Line of lights in the sky? How Starlink satellites are creating sense of wonder
Starlink satellites can be seen lined up in the night's sky, leaving people around the world wondering what their purpose is.
Aviatrix Jackie Cochran is the most fascinating woman youโve never heard of
Jacqueline Cochran was a record-breaking aviatrix, entrepreneur and political mover and shaker who was close enough with President Lindon B. Johnson he refused to let her call him Mr. President.
![Our knowledge of the solar system is expanding. Hereโs how scientists define interstellar space.](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/23GtmbSXmAeIwnSZryvDwaEyNzQ=/640x360/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/R6M3HQ3HNZHT3G5FALDWKHRTRU.jpg)
Our knowledge of the solar system is expanding. Hereโs how scientists define interstellar space.
This week on Space Curious, a listener wanted to know, "How big is the solar system?"
![Spidernauts and space dogs: What happens to the creatures of spaceflight](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/r4pCm2WQirGsz30Pqd5QrPfQ4jc=/800x531/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/2VQP7A2RPRAAFB66IHTC3BLU2Y.jpg)
Spidernauts and space dogs: What happens to the creatures of spaceflight
Animal spaceflights paved the way for the first human astronauts, and today, creatures big and small continue to space travel, advancing our knowledge of how the zero-gravity environment impacts all beings and aiding research down on Earth.
![NASAโs Apollo moon program wasnโt sustainable but with commercial space, Artemis can be](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/rS-bovioZvFkL11mYU2Coo6lUio=/800x450/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65):fill(FFF)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/47UOMIZKRRDOPLQTRCMDAPGJDI.jpg)
NASAโs Apollo moon program wasnโt sustainable but with commercial space, Artemis can be
This time, the U.S. plans to stay on the moon with a sustainable presence with the help of international and commercial partners.
![China discounts possibility of harm from rocket plunging toward Earth](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/l7rzd5oX811prp9t7jOEe1JhjiQ=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/3ZOFX3PFPRHIVARCCSKD2V3OQM.jpg)
China discounts possibility of harm from rocket plunging toward Earth
China says the upper stage of its Long March 5B carrier rocket that launched the core module of its space station will mostly burn up on re-entry, posing little threat to people and property on Earth.
![Pittsburghโs ambassadors to space are ready to return America to the moon](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/jXB6dqvVMlD_9TKGV7SIn93WA5s=/800x533/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/4EXGLCUQGVBGBNJG23WIV7POKM.jpg)
Pittsburghโs ambassadors to space are ready to return America to the moon
Several private companies launching moon landers later this year from Florida will kick off a grand campaign to better understand our nearest neighbor, with big implications for when NASA returns humans to the moon in a few short years.
![Aviatrix Jackie Cochran is the most fascinating woman youโve never heard of](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/FwGAENPdp0BY9cKLvh6_g-4vNk8=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/04-01-2021/t_769cf88eb2034f6e8c750386841ece1c_name_image.jpg)
Aviatrix Jackie Cochran is the most fascinating woman youโve never heard of
Jacqueline Cochran was a record-breaking aviatrix, entrepreneur and political mover and shaker who was close enough with President Lindon B. Johnson he refused to let her call him Mr. President.
![These photos on Mars are the best weโve ever seen](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/llKl8McaNfDGI-2ZxTB1DrhQKx4=/1041x781/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Q2XJHM53YZFF3HHT4XT6LWLRTQ.jpg)
These photos on Mars are the best weโve ever seen
The landing is part of NASAโs Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort to explore the Red Planet. (2021 NASA)This is the first 360-degree panorama taken by Mastcam-Z, a zoomable pair of cameras aboard NASAโs Perseverance Mars rover. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSSThis shows the rim of Jezero Crater as seen in the first 360-degree panorama taken by the Mastcam-Z instrument aboard NASAโs Perseverance Mars rover (Feb. 24, 2021). AdNASAโs Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image using its Rover Down-Look Camera. The Perseverance Mars rover landed on Mars Feb. 18, 2021.
![Largest asteroid to fly past Earth this year is coming soon โ and itโs huge](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/KZzibppx9i_d3_ckTyF18IbEJ0k=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/O7A7IHKKAJBAXJYEN6VZ7CKQ3I.jpg)
Largest asteroid to fly past Earth this year is coming soon โ and itโs huge
The largest asteroid known to be passing near Earth this year will also be one of the fastest rocks to cruise past our planet, and itโs all happening March 21. If youโre thinking thatโs impressive, the rock will be cruising through space at about 76,980 mph -- or 21 miles per second, relative to Earth. So, at what time and where will you be able to see Asteroid 2001 FO32? For those looking from the south, the asteroid will be low in the sky, above the southern horizon. The next time this asteroid will encounter our planet will be in 31 years.
![How scientists know weโre not going to get squashed by an asteroid](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/YcUi-tjcPxceFvWODn1V2GrEOzo=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-22-2020/t_4037dc8417c74e5c86445c5d342cdfc8_name_image.jpg)
How scientists know weโre not going to get squashed by an asteroid
In a recent episode of the podcast โSpace Curious,โ planetary scientists helped us understand why this is. They also explained how we know where asteroids are, and why weโre not all going to get squashed by one anytime soon. โThe main reason we go to Bennu is because it is the most potentially hazardous asteroid,โ Campins said. โItโs a primitive asteroid,โ Campins said. Campins said when someone reads about an asteroid headed for Earth, itโs a good idea to do some fact checking.
![Astronomers are working to make sure large satellite constellations donโt forever change the night sky](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/Ml_kXqcQsw9CyJIZi4SIjF92nRg=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/09-24-2020/t_6a0f7c3c8bd0436fb4a7e6430b25ad90_name_image.jpg)
Astronomers are working to make sure large satellite constellations donโt forever change the night sky
A composite image of Starlink satellite trails across an image of Comet NEOWise taken in Central Florida by astronomer Derek Demeter in July 2020. (Derek Demeter)Our view of the night sky has been changing ever since the light bulb was invented. โWhen I look up at the night sky, Iโm reminded of the thousands of years of history that people have been inspired -- a lot of our traditions today stem from ancient people looking up at the night sky and feeling awe and wonder,โ he said. AdIn August, the members of an American Astronomical Society committee -- who have been working with SpaceX engineers-- released their findings about how to mitigate trashing the night sky and what the long-standing impact of these large constellations will be. Lori Allen, also an astronomer with the NOIRLab, said the astronomy working group observed Starlink satellites to determine if changes to the satellite hardware will work, what observatories can do.
![Who takes out the space trash? Space debris is growing, hereโs whatโs being done about it](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/IRelLye43L3FS65Jl_BqgtudSLk=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/09-10-2020/t_27ea5a845f1948eeb1f969b0efc08018_name_geo_2019_2048_scaled.jpg)
Who takes out the space trash? Space debris is growing, hereโs whatโs being done about it
And so whilst we say โspace debris,โ itโs not like thereโs hundreds and hundreds of objects all crammed together or creating a huge problem. Space is big, and the separations between these pieces of space debris are quite large.โAdBatcheldor said most space debris, or space junk, is tracked and right now not posing a danger to any new missions. This is the area most concentrated with space debris, according to NASAโs Orbital Debris Program Office. His research area of focus is on robotics in space, including satellite repair in space and removal of space debris. Hosted by space reporter Emilee Speck, each episode is designed to inspire everyone, from the space curious to the space fanatics.
![Space Curious: The origin story of the International Space Station](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/c-0bGEOegEu1Ia5y3EZBHw2frbA=/623x248/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GUDX2E63MFGYXKZBD4NVP7LJLA.jpg)
Space Curious: The origin story of the International Space Station
That means most college students today have never known a day without an astronaut orbiting above them on the International Space Station. The International Space Station, or ISS, is just shy of the same length as an American football field and the largest spacecraft ever built. โI felt as an International Space Station, we needed to enter as an international crew.โAdCabana and Krikalev went into the ISS at the same time. โSergei and I enter side by side, so there was no first person to enter the International Space Station,โ Cabana said. Hosted by space reporter Emilee Speck, each episode is designed to inspire everyone, from the space curious to the space fanatics.
![Are you Space Curious? Submit your intergalactic questions here](https://www.ksat.com/resizer/V5UcML0pgicheDufDQZMcTPsMD0=/1440x960/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/35PIIEKRARDZZBE3G4VPDDOMC4.jpg)
Are you Space Curious? Submit your intergalactic questions here
What do you want to know about spaceflight and planetary exploration in the era of a new space industry? Space exploration is fueled by the need to answer questions about the great unknown. Thereโs no need to have a background in physics or a degree in engineering; this is open for the space curious to the space obsessed. Space reporter Emilee Speck will answer your intergalactic questions with help from astronauts, scientists and engineers. Your questions could be featured on Space Curious, a podcast from Graham Media Group and ClickOrlando.com.