Galactic Updates: Firefly’s Alpha Failure, Kiwi Space Defense, and Shenzhou 19’s Safe Landing

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Language: en

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Hello and welcome to Astronomy Daily,


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your window to the cosmos where we bring


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you the latest developments in space


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exploration and astronomical


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discoveries. I'm Anna and today we've


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got a packed episode with some


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fascinating stories from around the


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globe. Coming up, we'll dive into the


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details of Firefly Aerospace's recent


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alpha rocket failure, which


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unfortunately resulted in a Loheed


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Martin satellite crashing into the


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Pacific Ocean. We'll also explore New


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Zealand's surprising announcement about


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establishing a new space squadron,


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signaling their increasing commitment to


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space-based defense. In addition, we'll


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cover China's Shenzh 19 spacecraft,


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which has successfully returned to Earth


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after its crew completed their mission


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aboard the Chiang Gong space station.


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We'll also look at the busy launch


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schedule for this week, including


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multiple Starlink missions from SpaceX


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and the successful deployment of ESA's


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biomass satellite. And finally, we'll


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tell you about an intriguing new podcast


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series focused on Buzz Aldrin, the


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second man to walk on the moon, which


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promises to reveal the personal


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struggles behind the famous astronaut's


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public persona. So, sit back, look up,


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and let's journey through today's space


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news


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together. In a significant setback for


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the commercial space industry, Firefly


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Aerospace's Alpha rocket experienced a


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critical failure during its sixth flight


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on Tuesday. The incident occurred


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approximately 2 minutes after liftoff


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from Vandenberg Space Force Base in


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California when the engine nozzle on


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Alpha's upper stage broke off in space.


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The dramatic moment happened just after


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the rocket attempted to separate from


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its core booster as designed. According


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to Firefly, this malfunction


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substantially reduced the engine's


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thrust, although the rocket continued to


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function longer than you might expect in


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such circumstances.


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Unlike typical rocket failures that


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result in immediate explosions or


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automatic shutdown sequences, the


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Alpha's upper stage continued firing for


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several minutes. The rocket actually


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managed to reach an altitude of about


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320 km or 200 m. However, it failed to


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achieve the velocity needed to maintain


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orbit and was eventually pulled back


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into Earth's atmosphere by gravity. Live


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stream footage of the flight revealed


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several pieces of debris visibly


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breaking off from the rocket during its


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ascent in what's often a telltale sign


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of trouble during rocket launches. The


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on-screen altitude and speed data


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disappeared from the broadcast earlier


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than expected. Firefly later confirmed


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that both the upper stage and its


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payload, a Loheed Martin satellite


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called the LM400 technology


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demonstrator, safely impacted the


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Pacific Ocean in a cleared zone north of


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Antarctica. This controlled ocean


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landing, while not the intended outcome,


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at least prevented any potential hazards


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from debris falling over populated


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areas.


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This mission held particular


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significance as it was the first launch


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under an ambitious agreement between


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Firefly and Loheed Martin that could


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have included up to 25 flights through


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2029. The satellite itself was


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self-funded by Loheed Martin and


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designed to test technologies intended


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for future military and civilian


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applications. Despite the failure,


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Loheed Martin maintained a positive


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outlook with a spokesperson noting that


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navigating risk and going fast are part


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of these self-funded demonstrations.


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They added that insights gained during


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the satellites production will still


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benefit future customers. This latest


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incident brings Firefly success rate to


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a concerning level. Four failures out of


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six alpha flights since 2021. The


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company's journey has been tumultuous to


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say the least. Founded in 2014, Firefly


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filed for bankruptcy in 2017, underwent


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an ownership change due to US national


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security concerns in 2022, and faced


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leadership turmoil when its CEO was


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ousted in 2024 following an


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inappropriate relationship. Despite


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these challenges, the company achieved a


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remarkable success just one month ago


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with a breakthrough moon landing.


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Firefly is one of several smaller


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aerospace companies competing to


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establish themselves in a launch market


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dominated by SpaceX. In the wake of


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Tuesday's failure, Firefly announced


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it's working closely with Loheed Martin,


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the US Space Force, and the Federal


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Aviation Administration to determine the


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root cause of the mishap and prevent


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similar incidents in future launches.


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In a noteworthy development for our


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southern hemisphere neighbors, the New


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Zealand Air Force has announced plans to


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establish a dedicated space squadron.


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What makes this particularly interesting


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is the squadron's modest size. Just 15


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personnel will staff this new military


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space unit, making it one of the


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smallest specialized space units among


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nations with military space programs.


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This move signals New Zealand's growing


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commitment to space-based defense and


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international security initiatives.


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Despite the relatively small footprint,


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military experts suggest that even with


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limited personnel, the squadron could


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play a significant role in space


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situational awareness, satellite


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communications, and coordination with


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allied space forces. New Zealand's


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strategic position in the South Pacific


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makes it an ideal location for certain


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types of space monitoring and operations


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that complement the capabilities of


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larger allies like Australia and the


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United States.


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The country has already been developing


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its commercial space sector with Rocket


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Labs launch facilities on the Mahia


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Peninsula establishing New Zealand as


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one of the few nations with orbital


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launch


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capabilities. A senior military official


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indicated that while small in size, the


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Space Squadron represents a meaningful


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evolution in New Zealand's defense


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posture, acknowledging the increasing


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importance of space as a domain for


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national security. The squadron is


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expected to focus on developing


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expertise in space domain awareness,


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tracking potential threats to


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satellites, and supporting multinational


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space operations. This development comes


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at a time when many nations are


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reassessing their military space


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capabilities in response to growing


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concerns about the vulnerability of


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space-based assets that support critical


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infrastructure, communications, and


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navigation systems. For New Zealand,


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which has traditionally maintained


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modest defense forces, establishing a


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dedicated space squadron, represents a


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significant strategic shift that aligns


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with broader trends in modern military


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planning. The timeline for the


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squadron's full operational capability


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has not been publicly disclosed, but


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defense analysts expect it will


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integrate closely with New Zealand's


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existing intelligence and communications


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infrastructure to maximize its


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effectiveness despite its limited


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size. And we can chalk up another


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successful mission today. China's Shenzh


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19 crude spacecraft has successfully


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touched down in northern China, marking


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the end of a mission that began back in


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October of last year. The landing, which


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was originally scheduled for Tuesday,


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was delayed by a day due to unfavorable


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weather conditions at the landing site.


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The spacecraft carried a crew of three


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Chinese astronauts who had spent nearly


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6 months aboard China's Tiang Gong Space


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Station. The team consisted of two male


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astronauts, ages 48 and 34, along with


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China's third female astronaut, who was


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35 years old. For the two younger crew


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members, this mission represented their


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first journey into space. All three


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astronauts are members of China's


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military air force, highlighting the


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close connection between China's space


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program and its military capabilities.


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During their extended stay on the space


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station, the crew conducted a series of


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scientific experiments with a particular


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focus on technologies related to


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potential human habitats beyond Earth.


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One of the most intriguing experiments


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involved testing bricks made from


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simulated lunar soil in the space


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environment. This research could prove


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crucial for China's ambitious lunar


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plans, as these materials might


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eventually be used in the construction


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of a permanent research station on the


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moon. China has stated its intention to


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establish such a lunar base by 2035, and


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successful materials testing represents


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an important step toward that goal. The


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Shenzh 19 mission is part of China's


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regular rotation of crews to the


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Tiangong space station, which was


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officially completed in November 2022.


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These missions typically involve three


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astronauts at a time with six-month


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deployment periods and brief overlap


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periods during crew transitions,


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allowing for proper handover of station


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operations. China's rapidly advancing


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space program has become a point of


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national pride for the country and a


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source of concern for some international


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observers, particularly the United


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States. The Chinese Space Agency has


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been making remarkable progress in


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recent years with increasingly ambitious


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goals, including a crude lunar landing


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targeted for 2030. The safe return of


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the Shenzhou 19 crew underscores China's


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growing capabilities in human


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spaceflight operations. With each


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successful mission, China strengthens


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its position as one of the world's major


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space fairing nations, establishing


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itself as a significant player in what


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many are calling the second space race.


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Time to take a look at this week's


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launch roster. SpaceX's launch cadence


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continues to break records with the


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company having already completed 50


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launches in 2025 alone. This milestone


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includes their 250th dedicated Starlink


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mission, which they celebrated just last


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week. A remarkable achievement for a


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program that began just a few years ago.


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As of the beginning of this week, SpaceX


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has launched a total of


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8,367 Starlink satellites into orbit. Of


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these, 1,13 have re-entered Earth's


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atmosphere, leaving


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7,264 still in orbit. This impressive


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constellation includes 600 directto cell


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satellites with approximately 400


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currently providing active service to


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users on the ground. The most recent


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addition to the Starlink fleet took


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place on Monday when a Falcon 9 rocket


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carrying Starlink Group 1210 lifted off


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from launch complex 39A at Kennedy Space


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Center in Florida. The mission launched


00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:16.310
at 10:34 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time,


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delivering a mixed payload of V2 mini


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satellites and directtoell satellites


00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:23.990
into low Earth orbit. This particular


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mission is believed to have used booster


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B194 on its maiden flight, though SpaceX


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has not officially confirmed this.


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Following a southeasterly trajectory,


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the rocket placed its payload into an


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orbit inclined 43° at a nominal altitude


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of 559 km.


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After stage separation, the booster made


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a successful landing on SpaceX's


00:10:45.839 --> 00:10:48.350
autonomous drone ship, a shortfall of


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Gravitas, which was stationed in the


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Atlantic Ocean north of the Bahamas.


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Looking ahead, SpaceX has an ambitious


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launch schedule for the remainder of the


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week, with up to four more Starlink


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missions planned from both Florida and


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California.


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These include Starlink Group 675


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launching from Cape Canaveral, Starlink


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Group 153 from Vandenberg Space Force


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Base, and two additional missions,


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Starlink Group 684 and Starlink Group


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693, both launching from Florida on


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Sunday alone. If all these launches


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proceed as planned, SpaceX will have


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conducted 54 missions by the end of this


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week, putting the company on track to


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potentially double last year's already


00:11:30.800 --> 00:11:33.190
impressive launch total. The rapid


00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:35.030
expansion of the Starlink constellation


00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:37.350
reflects SpaceX's commitment to building


00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:39.509
a global broadband internet network


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capable of reaching even the most remote


00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:43.190
locations on Earth, while the


00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:45.829
reusability of their Falcon 9 boosters


00:11:45.839 --> 00:11:47.910
continues to revolutionize the economics


00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:50.710
of space access. In other launch news,


00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:53.269
the European Space Agency successfully


00:11:53.279 --> 00:11:55.269
deployed its newest Earth observation


00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:58.230
satellite this week. On Tuesday, the


00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:01.590
first Vega Sea rocket of 2025 lifted off


00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:04.230
from the Gana Space Center in Kuru,


00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:08.310
French Gana at 09:15 UTC. The rocket


00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:10.710
carried the highly anticipated biomass


00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:12.550
satellite, which represents a


00:12:12.560 --> 00:12:14.470
significant advancement in environmental


00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.550
monitoring


00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:17.910
technology. Biomass is the seventh in


00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:20.230
ESA's Earth Explorer mission series and


00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:24.150
weighs in at 1,170 kg. What makes this


00:12:24.160 --> 00:12:25.750
satellite truly groundbreaking is that


00:12:25.760 --> 00:12:27.590
it carries the first satellitemounted


00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:29.750
Pband synthetic aperture radar ever


00:12:29.760 --> 00:12:32.150
deployed in orbit. This specialized


00:12:32.160 --> 00:12:33.990
radar operates at longer wavelengths


00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:36.150
than previous systems, allowing its


00:12:36.160 --> 00:12:37.670
signals to penetrate through dense


00:12:37.680 --> 00:12:39.430
forest canopies rather than simply


00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:41.910
bouncing off the top. This capability


00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:43.750
will enable scientists to measure not


00:12:43.760 --> 00:12:46.230
just the surface area of forests, but


00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:47.829
also their three-dimensional structure


00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:50.870
and biomass density. Since biomass


00:12:50.880 --> 00:12:52.870
serves as a direct proxy for stored


00:12:52.880 --> 00:12:55.190
carbon, this data will be invaluable for


00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:57.590
climate research, helping scientists


00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:59.509
better understand the role forests play


00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:02.150
in the carbon cycle. Beyond forest


00:13:02.160 --> 00:13:03.990
monitoring, the biomass satellite has


00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:06.389
several additional applications. It will


00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:08.230
map subsurface geology in desert


00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:10.310
regions, analyze the internal structure


00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:12.310
of ice sheets, and even generate


00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:14.310
detailed topographical maps of forest


00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:16.550
floors. All capabilities that were


00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:19.430
previously impossible from space. The


00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:21.590
satellite features an impressive 12meter


00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.230
diameter fine mesh reflector supported


00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:28.069
by a 7.5 m long boom. This delicate


00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:29.750
structure must be deployed carefully


00:13:29.760 --> 00:13:31.670
once in orbit with the reflector


00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:33.430
unfurling through an umbrella-like


00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:35.350
mechanism in a process that takes about


00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:38.389
20 minutes. However, this can only


00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:40.949
happen after the boom is fully extended.


00:13:40.959 --> 00:13:43.269
A meticulous operation that requires 3


00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:46.150
days to complete as each segment extends


00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:47.750
sequentially.


00:13:47.760 --> 00:13:50.150
The Vega CE rocket that carried biomass


00:13:50.160 --> 00:13:53.829
to its 660 km suns synchronous orbit is


00:13:53.839 --> 00:13:55.670
itself an upgraded version of the


00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:58.069
original Vega launcher. It features


00:13:58.079 --> 00:14:00.629
larger first and second stages, upgrades


00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:03.030
to the third and fourth stages, and a


00:14:03.040 --> 00:14:05.509
wider payload fairing. The rocket's


00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:08.870
first stage is powered by a P120C solid


00:14:08.880 --> 00:14:11.189
rocket motor, the same booster that will


00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:13.750
be used on the new Arani 6 rocket,


00:14:13.760 --> 00:14:16.389
creating cost-saving commonality across


00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:19.670
Aryan Space's launch fleet. The biomass


00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:21.269
mission is expected to operate for at


00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:23.910
least 5 years, providing critical data


00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:25.670
that will enhance our understanding of


00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:28.069
Earth's forests and their role in


00:14:28.079 --> 00:14:31.030
regulating our planet's climate.


00:14:31.040 --> 00:14:33.509
Finally, today, space enthusiasts and


00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.870
history buffs will soon have a new


00:14:34.880 --> 00:14:36.949
podcast to add to their listening queue.


00:14:36.959 --> 00:14:39.430
A dramatic new audio series titled Buzz


00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:41.509
is set to launch on May 6th, featuring


00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:43.430
acclaimed actor John Lithco, portraying


00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:46.629
Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. While


00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:48.389
most of us know the story of Aluldren as


00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:50.069
the second man to walk on the moon


00:14:50.079 --> 00:14:52.629
alongside Neil Armstrong, this podcast


00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:55.910
promises to delve much deeper. As Lithgo


00:14:55.920 --> 00:14:57.990
narrates in the trailer, "That's the


00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.910
story you think you know. This is the


00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:02.470
story you don't. Written by Steven


00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:04.150
Cronish, known for his work on the


00:15:04.160 --> 00:15:07.110
television series 24. The podcast is


00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:09.829
described as a riveting human drama that


00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:12.069
examines both the Apollo 11 mission and


00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:13.829
the personal struggles Aldren faced


00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:16.069
throughout his life. The series will


00:15:16.079 --> 00:15:17.790
explore how Aldron confronted his own


00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:20.870
frailties, overcame generational demons,


00:15:20.880 --> 00:15:22.269
worked to repair fractured


00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:24.550
relationships, and ultimately triumphed


00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:27.269
over addiction. The production features


00:15:27.279 --> 00:15:29.350
an impressive cast with Lithco


00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:31.430
portraying Aluldren in his later years


00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:33.829
and Jeffrey Erand playing the astronaut


00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:36.949
during the Apollo 11 era. Director John


00:15:36.959 --> 00:15:38.550
Scott Dryden highlighted that the


00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:41.430
podcast puts listeners at the heart of


00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:43.990
the action in what he calls an immersive


00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.790
space drama in audio. While Aldron


00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:48.870
himself, now 95, wasn't directly


00:15:48.880 --> 00:15:50.870
involved in the production, the series


00:15:50.880 --> 00:15:52.710
draws from the extensive writings and


00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:55.269
interviews he's given over the years.


00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:57.470
Through four published memoirs between


00:15:57.480 --> 00:16:00.790
1973 and 2016, Aluldren has been


00:16:00.800 --> 00:16:02.710
remarkably candid about the immense


00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:05.189
pressure from his parents, his complex


00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:07.509
relationships with fellow astronauts,


00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:09.430
his failed marriages, and his battle


00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:11.430
with alcoholism.


00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:13.189
The podcast aims to reveal a more


00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:15.110
complete picture of Uldren's story, not


00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.790
just celebrating him for his historic


00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:18.790
moonwalk, but for the perhaps more


00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:20.389
difficult journey he undertook after


00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:23.030
returning to Earth. As Lithgo explains


00:16:23.040 --> 00:16:25.430
in the trailer, Aluldren became a true


00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:27.670
hero, not because he conquers space, but


00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:29.910
because he conquers himself. Buzz


00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:31.430
represents a collaboration between


00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:33.990
iHeart Podcasts and Thoroughbred Studios


00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.509
with production by Gold Hawk


00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.829
Productions. The series is part of a


00:16:37.839 --> 00:16:39.509
broader initiative to reimagine


00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:41.350
significant moments in American history


00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:44.350
through highquality audio


00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:46.550
storytelling. And that brings us to the


00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:48.550
end of another action-packed episode of


00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:51.189
Astronomy Daily. What a week in space


00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:53.670
it's been. From the unfortunate failure


00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:55.990
of Fireflyy's Alpha rocket sending


00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:58.069
Loheed Martin satellite into the Pacific


00:16:58.079 --> 00:17:00.710
instead of orbit to New Zealand's modest


00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:03.110
but significant step into military space


00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:05.390
operations with their new 15 person


00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:08.309
squadron. We've tracked China's Shenzh


00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:10.789
19 spacecraft and its crew safely


00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:12.710
returning to Earth after their six-month


00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:14.630
mission aboard the Chiang Gong Space


00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:16.789
Station, where they've been conducting


00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:18.710
fascinating experiments, including


00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:21.029
testing those lunar soil bricks that


00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.870
could one day help build humanity's


00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:26.230
first moon base. SpaceX continues its


00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:28.309
relentless pace with multiple Starlink


00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:30.470
launches planned this week alone, adding


00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:32.470
to the more than 7,000 satellites


00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:34.870
already in orbit. and of course the


00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:36.230
successful launch of ESA's


00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.990
groundbreaking biomass satellite which


00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.909
will give us unprecedented insights into


00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:42.390
our planet's forests and carbon storage.


00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.909
I'm particularly looking forward to that


00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:46.549
new Buzz podcast about Aluldren. It's


00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:48.150
always fascinating to look beyond the


00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:50.390
iconic moments in space history and


00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:52.350
understand the very human stories behind


00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:54.470
them. Thanks so much for joining me


00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:57.110
today on Astronomy Daily. I'm Anna and


00:17:57.120 --> 00:17:58.950
I'll be back soon with more stories from


00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:01.590
beyond our atmosphere. In the meantime,


00:18:01.600 --> 00:18:04.150
why not visit us at astronomydaily.i io


00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.830
where you can sign up for our free daily


00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:07.669
newsletter. Catch up on all the latest


00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:09.270
space and astronomy news with our


00:18:09.280 --> 00:18:11.430
constantly updating news feed and listen


00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:13.110
to all our back episodes whenever the


00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:15.750
cosmic curiosity strikes you. Until next


00:18:15.760 --> 00:18:19.540
time, keep looking up.


00:18:19.550 --> 00:18:28.470
[Music]


00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:31.190
Stories


00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:35.390
[Music]


00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:39.120
told stories