S03E142: SpaceX's Falcon 9 Returns, NASA Crew Reshuffle, and Black Hole Imaging Breakthroughs

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast

Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: 31 August 2024
Welcome 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.
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