Housing Rights Activist's Passing and New Frontiers in Space Exploration

Today's updates focus on the political and social fallout following the death of a prominent housing rights symbol in Spain, a breakthrough in our understanding of planetary formation, and preparations for the next major cargo mission to the International Space Station.

Political Fallout from the Death of Maricarmen Abascal

The death of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who passed away in a Madrid hospital following a traumatic eviction from her home of 71 years, has sparked widespread mobilization across Spain. Protesters have marched on the Spanish Parliament, condemning police violence during her eviction attempts and demanding accountability. This tragedy has intensified the political struggle over housing, directly impacting the government's attempts to pass new housing decrees—the so-called "Maricarmen decrees." The resulting parliamentary gridlock recently led Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call for a snap general election, and labor unions have now aligned to support a national strike scheduled for November 11.

Distinct Evolutionary Pathways for Earth and Mars

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified that Earth and Mars were forged through fundamentally different processes. By analyzing volatile elements in their mantles, scientists determined that Earth’s mass is 75% derived from protoplanets formed by pebble accretion, whereas Mars’ mass is 75% the result of planetesimal collisions. This hybrid model offers a more precise method for understanding the history of terrestrial planets. These insights are vital for characterizing exoplanets and evaluating their potential habitability, a key goal for upcoming missions like the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and the Habitable Worlds Observatory.

NASA and SpaceX Gear Up for 35th Resupply Mission

NASA and SpaceX are set to launch their 35th commercial resupply mission to the ISS on October 13, utilizing a Falcon 9 rocket to deliver over 6,300 pounds of vital equipment and research materials. The cargo includes the final set of International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSAs) to complete the station's power system augmentation. Scientific payloads are diverse, featuring hardware for manufacturing artificial retinas, 3D heart tissue models for drug testing, and brain organoids designed to study neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The Dragon spacecraft is expected to remain docked until mid-November, when it will return to Earth with completed research and hardware for refurbishment.