Archive for August, 2025
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August 24th, 2025
Image credit: Big Ear Radio Telescope
Nearly half a century has passed since the detection of what’s termed the “Wow! Signal” – a strong, unexplained radio burst captured by Ohio State University’s Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project in 1977, also known as the “Big Ear.”
That Wow! of a cosmic outburst remains one of the most enticing but perplexing mysteries in SETI world.
Researchers from the Arecibo Wow! Project have re-analyzed decades of previously unpublished observations and archival data from the Ohio State University SETI program. The result is the most precise characterization yet of the perplexing signal from afar and revealing new clues to its origin.
Image credit: Arecibo Wow! Project
Clearest picture yet
“Our results don’t solve the mystery of the Wow! Signal,” said Abel Méndez of the Planetary Habitability Laboratory at the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. “But they give us the clearest picture yet of what it was and where it came from. This new precision allows us to target future observations more effectively than ever before.”
The research findings boost the case for the Wow! Signal being created by a natural astrophysical origin, Méndez and colleagues report. Also the work does make radio interference “an increasingly unlikely explanation,” they add.
Was the Wow! Signal a sudden brightening of the hydrogen line in interstellar clouds, triggered by a powerful transient radiation source such as a magnetar flare or soft gamma repeater (SGR)?
Image credit: Méndez et al., 2024
“This study doesn’t close the case,” Méndez said. “It reopens it, but now with a much sharper map in hand.”
Méndez and fellow researchers hypothesize that the Wow! Signal was caused by a sudden brightening of the hydrogen line in interstellar clouds, triggered by a powerful transient radiation source such as a magnetar flare or soft gamma repeater (SGR).
Citizen science: Wow at home
The ongoing research into the Wow! Signal has also spawned the Wow@Home project. You too can now actively search for similar signals and other rare cosmic events, including potential technosignatures – in real time.
Image credit: Wow@Home
How much does a Wow@Home radio telescope cost?
“A complete setup costs around $500, including a dedicated computer, but we are not selling these systems. Instead, we will provide recommendations for the necessary parts and offer free software to power the telescope and connect it to the Wow@Home network to search for transient events,” a Wow@Home posting explains.
There are also lower-cost options available, the posting adds, and many online resources can guide you through building your radio telescope.
For more information on Wow@Home, go to:
https://phl.upr.edu/wow/outreach
To gain access to the new research report – “Arecibo Wow! II: Revised Properties of the Wow! Signal from Archival Ohio SETI Data” – go to:
Posted in 
Mini-rover imagery of Chang’e-6 lander/ascender.
Image credit: CNSA/CLEP
China’s Chang’e-6 Moon sampling mission continues to provide key information on the formation of the Apollo Basin – a huge impact basin on the lunar far side.
The new research could help explain the apparent early impact flux during the Late Heavy Bombardment (LHB) period of the Moon and the solar system.
It has been determined that the Apollo Basin formed approximately 4.16 billion years ago, pushing back the date at which the LHB began on the Moon by at least 100 million years.
Chang’e-6 scooping operation on Moon’s far side.
Image credit: CNSA/CLEP
Geological clock
According to the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, the research also revealed that the LHB impact flux followed a trend of gradual decay – “a fact which does not support the hypothesis of a sudden surge between 3.8 billion and 4 billion years ago,” reported China’s Central Television (CCTV).
A team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ (CAS’) Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, led by CAS academician Xu Yigang, worked with other Chinese and international researchers. The work integrated remote sensing, geological, geochemical and petrological data.
Examined were three unusual clasts measuring 150 to 350 micrometers in size. They were among the lunar far side samples retrieved by the Chang’e-6 mission, rocketed to Earth back in June 2024 with the mission’s return capsule landing by parachute in Inner Mongolia.
Chang’e-6 drilling into lunar far side landscape.
Image credit: CNSA/CLEP
A clast is a fragment of pre-existing rock or mineral that has broken off from a larger rock mass.
The three samples in the study are impact-melt fragments that formed during the formation of the Apollo Basin, serving as a “geological clock” for the impact event.
Crucial insights
Chen Jingyou, researcher, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, CAS.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
“Prior to our discovery, scientists believed that a basin-forming ‘impact storm’ occurred on the Moon between 3.8 billion and 4 billion years ago. Accurately dating the Apollo Basin gives us crucial insights to help unravel the mysteries of this ‘impact storm,’” said Chen Jingyou, a researcher at the institute.
By studying the Chang’e-6 lunar samples the evolution of the Earth-Moon system can be better understood, the research team adds. “The early impact flux recorded by the Moon, especially the first billion years during the basin-forming epoch, is pivotal to understanding the evolution of inner Solar System bodies,” Chen and colleagues report.
Image credit: CLEP
Earlier work
This latest data follows earlier work by Chinese scientists on the Chang’e-6 samples, published in March of this year, confirming that the South Pole-Aitken Basin formed approximately 4.25 billion years ago.
In July, China also released other findings gleaned from the Chang’e-6 far side samples, covering categories such as volcanic activity, ancient magnetic fields, water content, and geochemical characteristics of the lunar mantle.
To access the new research – “KREEP-like lithologies in the South Pole–Aitken basin reworked by the Apollo basin impact at 4.16 Ga” – go to:
Image credit: Ivan Timoshenko
Russia’s Bion-M No. 2 – a unique biosatellite including 75 mice – rocketed skyward from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
This “Noah’s Ark” of space also carries 1,000 fruit flies, cell cultures, microorganisms, plant seeds, and other items.
Russia’s Soyuz 2.1a booster was used to propel the Bion-M No. 2 into a nearly circular orbit at an inclination of roughly 97 degrees, a pole-to-pole orbit, remaining in space for 30 days.
According to a posting by Roscosmos, “telemetry data received today…the spacecraft is operating normally, and all living organisms have successfully begun their journey in space.”
Image credit: Roscosmos
Years of work
The mission is underway via the joint efforts of Roscosmos, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
“Years of intense work in the scientific laboratories of the institutes and the production shops of the Progress Rocket Space Center went into preparing this project,” Roscosmos adds.
For the first time in history, the Roscosmos communiqué notes, “such a spacecraft has been launched into a sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of about 97 degrees. We are confident that the implementation of all planned scientific experiments will provide invaluable knowledge that will contribute to the further exploration of space by humans.”
Pre-liftoff image shows technician with biosatellite experiments.
Image credit: Roscosmos
30-day mission
At the end of the 30 day mission, Bion-M No. 2’s menagerie of specimens will parachute back to a Russian landing zone, touching down in the steppes of the Orenburg Region.
That orbit taken by Bion-M No. 2 will increase the level of cosmic radiation by at least an order of magnitude compared to that on the Bion-M No. 1 spacecraft launched back in April 2013, placed in a different orbit and also flying for 30 days.
10 sections
The scientific program of experiments and research consists of 10 sections.
According to the Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP) of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the first and second sections are devoted to experimental studies of gravitational physiology on animals, to help create new technologies for ensuring human life support during flights under the combined effects of weightlessness and cosmic radiation.
Bion-M No. 2 being readied for launch.
Image credit: Roscosmos
The third, fourth and fifth sections are devoted to studies of the influence of space flight and outer space factors on the biology of plants and microorganisms, as well as their communities, i.e. understanding the general patterns of life in the Universe.
The sixth, eighth and ninth sections include biotechnological, technological, physical and technical experiments.
The seventh section is a complex of radiobiological and dosimetric experiments necessary to solve the problems of ensuring radiation safety of new crewed spacecraft.
The tenth section includes experiments prepared by students from various schools of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.
Image credit: Roscosmos
I am pleased to report I have received the National Space Club Florida Committee’s 2025 Harry Kolcum News and Communications Award.
About the Award: The National Space Club Florida Committee each year recognizes area representatives of the news media and communications professionals for excellence in telling the space story along Florida’s Space Coast and throughout the world. The award is named in honor of Harry Kolcum, the former managing editor of Aviation Week & Space Technology, who was Cape bureau chief from 1980 to 1993, prior to his death in 1994. Kolcum was a founding member of the National Space Club Florida Committee.
Image credit: Mars Guy/NASA/JPL-Caltech/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Mars Guy notes that August 6 of this year marked the 13th anniversary of the NASA Curiosity rover landing on Mars.
“It was designed to last at least one Mars year, about 687 Earth days,” Mars Guy explains, “so it’s obviously outperformed all expectations, despite its questionable wheel design.”
Go to video at:
https://youtu.be/MLE785oPsUw?si=LgtQXUJuB94ovj1C
Meanwhile, a recent image of the wheel damage. Curiosity image taken by Left Navigation Camera on Sol 4634, August 19, 2025.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Artwork depicts Russia’s Bion-M No. 2 in Earth orbit.
Image credit: Roscosmos/Inside Outer Space screengrab
Russia’s Bion-M No. 2 is ready for departure at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
It is a “Noah’s Ark” of space, loaded with 75 mice, over 1,000 fruit flies, cell cultures, microorganisms, plant seeds, and other items.
Departure time is August 20, at 1:13 AM U.S. Eastern Time aboard a Soyuz 2.1a booster.
Zero gravity: as quickly as possible
Roscosmos notes that specialists are making final preparations at the launch complex. Due to the flying of the biological samples, no more than 72 hours should pass from the moment the spacecraft is closed. “The task is to get into zero gravity as quickly as possible,” the Russian space agency adds.
Image credit: Roscosmos
Bion-M No. 2 is to be rocketed into a nearly circular orbit at an inclination of roughly 97 degrees, a pole-to-pole orbit, remaining in space for 30 days.
That orbit will increase the level of cosmic radiation by at least an order of magnitude compared to that on the Bion-M No. 1 spacecraft launched back in April 2013, placed in a different orbit and also flying for 30 days.
Bion-M No. 2 being prepared for departure. Image credit: Roscosmos
Deep space data
According to Russia’s Institute of Medical and Biological Problems (IBMP), Bion-M No. 2 is flying to obtain data, such as:
— Data on effects of microgravity and radiation susceptibility and damage to living beings in the environment of real deep space.
— General data applicable to the medical support of future space flights.
— Data on biological outcomes of space effects applicable to the general Earth medicine.
At the end of the 30 day mission, Bion-M No. 2’s menagerie of specimens is to parachute back to a Russian landing zone, touching down in the steppes of the Orenburg Region.
Return of Bion-M No. 1 in 2013..
Image credit: Roscosmos/IBMP/O. Voloshin
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab
China has made significant progress in its humans-on-the-Moon project, the ability to land two Chinese astronauts on the lunar surface by 2030.
On August 15, the first stage propulsion system of the Long March 10 (CZ-10) launch vehicle was successfully conducted at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, Hainan Province, China.
A cluster of seven YF-100K engines running on liquid oxygen-kerosene fuel burned for about 35 seconds.
The thrust scale in the test reached nearly 1,000 tons, a record in the history of China’s space program.
A shortened mockup of the first stage of the CZ-10 was used for the test, put through its paces at the new CZ-10 launch pad in Wenchang.
This first static fire test of the Long March-10 follows the successful zero-altitude escape flight test in June of the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft and an August landing and takeoff test of the Lanyue piloted lunar lander, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
Zero-altitude escape flight test in June 2025 of the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft.
Image credit: CCTV
China completed a comprehensive test of its crew-carrying Moon lunar lander Lanyue in north China’s Hebei Province, August 6, 2025. Image credit: CGTN//China Media Group.
Critical steps
Peng Yue, an engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation told China Central Television (CCTV):
Peng Yue, an engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Image credit: CCTV/Inside Outer Space screengrab.
“Conducting a power system test is one of the most critical steps in rocket development. It mainly assesses the thermal and mechanical environment created by simultaneously operating seven engines on a 5-meter-diameter core stage,” Peng said. “It’s also a key step to ensure system compatibility and to mitigate risks ahead of the rocket’s maiden flight.”
The Long March-10 carrier rocket series is developed to serve China’s manned lunar exploration missions, including two configurations — the Long March-10 rocket and Long March-10A rocket.
The Long March-10 rocket will undertake the launch missions of the crewed spacecraft and the lunar lander.
Image credit: CCTV/CNSA/Inside Outer Space screengrab
The Long March-10A will serve the launch missions of the Mengzhou crewed spacecraft and the uncrewed Tianzhou cargo craft in further developing China’s space station program.
For a video of the test, go to:
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV
During last week’s 6.5-hour spacewalk, China’s Shenzhou-20 astronauts completed vital inspections and installed protective equipment on the country’s space station.
The spacewalk, which took place Friday, represented the Shenzhou-20 crew’s third series of extravehicular activities since boarding the space station.
According to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), crew members Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie worked for approximately six-and-a-half hours and completed all related tasks, assisted by the space station’s robotic arm and a ground control team.
Inside the station’s Tianhe core module, Chen Zhongrui provided vital support.
Crewmember Chen Zhongrui provided support during the mission’s third spacewalk.
Image credit: CMSA/CCTV
Debris protection measures
“The main goal of this spacewalk was to identify thermal characteristics of key external equipment and critical components. This allows us to better understand their operational conditions and collect detailed data, which also supports future spacecraft design and advancing our thermal control technologies,” Liang Xiaofeng, an engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, told China Central Television (CCTV).
The spacewalk involved installation of debris protection measures and auxiliary structural components, as well as inspection of external equipment and systems on the station’s exterior.
The Shenzhou-20 trio entered the Tiangong space station on April 25 this year. They have now completed half of their spaceflight journey.
Go to this video highlighting the Shenzhou-20’s third spacewalk at:
Image credit: SpaceX
A few days ago, the SpaceX Starship team released overview information regarding program issues.
On May 27, 2025, Starship’s ninth flight test suffered an “energetic event” near the aft end of the vehicle followed by loss of telemetry. Final data was received from the booster approximately 382 seconds into flight.
Image credit: SpaceX
On Wednesday, June 18, the Starship (Ship 36) preparing for the tenth flight test experienced an anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase in Texas.
For full details, go to:
https://www.spacex.com/updates#flight-9-report
For an update on the upcoming Starship Flight 10, go to:
“SpaceX Starship 10 Flight Test: Ready to Rumble”
https://www.leonarddavid.com/spacex-starship-10-flight-test-ready-to-rumble/
Image credit: Philippine Coast Guard
The Philippine Coast Guard has recovered floating rocket debris on August 14, bearing markings of the People’s Republic of China, along the shoreline of Sitio Gunting, Barangay Bonbon, Looc, Occidental Mindoro.
A local fisherman retrieved the floating debris, rocket leftovers allegedly linked to the Long March 7A rocket launch conducted by China between July 15-17. The fisherman discovered the object while fishing one nautical mile off Barangay Bonbon.
The debris, measuring about 10 feet wide and 14 feet long, was made of alloy material and bore the Chinese flag.
Image credit: Philippine Coast Guard
The Philippine Coast Guard continues to remind fishermen, coastal community residents, and other maritime stakeholders to immediately report sightings of unusual floating objects to the nearest Coast Guard unit for appropriate actions.
Danger and potential risk
Meanwhile, the Philippine Space Agency PhilSA has repeatedly cautioned citizens regarding China-launched rocket debris falling into local waters within estimated drop zones.
Image credit: Philippine Coast Guard
In pre-launch PhilSA communiqués they explain that leftover rocket parts are not projected to fall on land features or inhabited areas, but that “falling debris poses danger and potential risk to ships, aircraft, fishing boats, and other vessels that will pass through the drop zone.”
The Philippines have been on the receiving end of falling rocket segments from Chinese rocket launchings on numerous occasions. They are urging spacefaring nations to act responsibly and safeguard the interests of other states.
Image credit: Philippine Space Agency
