S03E93: Firefly's CubeSat Triumph & Europe's Ariane Six Countdown

0:02 Welcome listeners to Astronomy Daily, your source for the latest space news. I'm

0:06 your host Anna. In today's episode, we have some exciting updates from the

0:11 world of space exploration and technology. Firefly Aerospace has achieved a groundbreaking milestone with

0:17 the successful launch of eight CubeSat satellites, and Europe is preparing for a monumental

0:22 event with the upcoming launch of the Ariani six rocket. We'll also delve into

0:27 some innovative technology being tested in space by Berkeley researchers, specifically a next generation

0:33 three D printer that could revolutionize long duration space missions. Sit back, relax,

0:38 and let's dive into the Cosmos. Firefly Aerospace has achieved a major milestone

0:46 with the successful launch of its Alpha rocket carrying eight CubeSat satellites into space.

0:52 This significant event took place at California's Vandenberg Space four space and marks another step

0:57 forward in space exploration. The mission, aptly named Noise of Summer, was

1:02 conducted under NASA's Launch Services Program Venture. This program aims to provide affordable access

1:08 to space for satellite developers at US universities and nonprofits, thereby advancing scientific research

1:15 and enabling new technology demonstrations in space. Previously, this launch faced a delay

1:19 due to ground systems issues, but the team at Firefly Aerospace worked relentlessly to

1:25 solve the problem, ensuring the successful lift off at the next launch window.

1:29 Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, expressed his pride in the team's rapid

1:34 progress with the Alpha rocket, emphasizing the importance of delivering a reliable and repeatable

1:38 launch vehicle to meet market demand. The noise of Summer mission is especially significant

1:45 for its support of various student led CubeSat initiatives. Not only does it showcase

1:49 the reliability of Firefly's Alpha rockets, but it also underscores the company's commitment to

1:55 democratizing space access. In Weber's words, this mission is a testament to making

2:00 space more accessible for everyone, one dependable rocket launch at a time. So

2:05 a big congratulations to the Firefly team for their successful mission and the promising advancements

2:10 it brings to the space industry. Europe is gearing up for a monumental moment

2:17 as the Ariani six rocket is set to launch on July ninth, twenty twenty

2:21 four, from French Guiana. This launch represents a significant leap forward ensuring Europe's

2:27 autonomous access to space. What does that mean for us? Well, it

2:31 opens up endless possibilities in scientific research, earth observation, technology development, and

2:37 even commercial ventures. The Ariani six rocket is designed to carry more payloads,

2:43 further and more efficiently than its predecessors. It's packed with new features that make

2:46 it a critical component of Europe's space ambitions. This mission isn't just about adding

2:51 another rocket to the lineup. It's about showcasing Europe's capability in space transportation,

2:57 making it a key player on the global stage. For those eager to witness

3:00 this groundbreaking event, you can watch the entire launch live on ESA WebTV.

3:07 The broadcast will begin half an hour before liftoff, giving you a front row

3:09 seat to all the action. You'll be treated to expert commentary that provides deeper

3:15 insights into the rocket's design, its mission, and the people behind its creation.

3:21 Commentary will be available in multiple languages, including English, French and German,

3:27 ensuring that viewers from around the world can engage with this landmark event.

3:35 The launch will unfold in three exciting phases. In the first phase, the

3:38 main stage engine Volcane two point one will combine forces with two powerful boosters to

3:44 propel the Ariani six off the ground and into space. The separation of the

3:47 main stage from the upper stage will be a particularly thrilling moment, followed by

3:53 the first boost of the upper stage's Vincy engine, placing the rocket into an

3:57 elliptical orbit. During the second phase, the Vinci engine will reignite, demonstrating

4:02 its capability to change orbits while in space, a crucial feature for future missions

4:06 requiring precise maneuvering. This phase will also see the deployment of the first batch

4:12 of satellites, a spectacle in its own right. The final phase pushes the

4:15 upper stages capabilities even further, testing its ability to reignite after an extended period

4:20 in microgravity. This phase will include the controlled deorbiting of the upper stage,

4:27 ensuring it doesn't become space debris, and culminate in the safe return of re

4:30 entry capsules aimed at surviving the journey back through Earth's atmosphere. This launch is

4:36 a testament to years of hard work and dedication by a team committed to pushing

4:42 the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration. For those interested in the finer

4:46 details, insights from key developers and interviews will be part of the live stream,

4:51 painting a fuller picture of this ambitious project. So mark your calendars for

4:57 July ninth and tune into isowebtv to watch history in the making. This is

5:01 not just a launch, it's a demonstration of Europe's growing prowess in space technology

5:08 and a glimpse into a future filled with limitless possibilities. Berkeley researchers have made

5:15 a significant leap towards revolutionizing space missions by successfully testing their next generation three D

5:23 printer, known as space Cow, in microgravity. This groundbreaking technology was put

5:28 to the test during a virgin galactic mission, and it didn't disappoint. Just

5:32 picture this scenario. A crew of astronauts is on a mission to Mars,

5:36 a daunting one hundred forty million miles away from Earth, when suddenly a critical

5:42 part of their spacecraft breaks. In the past, such an incident would rely

5:46 on pre packed spare parts, which take up valuable space and weight. But

5:49 now, thanks to space Cow, they could simply print the necessary parts right

5:54 then and there. Developed by a team of Berkeley researchers led by PhD student

5:59 Taylor Wade, the space Cow three D printer impressively demonstrated its capabilities aboard the

6:03 Virgin Galactic VSS Unity spaceplane. It spent one hundred and forty seconds in suborbital

6:10 space, during which it autonomously printed and post processed four test parts, including

6:15 intricate space shuttles and Benchi figurines, from a liquid plastic called PEGDA. This

6:20 was no small feat. Space Cow had already proven itself under microgravity conditions during

6:26 previous parabolic flights, but this mission validated its readiness for real space travel.

6:30 Wadel expressed optimism that the technology could one day manufacture a wide range of items

6:35 required for space missions, from spacecraft components to tools, and even custom medical

6:41 supplies like contact lenses and dental crowns for astronauts. The innovation stems from computed

6:46 axial lithography CL, a type of additive manufacturing invented by UC Berkeley and Lawrence

6:53 Livermore National Laboratory L ANDL researchers in twenty seventeen. This method uses light to

6:59 form solid objects from a viscous liquid and offers incredible speed and efficiency, crafting

7:03 parts in as little as twenty seconds. Col's ability to perform in microgravity makes

7:09 it ideal for space applications, enabling astronauts to produce necessary items on demand and

7:15 significantly reducing mission upmass and risk. The team behind this technology sees its potential

7:20 not just in emergency repairs, but also in biomedical applications that could be critical

7:26 for long duration space missions. For instance, they envision using COL to create

7:30 customized dental replacements, skin grafts, or even surgical tools, a capability that

7:35 could drastically improve astronaut health and safety during extended missions. Hayden Taylor, the

7:42 Associate professor who leads the Nanoscale Manufacturing Lab at Berkeley, has provided invaluable support

7:46 to his students, allowing them to pursue innovative research in this field. Waddell

7:51 and his team are now working on further projects, including validating COW technology on

7:57 the International Space Station and perhaps one day, even printing human organs in space.

8:03 This collaborative project illustrates what can be achieved when curious minds and supportive mentors

8:09 come together. It also highlights the critical role that companies like Virgin Galactic and

8:13 institutions like UC Berkeley play in pushing the boundaries of technology for the betterment of

8:18 both space exploration and life on Earth ifon the next frontier for Waddell and his

8:24 team involves working with NASA to develop objects that can support creue health and wellness

8:30 in space. The ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of these spaceborne innovations

8:35 back to Earth, offering new technologies that could improve lives across the globe.

8:43 That's it for today's episode of Astronomy Daily. Thanks for joining me Anna on

8:48 this journey through the latest space news. Don't forget to visit our website at

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9:01 up a sunny day Stars. The star is so stor