China to undertake Mars sample return mission ahead of NASA and ESA | S26E141

The Space News Podcast.
SpaceTime Series 26 Episode 141
*China to undertake Mars sample return mission ahead of NASA and ESA
While NASA and the European Space Agency are continuing with the development of their Mars Sample Return mission which is slated to launch sometime around 2030 – China has just announced its own plan to get samples back from the red planet before them.
*An alternative cosmic source for gold
A new study suggests that the explosion of a low-mass neutron star can be the alternative cosmic source for heavy elements, including precious metals such as gold and platinum.
*NASA’s next cosmic map maker
Key elements are coming together for NASA’s SPHEREx mission, a new space telescope designed to create the most detailed map of the universe ever created.
*The Science Report
El Niño conditions are likely to last until at least April next year.
Researchers have developed an artificial sensor that can recognise fine fabric textures.
AI text-to-image generators have created images of the typical surgeon’s appearance.
Skeptics guide to black cats.

This week’s guests include:

Glen Nagle from the CSIRO’s NASA Deep Space Communications Centre in Canberra

And our regular guests:
Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life
Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics

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