Space News Today

Rockets Across Continents, A Black Hole’s Jet Unveiled, and Rain of Rubies on Distant World

A launch-packed Wednesday kicks off with two rocket milestones — SpaceX's BlueBird 8-10 direct-to-cell satellite launch and Ariane 6's record-breaking Amazon Leo flight — followed by a splashdown update for the science-laden Dragon CRS-34. Then a Chandra double-header delivers the most detailed X-ray view ever of M87's famous black hole jet, plus the discovery of possible supernova wreckage at the very heart of the Milky Way. We close with JWST's extraordinary weather portrait of WASP-121b — a planet where the rain is made of rubies and sapphires. Story Summaries & Key Facts Story 1 — SpaceX BlueBird 8-10 Launch • Launched: 2:39 a.m. EDT, 17 June 2026, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (SLC-40) • Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9 (booster B1077, 29th flight) • Booster recovery: drone ship 'A Shortfall of Gravitas', Atlantic Ocean • Payload: AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 8, 9 & 10 (Block 2 next-generation satellites) • Antenna array: ~2,400 sq ft each — largest commercial phased arrays in LEO • Peak data speed: 120 Mbps per coverage cell (nearly double Block 1) • Processing bandwidth: 10 GHz per satellite • Goal: space-based cellular broadband direct to standard smartphones • AST network partners: 50+ MNOs including AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone (~3 billion subscribers) Story 2 — Ariane 6 Record Payload • Mission: VA269 / LE-03 (Amazon Leo 3rd Ariane 6 flight; 8th Ariane 6 overall; 3rd of 2026) • Launch site: Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana • Payload: 36 Amazon Leo broadband satellites — heaviest Ariane payload ever (~20,820 kg) • First flight of upgraded P160C solid rocket boosters (debut; replaces P120C) • P160C improvement: +1 metre longer, carries 156 tonnes propellant each (+10% performance) • Ariane 64 LEO capacity with P160C: ~22 tonnes • Previous flights each carried 32 satellites; today's adds 4 more • Arianespace milestone: 100 Amazon Leo satellites launched in under 5 months • Next Ariane 6 launch: 28 August (2-booster configuration; likely Meteosat-14) Story 3 — Dragon CRS-34 Splashdown (Update) • UPDATE on yesterday's S05E116 story (undocking reported 16 June 2026) • Dragon CRS-34 splashed down off Southern California coast, 17 June 2026 (~5:08 a.m. PDT) • Capsule: Cargo Dragon 2 (C209, 6th flight); undocked ~12:25 p.m. EDT 16 June • Science returned: bioprinted organ/cartilage tissue; DNA-inspired cancer treatment materials • Also returned: blood-forming stem cells; cryogenic propellant storage experiment data • Dragon is the ONLY ISS cargo vehicle capable of returning cargo to Earth intact • Time-sensitive samples flown by helicopter from recovery ship to Kennedy Space Center • CRS-34 launched 15 May 2026; delivered ~6,500 lbs cargo to Expedition 74 crew Story 4 — Chandra / M87 Jet (Double-Header Part 1) • Published: 15 June 2026; presented at 248th AAS Meeting, Pasadena, CA • Lead researcher: Camille Poitras (PhD student, Laval University, Canada) • M87* mass: 6.5 billion solar masses; distance: ~55 million light-years • M87* was the first black hole ever directly imaged (Event Horizon Telescope, 2019) • Data span: Chandra observations 2012–2025, processed with advanced deconvolution • Key finding 1: Two distinct components revealed in feature HST-1 (previously blended) • Key finding 2: Global X-ray emission decrease of up to 84% — consistent with synchrotron cooling • Key finding 3: Jet features show both quasi-stationary and superluminal apparent motion • Multi-wavelength: Chandra + JWST + Hubble + VLA + ALMA combined • Significance: most detailed evolving picture of any black hole jet ever produced Story 5 — Chandra / Galactic Centre Supernova (Double-Header Part 2) • Published: Astrophysical Journal, released 14–15 June 2026 • Lead: Zhenlin Zhu et al. (UCLA); data from Chandra + ESA XMM-Newton + MeerKAT + Pan-STARRS • Location: Sagittarius C complex, ~26,000 light-years from Earth • Finding: possible supernova remnant (diffuse X-ray emission) near Sgr A* • If confirmed: closest supernova remnant ever found to Sagittarius A* • Estimated age of explosion: ~1,700 years ago (approx. 3rd–4th century CE) • Ejection speed: ~2 million mph; brightens region ~10x vs nearby star clusters • Galactic centre context: extreme region of massive stars, magnetic threads, fast-orbiting gas • Importance: SNRs supply iron, oxygen, silicon — key ingredients for planet/life formation Story 6 — JWST / WASP-121b • Published: June 2026 (JWST new observational results); story filed 16 June 2026 • Planet: WASP-121b — ultra-hot Jupiter, ~855 light-years away, constellation Puppis • Size: ~1.75–2× Jupiter; tidally locked (one side always faces its star) • Orbital period: just 30.5 hours (one of the shortest known) • Dayside temperature: ~3,000°C (hot enough to vaporise metals including iron, aluminium) • Wind speed: ~18,000 km/h, carrying vaporised metals from dayside to nightside • Ruby/sapphire rain: aluminium + oxygen → corundum (Al₂O₃) → with impurities = ruby/sapphire • JWST delivered: most detailed 3D...

James Webb’s Cosmic Revelation, Lunar Landers Take Flight, and a Race Against Time for SWIFT

Today's episode covers six stories spanning cosmic mysteries, lunar exploration, robotic rescue missions, cutting-edge space medicine, and what's happening in your own night sky tonight. 1. JWST Solves the "Little Red Dots" Mystery Four years after the James Webb Space Telescope began spotting strange, compact red objects in the ancient universe, scientists have a definitive answer. A team led by Vasily Kokorev at the University of Texas at Austin published the most detailed spectrum ever obtained of one of these objects — GLIMPSE-17775 — in The Astrophysical Journal on June 10. The data confirms these objects are supermassive black holes in their furious early growth phase, wrapped in dense cocoons of hot gas that disguise them. The universe is not broken — the little red dots were just very well hidden. 2. Astrobotic Unveils Griffin-1 Lunar Lander Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic publicly unveiled its Griffin-1 lunar lander on June 15 at the Moonshot Museum. NASA selected Griffin as the vehicle for its Moon Base II mission. The lander will carry Astrolab's FLIP rover and payloads from multiple nations — including Australia — to the lunar South Pole, targeting launch on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy in late 2026. Griffin-1 heads to JPL for environmental testing this month. 3. Robotic Rescue Mission for NASA's Swift Observatory NASA's 22-year-old Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is losing altitude fast due to accelerated solar activity. A startup called Katalyst Space Technologies has built a robotic spacecraft — LINK — in under a year, and it's now integrated into a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket ready for launch from Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, later this month. If successful, LINK will boost Swift's orbit and extend its life — while pioneering on-orbit servicing capabilities. 4. SpaceX CRS-34 Dragon Departs the ISS NASA's 34th SpaceX commercial resupply mission departed the ISS today, June 16, carrying blood stem cells, bioprinted organ and cartilage tissue, DNA-inspired cancer treatment materials, and cryogenic fuel storage experiment data. Splashdown off California is expected June 17. 5. Tonight's Sky: Moon Meets Three Planets A stunning western sky show is on offer tonight — a crescent Moon appearing between Mercury and Jupiter about an hour after sunset, with brilliant Venus also on display. Mercury reached its greatest eastern elongation on June 15, making this the best time of its current apparition to spot it. Tomorrow evening the Moon drifts to sit beside Venus. 6. Space Weather: CME Glancing Blow A coronal mass ejection from June 12 is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth on June 16-17. Active geomagnetic conditions (Kp up to 4) are forecast, with a chance of minor G1 storm conditions. High-latitude aurora watchers in the Southern Hemisphere may see some activity. Links & Further Reading • GLIMPSE-17775 study — The Astrophysical Journal (June 10, 2026) • Astrobotic Griffin-1 mission info: astrobotic.com • NASA Swift Boost mission: science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/swift-boost-mission • ISS research blog: nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation • Space weather: spaceweather.gov | NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center Find us at astronomydaily.io | Follow: @AstroDailyPod Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Sponsor Details: Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN . To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit You'll be glad you did! Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support) This episode includes AI-generated content. Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33820137?utm_source=youtube

Cosmic Acceleration Confirmed: Dark Energy’s Role, Mysterious Signals Decoded

SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 71 Universe expansion still accelerating after all A new study has confirmed that the universe is continuing to expand at an ever-accelerating rate under the force of dark energy and heading for a cold, dark and empty fate. Mysterious cosmic signals finally explained Astronomers have discovered that dead stars called white dwarfs located in binary systems are a primary source of mysterious signals from deep space called long-period radio transients. What made last week’s New England meteor incident so rare? Last week we reported on a meteor that rocked the afternoon spring skies over New England. It now turns out that was a very rare event. The Science Report Sugar-sweetened drinks increase the risk of two types of liver cancer. New fish species swimming in the warm tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. A new study claims that living with cats does not worsen asthma or allergies in children. Skeptics guide to on line influencers. 🌏 Get Our Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ www.bitesz.com/nordvpn (http://www.bitesz.com/nordvpn) . The discounts and bonuses are incredible! And it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✌ If you’d like to support the podcast and gain access to bonus content by becoming a SpaceTime crew member, you can do just that through The Big Bang editions on Patreon, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Details on the Support page on our website https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/ (https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/support/) For more SpaceTime and show links: https://linktr.ee/biteszHQ (https://linktr.ee/biteszHQ) If you love this podcast, please get someone else to listen to. Thank you… Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33798344?utm_source=youtube

Stellar Q&A: Rusty Moons, Space Stations & What If Earth Disappeared? | Space Nuts: Astronomy...

Sponsor Link: This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you by NordVPN , your trusted partner for online security. To take advantage of our exclusive offer, including four extra months for free , visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts (https://www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts) . Q&A: Cosmic Queries and What If Scenarios In this thought-provoking episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson dive into a range of intriguing questions posed by our curious listeners. From the mysteries of small celestial bodies to the hypothetical survival of humanity's legacy, this episode explores the cosmos through the lens of imagination and scientific inquiry. Episode Highlights: - Small Bodies in the Solar System: Bill's question about why small bodies aren't all fluffy leads to a fascinating discussion on the formation of planets and the role of gravity in shaping these celestial objects. - Leaving a Legacy: Peter's thought-provoking "what if" scenario about leaving something behind after Earth's destruction sparks a conversation about the Voyager spacecraft and humanity's enduring mark on the universe. - Saturn's Moons and Rings: Martin asks about the minimum size for an object to be classified as a moon, leading to an exploration of Saturn's numerous satellites and the dynamics of its iconic ring system. - Impact of a Space Station: Finn's imaginative query about a giant space station's effect on the Earth and Moon orbits prompts a discussion on gravitational dynamics and the stability of planetary systems. For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/) Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform. If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/about) . Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . - Formation of Small Celestial Bodies - Humanity's Cosmic Legacy - Saturn's Moons and Ring Dynamics - Gravitational Effects of Space Structures - Listener Questions and Cosmic Curiosities Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33795969?utm_source=youtube

Cosmic Tug-of-War: The Small Magellanic Cloud’s Demise, Lunar Base Blueprint

Sponsor Link: This episode of SpaceTime is brought to you by NordVPN , where your online security starts. To check out our special offer for SpaceTime listeners, visit www.nordvpn.com/stuartgary (https://www.nordvpn.com/stuartgary) SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 70 *The Small Magellanic Cloud is being ripped apart A new study reveals that the Small Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, is slowly being torn apart by gravitational forces from the Large Magellanic Cloud. Researchers have utilised over a decade of observations to uncover the galaxy's dynamic state, challenging previous models of coherent rotation. *Blueprint for a lunar base NASA's plans for a lunar base at the Moon's South Pole are sparking innovative proposals for construction using local lunar materials. The Texas A&M Space Institute is leading research into using lunar regolith, a challenging construction material, to develop habitats for future lunar missions. *Meteor rocks New England A recent meteor explosion over New England has been confirmed as a sonic boom from a meteor entering the Earth's atmosphere, sending shockwaves across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The meteor, travelling at 121,000 kilometres per hour, likely fragmented before falling into the North Atlantic Ocean. *The Science Robert Increased wildfire risks are predicted across parts of Australia, while a study reveals that Iceman Otzi's microbiome remains active even after 5,300 years. Additionally, video technology may allow for heart rate monitoring through facial recognition. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33758553?utm_source=youtube

Space Chronicles: Blue Origin’s Boom, The Case for Primordial Black Holes | Space Nuts:...

Sponsor Link: This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you by NordVPN , your reliable partner for online security. To take advantage of our exclusive offer, including four extra months for free , visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts (https://www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts) . Space Exploration: Blue Origin's Explosive Test and the Mysteries of the Universe In this thrilling episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson reunite to discuss a range of captivating topics, including the recent explosive test of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, primordial black holes, and the ongoing debate around dark energy. Buckle up as we delve into the cosmos and explore these fascinating themes. Episode Highlights: - Blue Origin's Test Launch: The episode kicks off with an analysis of the dramatic Blue Origin test that resulted in an explosive incident at Cape Canaveral, raising questions about the future of the Artemis programme and the implications for upcoming lunar missions. - Primordial Black Holes: Andrew and Fred Watson discuss a recent microlensing event observed in the Large Magellanic Cloud, exploring the possibility that the mysterious object, dubbed Phoebe, could be a primordial black hole, a concept first proposed by Stephen Hawking. - Gravitational Microlensing Explained: The hosts break down the phenomenon of gravitational microlensing, illustrating how invisible objects can magnify the light of distant stars and what this means for our understanding of dark matter and the universe. - Dark Energy: A Possible Furphy? A thought-provoking discussion ensues about the nature of dark energy, with insights from a recent paper suggesting that our current model of the universe may be oversimplified, raising the possibility that dark energy may not be necessary at all. For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/) Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform. If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/about) . Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . - Blue Origin's Explosive Test - Understanding Primordial Black Holes - Gravitational Microlensing Phenomenon - The Debate Around Dark Energy - Implications for Future Space Exploration Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33758087?utm_source=youtube

Planetary Destruction Unveiled: Evidence of a Lost World, SETI’s Interstellar Quest...

Sponsor Link: This episode of SpaceTime is brought to you with the support of NordVPN ...where your online security starts. To check out our special offer for SpaceTime listeners, visit www.nordvpn.com/stuartgary (https://www.nordvpn.com/stuartgary) SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 69 *Evidence of planetary destruction in the early solar system Scientists have confirmed a cosmic collision in the early solar system which saw the complete destruction of a planet possibly as big as Mars. *Are we missing a planet A new study suggests that one of our planets might be missing, and it could explain why the solar system looks the way it does. *SETI investigates interstellar comet 3I Atlas The search for extraterrestrial intelligence SETI institute says it’s found no evidence of any alien technology associated with the interstellar comet 3I Atlas. *The Science Report Global average temperatures likely to continue at or near record levels over the next five years. A new study has discovered two distinct subtypes of autism with different underlying biology. Does reading stuff on paper help you better understand than reading it on a digital device. Alex on Tech Computex 2026. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33736008?utm_source=youtube

NASA’s Historic Artemis 3 Crew, Early Launch for Roman Telescope, and a Solar Storm Spectacle

In today's episode, Anna and Avery cover six major stories: NASA's historic Artemis III crew announcement, the official August 30 launch date for the Roman Space Telescope, a G3 geomagnetic storm delivering northern lights to mid-latitudes, a worrying air leak aboard the International Space Station, the fallout from Blue Origin's New Glenn explosion and its impact on NASA's Moon programme, and JAXA's H3 rocket attempting a redemption launch tonight. Stories Covered • BREAKING: NASA announces the four-person crew for Artemis III at Johnson Space Center -- a mission redesignated as a low-Earth-orbit docking rehearsal, paving the way for the Artemis IV Moon landing in 2028. • NASA officially sets August 30, 2026 as the launch date for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope -- eight months ahead of schedule. Roman will survey the sky 100x wider than Hubble, targeting dark energy, dark matter and exoplanets. • A cannibal coronal mass ejection -- two merged CMEs -- arrives at Earth triggering a G3 geomagnetic storm, with auroras visible to mid-northern latitudes on June 8-9. • Crew aboard the ISS briefly shelters in the docked SpaceX Dragon on June 5 as a worsening air leak in the Russian Zvezda module's PrK transfer tunnel prompts precautionary evacuation procedures. • NASA seeks an alternative launch vehicle for Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander following the catastrophic May 28 New Glenn explosion at Cape Canaveral, which destroyed LC-36 and threatened the autumn cargo lander demonstration flight. • JAXA launches the H3 rocket (H3-30 variant) tonight from Tanegashima on a test flight -- Japan's first large rocket powered entirely by liquid engines -- following the December 2025 failure that lost the QZS-5 navigation satellite. Links & Further Reading NASA Artemis III crew announcement: nasa.gov Roman Space Telescope launch update: science.nasa.gov/blogs/roman Space weather updates: spaceweather.com | earthsky.org/sun ISS status blog: blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation Blue Origin New Glenn updates: spaceflightnow.com JAXA H3 launch: global.jaxa.jp Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Sponsor Details: Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN . To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit You'll be glad you did! Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click Here (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support) This episode includes AI-generated content. Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33698011?utm_source=youtube

Interstellar Inquiries: Hot Jupiters, Rocket Fuel Solutions & Debunking the Artemis Conspiracy |...

Sponsor Link: This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you by NordVPN , your trusted partner for online security. To access our exclusive offer, including four extra months for free , visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts (https://www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts) . Q&A: Ultra Hot Jupiters and Rocket Fuel Recycling In this engaging Q&A episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle a variety of intriguing questions from listeners. From the nature of ultra hot Jupiters to the complexities of reusing spent rocket fuel, this episode is packed with insights and cosmic curiosities. Episode Highlights: - Ultra Hot Jupiters Explained: David from the Sunshine Coast asks about the origins of the materials that form stars and their planets, leading to a fascinating discussion about the lifecycle of stars and the cosmic recycling of elements. - Rocket Fuel Reuse: Mark from the UK presents a thought-provoking idea regarding the potential for reusing water ice as rocket fuel, prompting a deep dive into the challenges of capturing exhaust and the physics of propulsion. - Flat Earth Conspiracies: Paul shares his experiences with flat Earth discussions and questions the feasibility of the Artemis mission, allowing Jonty to clarify orbital mechanics and the importance of relative motion in space travel. - Astrophysical Insights: The hosts explore the implications of past star generations on our solar system's composition and the future of space travel technologies, including the potential for innovative propulsion methods beyond traditional rockets. For more Space Nuts, including our continuously updating newsfeed and to listen to all our episodes, visit our website. (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/) Follow us on social media at SpaceNutsPod on Facebook, Instagram, and more. We love engaging with our community, so be sure to drop us a message or comment on your favourite platform. If you’d like to help support Space Nuts and join our growing family of insiders for commercial-free episodes and more, visit spacenutspodcast.com/about (https://www.spacenutspodcast.com/about) . Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries--2631155/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . - Origins of Stellar Material - Challenges in Rocket Fuel Reuse - Addressing Flat Earth Theories - Future of Space Propulsion Technologies - Cosmic Recycling of Elements Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33672985?utm_source=youtube

Black Hole Jets Dance, MAVEN’s Mars Mission Ends, and Earth’s Rare Blue Micro Moon

Sponsor Link: This episode of SpaceTime is broughtto you by NordVPN , where your online security starts. To check out our special discount with bonuses offer, simply visit www.nordvpn.com/stuartgary (https://www.nordvpn.com/stuartgary) SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 68 *How black holes shape the cosmos A new study has revealed how powerful jets generated by black holes shape the universe. *NASA forced to end its MAVEN Mars Mission NASA has been forced to shut down its MAVEN mission orbiting Mars following a mysterious spacecraft failure in December. *Earth gets a rare blue micro moon Skywatchers have just experienced a rare blue micro-moon. *The Science Report An El Niño climate event to develop this month and last at least until the southern hemisphere spring. One in six cases of COVID-19 might have resulted in patients suffering long covid. Palaeontologists have identified fossils of a new species of raptor-like dinosaur in Patagonia. Skeptics guide to antivaxxers change of heart. Our Guests This Week: Dr Steve Prabu from Curtin University Beth Johnson from the search for extraterrestrial intelligence SETI institute Texas A&M Space Institute Director Dr Nancy Currie-Gregg Texas A&M Space Institute lead Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr Rob Ambrose NASA Johnson Space Centre Director Vanessa Wyche And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-with-stuart-gary--2458531/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss) . Episode link: https://play.headliner.app/episode/33672777?utm_source=youtube