S03E156: Ariane 6's Comeback, Starving Galaxies, and Mars' Hidden Secrets

Embark on a Cosmic Journey with Astronomy Daily

Welcome to another enthralling episode of Astronomy Daily (S03E156), where we bring you the latest and most exciting developments from the cosmos. Hosted by Anna, this episode is packed with stories that span from Earth to the far reaches of our galaxy.

Buckle up as we dive into the fascinating world of space exploration and technology.

Our journey begins with Europe's Ariane 6 rocket, which recently made its inaugural launch. Despite a minor software glitch that prevented the final payload deployment, ArianeSpace remains optimistic about its future. Developed at a cost of €4 billion, the Ariane 6 is Europe's answer to the competitive space launch market, aiming to maintain independent access to space and bolster Europe's position globally.

Next, we delve into a groundbreaking discovery made by the James Webb Space Telescope. Scientists have identified a supermassive black hole in a galaxy 12 billion light-years away, aptly nicknamed Pablo's galaxy. This black hole is starving its host galaxy of the gas needed for star formation, providing crucial evidence that black holes can significantly impact their host galaxies' evolution.

We then shift our focus to an exciting development in the space industry: the potential for US companies to use Australian spaceports. The recent ratification of the US-Australia Technology Safeguards Agreement opens new avenues for collaboration between the two nations. Australia's unique geographical advantages make it an ideal location for space launches and payload returns, offering diversified infrastructure and reduced congestion.

Our cosmic journey continues with new revelations about Mars, uncovered through innovative gravity mapping techniques. Scientists have discovered dense, large-scale features buried under the sediment layers of what was once an ancient Martian ocean. These findings shed new light on Mars' geological history and volcanic activity, suggesting that the planet might still have active internal movements.

Finally today, we look ahead to the exciting lineup of rocket launches scheduled for the coming week. SpaceX is preparing for two Falcon 9 missions, one carrying Galileo global positioning satellites and another batch of Starlink satellites. Rocket Lab is also gearing up for an Electron launch from New Zealand, carrying nanosatellites for global connectivity provider Kines.

Each of these stories brings us one step closer to a more connected and technologically advanced future.

For all the latest updates in space and Astronomy, head over to our website at astronomydaily.io. Sign up for our free Daily newsletter and catch up on all the breaking news. Don't forget to follow us on social media to stay connected with our celestial community.

So, fellow stargazers, keep looking up and join us on this cosmic journey. Listen to the full episode of Astronomy Daily S03E156 now and stay tuned for more fascinating stories from the universe!