Stellar Updates: SpaceX’s Launch Expansion & India’s Human Mission

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Language: en

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Welcome to Astronomy Daily. I'm Anna and


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it's time to dive into the fascinating


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universe of space exploration and


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astronomical discoveries. Today we've


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got a packed episode that spans


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everything from regulatory victories to


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scientific breakthroughs and even a


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touch of nostalgia for space


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enthusiasts. In our cosmic journey


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today, we'll start with some significant


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news from SpaceX, which has just


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received crucial FAA approval to


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dramatically increase its Starship


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launch cadence from Texas.


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This regulatory green light could


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accelerate Elon Musk's ambitious Mars


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mission timeline and represents a major


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milestone for commercial space flight.


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Then we'll travel to India where the


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country's space agency has announced


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plans for its first human spaceflight


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mission scheduled for early


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2027. This development marks another


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step in India's rapidly expanding space


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program and reflects the growing global


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democratization of space exploration.


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We'll also examine how Stratalaunch has


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breathed new life into hypersonic flight


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testing, successfully flying and


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recovering a vehicle that reached speeds


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over Mach 5. This achievement represents


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the first time in six decades that


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anyone in the United States has flown a


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reusable hypersonic rocket plane since


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the iconic X-15 program. For astronomy


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enthusiasts, we've got exciting news


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from the James Webb Space Telescope,


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which has captured dramatic weather


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changes on a nearby pair of brown


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dwarfs. These observations provide


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unprecedented insights into these


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fascinating objects that bridge the gap


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between planets and


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stars. And finally, for those who


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appreciate the intersection of space


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history and creative building, we'll


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look at LEGO's newlyannounced shuttle


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carrier aircraft set. This detailed


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model recreates NASA's modified Boeing


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747 jetliner and the prototype orbiter


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Enterprise as they appear during their


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historic 1983 International Tour. So,


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buckle up as we launch into today's


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space news roundup. There's plenty to


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discover in the coming minutes as we


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explore the latest developments in our


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ongoing adventure to understand the


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cosmos. Kicking things off, SpaceX has


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just received a significant regulatory


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victory that will substantially boost


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its Starship program. On Tuesday, the


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Federal Aviation Administration granted


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the company approval to increase its


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annual Starship rocket launches from


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Texas from just five to an impressive 25


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launches per year. This represents a


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five-fold increase in potential launch


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capacity and marks a crucial step


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forward for Elon Musk's ambitious space


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exploration plans. After completing a


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year'slong environmental review, the FAA


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determined that this dramatic expansion


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in launch frequency would not


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significantly impact the quality of the


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human environment surrounding SpaceX's


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Starbase facility in Bokh Chica, Texas.


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The decision applies not only to the


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increased rocket launches, but also


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covers booster landings in various


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bodies of water and potential rocket


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explosions over the Gulf of Mexico and


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some international waters. This


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regulatory green light comes at a


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strategically important time for SpaceX,


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just days after residents living near


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Starbase voted to incorporate the area


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as a municipality. This local governance


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change gives SpaceX greater control over


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the sprawling site's growth and provides


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new powers concerning its launch


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operations. The incorporation vote


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reflects the complex relationship


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between SpaceX's rapid expansion and the


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local community that has developed


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around it. As a condition for increasing


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its launch activities, SpaceX must


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fulfill various community obligations to


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offset environmental impact. These


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include hosting quarterly beach


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cleanups, donating to environmental


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organizations, testing nearby water


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quality, and minimizing launch site


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lighting to avoid disruption to nesting


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sea turtles. The Starship rocket system


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with its 171 ft tall spacecraft sitting


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a top a 232t tall superheavy booster has


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already conducted eight integrated test


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flights since


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2023. Each launch has demonstrated


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progressive achievements, though some


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have ended an explosive mishaps that


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reflect SpaceX's risky but innovative


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test to failure development approach.


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Despite Tuesday's positive regulatory


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decision, SpaceX has not yet announced


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when it plans to conduct its next


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Starship test launch. The most recent


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two test flights ended with in-flight


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explosions, including one that rained


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debris over the Turks and Kaikos


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Islands, where many residents reported


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it felt like an earthquake. This FAA


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approval represents a significant boost


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for a rocket program that's poised to


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play a key role in the future of the US


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space program, particularly under the


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new presidential administration. With


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this regulatory hurdle cleared, SpaceX


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can accelerate its development timeline


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for a rocket system that's ultimately


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designed to carry humans to Mars.


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Next in today's news, in a major


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development for India's space ambitions,


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the country's space agency has announced


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plans to launch its first human


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spaceflight mission in early 2027. This


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announcement marks a significant


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milestone in India's growing presence as


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a global space power coming after years


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of methodical preparation and


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technological development. The Indian


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Space Research Organization or ISRO


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plans to begin with an uncrrewed orbital


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mission later this year as a critical


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stepping stone toward the human mission.


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According to science and technology


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minister Jatendra Singh, it represents


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India's rise as a global space


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power. The mission known as Gagan which


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translates to spacecraft is progressing


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on schedule with recovery trials already


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conducted with the Indian Navy and more


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sea recovery simulations planned. Four


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Indian Air Force pilots have been


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selected as astronaut designates for the


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historic mission. These pilots have


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already completed specialized training


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in Russia and are now undergoing further


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mission specific training in India. This


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comprehensive preparation underscores


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the meticulous approach ISRO is taking


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to ensure mission success and astronaut


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safety. What makes India's approach


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particularly notable is its ability to


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achieve significant space milestones at


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a fraction of the cost compared to


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established space powers. Last August,


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India became just the fourth nation


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after Russia, the United States, and


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China to successfully land an unmanned


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craft on the moon with its Chandrean 3


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mission. Looking even further ahead,


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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has


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outlined an ambitious vision for India's


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space program, announcing plans to send


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an Indian to the moon by 2040. This


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long-term goal demonstrates India's


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commitment to establishing itself as a


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major player in space exploration for


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decades to come. Even before the 2027


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Gagan mission, India is preparing to


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make history this month when astronaut


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Shouansu Shukla becomes the first Indian


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to visit the International Space Station


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and only the second Indian ever to reach


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orbit. Shukla, who is set to pilot the


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Axiom mission 4 in a joint NASA ISRO


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undertaking, is likely among the top


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candidates for ISRO's Gagan spaceflight


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program.


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This upcoming ISS mission comes four


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decades after India's Rakesh Chararma's


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historic space flight aboard a Russian


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spacecraft in 1984, highlighting just


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how far India's independent space


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capabilities have advanced since then.


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Through these carefully planned


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missions, India is establishing itself


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not just as a participant in space


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exploration, but increasingly as a


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leader in developing innovative,


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costeffective approaches to reaching


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beyond Earth.


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Next on our news agenda, Strataunch has


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finally discovered a perfect application


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for the world's largest airplane, making


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significant progress in the field of


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hypersonic flight testing. Twice in


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recent months, the company successfully


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launched its Talon A2 vehicle over the


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Pacific Ocean, accelerated it to more


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than five times the speed of sound, and


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most impressively landed it autonomously


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at Vandenberg Space Force Base in


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California. What's remarkable is that


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they use the same vehicle for both


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December and March flights,


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demonstrating the systems


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reusability. This achievement represents


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a historic milestone as the first time


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in 60 years that anyone in the United


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States has flown a reusable hypersonic


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rocket plane since the final flight of


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the iconic X-15 back in


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1968. But whereas the X-15 required a


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human pilot, the Talon A flies


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completely autonomously. Zachary Krever,


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Strataunch's CEO, explained the


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significance of this autonomous


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capability. Hypersonic systems are now


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pushing the envelope in terms of


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maneuvering capability. Maneuvering


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beyond what can be done by the human


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body. Being able to perform flights with


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an autonomous reusable hypersonic test


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bed ensures that these flights are


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exploring the full envelope of


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capability that represents what's


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occurring in hypersonic system


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development today. The Talon, which is


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about half the size of the X-15 and a


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little smaller than a school bus,


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conducted these flights under contract


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with defense contractor LOS as part of


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the Pentagon's multi-service advanced


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capability hypersonics test bed program


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known as MAC TB. This program aims to


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dramatically increase America's


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hypersonic testing capabilities. George


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Rumford, director of the test resource


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management center, emphasized the


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importance of these tests. Demonstrating


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the reuse of fully recoverable


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hypersonic test vehicles is an important


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milestone. Lessons learned from this


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test campaign will help us reduce


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vehicle turnaround time from months down


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to weeks. He said this progress is


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particularly important as the United


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States works to catch up with China,


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which US officials acknowledge has


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become the world leader in hypersonic


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missile development. Hypersonic weapons


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fly at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and are


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significantly more difficult for aerial


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defense systems to detect, track, and


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destroy than conventional missiles.


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Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic


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weapons ride at the top of the


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atmosphere, enhancing their


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maneuverability and ability to evade


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interceptors. The hypersonic flight


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environment is incredibly challenging


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with temperatures outside the Talon A


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reaching up to 2,000° F as it moves


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through the atmosphere. During its


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journey from release point to landing,


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the vehicle performed a series of high G


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maneuvers, further demonstrating its


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capabilities. Strata Launch is now


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building a second rocket plane, Talon


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A3, scheduled to enter service later


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this year. It will launch from a Boeing


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747 carrier aircraft that Strataunch


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acquired from Virgin Orbit after its


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bankruptcy in 2023. The longer range of


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the 747 will allow the company to stage


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hypersonic tests from additional


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locations beyond the West Coast. With


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the Pentagon aiming to increase


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hypersonic flight tests from 12 to 50


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per year, Strata Launch's technology


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represents a crucial capability in


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America's efforts to advance hypersonic


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research and development. The company


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hopes to achieve monthly flights by the


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end of this year and eventually ramp up


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to weekly testing missions.


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Well, the JWST has done it again. The


00:11:20.959 --> 00:11:22.870
James Webb Space Telescope has given


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astronomers an unprecedented view into


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the atmospheres of a fascinating pair of


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brown dwarfs, providing what scientists


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are calling a weather report from our


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cosmic neighborhood. The objects in


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question are


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wise, 149AB, also known as lumen 16,


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which sit just 6.5 light years away from


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Earth, making them the closest and


00:11:43.920 --> 00:11:46.870
brightest brown dwarfs we know of. Brown


00:11:46.880 --> 00:11:49.509
dwarfs occupy a curious middle ground in


00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:52.069
astronomical classification. Too massive


00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:53.990
to be considered planets, but not quite


00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:55.750
massive enough to sustain the hydrogen


00:11:55.760 --> 00:11:58.550
fusion that powers stars. This makes


00:11:58.560 --> 00:12:00.630
them extremely valuable for scientists


00:12:00.640 --> 00:12:02.910
trying to understand both exoplanet


00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:06.310
atmospheres and stellar dynamics. They


00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:07.670
essentially serve as perfect


00:12:07.680 --> 00:12:09.750
laboratories for studying atmospheric


00:12:09.760 --> 00:12:12.389
behavior in extreme environments. The


00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:15.190
new observations use the JWST's NERS


00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:17.509
spec and MIRER instruments to monitor


00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:19.430
these brown dwarfs over an extended


00:12:19.440 --> 00:12:21.910
period, creating the longest baseline


00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:23.750
weather monitoring for any brown dwarf


00:12:23.760 --> 00:12:25.670
to date. What makes this study


00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:27.269
particularly groundbreaking is that


00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:28.790
researchers were able to observe


00:12:28.800 --> 00:12:31.190
wavelengths beyond 11 micrometers,


00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:33.509
reaching up to 14 micrometers, for the


00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:36.310
first time ever in brown dwarf research.


00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:38.150
This expanded wavelength range allowed


00:12:38.160 --> 00:12:40.230
scientists to capture both the upper and


00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:42.069
lower atmospheric layers of these


00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:44.150
objects, revealing dramatic weather


00:12:44.160 --> 00:12:46.150
patterns and the behavior of small


00:12:46.160 --> 00:12:48.470
silicut particles that form cloud layers


00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:50.870
in their atmospheres. The observations


00:12:50.880 --> 00:12:52.790
show striking light curve shapes in the


00:12:52.800 --> 00:12:54.790
deepest atmospheric layers, which


00:12:54.800 --> 00:12:56.670
researchers attribute to patchy cloud


00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:58.949
formations. higher in the atmospheres


00:12:58.959 --> 00:13:01.470
between wavelengths of 2.5 to 8.5


00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:03.829
micrometers. The team identified hot


00:13:03.839 --> 00:13:06.230
spots caused by temperature and chemical


00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.990
variations of molecules like carbon


00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:10.550
monoxide and methane. Perhaps most


00:13:10.560 --> 00:13:12.710
intriguingly, they found evidence that


00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:14.629
small grain silicates contribute to the


00:13:14.639 --> 00:13:16.389
atmospheric variability in one of the


00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:19.269
brown dwarfs, but not in its companion.


00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:21.269
Since brown dwarfs are fast rotators


00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:23.750
that complete rotations in just hours,


00:13:23.760 --> 00:13:25.350
these timeresolved studies allow


00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.790
astronomers to capture the


00:13:26.800 --> 00:13:29.269
inconsistencies in their atmospheres and


00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:31.150
understand the mechanisms driving these


00:13:31.160 --> 00:13:33.509
changes. The research team concluded


00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:35.350
that while different atmospheric layers


00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:37.509
are governed by different mechanisms,


00:13:37.519 --> 00:13:39.670
each variability mechanism remains


00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:41.590
consistent within its layer over the


00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:44.470
long term. This work represents a major


00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:46.150
step forward in our understanding of


00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:47.750
ultracoolled atmospheres and will help


00:13:47.760 --> 00:13:50.389
inform studies of exoplanet atmospheres,


00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.990
potentially aiding in the search for


00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.949
habitable worlds and possible bio


00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:56.389
signatures. Scientists plan to expand


00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:58.949
JWST variability surveys across more


00:13:58.959 --> 00:14:00.790
brown dwarfs to trace and understand


00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:02.629
these mechanisms across a wider


00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:04.269
population of


00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:06.470
objects. Finally, today something a


00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:08.230
little different.


00:14:08.240 --> 00:14:09.990
Space enthusiasts and LEGO builders


00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:11.590
alike have something extraordinary to


00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:13.430
look forward to this month as LEGO has


00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:16.389
unveiled its newest icon set. A


00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:18.230
meticulously detailed recreation of


00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:21.670
NASA's 747 shuttle carrier aircraft with


00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:24.069
the prototype orbiter Enterprise perched


00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:26.870
a top. This impressive model captures


00:14:26.880 --> 00:14:29.350
the iconic duo exactly as they appeared


00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:32.069
during their historic 1983 International


00:14:32.079 --> 00:14:34.550
Goodwill Tour, which included memorable


00:14:34.560 --> 00:14:36.949
stops at the Paris Air Show and visits


00:14:36.959 --> 00:14:40.230
to Italy, England, Iceland, and Canada.


00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.949
The


00:14:41.959 --> 00:14:44.470
$229.99 building kit will first become


00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:47.030
available to LEGO Insiders Loyalty Club


00:14:47.040 --> 00:14:49.829
members on May 15th, with a wider


00:14:49.839 --> 00:14:51.910
release in LEGO stores across the United


00:14:51.920 --> 00:14:54.949
States and Europe following on May 18th.


00:14:54.959 --> 00:14:56.470
The release date is particularly


00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:59.110
fitting, coming just 42 years and 1 day


00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:01.110
after the real aircraft and orbiter


00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.710
first departed from Southern California


00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:05.870
to begin their tour. Comprised of


00:15:05.880 --> 00:15:08.790
2417 pieces, the assembled model is


00:15:08.800 --> 00:15:11.110
truly impressive in scale. Measuring


00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:13.509
over 2 feet long with a wingspan of 21


00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:17.189
in and standing nearly 11 in tall. LEGO


00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:18.710
has packed this set with authentic


00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:20.790
details and functional features,


00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:23.189
including retractable landing gear and


00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:25.110
the specialized mounting system that


00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.870
secured the shuttle to the aircraft's


00:15:26.880 --> 00:15:29.430
back. The Enterprise model itself


00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:31.189
includes several notable features such


00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:33.590
as an attachable tail cone used to


00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:35.509
improve aerodynamics when flying a top


00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.189
the


00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:39.269
747, detachable main engines, and


00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:40.949
landing gear that can be tucked inside


00:15:40.959 --> 00:15:43.990
its payload bay. LEGO has even included


00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.790
the distinctive 376 marking that was


00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:49.430
added to the 747 before its appearance


00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:52.230
at the Paris Air Show. For display


00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.470
purposes, the set comes with pieces to


00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:56.629
build a sturdy stand and information


00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.389
plaques highlighting facts about these


00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:00.949
historic vehicles. This isn't LEGO's


00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:02.790
first attempt at recreating this famous


00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:05.310
aircraft combination. A much simpler


00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:08.110
342piece version was released back in


00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:10.629
1995, but the new Icons version


00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:12.550
represents an extraordinary leap forward


00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:15.269
in detail and accuracy. The shuttle


00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:17.910
carrier aircraft set joins Lego's 2021


00:16:17.920 --> 00:16:19.910
space shuttle Discovery in the Icons


00:16:19.920 --> 00:16:22.150
line. Continuing the company's tradition


00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:24.150
of creating museum quality models of


00:16:24.160 --> 00:16:26.310
NASA's most famous spacecraft for adult


00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:28.430
builders and


00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:30.389
collectors. That wraps up today's


00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:32.310
episode of Astronomy Daily. From


00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:34.389
SpaceX's expanded launch capabilities in


00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.710
Texas to India's ambitious plans for


00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:38.949
human space flight, from Strata Launch's


00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:41.030
groundbreaking hypersonic test flights


00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:43.030
to web's fascinating observations of


00:16:43.040 --> 00:16:45.030
brown dwarf weather patterns, and


00:16:45.040 --> 00:16:47.189
finally to that spectacular LEGO


00:16:47.199 --> 00:16:49.269
recreation of NASA's shuttle carrier


00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:51.269
aircraft. We've traveled across the


00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:54.069
solar system and back with today's news.


00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:55.590
I want to thank you for joining me on


00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:58.310
this cosmic journey. I'm Anna and it's


00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:59.829
been my pleasure to bring you these


00:16:59.839 --> 00:17:02.150
stories of human ingenuity and our


00:17:02.160 --> 00:17:03.949
ongoing exploration of the final


00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:05.909
frontier. If you're hungry for more


00:17:05.919 --> 00:17:08.150
space news between our episodes, visit


00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:10.029
our website at


00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:12.069
astronomydaily.io where you'll find our


00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:14.150
constantly updating news feed with all


00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:16.510
the latest developments in space and


00:17:16.520 --> 00:17:18.870
astronomy. While you're there, you can


00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:20.870
also catch up on any episodes you might


00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:23.590
have missed in our complete archive.


00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:25.350
We're also very active across social


00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:27.270
media, so be sure to follow us for daily


00:17:27.280 --> 00:17:29.990
updates, amazing space images, and


00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.430
conversation with our community of


00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:33.750
fellow space enthusiasts. Just search


00:17:33.760 --> 00:17:36.630
for Astro Daily Pod on Facebook, X,


00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:39.350
YouTube, YouTube Music, Instagram, and


00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:41.990
Tik Tok. The universe is vast and


00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.430
constantly surprising us with new


00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:45.350
discoveries. Who knows what amazing


00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:47.110
stories we'll be sharing next time.


00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:49.270
Until then, this is Anna for Astronomy


00:17:49.280 --> 00:17:51.110
Daily, reminding you to keep looking up


00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:52.950
and keep wondering about the magnificent


00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:57.510
cosmos we call home. Astronomy Daily.


00:17:57.520 --> 00:17:59.990
Stories been told.


00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:14.359
[Music]