NASA’s Solar Probe Milestone, Space Piracy

WEBVTT
Kind: captions
Language: en

00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:03.030
welcome to Astronomy Daily i'm Anna and


00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:04.950
you're tuned in to your essential source


00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:07.150
for the latest developments beyond our


00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:09.350
atmosphere we've got a packed episode


00:00:09.360 --> 00:00:11.110
for you today as we journey from the


00:00:11.120 --> 00:00:13.589
scorching vicinity of our sun all the


00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:15.430
way to the emerging frontiers of space


00:00:15.440 --> 00:00:18.150
law and security our cosmic journey


00:00:18.160 --> 00:00:20.950
begins close to home well relatively


00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:23.509
speaking as NASA's Parker Solar Probe


00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:25.670
completes its 23rd close approach to the


00:00:25.680 --> 00:00:28.150
sun matching its own impressive records


00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:30.310
for both proximity and speed this


00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:32.310
intrepid spacecraft continues to push


00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:33.670
the boundaries of what we can learn


00:00:33.680 --> 00:00:35.830
about our star then we'll look into a


00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:38.069
mysterious blue spiral that captivated


00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:40.549
skygazers across Europe this week the


00:00:40.559 --> 00:00:42.869
spectacular phenomenon had social media


00:00:42.879 --> 00:00:44.709
buzzing with theories ranging from the


00:00:44.719 --> 00:00:47.350
scientific to the extraterrestrial will


00:00:47.360 --> 00:00:48.709
reveal what really caused this


00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:51.830
memerizing celestial light show looking


00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:54.229
toward humanity's future among the stars


00:00:54.239 --> 00:00:57.029
we'll explore how 3D printing technology


00:00:57.039 --> 00:00:59.110
may be the key that unlocks sustainable


00:00:59.120 --> 00:01:01.830
living on other worlds just as early


00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:03.270
pioneers had to adapt to new


00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:05.590
environments using local resources


00:01:05.600 --> 00:01:07.109
future space colonists will need


00:01:07.119 --> 00:01:09.109
innovative solutions to survive on the


00:01:09.119 --> 00:01:11.830
moon and Mars we'll also check in on


00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:14.149
NASA astronauts Sunni Williams and Butch


00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:16.390
Wilmore who recently returned to Earth


00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:18.870
after an unexpectedly extended 9-month


00:01:18.880 --> 00:01:20.630
stay aboard the International Space


00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:22.789
Station their prolonged exposure to


00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:25.030
microgravity has resulted in fascinating


00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:26.950
physical changes and we'll discuss what


00:01:26.960 --> 00:01:29.429
their recovery process might look like


00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:31.270
finally we'll venture into more


00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:33.429
speculative territory with a look at an


00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:35.590
emerging concern that might sound like


00:01:35.600 --> 00:01:37.830
science fiction but is being taken very


00:01:37.840 --> 00:01:42.149
seriously by experts space piracy as


00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:44.550
commercial activities in orbit expand


00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:46.230
security specialists are warning that


00:01:46.240 --> 00:01:48.149
criminal exploitation may not be far


00:01:48.159 --> 00:01:51.030
behind so whether you're a casual space


00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:53.109
enthusiast or a dedicated follower of


00:01:53.119 --> 00:01:55.910
astronomical advances stay with us as we


00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:57.670
explore these fascinating developments


00:01:57.680 --> 00:01:59.429
from across the cosmos on today's


00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:02.749
edition of Astronomy Daily let's get


00:02:02.759 --> 00:02:05.590
started nasa's Parker Solar Probe has


00:02:05.600 --> 00:02:07.670
achieved another remarkable milestone in


00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:10.150
its mission to study our star up close


00:02:10.160 --> 00:02:12.710
on March 22nd the spacecraft completed


00:02:12.720 --> 00:02:15.110
its 23rd close approach to the sun


00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:18.070
reaching perihelion at 6:42 p.m eastern


00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:20.470
Daylight Time during this close


00:02:20.480 --> 00:02:22.710
encounter the probe once again equaled


00:02:22.720 --> 00:02:24.710
its own impressive distance record


00:02:24.720 --> 00:02:27.270
coming within approximately 3.8 million


00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:29.750
miles of the sun's surface to put this


00:02:29.760 --> 00:02:32.309
incredible proximity into perspective


00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:34.470
that's about 4% of the distance between


00:02:34.480 --> 00:02:37.509
Earth and the Sun at this close range


00:02:37.519 --> 00:02:39.509
the Parker Solar Probe experiences


00:02:39.519 --> 00:02:41.070
temperatures that would melt most


00:02:41.080 --> 00:02:42.869
spacecraft but thanks to its


00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:45.190
revolutionary heat shield it continues


00:02:45.200 --> 00:02:47.910
to operate in this extreme environment


00:02:47.920 --> 00:02:49.990
the probe didn't just match its distance


00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:52.550
record it also matched its speed record


00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:54.270
hurtling around the sun at a


00:02:54.280 --> 00:03:00.390
mind-boggling 430,000 mph or 692,000 km


00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:02.710
hour that's fast enough to travel from


00:03:02.720 --> 00:03:04.790
New York to Los Angeles in just over 20


00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:07.430
seconds this incredible velocity makes


00:03:07.440 --> 00:03:10.030
Parker the fastest humanmade object ever


00:03:10.040 --> 00:03:12.470
created mission operators at the John's


00:03:12.480 --> 00:03:14.390
Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in


00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:16.790
Laurel Maryland where the spacecraft was


00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:18.949
designed and built received a beacon


00:03:18.959 --> 00:03:21.190
tone on Tuesday confirming that the


00:03:21.200 --> 00:03:23.030
probe was in good health with all


00:03:23.040 --> 00:03:25.430
systems operating normally despite the


00:03:25.440 --> 00:03:26.949
intense conditions it had just


00:03:26.959 --> 00:03:28.470
experienced


00:03:28.480 --> 00:03:30.470
this perihelion marked the midpoint of


00:03:30.480 --> 00:03:33.110
the probe's 23rd solar encounter which


00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:34.949
began on March 18th and continued


00:03:34.959 --> 00:03:37.670
through March 27th during these close


00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:39.670
approaches Parker Solar Probe conducts


00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:41.670
unrivaled scientific measurements of the


00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:43.830
solar wind the stream of charged


00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:45.910
particles flowing from the sun and


00:03:45.920 --> 00:03:48.309
related solar activity the data


00:03:48.319 --> 00:03:50.070
collected during these encounters is


00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:51.830
transforming our understanding of the


00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:54.869
sun's outer atmosphere called the corona


00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:56.949
and helping scientists solve


00:03:56.959 --> 00:03:58.750
longstanding solar


00:03:58.760 --> 00:04:00.949
mysteries one of the biggest questions


00:04:00.959 --> 00:04:03.110
involves why the corona is millions of


00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:04.869
degrees hotter than the sun's visible


00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:07.350
surface which defies what we'd expect to


00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:09.990
see as you move away from a heat source


00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:11.910
parker's measurements are also critical


00:04:11.920 --> 00:04:13.830
for understanding how solar eruptions


00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:16.069
affect space weather which can impact


00:04:16.079 --> 00:04:18.069
satellites power grids and


00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:20.949
telecommunication systems back on Earth


00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:23.749
by understanding these solar processes


00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.830
scientists hope to improve forecasting


00:04:25.840 --> 00:04:28.629
of potentially damaging solar storms


00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:30.310
this mission continues to push the


00:04:30.320 --> 00:04:31.990
boundaries of engineering and scientific


00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:34.550
discovery with each close approach


00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.230
Parker Solar Probe ventures into


00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:37.830
territory no spacecraft has ever


00:04:37.840 --> 00:04:39.909
explored before sending back valuable


00:04:39.919 --> 00:04:42.550
data from the very edge of our star as


00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:44.230
it continues its planned series of


00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:46.870
increasingly close solar encounters we


00:04:46.880 --> 00:04:48.629
can expect even more groundbreaking


00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:50.390
discoveries about the star that makes


00:04:50.400 --> 00:04:51.950
life on Earth


00:04:51.960 --> 00:04:54.310
possible next up a mystery for our


00:04:54.320 --> 00:04:55.990
European listeners has been solved with


00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:58.469
a rather straightforward answer a


00:04:58.479 --> 00:05:00.469
mysterious blue spiral lit up the night


00:05:00.479 --> 00:05:02.950
skies across Europe on March 24th


00:05:02.960 --> 00:05:04.710
creating a social media frenzy as


00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:07.270
residents from the UK Croatia Poland and


00:05:07.280 --> 00:05:10.070
Hungary shared photos and videos of the


00:05:10.080 --> 00:05:12.950
strange celestial phenomenon the eerie


00:05:12.960 --> 00:05:14.950
blue whirlpool which many compared to a


00:05:14.960 --> 00:05:17.670
spiral galaxy prompted wild speculation


00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.749
about its origin with some even


00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:21.270
suggesting it might be evidence of


00:05:21.280 --> 00:05:24.310
extraterrestrial visitors one observer


00:05:24.320 --> 00:05:26.390
initially thought it was the moon behind


00:05:26.400 --> 00:05:28.070
clouds until it started moving with


00:05:28.080 --> 00:05:30.950
spiraling light emanating from it others


00:05:30.960 --> 00:05:32.870
watched in awe as the spectacular


00:05:32.880 --> 00:05:35.110
formation expanded and persisted in the


00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:37.510
sky for several minutes before gradually


00:05:37.520 --> 00:05:40.310
fading away the site was particularly


00:05:40.320 --> 00:05:42.950
striking against the dark European skies


00:05:42.960 --> 00:05:45.189
appearing as an icy blue vortex that


00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.670
seemed almost otherworldly


00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:49.590
despite the alien theories circulating


00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:51.830
online the explanation is rooted in


00:05:51.840 --> 00:05:53.670
modern space technology rather than


00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:56.150
science fiction the spiral was actually


00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:59.029
created by a Space X Falcon 9 rocket


00:05:59.039 --> 00:06:01.029
that had launched earlier that day from


00:06:01.039 --> 00:06:03.150
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in


00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:05.270
Florida the rocket was carrying the


00:06:05.280 --> 00:06:07.830
secretive NRL 69 mission for the


00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:09.990
National Reconnaissance Office when it


00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:12.070
created this unexpected light show


00:06:12.080 --> 00:06:14.870
thousands of miles away what witnesses


00:06:14.880 --> 00:06:17.150
observed is sometimes called a SpaceX


00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:19.749
spiral a phenomenon that occurs after


00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.309
the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket has


00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:24.870
separated from its first stage booster


00:06:24.880 --> 00:06:26.710
while the lower stage returns to Earth


00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:29.189
for recovery minutes after launch the


00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:31.110
upper stage continues its journey to


00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:33.510
deliver its payload to orbit after


00:06:33.520 --> 00:06:35.830
releasing its cargo the upper stage


00:06:35.840 --> 00:06:38.629
begins its own descent back to Earth


00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:40.390
during this descent the upper stage


00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:41.830
enters a spinning motion while


00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:43.950
simultaneously venting any remaining


00:06:43.960 --> 00:06:46.390
fuel at the high altitude where this


00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:48.629
occurs the expelled fuel instantly


00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:50.950
freezes in the cold vacuum of space


00:06:50.960 --> 00:06:52.629
creating a swirling pattern that


00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:54.390
perfectly preserves the spinning motion


00:06:54.400 --> 00:06:56.870
of the booster when sunlight reflects


00:06:56.880 --> 00:06:59.270
off this frozen fuel form it produces


00:06:59.280 --> 00:07:01.270
the stunning spiral that captivated


00:07:01.280 --> 00:07:04.070
European sky watchers physicist and


00:07:04.080 --> 00:07:06.150
science communicator Brian Cox took to


00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:07.990
social media to reassure concerned


00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:10.230
citizens that the event was indeed


00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:12.629
associated with the SpaceX launch and


00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:15.189
not something more alarming amateur


00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:17.350
astronomers and smartphone photographers


00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:19.110
captured remarkable images of the


00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:21.270
phenomenon with some describing it as


00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:24.150
unforgettable and stunning while these


00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:26.390
SpaceX spirals remain relatively rare


00:07:26.400 --> 00:07:28.870
sightings they may become more common as


00:07:28.880 --> 00:07:30.469
the frequency of rocket launches


00:07:30.479 --> 00:07:32.790
continues to increase as commercial


00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:35.510
space activities ramp up worldwide these


00:07:35.520 --> 00:07:37.830
spectacular but harmless light shows


00:07:37.840 --> 00:07:39.749
could become a more familiar sight in


00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:42.469
our night skies one social media user


00:07:42.479 --> 00:07:44.469
humorously expressed disappointment at


00:07:44.479 --> 00:07:46.950
the rational explanation writing that


00:07:46.960 --> 00:07:49.749
they wished it was an invasion so they


00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:52.550
could use the time off work but for most


00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.469
observers witnessing this rare and


00:07:54.479 --> 00:07:56.309
beautiful cosmic spectacle was more than


00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:58.309
enough excitement for one evening even


00:07:58.319 --> 00:07:59.909
if it didn't herald the arrival of


00:07:59.919 --> 00:08:02.550
visitors from another world


00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:04.430
while on the subject of visiting other


00:08:04.440 --> 00:08:07.350
worlds throughout history when pioneers


00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:09.909
ventured into uncharted territories they


00:08:09.919 --> 00:08:12.390
carried only the essentials and relied


00:08:12.400 --> 00:08:16.230
on local resources to build new lives in


00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:18.790
the coming era of space exploration


00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:20.469
astronauts will face even greater


00:08:20.479 --> 00:08:22.629
challenges than those early settlers but


00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:25.189
with one crucial technological advantage


00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:27.430
3D printing unlike the Vikings who


00:08:27.440 --> 00:08:29.670
reached Greenland with axes and plows


00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:31.350
today's space pioneers will bring


00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:33.269
advanced manufacturing capabilities that


00:08:33.279 --> 00:08:35.269
can transform the alien environments of


00:08:35.279 --> 00:08:38.029
the moon and Mars into habitable


00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:40.469
outposts these remarkable machines will


00:08:40.479 --> 00:08:42.070
be essential for extending human


00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:44.149
presence beyond Earth allowing


00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:46.630
astronauts to create tools structures


00:08:46.640 --> 00:08:48.389
and habitats for materials found on


00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:50.949
these distant worlds the technology is


00:08:50.959 --> 00:08:52.949
already proving its value in space


00:08:52.959 --> 00:08:55.110
aboard the International Space Station


00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:57.430
astronauts regularly use 3D printers to


00:08:57.440 --> 00:09:00.070
manufacture tools and spare parts from


00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:02.710
ratchet wrenches to brackets and clamps


00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:04.710
these items can be produced in hours


00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:06.389
rather than waiting months for supplies


00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:09.590
from Earth nasa has even begun recycling


00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:11.350
waste plastic to create new components


00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:13.670
with the Refabricator an advanced


00:09:13.680 --> 00:09:15.310
printer installed in


00:09:15.320 --> 00:09:17.590
2019 why not simply bring everything


00:09:17.600 --> 00:09:19.750
from Earth the answer comes down to


00:09:19.760 --> 00:09:22.070
economics and practicality


00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:23.750
launching materials into space is


00:09:23.760 --> 00:09:25.990
prohibitively expensive with NASA


00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:28.870
estimating costs around $500,000 per


00:09:28.880 --> 00:09:31.269
pound just to reach the moon building


00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:33.190
sustainable outposts requires using


00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:35.750
resources available at the destination a


00:09:35.760 --> 00:09:37.630
concept known as insitu resource


00:09:37.640 --> 00:09:39.590
utilization the primary building


00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:41.990
material on both the moon and Mars will


00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:44.790
likely be regalith the fine dusty


00:09:44.800 --> 00:09:47.590
sandlike particles covering these worlds


00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:49.990
unlike Earth soil regalith contains few


00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:52.230
nutrients and no living organisms but


00:09:52.240 --> 00:09:54.150
researchers believe it could serve as an


00:09:54.160 --> 00:09:55.509
excellent printing medium for


00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:57.750
constructing protective structures these


00:09:57.760 --> 00:09:59.670
habitats must shield astronauts from


00:09:59.680 --> 00:10:01.509
extreme temperature fluctuations


00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:04.230
radiation micromedorite impacts and the


00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:06.630
absence of breathable atmosphere


00:10:06.640 --> 00:10:08.630
engineering teams are exploring several


00:10:08.640 --> 00:10:11.030
promising approaches some are developing


00:10:11.040 --> 00:10:13.350
a regalith based concrete partially made


00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:15.430
from surface ice others are


00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:17.110
experimenting with melting regalith at


00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.269
high temperatures and molding it while


00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:21.829
liquid or using concentrated sunlight


00:10:21.839 --> 00:10:24.150
lasers or microwaves to fuse particles


00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:26.870
together without requiring binders a


00:10:26.880 --> 00:10:27.949
process


00:10:27.959 --> 00:10:30.949
called one team at NASA's moon to Mars


00:10:30.959 --> 00:10:32.630
planetary autonomous construction


00:10:32.640 --> 00:10:35.910
technology program created Marsrete a


00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:38.470
special concrete used to 3D print a test


00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:42.389
structure in 2017 by 2019 they had


00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:44.790
constructed a 1-/3 scale prototype Mars


00:10:44.800 --> 00:10:47.110
habitat using similar technology


00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:49.269
complete with living sleeping research


00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:51.509
and food production modules these


00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:53.870
innovations face significant technical


00:10:53.880 --> 00:10:55.990
hurdles manufacturing behaves


00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:57.269
differently in reduced gravity


00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:59.350
environments with materials cooling and


00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:01.990
crystallizing in unexpected ways the


00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:04.630
moon has just 16th Earth's gravity while


00:11:04.640 --> 00:11:07.350
Mars has about twoths additionally


00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.949
researchers must work with simulated


00:11:08.959 --> 00:11:11.110
regalith since actual lunar and Martian


00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:13.910
materials are scarce or inaccible the


00:11:13.920 --> 00:11:15.509
composition differs significantly


00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:17.910
between worlds lunar regalith consists


00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:19.990
mostly of silicates and is extremely


00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:22.310
fine and angular while Martian regalith


00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:24.470
contains iron oxide giving it its


00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:26.870
characteristic reddish color the


00:11:26.880 --> 00:11:28.470
technology being developed for space


00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:30.630
habitats is already finding applications


00:11:30.640 --> 00:11:33.269
on Earth engineers are adapting these


00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:35.829
techniques to address housing shortages


00:11:35.839 --> 00:11:38.069
creating affordable 3D printed homes


00:11:38.079 --> 00:11:40.230
from locally sourced materials and


00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:42.630
recycled construction debris this


00:11:42.640 --> 00:11:44.230
practical spin-off demonstrates how


00:11:44.240 --> 00:11:46.389
space research often yields unexpected


00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:49.190
benefits for terrestrial problems as


00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.949
humanity prepares to establish a


00:11:50.959 --> 00:11:53.110
permanent presence beyond Earth with


00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:55.350
Artemis 3 scheduled to return humans to


00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:57.990
the lunar surface in 2027 and a


00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.350
potential Mars mission as early as


00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:03.110
2035 3D printing technology will


00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:05.110
undoubtedly be among the most essential


00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:07.910
tools enabling people to truly live off


00:12:07.920 --> 00:12:10.470
alien land transforming these hostile


00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:13.150
environments into humanity's second


00:12:13.160 --> 00:12:16.710
home next a little catchup nasa


00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:18.790
astronauts Sunni Williams and Butch


00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:20.949
Wilmore have finally touched down on


00:12:20.959 --> 00:12:23.110
Earth after what can only be described


00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:25.430
as an unexpectedly extended mission


00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:28.069
aboard the International Space Station


00:12:28.079 --> 00:12:29.990
originally scheduled for a brief stay


00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:32.069
after arriving last June technical


00:12:32.079 --> 00:12:33.750
issues with their Boeing Starlininer


00:12:33.760 --> 00:12:36.150
spacecraft left them stranded in orbit


00:12:36.160 --> 00:12:39.190
for a remarkable 9 months their capsule


00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:41.110
splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico or


00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.829
is that the Gulf of America these days


00:12:43.839 --> 00:12:46.710
on March 18th bringing to an end a


00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:49.150
mission that saw them complete over


00:12:49.160 --> 00:12:52.990
4,500 orbits around Earth and travel an


00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:56.389
astounding 121 million miles while the


00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:58.629
mission may have concluded the physical


00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:00.470
journey for these astronauts is far from


00:13:00.480 --> 00:13:03.509
over extended exposure to zeroravity


00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:05.509
environments triggers profound changes


00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:07.910
in the human body many of which are


00:13:07.920 --> 00:13:10.550
already visible in Williams and Wilmore


00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:13.030
comparison photos taken before and after


00:13:13.040 --> 00:13:15.670
their mission reveal noticeable physical


00:13:15.680 --> 00:13:17.829
differences that scientists are now


00:13:17.839 --> 00:13:21.110
studying carefully dr christopher Mason


00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:23.750
a professor at Wild Cornell Medicine


00:13:23.760 --> 00:13:25.590
explains that astronauts typically


00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:28.150
experience temporary increases in height


00:13:28.160 --> 00:13:30.230
and general leanness upon returning to


00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.870
Earth this occurs alongside significant


00:13:32.880 --> 00:13:34.949
changes in gene expression and telmir


00:13:34.959 --> 00:13:37.110
length the protective caps at the end of


00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.790
chromosomes that typically lengthen


00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:41.350
during space flight all of it is at


00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:43.750
least on some measures transient Dr


00:13:43.760 --> 00:13:46.550
mason notes most of it is a response to


00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:48.790
space flight and usually in a few weeks


00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:50.949
they're mostly back to normal it's the


00:13:50.959 --> 00:13:52.710
first few days that are the most really


00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:55.509
dynamic when they get back to Earth


00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:57.310
those first days can be particularly


00:13:57.320 --> 00:14:00.230
challenging former NASA astronaut Jose M


00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:02.870
hernandez who spent 14 days in orbit


00:14:02.880 --> 00:14:05.670
recalls his own return i remember my


00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:07.910
first two words when I came down was


00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:10.470
gravity sucks because your body starts


00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:13.670
adapting and you've got to recalibrate


00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:15.629
your vestibular balance


00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:17.990
system the physical challenges facing


00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:20.550
Williams and Wilmore are substantial


00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:22.629
muscle atrophy from limited movement


00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:24.870
reduced bone density increased mineral


00:14:24.880 --> 00:14:27.269
content in their bodies and neurological


00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:30.069
shifts including disorientation are all


00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:32.949
common postspace symptoms their bodies


00:14:32.959 --> 00:14:34.550
have also likely experienced blood


00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:36.790
volume reduction decreased aerobic


00:14:36.800 --> 00:14:38.949
capacity and potentially compromised


00:14:38.959 --> 00:14:39.790
immune


00:14:39.800 --> 00:14:42.629
systems immediately after landing both


00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.470
astronauts were transported to medical


00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:46.750
facilities for comprehensive


00:14:46.760 --> 00:14:49.110
evaluations they now face what could be


00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:51.230
months of intensive physical therapy and


00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:53.590
rehabilitation as their bodies readjust


00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:56.030
to Earth's gravity as Hernandez


00:14:56.040 --> 00:14:58.230
predicted it's going to take a couple of


00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:00.069
months before they feel kind of normal


00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:02.670
back here on Earth these physical


00:15:02.680 --> 00:15:05.030
adaptations highlight the extraordinary


00:15:05.040 --> 00:15:07.430
sacrifices astronauts make in the name


00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.829
of scientific


00:15:08.839 --> 00:15:10.949
advancement the data collected from


00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:12.870
Williams and Wilmore's extended stay


00:15:12.880 --> 00:15:15.829
will prove invaluable for NASA's ongoing


00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:17.670
research into the effects of long


00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:19.990
duration spaceflight critical knowledge


00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:21.829
as the agency prepares for future


00:15:21.839 --> 00:15:24.710
missions to the moon and Mars their


00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:27.189
unexpected 9-month journey has


00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:29.350
inadvertently provided scientists with a


00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:31.350
rare opportunity to study prolonged


00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:33.750
space exposure potentially helping


00:15:33.760 --> 00:15:35.110
researchers develop better


00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:37.350
countermeasures for future astronauts


00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:39.670
embarking on deep space missions where


00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:41.350
returns to Earth won't be measured in


00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:43.069
months but


00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:46.069
years finally today a subject you


00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:47.910
probably haven't given much if any


00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:51.430
thought to but a problem is looming ahoy


00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:53.829
space enthusiasts just when you thought


00:15:53.839 --> 00:15:55.590
the final frontier couldn't get any more


00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.829
intriguing a new concern has emerged


00:15:57.839 --> 00:15:59.509
that sounds like it belongs in a science


00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:03.350
fiction novel space piracy yes you heard


00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:05.749
that right experts are now warning that


00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:08.550
the growing commercialization of space


00:16:08.560 --> 00:16:11.590
is bringing with it the very real threat


00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:13.509
of criminal activity beyond our


00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:16.150
atmosphere the Center for the Study of


00:16:16.160 --> 00:16:18.269
Space Crime Policy and Governance or


00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:21.189
CSCPG is at the forefront of examining


00:16:21.199 --> 00:16:23.670
this emerging risk their message is


00:16:23.680 --> 00:16:25.910
clear and comes with a touch of humor


00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:27.430
you may not be interested in space


00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:29.430
piracy but space pirates are interested


00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:32.870
in you mark Feldman the cent's executive


00:16:32.880 --> 00:16:34.870
director and Hugh Taylor a specialist in


00:16:34.880 --> 00:16:37.189
cyber security have co-authored a book


00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:39.670
titled Space Piracy: Preparing for a


00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:42.150
Criminal Crisis in Orbit they describe


00:16:42.160 --> 00:16:44.949
their work as speculative non-fiction


00:16:44.959 --> 00:16:46.870
emphasizing that while space piracy


00:16:46.880 --> 00:16:49.030
hasn't fully materialized they believe


00:16:49.040 --> 00:16:51.430
it's only a matter of time what's


00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.870
particularly concerning is their


00:16:52.880 --> 00:16:54.550
assertion that early forms of space


00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:56.110
crime are already


00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:58.389
underway we are arguing that it's


00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:00.790
already started in very early stages


00:17:00.800 --> 00:17:03.189
with attempts to hack satellites Taylor


00:17:03.199 --> 00:17:05.909
explains as commercial activities in


00:17:05.919 --> 00:17:08.150
space accelerate they anticipate both


00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:10.309
physical and digital attacks on valuable


00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:12.630
space assets potentially beginning with


00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:14.069
disruptions to Earth-based


00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:16.309
infrastructure like launch facilities or


00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:18.789
ground stations one scenario Feldman


00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:20.549
envisions involves criminals taking


00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:22.390
control of a broadcast satellite in


00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:24.870
geocynchronous Earth orbit to disrupt a


00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:26.870
major global media event like the World


00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:29.669
Cup the pirates might demand either pay


00:17:29.679 --> 00:17:31.270
a very large amount to ensure the


00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:34.390
televised event or it goes dark and


00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:37.029
other blackouts will follow sounds like


00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:38.950
something out of a James Bond film


00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:41.110
doesn't it satellites involved in


00:17:41.120 --> 00:17:42.789
shipping are also considered highly


00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:45.510
vulnerable targets so how do we protect


00:17:45.520 --> 00:17:47.990
against these celestial buccaneers the


00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.750
experts suggest we need a dedicated


00:17:49.760 --> 00:17:52.470
agency to coordinate efforts


00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:54.390
while the US Space Force might seem like


00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:56.630
the logical choice they currently lack


00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:58.630
the specific structure and mandate for


00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.310
this


00:17:59.320 --> 00:18:02.150
mission interestingly Taylor points out


00:18:02.160 --> 00:18:05.430
that the US Navy with its 250 years of


00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:08.230
experience combating maritime piracy


00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:10.710
could be invaluable if given the proper


00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:13.270
legal authority on the international


00:18:13.280 --> 00:18:15.350
front the United Nations Office for


00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:17.430
Outer Space Affairs may provide the best


00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:19.270
venue for bringing together the diverse


00:18:19.280 --> 00:18:20.789
stakeholders needed to address this


00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.870
issue


00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:23.830
comprehensively people don't like the


00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:26.630
United Nations Taylor acknowledges but


00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.310
it arguably is the only venue where


00:18:28.320 --> 00:18:30.710
everyone can come together and talk


00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.470
feldman emphasizes the need for


00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:34.230
developing new weapons and rapid


00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:36.950
response capabilities as of now there is


00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:39.190
no way to quickly respond he warns


00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:41.190
suggesting that small agile and


00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:43.590
appropriately armed spacecraft might be


00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:45.110
essential for dealing with hostage


00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:47.110
situations on commercial space stations


00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:49.830
or similar emergencies the historical


00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:52.310
parallel isn't lost on these researchers


00:18:52.320 --> 00:18:54.630
pirates of old drove innovation in ship


00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.789
building as colonial shipyards from New


00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:59.350
England to the Carolinas designed faster


00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:01.110
sleeker vessels specifically for their


00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:03.750
pirate customers similarly combating


00:19:03.760 --> 00:19:05.750
space piracy may spur technological


00:19:05.760 --> 00:19:08.470
development in ways we can't yet imagine


00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.150
the experts stress that the United


00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.909
States intelligence community and space


00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:15.029
force need to expand their focus beyond


00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:17.909
nation state threats like China Russia


00:19:17.919 --> 00:19:20.310
Iran and North Korea to include


00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:21.789
non-state


00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:24.150
actors once this understanding is


00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:26.870
digested Feldman concludes creative


00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:28.870
responses to prevent and mitigate these


00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:31.350
threats will follow as we venture


00:19:31.360 --> 00:19:33.110
further into the commercial development


00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:35.270
of space with private companies


00:19:35.280 --> 00:19:37.430
launching satellites building space


00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:40.390
stations and planning lunar bases the


00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:42.230
legal and security frameworks that


00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:44.909
govern these activities must evolve


00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:47.590
accordingly otherwise the high seas of


00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:49.430
Earth orbit might indeed become the next


00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.950
hunting ground for those seeking to


00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:53.270
plunder the valuable resources now


00:19:53.280 --> 00:19:55.390
floating above our


00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:58.070
heads well that brings us to the end of


00:19:58.080 --> 00:20:00.549
today's journey through the cosmos from


00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:02.630
the Parker Solar Probes record-breaking


00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:04.950
close approach to the sun to the


00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:07.510
spectacular blue spiral that captivated


00:20:07.520 --> 00:20:10.630
European sky watchers to the innovative


00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:12.789
3D printing technologies that will help


00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:15.029
us build homes on other worlds to our


00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:17.070
returning astronauts and their physical


00:20:17.080 --> 00:20:19.110
transformations and finally to the


00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:21.470
emerging frontier of space security


00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:24.029
challenges the universe continues to


00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:27.750
amaze challenge and inspire us i'd like


00:20:27.760 --> 00:20:29.430
to thank you for spending the last 20


00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:31.590
minutes with Astronomy Daily i'm your


00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:33.909
host Anna and it's been my pleasure to


00:20:33.919 --> 00:20:36.070
bring you these fascinating developments


00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:38.470
from beyond our atmosphere for more


00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.310
space content and in-depth coverage of


00:20:40.320 --> 00:20:41.990
these stories please visit our website


00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.149
at


00:20:43.159 --> 00:20:44.870
astronomydaily.io we're constantly


00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:46.870
updating with news articles images and


00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:48.950
blog posts you can also join our


00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:50.630
community of space enthusiasts by


00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.950
following us on social media just search


00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:55.430
for Astro Daily Pod on X Facebook


00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:57.590
Instagram YouTube and Tik Tok for daily


00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:59.909
updates stunning visuals and


00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:02.149
conversations about our universe until


00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:04.510
our next cosmic rendevous keep looking


00:21:04.520 --> 00:21:07.750
up the sky is not the limit it's just


00:21:07.760 --> 00:21:09.510
the beginning this has been Astronomy


00:21:09.520 --> 00:21:13.230
Daily i'm Anna signing off astronomy


00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:16.730
day stories been told


00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:32.140
[Music]