- SpaceX's Starship Soars to New Heights: SpaceX has achieved a remarkable milestone with the successful completion of Starship's 10th test flight. This episode dives into the significant accomplishments, including the first payload door operation in space and a successful in-space propellant transfer, paving the way for future lunar and Martian missions.
- A Busy Week for Rocket Launches: The global space launch scene has been bustling, with China's Long March 2D rocket deploying satellites for its low Earth orbit internet constellation, and SpaceX's Falcon 9 successfully launching a reconnaissance satellite for France. We explore the implications of these advancements and the impressive reusability of rocket components.
- James Webb's Interstellar Discovery: The James Webb Space Telescope has captured its first images of Comet 3I ATLAS, an ancient interstellar visitor. We discuss the unique chemical signature of this comet, its age of approximately 7 billion years, and what this reveals about the conditions in its home star system.
- Celebrating Unsung Heroes of Space History: The design studio Chop Shop is honouring lesser-known milestones in space exploration with their new enamel pin series. From Robert Goddard's pioneering rocket launch to the pivotal US-Soviet treaty, we reflect on the importance of these foundational moments in the history of space travel.
- For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTube Music, TikTok, and our new Instagram account! Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
- Thank you for tuning in. This is Anna and Avery signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.
SpaceX Starship Updates
[SpaceX](https://www.spacex.com/)
James Webb Discoveries
[NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/)
Chop Shop Enamel Pins
[Chop Shop](https://www.chopshop.com/)
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily](http://www.astronomydaily.io/)
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Avery: Welcome back to Astronomy Daily, the podcast
00:00:02 --> 00:00:05 that brings you the universe one story at a
00:00:05 --> 00:00:07 time. I'm Avery.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 Anna: And I'm Anna. We have a packed show for
00:00:10 --> 00:00:13 you today. We'll be covering SpaceX's
00:00:13 --> 00:00:15 incredible new milestone with Starship.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 Avery: A, uh, rundown of a very busy week for rocket
00:00:18 --> 00:00:20 launches all around the world.
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 Anna: An ancient interstellar visitor spotted by
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 the James Webb Space Telescope for the first
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 time. And a unique way to celebrate
00:00:28 --> 00:00:31 the unsung heroes of space history.
00:00:31 --> 00:00:34 Avery: It' big day for space news, so let's get
00:00:34 --> 00:00:34 right to it.
00:00:35 --> 00:00:37 Anna: First up, the news that has everyone
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 buzzing. SpaceX's Starship
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 completed its 10th test flight. And
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 what a flight it was. This was a truly
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 spectacular demonstration of progress for the
00:00:48 --> 00:00:49 world's largest rocket.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 Avery: It really was, Anna. Uh, this wasn't just
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 about getting off the ground and reaching
00:00:54 --> 00:00:57 space. They hit a series of ambitious
00:00:57 --> 00:00:59 milestones that are absolutely critical for
00:00:59 --> 00:01:01 the rocket's operational future.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:04 Anna: Let's break them down. For the first time,
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 they successfully opened and closed the
00:01:07 --> 00:01:09 payload door while coasting in space.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:13 This is that famous PEZ dispenser door we've
00:01:13 --> 00:01:15 heard about, designed to deploy the next
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 generation of Starlink satellites.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 Avery: That test alone is a huge deal,
00:01:20 --> 00:01:23 but they didn't stop there. They also
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 demonstrated an in space propellant
00:01:25 --> 00:01:28 transfer, moving super chilled liquid
00:01:28 --> 00:01:30 oxygen between tanks. This is a
00:01:30 --> 00:01:33 foundational technology for refuelling in
00:01:33 --> 00:01:35 orb, which is necessary for long duration
00:01:35 --> 00:01:37 missions to the moon and Mars.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:40 Anna: And the biggest one for me, Avery, was the
00:01:40 --> 00:01:43 successful reignition of a Raptor
00:01:43 --> 00:01:46 engine in space. Firing an engine
00:01:46 --> 00:01:48 in the vacuum of space is a completely
00:01:48 --> 00:01:50 different challenge than on the launch pad.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:53 This proves they can perform the deorbit burn
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 needed to return to Earth or the landing burn
00:01:56 --> 00:01:58 for a lunar or Martian arrival.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:01 Avery: And we can't forget about the super heavy
00:02:01 --> 00:02:04 booster. After separation, it executed
00:02:04 --> 00:02:07 a perfect boostback burn and made a gentle
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 targeted splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:12 The footage was just breathtaking.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:15 Anna: Absolutely picture perfect. It was
00:02:15 --> 00:02:18 so controlled. While catching it with the
00:02:18 --> 00:02:20 Mechazilla arms is the ultimate goal,
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 proving they can bring it down to a precise
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 location in the ocean is a massive hurdle
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 cleared. It shows the hardware works as
00:02:28 --> 00:02:29 designed.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:32 Avery: So putting it all together, this is a
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 monumental win for SpaceX and their vision.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 It's not just about their own goals. For
00:02:37 --> 00:02:40 Mars, NASA is relying heavily on a
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 modified starship as the human landing system
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 for its Artemis programme. This test flight
00:02:45 --> 00:02:47 will give everyone at the agency a lot more
00:02:47 --> 00:02:49 confidence that Starship can deliver.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:52 Anna: It sure will. The pace of development
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 is just incredible. It Feels
00:02:55 --> 00:02:58 less like an incremental step and more like
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 a giant leap towards a future where access to
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 space is routine. Truly exciting times.
00:03:04 --> 00:03:07 Avery: And um, while Starship may have stolen the
00:03:07 --> 00:03:09 headlines, it was far from the only rocket
00:03:09 --> 00:03:12 leaving Earth. It's been an incredibly busy
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 week for launches across the globe. A real
00:03:15 --> 00:03:17 showcase of the accelerating pace of the
00:03:17 --> 00:03:18 modern space industry.
00:03:19 --> 00:03:21 Anna: Absolutely kicking things off. In Asia,
00:03:21 --> 00:03:24 China's state owned CASC
00:03:25 --> 00:03:28 launched a Long March 2D rocket. It
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 was carrying another batch of satellites for
00:03:30 --> 00:03:32 their gowing Low Earth Orbit Internet
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 constellation, which is China's strateg
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 strategic answer to services like Starlink
00:03:37 --> 00:03:38 and OneWeb.
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 Avery: Back in the US SpaceX continued its
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 relentless launch pace with the Falcon 9.
00:03:43 --> 00:03:46 They successfully launched the NAOS mission,
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 a highly advanced reconnaissance satellite
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 for the French government. But the payload
00:03:51 --> 00:03:52 wasn't the only story here, was it?
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 Anna: Not at all. The first stage booster that
00:03:55 --> 00:03:58 lofted that satellite was completing its
00:03:58 --> 00:04:01 27th flight. Look at sink
00:04:01 --> 00:04:04 in 27 successful launches
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 and landings for one piece of
00:04:06 --> 00:04:09 hardware. It's a number that completely
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 redefines what's possible in aerospace.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 Avery: It's a stunning achievement in engineering
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 and logistics. That level of reusability
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 is what drives down costs and increases
00:04:19 --> 00:04:22 access to space for everyone. And speaking of
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 other major players, Jeff Bezos's Blue
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 Origin is preparing for a launch as well.
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 Their New Shepard rocket is on the path for
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 its next suborbital science mission.
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 This flight, designated
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 NS26, is packed with science.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:40 It's carrying over 40 payloads from
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 NASA, universities and commercial
00:04:43 --> 00:04:44 research institutions.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:46 Anna: It's a great platform for microgravity
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 research. This particular flight is carrying
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 experiments to study everything from the
00:04:51 --> 00:04:54 behaviour of fluids in space, which is
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 critical for life support systems, to how
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 spaceflight affects plant cells and dn.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:02 Avery: And of course, rounding out the week, it
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 wouldn't be space news without the steady
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 drumbeat of Starlink launches.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 SpaceX sent up several more batches,
00:05:10 --> 00:05:13 continuing to expand the global coverage and
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 capacity of their satellite Internet service.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:18 Anna: From government missions to commercial
00:05:18 --> 00:05:21 science and global Internet, it's a clear
00:05:21 --> 00:05:23 sign of a vibrant and diverse launch
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 industry. Firing on all cylinders.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 Avery: All right, let's pivot. From the roar of
00:05:28 --> 00:05:31 rockets to the silent, steady gaze
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 of our most powerful eye in the sky.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:37 The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a
00:05:37 --> 00:05:40 stunning new look at a mysterious visitor
00:05:40 --> 00:05:42 from far beyond our solar system.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:46 Anna: This is a really fantastic story of
00:05:46 --> 00:05:49 cosmic detective work. For the first time,
00:05:49 --> 00:05:51 Webb focused its powerful infrared
00:05:51 --> 00:05:54 instruments on an object named Comet
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 3I ATLAS.
00:05:57 --> 00:06:00 The I in its name is crucial. It
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 stands for interstellar. This means
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 the Comet is not gravitationally bound to our
00:06:05 --> 00:06:08 Sun. It's just passing through from another
00:06:08 --> 00:06:08 star system.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 Avery: And this isn't a common occurrence. It's only
00:06:11 --> 00:06:14 the third interstellar object we've ever
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 definitively identified, after Oumuamua
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 and Borisov. And Webb's capabilities
00:06:19 --> 00:06:22 allowed for an unprecedented level of
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 analysis.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 Anna: Exactly. Webb didn't just take a picture. It
00:06:26 --> 00:06:29 performed spectroscopy on the coma, which is
00:06:29 --> 00:06:32 the fuzzy atmosphere of gas and dust that
00:06:32 --> 00:06:35 boils off the comet's icy nucleus as it gets
00:06:35 --> 00:06:38 closer to the Sun. This allowed scientists
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 to identify its chemical makeup.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:43 Avery: And what they found was truly unique. This
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 comet has the highest ratio of carbon
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 dioxide to water ever measured
00:06:48 --> 00:06:51 in any comet. It's incredibly
00:06:51 --> 00:06:54 rich in CO2, which suggests it formed
00:06:54 --> 00:06:57 in very cold
00:06:57 --> 00:06:58 region of its home star system.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:02 Anna: A region likely much colder and different
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 from the birthplace of our own solar system's
00:07:04 --> 00:07:07 comets. This distinct chemical signature is
00:07:07 --> 00:07:10 like a birth certificate, providing clues
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 about the specific conditions in the
00:07:12 --> 00:07:15 protoplanetary disc where it originated light
00:07:15 --> 00:07:15 years away.
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 Avery: And there's another incredible detail. It's
00:07:18 --> 00:07:21 age. Based on its trajectory and
00:07:21 --> 00:07:23 composition, scientists estimate comet size
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 3i atlas is roughly 7
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 billion years old. That makes it
00:07:29 --> 00:07:32 significantly older than our entire solar
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 system, which clocks in at, uh, about
00:07:34 --> 00:07:36 4.6 billion years.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:40 Anna: So we are looking at a pristine frozen
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 relic from a star system that was mature
00:07:43 --> 00:07:46 before our sun even ignited. It's a
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 time capsule from an ancient alien world.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 And studying it helps us understand the
00:07:51 --> 00:07:54 vast diversity of planetary systems across
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 the Galax.
00:07:56 --> 00:07:58 Avery: For our last story, we're coming back down to
00:07:58 --> 00:08:01 Earth for a moment to look at a creative way
00:08:01 --> 00:08:04 people are celebrating the history of getting
00:08:04 --> 00:08:04 off it.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:08 Anna: This is a neat one. The design studio Chop
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 Shop, known for their beautiful space themed
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 artwork and apparel, is releasing a new
00:08:13 --> 00:08:16 series of their Great Leaps enamel pins.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 Avery: And these aren't just pins of the usual
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 suspects like the Saturn V or
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 the space shuttle. The whole point of this
00:08:23 --> 00:08:26 series is to celebrate the lesser known but
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 incredibly important milestone milestones in
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 space history.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:32 Anna: Right. They're shining a spotlight on moments
00:08:32 --> 00:08:34 that were foundational to everything that
00:08:34 --> 00:08:37 came after. For example, one of the new pins
00:08:37 --> 00:08:40 commemorates Robert Goddard's first
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 successful liquid fueled rocket launch in
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 1926, which was basically.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:47 Avery: The kitty hawk moment for the entire space
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 age. It was a tiny rocket that flew for just
00:08:49 --> 00:08:52 2 1/2 seconds, but it proved the
00:08:52 --> 00:08:54 fundamental concept that would eventually
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 take us to the moon.
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 Anna: Another pen in the series celebrates a
00:08:58 --> 00:09:01 different kind of milestone, a political one.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 It honours the 1975 treaty between
00:09:04 --> 00:09:07 the United States and the Soviet Union that
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 paved the way for the Apollo Soyuz test
00:09:10 --> 00:09:12 project and ultimately the International
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 Space Station.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 Avery: That's so important to remember. Space
00:09:16 --> 00:09:19 exploration isn't just about engineering.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:22 It's about diplomacy, collaboration and
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 shared human ambition. It's a cool way for
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 space enthusiasts is to wear a piece of that
00:09:26 --> 00:09:29 deeper history on their jacket or backpack.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:32 Anna: It is. It's a wonderful reminder
00:09:32 --> 00:09:35 that for every famous giant leap there were
00:09:35 --> 00:09:38 countless smaller crucial steps that made it
00:09:38 --> 00:09:38 possible.
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 And that brings us to the end of another
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 episode. From the triumphant flight of
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 starship to a 7 billion year old
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 interstellar comet, it's been another
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 remarkable day in space.
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 Avery: It certainly has. Thanks so much for joining
00:09:52 --> 00:09:54 us on Astronomy Daily. We hope you enjoy the
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 journey.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 Anna: You can find more content and connect with us
00:09:57 --> 00:10:00 on our social media channels. Just search for
00:10:00 --> 00:10:03 AstroDaily Pod or visit us on
00:10:03 --> 00:10:06 our website at ah astronomydaily.IO
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 we love hearing from our listeners.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 Avery: M. Until next time, keep looking up.