Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 3rd September 2024Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for all the latest news in the world of space and Astronomy. I'm Anna, your host for today. We've got some exciting stories lined up for you, from NASA's Artemis III mission to the latest updates on the BepiColombo spacecraft and more. So stay tuned for some incredible space news and insights.Highlights:- BepiColombo's Fourth Mercury Flyby: The joint mission by the European Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is gearing up for its fourth Mercury flyby. Scheduled for 23:48 CEST (21:48 UTC) on September 4, BepiColombo will pass just 165 km above Mercury's surface. This flyby is crucial for adjusting the spacecraft's speed and trajectory, and it offers scientists a valuable opportunity to gather preliminary data and fine-tune onboard instruments. Despite challenges with its electric thrusters, the mission remains on track, with 10 of the 16 scientific instruments operational during this flyby. Expect the first images to be released on September 5, with initial scientific results to follow on September 13.- China's Sea-Based Satellite Launch: Galactic Energy, a private rocket manufacturer based in Beijing, has achieved its third sea-based launch of the Series One carrier rocket, marking China's 12th successful sea-based satellite launch. The rocket deployed six satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit approximately 535 km above Earth, showcasing the reliability and effectiveness of their technology. This successful launch highlights China's growing prowess in space exploration and satellite deployment.- Artemis III Mission and 4G Connectivity: NASA's upcoming Artemis III mission will break new ground by equipping astronauts with cutting-edge 4G connectivity designed by Nokia. This technology will allow lunar explorers to broadcast high-definition video and transmit large volumes of scientific data back to Earth in real-time. The 4G network will be tested later this year with Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission, and the technology could benefit future lunar missions and various lunar devices.- The Mystery of Lunar Swirls: Visible through even basic telescopes, lunar swirls have long puzzled scientists. Recent studies suggest that these light-colored swirls are the result of magnetized rocks that create a magnetic field strong enough to deflect solar wind particles. Understanding the origin of these swirls could reveal more about the Moon's geological history and its ancient magnetic environment. NASA plans to send a rover to the famous Reiner Gamma swirl in 2025 as part of the Lunar Vertex mission to gather more data.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed.Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.Until next time, keep looking up.Sponsor Links:NordPassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton Mail  (for when you're ready to ditch Gmail, Outlook, etc. for a truly secure and private email...like we did)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 2nd September 2024Welcome to another episode of Astronomy Daily from Downunder. It's Steve here, bringing you the latest space and astronomy news on this second day of spring and September 2024. We've got a mixed bag of stories for you this week, from China's high-resolution map of Mars to SpaceX's Falcon 9 mishap, and much more. Let's dive right in!Highlights:- SpaceX Falcon 9 Mishap: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has cleared SpaceX to restart its Falcon 9 launches following an investigation into a rare mishap during a first stage booster landing. The booster tipped over and exploded while attempting to land on a droneship off the Florida coast. Despite the mishap, the mission successfully delivered 21 Starlink Internet satellites into orbit. This incident ended a streak of over three years of successful booster landings.- NASA's Solar Sail Deployment: NASA's advanced composite solar sail system has successfully deployed in space. Launched on Rocket Lab's Electron vehicle, the solar sail reached full deployment on August 29. This innovative technology uses sunlight to guide its path through space and will be tested for maneuverability in the coming weeks. The data gathered will help design future solar sail missions for space weather monitoring, asteroid reconnaissance, and more.- Europa Clipper's Solar Arrays: NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft has been fitted with gigantic solar arrays at the Kennedy Space Center. These arrays, each measuring 14.2 meters in length, are the largest ever developed by NASA for a planetary mission. They will help power the spacecraft as it investigates Jupiter's icy moon Europa, aiming to determine if its subsurface ocean could support life. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch on October 10 and will arrive at Jupiter in 2030.- China's High-Resolution Mars Map: China's Tianwen-1 mission has created the first high-resolution global color map of Mars. Developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this map has a spatial resolution greater than 1 km and could support future crewed missions to Mars. The map was created using countless remote sensing images acquired by the Tianwen-1 orbiter.- Boeing's Starliner Return: NASA has announced that Boeing's Starliner capsule will depart the International Space Station no earlier than September 6. The capsule, which has faced multiple delays and technical issues, will return to Earth uncrewed. Astronauts Sonny Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were originally scheduled to return on Starliner, will now come back aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February next year.- DART Mission Debris: Debris from NASA's DART mission, which tested a kinetic impact to nudge an asteroid, could potentially reach Earth and Mars. While it's unlikely we'll see a meteor shower on Earth, the debris could result in meteors on Mars. The DART mission successfully shortened the orbit of the asteroid Dimorphos around its parent asteroid Didymos.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed.Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.Until next time, keep looking up.Sponsor Links:NordPassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton Mail  (for when you're ready to ditch gmail, outlook etc for a truly secure and private email...we did)Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 31 August 2024Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest in space exploration and Astronomy. I'm your host, Anna. Today, we've got some fascinating stories lined up for you. From SpaceX receiving the green light to fly their Falcon 9 rocket again after a recent mishap, to NASA's strategic crew adjustments on their SpaceX flights, there's a lot to cover. We're also diving into groundbreaking advancements with the Event Horizon Telescope that promise to reveal clearer images of black holes than ever before. And we'll take a closer look at how New Zealand's rapidly growing space sector is grappling with sustainability challenges. So let's dive right into the latest updates and breakthroughs.Highlights:- SpaceX Falcon 9 Cleared for Launch: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given SpaceX the green light to restart its Falcon 9 launches following an investigation into a recent mishap. Despite a first stage booster tipping over and exploding while attempting to land on a drone ship, the mission successfully delivered 21 Starlink Internet satellites into orbit. This incident marked an end to a streak lasting over three years of successful booster landings. The FAA has allowed the Falcon 9 to return to flight operations, demonstrating SpaceX's resilience and adaptability.- NASA's Crew Dragon Flight Adjustments: NASA has announced changes to its upcoming SpaceX Crew Dragon flight, reassigning astronauts to make room for the crew from Boeing's Starliner capsule. This decision ensures seamless coordination with Roscosmos and maintains collaborative efforts on the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-9 flight, now set for September 24, will be captained by Nick Haig, with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbanov joining as the mission specialist.- Event Horizon Telescope Advancements: The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) team has made significant strides in improving the resolution of black hole images. Collaborating with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and other facilities, the EHT team achieved an astonishing level of observational detail. These advancements promise to reveal more detailed properties around black holes, potentially uncovering both predicted and unexpected phenomena.- New Zealand's Aerospace Sector and Sustainability: New Zealand's aerospace sector is experiencing rapid growth with ambitious goals for the global space industry. However, this growth brings pressing sustainability issues to light. Balancing economic expansion with sustainable practices is crucial as the global community becomes more aware of space debris and other environmental concerns. New Zealand's aerospace strategy includes a bilateral agreement with the United States and policies on space debris removal, but critics argue that more proactive measures are needed.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed.Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.Until next time, keep looking up.Sponsor Links:NordpassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 30 August 2024Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest and greatest news in space and Astronomy. I'm your host, Anna, and I'm thrilled to be guiding you through today's top stories. We have some fascinating updates from the cosmos, spanning from groundbreaking scientific missions to the latest in space tourism adventures. Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or just a curious stargazer, there's something here for everyone. So let's dive into some exciting content that's sure to ignite your imagination and fuel your passion for all things celestial.Highlights:- NASA and Boeing's Starliner Mission Uncrewed Return: NASA and Boeing are gearing up for an uncrewed return mission of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. The spacecraft is slated to undock from the International Space Station no earlier than 06:04 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 6, and will begin a roughly six-hour journey to its designated landing site at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. This mission follows NASA's decision on August 24 to conduct the Starliner return without a human crew, ensuring that Starliner can perform a fully autonomous return to Earth.- NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System: NASA has announced a significant milestone with the successful deployment of its advanced composite solar sail system. On August 29, mission operators confirmed the deployment of the sail-hoisting boom system. This innovative technology spans approximately 860 sq ft and is expected to influence the design and operation of future solar sail missions.- Blue Origin's NS-26 Mission: Blue Origin has successfully completed its 8th human spaceflight with Mission NS-26. This latest venture included a diverse group of six thrill-seekers, among them Carson Kitchen, a 21-year-old senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who became the youngest woman to ever cross the Karman line. The entire flight lasted between ten to eleven minutes, offering these space tourists a brief but extraordinary glimpse into the cosmos.- NASA's Lunar South Pole Research: NASA has awarded a lucrative contract to Intuitive Machines for an ambitious lunar south pole research delivery. This mission will focus on the lunar south pole, an area of great interest due to its unique conditions and potential ice deposits, marking a major step forward in lunar exploration.- Warp Drive and Black Holes: Researchers Remo Garattini and Kirill Zatrimalov have been exploring whether a warp bubble, the key element in a warp drive, could survive the intense gravitational field of a black hole. Their findings suggest that under specific conditions, a warp bubble might just pull it off, opening up the possibility for future research into creating smaller lab-based warp drive models.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed.Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.Until next time, keep looking up.Sponsor Links: Pay them a visit and check out the great deals. These are tools we use and highly recommend for the best in privacy and security online.NordpassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 29th August 2024Welcome to Astronomy Daily, the podcast where we explore the latest in space and Astronomy news. I'm your host, Anna. Today we have a fantastic lineup of stories that will take you from the high stakes of space travel to fascinating new scientific discoveries. From SpaceX facing challenges with their Falcon 9 rocket, to scientists measuring a planet-wide electric field for the first time ever, we have so much to explore. We'll also delve into Boom Supersonic's second test flight of their XB-1 aircraft, and wrap up with a look at the detection of water vapor in the atmosphere of an ultra-hot, Saturn-like exoplanet. So grab your telescopes and let's dive in.Highlights:- SpaceX Falcon 9 Grounded: The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket following a failed booster landing. The booster, serial number B1062, was consumed in a dramatic fireball on the deck of the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas." This incident occurred at the tail end of its record-setting 23rd flight. An investigation has been mandated to thoroughly understand the root cause of the mishap.- Polaris Dawn Mission Delays: The Polaris Dawn astronaut mission has been delayed twice in the same week due to a helium leak and recovery weather concerns. The crew remains in quarantine, awaiting clearance for their next launch attempt. Timing for the launch remains uncertain due to the ongoing FAA investigation and other logistical challenges.- Planet-Wide Electric Field Measured: For the first time in history, scientists have successfully measured a planet-wide electric field known as the ambipolar electric field using NASA's Endurance mission. This breakthrough plays a crucial role in atmospheric escape and shapes our ionosphere, offering new insights into planetary atmospheres beyond Earth.- Boom Supersonic's XB-1 Test Flight: Boom Supersonic's XB-1 aircraft successfully completed its second test flight, reaching an altitude of 10,400 ft and achieving a speed of 277 mph. This flight demonstrated the retraction and extension of landing gear for the first time and tested a new digital stability augmentation system.- Water Vapor on Ultra-Hot Exoplanet: Researchers have detected water vapor in the atmosphere of HD 149026 b, an ultra-hot Saturn-like exoplanet located approximately 250 light years away. This discovery was made using transmission spectroscopy and provides valuable insights into the characteristics and composition of exoplanetary atmospheres.For more exciting content, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can catch up on the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed. You can also sign up for our free Daily newsletter so you never miss a beat in the cosmos.Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.Until next time, keep looking up.Sponsor Links: (Grab yourself a great deal on services that we use every day ourselves) NordpassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 15 October 2024Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for all the latest in space and Astronomy news. I'm your host Anna, and I'm delighted to have you with us today. In this episode, we have some exciting updates to share. We'll delve into recent developments from SpaceX and their ongoing Polaris Dawn mission, take a closer look at new research revealing surprising insights about Venus's atmosphere, and explore the far-reaching implications of NASA's DART mission on asteroid Dimorphos. That's not all. We'll also uncover the latest discovery from the Hubble Space Telescope, which has located a fascinating mini galaxy, and look ahead to observing Salsa satellite's reentry event. So sit back, relax, and let's journey through the cosmos together.Highlights:- SpaceX's Polaris Dawn Mission Delay: SpaceX's ambitious Polaris Dawn astronaut mission has faced multiple delays, the most recent due to unfavorable weather forecasts and a helium leak. The team remains hopeful and is diligently monitoring both technical and weather conditions to ensure a safe and successful mission.- Venus's Atmospheric Mysteries: Recent observations have revealed an unexpected increase in the level of deuterium relative to hydrogen in Venus's atmosphere. This significant finding could alter our understanding of this mysterious planet and its atmospheric processes.- NASA's DART Mission Insights: NASA's DART mission has provided groundbreaking insights into asteroid dynamics and planetary defense. The intentional collision with the asteroid moon Dimorphos not only altered its trajectory but also significantly changed its shape, leading to far-reaching implications for our understanding of asteroid evolution.- Hubble's Mini Galaxy Discovery: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured a glittering collection of stars forming the Pegasus dwarf spheroidal galaxy, also known as Andromeda VI. This discovery offers monumental insights into the universe's grand narrative and the formation of dwarf galaxies.- Salsa Satellite's Reentry Observation: On September 8, 2024, the Salsa satellite will reenter Earth's atmosphere, and scientists have prepared an airborne observation experiment to gather rare data on how the satellite breaks apart. This data is invaluable for designing satellites that reenter more safely and sustainably in the future.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed.Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.Until next time, keep your eyes on the stars.Sponsor Links:NordpassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 12 October 2024Welcome back to Astronomy Daily, your go-to source for the latest and greatest news in the world of space and Astronomy. I'm your host, Anna, and today we have an exciting lineup of stories from Boeing's ongoing challenges with the Starliner capsule to a delay in SpaceX's historic Polaris Dawn mission due to a helium leak. There's plenty to discuss. We'll also look at Blue Origin's upcoming NS-26 mission and wrap up JAXA's successful SLIM lander mission despite communication issues. Finally, we'll dive into how scientists are pushing the boundaries in the search for dark matter with record-breaking results. Stay tuned as we dive into some fascinating updates.Highlights:- Boeing's Starliner Struggles: NASA's decision to send Boeing's Starliner capsule back to Earth without astronauts has raised many questions about the future of this ambitious project. Persistent technical issues have plagued the mission, leading to significant delays and cost overruns.- Polaris Dawn Mission Delay: SpaceX's highly anticipated Polaris Dawn mission faces a delay due to a helium leak. Originally set to launch early Tuesday morning, the mission is now postponed by at least 24 hours. Despite this, the mission promises to deliver exciting new milestones in commercial space travel.- Blue Origin's NS-26 Mission: Blue Origin is gearing up for its 8th human spaceflight mission, NS-26, set to launch this week. This mission includes a diverse crew and promises to be another milestone for the company as it continues to expand the horizons of suborbital space tourism.- JAXA's SLIM Lander Success: Despite communication issues, JAXA's SLIM lander mission has achieved numerous scientific objectives, including the world's first successful pinpoint landing on the moon with an error margin of just 10 meters.- Dark Matter Search Advances: Scientists have made a significant leap forward in the search for dark matter with the Lux-Zeppelin (LZ) experiment, setting a new benchmark by probing almost five times deeper than any previous experiment in the pursuit of these elusive particles.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed.Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.Until next time, keep your eyes on the stars.Sponsor Links:NordpassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton MailBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

AstroDailyPod - The Podcast: 26 August 2024Welcome back to another episode of Astronomy Daily the Podcast with your host, Steve Dunkley and Hallie. Today, we've got a fascinating mix of stories that will take you from the depths of Jupiter's Great Red Spot to the future of SpaceTime colonies. Buckle up for an intriguing journey through space and time.Highlights:The Great Red Spot: Discover the latest findings on Jupiter's Great Red Spot, its history, and the mysteries surrounding this massive atmospheric structure.- The Moon's Magma Ocean: Explore new data from India's Chandrayaan-3 mission supporting the theory that the Moon was once covered by a molten rock ocean.- Space Food Competition: Learn about NASA's challenge to develop deep-space food solutions, featuring innovative technologies and surprising ingredients.- Polaris Dawn Mission: Get the inside scoop on the Polaris Dawn mission, aiming to set new records with its private spacewalk and high-altitude flight.- Cost-Effective Europa Missions: Dive into the details of a proposed Europa mission that could drastically reduce costs using advanced technologies.- Future Space Colonies: Envision the complex relationships that might develop between Earth and future SpaceTime colonies, from economic dependencies to cultural differences.For more Space and Astronomy news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed.Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update.Until next time, keep your eyes on the stars.Sponsor Links:NordpassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton Mailbitesz.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest news and insights in the world of space and Astronomy. I'm your host, Anna. Today we'll start with SpaceX's rapid progress at Starbase, where they're making significant advances with their launch towers and preparing for future missions. Then we'll move on to a fascinating new initiative from Japanese company Astroscale, which aims to tackle the growing problem of space junk with an innovative $90 million mission. Next, we'll dive into some exciting research being conducted on the International Space Station by NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Finally, we'll explore Harvard professor Avi Loeb's intriguing hypothesis about how advanced civilizations might use black holes as a power source. Let's dive in.- **SpaceX's Rapid Progress at Starbase**: SpaceX has done it again. They've stacked launch tower two at orbital launch pad B at Starbase, Texas, in record time. This rapid assembly, completed in just 41 Daily, is an impressive feat of engineering and logistics, setting the stage for their innovative chopstick system designed to catch boosters mid-air. - **Astroscale's $90 Million Space Junk Removal Mission**: Japanese company Astroscale recently secured a $90 million contract to remove a bus-sized rocket stage from orbit. This mission, funded by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is a significant step forward in space sustainability. Astroscale's project, named ADRAS-J2, aims to tackle the issue of space debris head-on, using advanced robotic technologies to clean up our orbits. The mission involves using a robotic arm to grab the tumbling rocket stage and pull it into Earth's atmosphere, where it will burn up on reentry. - **Exciting Research on the ISS**: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been conducting groundbreaking research on the International Space Station (ISS). Their work includes experiments on plant growth in space, fluid physics, and utilizing Astrobee, a set of free-flying robots designed to assist with chores and maintenance. - **Avi Loeb's Black Hole Moon Hypothesis**: Harvard professor Avi Loeb has sparked intriguing discussions with his latest hypothesis, the Black Hole Moon. This groundbreaking idea suggests that advanced civilizations could exploit black holes as potent energy sources, potentially providing a technosignature detectable from Earth. Loeb builds upon Roger Penrose's concept of extracting energy from a rotating black hole's accretion disk and proposes the creation or capture of a small black hole weighing about 100,000 tons. This black hole could emit a massive continuous energy output through Hawking radiation, potentially powering an entire planet and even consuming waste. Detecting such a system could revolutionize our search for extraterrestrial intelligence.For more space news, be sure to visit our website at astronomydaily.io. There you can sign up for our free Daily newsletter, read insightful blog posts, and catch up on all the latest space and Astronomy news with our constantly updating newsfeed. Don't forget to listen to all our previous episodes as well. You can also follow us on social media. Just search for AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok to stay connected with our community and never miss an update. Until next time, keep your eyes on the stars.Sponsor Links:NordpassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton Mailbitesz.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.

Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your go-to Podcast for the latest news and discoveries in the field of space and Astronomy. I'm your host Anna, and we have some fascinating stories lined up for you today. From NASA's upcoming decision on Boeing's Starliner to the historic private spacewalk planned by SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, we've got the latest updates that will keep you on the edge of your seat. We'll also delve into groundbreaking findings from India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, discuss the finale of ESA's Cluster mission, and explore new simulations about the chances of a collision between the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. Stay tuned. It's going to be an exciting episode. - **NASA's Decision on Boeing's Starliner**: NASA is gearing up to make a significant decision this Stuart regarding whether astronauts Butch Wilmore and SUNY Williams will return to Earth using Boeing's troubled Starliner spacecraft or SpaceX's reliable Crew Dragon. This announcement holds particular weight given the numerous challenges the Starliner has faced throughout its mission.  - **Polaris Dawn Mission: Historic Private Spacewalk**: SpaceX has announced a slight delay in their much-anticipated Polaris Dawn mission. Originally set to lift off on August 26, the launch is now scheduled for no earlier than August 27. This shift allows the team to complete some additional pre-flight checkouts to ensure everything is in perfect order for this groundbreaking mission.  - **Chandrayaan-3 Mission: New Lunar Discoveries**: Next up, the Pragyan rover, part of India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, has been actively exploring the moon's south pole, providing fascinating insights into our celestial neighbor. Launched last summer, the Vikram lander made a successful touchdown, allowing the Pragyan rover to embark on its scientific expedition. So far, Pragyan has been diligently collecting and analyzing soil samples, a task that has yielded data bolstering theories about the moon's fiery origins. - **ESA's Cluster Mission Finale **: ESA's historic Cluster mission is coming to a close after an impressive 24 years of service. Launched back in 2000, the Cluster mission has provided invaluable data on Earth's magnetic environment, or magnetosphere. - **Milky Way and Andromeda: Collision or Near Miss?**: Here's a story that could rewrite the textbooks. Astronomers have long held the belief that our home galaxy, the Milky Way, will inevitably merge with our neighboring Andromeda galaxy within the next 5 billion years. This anticipated cataclysmic event has been a staple of astronomical forecasts, predicting an eventual fusion of the two galaxies into a new elliptical supergalaxy called Milkomeda. However, new simulations present a more nuanced picture, suggesting that the likelihood of this colossal collision could be a mere 50% over the next 10 billion years. To catch the latest in Space and Astronomy News, simply visit our website at astronomydaily.ioFor more Space & Astronomy News podcasts, visit our HQ at bitesz.comSponsor Links:NordpassNordVPNMalwarebytesProton Mail & SecurityBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast--5648921/support.