Episode Details

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Today's topics:

Strawberry Micromoon peaks tonight - The June 29, 2026 Strawberry Full Moon peaks tonight—and it’s also a micromoon, occurring near lunar apogee. Learn what that means for the Moon’s apparent size and the best way to enjoy the view.

SiriusXM SXM-11 launched to GEO - SpaceX launched SiriusXM’s SXM-11 communications satellite on Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, continuing a major refresh of satellite radio infrastructure. The mission supports long-term reliability for SiriusXM’s geostationary broadcast service across North America.

Starlink 17-40 adds 24 satellites - A Falcon 9 from Vandenberg deployed 24 new Starlink satellites, marking another step in the rapid expansion of low Earth orbit broadband. The flight also highlights SpaceX’s high-cadence operations and routine booster reuse.

APOD spotlights galaxy M82 wind - NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day for June 29 features the starburst galaxy M82 and its dramatic supergalactic wind. The image offers a vivid window into how intense star formation can drive galaxy-scale outflows that shape evolution over time.

NASA partners with Small Business Administration - NASA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are set to sign a memorandum of agreement aimed at strengthening pathways for small businesses to work with NASA. The move signals continued emphasis on broadening participation across the space supply chain.

ESA Clean Space Days 2026 begins - ESA’s Clean Space Days 2026 opens at ESTEC in the Netherlands, spotlighting debris mitigation and sustainable mission design. The conference reflects growing international focus on keeping Earth orbits safe and usable as launch rates rise.

Episode Transcript

Strawberry Micromoon peaks tonight
First up, a skywatching note you can actually use today. The June Strawberry Full Moon peaks shortly before 8 p.m. Eastern, and this one is also a micromoon—meaning the full Moon happens near apogee, when the Moon is farthest from Earth. The result is a Moon that’s subtly smaller and dimmer than average, though most people won’t notice without side-by-side comparisons. The takeaway is simple: it’s still a full Moon worth seeing, and it’s a nice reminder that the Moon’s orbit isn’t a perfect circle.

SiriusXM SXM-11 launched to GEO
Now to launches. Late Sunday night, SpaceX flew a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40 carrying SiriusXM’s SXM-11 satellite. The payload is a high-capacity communications spacecraft headed for geostationary orbit, part of SiriusXM’s effort to refresh satellites that have been working since the late 2000s. In practical terms, this is the kind of infrastructure maintenance that keeps satellite radio service steady for millions of listeners across North America.

Starlink 17-40 adds 24 satellites
Earlier Sunday, SpaceX also launched a separate Falcon 9 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California: Starlink 17-40. The rocket deployed 24 Starlink broadband