3 days ago

Mapping the Milky Way, Starliner’s Future, and Asteroid Collision Risks

Astronomy Daily | Space News: S04E77

In this engaging episode of Astronomy Daily, host Steve Dunkley dives into the latest developments in space exploration and the cosmos. From the uncertain future of Boeing's Starliner to the fascinating conclusion of the Gaia mission, this episode is packed with insights that will keep you informed and intrigued.

Highlights:

- The Fate of Starliner: Explore the ongoing certification challenges facing Boeing's Starliner spacecraft as NASA continues to assess its readiness for future crewed missions. We discuss the implications of unresolved propulsion issues and the timeline for potential flights to the International Space Station.

- Gaia's Mission Comes to an End: Reflect on the remarkable achievements of the Gaia spacecraft, which has provided unprecedented data on the Milky Way. As it enters retirement, we look back at its contributions to our understanding of our galaxy's structure and history.

- Asteroid 2024 YR4 Update: Learn about the latest calculations regarding asteroid 2024 YR4 and its potential impact on Earth and the Moon. We discuss the implications of this near-Earth object and what it could mean for our planet.

- NASA's Dust Repelling Shield: Discover NASA's innovative electrodynamic dust shields designed to combat the challenges posed by lunar dust. We delve into the recent test results and their significance for future lunar missions.

- Crew 11 Mission Announcement: Meet the crew of SpaceX's upcoming Crew 11 mission to the ISS, including NASA astronaut Cena Cardman, who will command the flight. We discuss the mission's objectives and the excitement surrounding this new crew.

For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io (http://www.astronomydaily.io/) . Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, 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 Steve signing off. Until next time, keep looking up and stay curious about the wonders of our universe.

00:00 - Welcome to Astronomy Daily

01:05 - Starliner certification update

10:30 - Gaia mission conclusion

17:00 - Asteroid 2024 YR4 potential impact

22:15 - NASA's dust repelling technology

27:30 - Crew 11 mission details

✍️ Episode References

Starliner Updates

[NASA]( https://www.nasa.gov (https://www.nasa.gov/) )

Gaia Mission Legacy

[European Space Agency]( https://www.esa.int (https://www.esa.int/) )