From Rogue Planets to Lunar Missions: Your Daily Space Update

In this episode, we embark on an exciting journey through the cosmos, uncovering the latest developments that are shaping our understanding of the universe. We begin with a significant update from low Earth orbit, where Starlink plans to lower its satellite constellation altitude to enhance space safety. This proactive measure aims to mitigate risks associated with space debris, showcasing responsibility in managing our crowded orbital environment. Next, we turn our attention to the Gaia Space Telescope, which has provided unprecedented insights into the formation of planets, detecting compelling evidence of planetary birth in 31 young stellar systems. This groundbreaking observation marks a shift from theoretical models to direct evidence of how solar systems like ours may have formed. We also discuss a remarkable achievement in the study of rogue planets, as astronomers successfully weighed one for the first time using microlensing techniques. This innovative approach not only measures the mass of the rogue planet but also reveals its distance from us, opening new avenues for understanding these elusive celestial bodies. Moving on to interstellar visitors, we explore the fascinating behavior of Comet 3I ATLAS, which has been releasing substantial amounts of water as it moves through space. This discovery indicates that the building blocks of planetary systems might be more common across the galaxy than previously thought. Looking ahead, we highlight the exciting prospects for 2026, with NASA's Artemis 2 mission set to return astronauts to the Moon, alongside advancements from the commercial sector, including new space stations and lunar landers. The upcoming Nancy Chris Roman Space Telescope and China's Soontian telescope promise to revolutionize our view of the universe. Finally, we celebrate a major upgrade to the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, which will enhance its sensitivity and allow for clearer observations of the cold universe, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in cosmic history. Join us as we navigate these captivating stories and more in this episode of Astronomy Daily!00:00 – **Astronomy Daily brings you the latest happenings from across the cosmos00:33 – **Starlink plans to adjust its satellite constellation in 2026 for space safety reasons02:49 – **Astronomers have successfully weighed a rogue planet for the first time03:52 – **Comet 3I ATLs is behaving similar to comets from our solar system05:03 – **2026 is shaping up to be an absolutely massive year for space exploration06:08 – **The Atacama Large Millimeter Submillimeter Array in Chile recently upgraded07:25 – **Astronomy Daily thanks you for listening to today's show### Sources & Further Reading1. NASA2. European Space Agency3. 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.