Weekly Space Hangout - Jan 6, 2017: Abigail "Astronaut Abby" Harrison

TL;DR

SpaceX is back in business after a rocket explosion, Mars Hope probe to launch in 2020, and multiple upcoming planetary missions are set to revolutionize our understanding of the solar system.

Transcript

No yeah okay we are in theory live but I need some proof that I exist from the outside world well somebody anybody tell me that I exist or am I just a brain floating in a jar somewhere no nobody's gonna tell us I exist ah Malcolm just said hello no cool all right I know Colin Joe just give me a high five there it is back at you um just remember tha... Read More

Key Insights

• 🚀 The SpaceX rocket explosion setback has been addressed and the company is ready to resume launches.
• 🇲🇭 Mars remains a focus of space exploration, with the UAE launching the Mars Hope probe in 2020 to study the planet's climate.
• 🎟️ Planetary missions such as TESS and the Chinese lunar sample return mission will provide important data for scientific research.

Questions & Answers

Q: What caused the SpaceX rocket explosion and how have they resolved the issue?

The explosion was determined to be caused by issues with the helium tanks in the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX has made changes to the filling process to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Q: What kind of data will be collected by the Mars Hope probe?

The probe will gather valuable information about the Martian climate and atmosphere, providing key insights into the past and future habitability of the planet.

Q: What makes the upcoming planetary missions significant?

These missions, such as TESS and the Chinese lunar sample return mission, will contribute to our understanding of exoplanets and the Moon, respectively. They will expand our knowledge and pave the way for future exploration.

Q: How will the Google Lunar XPrize work?

Multiple competitors will land their spacecraft on the Moon, and the first one to complete the mission requirements, such as transmitting data, will win the prize.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• SpaceX has identified the cause of the rocket explosion and is ready to resume launches, with the first one scheduled for January 2017.

• The United Arab Emirates is launching the Mars Hope probe in 2020, which will provide valuable data on the Red Planet.

• Planetary missions such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and Chinese lunar sample return mission are scheduled for this year.

• The Google Lunar XPrize will also be taking place in 2017, where various spacecraft will race to land on the Moon.