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Physics and astronomy thread (2 Viewers)


Lots of reports today that the odds have increased to 3.1 percent.

NASA took it back down to 1.5%


If I’m understanding the science here - they’ll be able to see this asteroid for roughly another 2 months - at which point it will be outside our view until 2028 or so. That means the potential impact timeline when we’re able to view it again will only be 4 years out. That’s a bit unnerving.

The latest report puts the chance of hitting Earth at 1 in 59,000, leading astronomers to conclude we are no longer in danger.
 
stunning video from Blue Ghost orbiting low as it prepares to land on the moon, Mar 2.



Blue Ghost is slated to touch down near Mare Crisium, in the northeast quadrant on the near side of the Moon, as part of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign to establish a long-term lunar presence. Live coverage of the landing, jointly hosted by NASA and Firefly, will air on NASA+ starting at 2:20 a.m. EST, approximately 75 minutes before touch down on the Moon’s surface.

For anyone who will be up at 2-3 am.
 
Perhaps the most difficult, nail-biting stretch of Blue Ghost’s mission is over with. The vehicle is sitting on the moon’s near side, within an ancient crater filled with volcanic material.

Here’s what still lies ahead:

  • Blue Ghost will unfurl its X-band antenna, which can beam troves of data and video down from the moon. That should be happening right now.
  • NASA and Firefly will verify all 10 science and tech demonstrations are in working order. Over the next two weeks, mission teams will collect information on everything from how the lunar soil behaved during descent to studying the heat flow from the moon’s interior.
  • Blue Ghost will experience an eclipse on March 14 as Earth casts a shadow on the landing site.
  • Just before lunar nightfall, Blue Ghost will aim to capture photos of a “lunar horizon glow,” a phenomenon during which moon dust will briefly levitate.
  • About 14 days into the mission, Blue Ghost’s landing site will be plunged into lunar night. The lander will then need to rely on battery power as the company aims to keep it functioning in temperatures as cold as minus 250°F (minus 130°C).
  • At the end of its operations, Blue Ghost will stay put, destined to remain on the moon’s surface indefinitely.
 
Perhaps the most difficult, nail-biting stretch of Blue Ghost’s mission is over with. The vehicle is sitting on the moon’s near side, within an ancient crater filled with volcanic material.

Here’s what still lies ahead:

  • Blue Ghost will unfurl its X-band antenna, which can beam troves of data and video down from the moon. That should be happening right now.
  • NASA and Firefly will verify all 10 science and tech demonstrations are in working order. Over the next two weeks, mission teams will collect information on everything from how the lunar soil behaved during descent to studying the heat flow from the moon’s interior.
  • Blue Ghost will experience an eclipse on March 14 as Earth casts a shadow on the landing site.
  • Just before lunar nightfall, Blue Ghost will aim to capture photos of a “lunar horizon glow,” a phenomenon during which moon dust will briefly levitate.
  • About 14 days into the mission, Blue Ghost’s landing site will be plunged into lunar night. The lander will then need to rely on battery power as the company aims to keep it functioning in temperatures as cold as minus 250°F (minus 130°C).
  • At the end of its operations, Blue Ghost will stay put, destined to remain on the moon’s surface indefinitely.
Quite an achievement for Firefly. I almost applied there about six years ago. I’m not sure I was qualified, but it would’ve been cool to be a part of that.
 
Meanwhile... Athena (Intuitive Machines), another private lander with robotic rover was scheduled to land (eta: on the moon) about 30 minutes ago.

Nobody sure if it landed successfully or not- conflicting info with some telemetry issues on landing, but also sent a message saying things ok.

News conference at 4pm EST
 
Looks like they lost attitude control and ultimately total contact with the Starship 8 vehicle. Did however successfully retrieve the booster once again on the tower.
 
Meanwhile... Athena (Intuitive Machines), another private lander with robotic rover was scheduled to land (eta: on the moon) about 30 minutes ago.

Nobody sure if it landed successfully or not- conflicting info with some telemetry issues on landing, but also sent a message saying things ok.

News conference at 4pm EST
Looks like they landed, and then ended up on its side... Again.
 
IM-2 update:

"3/7/25 | 0829 Intuitive Machines Executes Southernmost Lunar Landing and Operates Payloads
HOUSTON, TX – March 7, 2025 – Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) (“Intuitive Machines”) (“Company”), a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, has announced the IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, landed 250 meters from its intended landing site in the Mons Mouton region of the lunar south pole, inside of a crater. This was the southernmost lunar landing and surface operations ever achieved.

Images downlinked from Athena on the lunar surface confirmed that Athena was on her side. After landing, mission controllers were able to accelerate several program and payload milestones, including NASA’s PRIME-1 suite, before the lander’s batteries depleted.

With the direction of the sun, the orientation of the solar panels, and extreme cold temperatures in the crater, Intuitive Machines does not expect Athena to recharge. The mission has concluded and teams are continuing to assess the data collected throughout the mission."
 
IM-2 update:

"3/7/25 | 0829 Intuitive Machines Executes Southernmost Lunar Landing and Operates Payloads
HOUSTON, TX – March 7, 2025 – Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) (“Intuitive Machines”) (“Company”), a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, has announced the IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, landed 250 meters from its intended landing site in the Mons Mouton region of the lunar south pole, inside of a crater. This was the southernmost lunar landing and surface operations ever achieved.

Images downlinked from Athena on the lunar surface confirmed that Athena was on her side. After landing, mission controllers were able to accelerate several program and payload milestones, including NASA’s PRIME-1 suite, before the lander’s batteries depleted.

With the direction of the sun, the orientation of the solar panels, and extreme cold temperatures in the crater, Intuitive Machines does not expect Athena to recharge. The mission has concluded and teams are continuing to assess the data collected throughout the mission."
WTH with that company and landers going sideways...
 
IM-2 update:

"3/7/25 | 0829 Intuitive Machines Executes Southernmost Lunar Landing and Operates Payloads
HOUSTON, TX – March 7, 2025 – Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) (“Intuitive Machines”) (“Company”), a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, has announced the IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, landed 250 meters from its intended landing site in the Mons Mouton region of the lunar south pole, inside of a crater. This was the southernmost lunar landing and surface operations ever achieved.

Images downlinked from Athena on the lunar surface confirmed that Athena was on her side. After landing, mission controllers were able to accelerate several program and payload milestones, including NASA’s PRIME-1 suite, before the lander’s batteries depleted.

With the direction of the sun, the orientation of the solar panels, and extreme cold temperatures in the crater, Intuitive Machines does not expect Athena to recharge. The mission has concluded and teams are continuing to assess the data collected throughout the mission."
WTH with that company and landers going sideways...
Yes, I think they have the sideways landing down pretty good. Looking at the design it appears to be kind of top heavy with the vertical design and prone to tip over with any horizontal movement as it's landing.
 

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