historic mission that returns humans to


00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:13.509
the lunar surface for the first time


00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:16.790
since Apollo. However, the program faces


00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:18.870
uncertainty beyond this mission due to


00:15:18.880 --> 00:15:21.110
recent budget proposals. The White


00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:24.389
House's latest skinny budget proposes


00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:28.069
cutting NASA's funding by nearly 25%.


00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:29.590
These cuts would have profound


00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.910
implications for the Aremis program,


00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:33.750
potentially cancelling the space launch


00:15:33.760 --> 00:15:36.150
system rocket after Artemis 3 and


00:15:36.160 --> 00:15:37.910
scrapping the Gateway lunar space


00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:39.910
station that was intended to support


00:15:39.920 --> 00:15:42.790
future missions. These budget concerns


00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:44.790
cast a shadow over the long-term


00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:47.189
viability of the program just as


00:15:47.199 --> 00:15:49.749
international support continues to grow.


00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.590
The contrast between expanding global


00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:53.189
participation through the Artemis


00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:55.629
Accords and potential domestic funding


00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:57.749
challenges highlights the complex


00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:00.389
reality of modern space exploration


00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:02.230
where scientific aspirations and


00:16:02.240 --> 00:16:04.389
political priorities must find alignment


00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:06.110
for missions to


00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:09.749
succeed. So to sum up, as we reflect on


00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:12.150
today's space news, several fascinating


00:16:12.160 --> 00:16:13.749
threads weave together to form a


00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.749
tapestry of our current moment in space


00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.910
exploration. We're witnessing a


00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:19.670
remarkable convergence of commercial


00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:21.749
innovation, scientific discovery, and


00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:23.670
international cooperation that promises


00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:25.749
to reshape humanity's relationship with


00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.590
the


00:16:26.600 --> 00:16:29.030
cosmos. Virgin Galactic's progress on


00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:30.550
their Delta class space planes


00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:32.470
represents the continued evolution of


00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:34.550
commercial space flight, bringing us


00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:36.710
closer to an era where space tourism


00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:39.590
becomes increasingly accessible. Though


00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:41.990
still expensive, these advancements are


00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:43.829
gradually opening doors that were once


00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:46.150
firmly closed to all but a select few


00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:47.310
government


00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:50.310
astronauts. Meanwhile, the James Webb


00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:51.829
Space Telescope's discovery of


00:16:51.839 --> 00:16:53.990
crystalline water ice in a distant star


00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:56.230
system reminds us that we're not just


00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:59.189
exploring for exploration sake. Each new


00:16:59.199 --> 00:17:01.110
finding offers insights into our own


00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:03.910
origins and place in the universe.


00:17:03.920 --> 00:17:05.829
The similarities between this distant


00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:08.390
debris disc and our own Kyper belt


00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.990
suggests that our solar systems


00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:12.309
development may not be as unique as once


00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:15.390
thought. A humbling and profound


00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:17.750
realization. The Europa Clipper mission


00:17:17.760 --> 00:17:20.390
embodies humanity's enduring fascination


00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:22.309
with the possibility of life beyond


00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:24.789
Earth. By testing its instruments on


00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:26.949
Mars to prepare for studying Europa's


00:17:26.959 --> 00:17:29.510
icy surface, NASA demonstrates the


00:17:29.520 --> 00:17:31.590
methodical, patient approach needed to


00:17:31.600 --> 00:17:33.390
answer one of our most fundamental


00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:36.870
questions. Are we alone? SpaceX's


00:17:36.880 --> 00:17:38.870
relentless pace of Starlink launches


00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:40.390
illustrates how space is becoming


00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:42.310
increasingly integrated with our daily


00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:45.110
lives. With over 1,000 satellites


00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:47.270
launched this year alone, we're


00:17:47.280 --> 00:17:49.470
witnessing the rapid construction of


00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.350
infrastructure that's already


00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:53.150
transforming global


00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:55.270
communications. Norway's signing of the


00:17:55.280 --> 00:17:57.750
Artemis Accords reflects a growing


00:17:57.760 --> 00:18:00.150
international consensus around the


00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.669
principles that should govern our


00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:05.510
expansion into space. Yet, the contrast


00:18:05.520 --> 00:18:07.390
between this expanding global


00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:09.909
participation and potential NASA budget


00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:12.549
cuts highlights the complex political


00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:15.710
realities that often shape our cosmic


00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:18.230
ambitions. Together, these stories paint


00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:20.150
a picture of a species at a pivotal


00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:22.470
moment, developing the technologies to


00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:24.870
become truly multilanetary while


00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:26.390
simultaneously deepening our


00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:28.070
understanding of the cosmic neighborhood


00:18:28.080 --> 00:18:30.630
we already inhabit. The challenges are


00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:32.710
enormous, but so too is our collective


00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:36.350
ingenuity and determination to overcome


00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:38.630
them. Well, that brings us to the end of


00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:41.350
another episode of Astronomy Daily. I


00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.789
hope you've enjoyed our journey through


00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.390
the latest developments in space


00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:47.590
exploration and discovery. I'm Anna, and


00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:49.029
it's been my pleasure to share these


00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:51.430
cosmic updates with you today. If you've


00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:53.029
enjoyed the show, I'd love for you to


00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.990
join our growing community of space


00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:57.029
enthusiasts. Visit our website at


00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:59.350
astronomydaily.io io where you can


00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:01.350
listen to all our back episodes and dive


00:19:01.360 --> 00:19:03.190
deeper into the topics we've covered


00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:05.430
today. You can also subscribe to the


00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:08.470
podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,


00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.310
YouTube, or wherever you get your


00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:12.150
podcast to ensure you never miss an


00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:14.789
episode. For daily space content, follow


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00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:25.510
Tik Tok. Thanks so much for listening


00:19:25.520 --> 00:19:28.150
today. The universe is vast and full of


00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:30.070
wonders, and I'm grateful we get to


00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:31.990
explore it together. Until next time,


00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.909
keep looking up.


00:19:35.919 --> 00:19:42.909
Stories


00:19:42.919 --> 00:19:46.120
told stories told.


00:19:46.130 --> 00:19:52.739
[Music]