SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 39 *Gateway space station axed in favour of a base on the Moon – Part 2 In the second part of our special report on the pausing of construction on the Lunar Gateway space station project, we’ll detail the plans to build a permanent base at the Moon’s south pole. The seven year 20 billion dollar project will see more than thirty spacecraft sent to the Moon to deploy rovers, equipment, habitat modules and of course people. *Extending the life of the International Space Station As part of NASA’s new Ignition program the International space Station will have its life extended until at least 2032. *Nuclear powered spacecraft to fly in 2028 In December 2028 NASA will launch the Space Reactor‑1 Freedom, the first nuclear powered interplanetary spacecraft which will journey to Mars demonstrating advanced nuclear electric propulsion in deep space. *Yet another meteor sighting – this time in Texas There’s been yet another large meteor sighting this time in Texas. It’s the third major meteor event in the past month. Last week, a large meteor air burst above Ohio, and the week before another exploded in the skies above northern Europe with fragments raining down across northern Germany. *The Science Report Australia's environment experienced above average conditions for the fifth year in a row. The world’s most detailed cellular atlas of early-stage prostate cancer. New study shows Tik Tok users have difficulty with their concentration and emotions. Alex on Tech Sora killed off.

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Launch day has arrived. In this episode of Astronomy Daily, Anna and Avery countdown to tonight's historic Artemis II launch — humanity's first crewed lunar mission since 1972 — and explore the dramatic stories unfolding alongside it: a sungrazing comet faces its moment of truth just three days from perihelion; astronomers raise urgent alarms over plans for one million new satellites; the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS leaves its open-data legacy; and fascinating new science unpacks the hellish reality of Venus and a creative low-tech solution for mapping the Moon's interior. Story References Story 1: Artemis II Launch • NASA Artemis II Mission Hub: nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii • NASA Live Coverage (NASA+, YouTube, Amazon Prime) — begins 7:45 AM EDT April 1 • Launch window: 6:24–8:24 PM EDT Wednesday April 1 (09:24–11:24 AEDT Thursday April 2) • Crew: Reid Wiseman (Commander), Victor Glover (Pilot), Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen (CSA) • Mission duration: 10 days, splashdown April 10 off San Diego Story 2: Comet MAPS • C/2026 A1 (MAPS) perihelion: April 4, 2026 at ~14:23 UTC • Perihelion distance: ~160,000 km above Sun's surface (solar corona passage) • Kreutz sungrazer family — related to Great Comet of 1106 • Nucleus estimated ~400m diameter (JWST MIRI observation, Feb 7 2026) • Best-case post-perihelion brightness: magnitude -5 to -10 • Source: Sky & Telescope, EarthSky, Universe Today, Wikipedia Story 3: Satellite Megaconstellations • SpaceX proposal: 1,000,000 satellites (AI orbital data centres) — FCC filing Jan 30, 2026 • Reflect Orbital proposal: 50,000 mirror satellites — FCC filing July 31, 2025 • IAU, RAS, and ESO have all filed formal FCC objections • Nature study (Dec 2025): 96%+ of future space telescope exposures affected if constellations completed • Hubble: up to 1/3 of images contaminated • Source: Universe Today, Astronomy Magazine, Nature Story 4: 3I/ATLAS Open Data • NASA open data archive now available: science.nasa.gov/solar-system/comets/3i-atlas • Key finding: 3I/ATLAS unusually rich in methanol vs hydrogen cyanide • Observed by 12+ NASA missions including Hubble, JWST, TESS, SPHEREx, MAVEN, Perseverance • Jupiter flyby: March 16, 2026 at 0.358 AU • Source: NASA Science, Space.com, NRAO Story 5: Venus • Surface temperature: 464°C average • Atmospheric pressure: 92× Earth (equivalent to ~1km ocean depth) • Longest spacecraft survival: ~2 hours (Soviet Venera probes) • Source: Universe Today, April 1 2026 Story 6: Lunar Optical Fibre • Two new journal papers propose telecom-grade optical fibre for lunar seismic mapping • Could map deep interior and identify lava tube locations • Lava tubes: potential natural shelters for future astronauts • Source: Universe Today, April 1 2026

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Episode Summary With Artemis II just three days from launch, today's episode delivers a landmark space moment alongside the sad news that Mars Sample Return's Earth Return Orbiter has been formally cancelled by ESA. We also cover SpaceX's enormous Transporter-16 rideshare launch, Cornell's definitive list of 45 best-bet habitable exoplanets, a paradigm-shifting discovery about pulsar radio emissions, and the first confirmed evidence of lightning-like activity on Mars. Stories Covered • Artemis II — NASA confirms zero technical issues, launch on track for April 1 at 6:24 p.m. EDT • ESA Earth Return Orbiter — formally cancelled after ESA member states vote to end the programme; Airbus in transition talks • SpaceX Transporter-16 — 119 payloads launched to Sun-synchronous orbit from Vandenberg this morning • 45 Habitable Exoplanets — Cornell/Carl Sagan Institute catalog published in MNRAS; TRAPPIST-1, Proxima Centauri b among top targets • Millisecond Pulsar Radio Emissions — signals confirmed originating beyond the light cylinder for the first time • Martian Lightning — MAVEN data reveals whistler wave consistent with electrical discharge during a 2015 dust storm Source URLs • Artemis II launch updates: https://www.space.com/news/live/artemis-2-nasa-moon-mission-launch-updates-march-29-2026 • ESA Earth Return Orbiter cancellation: https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-member-states-call-for-cancellation-of-earth-return-orbiter/ • SpaceX Transporter-16: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/03/transporter-16/ • 45 Habitable Exoplanets (ScienceDaily): https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260325005926.htm • Millisecond Pulsar discovery (Phys.org): https://phys.org/news/2026-03-radio-edge-extreme-stars-surfaces.html • Mars Lightning / MAVEN (Phys.org): https://phys.org/news/2026-03-nasa-maven-evidence-lightning-mars.html

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SpaceTime Series 29 Episode 38 *Gateway space station axed in favour of a base on the Moon – Part 1 In this special report, we’ll look at NASA’s decision to pause construction of the Lunar Gateway space station project in favour of accelerating plans to build a permanent base at the Moon’s south pole. Forget everything you’ve heard until now! NASA is shifting focus totally on a new endeavour named Ignition which is designed to achieve US President Donald Trump’s National Space Policy with the aim of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon. The seven year 20 billion dollar project will see more than thirty spacecraft sent to the Moon to deploy rovers, equipment, habitat modules and of course people . *A New Artemis Mission As part of these changes the cadence of Artemis flights to the Moon will increase to at least one surface landing every year. And the configuration of the 98 metre tall SLS Space Launch System moon rocket will be standardised with the use of a Centaur V upper stage replacing both the current Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage and the planned Exploration Upper Stage. *Cosmonauts forced take control of a Russian Progress cargo ship Cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station were forced to take control of a Russian Progress cargo ship and dock the spacecraft manually after two of its KURS automated rendezvous antennas failed to deploy. *The Science Report Planet Earth has just experienced its 11 hottest years on record. Scientist have created a novel organism which has developed a primitive nervous system. Study shows people have been living with dogs as companions for over 14 thousand years. Skeptics guide to the ghost face in the northern lights

Our Guests This Week: NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman Dr. Lori Glaze acting associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate Carlos Garcia-Galan program executive in charge of NASA’s Moon Base Project. Jasmin Plattner from ZARM -- the Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity ZARM research scientist Tiago Ramalho from the University of Bremen. And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics 🌏 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 premium versions 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)

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Cosmic Q&A: Comets, Magnetic Reversals, and the Nature of Time

In this thought-provoking Q&A episode of Space Nuts , hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle a series of intriguing listener questions that span the cosmos. From the fascinating journeys of comets to the implications of Earth's magnetic pole reversal, and the philosophical musings on the origin of time, this episode is a rich tapestry of cosmic inquiry.

Episode Highlights:

- The Journey of Comets: Listener Nate from Perth dives into the paths of comets, exploring whether they all follow similar trajectories or carve out their own unique paths. Andrew and Fred unravel the mysteries of the Oort Cloud and the gravitational influences that shape these celestial wanderers.

- Magnetic Pole Reversal: Michael from Canada raises concerns about the potential effects of Earth's overdue magnetic pole reversal on satellites in low Earth orbit. The hosts discuss the gradual nature of these reversals and the implications for our technology as the magnetic field weakens.

- The Nature of Time: Local listener George presents a profound question about the essence of time, contemplating whether it exists as a construct of energy motion. Andrew and Fred delve into the complexities of time in the context of relativity and quantum mechanics, exploring its elusive nature and the philosophical questions it raises.

- Galaxies and the Observable Universe: Tom from Ireland grapples with the concept of distance in the universe, questioning how galaxies can appear to be further apart than the age of the universe itself. Andrew and Fred clarify the concepts of look-back time and the universe's expansion, shedding light on this common cosmic conundrum.

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Stay curious, keep looking up, and join us next time for more stellar insights and cosmic wonders. Until then, clear skies and happy stargazing.

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Episode S05E75 — Saturday, 28 March 2026 | astronomydaily.io | @AstroDailyPod 🚀 Story 1: Artemis II Crew Arrives at Kennedy Space Center The four-person crew of NASA's Artemis II mission — Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA), and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (CSA) — arrived at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, March 27, 2026, ahead of a planned April 1 launch. The 10-day mission will fly the crew around the Moon and back to Earth — the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. Launch window: 6:24 PM EDT, April 1–6, 2026. Sources: NASA.gov, Space.com, AP, Orlando Sentinel ☄️ Story 2: Hubble Detects First-Ever Spin Reversal of a Comet A new study in The Astronomical Journal reveals that comet 41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresák reversed its direction of rotation — a first in observational astronomy. Gas jets acting as thrusters slowed the comet's spin and flipped it into a new direction. The comet's nucleus measures just 1 km across. Researchers warn the rapid new spin could lead to the comet's disintegration. Source: NASA Science / Space Telescope Science Institute, March 26, 2026 🌑 Story 3: LIGO Signal May Be a Primordial Black Hole A November 2025 LIGO detection of a gravitational wave signal from an object with less than one solar mass — impossible through stellar evolution — may be evidence of a primordial black hole formed in the Big Bang's first moments. A new University of Miami study in The Astrophysical Journal finds the detection consistent with primordial black hole models and suggests these objects could help explain dark matter. Source: Universe Today / University of Miami, March 27, 2026 ⭐ Story 4: IXPE Delivers New Portrait of Oldest-Known Supernova NASA's IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) has produced a new X-ray image of supernova remnant RCW 86 (SN 185) — the oldest recorded supernova, first observed by Chinese astronomers in 185 AD. Combined with Chandra and XMM-Newton data, the image reveals the remnant's expansion has slowed at the edge of a low-density cavity, producing a reflected shock. Source: NASA / Phys.org, March 25–27, 2026 🏥 Story 5: Mike Fincke Speaks About His ISS Medical Emergency NASA astronaut Mike Fincke has given his first detailed account of the January 7, 2026 medical event that led to the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station. In an AP interview, Fincke revealed he lost the ability to speak for approximately 20 minutes while eating dinner. Doctors have ruled out a heart attack but the cause remains unknown. The incident ended Crew-11's mission early, returning Fincke, Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov to Earth on January 15. Source: Associated Press / Phys.org, March 27, 2026 ☀️ Story 6: Solar Activity — AR4403 Flares, Possible CME March 29 Sunspot region AR4403, which rotated into view on March 26, produced an M3.9 solar flare causing a minor radio blackout over the Indian Ocean. Conditions are quiet on March 28, but space weather forecasters expect a co-rotating interaction region and coronal hole high-speed stream to arrive March 29, bringing unsettled geomagnetic conditions and possible aurora visibility at mid-latitudes. Southern Hemisphere observers in Australia and New Zealand should watch Sunday–Monday nights. Source: EarthSky / The Sun Today, March 27, 2026

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Welcome to Astronomy Daily, Season 5, Episode 74 — your daily briefing on the most exciting developments in space and astronomy, hosted by Anna and Avery. IN TODAY'S EPISODE • Artemis II crew arrives at Kennedy Space Center — launch just 5 days away • Webb and Hubble combine for the most detailed Saturn portrait ever captured • New research reveals Jupiter's lightning may be up to a million times more powerful than Earth's • Japan's XRISM telescope solves a 50-year X-ray mystery surrounding naked-eye star Gamma Cassiopeiae • Cornell astronomers publish a shortlist of 45 exoplanets most likely to host alien life • The Isar Aerospace Spectrum scrub mystery is solved — it was an unauthorised boat STORY SOURCES & LINKS Story 1 — Artemis II: NASA Kennedy Space Center / NASA.gov https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/03/25/nasa-teams-continue-artemis-ii-preparations-at-launch-pad/ https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-ii/nasa-sets-coverage-for-artemis-ii-moon-mission/ Story 2 — Saturn Images: NASA Science / Scientific American https://science.nasa.gov/missions/webb/nasa-webb-hubble-share-most-comprehensive-view-of-saturn-to-date/ Story 3 — Jupiter Lightning: Berkeley News / AGU Advances https://news.berkeley.edu/2026/03/23/lightning-bolts-on-jupiter-pack-more-than-100-times-the-power-of-earths-flashes/ Story 4 — Gamma Cassiopeiae: ScienceDaily / Astronomy & Astrophysics https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260325041723.htm Story 5 — 45 Exoplanets: Royal Astronomical Society / ScienceDaily https://ras.ac.uk/news-and-press/research-highlights/best-places-look-alien-life-scientists-identify-45-earth-worlds Story 6 — Isar Aerospace: NASASpaceFlight.com / Bloomberg https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/03/isar-onward-and-upward/ CONNECT WITH US • Website: astronomydaily.io • Twitter/X: @AstroDailyPod • Instagram: @AstroDailyPod • TikTok: @AstroDailyPod • YouTube: @AstroDailyPod • Tumblr: @AstroDailyPod • Network: Bitesz.com Podcast Network

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