Plus: The European Space Agency suffers a major cyberattack with over 700 GB of sensitive data stolen. We discuss what was compromised, how it happened, and the broader cybersecurity implications for the space industry.
Also in this episode: China's successful dual satellite launches kick off an ambitious 2026, scientists discover Jupiter has 1.5 times more oxygen than our Sun, a mysterious iron bar is found hidden in the Ring Nebula, and we explore the fascinating legacy of the Apollo 14 Moon Trees.
New episodes every weekday!
---
## EPISODE TIMESTAMPS
**[00:00]** Intro
**[01:15]** Story 1: Artemis II Final Preparations
**[04:45]** Story 2: European Space Agency Cyberattack
**[08:30]** Story 3: China's Satellite Launches
**[11:45]** Story 4: Jupiter's Oxygen Surprise
**[14:30]** Story 5: Ring Nebula Iron Mystery
**[17:00]** Story 6: Apollo 14 Moon Trees Legacy
**[19:30]** Outro
---
## STORIES COVERED
### 1. NASA Enters Final Preparations for Artemis II Mission
NASA is entering the final stages of preparation for Artemis II, the first crewed mission beyond Low Earth Orbit in over fifty years. The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will roll out to Launch Pad 39B this Saturday, January 17th.
**Key Points:**
- **Launch Window:** February 6 - April 2026 (subject to readiness)
- **Crew:** Reid Wiseman (Commander, USA), Victor Glover (Pilot, USA), Christina Koch (Mission Specialist, USA), Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, Canada)
- **Mission Duration:** 10 days circumlunar flight
- **Rollout:** 6.5 km journey takes ~12 hours on crawler-transporter-2
- **Recent Updates:** Valve replacement on Orion hatch pressurization system (Jan 5), leak repair on ground support hardware
- **Upcoming:** Wet dress rehearsal end of January with 2.65 million liters of cryogenic fuel
- **Next Steps:** Flight readiness review, final crew walkdown at pad
- **Historical Context:** First crewed deep space mission since Apollo 17 (1972)
- **Looking Ahead:** Artemis III lunar landing scheduled for 2028
**Why It Matters:**
This mission is a crucial stepping stone for returning humans to the lunar surface and eventually sending astronauts to Mars. It will validate all systems needed for deep space exploration and demonstrate international cooperation through the Canadian Space Agency's participation.
**Read More:**
- [Universe Today: NASA Enters Final Preparations for Artemis II Mission](https://www.universetoday.com/articles/nasa-enters-final-preparations-for-artemis-ii-mission)
- [NASA Artemis II Mission Page](https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/)
---
### 2. Cyberthieves Hit European Space Agency in Major Data Breach
The European Space Agency suffered significant cyberattacks over the Christmas period, resulting in over 700 gigabytes of potentially sensitive data being leaked to dark web forums.
**Key Points:**
- **Initial Attack:** Boxing Day 2025 - Hacker "888" dumps 200+ GB of data
- **Second Attack:** One week later - "Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters" claims 500+ GB more
- **Data Compromised:** Proprietary software, authorization credentials, access tokens, project documentation, operational procedures, spacecraft details, contractor data
- **Affected Contractors:** SpaceX, Airbus Group, Thales Alenia Space
- **ESA Response:** Criminal investigation launched, cooperating with authorities
- **Root Cause:** Possible "infostealer malware" harvesting browser-stored credentials
- **Broader Issue:** Email credentials of ESA and NASA employees frequently found on dark web
- **Security Gap:** Solar conjunction prevented communications blackout
- **Expert Warning:** Data could be combined with future breaches to enable attacks on space systems
**Industry Context:**
Cybersecurity researcher Clémence Poirier warns that cyberattacks against space agencies are common and will continue. NASA faces similar threats with vulnerabilities disclosed almost daily via BugCrowd platform.
**Why It Matters:**
As space infrastructure becomes increasingly critical for communications, navigation, and national security, cybersecurity vulnerabilities represent a major threat to space operations and international cooperation.
**Read More:**
- [Space.com: Cyberthieves hit European Space Agency](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/esa-email-credentials-on-dark-web)
---
### 3. China's Long March Rockets Launch Key Satellites to Start 2026
China successfully launched two Long March rockets on January 13, 2026, deploying the Yaogan-50 01 remote sensing satellite and multiple Guowang constellation satellites, marking an ambitious start to their space program's busiest year yet.
**Key Points:**
- **Launch Date:** January 13, 2026
- **Launch Site:** Wenchang Space Launch Center
- **Mission 1:** Yaogan-50 01 remote sensing satellite (Long March 6A rocket)
- **Mission 2:** Guowang satellite constellation expansion (low Earth orbit)
- **Yaogan-50 01 Features:** Unusual orbit design for enhanced Earth observation, unique viewing angles, applications in agriculture, disaster monitoring, resource management, scientific research
- **Guowang Constellation Purpose:** Telecommunications enhancement, high-speed data transmission, improved global connectivity, support for future Moon/Mars missions
- **Strategic Importance:** Part of China's expanding Earth observation capabilities
- **2026 Outlook:** Expected to be record-breaking year for Chinese space launches
**Why It Matters:**
China continues to expand its space infrastructure at a rapid pace, positioning itself as a major player in Earth observation, telecommunications, and future deep space exploration. The Guowang constellation will provide crucial communication support for ambitious lunar and Mars missions.
**Read More:**
- [Daily Galaxy: China's Long March Rockets Propel Satellites Into New Orbits](https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/china-yaogan-50-01-guowang-satellites/)
---
### 4. Scientists Discover Surprising Amount of Oxygen in Jupiter's Atmosphere
A groundbreaking study reveals Jupiter contains approximately 1.5 times more oxygen than our Sun, fundamentally changing our understanding of the gas giant's composition and formation.
**Key Points:**
- **Discovery:** Jupiter has ~1.5x more oxygen than the Sun
- **Research Team:** University of Chicago and Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- **Publication:** The Planetary Science Journal
- **Previous Estimates:** Some recent studies suggested much less oxygen than the Sun
- **Methodology:** Most comprehensive atmospheric model of Jupiter to date, integrating chemistry and hydrodynamics
- **Additional Finding:** Molecular diffusion is 35-40 times slower than previously assumed
- **Diffusion Impact:** Single molecule takes weeks (not hours) to move through one atmospheric layer
- **Data Source:** Juno spacecraft measurements of upper atmosphere
- **Significance:** Provides clues about Jupiter's formation and solar system evolution
- **Broader Implications:** Understanding oxygen distribution helps explain habitable planet formation
**Scientific Impact:**
Lead researcher Jeehyun Yang calls this a "long-standing debate in planetary studies." The precise oxygen quantity offers crucial insights into how gas giants form and how planetary systems evolve.
**Why It Matters:**
Oxygen is a key element in water formation. Understanding its abundance and behavior on Jupiter helps scientists better understand the conditions necessary for potentially habitable worlds both in our solar system and around other stars.
**Read More:**
- [Daily Galaxy: Scientists Discover Surprising Amount of Oxygen in Jupiter's Atmosphere](https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/surprising-oxygen-jupiter-atmosphere/)
---
### 5. Mysterious Iron Bar Discovered Hidden in Famous Ring Nebula
European astronomers have discovered a massive bar-shaped cloud of iron inside the iconic Ring Nebula—a structure that went completely unnoticed for decades despite this being one of the most studied objects in astronomy.
**Key Points:**
- **Discovery Team:** UCL (University College London) and Cardiff University-led international team
- **Publication:** Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- **Instrument:** WEAVE (WHT Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer) on William Herschel Telescope
- **Structure Size:** ~500 times the distance of Pluto's orbit around the Sun
- **Mass:** Comparable to Mars' mass in iron atoms
- **Location:** Bar-shaped strip fitting within Ring Nebula's elliptical inner region
- **Detection Method:** Spectroscopy across entire nebula at all optical wavelengths simultaneously
- **Previous Observations:** Missed by decades of studies, including JWST images
- **Ring Nebula Background:** Planetary nebula in constellation Lyra, discovered 1779, formed ~4,000 years ago
**Possible Explanations:**
1. Reveals new information about nebula ejection process (uneven/directional outflow)
2. Plasma arc from vaporization of destroyed rocky planet caught in star's expansion
**Next Steps:**
- Higher spectral resolution observations planned
- Searching for other chemical elements alongside iron
- Survey of additional planetary nebulae to find similar structures
**Researcher Quotes:**
- Dr. Roger Wess
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 Anna: Hello, space fans. Welcome to Astronomy
00:00:03 --> 00:00:05 Daily, your source for the latest news from
00:00:05 --> 00:00:08 across the cosmos. I'm Anna.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 Avery: And I'm Avery. Great to have you with us
00:00:10 --> 00:00:13 today. We've got a really exciting lineup of
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 storeys covering everything from upcoming
00:00:15 --> 00:00:17 missions to mysterious discoveries.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:20 Anna: That's right. We're starting with some big
00:00:20 --> 00:00:22 news from NASA. Artemis 2 is entering
00:00:22 --> 00:00:25 its final preparations for the first crewed
00:00:25 --> 00:00:28 mission beyond low Earth orbit in over
00:00:28 --> 00:00:30 50 years. The rollout to the launch pad
00:00:30 --> 00:00:32 happens this weekend. Weekend.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:35 Avery: Very exciting. We'll also be talking about a
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 serious cybersecurity breach at the European
00:00:37 --> 00:00:40 Space Agency. China's ambitious satellite
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 launches to kick off 2026 and the
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 surprising discovery about Jupiter's
00:00:45 --> 00:00:45 atmosphere.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 Anna: Plus, we have an intriguing cosmic mystery.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:52 Astronomers have found a massive bar of iron
00:00:52 --> 00:00:55 hidden m inside the famous Ring Nebula. And
00:00:55 --> 00:00:57 we'll wrap up with a fascinating look back at
00:00:57 --> 00:01:00 the Apollo 14 moon trees and what
00:01:00 --> 00:01:00 happened to them.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 Avery: Lots to cover. So let's get started.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 Anna: All right, Avery, let's dive into our top
00:01:06 --> 00:01:06 storey.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 NASA is entering the final stages of
00:01:09 --> 00:01:12 preparation for Artemis ii and the excitement
00:01:12 --> 00:01:13 is really building.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 Avery: This is huge, Anna. We're talking about the
00:01:16 --> 00:01:18 first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit
00:01:18 --> 00:01:21 in over 50 years. The launch window opens
00:01:21 --> 00:01:24 as early as February 6, though it could
00:01:24 --> 00:01:26 extend into April depending on final
00:01:26 --> 00:01:26 preparations.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:29 Anna: And this weekend is a major milestone. Right,
00:01:29 --> 00:01:31 the rollout to the launch pad.
00:01:31 --> 00:01:34 Avery: Exactly. Targeted for no earlier than this
00:01:34 --> 00:01:37 Saturday, January 17th. The Space Launch
00:01:37 --> 00:01:39 System rocket and Orion spacecraft will make
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 that slow journey from the Vehicle Assembly
00:01:41 --> 00:01:44 Building to launch pad 39B at Ah,
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 Kennedy Space Centre. It's about 6.5
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 kilometres or 4 miles, and it'll take up
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 to 12 hours on the Crawler transporter.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 Anna: That's the same launch pad used for Apollo,
00:01:55 --> 00:01:55 isn't it?
00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 Avery: It is. Launch pad 39B has quite
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 a history. Now, the Artemis 2 crew consists
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 of four astronauts. NASA's Reid Wiseman as
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 Commander, Victor Glover as pilot,
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 Christina Koch as mission specialist, and
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, also a
00:02:12 --> 00:02:13 mission specialist.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 Anna: This mission is essentially a dress rehearsal
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 for the actual lunar landing, correct?
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 Avery: Right. Artemis 2 will be a 10 day
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 circumlunar flight. They'll loop around the
00:02:23 --> 00:02:25 moon without landing and return to Earth.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 It's building on the success of Artemis I
00:02:28 --> 00:02:30 uncrewed mission. And paving the way for
00:02:30 --> 00:02:33 Artemis 3, currently scheduled for 2028,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 which will put humans back on the lunar
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 surface for the first time since Apollo 17
00:02:38 --> 00:02:40 in 1972.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 Anna: I know they've been working around the clock
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 to get everything ready. Have there been any
00:02:45 --> 00:02:45 challenges?
00:02:46 --> 00:02:48 Avery: There have Been some. Back in December,
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 during a countdown demonstration, test
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 engineers detected a problem with a valve
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 associated with the Orion capsule's hatch
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 pressurisation system. They replaced that
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 valve on January 5th and successfully
00:03:00 --> 00:03:03 completed a pressure test. They also resolved
00:03:03 --> 00:03:04 a leak in the ground support hardware that
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 pressurises Orion with oxygen gas.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:10 Anna: So what happens once it's at the launch pad?
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 Avery: Ground crews will connect all the electrical
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 lines, fuel control system ducts, cryogenic
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 propellant feeds and other ground support
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 equipment. Then they'll power up all the
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 rocket's integrated systems for the first
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 time to make sure everything works together.
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 The rocket, the mobile launcher and the
00:03:26 --> 00:03:28 launch pad infrastructure.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 Anna: And then comes the wet dress rehearsal.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:33 Avery: Scheduled for the end of January. That's when
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 they'll load the rocket with about 2.65
00:03:35 --> 00:03:38 million litres. That's 700 gallons
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 of cryogenic fuel, conduct a launch
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 countdown and then safely unload it. They'll
00:03:43 --> 00:03:45 run through several countdown holds and
00:03:45 --> 00:03:47 recycles, just like they would during an
00:03:47 --> 00:03:48 actual launch.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 Anna: Dazzle learned a lot from Artemis I's wet
00:03:50 --> 00:03:52 dress rehearsal, didn't they?
00:03:52 --> 00:03:55 Avery: They did. Particularly around loading liquid
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 hydrogen propellant. They experienced some
00:03:57 --> 00:03:58 challenges with that, so they'll be
00:03:58 --> 00:04:01 monitoring very careful. They're also
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 watching how much nitrogen gas accumulates
00:04:03 --> 00:04:06 between the Orion crew module and the launch
00:04:06 --> 00:04:08 abort system using recently updated
00:04:08 --> 00:04:09 procedures.
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 Anna: And if all goes well with the.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:14 Avery: Wet dress rehearsal, then NASA's mission
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 management team will hold a flight readiness
00:04:16 --> 00:04:18 review to assess whether all systems are
00:04:18 --> 00:04:21 truly ready. Only then will they commit to a
00:04:21 --> 00:04:24 firm launch date. And of course, the Artemis
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 II astronauts will conduct a final walk down
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 at the pad, which will be quite a media
00:04:28 --> 00:04:29 event.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 Anna: The launch windows are interesting too,
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 aren't they? It's not every day in February
00:04:34 --> 00:04:35 and April.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 Avery: That's right. Due to the complex orbital
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 mechanics of Earth and the moon, there's a
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 pattern of about a, uh, week of launch
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 opportunities followed by three weeks without
00:04:44 --> 00:04:47 any. NASA has published the specific dates
00:04:47 --> 00:04:50 between February and April when launches are
00:04:50 --> 00:04:50 possible.
00:04:50 --> 00:04:53 Anna: This is such an exciting time.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 50 years since we've sent humans beyond.
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 Avery: Low Earth orbit and it's setting the stage
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 for sustainable lunar exploration. Crew
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 safety remains NASA's top priority every step
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 of the way. As ah, Lori Glaze, Acting
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 associate administrator for NASA's
00:05:08 --> 00:05:10 Exploration Systems Development Mission
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 Directorate, emphasised in their recent
00:05:12 --> 00:05:13 statement.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:16 Anna: Moving on to some concerning news. Avery.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:19 The European Space Agency has suffered a
00:05:19 --> 00:05:20 significant cyberattack.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 Avery: Unfortunately, yes. This happened just after
00:05:23 --> 00:05:26 Christmas on Boxing Day, actually. A hacker
00:05:26 --> 00:05:29 operating under the codename 888 dumped
00:05:29 --> 00:05:32 over 200 gigabytes of ESA data onto
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 dark web forums.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 Anna: What kind of data are we talking about?
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 Avery: The leaked information included proprietary
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 software, authorization credentials, access
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 tokens and sensitive project documentation.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:47 ESA initially downplayed the breach, saying
00:05:47 --> 00:05:49 its impact was limited to servers with
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 unclassified documents.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 Anna: But there was more to the storey.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:56 Avery: There was. Just a week later, a cybercrime
00:05:56 --> 00:05:58 group known as Scattered Lapsis Hunters
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 claimed they stole another 500 gigabytes of
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 data, saying the security hole was still
00:06:03 --> 00:06:06 unpatched. This batch reportedly included
00:06:06 --> 00:06:08 operational procedures, spacecraft and
00:06:08 --> 00:06:11 mission details, subsystems documentation
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 and even proprietary data from esa
00:06:14 --> 00:06:17 contractors like SpaceX, Airbus Group and
00:06:17 --> 00:06:18 Thales Alenia Space.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 Anna: That's pretty serious. How did ESA
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 respond?
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 Avery: They've launched a criminal investigation and
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 are fully cooperating with authorities. In a
00:06:27 --> 00:06:30 press briefing on January 8, Eric Morel
00:06:30 --> 00:06:32 de Westgaver, ESA's director of
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 European Legal and International Matters,
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 said the authorities will manage
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 communication about the case and handle the
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 criminal proceedings.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 Anna: Is this kind of attack common against space
00:06:42 --> 00:06:43 agencies?
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 Avery: More common than you think. Cybersecurity
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 researcher Clemence Poirier from the Centre
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 for security studies at ETH Zurich
00:06:51 --> 00:06:53 told Space.com that during her research she
00:06:53 --> 00:06:56 frequently encounters email credentials of
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 ESA employees and even other space
00:06:58 --> 00:07:01 agencies being sold on dark web forums.
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 Anna: How are these credentials being obtained?
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 Avery: Poirier suggests it may be due to a lack of
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 cyber hygiene from ESA staff. Threat
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 actors may have used infostealer malware,
00:07:11 --> 00:07:14 which harvests data stored in web browsers.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 Things like credentials, session cookies,
00:07:16 --> 00:07:19 multi factor authentication data and even
00:07:19 --> 00:07:20 saved credit cards.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 Anna: That's pretty insidious.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:25 Avery: It is. These infostealers are particularly
00:07:25 --> 00:07:28 dangerous because they can evade detection by
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 antivirus software. They often spread through
00:07:30 --> 00:07:33 malicious ads on popular websites or infected
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 links in YouTube video descriptions.
00:07:36 --> 00:07:38 Anna: And NASA faces similar threats.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:41 Avery: According to sources familiar with space
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 cyber risk environment, NASA is actually a
00:07:43 --> 00:07:46 frequent victim. Vulnerabilities are being
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 disclosed almost every day via the
00:07:48 --> 00:07:51 crowdsourced cybersecurity platform bugcrowd.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:54 Anna: Even though the recent ESA leaks didn't seem
00:07:54 --> 00:07:57 highly critical, there are still concerns,
00:07:57 --> 00:07:57 right?
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 Avery: Absolutely. Poyer warned that this data could
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 be combined with information from future
00:08:02 --> 00:08:05 breaches to reveal strategic information that
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 could enable another cyberattack against the
00:08:07 --> 00:08:10 space system. We're not there yet, but it's
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 an important consideration.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:14 Anna: And vulnerabilities might exist with third
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 party providers, too.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:18 Avery: Exactly. The security holes could be on the
00:08:18 --> 00:08:20 side of Issa's software providers or other
00:08:20 --> 00:08:23 third parties they purchase services from. Or
00:08:23 --> 00:08:26 ESA's own networks might be hiding unpatched
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 Anna: What's the bottom line here, as Poyer.
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 Avery: Put it, data leaks and breaches against space
00:08:32 --> 00:08:35 agencies are common. It can happen to each
00:08:35 --> 00:08:38 agency and will happen to each agency in the
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 future. Given the rise of cyber attacks
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 against the space sector, it's a reality that
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 all space organisations need to take very
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 seriously.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:48 Anna: Let's shift gears to some space activity from
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 China. They've kicked off 2026 with a couple
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 of impressive satellite launches.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 Avery: They really have, anna. Uh. On January
00:08:55 --> 00:08:58 13th, China launched two Long March rockets
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 from the Wing Chan Space Launch Centre,
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 representing a strong start to what's
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 expected to be a very busy year for their
00:09:04 --> 00:09:04 space programme.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 Anna: What were they launching?
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 Avery: The first mission carried the Yaogon
00:09:08 --> 00:09:11 5001 remote sensing satellite and the
00:09:11 --> 00:09:14 second deployed a series of GU satellites
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 into low Earth orbit. Both launches were
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 successful and marked the beginning of what
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 China hopes will be a ah record breaking
00:09:20 --> 00:09:20 year.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:23 Anna: Tell us about the Yaogon 50 01. That sounds
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 interesting.
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 Avery: It is. This satellite was launched aboard a
00:09:27 --> 00:09:30 Long March 6A AH Rocket and it's notable for
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 its unusual orbit. Unlike typical
00:09:32 --> 00:09:34 satellites in standard low Earth orbits,
00:09:34 --> 00:09:37 Yaogon 50 01's orbit is designed to
00:09:37 --> 00:09:40 maximise its ability to observe Earth from
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 unique angles, providing broader and more
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 detailed views of the planet.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 Anna: What will it be used for?
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 Avery: It's part of China's growing portfolio of
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 remote sensing technology, which has
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 applications ranging from agricultural
00:09:51 --> 00:09:54 monitoring to, let's be honest, military
00:09:54 --> 00:09:57 surveillance. As China develops and deploys
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 more of these satellites, they're positioning
00:09:59 --> 00:10:01 themselves as a leader in Earth observation
00:10:01 --> 00:10:01 capabilities.
00:10:02 --> 00:10:04 Anna: And it'll also help with natural disaster
00:10:04 --> 00:10:06 monitoring and resource management.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:09 Avery: Absolutely. It'll contribute to monitoring
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 natural disasters, managing resources and
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 supporting scientific research efforts
00:10:13 --> 00:10:16 globally. The satellite is quite advanced in
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 terms of what it can do now.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 Anna: What about the Guawang satellites?
00:10:19 --> 00:10:22 Avery: The Guawang constellation is designed to
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 improve China's capabilities in
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 telecommunications, Earth observation and
00:10:26 --> 00:10:28 scientific research. By placing these
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 satellites in low Earth orbit, China will be
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 able to provide enhanced communication
00:10:32 --> 00:10:35 services, including high speed data
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 transmission over large regions.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:39 Anna: So it's not just for China domestically.
00:10:39 --> 00:10:42 Avery: No. It'll improve their global connectivity,
00:10:42 --> 00:10:45 particularly in areas with limited access to
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 terrestrial communication networks and beyond
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 just communications. The Guawuang
00:10:49 --> 00:10:52 Constellation is expected to play a crucial
00:10:52 --> 00:10:54 role in supporting China's future space
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 exploration goals.
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 Anna: How so?
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 Avery: By providing real time communication and data
00:10:58 --> 00:11:01 transfer capabilities, these satellites will
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 be instrumental in supporting future missions
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 to the Moon and Mars. It's all part of
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 China's integrated approach to building space
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 infrastructure.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 Anna: This seems like quite an ambitious start to
00:11:11 --> 00:11:11 the year.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 Avery: It really is. According to the China
00:11:14 --> 00:11:16 Aerospace Corporation These missions
00:11:16 --> 00:11:18 underscore China's growing capabilities and
00:11:18 --> 00:11:20 commitment to expanding their space
00:11:20 --> 00:11:23 exploration infrastructure. And this is just
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 the beginning. They have many more launches
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 planned throughout 2026.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 Anna: It's fascinating to see how competitive the
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 space sector has become with multiple nations
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 ramping up their capabilities.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:36 Avery: Indeed, we're in a new era of space activity.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 And it's not just government agencies
00:11:38 --> 00:11:40 anymore. The combination of national
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 programmes and commercial ventures is really
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 accelerating progress.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 Anna: All right, Avery, let's head out to Jupiter
00:11:46 --> 00:11:49 for our next storey. Scientists have made a
00:11:49 --> 00:11:52 surprising discovery about the gas giant's
00:11:52 --> 00:11:52 atmosphere.
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 Avery: This is really interesting, Anna.
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 Anna: Uh.
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 Avery: A new study published in the Planetary
00:11:57 --> 00:11:59 Science Journal reveals that Jupiter holds
00:11:59 --> 00:12:02 roughly 1.5 times more oxygen than
00:12:02 --> 00:12:02 our sun.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 Anna: That's way more than expected, isn't it?
00:12:05 --> 00:12:08 Avery: It is. For decades, studies have disagreed
00:12:08 --> 00:12:10 about how much oxygen Jupiter contains.
00:12:11 --> 00:12:13 Some recent studies even suggested it was
00:12:13 --> 00:12:16 much less than the sun. So this finding
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 significantly reshapes our understanding of
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 the planet's composition.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:22 Anna: Why is oxygen content so important?
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 Avery: Oxygen is one of the most abundant elements
00:12:24 --> 00:12:27 in the universe, and its presence on Jupiter
00:12:27 --> 00:12:30 has big implications. As Jiheng Yang, a
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 postdoctoral researcher at the University of
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 Chicago and the study's lead author,
00:12:34 --> 00:12:37 explained, the precise quantity of oxygen
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 offers important clues about how Jupiter
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 formed and how our solar system evolved.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:44 Anna: Because oxygen is key to water formation.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 Avery: Exactly. Understanding its presence and
00:12:47 --> 00:12:49 distribution could help researchers learn
00:12:49 --> 00:12:51 more about the conditions that allow for the
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 formation of habitable planets, both in our
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 solar system and beyond.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:58 Anna: Jupiter's atmosphere is famously difficult to
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 study.
00:12:58 --> 00:13:01 Avery: Though that's putting it mildly. The thick
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 clouds covering the planet the Great Red
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 Spot, which is a storm twice the size of
00:13:05 --> 00:13:08 Earth, and other violent weather patterns
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 have kept scientists from getting a clear
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 view of what lies beneath the surface.
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 Anna: Previous missions couldn't measure deep into
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 the atmosphere.
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 Avery: The Galileo spacecraft couldn't. But more
00:13:17 --> 00:13:20 recently, the Juno spacecraft has provided
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 valuable data on the upper layers, including
00:13:22 --> 00:13:25 measurements of ammonia, methane and carbon
00:13:25 --> 00:13:28 monoxide. Still, building an accurate model
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 has been challenging.
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 Anna: What made this new model different?
00:13:31 --> 00:13:34 Avery: The researchers integrated both chemistry and
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 hydrodynamics, the study of how fluids move.
00:13:36 --> 00:13:39 As Jihong Yang explained, you really need
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 both. Chemistry alone doesn't include water
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 droplets or cloud behaviour, while
00:13:43 --> 00:13:46 hydrodynamics alone oversimplifies the
00:13:46 --> 00:13:48 chemistry. Bringing them together allows for
00:13:48 --> 00:13:50 much more accurate predictions.
00:13:50 --> 00:13:52 Anna: And they discovered something else surprising
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 too, didn't they?
00:13:53 --> 00:13:56 Avery: They did. The study revealed that the
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 movement of gases within Jupiter's atmosphere
00:13:58 --> 00:14:01 is far slower than previously believed. The
00:14:01 --> 00:14:03 diffusion of molecules is 35 to 40
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 times slower than the standard assumption.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 Anna: What does that mean?
00:14:06 --> 00:14:09 Avery: Practically, as Jihengyang put it, it would
00:14:09 --> 00:14:12 take a single molecule several weeks to move
00:14:12 --> 00:14:14 through one layer of the atmosphere, rather
00:14:14 --> 00:14:17 than hours. This slower diffusion could have
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 significant implications for how heat and
00:14:19 --> 00:14:21 chemical elements are transported within the
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 planet. And it may affect how clouds form and
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 dissipate.
00:14:24 --> 00:14:27 Anna: This must challenge a lot of existing
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 assumptions about gas giant atmospheres.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:32 Avery: It does. The discovery adds another layer of
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 complexity to our understanding and shows
00:14:34 --> 00:14:37 that even well studied planets like Jupiter
00:14:37 --> 00:14:39 still have prizes in store. This is the most
00:14:39 --> 00:14:42 comprehensive atmospheric model of Jupiter to
00:14:42 --> 00:14:44 date, but clearly there's still more to
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 learn.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 Anna: We'll be sure to follow up this one with
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 interest.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 Avery: Anna.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:51 Uh, our next storey is about a cosmic mystery
00:14:51 --> 00:14:54 hiding in plain sight, or rather hiding in
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 one of the night sky's most famous objects.
00:14:56 --> 00:14:59 Anna: Oh, this is the Ring Nebula discovery. Right.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 I was reading about this. It's fascinating,
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 it really is.
00:15:03 --> 00:15:06 Avery: Astronomers have discovered a mysterious bar
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 shaped cloud of iron inside the iconic Ring
00:15:08 --> 00:15:11 Nebula. And it went completely unnoticed for
00:15:11 --> 00:15:13 decades, despite this being one of the most
00:15:13 --> 00:15:15 studied objects in space.
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 Anna: How did they finally spot it?
00:15:17 --> 00:15:20 Avery: A European team led by researchers at
00:15:20 --> 00:15:22 University College London and Cardiff
00:15:22 --> 00:15:25 University used a new instrument called
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 weave, the WHT
00:15:27 --> 00:15:30 Enhanced Area Velocity Explorer,
00:15:30 --> 00:15:33 installed on the William Herschel Telescope.
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 The key was that WEAVE allowed them to obtain
00:15:35 --> 00:15:38 spectra across the entire face of the
00:15:38 --> 00:15:41 nebula at all optical wavelengths
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 simultaneously.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:45 Anna: So it wasn't about getting a sharper image,
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 but analysing the light differently.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:50 Avery: Exactly. Dr. Roger Wesson, the
00:15:50 --> 00:15:52 lead author, explained that by painting a
00:15:52 --> 00:15:55 spectrum continuously across the whole
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 nebula, they could create images at any
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 wavelength and determine the chemical
00:15:59 --> 00:16:02 composition at any position. And when
00:16:02 --> 00:16:05 they processed the data, this iron bar just
00:16:05 --> 00:16:07 popped out, clear as anything.
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 Anna: How big is this thing?
00:16:09 --> 00:16:12 Avery: The bar's length is roughly 500
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 times that of Pluto's orbit around the Sun.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 And get this. The mass of iron atoms
00:16:17 --> 00:16:20 is comparable to the mass of Mars.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 Anna: That's colossal. And it fits inside the
00:16:23 --> 00:16:25 Ring Nebula's inner region.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:28 Avery: It does. It's shaped like a narrow strip that
00:16:28 --> 00:16:31 fits neatly within the nebula's elliptical
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 inner layer. The part that's familiar from
00:16:33 --> 00:16:35 all those beautiful images we've seen from
00:16:35 --> 00:16:38 telescopes including the James Webb Space
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 Telescope.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:42 Anna: So what is the Ring Nebula exactly? For our
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 listeners who might not know.
00:16:43 --> 00:16:46 Avery: The Ring Nebula, also known as Messier
00:16:46 --> 00:16:48 57, was first identified in
00:16:48 --> 00:16:51 1779 by French astronomer
00:16:51 --> 00:16:54 Charles Messier. It's what's called a
00:16:54 --> 00:16:57 planetary nebula, a shell of gas created
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 when a star reaches the end of its fuel
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 burning life and releases its outer layers
00:17:01 --> 00:17:04 into space. In several billion years,
00:17:04 --> 00:17:07 our own sun is expected to undergo a, ah,
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 similar transformation.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:11 Anna: And this iron bar, do we know how it formed?
00:17:12 --> 00:17:14 Avery: That's the mystery. The scientists honestly
00:17:14 --> 00:17:17 don't know yet. Professor Albert Zylstra from
00:17:17 --> 00:17:20 the University of Manchester noted that they
00:17:20 --> 00:17:22 selected the Ring Nebula as an early target
00:17:22 --> 00:17:25 because it's bright, well studied and ideal
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 for testing the instrument. But then they
00:17:27 --> 00:17:30 found something entirely unexpected.
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 Anna: What are the theories?
00:17:32 --> 00:17:34 Avery: There are two main scenarios. First, the
00:17:34 --> 00:17:37 iron bar might reveal something new about how
00:17:37 --> 00:17:39 the nebula was ejected by the parent star,
00:17:40 --> 00:17:42 perhaps showing an uneven or directional
00:17:42 --> 00:17:45 outflow in the process. Second, and
00:17:45 --> 00:17:48 more intriguingly, the iron might be an arc
00:17:48 --> 00:17:51 of plasma resulting from the vaporisation of
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 a destroyed planet.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:55 Anna: A planet that got too close to.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:57 Avery: The dying star, possibly as the
00:17:57 --> 00:18:00 star expanded into a red giant late in its
00:18:00 --> 00:18:03 life. Any rocky planet that wandered too
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 close could have been torn apart by extreme
00:18:05 --> 00:18:08 heat and radiation. Living behind this metal
00:18:08 --> 00:18:11 rich cloud, trapped inside the nebula,
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 that would be quite.
00:18:12 --> 00:18:14 Anna: A dramatic end for a planet. Do they think
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 this iron bar is unique?
00:18:16 --> 00:18:19 Avery: Dr. Wesson doesn't think so. He said it would
00:18:19 --> 00:18:21 be very surprising if the Ring Nebula's iron
00:18:21 --> 00:18:24 bar is unique. Weave is conducting surveys
00:18:24 --> 00:18:27 of many more ionised nebulae across the
00:18:27 --> 00:18:29 northern Milky Way and they hope to discover
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 more examples of this phenomenon which would
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 help them understand where the iron comes
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 from.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:36 Anna: It's amazing that such a familiar object
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 still had this hidden.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:41 Avery: Amen, um, to that. Professor Janet Drew
00:18:41 --> 00:18:44 also at ucl cautioned that they need to know
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 more particularly if any other chemical
00:18:46 --> 00:18:49 elements coexist with the iron as uh, that
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 would help determine the right model to
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 pursue. They're planning follow up studies
00:18:53 --> 00:18:56 using WEAVE at higher spectral resolution.
00:18:56 --> 00:18:58 Anna: Just goes to show that even the most studied
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 objects can surprise us when we look at them
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 in new ways.
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 Avery: Amen um, to that.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 Anna: For our final storey. Today we're taking a
00:19:05 --> 00:19:08 look back at a fascinating piece of Apollo
00:19:08 --> 00:19:11 history. Avery, tell us about the Moon
00:19:11 --> 00:19:11 trees.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:14 Avery: This is such a cool storey. Anna. Um, when
00:19:14 --> 00:19:17 Apollo 14 returned to Earth in 1971,
00:19:17 --> 00:19:19 it brought back something unexpected.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:22 Hundreds of tree seeds that had orbited the
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 Moon.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:24 Anna: These were part of a scientific experiment.
00:19:25 --> 00:19:27 Avery: It started as a small experiment led by
00:19:27 --> 00:19:30 astronaut Stuart Roosa, who was a former
00:19:30 --> 00:19:33 U.S. forest Service smokejumper. Before
00:19:33 --> 00:19:35 becoming an astronaut, he carried several
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 hundred seeds in his personal
00:19:38 --> 00:19:41 loblolly pine, sycamore, sweetgum,
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 redwood and Douglas fir.
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 Anna: And there was an accident with these seeds,
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 wasn't there?
00:19:46 --> 00:19:49 Avery: There was. As NASA recounts, the seed
00:19:49 --> 00:19:51 bags burst open during the decontamination
00:19:51 --> 00:19:54 procedures after the spacecraft returned to
00:19:54 --> 00:19:57 Earth. The seeds scattered around the chamber
00:19:57 --> 00:19:59 and were exposed to vacuum. And everyone
00:19:59 --> 00:20:01 thought they might not be.
00:20:01 --> 00:20:03 Anna: Viable, but they decided to try planting them
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 anyway.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 Avery: They did, to test whether the seeds had
00:20:06 --> 00:20:09 survived. And the results were extraordinary.
00:20:10 --> 00:20:12 Many sprouted and grew just like normal
00:20:12 --> 00:20:15 trees, showing no visible damage from their
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 cosmic journey.
00:20:16 --> 00:20:18 Anna: How many trees eventually grew?
00:20:18 --> 00:20:21 Avery: Over 400 seedlings grew into mature
00:20:21 --> 00:20:24 trees. Some were planted beside earth
00:20:24 --> 00:20:26 grown control trees to compare their
00:20:26 --> 00:20:29 development. And remarkably, after years of
00:20:29 --> 00:20:31 observation, no differences were found
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 between the space flown seeds and their earth
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 bound counterparts.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 Anna: When were these trees distributed?
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 Avery: M the distribution coincided with the U.S.
00:20:39 --> 00:20:42 bicentennial celebrations of 1975
00:20:42 --> 00:20:45 and 1976. Most were given
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 to state forest reorganisations to be planted
00:20:47 --> 00:20:50 as part of the nation's bicentennial
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 celebration. The trees were only sent to
00:20:52 --> 00:20:54 countries and states where they could
00:20:54 --> 00:20:56 actually be grown and thrive.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:58 Anna: And some went to pretty notable places,
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 right?
00:20:59 --> 00:21:02 Avery: Oh, yes, A, uh, loblolly pine was planted
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 at the White House. Trees were sent to
00:21:04 --> 00:21:07 Brazil, Switzerland and even presented to the
00:21:07 --> 00:21:10 Emperor of Japan. Each tree served as
00:21:10 --> 00:21:12 a living connection between space exploration
00:21:12 --> 00:21:14 and Earth's natural environment.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 Anna: There were telegrams that accompanied the
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 trees.
00:21:17 --> 00:21:19 Avery: NASA sent telegrams highlighting their
00:21:19 --> 00:21:22 symbolic importance. The message read that
00:21:22 --> 00:21:24 the tree is a living symbol of our
00:21:24 --> 00:21:26 spectacular human and scientific
00:21:26 --> 00:21:29 achievements. And the fitting tribute to our
00:21:29 --> 00:21:31 national space programme, which has brought
00:21:31 --> 00:21:34 out the best of American patriotism,
00:21:34 --> 00:21:36 dedication and determination to succeed.
00:21:37 --> 00:21:39 Anna: That really captures the spirit of that era.
00:21:39 --> 00:21:42 Avery: It does. It was this beautiful blend of
00:21:42 --> 00:21:45 scientific curiosity and national pride
00:21:45 --> 00:21:48 during the Apollo years. Each moon tree
00:21:48 --> 00:21:50 represented not just a triumph of space
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 exploration, but a reminder that the pursuit
00:21:52 --> 00:21:55 of knowledge can be rooted quite literally
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 in the natural world.
00:21:57 --> 00:21:59 Anna: Many of these trees are still standing today.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:02 Avery: They are. Their plaques may be faded, but
00:22:02 --> 00:22:05 their symbolism remains intact. NASA
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 continues to track and document the locations
00:22:07 --> 00:22:10 of surviving moon trees. And there's even a
00:22:10 --> 00:22:12 modern continuation of this project.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:14 Anna: The Moon Tree 2.0 project.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:18 Avery: Exactly. It uses seeds taken aboard the
00:22:18 --> 00:22:20 Orion spacecraft during the Artemis 1
00:22:20 --> 00:22:23 mission. So this initiative bridges past and
00:22:23 --> 00:22:26 future, connecting the pioneering Apollo
00:22:26 --> 00:22:28 missions to the next generation of lunar
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 explorers.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:31 Anna: I love that these trees serve as both
00:22:31 --> 00:22:34 scientific curiosities and powerful
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 symbols.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:38 Avery: They really do. From forests across the
00:22:38 --> 00:22:40 United States to royal gardens overseas,
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 these trees stand as silent witnesses to one
00:22:43 --> 00:22:46 of the most extraordinary chapters in human
00:22:46 --> 00:22:49 history. Their storey rooted in science.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:52 Resilience and wonder remains a testament
00:22:52 --> 00:22:54 to what happens when curiosity literally
00:22:54 --> 00:22:57 takes flight beyond Earth's atmosphere.
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 Anna: Well, that wraps up today's episode of
00:22:59 --> 00:23:02 Astronomy Daily. We covered quite a journey
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 today from NASA's preparations to return
00:23:04 --> 00:23:07 humans to lunar orbit to cybersecurity
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 security challenges in the space sector,
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 China's expanding satellite network,
00:23:11 --> 00:23:13 surprising discoveries about Jupiter, a
00:23:13 --> 00:23:16 mysterious iron bar hidden in a famous
00:23:16 --> 00:23:18 nebula, and the enduring legacy of the
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 moon trees.
00:23:19 --> 00:23:21 Avery: It's episodes like this that really show the
00:23:21 --> 00:23:24 breadth of space science and exploration.
00:23:24 --> 00:23:26 Whether it's cutting edge missions,
00:23:26 --> 00:23:28 astronomical discoveries, or looking back at
00:23:28 --> 00:23:30 historic achievements, there's always
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 something fascinating happening in space.
00:23:33 --> 00:23:36 Anna: Thanks so much for joining us today. If you
00:23:36 --> 00:23:39 enjoyed the show, please subscribe and leave
00:23:39 --> 00:23:42 us a review. It really helps other space
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 enthusiasts find us.
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 Avery: And if you have questions or topics you'd
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 like us to cover, reach out to us on social
00:23:48 --> 00:23:51 media. We love hearing from our listeners.
00:23:51 --> 00:23:53 Anna: Until next time, keep looking up
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 Clear skies everyone.