NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day

July 31, 2025

Supernova 2025rbs in NGC 7331

A long time ago in a galaxy 50 million light-years away, a star exploded. Light from that supernova was first detected by telescopes on planet Earth on July 14th though, and the extragalactic transient is now known to astronomers as supernova 2025rbs. Presently the brightest supernova in planet Earth's sky, 2025rbs is a Type Ia supernova, likely caused by the thermonuclear detonation of a white dwarf star that accreted material from a companion in a binary star system. Type Ia supernovae are used as standard candles to establish the distance scale of the universe. The host galaxy of 2025rbs is NGC 7331. Itself a bright spiral galaxy in the northern constellation Pegasus, NGC 7331 is often touted as an analog to our own Milky Way.

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

>>23407259

>>23407317

Deploy the EDF

Live Coverage of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Mission is Underway

July 31, 2025

NASA just ramped up its coverage of today’s launch, as the live broadcast of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission has now begun.

Tune in to the broadcast airing live on NASA+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms, including social media.

Liftoff is targeted for 12:09 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Crew-11 is the 11th crew rotation flight of the Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket, carrying Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov to the International Space Station.

Overall, the Crew-11 mission is the 16th crewed Dragon flight to the space station, which includes Demo-2 in 2020 and 11 operational crew rotations for NASA, as well as four private astronaut missions.

Once the crew arrives aboard the space station, they will undertake a brief handover period of a few days with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission.

Following handover, NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov will depart for a splashdown off the coast of California, completing their expedition aboard the microgravity laboratory.

You can also follow along on the mission blog, which originates from the NASA News Center here at Kennedy, a few miles from the launch pad. On social media, follow launch day milestones on @NASAKennedy on X, or NASA Kennedy on Facebook.

There’s more to come, so stay with us.

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/07/31/live-coverage-of-nasas-spacex-crew-11-mission-is-underway/

https://www.spacex.com/launches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-k_LyA1DQQ

NASA Installs Key ‘Sunblock’ Shield on Roman Space Telescope

Jul 31, 2025

Technicians have successfully installed two sunshields onto NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s inner segment.

Along with the observatory’s Solar Array Sun Shield and Deployable Aperture Cover, the panels (together called the Lower Instrument Sun Shade), will play a critical role in keeping Roman’s instruments cool and stable as the mission explores the infrared universe.

The team is on track to join Roman’s outer and inner assemblies this fall to complete the full observatory, which can then undergo further prelaunch testing.

“This shield is like an extremely strong sunblock for Roman’s sensitive instruments, protecting them from heat and light from the Sun that would otherwise overwhelm our ability to detect faint signals from space,” said Matthew Stephens, an aerospace engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The sunshade, which was designed and engineered at NASA Goddard, is essentially an extension of Roman’s solar panels, except without solar cells.

Each sunshade flap is roughly the size of a garage door — about 7 by 7 feet (2.1 by 2.1 meters) — and 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) thick.

“They’re basically giant aluminum sandwiches, with metal sheets as thin as a credit card on the top and bottom and the central portion made up of a honeycomb structure,” said Conrad Mason, an aerospace engineer at NASA Goddard.

This design makes the panels lightweight yet stiff, and the material helps limit heat transfer from the side facing the Sun to the back—no small feat considering the front will be hot enough to boil water (up to 216 degrees Fahrenheit, or 102 degrees Celsius) while the back will be much colder than Antarctica’s harshest winter (minus 211 Fahrenheit, or minus 135 Celsius).

A specialized polymer film blanket will wrap around each panel to temper the heat, with 17 layers on the Sun side and one on the shaded side.

The sunshade will be stowed and gently deploy around an hour after launch.

“The deploying mechanisms have dampers that work like soft-close hinges for drawers or cabinets, so the panels won’t slam open and rattle the observatory,” Stephens said.

“They each take about two minutes to move into their final positions. This is the very first system that Roman will deploy in space after the spacecraft separates from the launch vehicle.”

Now completely assembled, Roman’s inner segment is slated to undergo a 70-day thermal vacuum test next. Engineers and scientists will test the full functionality of the spacecraft, telescope, and instruments under simulated space conditions.

Following the test, the sunshade will be temporarily removed while the team joins Roman’s outer and inner assemblies, and then reattached to complete the observatory.

The mission remains on track for launch no later than May 2027 with the team aiming for as early as fall 2026.

https://www.nasa.gov/missions/roman-space-telescope/nasa-installs-key-sunblock-shield-on-roman-space-telescope/

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14878

https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/nasa-releases-opportunity-to-boost-commercial-space-tech-development/

https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/viewrepositorydocument/cmdocumentid=1089393/solicitationId=%7BBACA21B7-FDD1-03D1-5B30-95F6EE68AD1D%7D/viewSolicitationDocument=1/ACO%202025%20Appendix%20A%20Synopsis%20-%20Final%20Coming%20Soon%20NSPIRES.pdf

NASA Releases Opportunity to Boost Commercial Space Tech Development

Jul 30, 2025

NASA has released a new proposal opportunity for industry to tap into agency know-how, resources, and expertise.

The Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO), managed by the Space Technology Mission Directorate, enables valuable collaboration without financial exchanges between NASA and industry partners.

Instead, companies leverage NASA subject matter experts, facilities, software, and hardware to accelerate their technologies and prepare them for future commercial and government use.

On Wednesday, NASA issued a standing ACO announcement for partnership proposals which will be available for five years and will serve as the umbrella opportunity for topic-specific appendix releases.

NASA intends to issue appendices every six to 12 months to address evolving space technology needs. The 2025 ACO appendix is open for proposals until Sept. 24.

NASA will host an informational webinar about the opportunity and appendix at 2 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Interested proposers are encouraged to submit questions which will be answered during the webinar and will be available online after the webinar.

NASA teaming with industry isn’t new – decades of partnerships have resulted in ambitious missions that benefit all of humanity.

But in recent years, NASA has also played a key role as a technology enabler, providing one-of-a-kind tools, resources, and infrastructure to help commercial aerospace companies achieve their goals.

Since 2015, NASA has collaborated with industry on approximately 80 ACO projects. Here are some ways the collaborations have advanced space technology:

Lunar lander systems

Blue Origin and NASA worked together on several ACOs to mature the company’s lunar lander design.

NASA provided technical reports and assessments and conducted tests at multiple centers to help Blue Origin advance a stacked fuel cell system for a lander’s primary power source.

Other Blue Origin ACO projects evaluated high-temperature engine materials and advanced a landing navigation and guidance system.

Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) lander is delivering NASA science and technology to the Moon through the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative.

In 2023, NASA selected Blue Origin as a Human Landing System provider to develop its Blue Moon MK2 lander for future crewed lunar exploration.

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Cryogenic fluid transfer

Throughout a year-long ACO, NASA and SpaceX engineers worked together to perform in-depth computational fluid analysis of proposed propellant transfer methods between two SpaceX Starship spacecraft in low-Earth orbit.

The SpaceX-specific analysis utilized Starship flight data and data from previous NASA research and development to identify potential risks and help mitigate them during the early stages of commercial development.

NASA also provided inputs as SpaceX developed an initial concept of operations for its orbital propellant transfer missions.

SpaceX used the ACO analyses to inform the design of its Starship Human Landing System, which NASA selected in 2021 to put the first Artemis astronauts on the Moon.

Autonomous spacecraft navigation solution

Advanced Space and NASA partnered to advance the company’s Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System – software that allows lunar spacecraft to determine their location without relying exclusively on tracking from Earth.

The CAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) spacecraft launched to the Moon in 2022 and continues to operate and collect critical data to refine the software.

Under the ACO, Advanced Space was able to use NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to conduct crosslink experiments with CAPSTONE, helping mature the navigation solution for future missions.

The mission’s Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System technology was initially supported through the NASA Small Business Innovation Research program.

Multi-purpose laser sensing system

Sensuron and NASA matured a miniature, rugged fiber optic sensing system capable of taking thermal and shape measurements for multiple applications.

Throughout the ACO, Sensuron benefitted from NASA’s expertise in fiber optics and electrical, mechanical, and system testing engineering to design, fabricate, and “shake and bake” its prototype laser.

Space missions could use the technology to monitor cryogenic propellant levels and determine a fuel tank’s structural integrity throughout an extended mission.

The laser technology also has medical applications on Earth, which ultimately resulted in the Sensuron spinoff company, The Shape Sensing Company.

Flexible lunar tires

In 2023, Venturi Astrolab began work with NASA under an ACO to test its flexible lunar tire design.

The company tapped into testing capabilities unique to NASA, including heat transfer to cold lunar soil, traction, and life testing.

The data validated the performance of tire prototypes, helping ready the design to support future NASA missions.

In 2024, NASA selected three companies, including Venturi Astrolab, to advance capabilities for a lunar terrain vehicle that astronauts could use to travel around the lunar surface, conducting scientific research on the Moon and preparing for human missions to Mars.

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Observatory in Greece Achieves Deep-Space Laser Link with NASA’s ‘Psyche’

July 31, 2025

A milestone in space communication was celebrated in the Greek capital on Wednesday, as the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) was formally recognized by the European Space Agency (ESA) for its pivotal role in the first-ever optical communication link with a spacecraft in deep space, a landmark achievement in international space collaboration.

The groundbreaking laser communication link was established on July 7, 2025, between NASA’s “Psyche” spacecraft – currently en route to Mars – and Greece’s Kryoneri Observatory in Corinth.

The project, a joint effort by NASA and ESA, involved transmitting a laser message across nearly 300 million kilometers.

The message, sent from Kryoneri, was received shortly afterward at the Helmos Observatory’s Aristarchos Telescope in Achaia, northern Peloponnese, just 37 kilometers away.

This experiment marked the deepest wideband optical communication link ever recorded in space.

Greece’s observatory and high-speed connectivity to deep-space spacecraft

In a statement issued on July 7, ESA highlighted the compact nature of the operation, noting that fewer than 20 personnel were involved on-site: seven at Kryoneri and 12 at Helmos.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the United States, which oversaw the broader operation, deployed two experts to Greece to support ground operations.

“The first successful demonstration of deep-space optical communication with a European ground segment marks truly a leap step towards bringing terrestrial internet like high-speed connectivity to our deep-space spacecraft.

This joint achievement together with our colleagues and partners in industry and academia, ESA’s Directorate of Technology and NASA/JPL underlines the importance of international cooperation”, says Rolf Densing, ESA’s Director of Operations.

“This is an amazing success. Through years of technological advancements, international standardisation efforts and adoption of innovative engineering solutions we have set a cornerstone of the Solar System Internet,” says Mariella Spada, ESA’s Head of Ground systems Engineering and Innovation.

Greece is dynamically entering the space sector

NOA President Spyros Vasilakos described the moment as deeply emotional, calling it “a great leap forward,” at the award ceremony in Athens.

ESA’s Mariella Spada noted Greece’s geographic advantage in future space communication projects and extended warm thanks to the leadership and staff of the Greek observatories for their instrumental role in the success.

Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos hailed the achievement, saying it is “a reminder that when we in Europe join forces under a common vision, we can achieve not only new technological heights, but new horizons of communication, mutual support and progress.”

Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou revealed that the laser transmission took about 16 minutes to reach the spacecraft and another 16 minutes for the return signal to be collected at Helmos.

“This achievement alone generates awe and proves that Greece is dynamically entering the space sector,” he said.

He also referred to Greece’s 200-million-euro Recovery Fund initiative aimed at deploying microsatellites for applications in civil protection and climate monitoring.

https://greekreporter.com/2025/07/31/observatory-greece-deep-space-laser-link-nasa-psyche/

https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Greenland_subglacial_flood_bursts_through_ice_sheet_surface

Greenland subglacial flood bursts through ice sheet surface

30/07/2025

Using data from several Earth-observing satellites, including ESA’s CryoSat and the Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 missions, scientists have discovered that a huge flood beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet surged upwards with such force that it fractured the ice sheet, resulting in a vast quantity of meltwater bursting through the ice surface.

Partially funded by ESA’s Earth Observation FutureEO programme, an international team of researchers, led by scientists at Lancaster University and the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling in the UK, studied a previously undetected lake beneath the ice sheet in a remote region of northern Greenland.

Using 3D models of the ice sheet surface from the ArcticDEM project, alongside data from multiple satellite missions including ESA’s ERS, Envisat and CryoSat, and Europe’s Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2, and NASA’s ICESat-2 missions, the researchers discovered that, in 2014, this subglacial lake suddenly drained.

Their research, published today in Nature Geoscience, reveals how, under extreme conditions, flooding from the drainage of a lake underneath the ice could force its way upwards and escape at the ice sheet surface.

These new finds shed new light on the destructive potential of meltwater stored beneath the ice sheet.

Over a 10-day period in the summer of 2014, a massive crater – 85 metres deep and spanning 2 square kilometres – formed on the surface of the ice sheet as 90 million cubic metres of water were suddenly released from this hidden subglacial lake.

This is equivalent to about nine hours' worth of water thundering over Niagara Falls at peak flow, making it one of the largest recorded subglacial floods in Greenland.

While the sudden surge of meltwater was startling in itself, even more alarming was the accompanying damage – towering 25-metre-high ice blocks torn from the surface, deep fractures in the ice sheet, and the ice surface scoured by the flood’s destructive force.

Jade Bowling, who led this work as part of her PhD at Lancaster University, said, “When we first saw this, because it was so unexpected, we thought there was an issue with our data.

However, as we went deeper into our analysis, it became clear that what we were observing was the aftermath of a huge flood of water escaping from underneath the ice.

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>>23407627

“The existence of subglacial lakes beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet is still a relatively recent discovery, and – as our study shows – there is still much we don’t know about how they evolve and how they can impact on the ice sheet system.

“Importantly, our work demonstrates the need to better understand how often they drain, and, critically, what the consequences are for the surrounding ice sheet.”

While it was previously believed that meltwater travels downwards from the surface of the ice sheet to its base and eventually flows into the ocean, these new findings reveal that water can also move in the opposite direction – upwards through the ice.

Even more unexpected was the discovery that the flood took place in an area where models had indicated that the ice bed was frozen.

This led researchers to suggest that intense pressure caused fractures beneath and through the ice sheet, creating channels through which the water could rise.

Current models that predict how ice sheets will respond to climate change and increased melting do not account for these upward-flowing, fracture-driven processes.

Mal McMillan, Co-Director of the Centre of Excellence in Environmental Data Science at Lancaster University, and Co-Director of Science at the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, said, “This research demonstrates the unique value of long-term satellite measurements of Earth’s polar ice sheets, which – due to their vast size – would otherwise be impossible to monitor.

“Satellites represent an essential tool for monitoring the impacts of climate change, and provide critical information to build realistic models of how our planet may change in the future.

“This is something that all of us depend upon for building societal resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change.”

ESA’s Diego Fernandez, Head of the Earth Observation Science Section, noted, “This discovery is remarkable, and we’re proud that our Science for Society 4D Greenland project has played a key role in making it possible.

“The project's goal is to deepen our understanding of the hydrology of the Greenland Ice Sheet by leveraging data from Earth observation satellites, and, in particular, to shed light on how the ice sheet is responding to climate change.

“This result adds to the body of knowledge we are establishing through the ESA Polar Science Cluster on how the Arctic is changing in response to increased warming.

Gaining insight into its hydrology is crucial for understanding these changes – and for predicting how the ice sheet will contribute to global sea-level rise in a warming climate.

“We congratulate the research team on advancing our understanding of this vulnerable region.”

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NASA's Webb Traces Details of Complex Planetary Nebula

July 30, 2025 10:00AM

Since their discovery in the late 1700s, astronomers have learned that planetary nebulae, or the expanding shell of glowing gas expelled by a low-intermediate mass star late in its life, can come in all shapes and sizes.

Most planetary nebula present as circular, elliptical, or bi-polar, but some stray from the norm, as seen in new high-resolution images of planetary nebulae by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

Webb’s newest look at planetary nebula NGC 6072 in the near- and mid-infrared shows what may appear as a very messy scene resembling splattered paint.

However, the unusual, asymmetrical appearance hints at more complicated mechanisms underway, as the star central to the scene approaches the very final stages of its life and expels shells of material, losing up to 80 percent of its mass.

Astronomers are using Webb to study planetary nebulae to learn more about the full life cycle of stars and how they impact their surrounding environments.

First, taking a look at the image from Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera), it’s readily apparent that this nebula is multi-polar.

This means there are several different elliptical outflows jetting out either way from the center, one from 11 o’clock to 5 o’clock, another from 1 o’clock to 7 o’clock, and possibly a third from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock.

The outflows may compress material as they go, resulting in a disk seen perpendicular to it.

Astronomers say this is evidence that there are likely at least two stars at the center of this scene. Specifically, a companion star is interacting with an aging star that had already begun to shed some of its outer layers of gas and dust.

The central region of the planetary nebula glows from the hot stellar core, seen as a light blue hue in near-infrared light. The dark orange material, which is made up of gas and dust, follows pockets or open areas that appear dark blue.

This clumpiness could be created when dense molecular clouds formed while being shielded from hot radiation from the central star. There could also be a time element at play.

Over thousands of years, inner fast winds could be ploughing through the halo cast off from the main star when it first started to lose mass.

The longer wavelengths captured by Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) are highlighting dust, revealing the star researchers suspect could be central to this scene. It appears as a small pinkish-whitish dot in this image.

Webb’s look in the mid-infrared wavelengths also reveals concentric rings expanding from the central region, the most obvious circling just past the edges of the lobes.

This may be additional evidence of a secondary star at the center of the scene hidden from our view.

The secondary star, as it circles repeatedly around the original star, could have carved out rings of material in a bullseye pattern as the main star was expelling mass during an earlier stage of its life.

The rings may also hint at some kind of pulsation that resulted in gas or dust being expelled uniformly in all directions separated by say, thousands of years.

The red areas in NIRCam and blue areas in MIRI both trace cool molecular gas (likely molecular hydrogen) while central regions trace hot ionized gas.

As the star at the center of a planetary nebula cools and fades, the nebula will gradually dissipate into the interstellar medium — contributing enriched material that helps form new stars and planetary systems, now containing those heavier elements.

Webb’s imaging of NGC 6072 opens the door to studying how the planetary nebulae with more complex shapes contribute to this process.

https://webbtelescope.org/contents/news-releases/2025/news-2025-124

https://science.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/goddard/nasas-webb-traces-details-of-complex-planetary-nebula/

Australian-made Gilmour Space Technologies not giving up after rocket crash

July 30, 2025

The company behind an Australian-made orbital rocket is planning another launch attempt within months after yesterday's brief lift-off on debut.

The 23-metre orbital rocket flew for about 14 seconds before crashing at its launch pad near Bowen, 1,000 kilometres north of Brisbane.

Despite its brevity the launch attempt has been hailed as a major step towards Australia's participation in the space industry.

Gilmour Space Technologies CEO Adam Gilmour said it appeared engine failure was to blame for the rocket's crash.

But plans are already underway to launch another orbital rocket.

"In the next few months we've got to get the second rocket done, bring it here and launch it," he said.

Mr Gilmour said he hoped the next rocket would go into orbit, and the next after that would take up a commercial satellite.

"We want to get up four rockets a year and then eventually more than 12 rockets a year," he said.

Failure a pathway to success

Space industry experts said yesterday's fizzled lift-off should be seen as a major advance.

Gilmour Space Technologies is backed by private venture capital and received $5 million from the Australian government towards the launch of the Eris launch vehicle — described as the nation's first commercial orbital rocket.

Paulo De Souza, an executive dean of engineering at Edith Cowan University who has worked with NASA, said the launch attempt was a major achievement.

"It's rocket science. It's not easy," he said. "It's almost impossible to get it right the first time. "I'm sure the team has collected a lot of data to help it understand what it could have done better."

He said investors in Gilmour would be well aware of just how difficult the process was. "They understand that it is a risky endeavour. Failure is part of the business … until you get it right."

Success follows failure

University of Southern Queensland astrophysicist Jonti Horner said it was the best first launch attempt he had seen. "Every organisation that has launched rockets to space has built success off the back of explosive failures"

Professor Horner said more than one company was looking to build capacity for space flight in northern Australia. "If you're closer to the equator you get a lot of help from the earth's spin. It makes it easier to get into orbit," he said.

Professor Horner said it was feasible to expect a satellite would be launched from Australia within five years.

Major boon for Bowen

The attempted launch proved a boost to tourism with people flocking to the town to see the rocket.

Alistair Sawers pulled his two kids out of school for the morning to come and watch the historic launch attempt.

He said the company had made a brave attempt. "Look, at least they gave it a go. Hopefully they give it another go," he said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-31/australian-debut-rocket-launch-success-despite-crash/105591262

Out-of-Control Squirrel Brings Space Mountain to a Grinding Halt at Disney

July 31, 2025

A recent Space Mountain delay had guests scratching their heads. The ride just… stopped. There was no announcement, no weather issue, no apparent reason for the breakdown.

Just a lot of waiting, confused whispers near the entrance, and growing frustration as the minutes ticked by with no update.

Eventually, the truth came out—but not from Disney. It surfaced online, thanks to a guest who caught the whole thing on TikTok.

A Ride Known for Reliability

Space Mountain has been thrilling guests since 1975.

It’s one of the most iconic rides in Magic Kingdom, known for its indoor darkness, flashing stars, sudden dips, and surprisingly sharp turns.

Even today, it holds its own against newer attractions like TRON Lightcycle / Run.

It has a pretty solid reputation and reliable track record, rarely experiencing unexpected closures.

So when the ride suddenly paused without warning, guests were left scratching their heads. The mystery in the air made the situation feel stranger to those waiting in line.

Meanwhile, EPCOT Has Its Own Issues

Elsewhere, Disney’s been having trouble with ride reliability. EPCOT’s Test Track reopened recently after a major update—but the first week was rough.

Guests dealt with frequent downtimes, long waits, and uncertain reopening times. Many left the queue disappointed after standing in line for over an hour, only to find the ride unexpectedly closed again later in the day.

When Disney rides go down, there’s usually a clear reason—mechanical, weather, or staffing. But Space Mountain’s recent interruption was far from typical and had guests wondering what could be going on.

A Squirrel? Really?

The real reason for the shutdown was captured in a video by TikTok user @alimarie1183.

Her footage shows a squirrel running around inside the Space Mountain boarding area—literally on the platform where guests load the ride.

The furry intruder wandered around like it was part of the show. It wasn’t scared, either. It walked across the ride equipment, then darted into a small opening near the tracks.

Based on the layout, it probably ended up underneath the ride.

Of course, Cast Members had to stop operations. They couldn’t send a ride vehicle flying through space while a squirrel might be loose underneath.

It caused a lengthy delay, and the guests who saw it all unfold got a story they’ll never forget.

Nature Meets Disney Magic

After some time, the ride resumed, and guests finally got their turn. But the moment lives on through TikTok, where thousands watched the now-famous squirrel’s surprise appearance.

In a place where almost everything is planned perfectly, wild moments like this remind you that anything can happen—even at Disney World.

And in this case? The most magical moment of the day didn’t come from the fireworks or the castle—it came from a squirrel stealing the show.

https://www.disneydining.com/out-of-control-squirrel-brings-space-mountain-to-a-grinding-halt-at-disney-sb1/

https://www.tiktok.com/@alimarie1183/video/7530848474313657614

‘Cosmic veil’: Breakthrough shield may allow perovskite solar cells to thrive in space

Updated: Jul 31, 2025 08:21 AM EST

Engineers have created a “cosmic veil”—a special protective coating—designed to shield solar cells on satellites and spacecraft from the brutal radiation environment of space.

Developed at the University of Surrey, the coating has been designed to protect the organic molecules within perovskite solar cells (PSCs).

This innovation could pave the way for lighter, cheaper, long-lasting, and more efficient power sources for future space missions.

“Perovskite solar cells are promising for space, but the various sources of radiation in our solar system are still a major threat – especially to the organic molecules that make them work,” said Dr Jae Sung Yun, Lecturer in Energy Technology and co-author of this study from the University of Surrey.

“Our coating helps protect those fragile parts, stopping them from breaking down and helping the cells stay efficient for longer,” Sung Yun added.

Thin protective coating

Various forms of radiation constantly bombard our solar system.

It’s a dynamic combination of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), which are steady streams of high-energy particles from outside our solar system, and intermittent bursts of energetic particles from the Sun.

Both sources present challenges for building robust space technologies for long-duration missions.

Therefore, space-grade solar cells must be highly efficient, possess high specific power, and be able to withstand extreme radiation.

While multi-junction III-V solar cells currently lead in space applications, their high cost has fueled the search for more affordable alternatives like PSCs.

“Although multi-junction III-V solar cells dominate due to their superior performance, their high cost has spurred interest in alternative, cost-effective photovoltaic technologies.

Perovskite solar cells have emerged as strong candidates, offering robust radiation tolerance and high specific power,” it noted.

A big problem for PSCs in space has been the damage caused by proton irradiation to their organic parts, called A-site organic cations.

Moreover, the damage compromises the cells’ ability to self-heal and makes them less stable, limiting their viability for long-duration space applications.

To counter this, the Surrey team, along with collaborators, developed a thin protective coating using a compound called propane-1,3-diammonium iodide (PDAI₂).

Shows promise in testing

The key to PDAI₂’s protective mechanism lies in its ability to stabilize these vulnerable organic molecules within the perovskite structure.

Researchers explained that PDAI₂ works by “stabilising unstable molecules, preventing them from reacting and turning into gases like ammonia or hydrogen, which would otherwise escape and weaken the cell.”

The efficacy of the new protective coating was put to the ultimate test.

The team subjected treated and untreated perovskite solar cells to high levels of proton radiation.

Interestingly, they replicated radiation levels equivalent to over two decades of exposure in low-Earth orbit.

The coated cells demonstrated less efficiency loss and minimal internal damage, proving the effectiveness of the “cosmic veil”.

This superior performance was directly attributed to the protective layer successfully preventing harmful chemical reactions from taking hold.

The researchers believe the coating could usher in a new era for space solar power, making it lighter, cheaper, and more efficient, ultimately enabling more ambitious and sustainable space missions.

From foundational space infrastructure like the International Space Station to advanced scientific instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope, all rely on robust solar arrays for power.

The accelerating pace of space exploration has already boosted the demand for advanced satellite technologies, leading the satellite solar panel market to reach $1.53 billion by 2023.

The development could also benefit the companies working to establish space-based solar power systems to transmit energy down to Earth.

https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/cosmic-veil-for-perovskite-solar-cells

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM8rwrtSXks

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1093102

>>23407723

Maybe it got hit with some behavior altering frequencies