From Corporate Strategies to Cosmic Discoveries: Your Daily Space Update

In this episode, we dive into a myriad of exciting developments in the space industry and cosmology. We kick things off with a major shake-up as Blue Origin hires Tory Brian, the former president and CEO of United Launch Alliance, to lead their new national security group. This strategic move signals Blue Origin's serious intent to compete for lucrative national security launch contracts, especially with their upcoming Glenn Heavy Lift rocket. Next, we explore a new and intriguing theory regarding dark matter, proposing that it may be composed of giant, star-sized objects, referred to as exotic astrophysical dark objects (IADs). Researchers are optimistic about detecting these objects through gravitational lensing, potentially using data from the Gaia Space Telescope. Shifting our focus, we discuss the upcoming close encounter of Asteroid Apophis with Earth in 2029, where the European Space Agency and JAXA will collaborate on the Ramses mission to study the asteroid's behavior under Earth's gravity. Understanding these interactions is crucial for future planetary defense strategies. We also tackle the mystery of missing normal matter in the universe. A recent study utilizing fast radio bursts has confirmed that a significant portion of this matter resides in the cosmic web, providing a monumental victory for cosmology by completing the census of normal matter. As we move closer to home, we highlight a groundbreaking dataset released by researchers at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, mapping one million stable trajectories in the cis-lunar space. This open-source resource will aid future lunar missions and infrastructure planning. Finally, we preview the astronomical events of 2026, including a total solar eclipse, a total lunar eclipse, and exciting meteor showers, all set against a backdrop of high solar activity promising stunning auroras. Join us as we unravel these captivating stories and more in this episode of Astronomy Daily!00:00 – **Welcome to Astronomy Daily, the podcast that brings you the universe00:16 – **Blue Origin has hired Tory Bruno to head up its national security group01:07 – **New theory suggests dark matter could be made of giant star sized objects02:21 – **Asteroid Apophis will pass by Earth in 202903:18 – **Big Bang theory predicts a certain amount of normal matter in the universe04:48 – **Researchers at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory have created a roadmap for lunar navigation05:52 – **Total solar eclipse in 2026 is expected to be spectacular### Sources & Further Reading1. Blue Origin2. NASA3. European Space Agency4. JAXA5. Space.com### Follow & ContactX/Twitter: @AstroDailyPodInstagram: @astrodailypodEmail: [e-mail]: astronomydaily.ioClear skies and see you next time! 🌟Become a supporter of this podcast: Support Us.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.