Are We Living in a Simulation? Physics Says No | Asteroid Buzzes Earth TODAY | Starship V3 Tomorrow

Are We Living in a Simulation? Physics Says No | Asteroid Buzzes Earth TODAY | Starship V3 Tomorrow

From Astronomy Daily: Latest Space News by bitesz.com

May 18, 2026 · 18 min · Season 5 · Episode 105

About this episode

The episode discusses a close asteroid flyby, the upcoming SpaceX Starship launch, and challenges to the simulation hypothesis.

Sponsor Link: To grab our special money saving NordVPN deal - Click Here In today’s episode, Anna and Avery cover a blue whale-sized asteroid making a close pass of Earth today, the imminent debut of SpaceX’s most powerful rocket yet, NASA’s Psyche spacecraft successfully completing its Mars gravity assist, fresh science arriving at the ISS, a new physics paper challenging the simulation hypothesis at its foundations, and Congress pushing back hard against proposed cuts to NASA’s science budget. Story 1 — Asteroid 2026 JH2 Newly discovered asteroid 2026 JH2 (first spotted 10 May 2026) makes a close Earth flyby today at ~90,000 km — within the orbital radius of many satellites. Estimated size: up to ~35 metres (blue whale-sized). Zero impact risk confirmed. Observable with binoculars at peak magnitude ~11.5. Live stream available via the Virtual Telescope Project. Orbital period: 3.7 years between Earth and Jupiter. Story 2 — Starship V3 / Flight 12 SpaceX targets May 19, 2026 for the debut of Starship Version 3 (Flight 12) from Pad 2 at Starbase, Texas. Launch window opens 6:30 PM EDT. Key upgrades: Raptor 3 engines (250 tf SL thrust, up from 230 tf), three larger grid fins, new…

People in this episode

Hosts: Anna, Avery

Topics covered

  • asteroid flyby
  • SpaceX Starship
  • NASA Psyche
  • simulation hypothesis
  • science news
  • NASA budget

Keywords

  • asteroid 2026 JH2
  • SpaceX
  • Starship V3
  • NASA Psyche
  • simulation hypothesis
  • science news
  • gravity assist
  • NASA budget cuts

Sponsors

NordVPN

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Earth, Texas, Indian Ocean

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