Astronomy Daily - The Podcast: S04E41
In this episode of Astronomy Daily, host Steve Dunkley and his co-host Hallie dive into a variety of intriguing stories from the Astronomy Daily newsletter. From innovative robotic missions to lunar landers and the ongoing saga of NASA astronauts, this episode is filled with captivating insights that will engage your cosmic curiosity.
Highlights:
- Aether: The Spring-Loaded Robot for Asteroid Exploration: Discover how a student team from the University of Texas at Justin is developing Aether, a revolutionary robotic probe designed to explore the asteroid belt. Learn about its unique capabilities, including a spring-loaded landing system and a metal-burning rocket engine that allows it to hop between asteroids while harvesting fuel from their surfaces.
- NASA Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore Update: Get the latest on the adventures of astronauts Williams and Wilmore aboard the International Space Station. Amid media speculation about their status, they share their experiences and clarify that they are not stranded but rather continuing their important work in space.
- Blue Ghost 1 and Resilience Lunar Missions: Follow the progress of two commercial lunar landers, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost 1, which has successfully entered lunar orbit, and ispace's Resilience, which is on a trajectory to the Moon. Understand the significance of these missions and their contributions to lunar exploration.
- Controversy Over Vera Rubin's Legacy: Explore the recent changes made to the biography of renowned astronomer Vera Rubin on the Rubin Observatory's website, which has sparked alarm within the astronomy community. Discover the implications of these edits on the representation of women in science and ongoing diversity efforts.
For more cosmic updates, visit our website at astronomydaily.io. Join our community on social media by searching for #AstroDailyPod on Facebook, X, YouTubeMusic, and TikTok. 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 back to Astronomy Daily
01:05 - Introduction to Aether robot for asteroid exploration
06:30 - Update on NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore
12:15 - Progress of Blue Ghost 1 and Resilience lunar missions
18:00 - Controversy over Vera Rubin's biography changes
25:00 - Conclusion
✍️ Episode References
Aether Robot Project
[Aether Project](https://www.ut-austin.edu)
NASA Astronaut Updates
[NASA ISS](https://www.nasa.gov/iss)
Blue Ghost 1 Lunar Mission
[Firefly Aerospace](https://www.fireflyspace.com)
Resilience Lunar Mission
[ispace](https://www.ispace-inc.com)
Vera Rubin's Legacy Controversy
[Space.com](https://www.space.com)
Astronomy Daily
[Astronomy Daily](http://www.astronomydaily.io)

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