S02E01: SpaceX vs the Environment, Cosmic Radiation on Planes, and China's Lunar Exploration Plans

Today’s Space, Astronomy, and Science News Podcast In this episode of Astronomy Daily, host Steve Dunkley and digital reporter Halley discuss various space-related news stories. The first news is about a study conducted by scientists from the University of Helsinki that measured cosmic radiation levels on board several aircraft on various flights. The results showed that exposure levels vary greatly depending on route, altitude and solar activity. The researchers recommended that airlines provide their crews with radiation monitoring tools and ensure that passengers are aware of the risks. In other news, environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against SpaceX and the Federal Aviation Administration over the company's launch activities at its Texas facility. The lawsuit alleges that the FAA violated federal law by granting SpaceX a launch license without conducting a thorough environmental review of the potential impacts of its activities on the surrounding wildlife and natural habitat. The case is ongoing in federal court. China has also announced its plan to send its astronauts, also known as "taikonauts," to explore the Moon, with the hopes of landing someone on it by the year 2030. China's lunar exploration program is part of their larger space ambitions, which include plans for a space station in Earth orbit and a mission to Mars in the 2030s. The episode also discusses the Jansky Very Large Array, a radio telescope array in New Mexico that is being used for a wide-ranging and continuous search for techno signatures, signals that would betray or give away the existence of an accomplished technological society. Astronomy Daily – The Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/astronomy-daily-the-podcast/id1642258990 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2kPF1ABBW2rCrjDlU2CWLW Or stream from our websites at http://www.spacenuts.io or our HQ at http://www.bitesz.com Astronomy Daily The Podcast now has its own