[Bonus] Dangers from De-Orbiting ISS, Beyond Mars, Breaking News | Q&A 300
Is there a risk of contaminating Earth with space-resistant bacteria when de-orbiting the ISS? What would be the next big outpost when humanity reaches Mars? What's the real shape of Lagrange points? Plus, in our bonus part on Patreon, could there be life in lava tubes. Answering all these questions and more in this Q&A show.
Watch the video here (with no ads) or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n4fFJHIyrQM
Here's a link to the full, unedited live stream: https://youtube.com/live/YNG2QYQKL6I
Comments (5)
Regarding the strains of bacteria returning from the ISS, if they were to pose a threat by somehow being more effective spreaders back on Earth, then such strains would almost certainly have already evolved on Earth where the selection pressure for them to evolve would be higher.
Yeah, the only thing about ISS is that they're very meticulous about cleaning the place. Maybe even too meticulous, so you might have bacteria that have evolved to be more resistant to anti-bacterial cleaners, etc.
Speaking of Moon lava tubes: I've wondered if those lava tubes would in general be in much better condition and deeper than on Earth, simply because of the lesser gravity. On Earth, caves collapse under gravity all the time, and they basically go away fairly quickly (on geologic scales). Has anyone done modeling of lava tubes on the Moon with this in mind? Could they potentially last a lot longer, be bigger, go deeper, etc.?
Yup, some are are estimated to be 10 km high inside.
Hi Fraser, How does the James Webb Telescope move its point of view from one stellar object to another while always keeping the sun below its heat shield? Does it have to physically move to aim at each object? Also, how much of space can the Webb not see because of the sun? Thanks for all your great videos! JD