Astro Panda x NASA DART Mission

Hello Dear PP Subscribers and loyal followers!

I come in peace! But kidding aside, I know it has been a minute since the last newsletter came in your inboxes but this time, I bring and share an exciting news that yours truly, resident space enthusiast; is finally making strides in fulfilling one of my life-long dreams. While not everyone may be aware that besides fashion, I have always been amazed and curious with space science and fast forward to 2022, I have committed to a full time of going back to school to study Aerospace Engineering. (Indeed...who would have thought?)

While the stars have aligned accordingly, I have been given the chance and opportunity to be a part of the few, chosen individuals to attend and witness this scientific breakthrough in space science in Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Maryland on the day of the impact. I will be sharing my full experience in the second part of this blog post in the next several days and will be a guest at Space Nuts podcast, but the most important things to know are the following:

WHAT: DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test)

WHEN: September 26, 2022 (Monday)

WHY: This is the world's first mission to test technology for defending Earth against potential asteroid or comet hazards. It will impact its target binary asteroid (that poses no actual threat to Earth) called Didymos and its moonlet, Diphormos. The mission will see if intentionally crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid is an effective way to change its course should an Earth-threatening asteroid be discovered in the future.

TUNE IN AND JOIN our live stream telecast on the official NASA website or via NASA's Youtube channel by clicking on this link. Live stream starts at 6pm, EST.

I am so excited to be a part of this epic journey but also this wouldn't be possible without the support and belief of family and friends have given me, most notably Mehdi, who has been my biggest cheerleader since day one and I know that he and everyone else is proud of this new venture and path I'm taking. I hope you will join me in spirit and tune in to witness this. Until next time!

AD ASTRA.