Made of Stars

Jared Isaacman will not be NASA's next administrator. Active region 4100 has ended. Axiom's Ax-4 launch has been delayed to June 10. New research says the Milky Way and Andromeda won't be colliding after all. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

China and Russia have made a deal to build a nuclear power facility on the Moon. SpaceX has both wins and losses with its latest Starship launch. A sunspot has been visible on the Sun for 54 days and is still going strong. NASA has revived the thrusters on Voyager 1 after twenty years. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

A star has been observed exiting a galaxy... with a planet in tow. Scientists say that have discovered a new source for gold in the universe. Researchers have found a fungus that they say can metabolize gold. NASA's EZIE satellites to study auroral electrojets. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Scientists say the universe's expiration date us much sooner than they had expected... but we still have a really, really long time left. Soviet zombie satellite spashed down on Earth over the weekend. Solar activity is picking up this week. Auroras were observed on Jupiter by JWST. And a supermassive black hole just exposed itself. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

The USSR Zombie probe will likely make landfall this weekend. NASA is ready to explore Titan witha very large drone. Japan's Resilence lunar lander has entered the Moon's orbit. SLS has stacked the second stage of Artemis 2 but it looks like funding will run out for SLS after Artemis 3. SpaceX has gotten permission from the FAA for 25 Starship launches per year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Jared Isaacman awaits the final Senate vote to conform him as the new administrator of NASA. A 50 year-old Russian spacecraft is heading for Earth. What are mush balls on Jupiter? Don Pettit's recent trip to space deserves a deep dive. And it seems that the Sun was not responsible for the recent Iberian power outage.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

New data from exoplanet K2-18 b suggests that there COULD be life on the ocean world, but there's a lot more science to be done. NASA's Lucy spacecraft has captured images of a peanut-shaped asteroid. Hubble celebrates 35 years in service and the next director of NASA could send a mission up to service the telescope. Tractors running on GPS had an eventful Easter Sunday. Don Pettit has returned home from the ISS on his 70th birthday. Don't forget to look up and smile. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Blue Origin sent six women into space and there's been a lot of talk about whether they are astronauts or not. Aurora lit up the skies in Europe and New Zealand. Plus the Perseverance rover hit the jackpot on Mars. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Jared Isaacman is a step closer to being conformed as the new head of NASA. The FRAM2 private astronaut mission is complete. SPHEREx and JWST both have wins! Comet SWAN is brightening. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Massive star explosions may have triggered two mass extinctions in Earth's past. Actively feeding supermassive black holes could be good for life. The Large Magellanic Cloud may have a supermassive black hole. Astronomers may now have a better understanding of a repeating radio signal coming from deep space, Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

NASA's Artemis II mission is a step closer to ready for launch in 2026 as its twin boosters have been attached inside the VAB at Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX has broken some of its own records including using the same booster on launches only 9 days apart. NASA's Curiosity rover has detected the largest organic compounds ever found on Mars. JWST has given us a great new look at the Cosmic Tornado. Star Catcher has successfully demonstrated wireless energy beaming. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

After a nine month mission that started as an eight day mission, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned home. Starliner's next test flight will likely be an unmanned one. Spring begins today with the vernal equinox. JWST has given us a look at gas giants in another solar system. Mars Madness gives you a chance to win a trip to Mars if you pick a perfect bracket. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

SpaceX delayed the Crew-10 mission's launch after an issue with the transporter-erector which means Butch and Suni will wait a little longer to return home. A total lunar eclipse happens tonight for parts of the world. A new study suggests that biosignatures could be detected on Europa with a laser. The world's oldest impact crater has been located in Western Australia. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Crew-9 is preparing to return home. Intuitive Machines has landed the IM-2 on the Moon but at the moment, it's status is unknown. Firefly's Blue Ghost performed a soft landing on the Moon and is delivering data. NASA is powering down instruments on both Voyagers to save power. Massive early stars may have flooded the early universe with water. FRBs have been traced back to an unexpected origin. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Two lunar landers are getting ready for a similar touch down next week. Don't forget about Saturn's disappearing rings. Mars is still red but the reason has changed. Rocket Lab launched its 60th Electron rocket. That "doomsday" asteroid isn't much of a threat any more. Plus, we will be getting a new batch of asteroids soon from Alpha Centauri. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Yes and asteroid is heading our way in 2032, and yes t he chances of it hitting Earth have gone up, but odds are still in our favor. Plus, NASA is reportedly not facing federal cuts. The Moon will have two landers arriving soon and Venus has been dazzling the night time sky. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Boeing faces cuts for half of its SLS staff. Crew-9 set to return home a little earlier than previously scheduled. May's solar storm created two new radiation belts. Earth's magnetic field is playing music... sort of. And Quipu is now the largest known object in the universe.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

With the upcoming release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it seems appropriate that the Einstein Probe observes a 'weird explosion". JWST has observed a crumbling exoplanet. Rocket Lab is ready for responsive launches. Boeing's Starliner CCP has new (old) management. Scientists have discovered a 3rd form of magnetism. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

The President and Elon Musk have taken to social media to talk about plans to return "stranded" astronauts home from the ISS. OSIRIS-REx mission has given scientists a look at key molecules for life found on Bennu. Juno mission has observed massive volcanic activity on Io. Starman has baffled astronomers for the last time... at least for a while. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos both attended President Trump's inauguration this week. Blue Origin and SpaceX launched their big rockets with different results. The "headless" comet is dazzling skies in the southern hemisphere. Scientists say the universe is expanding too fast. The GIRAFF mission will study auroras.And the parade of planets is happening but no, it's not an alignment. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Two big rockets are set to launch today. The ISS has deployed the first ever satellite made from wood. JWST has discovered one of  the first gargantuan supernovas ever seen. Comet ATLAS survived its brush with the Sun. And NASA says retrieving those collected soil samples on Mars is currently not going to happen. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Blue Origin is planning to launch its New Glenn rocket tonight. No, seven planst aren't lining up in the night time sky. Yes, the Moon and Mars are. Starlink could potentially adjust their orbits and improve things for astronomers. And a sun-grazer comet could be brighter than Venus in the sky next week. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Solar activity gave many around the world a dazzling show of auroral activity to begin 2025. The Parker Solar Probe survived its record breaking pass of the Sun. SpaceX smashed 2023's record number of launches by launching every 2.7 days in 2024. And JWST reveals black holes can suppress star formation. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

This week Wes and Shawn take a look back at the 5 biggest space news stories of 2024Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

This week, Wes and Shawn begin their look back at the 10 biggest space news stories of 2024Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Jupiter dazzles in the nightime sky. A massive thunderstorm was spotted on Jupiter. Nominee to run NASA Jared Isaacman has given his first public statements about his nomination. A cracked rock on Mars has revealed a surprise. Plus the liquid on Mars may not have been what was previously thought.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Jared Isaacman has been named as the former and future President's pick to lead NASA in the new administration. Isaacman has been to space as a commercial astronaut and recently did the first ever commercial spacewalk. If confirmed, would Isaacman potentially go to space as the NASA administrator? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Astronauts aboard the ISS shared a video of themselves opening up their Thanksgiving MREs in space and revaled what their feast would include. There's a strange smell aboard the ISS and its coming from a Russian Progress cargo spacecraft. Scientists have a new theory about FRBs and where they originate. Plus, JWST has given us a new and incredible look at the Sombrero Galaxy.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

With a group of VIPs watching, SpaceX was not able to catch the booster for its latest Super HEavy Launch. Optus-X was launched by SpaceX Sunday, but what is it? SpaceWeather.com wants to hear from you if you are a farmer whose GPS equipment was impacted by geomagnetic storms. TMATs were photographed over Norway. And a star was imaged in detail outside the Milky Way. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Iceland is preparing to receive solar power from a satellite that is beamed down to Earth. Uranus' moon Miranda may have an ocean beneath its surface. Plus let's talk about quasars and super massive black holes!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

The Crew-9 astronauts aboard the ISS all boarded their Dragon capsule so they could move it to another docking port to allow a delivery to be made. SpaceX dazzled with its booster catch but that was just the beginning. Comet ATLAS didn't survive the Sun. The Parker Solar Probe is preparing for a very near miss of the Sun. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

NASA has regained communication with Voyager 1. Perseverance gets a new look and photographs of an asteroid crater on Mars. New data shows methane rich crust on Titan. A Crew-8 astronaut is reportedly stable and back with the crew after a medical issue during the return to Earth. Plus astronomers have discovered the fastest spinning neutron star. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

SpaceX Crew-8 is on its way home and in spite of reports, it wasn't stuck in space. SpaceX has rolled out its next Heavy Booster. An X-Class solar flare was recorded last night and the region that produced it is now lining up with Earth. Scientists can study tree rings to learn about solar storms from the past. Plus the first ever triple star system has been found that contains a black hole.    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

We warned you that a second wave of aurora could be coming on last week's show and it did. And there's a chance a third wave could be coming as well. Comet T-ATLAS continues to dazzle in the night time sky. SpaceX has has had an incredible run over the last 10 days. Plus Axiom Space has teamed up with Prada... yes that Prada. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Severe geomagnetic storms could produce another night of auroral activity like what we experienced in May. Also, there are now two comets lighting up the night sky over the next few days. The HERA spacecraft successfully launched before Hurricane Milton's arrival. JWST has given us valuable information about the formation of stars and their frequency. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

The SpaceX Crew-9 mission has launched and docked with the ISS and the 2 Starliner astronauts have seats for a ride home in February. The two NASA astronauts who were bumped from the Crew-9 mission have spoken about missing out and have been put back into the pool for future possible missions. SpaceX has temporarily grounded its Falcon missions after an issue during the Crew-9 launch. Comet T-ATLAS will soon be visible and possibly during daylight hours. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Hurricane Helene has delayed the launch of Crew-9. Russia's Soyuz returned home Monday bringing to Earth Oleg Kononenko who now holds the record for most experienced space-flier. The cosmonaut was in command aboard the ISS and has passed that responsibility off to American Suni Williams. A snowman (or peanut) shaped asteroid narrowly missed Earth on a fly-by. The Perseverance rover captured a strange image on Mars of a striped rock, the first of its kind spotted on Mars. And astronomers have discovered a 23 million light-years long jet blasted from a supermassive black hole 7.5 billion years ago. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

This week, Shawn is off and Wes responds to a question sent in by a listener who wants to know what would happen if an astronaut aboard the ISS needed surgery. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Polaris Dawn has completed its spacewalk. Starliner successfully returned to Earth. October will give us comet A3. WASP-76b has iron winds and rain. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Boeing's Starliner will return home this weekend with its astronauts still on board the ISS. SpaceX will launch its Crew-9 mission later this month with empty seats to return the Starliner astronauts home in February. Polaris Dawn is now scheduled to launch early Saturday. New evidence suggests that a huge asteroid slammed into Ganymede and altered its surface. The DART mission appears to have created the first ever man-made meteor shower that will visit us for 100 years. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Retired astronaut talks with us to talk about appearing at Dragon Con, her book Sharing Space, her documentary The Longest Goodbye, and her incredible career as an astronaut. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

The Polaris Dawn Mission is preparing to launch on Tuesday and taking with it some space friendly Doritos. NASA has issued a a FAQ about the Starliner mission and in it they say t hat the astronauts are not stuck on the ISS. Debris from t he DART mission could make its way to Earth and Mars in the next 10 years. A rogue star is making its way out of the Milly Way. Sunspot activity is at a 20 year high.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

Data from the Mars Insight Lander has revealed oceans of water beneath the surface of Mars. A severe STEVE was detected this week and seen in Texas. Jupiter and Mars are dancing together in the morning sky. NASA's OIG says Boeing has a quality control problem. Primordial black holes were rough on stars. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

The Starliner crew may be catching a ride home with SpaceX in February. SpaceX will talk a commercial crew to a very high orbit to do a space walk soon. Chinese megaconstellation launch has created a field of space debris. Perseid meteor shower will be peaking this weekend. Perseverance may have found hints of ancient life on Mars. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

We took Made of Stars mobile this week for the arrival of the SLS Core Stage arrival at Kennedy Space Center. Part 2 this week, Wes and Shawn talk about their Wednesday experiences of seeing the core stage as it was taken off the barge and moved to  the VAB and interviewed Core Stage Senior Vehicle Engineer Paul Hudson from Jacobs, Exploration Ground Systes Program Manager Shawn Quinn, SLS Program Manager John Honeycutt, and Bill Muddle from Aerojet Rocketdyne. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

We took Made of Stars mobile this week for the arrival of the SLS Core Stage arrival at Kennedy Space Center. Part 1 this week, Wes and Shawn talk about the Tuesday arrival and interviewed Artemis 2 Mission Manager Matthew Ramsey, retired astronaut Doug Hurley, and Booster Flow Manager Heather Moss. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

New Yorkers were treated to a fireworks show of sorts when a beach-ball sized meteor passed through t he sky. NASA will re-evaluate scedhuled trips for astronauts aboard the Falcon 9 after a rocket failure. Auroras may be visible on Mars because of an X class solar flare. Newly discovered caves on the Moon could be used for habitats in the future. Plus, next week Made of Stars heads to Kennedy Space Center to check out the Artemis rocket. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

An exoplanet discovered 48 light years away is in the habitable zone and likely has liquid water on it. Comet Tsuchinshan may be about to fall apart. ESA has a new Ariane 6 rocket. Plus NASA's Hubble has traced dark matter in a dwarf galaxy using stellar motions. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

We hope you had a great Asteroid Day! Chinese space company Space Pioneer accidentally launched a rocket during a static-fire test. SpaceX accidentally dropped some debris on a camp site in North Carolina. Boeing's Starliner continues to run tests on equipment to better understand its helium leaks before returning home. And the ESA has teamed up with LEGO to 3D print LEGO bricks made from space dust and could be a step towards building structures on the Moon and Mars. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

No, the Starliner astronauts are not stranded at the ISS, in spite of what you may have heard. China has returned samples from the far side of the moon. A new star may be in the sky by the time you hear this show. The Vulcan will not be waiting around for the Dream Chaser. And astronomers have observed a black hole waking up. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.

NASA has an eye on several asteroids but there are two of  them they are watching a little more closely than the rest. A new star could be coming to our sky soon. Astronomers have discovered the slowest spinning neutron star ever. Plus a Russian cosmonaut has broken the 1000 day mark in space. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/made-of-stars--4746260/support.