Eris Rocket Launch Delays, Venus's Tectonic Secrets, and Scotland's Billion-Year-Old Impact

SpaceTime: Your Guide to Space & Astronomy

This episode of SpaceTime covers a range of exciting topics, including the delayed launch of Gilmour Space's Eris rocket, groundbreaking discoveries on Venus, and a billion-year-old asteroid impact in Scotland that raises new questions about the evolution of life on Earth.
Eris Rocket Launch Delayed
Gilmour Space has postponed the maiden launch of its Eris orbital rocket due to technical issues encountered during pre-flight checks. The rocket, designed to carry small satellite payloads, will now face a delay of at least three weeks as the company investigates the unexpected deployment of the launch vehicle's nosecone fairings. We discuss the implications of this delay and what it means for future commercial launches.
Tectonic Activity on Venus
In a fascinating discovery, scientists have identified possible tectonic activity on Venus, based on data from NASA's Magellan mission. Researchers found evidence of unique geological features known as coronae, which may indicate ongoing deformation of the planet's surface due to molten material from below. This research not only enhances our understanding of Venus but also offers insights into Earth's geological history.
Ancient Asteroid Impact in Scotland
A recent study has revealed that a massive asteroid impact in Scotland occurred 990 million years ago, much later than previously thought. This discovery, based on dating tiny zircon crystals, suggests a connection between this impact event and the emergence of early freshwater eukaryotes on land. We delve into the implications of this revised timeline for our understanding of life on Earth and the environmental changes triggered by such impacts.
www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com
✍️ Episode References
Science Advances
https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv
Journal of Geology
https://www.geosociety.org/publications/gsa/geo.asp
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00:00 This is Space Time Series 28, Episode 60 for broadcast on 19 May 2025
00:54 Gilmour Space's Eris rocket launch delayed
10:15 Possible tectonic activity discovered on Venus
18:45 Billion-year-old asteroid impact in Scotland raises questions about early life on Earth
25:00 Science report: Unexplained communications equipment found in Chinese-made solar panel inverters