Astronomy Daily: Space News Updates

Astronomy Daily - January 14, 2026 Episode Nuclear Moon Power, Mars Ocean Evidence, and Brains in Space Episode Description Join hosts Anna and Avery for an action-packed episode covering six major space stories! We explore NASA's ambitious plan to put a nuclear reactor on the Moon by 2030, get the latest on tomorrow's historic ISS medical evacuation, examine compelling new evidence for an ancient Martian ocean, discover how spaceflight literally shifts astronauts' brains, learn about a revolutionary privately-funded space telescope, and find out how scientists finally solved the mystery of the Moon's two faces. Episode Duration: 17 minutes Episode Highlights ⚛️ NASA Commits to Lunar Nuclear Reactor by 2030NASA and DOE sign memorandum of understandingPresident Trump's executive order drives ambitious timelineNuclear power essential for permanent lunar basesBuilding on 50+ years of space nuclear collaboration🚀 Crew-11 Cleared for Wednesday DepartureFirst-ever medical evacuation from ISS proceeds on scheduleUndocking set for 5:05 PM EST Wednesday, January 15Splashdown off California coast at 3:41 AM ThursdayStation will operate with skeleton crew of three🌊 Ancient Martian Ocean Evidence DiscoveredRiver delta features identified in Valles MarinerisOcean covered half of Mars 3+ billion years agoHigh-resolution orbital imagery reveals ancient coastlineMajor implications for Mars' past habitability🧠 Spaceflight Shifts Astronaut Brains Inside SkullsMIT study reveals brains move "backward, upward and tilted"Changes persist up to 6 months after return to EarthBrain displacement linked to post-flight balance issuesCritical for planning longer Moon and Mars missions🔭 $500M Private Space Telescope to Launch in 3-5 YearsEric Schmidt funds Lazuli Space Observatory"Move fast" philosophy applied to flagship telescopeDesigned to catch transient events like gravitational wavesWill test technology for future NASA missions🌙 Moon's Two-Faced Mystery Finally SolvedChang'e-6 samples reveal impact chemistry differencesAncient collision reshaped Moon's internal structureEvidence of hemisphere-wide mantle convectionFirst hard evidence from lunar far sideBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. 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 HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

Astronomy Daily - January 13, 2026 Episode Historic ISS Evacuation, Wobbling Black Holes, and Lunar Hotels Episode Description Join hosts Anna and Avery for an exciting episode packed with groundbreaking space news! We cover the International Space Station's first-ever medical evacuation, a stunning discovery of a galaxy-wide wobbling black hole jet, this week's busy launch schedule, two NASA missions reaching their destinations, and the surprising announcement that you can now reserve a hotel room on the Moon. Episode Duration: 18 minutes Episode Highlights 🚨 BREAKING: First-Ever ISS Medical EvacuationSpaceX Crew-11 returns early due to undisclosed medical conditionHistoric change of command ceremony on the ISSCrew scheduled for Pacific splashdown Thursday morningStation operations continue with skeleton crew of three🌌 Astronomers Discover Wobbling Black Hole JetLargest extended jet ever observed spans 20,000 light-yearsFirst precessing jet found in galaxy VV 340aCombined observations from Keck Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope, and VLADiscovery challenges theories of galaxy evolution🚀 This Week's Launch ScheduleEight orbital launch attempts from China, US, and NorwaySpaceX Starlink missions and classified NRO launchChina debuts new Ceres 2 rocketIsar Aerospace's Spectrum attempts second test flight🛰️ NASA Missions Reach L1 DestinationCarruthers Geocorona Observatory arrives at target orbitIMAP mission begins mapping the heliosphere boundaryBoth spacecraft launched together on September 24, 2025Science operations begin in February 2026🌙 You Can Now Reserve a Moon Hotel RoomGRU Space opens applications for lunar tourismDeposits range from $250,000 to $1 millionTarget opening: 2032Hotel inspired by San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts #AstronomyDaily #SpaceNews #ISS #BlackHoles #NASA #SpaceX #LunarTourism #Astronomy #SpaceExplorationBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. 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 HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

In today’s episode of Astronomy Daily, Anna and Avery take you from rocket pads on Earth to the farthest corners of the cosmos. We cover India’s latest PSLV launch and its unexpected anomaly, the FCC’s green light for thousands more Starlink Gen2 satellites, NASA’s Pandora mission to decode exoplanet atmospheres, a fleeting signal from a supernova that exploded 13 billion years ago, a breakthrough in understanding the Sun’s most violent flares, and the surprising discovery of a barred spiral galaxy in the early Universe.  It’s an episode where orbital mechanics meet cosmic archaeology — with a dash of solar storm science.  ---## 📰 Stories Covered  1. India’s EOS‑N1 Launch on PSLV-C62     - First PSLV liftoff since a May 2025 anomaly.     - Carried a military Earth‑observation satellite plus 15 payloads.     - Third‑stage deviation under investigation.  2. FCC Approves 7,500 Additional Starlink Gen2 Satellites     - Expansion to boost coverage and speed.     - Partial approval pending further review of SpaceX’s larger request.     - Implications for connectivity, orbital traffic, and astronomy.  3. NASA’s Pandora – Exoplanet Atmosphere Investigator     - Small, dedicated telescope to study exoplanet atmospheres.     - Focused on separating signals from planets and their stars.     - Could refine the hunt for biosignatures.  4. A Ten‑Second Signal from the Early Universe     - Likely a supernova about 13 billion light‑years away.     - Offers a rare probe into early stellar death.     - Discovered via coordinated, multi‑wavelength observations.  5. Unmasking the Sun’s Most Violent Flares     - Discovery of ultra‑energetic particles in the upper solar atmosphere.     - Provides a clearer picture of gamma‑ray production.     - Could improve space weather forecasts.  6. Earliest Known Barred Spiral Galaxy     - Dated to 11.5 billion years ago.     - Challenges models of how fast galaxy structures form.     - May force revisions in early-Universe galaxy evolution theories.  ---## 🔍 Key Themes & Takeaways  - Space Operations: Even reliable rockets can have anomalies — data analysis is crucial.  - Policy & Infrastructure: Starlink expansion reshapes the orbital environment.  - Scientific Frontiers: Compact, focused missions can massively advance our understanding.  - Cosmic Forensics: The early Universe was more structured than we thought.  - Solar Hazards: Better flare science means better protection for tech and people.  ---## 📚 Further Reading & References  - [India launches EOS‑N1 military satellite with PSLV-C62](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/india-eos-n1-military-satellite-15-payloads-pslv-launch)  - [FCC approves 7,500 more Starlink Gen2 satellites](https://spacenews.com/fcc-approves-7500-additional-starlink-satellites/)  - [NASA’s Pandora mission launch coverage](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/watch-spacex-launch-nasas-pandora-exoplanet-studying-satellite-on-jan-11)  - [Supernova signal from 13 billion years ago](https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/earth-receives-10-second-signal-from-supernova-13-billion-years-ago/)  - [Breakthrough on Sun’s flare particle populations](https://scitechdaily.com/what-powers-the-suns-most-violent-flares-scientists-finally-have-an-answer/)  - [Early barred spiral galaxy discovery](https://connectsci.au/news/news-parent/7631/Barred-spiral-galaxy-may-be-the-earliest-seen-yet?searchresult=1)  ---## 🎧 How to Listen  Subscribe to Astronomy Daily on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform.  ---## 💬 Join the Conversation  Do you have a question about today’s stories or space science in general?  Send us a message via the Astronomy Daily page — your question could be featured in an upcoming episode.  🌌 Clear skies, and see you next time.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. 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 HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we dive into a wealth of exciting updates and discoveries that are shaping the world of space exploration. We begin with a significant follow-up on the medical situation aboard the International Space Station, where NASA and SpaceX have set a target date for Crew 11's return to Earth. This historic early evacuation marks the first time an entire crew has been medically evacuated from the ISS in its 25-year history, highlighting the human element of spaceflight.Next, we shift our focus to Europe, where the European Space Agency is exploring innovative upgrades to the Ariane 6 rocket. These proposed modifications aim to introduce reusable components to improve cost-effectiveness and competitiveness against reusable rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9.In a thrilling revelation, the James Webb Space Telescope has identified peculiar cosmic objects that may represent a new class of early universe galaxies, nicknamed "baby platypus galaxies." These oddly shaped formations challenge existing models of galaxy formation and could reshape our understanding of the early universe.We also examine new observations of Sagittarius A, the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way, revealing its turbulent past filled with energetic outbursts that have influenced galactic evolution.Lastly, we discuss China's ambitious plans for the Chinese Space Station Telescope, set to launch in 2026. This revolutionary telescope aims to uncover cosmic secrets and complement existing observatories like Hubble and JWST with its wide field of view and advanced imaging capabilities.Join us as we unpack these captivating stories and more in this episode of Astronomy Daily!00:00 – **Welcome to Astronomy Daily, your daily companion for all things space and astronomy00:46 – **NASA and SpaceX set target date for Crew 11's return after medical concern02:46 – **ESA is considering turning Ariane 6 into a Franken rocket with reusable elements04:09 – **James Webb Space Telescope has spotted unusual galaxies in the early universe06:07 – **Chinese Space Station Telescope on track for 2026, ready to uncover universe07:07 – **Thank you for listening to Astronomy Daily. What a packed day### Sources & Further Reading1. NASA2. European Space Agency3. James Webb Space Telescope4. Chinese Space Station### Follow & ContactX/Twitter: @AstroDailyPodInstagram: @astrodailypodEmail: [email protected]: astronomydaily.ioClear skies and see you next time! 🌟Become a supporter of this podcast: Support Astronomy Daily.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. 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 HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.

In this episode, we explore a remarkable array of developments in space exploration and astronomy that are making headlines. We begin with a historic moment as NASA orders its first controlled medical evacuation from the International Space Station, bringing home the entire Crew 11 team due to a medical issue affecting one astronaut. This unprecedented decision underscores the importance of crew safety and the challenges of long-duration spaceflight.Next, we look forward to the upcoming February full moon, known as the Snow Moon, which promises a stunning display in the night sky. With peak illumination set for February 1st, we provide tips for the best viewing experience across various regions.Shifting our focus to the ongoing advancements at SpaceX's Starbase, we discuss significant upgrades to Pad 1, preparing for the next generation of Starship launches. These enhancements aim to facilitate rapid reusability and increase launch frequency, crucial for the ambitious goals of the Starship programme.We also address the unfortunate news regarding NASA's Mars Sample Return mission, which has effectively been shelved due to budget cuts. This opens the door for China's simpler and potentially quicker plans to return Martian samples, marking a significant shift in the landscape of Mars exploration.In a thrilling discovery, the Vera Rubin Observatory has identified the fastest spinning large asteroid ever recorded, prompting discussions on the implications for asteroid deflection strategies.Finally, we unveil a new map detailing the origins of billions of ghostly neutrinos that pass through us daily, offering insights into stellar processes and the mysteries of our galaxy.Join us as we unpack these fascinating stories and more in this episode of Astronomy Daily!00:00 – **Astronomy Daily brings you the latest news from space and astronomy00:57 – **NASA orders medical evacuation of entire ISS crew due to medical issue03:43 – **February full moon is coming up soon. Peak illumination at 5:09pm Eastern on February 1st05:29 – **NASA's Mars sample return mission effectively dead after budget cuts06:31 – **The Vera Rubin Observatory has spotted the fastest spinning large asteroid ever discovered07:47 – **From ISS drama to neutrino maps. What a day in space news### Sources & Further Reading1. NASA2. SpaceX3. European Space Agency4. Galactic Neutrinos### Follow & ContactX/Twitter: @AstroDailyPodInstagram: @astrodailypodEmail: [email protected]: astronomydaily.ioClear skies and see you next time! 🌟Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. 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 HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.