NASA's Solar Probe Milestone, Space Piracy

Anna: Welcome to Astronomy Daily. I'm Anna, and

you're tuned in to your essential source for

the latest developments beyond our

atmosphere. We've got a packed episode for

you today as we journey from the scorching

vicinity of our sun all the way to the

emerging frontiers of space law and security.

Our cosmic journey begins close to home.

Well, Relatively speaking, as NASA's

Parker Solar Probe completes its 23rd close

approach to the Sun. Navigation Matching its

own impressive records for both proximity and

speed, this intrepid spacecraft continues to

push the boundaries of what we can learn

about our star. Then we'll look into a

mysterious blue spiral that captivated sky

gazers across Europe this week. The

spectacular phenomenon had social media

buzzing with theories ranging from the

scientific to the extraterrestrial. We'll

reveal what really caused this mesmerizing

celestial light show. Looking toward

humanity's future among the stars will

explore how 3D printing technology may be the

key that unlocks sustainable living on other

worlds. Just as early pioneers had to

adapt to new environments using local

resources, future space colonists will need

innovative solutions to survive on the Moon

and Mars. We'll also check in on NASA

astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore,

who recently returned to Earth after an

unexpectedly extended nine month stay aboard

the International Space Station. Their

prolonged exposure to microgravity has

resulted in fascinating physical changes, and

we'll discuss what their recovery process

might look like. Finally, we'll venture into

more speculative territory with a look at an

emerging concern that might sound like

science fiction but is being taken very

seriously by experts. Space

piracy. As commercial activities in

orbit expand, security specialists are

warning that criminal exploitation may not be

far behind. So whether you're a casual

space enthusiast or a dedicated follower of

astronomical advances, stay with us as we

explore these fascinating developments from

across the cosmos on today's edition of

Astronomy Daily.

Let's get started. NASA's

Parker Solar Probe has achieved another

remarkable M milestone in its mission to

study our star up close. On March

22, the spacecraft completed its 23rd

close approach to the sun, reaching

perihelion at 6:42pm Eastern

Daylight Time. During this close encounter,

the probe once again equaled its own

impressive distance record, coming within

approximately 3.8 million miles of the Sun's

surface. To put this incredible proximity

into perspective, that's about 4% of the

distance between Earth and the Sun. At this

close range, the Parker Solar probe

experiences temperatures that would melt most

spacecraft. But thanks to its revolutionary

heat shield, it continues to operate in this

extreme environment. The probe didn't just

match its distance record. It also matched

its speed record, hurtling around the sun at

a mind boggling 430,000 miles

per hour, or 692,000

kilometers per hour. That's fast enough to

travel from New York to Los Angeles in just

over 20 seconds. This incredible velocity

makes Parker the fastest human made object

ever created. Mission operators at the Johns

Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel,

Maryland, where the spacecraft was designed

and built, received a beacon tone on

Tuesday, confirming that the probe was in

good health, with all systems operating

normally despite the intense conditions it

had just experienced. This perihelion

marked the midpoint of the probe's 23rd Solar

Encounter, which began on March 18 and

continued through March 27. During these

close approaches, Parker Solar Probe conducts

unrivaled scientific measurements of the

solar wind, the stream of charged particles

flowing from the sun, and related solar

activity. The data collected during these

encounters is transforming our understanding

of the Sun's outer atmosphere, called the

corona, and helping scientists solve

long standing solar mysteries. One

of the biggest questions involves why the

corona is millions of degrees hotter than the

Sun's visible surface, which defies what we'd

expect to see as you move away from a heat

source. Parker's measurements are also

critical for understanding how solar

eruptions affect space weather, which can

impact satellites, power grids, and

telecommunications systems back on Earth.

By better understanding these solar

processes, scientists hope to improve

forecasting of, uh, potentially damaging

solar storms. This mission continues to push

the boundaries of engineering and scientific

discovery. With each close approach, Parker

Solar Probe ventures into territory no

spacecraft has ever explored before, sending

back valuable data from the very edge of our

star. As it continues its planned series of

increasingly close solar encounters, we can

expect even more groundbreaking discoveries

about the star that makes life on Earth

possible.

Next up, a mystery for our European listeners

has been solved with a rather straightforward

answer. A mysterious blue spiral lit up

the night skies across Europe on March 24,

creating a social media frenzy as residents

from the UK Croatia, Poland and Hungary

shared photos and videos of the strange

celestial phenomenon. The eerie blue

whirlpool, which many compared to a spiral

galaxy, prompted wild speculation about its

origin, with some even suggesting it might be

evidence of extraterrestrial visitors.

One observer initially thought it was the

moon moon behind clouds until it started

moving with spiraling light emanating from

it. Others watched in awe as the

spectacular formation expanded and persisted

in the sky for several minutes before

gradually fading away. The sight was

particularly striking against the dark

European skies, appearing as an icy blue

vortex that seemed almost otherworldly

despite the alien theories circulating online

the explanation is rooted in modern space

technology rather than science fiction. The

spiral was actually created by a SpaceX

Falcon 9 rocket that had launched earlier

that day from Cape Canaveral Space Force

Station in Florida. The rocket was carrying

the secretive NROL 69 mission for the

National Reconnaissance Office when it

created this unexpected light show thousands

of miles away. What witnesses observed is

sometimes called a SpaceX spiral, a

phenomenon that occurs after the upper stage

of a Falcon 9 rocket has separated from its

first stage booster, while the lower stage

returns to Earth for recovery. Minutes after

launch, the upper stage continues its journey

to deliver its payload to orbit. After

releasing its cargo, the upper stage begins

its own descent back to Earth. During this

descent, the upper stage enters a spinning

motion while simultaneously venting any

remaining fuel. At the high altitude where

this occurs, the expelled fuel instantly

freezes in the cold vacuum of space, creating

a swirling pattern that perfectly preserves

the spinning motion of the booster. When

sunlight reflects off this frozen fuel

formation, it produces the stunning spiral

that captivated European skywatchers.

Physicist and science communicator Brian Cox

took to social media to reassure concerned

citizens that the event was indeed associated

with the SpaceX launch and not something more

alarming. Amateur astronomers and

smartphone photographers captured remarkable

images of the phenomenon, with some

describing it as unforgettable and stunning.

While these SpaceX spirals remain relatively

rare sightings, they may become more common

as the frequency of rocket launches continues

to increase. As commercial space activities

ramp up worldwide, these spectacular but

harmless light shows could become a more

familiar sight in our night skies. One social

media user humorously expressed

disappointment at the rational explanation,

writing that they wished it was an invasion

so they could use the time off work.

But for most observers, witnessing this rare

and beautiful cosmic spectacle was more than

enough excitement for one evening, even if it

didn't herald the arrival of visitors from

another world.

While on the subject of visiting other worlds

throughout history, when pioneers ventured

into uncharted territories, they carried only

the essentials and relied on local

resources to build new lives.

In the coming era of space exploration,

astronauts will face even greater challenges

than those early settlers, but with one

crucial technological advantage, 3D

printing. Unlike the Vikings who reached

Greenland with axes and plows, today's space

pioneers will bring advanced manufacturing

capabilities that can transform the alien

environments of the Moon and Mars into

habitable outposts. These remarkable

machines will be essential for extending

human presence beyond Earth, allowing

astronauts to create tools, structures, and

habitats from materials found on these

distant worlds. The technology is already

proving its value in space. Aboard the

International Space Station, astronauts

regularly use 3D printers to manufacture

tools and spare parts. From ratchet wrenches

to brackets and clamps, these items can be

produced in hours rather than waiting months

for supplies from Earth. NASA has even

begun recycling waste plastic to create new

components with the UH Refabricator, an

advanced printer installed in 2019.

Why not simply bring everything from Earth?

The answer comes down to economics and

practicality. Launching materials into

space is prohibitively expensive, with NASA

estimating costs around $500,000 per

pound just to reach the Moon. Building

sustainable outposts requires using resources

available at the destination, a concept known

as in situ resource utilization. The primary

building material on both the Moon and Mars

will likely be regolith, the fine,

dusty sand like particles covering these

worlds. Unlike Earth soil, regolith

contains few nutrients and no living

organisms, but researchers believe it could

serve as an excellent printing medium for

constructing protective structures. These

habitats must shield astronauts from extreme

temperature fluctuations, radiation,

micrometeorite impacts, and the absence of

breathable atmosphere. Engineering teams are

exploring several promising approaches. Some

are developing a regolith UH based concrete

partially made from surface ice. Others are

experimenting with melting regolith at high

temperatures and molding it while liquid, or

using concentrated sunlight, lasers, or

microwaves to fuse particles together without

requiring binders, a process called SINK.

One team at NASA's Moon to Mars Planetary

Autonomous Construction Technology Program

created Mars Creit, a special concrete

used to 3D print a test structure in

2017. By 2019, they had

constructed a 1/3 scale prototype Mars

habitat using similar technology, complete

with living, sleeping, research, and food

production modules. These innovations face

significant technical hurdles.

Manufacturing behaves differently in reduced

gravity environments, with materials cooling

and crystallizing in unexpected ways. The M

moon has just 1/6 Earth's gravity, while

Mars has about 2/5. Additionally,

researchers must work with simulated

regolith, since actual lunar and Martian

materials are scarce or inaccessible. The

composition differs significantly between

worlds. Lunar regolith consists mostly of

silicates and is extremely fine and angular,

while Martian regolith contains iron oxide,

giving it its characteristic reddish color.

The technology being developed for space

habitats is already finding applications on

Earth. Engineers are adapting these

techniques to address housing shortages,

creating affordable 3D printed homes from

locally sourced materials and recycled

construction debris. This practical spinoff

demonstrates how space research often yields

unexpected benefits for terrestrial problems

as humanity prepares to establish a permanent

presence Beyond Earth. With Artemis 3

scheduled to return humans to the lunar

surface in 2027 and a potential Mars

mission as early as 2035,

3D printing technology will undoubtedly

be among the most essential tools enabling

people to truly live off alien land,

transforming these hostile environments into

humanity's second home.

Next, a little catch up. NASA

astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore

have finally touched down on Earth after what

can only be described as an unexpectedly

extended mission aboard the International

Space Station. Originally scheduled for a

brief stay after arriving last June,

technical issues with their Boeing Starliner

spacecraft left them stranded in orbit for a

remarkable nine months. Their capsule

splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico. Or is

that the Gulf of America these days? On

March 18, bringing to an end a mission

that saw them complete over

4,500 orbits around Earth and

travel an astounding 121 million

miles. While the mission may have concluded,

the physical journey for these astronauts is

far from over. Extended exposure to zero

gravity environments triggers profound

changes in the human body, many of which are

already visible in Williams and Wilmore.

Comparison photos taken before and after

their mission reveal noticeable physical

differences that scientists are now studying

carefully. Dr. Christopher Mason, a

professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, explains

that astronauts typically experience

temporary increases in height and general

leanness upon returning to, uh, Earth. This

occurs alongside significant changes in gene

expression and telomere length, the

protective caps at the end of chromosomes

that typically lengthen during spaceflight.

All of it is, at least on some measures,

transient, Dr. Mason notes. Most of it

is a response to space flight. And usually in

a few weeks, they're mostly back to normal.

It's the first few days that are the most

really dynamic. When they get back to Earth.

Those first days can be particularly

challenging. Former NASA astronaut Jose M. Um

Hernandez, who spent 14 days in orbit,

recalls his own return. I remember my first

two words when I came down was gravity

sucks because your body starts adapting

and you've got to recalibrate your

vestibular balance system. The

physical challenges facing Williams and

Wilmore are substantial muscle atrophy

from limited movement, reduced bone density,

increased mineral content in their bodies,

and neurological shifts, including

disorientation, are all common post space

symptoms. Their bodies have also likely

experienced blood volume reduction, decreased

aerobic capacity, and potentially compromised

immune systems. Immediately after

landing, both astronauts were transported to

medical facilities for comprehensive

evaluations. They now face what could be

months of intensive physical therapy and

rehabilitation as their bodies readjust to

Earth's gravity. As Hernandez

predicted, it's going to take a couple of

months before they feel kind of normal back

here on Earth. These physical

adaptations highlight the extraordinary

sacrifices astronauts make in the name of

scientific advancement. The data

collected from Williams and Wilmore's

extended stay will prove invaluable for

NASA's ongoing research into the effects of

long duration spaceflight. Critical knowledge

as the agency prepares for future missions to

the moon and Mars, their

unexpected nine month journey has

inadvertently provided scientists with a rare

opportunity to study prolonged space

exposure, potentially helping researchers

develop better countermeasures for future

astronauts embarking on deep space missions

where returns to Earth won't be measured in

months, but years.

Finally today, a subject you probably haven't

given much, if any thought to, but a problem

is looming. Ahoy, space

enthusiasts. Just when you thought the final

frontier couldn't get any more intriguing, a

new concern has emerged that sounds like it

belongs in a science fiction novel. Space

piracy. Yes, you heard that right.

Experts are now warning that the growing

commercialization of space is bringing with

it the very real threat of criminal

activity beyond our atmosphere. The

center for the Study of Space Crime Policy

and Governance, or cscpg, is at the

forefront of examining this emerging risk.

Their message is clear and comes with a touch

of humor. You may not be interested in space

piracy, but space pirates are interested in

you. Mark Feldman, the Center's

executive director, and Huw Taylor, a

specialist in cybersecurity, have co authored

a book titled Space Preparing for a

Criminal Crisis in Orbit. They describe their

work as speculative nonfiction,

emphasizing that while space piracy hasn't

fully materialized, they believe it's only a

matter of time. What's particularly

concerning is their assertion that early

forms of space crime are already underway.

We are arguing that it's already started in

very early stages with attempts to hack

satellites, taylor explains. As

commercial activities in space accelerate,

they anticipate both physical and digital

attacks on valuable space assets, potentially

beginning with disruptions to Earth based

infrastructure like launch facilities or

ground stations. One scenario Feldman

envisions involves criminals taking control

of a broadcast satellite in geosynchronous

Earth orbit to disrupt a major global media

event like the World Cup. The pirates might

demand either pay a very large amount to

ensure the televised event, or it goes

dark and other blackouts will follow.

Sounds like something out of a James Bond

film, doesn't it? Satellites involved in

shipping are also considered highly

vulnerable targets. So how do we protect

against these celestial buccaneers? The

experts suggest we need a dedicated agency to

coordinate efforts. While the U.S. space

Force might seem like the logical choice,

they currently lack the specific structure

and mandate for this mission.

Interestingly, Taylor points out that the US

Navy, with its 250 years of experience

combating maritime piracy, could be

invaluable if given the proper legal

authority. On the international front,

the United Nations Office for Outer Space

affairs may provide the best venue for

bringing together the diverse stakeholders

needed to address this issue comprehensively.

People don't like the United nations, taylor

acknowledges, but it arguably is the only

venue where everyone can come together and

talk. Feldman emphasizes the need for

developing new weapons and rapid response

capabilities. As of now, there is no way to

quickly respond, he warns, suggesting that

small, agile and appropriately armed

spacecraft might be essential for dealing

with hostage situations on commercial space

stations or similar emergencies. The

historical parallel isn't lost on these

researchers. Pirates of old drove innovation

in shipbuilding as colonial shipyards from

New England to the Carolinas designed faster,

sleeker vessels specifically for their pirate

customers. Similarly, combating space piracy

may spur technological development in ways we

can't yet imagine. The experts stress that

the United States intelligence community and

space force need to expand their focus

beyond nation state threats like China,

Russia, Iran and North Korea to

include non state actors.

Once this understanding is digested, Feldman

concludes, creative responses to prevent and

mitigate these threats will follow as we

venture further into the commercial

development of space. With private companies

launching satellites, building space

stations, and planning lunar bases, the

legal and security frameworks that govern

these activities must evolve accordingly.

Otherwise, the high seas of Earth orbit might

indeed become the next hunting ground for

those seeking to plunder the valuable

resources now floating above our heads.

Well, that brings us to the end of today's

journey through the cosmos. From the Parker

solar probe's record breaking close approach

to the sun, to the spectacular blue

spiral that captivated European

skywatchers, to the innovative

3D printing technologies that will help us

build homes on other worlds, to our returning

astronauts and their physical

transformations, and finally to the emerging

frontier of space. Face security challenges

the universe continues to amaze,

challenge and inspire us. I'd like to

thank you for spending the last 20 minutes

with astronomy Daily. I'm your host Anna,

and it's been my pleasure to bring you these

fascinating developments from beyond our

atmosphere. For more space content and in

depth coverage of these stories, please visit

our [email protected] we're

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stunning visuals and conversations about our

universe. Until our next cosmic rendezvous,

keep looking up. The sky is not the

limit. It's just the beginning.

This has been Astronomy Daily. I'm Anna

signing off.

In this episode