S03E198: SpaceX's Astrobeat, Australia's Launch Leap, and Parker's Venus Dance

Hello everybody. Here we are again. Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your daily dose of space and astronomy news. I'm your host Anna, and today we have an exciting lineup of stories from across the cosmos. We'll be diving into SpaceX's latest mission to the International Space Station, exploring groundbreaking discoveries about Mars and Venus, and catching up with several other fascinating developments in space exploration. From commercial spaceflight to planetary science, we've got an incredible show ahead, so let's get started. SpaceX has kicked off the week with another successful launch to the International Space Station, marking their 31st commercial resupply mission. The Dragon spacecraft lifted off Monday night from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying more than 6,000 pounds of vital supplies and fascinating new scientific experiments to our orbiting laboratory.

Among the cargo are several groundbreaking experiments that could shape the future of space exploration. One particularly innovative project will test a new way to repair spacecraft hulls from the inside out. Called Astrobeat, this experiment will explore cold welding in microgravity, potentially leading to revolutionary repair methods that don't require heat - a crucial advancement for future deep space missions. The mission also includes the Coronal Diagnostic Experiment, or CODEX, which will help us better understand solar wind formation. Using a special instrument called a coronagraph to block out most of the Sun's light, scientists will be able to study the solar corona in unprecedented detail.

In what could be a glimpse into future space farming, researchers are sending Antarctic moss to test how well it handles the combined effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity. This research could be vital for identifying plants suitable for long-duration space missions. The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to remain docked at the station until December, when it will return to Earth with research samples and cargo, splashing down off the Florida coast. This mission represents another step forward in our ongoing efforts to maintain and utilize the International Space Station as our premier orbital research platform.

Now, one for our listeners down under. Australia's space industry has just achieved a remarkable milestone that marks a new chapter in the country's space exploration capabilities. Gilmour Space Technologies has been awarded Australia's first-ever orbital launch permit, clearing the way for their Eris rocket to make its maiden flight from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in north Queensland.

This historic permit was granted by the Minister for Industry and Science and the Australian Space Agency under the Space Launches and Returns Act. The legislation requires that any objects launched from Australian soil reaching altitudes above 100 kilometers must meet strict safety and operational conditions, including providing a 30-day notice before launch. The company's journey to this point has been impressive. Since beginning their rocket program in 2015, Gilmour Space has grown to employ over 200 people and built a network of more than 300 Australian suppliers. They've already completed crucial pre-launch testing, including a successful wet dress rehearsal that brought their Eris rocket to within 10 seconds of launch.

The Bowen Orbital Spaceport, which opened its doors in April after receiving its license in March, stands as Australia's first orbital launch facility. It's one of only a handful of private orbital launch sites worldwide, positioned to support launches into low and mid-inclination orbits. This development isn't just about reaching space – it's about creating opportunities right here on Earth. The project has already generated significant economic impact across the region, with rockets being designed on the Gold Coast and launched from north Queensland. It's a perfect example of how space industry development can drive local innovation and create high-value jobs in multiple regions.

Next up, let's head back to the sun. NASA's Parker Solar Probe is gearing up for a pivotal moment in its groundbreaking mission. On November 6th, the spacecraft will execute its final Venus gravity assist maneuver, swooping within just 233 miles of the planet's surface. This carefully choreographed celestial dance will set the stage for an unprecedented achievement in space exploration. The Venus flyby will adjust Parker's trajectory into its final orbital configuration, ultimately bringing it closer to our star than any human-made object has ever ventured. On December 24th, the probe will skim just 3.86 million miles from the solar surface, literally touching the outer corona of our Sun. What's particularly fascinating about these Venus flybys is how they've yielded unexpected scientific treasures. The probe's Wide-Field Imager, or WISPR, made a remarkable discovery during a previous Venus encounter. When scientists pointed the instrument at Venus, hoping to study its cloud cover, they found it could actually see through the planet's thick atmosphere right down to the surface, which glows in near-infrared light due to its scorching temperature of 869 degrees Fahrenheit.

This final flyby has been carefully planned to help solve some intriguing mysteries from previous passes. The WISPR images have shown puzzling bright patterns that don't quite match what we expected from earlier radar mapping missions. Scientists hope this last close approach will help them determine whether these variations are due to different surface materials or perhaps areas where more recent volcanic activity has left its mark. After completing this Venus maneuver, Parker will be primed for its historic solar approach. At this extreme proximity, it will pass through plasma still physically connected to the Sun and potentially weather solar eruptions from inside them – much like a surfer diving beneath a breaking wave. It's a testament to modern engineering that we've built something capable of withstanding such extreme conditions.

Next up, why is the surface of Mars so crusty? I'll answer that question right after a quick word from a sponsor..

Now, let's head off to Mars. In a fascinating breakthrough, scientists have finally unraveled one of Mars' enduring mysteries - why its soil forms such a distinctive crusty layer. This discovery comes from an unexpected source: NASA's InSight mission, which landed on the Red Planet back in 2018. While the mission's Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package, nicknamed the Martian Mole, didn't reach its intended depth, it still provided invaluable data about the planet's surface composition. The instrument managed to penetrate just 16 inches into the Martian soil, encountering what scientists now understand is a remarkably complex layer of material. The German Aerospace Center team analyzing the data found that the top 40 centimeters of Martian soil experiences dramatic temperature swings. While the surface temperature fluctuates by a staggering 110 to 130 degrees Celsius during a Martian day, just beneath the surface, these variations decrease to only 5 to 7 degrees. This sophisticated temperature dance creates perfect conditions for a fascinating chemical process.

During winter and spring, when there's sufficient moisture in the atmosphere, salty brines form in the soil for about ten hours each day. As these brines solidify, they create a natural cement that hardens the soil into what scientists call "duricrust." This process explains why Mars has such a characteristic hardened surface layer extending about eight inches deep. The soil itself has proven to be an excellent insulator, with properties similar to basaltic sand. Below the crusty surface layer, scientists found material comparable to consolidated sand mixed with coarser basalt fragments. One scientist compared the mechanical properties to floral foam - lightweight and porous, but with a distinctive structure.

This discovery isn't just academically interesting - it has significant implications for future Mars exploration. Understanding the soil's properties and behavior is crucial for planning future missions, especially when considering human exploration of the Red Planet. The way the soil forms and behaves will impact everything from construction projects to potential resource utilization on Mars.

Finally today, we need to say goodbye to an old friend of planet Earth's. After fifteen years of dedicated service, NASA's NEOWISE spacecraft has completed its final mission in dramatic fashion, burning up in Earth's atmosphere on November 1st. This veteran space telescope, which has been one of our most successful asteroid hunters, leaves behind an impressive legacy of discovery and scientific advancement. Originally launched as WISE - the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer - in December 2009, the spacecraft began its journey with a different mission altogether. It was initially tasked with studying the universe in infrared wavelengths, where it excelled at finding luminous galaxies and hidden black holes. But it was when the spacecraft got its second chance at life as NEOWISE that it truly made its mark in planetary defense. When its original coolant supply ran out in 2011, engineers found they could repurpose the spacecraft for a new mission - hunting near-Earth objects. This twist of fate proved remarkably successful, as NEOWISE went on to identify and track over 3,000 near-Earth objects during its extended mission.

The spacecraft's eventual demise was not unexpected. Its low Earth orbit, combined with the current solar maximum - a period of increased solar activity - sealed its fate. As the Sun's heightened activity caused Earth's atmosphere to expand, NEOWISE, lacking any propulsion system, was gradually pulled down until its final plunge. But this isn't the end of NASA's asteroid-hunting efforts. The torch will be passed to NEOSurveyor, scheduled for launch in 2027. This new spacecraft will be the first space telescope specifically designed for hunting near-Earth objects in infrared wavelengths, carrying forward NEOWISE's crucial mission of planetary defense with even more advanced capabilities.

Well, that's all for today's episode of Astronomy Daily. I'm Anna, and I want to thank you for joining me on this journey through the latest developments in space exploration and astronomical discoveries. If you'd like to stay up to date with everything happening in the world of space and astronomy, head over to astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free daily newsletter and access our constantly updating newsfeed. While you're there, be sure to check out the great deals from our sponsors and catch up on any episodes you might have missed. And don't forget to join our growing community on social media. You can find us as AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTube, Tumbler, and TikTok.

Until next time, keep looking up and wondering about the mysteries of our universe. This is Anna, signing off.