S27E66: BepiColombo's Glitch: Navigating Challenges on the Road to Mercury

Join us for SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 66, where we delve into the latest cosmic discoveries and technological challenges shaping our understanding of the universe.
First, we explore a glitch aboard the BepiColombo spacecraft bound for Mercury. The joint ESA-JAXA mission faced a sudden issue with its thrusters, impacting its journey towards the innermost planet. Despite the setback, mission control has restored 90% of the spacecraft's thrust capabilities, ensuring BepiColombo's arrival at Mercury for its next gravity assist.
Next, we turn our attention to Venus, where BepiColombo's fleeting visit has unveiled surprising insights into the planet's atmosphere. Observations reveal that carbon and oxygen ions are escaping Venus's upper layers at speeds sufficient to overcome the planet's gravity, offering new clues about atmospheric loss mechanisms.
Finally, we discuss new evidence explaining the mysterious phenomenon of stars that suddenly vanish without the usual supernova explosion. This complete stellar collapse turns massive stars directly into black holes, providing fresh perspectives on stellar evolution.
00:00 This is Spacetime series 27, episode 66, for broadcast on 31 May 2024
01:00 A glitch aboard the BepiColombo spacecraft bound for Mercury
12:30 Exploring the unexplored regions of Venus
24:15 An explanation for stars that mysteriously suddenly vanish
35:00 Skywatch: The June solstice, the spectacular Sombrero Galaxy, and the Taurus meteor shower

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