Mara QuinnGood evening. This is Planetary Defense Daily, November sixth, twenty twenty-six. I'm joined by Eli Grant and Ada Hale. Tonight: asteroids, launches, and a new Russian space mission.
Eli GrantNASA's Sentry impact risk register listed eight asteroids as of November fourth. Each near-Earth object carries a calculated impact probability from JPL's Center for Near Earth Object Studies.
Ada HaleVarda Space says it has achieved the first simultaneous launch of multiple commercial re-entry vehicles. Chief executive Will Bruey made that claim in remarks filed November fourth.
Mara QuinnOn the asteroid Apophis, Russia is now moving. Moscow State University has begun work on a dedicated mission to the rock, and the spacecraft may carry a gamma-ray spectrometer to analyze its composition.
Eli GrantThe Allen Telescope Array has launched a four-year anti-solar point survey out of Hat Creek Observatory. The radio astronomy effort is expected to capture eleven petabytes of data over its full run.
Ada HaleFormer NASA official Keith Cowing is pressing the agency with five public questions about changes to its astrobiology program. He is requesting documentation for the restructured effort.
Mara QuinnThat is tonight's edition of Planetary Defense Daily. We will be back tomorrow. Stay informed, stay safe.