The Space Race - Weekly Roundup Feb 11th

Author

Juan Fernández
February 11, 2025

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Hello, my space friends! 🚀 

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Now, back to space, we had yet another very exciting week!

From lunar gravity experiments and asteroid alerts to the discovery of a new Einstein ring, there’s no shortage of cool space news! Blue Origin and SpaceX are pushing boundaries once again, while international collaborations like China-Pakistan and UAE-Gateway continue shaping the future of lunar exploration.

Buckle up, let’s dive into the details! 😊

🌙 Blue Origin Successfully Simulates Lunar Gravity

Blue Origin’s New Shepard successfully launched a unique mission, spinning its capsule to mimic lunar gravity for scientific experiments. This test supports NASA’s lunar research, offering a cheaper way to prepare for moon missions. Despite a parachute hiccup, the capsule landed safely.

🚀 SpaceX Races to Complete Starbase Pad B

Starbase is getting a major upgrade with Pad B, and SpaceX isn’t wasting time! With new “chopsticks” for catching Starships, a flame trench for better protection, and improved fueling systems, this pad could revolutionize turnaround times. If all goes well, it might even catch a booster before launching one.

🔭 Europa Clipper Locks Onto the Stars

NASA’s Europa Clipper just tested its star trackers, ensuring it can navigate deep space with precision. These cameras help keep the spacecraft pointed correctly—crucial for both science and communication. The mission is still years from Europa, but every step gets us closer to uncovering its hidden oceans.

🌌 Webb Reveals a Dusty Planet-Forming Chaos

Webb just zoomed in on HH 30, a swirling protoplanetary disc hiding a young star behind dust and jets. Turns out, planet-making is messy: grains drifting, clumping, and settling in ways we’re still figuring out.

By combining Webb’s infrared vision with Hubble and ALMA data, scientists are uncovering how dust grains clump together, paving the way for planets to form in this cosmic nursery.

🛰️ Pentagon Eyes Starship for Space Refueling

The U.S. military is exploring how SpaceX’s Starship could refuel other spacecraft in orbit—potentially unlocking deep space missions. But will the government actually fund it, or is this just another cool concept stuck in limbo? Budget cuts might kill the dream before it even starts. We'll see.

🇪🇺 ESA To Test In-Orbit Refueling for Satellites

ESA is also jumping into the in-orbit refueling game, aiming to double satellite lifespans and cut launch mass. If this works, it'll make spaceflight more efficient, but let’s see if Europe can catch up with the U.S. and China in this race.

☄️ A 2032 Asteroid Impact? Don’t Panic Yet

Astronomers spotted an asteroid with a 1.9% chance of hitting Earth in 2032. Odds are, more data will rule it out, but if not, we’ve got deflection strategies ready. Hollywood-style asteroid destruction? Probably unnecessary, but it’s a good reminder why planetary defense is worth the investment 😅

🇦🇪 UAE Backs Gateway Airlock Despite Uncertainty

Thales Alenia Space just landed a big contract to build the airlock for the lunar Gateway, thanks to a deal with the UAE. But here’s the twist: the Gateway’s future is up in the air, with potential cuts from the new U.S. administration. Will this module ever reach the Moon? I hope so 🤞🏻

🇵🇰 Pakistan Rover Joins China’s Moon Mission

Pakistan’s first lunar rover will hitch a ride on China’s Chang’e-8 mission in 2028, marking a huge leap for Pakistan’s space ambitions. The rover will study moon soil, radiation, and test tech for future lunar bases. Cool 😎 

💍 Euclid Spots a Perfect Einstein Ring

ESA’s Euclid telescope just found a stunning Einstein ring right in a galaxy we’ve known since 1884! This rare gravitational lensing effect reveals a hidden galaxy 4.42 billion light-years away.

😳 Moon’s ‘Grand Canyons’ Formed in Minutes

Earth’s Grand Canyon took millions of years to form, but the Moon’s version? Just minutes. Wow! 😯 A massive asteroid impact near the lunar south pole carved out two enormous canyons, rewriting what we know about high-energy collisions.

🇨🇳 Taikonauts Celebrate Spring Festival in Space

China’s Shenzhou-19 crew, halfway through their Tiangong mission, shared their unique experiences of celebrating Spring Festival 400 km above Earth. From taking spacewalks to growing vegetables and bonding over meals, the astronauts blend work and life in orbit.

📹 Our latest videos

In case you missed them, here are the latest videos we've published on our YouTube channel:

Upcoming Rocket Launches

Get ready for an exciting week of launches! 🚀

Today, Tuesday, Feb 11th:

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Starlink Group 11-10. Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.

  • Long March 8A (CASC, China) – Demo Flight. Wenchang Space Launch Site, China.

  • Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Starlink Group 12-18. Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

Friday, Feb 14th: Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Starlink Group 12-8. Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

Tuesday, Feb 18th: Falcon 9 Block 5 (SpaceX, USA) – Starlink Group 10-12. Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.

And that’s it for this week. Stay curious! 😊

Juan and the team at The Space Race