American privately-funded aerospace developer and manufacturer
POPULARITY
Categories
Loren Grush, of Bloomberg, joins me to talk about SpaceX's acquisition of xAI, its preparation for a potential IPO, Blue Origin's cancellation of New Shepard and their recent momentum, and the delay to Artemis II following its first wet dress rehearsal.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 33 executive producers—David, Natasha Tsakos, Stealth Julian, Warren, Joakim, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Miles O'Brien, Pat, Better Every Day Studios, Will and Lars from Agile, The Astrogators at SEE, Steve, Joonas, Frank, Fred, Heiko, Donald, Lee, Russell, Kris, Ryan, Theo and Violet, Joel, Matt, Jan, Josh from Impulse, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters.TopicsSpaceX Acquires xAI as Musk Prepares for Mega IPO - BloombergSpaceX-xAI Deal Blurs Musk's Once-Clear Space Exploration Mission - BloombergLoren Brichter, a High Priest of App Design - WSJBlue Origin to Pause New Shepard Flights for No Less Than Two Years | Blue OriginNASA Conducts Artemis II Fuel Test, Eyes March for Launch Opportunity - NASAThe ShowLike the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASA/John KrausWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
SEASON 4 EPISODE 56: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN A-Block (2:30) SPECIAL COMMENT: In destroying The Washington Post yesterday, Trump-fluffer Jeff Bezos has gone far enough. Democratic leaders must commit to using anti-trust laws to destroy Amazon, Prime, Blue Origin - and Bezos, financially. Every would-be president, senator, representative must vow to break the oligarchs - Bezos, Musk, Trump, and all the rest. Bezos first hollowed out the Post to make it servile to Trump and his gang. Now he's destroyed its foreign and sports desks, and its viability as a counterweight to the anti-democracy forces abroad in the land. All so he could spend $75,000,000 or more on a vanity project designed to tell Trump a life: that his wife is an attractive "movie star." We are not going back to the America of 1885. We must bankrupt Jeff Bezos. (And I apologize for the slipshod nature of this episode. I'm under the weather, throat bad, was planning to postpone this episode but this could not wait. Please forgive for the extemporaneous nature of the commentary; the rest of the show is interesting but not new) B-Block (30:00) OLYMPICS TIME: As the 2026 games begin in Italy let me take you back to the most famous winter games yet: the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, which I covered as a 21-year old rookie with United Press International (while my bosses tried to teach me how to work and drink at the same time). C-Block (42:00) MORE WITH JAMES THURBER: Continuing the broadcasting theme, his first person story of the timelessness of on-air nerves and the labyrinth that is radio, TV, streaming or any other medium in any century: "How To Relax While Broadcasting."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Eric Berger details NASA's choice between expensive legacy contracts and cheaper commercial alternatives like Blue Origin for a necessary Mars communication satellite, weighing cost efficiency against institutional inertia.1917
Meet my friends, Clay Travis and Buck Sexton! If you love Verdict, the Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show might also be in your audio wheelhouse. Politics, news analysis, and some pop culture and comedy thrown in too. Here’s a sample episode recapping four takeaways. Give the guys a listen and then follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Buck's NASA Visit Buck Sexton shares firsthand insights from his visit to NASA and Blue Origin, transitioning the discussion into national security, defense manufacturing, and the future of American military power. He describes what he calls a renaissance in U.S. defense and aerospace innovation, emphasizing the growing importance of advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, drone warfare, hypersonic weapons, and rapid production capabilities. Buck explains that modern warfare increasingly depends on technological superiority and scale, warning that the ability to manufacture advanced systems quickly may determine future conflicts more than traditional troop strength. Clay and Buck also discuss how Silicon Valley’s relationship with the U.S. military has evolved, crediting the Trump administration with pushing major technology companies to reengage with national defense efforts. They highlight concerns about China’s manufacturing capacity and argue that American tech companies have a responsibility to support U.S. national security. The hosts draw historical parallels to World War II–era industrial mobilization, suggesting that today’s defense challenges require similar cooperation between private industry and government. The final segment of Hour 1 explores the rapid commercialization of space and the growing influence of companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Buck Sexton describes space exploration as entering a new era driven by private enterprise, faster launch capabilities, and long‑term ambitions such as low‑Earth‑orbit infrastructure and lunar missions. Clay Travis connects these developments to broader trends in media, technology, and artificial intelligence, noting how formerly separate industries are rapidly converging into a single interconnected ecosystem. Have You Noticed this About Epstein? Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show is anchored by an extended, in‑depth discussion of the latest Jeffrey Epstein document release, with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton analyzing the significance of more than three million pages of emails and records made public. The hosts argue that the Epstein story has effectively reached its endpoint, contending that the newly released materials do not reveal criminal evidence against additional high‑profile figures. They frame Epstein primarily as a wealthy facilitator who leveraged access to attractive, of‑age women to ingratiate himself with powerful, older men, rather than uncovering a broader, prosecutable conspiracy. The conversation includes discussion of reputational damage suffered by public figures named in the emails, distinctions between criminal conduct and morally questionable behavior, and why federal investigators typically do not release non‑criminal but embarrassing communications. Clay and Buck also address listener skepticism, calls into the show, and questions surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction, emphasizing that her charges centered on trafficking for Epstein specifically, not a wider group of clients. Where is Nancy Guthrie? A major developing news story involving the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, in Arizona. Clay and Buck carefully walk through the known facts, including her age, physical limitations, and the troubling indicators surrounding the case, such as reports of blood at the scene. They caution against assuming the incident is connected to Savannah Guthrie’s celebrity, drawing comparisons to other tragic but random crimes involving relatives of famous individuals, including the murder of Michael Jordan’s father. The hosts stress that, based on available information, the case appears to be a serious and concerning missing‑person investigation rather than a targeted kidnapping, while urging listeners in Arizona to stay alert as law enforcement updates emerge. The tone shifts as Hour 2 moves into cultural commentary, beginning with a critique of the Grammy Awards and what Clay and Buck describe as its overtly political and “woke” messaging. They focus in particular on Billie Eilish’s statement that “no one is illegal on stolen land,” which sparks a broader discussion about celebrity activism and perceived hypocrisy. Clay highlights the response from the Tongva tribe, which publicly asserted that Billie Eilish’s Los Angeles mansion sits on their ancestral land and suggested she return the property if she truly believes her statement. The hosts use the moment to question performative politics in Hollywood and whether celebrities are willing to apply their rhetoric to their own personal wealth and property. Clay's Controversial Music Take Buck Sexton reports that the United States has shot down a suspected Iranian drone approaching a U.S. aircraft carrier, using the development to discuss the evolving nature of modern naval warfare. Buck explains how drone technology, hypersonic missiles, and ship‑killing capabilities are reshaping global military strategy, potentially turning aircraft carriers into high‑value targets in future conflicts. This segment underscores broader geopolitical tensions involving Iran, U.S. military readiness, and the changing balance of power in international security. The hour then pivots back to urgent domestic news, with continued updates on the disappearance and apparent abduction of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today Show co‑host Savannah Guthrie. Clay and Buck relay that the FBI is now involved, there is no surveillance footage, and authorities believe she was taken against her will in Tucson, Arizona. Emphasizing that this is one of the top stories on national newscasts, the hosts urge listeners—especially those in Arizona—to contact the FBI with any tips. They stress that there is limited verified information available and avoid speculation, framing the situation as a troubling and unresolved missing‑person case. Following the serious news, Hour 3 takes a sharp tonal turn into what becomes the most talked‑about and interactive segment of the entire program: Clay Travis’s declaration that Taylor Swift is the “modern‑day Beatles.” Clay doubles down on his cultural take, arguing that Taylor Swift’s songwriting catalog, longevity, and stadium‑selling power will endure for decades, much like The Beatles, while Buck Sexton strongly disagrees. The debate quickly ignites a flood of listener reaction, with calls, emails, and talkbacks pouring in from across the country. Listeners challenge the comparison, propose alternative analogies—such as Taylor Swift being more akin to Elvis or Madonna—and passionately defend or reject Clay’s argument. Make sure you never miss a second of the show by subscribing to the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton show podcast wherever you get your podcasts! ihr.fm/3InlkL8 For the latest updates from Clay and Buck: https://www.clayandbuck.com/ Connect with Clay Travis and Buck Sexton on Social Media: X - https://x.com/clayandbuck FB - https://www.facebook.com/ClayandBuck/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/clayandbuck/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/clayandbuck Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/ClayandBuck TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@clayandbuck YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
WORST DAY EVER for SILVER Cold Snap in Florida – Massive Critter Drop New Fed Chair named Pausing on space PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Interactive Brokers Warm-Up - WORST DAY EVER for SILVER - Cold Snap in Florida - Massive Critter Drop - New Fed Chair named - Pausing on space Markets - Bitcoin plunges - Crypto "winter" - Deep dive into January economic results - USD rises from multi-month low - EM still powered ahead - ELON - PT Barnum move Cold Snap - On February 1, 2026, Florida faced a significant drop in temperatures, reaching a record low of 24°F (-4°C) in Orlando. This marked the lowest temperature recorded in February since 1923. - Iguanas dropping from tress all over the streets - Iguanas can survive temperatures down to the mid-40s Fahrenheit (around 7°C) by entering a "cold-stunned" state, where they appear dead but are just temporarily paralyzed and immobile; however, prolonged exposure to temperatures in the 30s and 40s, especially below freezing, can be lethal, particularly for smaller individuals, leading to tissue damage and organ failure. - They get sluggish below 50°F (10°C) and fall from trees as they lose grip. - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued Executive Order 26-03 on Friday, allowing residents to collect and surrender cold-stunned green iguanas without a permit during an unprecedented cold weather event. Right on Schedule - Remember we talked about how the Nat Gas price was going to reverse, just as quickly as it spikeed? - Nat gas down 25% today - down about 28% from recent high - Still about 50% higher than it was before the spike. THIS! - Nvidia Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said the company's proposed $100 billion investment in OpenAI was “never a commitment” and that the company would consider any funding rounds “one at a time.” - “It was never a commitment,” Huang told reporters in Taipei on Sunday. “They invited us to invest up to $100 billion and of course, we were, we were very happy and honored that they invited us, but we will invest one step at a time.” Then Oracle announced that it will do a fundraiser in the form of equity and debt - needs to fund more datacenter build-out. - What happened to the OpenAI $300 Billion committment? - Or is the money that NVDA "committed to OpenAi, that they must have committed to Orcle, not a committment - GIGANTIC CIRCLE JERK Fungus - -Interesting - Did you know? Botrytis cinerea, a fungus causing grey mold, affects grapes by causing bunch rot, ruining fruit in high humidity. - While it often destroys crops, specific dry, warm conditions can transform it into "noble rot," concentrating sugars and creating high-value dessert wines (e.g., Sauternes, Tokaji) with honeyed, raisin-like, and apricot flavors. January Economic Review Employment — Job growth was nearly flat in December, with 50,000 new jobs added and earlier months revised lower. — Unemployment dipped slightly to 4.4%, but it's still higher than it was a year ago. — Long-term unemployment didn't change and remains high, and the labor force participation rate slipped to 62.4%. — Average hourly earnings rose 0.3% in December and are up 3.8% over the past year. — Weekly jobless claims stayed close to last year's levels, showing a labor market that is cooling but not weakening sharply. FOMC / Interest Rates — The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%. — Most policymakers agreed the economy continues to grow at a solid pace, though job gains are slowing and inflation remains above target. — Two committee members supported a small rate cut, but the majority preferred to wait. - Fed Chair Powell: Clearly, a weakening labor market calls for cutting. A stronger labor market says that rates are in a good place. It isn't anyone's base case right now that the next move will be a rate hike. - The economy has once again surprised us with its strength. Consumer spending numbers overall are good, and it looks like growth overall is on a solid footing. - Upside risks to inflation and downside risks to employment have diminished, but hard to say they are fully in balance. We think our policy is in a good place. - Overall, it's a stronger forecast since the Fed's last meeting. Haven't made any decisions about future meetings, but the economy is growing at a solid pace, the unemployment rate is broadly stable and inflation remains somewhat elevated, so we will be looking to our goal variables and letting the data light the way for us. - Most of the overrun in goods prices is from tariffs. We think tariffs are likely to move through, and be a one-time price increase. - Dissent: Miran and Waller (Miran is a admin shill and Waller wanted job as Fed Chair) GDP & Federal Budget — Economic growth remained strong in Q3 2025, with GDP rising at an annualized 4.4% driven by strong spending, higher exports, and reduced imports due to tariffs. — Investment was mixed, with business spending increasing while housing activity declined. — The federal deficit for December rose to $145 billion, though the fiscal year-to-date deficit is slightly smaller than last year. Inflation & Consumer Spending — Personal income and consumer spending rose moderately in October and November. — Inflation, measured by the PCE index, increased 0.2% in both months and roughly 2.7% year-over-year. — The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% in December, with shelter, food, and energy all contributing. — Producer prices also increased, though 2025 producer inflation slowed compared to 2024. Housing — Existing home sales rose in December, but the number of homes for sale is still low. — Prices dipped a bit from November but remain higher than they were a year ago. — New-home sales in October were steady compared with the prior month but much higher than last year. — New-home prices fell compared to 2024, though they are still high relative to long-term norms. Manufacturing — Industrial production rose 0.4% in December and was up 2.0% for the year. — Manufacturing output increased, while mining activity declined and utility output jumped. — Durable goods orders grew sharply in November, driven by a big increase in transportation equipment, pointing to strong demand in key industries. Imports & Exports — Import and export prices rose slightly through November 2025. — The goods trade deficit widened in November because exports fell while imports increased. — For the year so far, both exports and imports are running above 2024 levels, though the overall trade deficit remains larger. Consumer Confidence — Consumer confidence fell sharply in January after improving in December. — Both views of current conditions and expectations for the future weakened, with expectations dropping well below the level that often signals recession risk. Earnings — Roughly one-third of S&P 500 companies have reported Q4 earnings, and overall results are strong. — 75% of companies have beaten EPS estimates, though this is slightly below long-term averages. Revenue beats remain solid at 65%. — Companies are reporting earnings 9.1% above estimates, which is well above the 5-and 10-year surprise averages. — The S&P 500 is on track for 11.9% year-over-year earnings growth, marking the 5th straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth. — Eight of eleven sectors are showing positive year-over-year earnings growth, led by Information Technology, Industrials, and Communication Services. — The Health Care sector shows the largest earnings declines among lagging categories. — The forward 12-month P/E ratio sits at ~22.2, elevated relative to 5-and 10-year averages, signaling continued optimism despite tariff and cost concerns. — FactSet also notes the S&P 500 is reporting a record-high net profit margin of 13.2%, the highest since 2009. INTERACTIVE BROKERS Check this out and find out more at: http://www.interactivebrokers.com/ S3XY No More - Tesla is ending production of the Model S sedan and Model X crossover by the end of Q2 2026 to focus on autonomous technology and humanoid robots (Optimus). - Do we have any idea with the TAM for either of these are? - Huge assumptions that Robotaxi will be a bug part of the global transportation. But, what if it isn't? - Unproven being built, taking out the proven - investors were not too happy about this...Stock was down after earnings showed continued sluggish EV sales and BIG Capex for Robotaxi refit, robots and chip manufacturing. But... - Friday - not to allow TESLA stock to move down tooo much. - With SpaceEx looking for an IPO in June - valuations have moved from $800B to 1.5T supposedly. - Now there is discussion of merging in xAI and possibly Tesla - Tesla shares dropped after earnings FED CHAIR PICK - Drumroll: Kevin Warsh - Seems like a good pick from the aspect of experience and ability - Deficit reducer? - More hawkish than market expected? - Announce Friday after several leaks in the morning And then... - Silver futures plummeted 31.4% to settle at $78.53, marking its worst day since March 1980. -It was down 35% during the day - the worst daily plunge ever on record. - It was the worst decline since the March 1980 Hunt Brothers crash. - The sharp moves down were initially triggered by reports of Warsh's nomination. - However, they gained steam in afternoon U.S. trading as investors who piled into the metals raced to book profits.- USD Spiked higher - Gold was down 10% - GOLD saw a drop of 10% to the close - 12% intraday - this was also a record - Bitcoin is down 25% from its recent level 2 weeks ago - ALL BEING BLAMED ON THE FED CHAIR PICK -- QUESTION - Will Trump back-peddle this OR talk to supporters in congress or tell them not to confirm him if markets continue to act squirrely? Fed Statement and Rates - Fed out with statement - no change on rates - Changes: Inflation up, employment steady, economy strong - Does not bode for much in the way of cuts - probably on hold though end of Powell term Apple Earnings - Apple reported blowout first-quarter earnings on Thursday, and predicted growth of as much as 16% in the current quarter, matching the period that just ended. - Sales could be even better, Apple said, if the company just secure enough chips to meet its customers' iPhone demands. - The company reported $42.1 billion in net income, or $2.84 per share, versus $36.33 billion, or $2.40 per share, in the year-ago period. - Apple saw particularly strong results in China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong. Sales in the region surged 38% during the quarter to $25.53 billion. - “The constraints that we have are driven by the availability of the advanced nodes that our SoCs are produced on, and at this time, we're seeing less flexibility in supply chain than normal,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said. - Stock up slightly - no great moves.... Blue Origin - Blue Origin will pause tourist flights to space for “no less than two years” to prioritize development of its moon lander and other lunar technologies. - The decision reflects Blue Origin's commitment to the nation's goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent, sustained lunar presence. - The pause in tourist flights grounds the company's reusable New Shepard rocket, which has sent more than 90 people to the edge of space and back to experience brief periods of weightlessness. - Datacenters on the Moon? (sounds like a Pink Floyd album) Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN CUP 2025 Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt! FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter
Satlyt has entered into a commercial license agreement with The Aerospace Corporation for the use of its DiskSat technology. Japan's SKY Perfect JSAT and Europe's constellr are collaborating on the launch of commercial sales of high‑resolution thermal infrared satellite data for the Japanese market. Blue Origin's Blue Moon MK1 Lunar Lander has arrived at NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) to undergo testing, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is William Cook, Sr. Vice President Space Operations at Psionic Navigation. You can connect with William on LinkedIn, and learn more about Psionic on their website. Selected Reading Satlyt and The Aerospace Corporation Partner to Advance Edge Computing in Space constellr launches commercial partnership with Japan's premier space solutions provider SKY Perfect JSAT Airbus Targets Superbird-9 Launch In 2027 After Delays - Aviation Week Network Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Center Blue Origin's lunar lander is at Houston's Johnson Space Center for testing ESA - Moving satellites to meet a plane for rare reentry data Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a textPeaches runs a solo Daily Drop Ops Brief and cuts through a wide slate of military news with zero patience for nonsense. From the Army's recruiting age creeping up and a 10th Mountain deployment to the Middle East, to a soldier sentenced for murder at Fort Novosel, this episode stays grounded in accountability and reality. Peaches breaks down why the Army paused the soldier-built VECTOR data tool, what Navy pilots flying Air Force F-35As actually learn from it, and why a former Marine drill instructor's post-release arrest is indefensible. The Air Force brings back no-notice ORIs, lessons learned from Midnight Hammer drive comms upgrades, Space Force stands up a Northern Command component, the Coast Guard responds to deadly maritime incidents, SECDEF Hegseth takes aim at legacy procurement at Blue Origin, and the White House pushes to end the government shutdown. Context over outrage—again.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 Ones Ready intro and Daily Drop kickoff 01:10 Hoist Hydration sponsor 02:30 OTS Alabama 2026 rundown 04:40 Army recruit age increase explained 05:10 10th Mountain Division Middle East deployment 05:45 VECTOR AI tool suspended pending review 07:10 Soldier sentenced for murder at Fort Novosel 08:10 Navy pilots fly Air Force F-35A jets 09:30 Marine drill instructor arrested after early release 10:00 Air Force reinstates no-notice ORIs 11:20 Comms lessons from Midnight Hammer 12:45 Space Force stands up NORTHCOM component 13:20 Coast Guard rescues 27 mariners near Galapagos 14:00 Lily Jean sinking investigation 14:50 SECDEF Hegseth criticizes legacy procurement 15:50 POTUS urges end to government shutdown 16:40 Counter-narcotics strikes continue 17:00 Iran rhetoric and regional posturing 17:40 Russian cargo aircraft arrives in Cuba 18:30 Wrap-up and final thoughts
Operating conditions in advanced manufacturing are changing fast as organizations push to modernize operations while navigating quality requirements, long lead times, and increasingly complex supply chains. As leaders look to apply AI across the physical world, many discover that technology alone is not enough. Success depends on strong operating fundamentals, clean master data, and a culture that aligns teams around execution, accountability, and continuous improvement.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton is joined by special guest host Wiley Jones to kick off a new 2026 series, Enterprise Unleashed, powered by the DOSS team. Together, they sit down with Garuth Acharya, investor at 8090 Industries and former operator with experience across GE, SpaceX, and Blue Origin, to explore what it really takes to build AI ready operations in advanced manufacturing. The conversation examines why AI initiatives often fail in industrial environments when data hygiene is weak, and why clean, correct, actionable data and disciplined master data practices are foundational to any successful transformation.The discussion also emphasizes practical ways AI can unlock value, from accelerating work instructions to improving shortage detection, surfacing procurement anomalies, and strengthening quality feedback loops. The panel returns to the human side of transformation: mission alignment, cross functional collaboration, clear ownership, and spending time on the shop floor before deciding what to build, buy, or partner for.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(00:47) Introducing the new series for 2026(01:32) Focus on AI-ready operations and advanced manufacturing(02:44) Special guest: Garuth Acharya(03:31) Guru's background and career journey(04:31) Rattlesnake wrestling and early career adventures(06:52) Experiences at SpaceX and Blue Origin(10:27) The importance of culture in high-stakes environments(14:59) AI in manufacturing and supply chain(20:10) Challenges and solutions in AI implementation(25:17) The importance of clean master data(26:22) Engineering and production challenges(27:26) Operational insights and red flags(29:47) Building a culture of clarity and ownership(33:35) Prioritizing modernizing operations(41:42) Advice for AI-ready operationsAdditional Links & Resources:Connect with Wiley Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wileycwjones/Learn more about DOSS: https://www.doss.com/Connect with Garuth Acharya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garuthacharya/Learn more about 8090 Industries: https://www.8090industries.com/Connect with Scott Luton:
SHOW SCHEDULE 1-28-20261900 PRINCETON CANE RUSHBased on your notes, here are all 16 segments formatted for January 28, 2026:1.General Blaine Holt, USAF (Ret.), outlines the mission to rescue Iran from the brutes, detailing strategic options for liberating the Iranian people from the oppressive regime ruling in Tehran.2.Michael Bernstam of the Hoover Institution explains how Russia prospers with the price of gold, analyzing Moscow'seconomic resilience as precious metals revenues offset sanctions and sustain Putin's war machine.3.Bob Zimmerman of Behind the Black explains Blue Origin and SpaceX next missions, previewing upcoming launches and milestones as both companies push forward with ambitious spaceflight development programs.4.Bob Zimmerman explains Roscosmos failures without credit, examining how Russia's space agency stumbles through technical setbacks while refusing accountability, diminishing Moscow's once-proud position in space exploration.5.Victoria Coates and Gordon Chang identify the Baltic states as most vulnerable to Russian annexation, warning that Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania face persistent threats from Putin's expansionist ambitions.6.Ann Stevenson-Yang and Gordon Chang comment on the low spirits and isolation of mainland Chinese singles, examining the demographic and social crisis as young people struggle with loneliness and economic pressures.7.Charles Burton and Gordon Chang observe the contest in Arctic waters, analyzing competing claims and military positioning as Russia, China, and Western nations vie for polar strategic advantage.8.Charles Burton and Gordon Chang comment on Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada's future with the United States and PRC, assessing Ottawa's delicate balancing act between its powerful neighbors.9.Tevi Troy remarks on the new book McNamara at War, exploring Robert McNamara's tenure as Defense Secretary and his controversial management of the Vietnam War under two presidents.10.Tevi Troy observes McNamara dealing with the rude President Lyndon Johnson, examining the difficult working relationship between the cerebral defense secretary and the domineering, often abusive commander-in-chief.11.Kevin Frazier analyzes how AI can fail like Western Union, warning that excessive concentration and lack of innovation could doom today's artificial intelligence giants just as the telegraph company declined.12.Kevin Frazier warns of regulatory capture in AI governance, cautioning that dominant tech companies may co-opt oversight mechanisms, stifling competition and shaping rules to entrench their market dominance.13.Simon Constable reports from temperate France with commodities analysis, noting copper and gold trading dear as industrial demand and safe-haven buying drive precious and base metals prices higher.14.Simon Constable faults Prime Minister Starmer's lack of leadership, criticizing the British leader's failure to articulate vision or direction as the United Kingdom drifts through economic and political uncertainty.15.Astronomer Paul Kalas explains planetary formation in the Fomalhaut system twenty-five light years distant, revealing how observations of this nearby star illuminate the processes that create worlds around young suns.16.David Livingston explains his twenty-five years hosting The Space Show, reflecting on a quarter century of broadcasting interviews with astronauts, engineers, and visionaries shaping humanity's journey beyond Earth.
Prodcast: ПоиÑк работы в IT и переезд в СШÐ
Гость выпуска – Петр Фомичев, Senior Technical Product Manager в Blue Origin, ранее работавший в Яндексе и стартапах в области робототехники и автономных доставок.В этом видео мы подробно разобрали его путь от продуктовой работы в Яндексе и беспилотных роботах до позиции в космической компании Джеффа Безоса, а также стратегию поиска работы в США без массовых откликов. Обсудили, как выбирать компании под конкретный профиль, почему фокус и сторителлинг важнее количества откликов, как готовиться к техническим и продуктовым интервью, чем отличается technical product manager от классического PM, и какую роль сыграли менторы, mock-интервью и инвестиции в подготовку. Отдельное внимание уделили цифрам поиска работы, ошибкам на собеседованиях, работе с отказами и подходу к карьере как к продукту с итерациями и обратной связью.Петр Фомичев (Peter Fomichev) - Senior Technical Product Manager в Blue Origin, ex-Яндекс, ex-Avride. Запускал беспилотные доставки с Uber, Grubhub и Rakuten. Переехал в США в 2023 году.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterfomichev/***Записаться на карьерную консультацию (резюме, LinkedIn, карьерная стратегия, поиск работы в США) https://annanaumova.comКоучинг (синдром самозванца, прокрастинация, неуверенность в себе, страхи, лень) https://annanaumova.notion.site/3f6ea5ce89694c93afb1156df3c903abТелеграм https://t.me/prodcastUSAИнстаграм https://www.instagram.com/prodcast.usТикТок https://www.tiktok.com/@us.job⏰ Timecodes ⏰00:00 Начало8:17 Как ты попал в беспилотники в Яндексе?12:44 Как ты переехал в США?17:45 Расскажи про работу в Avride в США. Чем ты занимался?19:45 Почему решил искать работу? Что стало триггером?22:32 Поделись статистикой: сколько откликов, какая была конверсия?24:16 Как ты выбирал компании, куда откликаться?27:19 Как искал вакансии?34:04 Почему точечный отклики работают лучше?41:39 Как ты адаптировал резюме?47:48 Как проходили собеседования? На чем валился?53:44 Презентацию в Wave. Почему такое спрашивают у продакта?58:08 Что такое Technical Product Manager? Нужно ли уметь кодить?1:03:58 Ты получил два оффера в Blue Origin. Почему ты отклонил первый оффер?1:09:23 Как найти ментора и зачем он нужен при поиске работы?1:16:04 Сколько денег ты потратил на подготовку? Зачем нужен коммуникационный коуч?1:26:33 Какие 3 главных урока ты вынес из этого процесса поиска работы?1:30:38 Что можешь пожелать тем, кто сейчас ищет работу в США?
Bob Zimmerman of Behind the Black explains Blue Origin and SpaceX next missions, previewing upcoming launches and milestones as both companies push forward with ambitious spaceflight development programs.1952
preview for later. Guest: Bob Zimmerman, Space Historian (BehindtheBlack.com) Summary: Zimmerman discusses Blue Origin's plans to upgrade the New Glenn rocket to match the power of SpaceX's Starship. He explains that Jeff Bezos is focused on moving heavy industry into orbit to preserve Earth's environment, rather than prioritizing the exploration of Mars.1953
Northwood Space has raised $100 million in a Series B funding round and announced a new $50 million US Space Force (USSF) contract. NASA has selected Intuitive Machines (IM) as part of 34 global volunteers chosen to track the Artemis II Mission. Blue Origin plans to spend $71.4 million to expand thruster production in Alabama, and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is David Buck, Lt. Gen., USAF (Ret.), President, BRPH Mission Solutions. You can connect with David on LinkedIn, and learn more about BRPH on their website. Selected Reading Northwood Space secures a $100M Series B and a $50M Space Force contract- TechCrunch NASA Selects Intuitive Machines to Support Tracking for Artemis II NASA Selects Participants to Track Artemis II Mission Huntsville approves development agreements with Blue Origin and SPX to create more than 450 new jobs MDA Space And Hanwha Sign MOU To Pursue Korean Military Cons NASA Welcomes Oman as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory Europe's First Meteorological Infrared Sounder Reveals the Atmosphere in 3D Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
У свіжому дайджесті DOU News аналізуємо свіжі дані про зарплати менеджерів в українському ІТ — хто заробляє найбільше у 2026 році. Вітаємо Preply зі статусом «єдинорога» та обговорюємо нові цифри бронювання айтівців. У світових новинах: Apple готує радикальне оновлення Siri, Blue Origin обіцяє космічний інтернет на 6 Тбіт/с, а акції Ubisoft летять униз. Дивіться ці та інші новини українського та глобального тек-сектору. Таймкоди 00:00 Інтро 00:22 Зарплати менеджерів в IT 02:32 Українська EdTech-компанія Preply стала «єдинорогом» 04:52 В Україні бронювання мають до 20 000 айтівців 05:58 Blue Origin анонсувала інтернет зі швидкістю 6 Тбіт/с 08:02 Гендиректор Google DeepMind підтвердив: реклами в Gemini поки не буде 09:45 Акції Ubisoft обвалилися на понад третину 13:20 Claude Code став масовим всередині Microsoft 14:44 Threads запускає рекламу для всіх користувачів у світі 16:12 Siri стане повноцінною частиною системи iPhone 18:42 ШІ від Anthropic продовжує проходити співбесіди у власну компанію 20:33 TikTok фіналізував угоду щодо свого американського підрозділу 21:44 Половина зі 100 найбільших міст світу в зонах дефіциту води 23:32 Що цього тижня рекомендує Женя: Clawdbot та статтю про Microsoft та OpenAI
SHOW SCHEDULE 1-23-261935 BRUSSELSSEGMENT 1: WEST COAST CITIES IN CRISIS Guest: Jeff Bliss (Pacific Watch) Bliss surveys struggling western cities: Las Vegas grapples with $45 martinis reflecting inflation pressures, Seattle deteriorates worse than Portland, while In-N-Out Burger expands eastward seeking better markets. San Francisco's doom loop deepens as LA gangs now control homeless encampments, marking new lows in urban dysfunction.SEGMENT 2: NEWSOM'S 2028 PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS Guest: Jeff Bliss (Pacific Watch) Bliss examines Governor Gavin Newsom positioning for a 2028 presidential run through public sparring with Trump. Despite national media attention from these confrontations, Newsom faces weak approval ratings within California where residents experience firsthand the failures his administration struggles to address or explain away.SEGMENT 3: LISA COOK CASE DRAWS FED GIANTS TO SCOTUS Guest: Richard Epstein Epstein analyzes oral arguments in the Lisa Cook case with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and former Chair Ben Bernanke attending the Supreme Court proceedings. Discussion examines the legal questions at stake, implications for Federal Reserve independence and appointments, and why this case attracted such extraordinary central banking attention.SEGMENT 4: GREENLAND TARIFFS LACK LEGAL FOUNDATION Guest: Richard Epstein Epstein argues Trump's tariff threats over Greenland lack constitutional justification, representing neither genuine emergency nor legitimate tool to punish nations disagreeing with American territorial claims. Discussion covers executive overreach on trade policy, legal vulnerabilities of using economic coercion for diplomatic leverage, and likely judicial constraints ahead.SEG 5 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 6 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 7 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEGMENT 5: ITALY'S WINTER OLYMPICS FACE SNOW CRISIS Guest: Lorenzo Fiori and Jeff Bliss Fiori and Bliss report on Cyclone Harry striking Italy while the eastern Alps suffer inadequate snowfall threatening upcoming Winter Olympics venues. Discussion covers the paradox of extreme weather alongside poor ski conditions, organizers scrambling to prepare bobsled and alpine courses, and climate uncertainties plaguing winter sports planning.SEGMENT 6: LANCASTER COUNTY POST-CHRISTMAS CALM Guest: Jim McTagueMcTague reports from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania experiencing typical post-Christmas slowdown as locals anticipate incoming snowfall with excitement rather than dread. Discussion recalls past snow panic in Alexandria, Virginia and contrasts rural Pennsylvania's practical winter preparedness with urban areas' tendency toward weather-driven hysteria and supply hoarding.SEGMENT 7: BEZOS CHALLENGES MUSK WITH SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONGuest: Bob Zimmerman Zimmerman reports Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin aims to launch a communications satellite constellation rivaling Elon Musk's Starlink dominance. Discussion covers the growing competition among private space ventures, numerous startup companies entering the market, Rocket Lab experiencing launch delays, and the commercial space race intensifying across multiple fronts.SEGMENT 8: SPACE TUG AND OUTER PLANET PROBE DISCOVERIES Guest: Bob Zimmerman Zimmerman discusses a new space tug designed to deorbit Pentagon satellites addressing orbital debris concerns. Discussion turns to Jupiter and Saturn probes returning surprising scientific results, expanding understanding of the outer solar system, and how commercial and government space programs increasingly collaborate on solving both practical and exploratory challenges.SEG 9 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 10 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 11 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEG 12 BATCHELOR POD 012326.mp3MP3SEGMENT 9: ORIGINS OF THE CHINA LOBBY Guest: Lee Smith, Author of "The China Matrix" Smith traces the China lobby's origins to a pivotal October 1997 White House dinner with the Clintons where VIPs secured immense personal wealth through Beijing connections. Nancy Pelosi and Daniel Moynihan protested these arrangements, but the pact enriching American elites at China's service was firmly established.SEGMENT 10: NIXON, KISSINGER, AND MAO'S MURDEROUS REGIME Guest: Lee Smith Smith examines how Nixon and Kissinger flattered and empowered Mao in 1972 despite his murderous record. Tiananmen Square proved the regime's brutality, yet American leaders ushered China into the WTO anyway, prioritizing riches over human rights and enabling Beijing's rise to global economic dominance.SEGMENT 11: FEINSTEIN AND BLUM'S SHANGHAI CONNECTIONS Guest: Lee Smith Smith details how San Francisco Mayor Diane Feinstein and husband Richard Blum cultivated relationships with Shanghai's mayor and later Tiananmen dictator Deng Xiaoping, becoming apologists for the regime. These connections exemplify how American political figures enriched themselves while providing cover for China's authoritarian government.SEGMENT 12: TRUMP AIMS TO END THE CHINA LOBBY Guest: Lee Smith Smith argues China operates as marauder, thief, and killer, wrecking world trade and undermining American manufacturing while enriching the China lobby Trump calls "globalists." The Trump administration learned not to trust Xi Jinping after COVID lies shattered any remaining confidence, signaling determination to dismantle this corrupt arrangement.LL SEPARATE FILES. GUEST, HEADLINE, 50 WORD SUMMARY FOR EACH. NUMBER 13-16....13 MIHL TCHAOTH OF CIVITAS INSTITUTE ATTENDING SCOTUS ORAL ARGUMENT OF AN ENERGY VS ENVIRONMENT DISPUTE DATING TO CLAIM BY LOIUISIANA THAT THE OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION DURING SECOND WORLD WAR DANAGED COASTLIBEAND QUALITY OF LIFE. DEFENDING OIL GAS IS PAUL CLEMENT, FORMER SOLICITIR GENERAL ARGUES THAT DURING WSRTIME NO LIMITS, EXISTENITSIL8:19 PMI only received information for segment 13. Could you provide the guest and topic details for segments 14, 15, and 16 so I can complete all four summaries?SEGMENT 13: SCOTUS HEARS WARTIME OIL EXTRACTION LIABILITY CASE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports from Supreme Court oral arguments on Louisiana's claim that World War II oil and gas extraction damaged coastlines and quality of life. Former Solicitor General Paul Clement defends energy companies, arguing wartime production faced no limits given the existential threat requiring maximum resource extraction for national survival.14 MICHAEL TOTH DNDR PF SCOTUS SYMPSATHIRC TO OIL GAS COM[ANIES THAT THEYWERE SUPPLYING HOMEFRONT CASE BELONGS IN FEDERAL COURT, NOT PUNITIVE STATE COURT.8:21 PMSEGMENT 13: SCOTUS HEARS WARTIME OIL EXTRACTION LIABILITY CASE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports from Supreme Court oral arguments on Louisiana's claim that World War II oil and gas extraction damaged coastlines and quality of life. Former Solicitor General Paul Clement defends energy companies, arguing wartime production faced no limits given the existential threat requiring maximum resource extraction for national survival.SEGMENT 14: SCOTUS SYMPATHETIC TO OIL AND GAS DEFENSE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports the Supreme Court appears sympathetic to oil and gas companies arguing they supplied the homefront during wartime under government direction. Justices signal the case belongs in federal court rather than punitive state courts where energy companies face hostile juries and politically motivated litigation against essential wartime production.Please provide guest and topic details for segments 15 and 16 to complete the schedule.CLIFF MaY OF FDD ARGUES THST POTUS IS CHASING out the dictators of caracas, havana and tehran cuba regime change i 8:34 PMSEGMENT 15: TRUMP TARGETS DICTATORS IN CARACAS, HAVANA, AND TEHRANGuest: Cliff May (FDD) May argues Trump is aggressively pursuing regime change against the dictatorships in Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran. Discussion examines the administration's maximum pressure campaigns, weakened positions of Maduro, Díaz-Canel, and Iranian leadership, and whether coordinated American pressure can finally topple these longstanding authoritarian regimes in the hemisphere and beyond.Please provide guest and topic details for segment 16 to complete the schedule.16 q6 ucstion ccenter reports on fresh ai generated data that finds geothermal success overlooked by us testing. s prioe=ritytrmp admin to a tals fest. action.. 16 henry sokolski of non proliferstion rpolcy ed8:35 PMSEGMENT 16: NON-NUCLEAR ICBM TO DESTROY UNDERGROUND BUNKERSGuest: Henry Sokolski (Nonproliferation Policy Education Center) Sokolski discusses development of a massive conventional ICBM designed to penetrate hardened underground bunkers without nuclear warheads. Discussion examines strategic rationale for this kinetic weapon against buried Iranian or North Korean facilities, technical challenges of achieving sufficient destructive force, and arms control implications of such capabilities.Please clarify: You mentioned both a geothermal/AI story and Henry Sokolski for segment 16. Should these be two separate segments, or did segment 15 include geothermal content? Let me know and I can adjust accordingly.SEGMENT 9: ORIGINS OF THE CHINA LOBBY Guest: Lee Smith, Author of "The China Matrix" Smith traces the China lobby's origins to a pivotal October 1997 White House dinner with the Clintons where VIPs secured immense personal wealth through Beijing connections. Nancy Pelosi and Daniel Moynihan protested these arrangements, but the pact enriching American elites at China's service was firmly established.SEGMENT 10: NIXON, KISSINGER, AND MAO'S MURDEROUS REGIME Guest: Lee Smith Smith examines how Nixon and Kissinger flattered and empowered Mao in 1972 despite his murderous record. Tiananmen Square proved the regime's brutality, yet American leaders ushered China into the WTO anyway, prioritizing riches over human rights and enabling Beijing's rise to global economic dominance.SEGMENT 11: FEINSTEIN AND BLUM'S SHANGHAI CONNECTIONS Guest: Lee Smith Smith details how San Francisco Mayor Diane Feinstein and husband Richard Blum cultivated relationships with Shanghai's mayor and later Tiananmen dictator Deng Xiaoping, becoming apologists for the regime. These connections exemplify how American political figures enriched themselves while providing cover for China's authoritarian government.SEGMENT 12: TRUMP AIMS TO END THE CHINA LOBBY Guest: Lee Smith Smith argues China operates as marauder, thief, and killer, wrecking world trade and undermining American manufacturing while enriching the China lobby Trump calls "globalists." The Trump administration learned not to trust Xi Jinping after COVID lies shattered any remaining confidence, signaling determination to dismantle this corrupt arrangement.SEGMENT 13: SCOTUS HEARS WARTIME OIL EXTRACTION LIABILITY CASE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports from Supreme Court oral arguments on Louisiana's claim that World War II oil and gas extraction damaged coastlines and quality of life. Former Solicitor General Paul Clement defends energy companies, arguing wartime production faced no limits given the existential threat requiring maximum resource extraction for national survival.SEGMENT 14: SCOTUS SYMPATHETIC TO OIL AND GAS DEFENSE Guest: Michael Toth (Civitas Institute) Toth reports the Supreme Court appears sympathetic to oil and gas companies arguing they supplied the homefront during wartime under government direction. Justices signal the case belongs in federal court rather than punitive state courts where energy companies face hostile juries and politically motivated litigation against essential wartime production.SEGMENT 15: TRUMP TARGETS DICTATORS IN CARACAS, HAVANA, AND TEHRANGuest: Cliff May (FDD) May argues Trump is aggressively pursuing regime change against the dictatorships in Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran. Discussion examines the administration's maximum pressure campaigns, weakened positions of Maduro, Díaz-Canel, and Iranian leadership, and whether coordinated American pressure can finally topple these longstanding authoritarian regimes in the hemisphere and beyond.SEGMENT 16: NON-NUCLEAR ICBM TO DESTROY UNDERGROUND BUNKERSGuest: Henry Sokolski (Nonproliferation Policy Education Center) Sokolski discusses development of a massive conventional ICBM designed to penetrate hardened underground bunkers without nuclear warheads. Discussion examines strategic rationale for this kinetic weapon against buried Iranian or North Korean facilities, technical challenges of achieving sufficient destructive force, and arms control implications of such capabilities.
Klik je týždenný komentovaný prehľad technologických správ, o udalostiach, ktoré sa udiali vo svete IT, médií a sociálnych sietí. Moderátori: Ondrej Podstupka, Martin Hodás Discord diskusný server nájdete tu: https://discord.gg/eqeqBcw2V8 Linky: AI segment YouTube si posvieti na AI slop - https://blog.youtube/inside-youtube/the-future-of-youtube-2026/ Reklamy v ChatGPT - https://www.wired.com/story/openai-testing-ads-us/ Gemini bude poháňať asistenta od Apple https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/12/apple-google-ai-siri-gemini.html SaaS firmy strácajú hodnotu https://finance.yahoo.com/news/no-reasons-own-software-stocks-140000103.html Asus končí so smartfonmi https://www.gsmarena.com/confirmed_asus_is_exiting_the_smartphone_market_-news-71158.php Tesla Tesla oficiálne prišla na Slovensko https://www.sme.sk/auto/c/tesla-oficialne-prichadza-na-slovensky-trh-na-nabrezi-dunaja-ukaze-svetelnu-sou Vesmír Blue Origin oznámil vlastnú satelitnú megakonšteláciu https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/21/bezos-blue-origin-satellite-internet-spacex-amazon.html Spravili sme chybu, máte pripomienku? Napíšte nám na klik@sme.sk Kapitoly 00:00 Úvod01:26 AI segment (Reklamy v Chat GPT, YouTube chce potlačiť AI slop, softvér stráca hodnotu)36:58 Tesla na Slovensku46:38 Bezos rozbieha konkurenciu pre svoje vlastné satelity55:34 ZáverSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SEGMENT 7: BEZOS CHALLENGES MUSK WITH SATELLITE CONSTELLATION Guest: Bob ZimmermanZimmerman reports Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin aims to launch a communications satellite constellation rivaling Elon Musk's Starlink dominance. Discussion covers the growing competition among private space ventures, numerous startup companies entering the market, Rocket Lab experiencing launch delays, and the commercial space race intensifying across multiple fronts.1951
Artemis II is on the pad, and I can't stop thinking about it. So I guess listen to me think in the open? Also, a ton of Blue Origin news—the next flight of New Glenn will feature a flown booster, they've announced constellation plans under the name TeraWave, and Tory Bruno has left ULA to join the team at Blue.This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 33 executive producers—Matt, Fred, Will and Lars from Agile, Kris, Lee, Jan, Frank, Miles O'Brien, Josh from Impulse, Theo and Violet, Ryan, Joakim, Stealth Julian, Heiko, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Better Every Day Studios, Joel, Steve, Joonas, The Astrogators at SEE, Pat, Warren, Natasha Tsakos, Russell, David, Donald, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters.TopicsNASA's Moonbound Artemis II Rocket Reaches Launch Pad - NASAFinal Steps Underway for NASA's First Crewed Artemis Moon Mission - NASAIs Orion's heat shield really safe? New NASA chief conducts final review on eve of flight. - Ars TechnicaBlue Origin makes impressive strides with reuse—next launch will refly booster - Ars TechnicaNew Glenn-3 to Launch AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Satellite | Blue OriginBlue Origin on X: “Our lunar lander is headed to the Lone Star State! ⭐ Blue Moon MK1 departed from Florida today, bound for @NASA_Johnson's Thermal Vacuum Chamber A, where it will undergo testing at the same facility as the Apollo spacecraft.”Another Jeff Bezos company has announced plans to develop a megaconstellation - Ars TechnicaFirst Take: What We Think Blue Origin's TeraWave Actually Is (and Isn't)In a surprise announcement, Tory Bruno is out as CEO of United Launch Alliance - Ars TechnicaBlue Origin on X: “We're pleased to announce that @torybruno is joining Blue Origin as president, National Security, reporting to CEO Dave Limp. Tory will spearhead our newly formed National Security Group.”The ShowLike the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by Blue OriginWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
Jake and Anthony are joined by Jeff Foust of SpaceNews to catch up on the news: Artemis II on the pad, Blue Origin's upcoming first reuse of a New Glenn first stage, TeraWave, and more.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 225 - Industry Watcher (with Jeff Foust) - YouTubeBlue Origin on X: “New Glenn's third mission, NG-3, will send @AST_SpaceMobile's next generation Block 2 BlueBird satellites to low Earth orbit, NET late February.”Blue Origin to reuse New Glenn booster on next launch - SpaceNewsBlue Origin flies first New Shepard mission of 2026 - SpaceNewsBlue Origin plans bespoke high-speed Starlink rival - SpaceNewsSLS/Orion rolls to pad for Artemis 2 - SpaceNewsRocket Lab suffers Neutron testing setback - SpaceNewsFollow JeffJeff Foust (@jeff_foust) / XJeff Foust, Author at SpaceNewsFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@offnom@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@meco@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo@jawns.club) - jawns.club
Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin is getting into the space-based internet business, announcing a service that will rival SpaceX Starlink. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apple is developing their own AI wearable, the size of an AirTag. Anthropic overhauls Claude's constitution. South Korea is the latest place to ride the AI rocket ship. And I think I know why your boss thinks AI is the solution to everything: it's the solution to all of the work THEY have to do. Apple Developing AI Wearable Pin (The Information) Anthropic rewrites Claude's guiding principles—and entertains the idea that its AI might have ‘some kind of consciousness or moral status' (Fortune) Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launches satellite internet service to rival SpaceX, Amazon (CNBC) South Korean leader celebrates ‘Kospi 5,000' moment as stock market soars (FT) CEOs Say AI Is Making Work More Efficient. Employees Tell a Different Story. (WSJ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Blue Origin, the company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, says it will launch a new satellite-based communications network called TeraWave. We find out if it could eventually rival Elon Musk's Starlink, which currently dominates the satellite internet market. Plus, the conversation in Davos switches to the economic future of Venezuela. And Spanish football giants Real Madrid are the richest football club in the world, again.
Blue Origin has unveiled a new satellite communications network called TeraWave. Rocket Lab held its first launch of 2026 with “The Cosmos Will See You Now” mission for Open Cosmos. Lunar Outpost has announced a new In‑Orbit Demonstration to support the launch, integration, and on‑orbit operations of Thermal Architecture Components (TACOS), and more. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on LinkedIn and Instagram. T-Minus Guest Our guest today is Dr. Melissa Patton from Patton Consulting Group. You can meet Melissa at SpaceCom in Orlando January 27-30. Selected Reading Blue Origin Introduces TeraWave, a 6 Tbps Space-Based Network for Global Connectivity New Glenn-3 to Launch AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Satellite- Blue Origin AST SpaceMobile Announces Timing of BlueBird 7 Orbital Launch, Advancing Direct-to-Device Cellular Broadband Connectivity New Shepard Mission NS-38 Updates - Blue Origin Rocket Lab Delivers Mission Success on First Launch of 2026 for New Customer: Open Cosmos- Markets Insider Rocket Lab Neutron Test Update New In‑Orbit Demonstration Mission Awarded: TACOS (Thermal Architecture COmponentS) Thales Alenia Space selected by CNES and DGA for payload and user ground segment for France's DESIR radar imaging space mission Orbex's Subsidiary in Denmark to File for Bankruptcy - European Spaceflight Share your feedback. What do you think about T-Minus Space Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at space@n2k.com to request more info. Want to join us for an interview? Please send your pitch to space-editor@n2k.com and include your name, affiliation, and topic proposal. T-Minus is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Space Show presents Bob Zimmerman, Tuesday, 1-20-26Quick SummaryWe started this Space Show program with Bob Zimmerman with discussions about space exploration policies, private industry involvement, and the current state of various space companies, including ULA and Blue Origin, along with a brief mention of Robert's book “Conscious Choice.”Detailed SummaryBob and David discussed the potential impact of a space program incident with Artemis, comparing it to past accidents and suggesting it could lead to a significant overhaul of NASA's programs. The conversation touched on the Artemis flight and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Bob opened up referring to his Op-Ed in which he criticized the press coverage of NASA's Artemis II mission, accusing journalists of being overly positive without addressing engineering concerns. He expressed concerns about the mission's safety, particularly regarding the untested life support system and the damaged heat shield, which NASA has only partially addressed by adjusting the flight path. Zimmerman compared the situation to SpaceX's more rigorous testing requirements for its Crew Dragon capsule, highlighting NASA's double standard in demanding multiple uncrewed test flights from commercial partners but not from its own SLS rocket.Bob also expressed concerns about NASA's decision to proceed with the Artemis II mission, citing inadequate testing and a culture that prioritizes schedule over engineering safety. He highlighted that the mission lacks critical testing, such as a heat shield test using Falcon Heavy, and criticized NASA's management for not standing up to political pressure to achieve a lunar landing before the current administration's term ends. Marshall suggested using an alternative method to test the heat shield, but Bob explained that NASA had already lost valuable time and was planning to use a different design for the next mission. Several in the group agreed that the Artemis II mission, while potentially successful, could be counterproductive by allowing NASA to continue misleading the public about the program's readiness.Next, Bob went after the Senate launch system as poorly managed and equipment-poor, noting that Congress created the rocket without a clear mission, which NASA is now struggling to define. He expressed more concerns about the Orion heat shield's untested design and emphasized the importance of fixing problems rather than working around them, especially when human lives are at stake. Phil suggested that sophisticated simulations could reduce the number of flights needed, but Robert argued that ultimately, hardware must be tested in real-world conditions. David pointed out that NASA's statements indicate they plan to use a new heat shield design in a future mission, which Phil initially criticized but Bob defended as a necessary step, albeit one that should have been tested beforehand.The Wisdom Team discussed concerns about NASA's approach to the Orion and SLS mission, with Bob being critical of NASA's management and politicians for prioritizing cost savings over safety by reusing shuttle parts. Dallas and Joe expressed skepticism about the mission's cost-effectiveness and engineering decisions, while David emphasized the need for Congress to question NASA's choices. The discussion highlighted the tension between political pressures and engineering realities in space exploration, with no clear solutions proposed by the end of the meeting.Bob went on expressing skepticism about NASA's Artemis program and the Space Launch System (SLS), arguing that the real space program in the United States is currently led by SpaceX. He criticized the Artemis mission as trivial and not historically significant, advocating instead for fostering a robust American private industry in low Earth orbit and beyond. Dr. Kothari questioned Bob's views, particularly regarding his recent op-ed, and discussed the potential dangers of the Artemis II mission. They also touched on alternative testing methods for the Orion spacecraft and the need for infrastructure development on the Moon.The Wisdom Team discussed the role of government and private enterprise in space exploration, with Bob emphasizing the importance of competition and innovation among various American space companies. Phil argued that NASA's leadership is crucial for guiding private industry and managing risks, while Bob suggested that NASA should set goals and provide a framework for private companies to achieve them without micromanaging the process. Joe noted that the Artemis Accords might be the most enduring legacy of the Artemis program.The tem discussed the Artemis Accords, which Bob explained were initially introduced by the Trump administration as a way to encourage private enterprise in space and potentially lead to changes in the Outer Space Treaty that prohibits property rights. Joe noted that Portugal had recently joined the Accords, bringing the total to 60 nations, with many post-Soviet countries participating. Phil suggested that allowing property rights in space could help redirect expansionist leaders' attention from Earth to space exploration, while Bob agreed with this approach and proposed establishing international rules similar to the Homestead Act to allow nations to claim territory under specific conditions.Bob discussed the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's aging issues, noting an increase in anomalies and color dropouts due to the camera's degradation. Alfred McEwen explained that the problem is being managed by adjusting the camera's temperature, but more funding is needed for calibration. Robert highlighted the orbiter's importance in revealing Mars' icy nature and its potential for future human settlement. The group also discussed private and government missions to Venus, including Rocket Lab's delayed mission, NASA's canceled missions, and India's planned Venus orbiter. Phil mentioned China's proposed Venus Volcano Imaging and Climate Explorer mission, though its launch details remain unclear.The group discussed current and future planetary missions, with Bob noting that NASA's Venus missions are on hold and the U.S. has limited active planetary exploration compared to other countries. They explored Blue Origin's potential to increase competition in space travel, with Bob expressing hope that under new CEO David Limp's leadership, the company could become more competitive with SpaceX. The discussion also covered Blue Origin's orbital reef project, which our guest described as currently inactive, and Marshall inquired about cost reduction goals in space travel, to which Bob and Phil noted that while Blue Origin's David Limp has mentioned reducing costs by two orders of magnitude, no company has yet achieved even a one-order reduction.The group discussed the potential for terrestrial nuclear power plants, noting that while there is growing demand due to AI data centers, there remains significant public resistance. Bob expressed concerns about the “delusional” enthusiasm for AI, particularly in journalism where AI-generated articles are often inaccurate and inappropriate. The conversation shifted to space industry developments, with Ajay discussing small modular reactors (SMRs) and Generation 4 reactors that could serve both propulsion and energy needs. The discussion concluded with Bob emphasizing the need for multiple space companies beyond SpaceX, highlighting the importance of competition and redundancy in the industry.As we were nearing the end of the discussion, we focused on the current state and future of ULA, with Bob noting that while ULA has significant contracts with Amazon and Boeing, its Vulcan rocket lacks reusability and may struggle to compete with emerging reusable rockets like Starship and Neutron. The team discussed the leadership changes at ULA, with an interim leader appointed but no permanent replacement named yet. The conversation concluded with a plug for Bob's book “Conscious Choice” which explores the origins of slavery in Virginia and its relevance to space exploration, with David and Phil confirming they had read the book and found it informative.Special thanks to our sponsors:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 4491 Zoom Dr. Antonio Del Popolo | Friday 23 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Dr/. Antonio Del PopoloZoom: Dr. Popolo talks about hs new booik, “Extraterrestrial Life: We are not alone.”Broadcast 4492 Zoom Dr. Ajay Kothari | Sunday 25 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dr. Ajay KothariZoom Dr. Kothari on “MUCH NEEDED CARGO TO MOON” Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe
welcome to wall-e's tech briefing for thursday, january 22nd! explore the latest developments in the tech world: apple's ai transformation: apple plans to revamp siri into a sophisticated chatbot, codenamed "campos," integrating it into ios 27. collaboration with google's gemini marks a strategic shift to compete in ai. ai wearable device innovation: apple explores the ai hardware market with a new wearable device equipped with cameras and microphones, aiming to outpace openai despite market uncertainties. healthcare ai funding success: ai-driven medical platform openevidence raises $250 million in series d funding, doubling its valuation to $12 billion, focusing on verified healthcare professionals. satellite internet advancements: blue origin announces terawave, a satellite internet network promising speeds up to 6 terabits per second, targeting enterprise and government customers. radixark's evolution and valuation: originally an open-source project, radixark emerges with a $400 million valuation, enhancing ai inference processing to reduce server costs. stay tuned for tomorrow's tech updates!
Plus: OpenAI expects a more even mix between consumer and enterprise businesses by end of the year. And Ubisoft to undergo major structural overhaul in bid to revamp fortunes. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the newest episode of the Space Capital Podcast, where we will review the Q4 2025 Space IQ Report: our quarterly analysis of startup activity and investment trends in the space economy. For the last decade, the space economy has been defined by promise. In the next decade, it will be defined by utility. We close the books on 2025 tracking $17.0 billion invested across 135 rounds in Q4 alone, bringing the year to a record $55.3 billion. The data is unequivocal: The skepticism phase is over. We are no longer just building the rails—we're running the trains. What This Quarter Reveals: The latest Space IQ shows 2025 closing as a top-three investment year, with capital flowing decisively toward companies solving hard problems and defense-driven infrastructure. Key insights: Q4 delivered $17.0 billion across 135 rounds, with high-conviction capital replacing easy money as markets rejected plays without robust unit economics Heavy-lift competition arrived as Blue Origin's New Glenn recovery ended the single-provider bottleneck; Europe's Project Bromo consolidation signaled the end of cost-plus Applications hit $30.2 billion driven by $24.7 billion in GEOINT, as space met AI at scale and "world models" became the new frontier Strategic competition established a permanent floor for investment, with maneuverability becoming the most valuable currency in orbit under Golden Dome This report offers a closer look at how the market is evolving from access to integration—and what it means for the future of the Space Economy.
Anthony is joined by Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica, and Casey Handmer, Founder of Terraform Industries, to talk about Eric's visit to NASA HQ for a meeting on the Orion heat shield, the upcoming Artemis 2 mission, and Administrator Isaacman's first few weeks.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 224 - Gotta Wear the Pants (with Eric Berger and Casey Handmer) - YouTubeIs Orion's heat shield really safe? New NASA chief conducts final review on eve of flight. - Ars TechnicaNASA's Orion Space Capsule Is Flaming Garbage – Casey Handmer's blogReid Wiseman on X: “Good morning, Moon. See you next month?”NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on X: “Yesterday, I met with SpaceX and Blue Origin to understand the latest plans to accelerate NASA's Artemis timeline. The capabilities these two partners are pioneering will be essential to returning NASA astronauts to the lunar surface, establishing an enduring presence, and…”Safety panel says NASA should have taken Starliner incident more seriously - Ars TechnicaFollow EricAuthor: Eric Berger - Ars TechnicaEric Berger (@SciGuySpace) / XReentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age | West Houston's Neighborhood BookshopFollow CaseyCasey HandmerCasey Handmer, PhD (@CJHandmer) / XTerraform IndustriesFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@offnom@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@meco@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo@jawns.club) - jawns.club
Keith explores two big themes shaping real estate investors' futures: Why more Americans are becoming "forever renters"—and how long-term lifestyle and demographic shifts (not just today's prices and rates) are quietly reshaping the demand for rentals. The growing conversation around eliminating property taxes—which states are making the most noise, and why the real issue isn't whether property taxes go away, but what would realistically replace them. Keith also zooms out for a quick year-end tour of major asset classes—from stocks and real estate to metals and crypto—so listeners can see where real estate fits in the broader investing landscape and what these shifts might mean for their wealth-building strategy. Episode Page: GetRichEducation.com/588 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments. For predictable 10-12% quarterly returns, visit FreedomFamilyInvestments.com/GRE or text 1-937-795-8989 to speak with a freedom coach Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search "how to leave an Apple Podcasts review" For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— GREletter.com or text 'GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript: Keith Weinhold 0:01 Welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, the Forever renter trend keeps getting embedded deeper into American culture. What's behind it? It's more than just finances. Then there's been more talk about eliminating property taxes, if they go away, what replaces them? And we'll discuss more today on get rich education. Keith Weinhold 0:27 Since 2014 the powerful get rich education podcast has created more passive income for people than nearly any other show in the world. This show teaches you how to earn strong returns from passive real estate investing in the best markets without losing your time being a flipper or landlord. Show Host Keith Weinhold writes for both Forbes and Rich Dad advisors, and delivers a new show every week since 2014 there's been millions of listener downloads of 188 world nations. He has a list show guests include top selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki. Get rich education can be heard on every podcast platform, plus it has its own dedicated Apple and Android listener phone apps build wealth on the go with the get rich education podcast. Sign up now for the get rich education podcast, or visit get rich education.com Corey Coates 1:12 You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education. Keith Weinhold 1:28 Welcome to GRE from Jamestown, New York to Jamestown, North Dakota and across 108 nations worldwide. I'm Keith Weinhold, and this is get rich education. Most investments reduce your income until you can start drawing on it and paying taxes on it in your 60s. That's a lot of decades of living below your means. Here learn how to grow your means and invest in vehicles that pay you when you're young enough to enjoy it and pay you five ways tax advantaged. Hey, there's a big misunderstanding about the housing market taking place right now. Yes, today's higher cost of home ownership contributes to Americans renting longer, for sure, but let's not make the mistake of thinking this is a new phenomenon just because home prices moved higher or mortgage rates began normalizing again a few years ago, that's not what it's about Americans renting longer. That is a trend decades in the making, and it has had and will continue to have major implications on the rental housing market decades into the future, buying your first home at 25 that was your grandparents or maybe your parents. Today, it kind of goes like this in life's journey for the wannabe homeowner, First comes the gray hair, then comes the mortgage. Last year, we learned that the average first time homebuyer age in America has moved up to 40. Back in 1981 it was age 29 per the NAR. More specifically one's real estate journey, it basically now goes like this, rent, rent, rent, have roommates again, go back to renting, chiropractor, Bank of mom and dad, then a mortgage maybe. Keith Weinhold 3:34 Yeah, the home ownership rate, it keeps falling among every age group, most sharply among 30 somethings. The translation here is that more renters are coming. For those in their 30s, the home ownership rate maxed out at 69% in 1980 it's fallen to just 47% today. Those that are older, for those in their 40s, the homeownership rate maxed out at 78% in 1982 it has fallen to just 62% today and so on. Every 10 year age group all the way to those age 80 plus, the homeownership rate has fallen for all of them over the decades too, every single age cohort. The home ownership rate has fallen over the decades, and that is all per the Census Bureau. I'll tell you why this forever renter trend just keeps strengthening in a moment. But if you don't own your home, here are your current housing options. You can live with your parents. Yes, welcome back childhood bedroom with those glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. Sadly, you can be homeless. That is really not good. Or the other option is you can rent something nice, new, modern, and energy eficient. The group in which home ownership has fallen the most are those 30 somethings. 20 somethings aren't even part of what the Census Bureau reported here. It fell most sharply in the 1980s and then again, after the great recession. And here's what I know you might be thinking because we have some of the smartest listeners around. I bet that during times that buying was cheaper than renting, the trend reversed. That's what you might be thinking. No, it didn't. Regardless of what is cheaper, over time, the home ownership rate just keeps falling despite those periods, whatever is cheaper renting or owning now the overall home ownership rate that's fallen just since 2023 from 66% down to 65% that might not sound like much, but a Full 1% drop there means 1.3 million new renters already, just since 2023 and now you might be thinking, well, this is like totally because home prices and mortgage rates have been higher since that time. They've been higher since 2023 you are, in fact, somewhat correct about the affordability on a median priced home today, which is around 420k, I mean a 10% down payment and closing costs, that means you're out of pocket, probably more than 50k and it's 100k plus for a 20% down payment. And this is often an insurmountable hurdle without financial help from the Bank of mom and dad. But this is all part of a longer, multi decade set of trends. And look, a lot of these trends don't have much of anything to do with finances. People are renting longer because Americans wait longer to marry and have kids, and this has persisted, whether economic cycles are good or bad, and certainly, regardless of what mortgage rate levels are, younger generations value flexibility. That's another reason people are renting longer. Also 30 somethings are just simply more comfortable with subscription models like renting. I mean, look at Netflix and Uber and Spotify. It's been decades since anyone actually bought DVDs or CDs. Yeah, renting is just sort of another subscription model. More. Boomers are also renting for convenience. They would rather play pickleball instead of mow a lawn. This is something that they figured out a while ago. Also higher consumer and educational debt keeps people renting. You've got buy now, pay later. Companies like Klarna that are booming and mortgage eligibility got sucked from souls when all this happened? Hey, I've got more a ton of reasons for why more and more people are renters today, and how this trend is your friend if you are a rental property investor. Keith Weinhold 8:13 Also, let's be mindful when we broke the gold standard in 1971 asset prices took off like a Blue Origin launch, and wages stagnated. That makes it tough to patch together a down payment and look, there is still an antiquated notion out there that apartments especially are like replete with paper thin walls and one in every five units is a meth lab. Have you toured apartment buildings, fourplexes, duplexes and single family rentals built in the last 10 years? Sheesh. Great amenities. Expect to see granite countertops, patios, fenced yards, gyms, sometimes even pet spas at Class A apartments, washer, dryer in unit. I mean, that has been standard for a long time, LED lighting, smart locks, increasingly office nooks for remote workers. Those are the modern amenities that you find in a rental. So the bottom line here is that as Americans age, there is an elongated renter stage of life. It's not just prices or rates, it is lifestyle. And this is why, even when affordability improves, the homeownership rate should continue to drop. More rental demand is coming. So yes, an elongated renter stage, this forever renter, if you will. That is somewhat about finances, but it is more, and this shapes the landlordtenant landscape for decades. And of course, your advantage here at GRE is even if you live in a High Cost part of the nation, we know how to buy here, say, a brand new build to rent single family property in an investor advantage place like Indiana, Missouri, Alabama or Florida, and we get it for, say, 300k or so, and you get a tenant that will pay you rent for four years or more in a lot of cases. So we've been talking about where the rental demand is coming from. It is both a lifestyle choice and a financial consideration for your tenant. Now this forever renter trend, that's something that really matters if you are providing housing to people. But some real estate trends just move so slowly, so glacier like that, you can kind of get lulled to sleep, until one day you look up and a trend has crystallized like the one that I just described. Let's compare a trend like that to something that people think matters a lot, and this does matter, but its importance is overinflated, and that is, for example, the President's nomination of a new Fed chair this year, and how that's going to move the real estate market. No, not as much as people think, as we've learned here, mortgage rates actually don't have that much to do with home prices. And yes, mortgage rates do move. They are correlated with the Fed funds rate. Yes, they are. When one is high, the other will be high. When one is low, the other will be low. They just don't move in direct lockstep. Let's listen in to the remarks of one Donald John Trump on the matter, because he talks about housing here. This is about a minute long, and then I come back to comment when Trump says him, he is apparently pointing to Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, who was in the room at the time, but as you'll hear, he's not expected to be the Fed Chair selection. Speaker 1 12:06 Have you started the interviews for the Fed chair? Yes. Who have you interviewed? Ithink I already know my choice well. I like to him, but he's not going to take the job very fast. You like Treasury better, right? Much better, sir. So we are talking to various people and the I mean, frankly, I'd love to get the guy currently, and they're out right now,but people are holding me back. He's done a terrible job, hurting housing a little bit. The truth is, we've been so successful, we've blown past his interest rate. Stupidity. He's been wrong. That's why I call him too late. He's too late. Jerome, too late. Powell, he was recommended to me by a guy that made a bad, you know, bad choice, and it's too bad. But despite that, it's having very little impact, because we have, you know, we have all of these things happening, but it has an impact on housing to a certain extent. He's a fool. He's a stupid man, but we have some very good people Keith Weinhold 13:09 yeah. So this matters, but it's as much entertainment and almost comedy against a demographic trend like the Forever renter propensity, a calendar year recently ended. It's time to make a quick rundown of the overall investing landscape. Once in a while we do that. It's good to check the movement on other asset classes outside real estate. It's our asset class rundown for last year, the s, p5, 100 was up nearly 17% that's the third year in a row of double digit gains in the year that Warren Buffett stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, there's a warning. The S and P Schiller price to earnings ratio soared above 40 for only the second time in history. That's an indicator that stocks are overvalued. The only other time that happened was during the.com bubble in real estate, single family home values were up about 2% per the NAR just over 1% per Kay Shiller, apartment building values were flat to a slight decline. There is no such thing as an official apartment building Price Index, CPI inflation, up almost 3% on the year. It now hasn't been at the Fed's target of 2% or lower for a calendar year since 2019 Yeah, it has run hot all that time. Last year, mortgage rates fell from 6.9% to 6.2% and then, as you would expect, the yield on the 10 year treasury note also fell from 4.6 to 4.2 The dollar fell hard with a thud down 9% its worst performance since 2017 WTI oil prices fell from 70 bucks to $58 that's an 18% decline, but really the story of the year among all asset. Classes is what happened with precious metals, gold up a staggering 68% over the past year, touching an all time high of about $4,500 silver, up about 155% leaving investors flabbergasted and slack jawed, touching an all time high of over $80 platinum and palladium had near triple digit gains the real price of gold. This means inflation adjusted even jumped to its all time high last year, significantly surpassing the previous peaks of 1980 2011, and 2020. Realized this. More than 80% of all the recoverable gold on earth has already been extracted. Silver has been the top performing major asset class. In fact, today, a little one ounce silver coin is worth more than a 300 pound barrel of oil. Sticking with the topic of metals, inflation finally killed a penny. The last one was minted in 2025 in Philadelphia, ending a continuous run of the US minting the penny since 1792 no more. Bitcoin was down 6% falling from 93k to 87k the NASDAQ is aiming for near round the clock trading. It currently trades 16 hours a day, five days a week. They are looking to go up to 23 hours a day, five days a week in the second half of this year. That's our year end asset class rundown Keith Weinhold 16:34 coming up in future weeks of the get rich education podcast. I am going to do an episode on overpopulation versus underpopulation? Is the world over or underpopulated, and is the United States over or underpopulated? This obviously has huge implications for the housing market. Then on another episode, we're going to discuss a real estate axis strategy we've never discussed before, called the 721 exchange. Now you might have heard of the better known 1031 tax deferred exchange, but the 731 is different. When you get older as a property owner and you realize that you don't want the hassles of landlording anymore, you can sell your properties to a partnership. The 721 exchange dictates that this is not a taxable event, and therefore no capital gains taxes or depreciation recapture are due. Property owners still get the benefits of cash flow and the appreciation across a greater number of properties and markets, and it's a great estate planning tool as well. Yes, that's the 721, exchange. We are going to cover it here. When it comes to investment real estate, I guess we cover nearly everything that's coming up on a future episode. As for today, we're talking about property taxes, if they go away, what replaces them that comes up shortly? Visit get richeducation.com to learn more about how we help you and what we do, and to get connected with real estate. Pays five ways type of properties. Visit gre marketplace.com. I'm Keith Weinhold. You're listening to get rich education. Keith Weinhold 18:23 You know, most people think they're playing it safe with their liquid money, but they're actually losing savings accounts and bonds don't keep up when true inflation eats six or 7% of your wealth. Every single year, I invest my liquidity with FFI freedom family investments in their flagship program. Why? Fixed 10 to 12% returns have been predictable and paid quarterly. There's real world security backed by needs based real estate like affordable housing, Senior Living and health care. Ask about the freedom flagship program when you speak to a freedom coach there, and that's just one part of their family of products. They've got workshops, webinars and seminars designed to educate you before you invest. Start with as little as 25k and finally, get your money working as hard as you do. Get started at Freedom family investments.com/gre, or send a text. Now it's 1-937-795-8989,yep, text their freedom coach directly. Again, 1-937-795-8989, Keith Weinhold 19:34 the same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours. Ridge lending group and MLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage, start your pre qual and even chat with President chailey Ridge personally while it's on your mind. Start at Ridge lending group.com that's Ridge lending group.com Jim Rickards 20:05 this is author Jim Rickards. Listen to get rich education with Keith Weinhold, and don't quit your Daydream. Keith Weinhold 20:22 Welcome back to get rich education. Episode 588 for the 12th consecutive year here, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, I look forward to perhaps meeting you in person this coming weekend, as I'll be attending the real estate guys create your future goals retreat event in Colorado Springs. You probably remember that we have had the events host and leader, Robert Helms, of the real estate guys on the show with us here several times in the past. What a class act I am spending a few extra days after the event in Colorado Springs to both look at local real estate in that market and climb the Manitou incline, that's this grueling climbing challenge up a slope of Pikes Peak. If you want to climb with me after the real estate guys event, bring your running shoes and I'll lead a group of us up there Keith Weinhold 21:13 if property taxes go away, what replaces them? Realtor.com recently had a terrific article about this that you can look up the property tax revolt is spreading, but the replacement plan isn't let's look at the probability and possibility of eliminating property tax. Think about how property tax elimination would increase the value of your property well, because now every buyer could afford to pay more, since they won't have that property tax expense. And of course, if you were to remove property tax as a line item from your income and expense statement, your cash flow could double, triple, or even five or 10x depending on your current cash, on cash return. But that cash flow part is less likely because most efforts to eliminate the property tax, they focus on homes, primary residences. Well, several states have either active legislation efforts or these sort of informal grassroots movements to significantly cut down or just totally abolish property tax, but no state has fully eliminated them yet. The most prominent efforts are in five states, most notably Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis has made the most noise about it. He proposed eliminating property taxes on homesteaded which are primary residence properties, and he aims for a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to achieve this, that is 10 months from now. And that proposal, it's still pretty early in the legislative stages, and the state is also considering property tax rebates in the meantime. Now, even if you own rental property, and property tax were only eliminated on primary residences, it would still cause the value of your property to boom pretty nicely, even if it didn't help the cash flow. The state that's made the second most noise is Ohio. A grassroots organization has called Citizens for property tax reform. They have actively campaigned to place a constitutional amendment on their ballot that would just totally abolish property taxes statewide. Third most is Kansas. They propose legislation and that aims to effectively bump up sales tax to replace property tax. The fourth out of five is North Dakota. Let's look at what they're doing following a failed 2024, ballot measure to just totally abolish the property tax outright. Well, there's a new proposal from the governor, and that seeks this phased out elimination for most homeowners over a decade. And see, North Dakota has a slightly better chance of pulling that off, because they can fund that from the state's Legacy Fund, that's their oil well fund, and then making the fifth most abolition of property tax noise is my home state of Pennsylvania. Lawmakers have introduced bills to eliminate all property tax. They also aim for a constitutional amendment to put that issue before the voters. So they are the five states that have made the most noise, and that's what their approach is. Keith Weinhold 24:43 Now, seemingly for most of my life, homeowners and landlords have griped about property tax, saying it's the most ridiculous tax of them all, because you pay it year after year after year in perpetuity. And it just never goes away. Unlike other taxes that are just a one time tax, even if your property's mortgage is paid off, you still have a house payment, and that is largely due to property tax. Understand, though, that currently a lot of states give you a reduced property tax once you reach a senior age, usually age 65 plus some start as low as 61 but when it comes to eliminating the property tax, there's a part of the conversation that's really important, and it has been notably absent, and that is a novel solution to replace the lost revenue. And it gets rather interesting to look around and see where else the money might be raised if they eliminate property tax. See, and this is really important to understand, property taxes generate 70% of local revenue, up to 90% of school funding and 25% of all state and local tax revenue in aggregate in Florida. Okay, that's just in Florida those numbers, but a lot of states have a similar scenario, and in Florida, that comes out to about $50 billion a year. That is a big hole to plug, that is a big gap to fill, and it underlines both the burden homeowners are currently shouldering and how hard it's going to be to fill that gap with anything that's more stable or equitable, that's going to last as a funding source, yes, 90% of school funding. You heard that, right? If you talk to an old timer, you know sometimes you still hear an elderly person refer to property taxes as school taxes. So see, this question of, Do you want to abolish property taxes? One reason that's become louder and louder these past few years, and why you hear more about it is due to that increased affordability strain. That's why you're hearing more about it now the question, do you want to abolish property taxes? That is the wrong question. A grassroots push to AX the property tax that's gained traction, really, among some senior homeowners facing property tax bills that are as high as their mortgage. Once was last summer, for example, in Mahoning County, Ohio, the tax delinquency rate hit 18% almost one in five people having trouble paying their property tax, and that county had more than 70 million in unpaid property taxes. In some neighborhoods in Youngstown, as many as one in three homeowners were behind. And in Cuyahoga County, which is basically Cleveland, values jumped 32% on average after reassessments that fueled a $60 million dollar increase in past due balances this whole do we want to abolish property taxes? Question? You're going to see why that's the wrong question and why it's incomplete, because that slogan that skips the only part that really matters here, and that is, what is the replacement plan, realistically, taxpayers should be asked if, in lieu of property tax, they'd rather pay higher sales taxes or higher income taxes, or for those with no state income tax, like Texas or Florida, pay one for the first time. I don't like those answers. I wish governments would spend more efficiently, but that's not the angle that we're looking at here. Property taxes are the true lifeblood of local governments. I mean, they fund everything from public safety to roads to schools, and just because property taxes disappear, well that doesn't mean that the need for firefighters goes away, that the need for police officers goes away, or the infrastructure for public school systems is going to be gone, or the roads go away. So if property taxes are cut, then another revenue generating device has to emerge to keep services funded and running. And it's a little funny. I've been talking about certain states here. But of course, property taxes are exacted and assessed at the county and local level. And look, I mean, you know how the world works, you know what the nature of society is. As soon as someone has their income stream, they quickly grow into that lifestyle and the new larger spending pattern. So taking away an existing income stream or even reducing it a little, I mean, that can almost trigger outrage and protests, for example, the outcry that we had last year about cutting snap payments. But it works this way. With anything. I mean, sheesh. For the majority of Americans, if you cut their income even 10% they would struggle to survive. They would struggle to put food in the fridge. So these repeal the property tax campaigns, they often avoid the reality of the replacement math. Keith Weinhold 30:19 Now, some states have taken a swing at replacing property tax revenue, but few, if any, have succeeded. Now, Nebraska lawmakers, what they did is they floated higher cigarette taxes as a way to fund a goal of cutting their property taxes by 40% I mean, nice try. But according to an analysis by the Tax Foundation, that tax base was far too small. I mean to tell you more about what a terrible miss. This example is Nebraska cigarette taxes. They raised about $52 million in 2024 while property taxes raised $5.3 billion that is 100 times more, not even close, even if you could raise more money in the short run, excise revenues like this cigarette tax, they're pretty volatile, and they often shrink as the demand ebbs and flows. So it really makes them a poor backbone for expenses that grow over time, and they don't eliminate the cost so much as concentrated. So what they do is they sort of shift this broad civic obligation funding all this stuff, police, fire, school, from homeowners onto a much narrower group, in this case, people who smoke. That is not going to work for Nebraska, all right, well, what about a bigger deal, like replacing it with sales tax? Well, they run into a different problem. Local economies are not built the same. You might have a sales tax heavy tourist County, well, they can raise far more money than an agricultural county. And Florida is a clear illustration. They have lots of tourism and lots of agriculture replacing property taxes with sales tax. That would require eye popping sales tax rates too. According to the Tax Foundation Florida statewide, they would have to go from 7% to over 15% sales tax in Florida. But it gets even worse, because counties with a thin sales tax base would have to charge over 32% sales tax. My gosh, that is not going to work, all right. Well, how about another big one? Let's have income taxes replace property tax in a lot of states. I mean, the income tax that's large enough to raise pretty meaningful revenue. But the trade off is that income taxes come with their own sort of economic and political distortions, and once they're added, you know, they rarely stay confined to the tidy swap that voters were promised. I mean, look at New Jersey. They adopted an income tax in the 1970s to provide property tax relief, but over time, that swap proved hard to manage and hard to enforce, and now today, New Jersey has one of the highest effective property tax and state income tax rates combined in the nation. So the point is that all these property tax replacement tools are just inherently piecemeal. Each tax or fee has like this different payer base or some different vulnerability. I mean, if tourism dips, for example, revenues could drop really fast. And the same is true if a regulated industry contracts, or if consumption patterns shift. And you know that volatility, that's manageable for some narrow program, but that is dangerous as the foundation for essential services like public safety and street maintenance and police and schools and fire. Well, how about forgetting all that? Let's just have the government then totally get out of providing public safety and not have the government provide street maintenance and have the government get out of schools. I mean, we used to have more private companies provide you with some of those services. We didn't even have a federal income tax at all until 1913 other than a temporary one to fund the Civil War. But all of that is a bigger topic that we are not going to get into today. The point is, instead of asking the question, do you want to abolish property taxes? The better question is, which replacement are you choosing and who pays for it? Because local costs come on, they're just not likely to shrink anytime soon. After all, all of this schools, fire and police departments, public works, divisions, they're all subject to the same inflation and the same rising costs as the rest of the economy is so the property tax is unpopular. As it is, it does have one functional advantage. It is tied to this immovable base of properties. It's collected locally, and it's designed to fund on going services. That is not to say that some homeowners don't need relief. Some of them clearly do. But eliminating property taxes, that just does not eliminate the underlying cost of government. All it does is reallocate it, and that reallocation can get messy, that shifts a bigger burden onto a smaller share of taxpayers, whether it's smokers, like it was in Nebraska, or whether it's rural shoppers like the Florida sales tax example, or doubly on working homeowners, like it is in the New Jersey income tax example. I have studied this, and I have not seen novel approaches that really keep communities funded without creating some new distortion somewhere else. But unfortunately, one thing that I have seen is this repeal rhetoric, and it makes these political platitudes all that want to just conveniently skip the replacement plan, but it all sounds good and popular when someone stands up there and says that they want to eliminate property taxes. So really the honest question on a ballot. It's not, do you want to abolish property taxes? The honest question is, are you willing to pay higher sales taxes or higher income taxes or adopt one for the first time and accept the distortions that those choices to create to eliminate the property tax? I'm not going to get into the political side of all this, because that's not what we do here. The bottom line is, though, that you're probably going to hear more about the property tax going away. It is unlikely, of course, as income property investors here, property tax is largely built into the rent. It is passed along to your tenant, and a small reduction would help you out, probably not so much on your cash flow side, since most of these proposals are only for primary residences, but even a small property tax reduction on primary residences that would boost all property values, even rental property in the one to four unit space. But you shouldn't expect much here. If property taxes are eliminated, there is just no easy and viable replacement. That's your answer today, if you represent a company that serves real estate investors get rich. Education has over 3 million IAB certified downloads and 5.8 million total listener downloads. You can learn more about advertising on the show at getricheducation.com/ad, that's get rich education.com/ad Speaker 2 37:51 for the production team here at GRE, that's our sound engineer, bedroom jampo, who has edited every single GRE podcast episode since 2014 QC and show notes Brenda Almendariz, video lead, Binaya Gyawali, strategy Tallah Mugal, video editor, Saroza KC and producer me, we'll run it back next week for you. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, Don't Quit Your Daydream. Speaker 3 38:17 nothing on this show should be considered specific personal or professional advice, please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively Keith Weinhold 38:45 The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building, getricheducation.com
Open Lines Discussion, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026Quick SummaryOur program focused on space industry developments and future missions, including discussions about Artemis III, SpaceX's priorities, and various private sector lunar missions planned for 2026. The group explored space technology advancements, investment trends, and launch cost reduction possibilities, while also addressing challenges in pharmaceutical pricing and international space cooperation. The conversation concluded with updates on space missions and budget concerns for 2026, as well as discussions about UAP evidence and plans to expand the show's reach through streaming and social media promotion.Early on we discussed space solar power and its potential applications, including AI data centers in space. Bill mentioned his connection to Virtus Solus, a space-based solar power company, and shared their recent announcement of a 97% efficiency rate for their rectenna. The conversation then shifted to Artemis III, with David expressing concern about delays hindering progress towards 2028 goals. Joseph provided an update on Artemis III hardware development, noting that while the SLS is far along in integration, both the Blue lander and Starship are still in early stages. The group also discussed the challenges and requirements for Starship refueling tests, with Joe expressing doubt about meeting timelines due to multiple technical hurdles.Our Wisdom Team discussed the Artemis program's goal of returning Americans to the moon by 2028, as outlined in a recent executive order. They debated the feasibility of meeting this timeline, considering the technical limitations of SpaceX's launch frequency and the need for reliability improvements. The conversation touched on the potential for multiple launch platforms and the possibility of using Starship for refueling missions. David raised concerns about the need for a decision on whether to stick with the current program or make changes, while Bill and others expressed worries about the timeline and the pressure on NASA management to meet it. We also discussed the executive order's mention of establishing initial elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030 and the potential for using nuclear reactors on the moon.SpaceX's priorities were discussed by Doug noting that while Mars is SpaceX's top priority, lunar development is a secondary focus. Joseph highlighted that once Starship achieves reusability, it could significantly increase launch capacity to 20,000 tons annually, with a target launch for in-orbit refueling and docking by Q3 or Q4 2023. The discussion also covered multiple private sector lunar missions planned for 2026, including Blue Origin's Mark 1 lander carrying the Viper rover, and the potential for commercial satellite communications to provide cellular service in underserved regions.The Wisdom Team talked about satellite positioning systems, particularly in Japan, where 4 out of 7 satellites must be visible over Japan at any given moment for non-GPS positioning. They explored potential business opportunities in space, including semiconductor manufacturing, medical products, and solar panels, though Joe noted that space manufacturing capabilities are not yet advanced enough to support these ideas. John Jossy shared that venture capital is primarily flowing to low Earth orbit companies, with recent large rases by companies like Stoke Space ($510 million) and Impulse Space ($300 million), while lunar ventures receive less attention.Later we discussed the state of space technology and investment, with Joe noting that venture capital investment in space has increased significantly, leading to companies raising hundreds of millions of dollars. They debated the potential for launch cost reductions, with Joseph suggesting that a factor of three reduction could be possible, though not necessarily reaching the extremely low costs Elon Musk has proposed for Starship. The conversation touched on the separate tracks of government programs like Artemis and commercial space development, with Bill and Joseph agreeing that these developments are largely independent. David raised questions about the incentives for launch companies to significantly reduce costs, given the current profitability of launches, and the group discussed the potential for new low-cost launchers, including a Chinese Starship-like vehicle, though its market impact in the West remained uncertain.The team talked about the challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies due to pressure to lower drug prices, contrasting this with the lack of similar pressure on commercial launch services. They also talked about recent repairs to the ISS, where Russian cosmonauts successfully sealed leaks using a patented sealing agent. The conversation concluded with a discussion about international space cooperation, particularly highlighting India's growing space program and its potential for future partnerships with Western countries.In addition, we discussed several space industry developments, including SpaceX's potential Mars mission and the status of various space vehicles. John Jossy shared information about SpaceX's planned Mars mission, while the group expressed uncertainty about the future of Boeing's capsule and Dream Chaser. They also discussed the transition of Tory Bruno from ULA to Blue Origin, and the potential implications for ULA's future. Bill provided an update on the Starliner program, noting that the next flight would be cargo-only in April, with crewed missions not expected until late 2026 or early 2027.As we were nearing the end of the program, various space missions and budget concerns for 2026 were mentioned. They talked about a private Rocket Lab mission to Venus in collaboration with MIT, scheduled for summer 2026. Bill provided updates on U.S. Venus missions, noting that the Senate version of the budget would preserve both Venus missions, while the House version funds the Mars sample return. The group also discussed the status of the NASA SBIR program, which has not been reauthorized for 2026, though ongoing projects from prior awards can continue. David expressed frustration about the lack of credible evidence regarding UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) claims, questioning why the topic remains so mysterious and unsubstantiated.The group discussed the challenges and secrecy surrounding UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) evidence and the potential for public disclosure, with John Hunt suggesting that classified information might be harder to prove than assumed. David expressed skepticism about the truthfulness of statements and emphasized the need for tangible evidence to gain public trust. The conversation also touched on the popularity of UFO topics in media, with Joseph suggesting that increased discussion of UAPs could boost listener numbers. The conversation ended with plans to explore options for streaming Zoom programs on YouTube and promoting the show on social media to reach a broader audience.Special thanks to our sponsors:American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 448t ZOOM Guy Schumann | Tuesday 13 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Guy SchumannOur guest is the CEO of RSS-Hydro in Luxembourg. The company helps assess and mitigate the risks of natural extremes, safeguarding both your communities and assets with resilience and security from space assets.Broadcast 4487: Hotel Mars TBD | Wednesday 14 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: John Batchelor, Dr. David LivingstonHotel Mars TBDBroadcast 4488 Zoom, DR. ARMEN PAPAZIAN | Friday 16 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Dr. Armen PapazianArmen presents his latest space economics paper which is posted on The Space Show blog for this program.Broadcast 4489 Zoom Dan Adamo | Sunday 18 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dan AdamoZoom: Dan discusses the special lunar orbit being used for the Artemis program Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe
2026 promises to be the most exciting year in the new space age yet! Shining bright is the prospect of an Artemis II launch to send astronauts around the moon for the first time since 1972, as early as February. We've already seen news about a medical incident on the International Space Station that will force a crew to return to Earth early, but NASA says this won't affect the Artemis launch. On other news, NASA's budget seems on track to be passed at near 2025 levels, China is preparing to send a robot to the south lunar pole, SpaceX plans robust tests of Starship this year—and hopefully refinement of their lander for Artemis III, Boeing will fly Starliner again (uncrewed), Mars Sample Return is poised to be scuttled, and all this under the leadership of a new—and apparently quite capable—NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman. Join us for an in-depth look at what's coming in 2026! Headlines: Medical evacuation planned for ISS astronauts due to health concerns NASA Chief Jared Isaacman leads first big press conference amid ISS medical incident Artemis 2 lunar mission remains on track for February launch Orion spacecraft heat shield faces scrutiny ahead of crewed flight NASA budget nearly secured—Congress backs full funding for 2026 Mars Sample Return project faces likely cancellation SpaceX Starship gears up for crucial orbital and refueling tests Blue Origin's Blue Moon lunar lander launch delayed, competition heats up China's lunar, asteroid, and orbital missions ramp up for 2026 Boeing Starliner and Sierra Space Dream Chaser schedule ISS cargo missions New moon landers, asteroid missions, and global crewed capsule tests coming in 2026 NASA's Roman Space Telescope possibly launching this year Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit
2026 promises to be the most exciting year in the new space age yet! Shining bright is the prospect of an Artemis II launch to send astronauts around the moon for the first time since 1972, as early as February. We've already seen news about a medical incident on the International Space Station that will force a crew to return to Earth early, but NASA says this won't affect the Artemis launch. On other news, NASA's budget seems on track to be passed at near 2025 levels, China is preparing to send a robot to the south lunar pole, SpaceX plans robust tests of Starship this year—and hopefully refinement of their lander for Artemis III, Boeing will fly Starliner again (uncrewed), Mars Sample Return is poised to be scuttled, and all this under the leadership of a new—and apparently quite capable—NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman. Join us for an in-depth look at what's coming in 2026! Headlines: Medical evacuation planned for ISS astronauts due to health concerns NASA Chief Jared Isaacman leads first big press conference amid ISS medical incident Artemis 2 lunar mission remains on track for February launch Orion spacecraft heat shield faces scrutiny ahead of crewed flight NASA budget nearly secured—Congress backs full funding for 2026 Mars Sample Return project faces likely cancellation SpaceX Starship gears up for crucial orbital and refueling tests Blue Origin's Blue Moon lunar lander launch delayed, competition heats up China's lunar, asteroid, and orbital missions ramp up for 2026 Boeing Starliner and Sierra Space Dream Chaser schedule ISS cargo missions New moon landers, asteroid missions, and global crewed capsule tests coming in 2026 NASA's Roman Space Telescope possibly launching this year Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit
2026 promises to be the most exciting year in the new space age yet! Shining bright is the prospect of an Artemis II launch to send astronauts around the moon for the first time since 1972, as early as February. We've already seen news about a medical incident on the International Space Station that will force a crew to return to Earth early, but NASA says this won't affect the Artemis launch. On other news, NASA's budget seems on track to be passed at near 2025 levels, China is preparing to send a robot to the south lunar pole, SpaceX plans robust tests of Starship this year—and hopefully refinement of their lander for Artemis III, Boeing will fly Starliner again (uncrewed), Mars Sample Return is poised to be scuttled, and all this under the leadership of a new—and apparently quite capable—NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman. Join us for an in-depth look at what's coming in 2026! Headlines: Medical evacuation planned for ISS astronauts due to health concerns NASA Chief Jared Isaacman leads first big press conference amid ISS medical incident Artemis 2 lunar mission remains on track for February launch Orion spacecraft heat shield faces scrutiny ahead of crewed flight NASA budget nearly secured—Congress backs full funding for 2026 Mars Sample Return project faces likely cancellation SpaceX Starship gears up for crucial orbital and refueling tests Blue Origin's Blue Moon lunar lander launch delayed, competition heats up China's lunar, asteroid, and orbital missions ramp up for 2026 Boeing Starliner and Sierra Space Dream Chaser schedule ISS cargo missions New moon landers, asteroid missions, and global crewed capsule tests coming in 2026 NASA's Roman Space Telescope possibly launching this year Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit
2026 promises to be the most exciting year in the new space age yet! Shining bright is the prospect of an Artemis II launch to send astronauts around the moon for the first time since 1972, as early as February. We've already seen news about a medical incident on the International Space Station that will force a crew to return to Earth early, but NASA says this won't affect the Artemis launch. On other news, NASA's budget seems on track to be passed at near 2025 levels, China is preparing to send a robot to the south lunar pole, SpaceX plans robust tests of Starship this year—and hopefully refinement of their lander for Artemis III, Boeing will fly Starliner again (uncrewed), Mars Sample Return is poised to be scuttled, and all this under the leadership of a new—and apparently quite capable—NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman. Join us for an in-depth look at what's coming in 2026! Headlines: Medical evacuation planned for ISS astronauts due to health concerns NASA Chief Jared Isaacman leads first big press conference amid ISS medical incident Artemis 2 lunar mission remains on track for February launch Orion spacecraft heat shield faces scrutiny ahead of crewed flight NASA budget nearly secured—Congress backs full funding for 2026 Mars Sample Return project faces likely cancellation SpaceX Starship gears up for crucial orbital and refueling tests Blue Origin's Blue Moon lunar lander launch delayed, competition heats up China's lunar, asteroid, and orbital missions ramp up for 2026 Boeing Starliner and Sierra Space Dream Chaser schedule ISS cargo missions New moon landers, asteroid missions, and global crewed capsule tests coming in 2026 NASA's Roman Space Telescope possibly launching this year Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: threatlocker.com/twit
Episode 657: Venezuela, Mi AmourThis week on the podcast, your two favorite comedians discuss… —Venezuela—Karen Read—Diana Taurasi 00:00 Introductions00:30 Venezuela23:38 Karen Read34:34 Diana Taurasi 40:03 Propaganda 43:10 Woman Marries AI 43:51 Amanda Nguyen45:37 Biden!VenezuelaTrump got frisky!The Epstein Files must be worse than we thought for him to go and kidnap a foreign leader like that.Karen Readnathan watched a sensationalistic “documentary” that was more infotainment than informative, and he can't really recommend it.Long story short: the Karen Read trial was a complete mess. Did she accidentally hit him with her car while drunk?Did cops beat him to death and cover it up?Who knows?Diana Taurasi Oooh, nathan fell for clickbait, but Jake sets him straight.PropagandaIt's often disguised as news, and as much as liberals whine about Fox and OAN, they do it, too.Woman Marries AIA Japanese woman is now married to ChatGPT. Good for her.Amanda NguyenShe was part of the Blue Origin flight that got mocked, and that made her sad.Buck up, tiger. Get some thicker skin.Biden!WHAT IS JOE BIDEN DOING ON VACATION? WHAT A LAZY POS!That's the official stance of Fox News, as of Christmas 2025. Idiots on Parade: we mock the news, so you don't have to.Tune in and get your giggle on.Find Jake at @jakeveveraFind nathan at nathantimmel.comShow your support by picking up a T-Shirt: https://nathan-timmel.dashery.com/
Special Open Lines as the last Space Show for 2025, 12-30-25Quick SummaryWe explored various rocket systems' capabilities and development status, including SpaceX's Starship, Blue Origin's New Glenn, and NASA's SLS, while discussing the Artemis missions and Gateway project funding. The program ended with discussions about space infrastructure development, sustainable technology implementation, and the future of space exploration, including private sector initiatives and the potential for dual-use technologies.Detailed SummaryI discussed my appearance on Tom Olson's radio show. We then discussed the phenomenon of SpaceX employees potentially leaving to start their own space businesses after the company's IPO, which John Jossy clarified as similar to the “PayPal mafia” concept. Doug expressed skepticism about Mike Griffin's plan to meet the 2028 moon timeline using existing architecture, noting that Starship's development is crucial for Artemis III's success. The conversation also touched on the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Gateway project as depicted by Tom, with ESA now taking full responsibility for its development. This was later challenged and clarified.We talked about the status of the Gateway project for the Artemis missions, clarifying that Congress has provided full funding for Gateway despite the President's budget proposal to end it. They debated the necessity of Gateway and the NRHO orbit, with concerns raised about astronaut safety and the potential to strand individuals on the moon. David shared insights from a recent show featuring Mike Griffin, noting lower-than-expected viewership despite high expectations, perhaps due to the holidays. Later we discussed the success of Blue Origin's New Glenn launch.Also discussed were the capabilities and development status of various rocket systems, including SpaceX's Starship, Blue Origin's New Glenn, and NASA's SLS. Doug explained that SpaceX's Starship version 2 is still in development and its payload capabilities are not yet proven, while Blue Origin recently announced plans to stretch their New Glenn rocket to increase its payload capacity. We touched on SpaceX's Mars cargo landing plans, with Doug noting that Elon Musk's target of 10-30 tons for initial cargo landings seems low to reduce the number of refills needed, potentially eliminating the need for propellant depots or tanker flights. Marshall raised questions about the orbital reentry and heat shield capabilities of the Starship, suggesting that SpaceX may not fully understand how to handle the heat shield requirements for both lunar and Martian landings until they attempt a test flight.Our Wisdom Team discussed SpaceX's progress with their Starship program, noting that while they have had successful ocean landings, a double catch test is an important benchmark for evaluating shield performance. John Jossy mentioned that Relativity Space, led by Eric Schmidt, plans to launch their Taren R rocket late next year with the goal of building data centers in space. The conversation ended with welcoming two new participants, Benjamin Ayala and Twain Knight, who expressed interest in learning about space and discussed their academic backgrounds in physics and aerospace engineering both were students but as you will hear, fizzled out as being guests on the program.The group discussed the need for NASA to develop a sustainable infrastructure plan for a permanent presence in space, with Gary Barnhard (he joined us via Zoom) emphasizing the importance of establishing clear driving requirements from a science, systems engineering, and architectural design standpoint. Gary shared an example from the International Space Station's development to illustrate the impact of controversial requirements, highlighting the need for careful consideration of system capabilities. The discussion concluded with Gary outlining plans for a collaborative design charrette leading up to IAC 2026, which aims to gather insights and explore potential synergies for improving space infrastructure, with a focus on leveraging international partnerships and developing interoperability specifications for power beaming and communication networks.Gary discussed a novel approach to micro and partial gravity adaptation, emphasizing the importance of implementing technology with real-world applications and tangible data. Doug inquired about the goal of a design charrette, which Gary explained is to articulate driving requirements rather than provide prescriptive architectural recommendations. They discussed the development of SpaceX's Starship and the potential for propellant depots, with Gary highlighting the need for sustainable infrastructure and the importance of understanding various propulsion solutions. The conversation touched on life support systems for space missions, with Gary emphasizing the need for systems with multiple degrees of failure tolerance and a buffer for self-stabilization.The discussion continued to focus on the future of space exploration and commercial space activities. Gary emphasized the importance of private sector initiatives and the need for companies to take responsibility and authority in driving progress. He noted that the cost of launching payloads to the moon has decreased significantly, with potential for further reductions. Marshall highlighted SpaceX's achievements in 2025, including the success of Falcon 9 and Starlink satellites, and predicted that SpaceX could become the leading force in space exploration by 2027. The group discussed the economic implications of these developments and the potential for dual-use technologies that benefit both space and terrestrial applications.We discussed challenges and progress in space exploration, with Marshall highlighting SpaceX's successful recovery of its first stage and Blue Origin's advancements with hydrogen-oxygen upper stages. David expressed concerns about the lack of substantial progress in human spaceflight and space settlement, comparing it to the slow development of nuclear power. John Hunt suggested that developing a continuously inhabited moon base could provide more experience for long-term space living before considering permanent settlement. We emphasized the potential for private enterprise to drive future space missions, citing its willingness to take risks and its ability to operate without government scrutiny. The conversation also touched on the psychological impacts of sending couples and families into space and comparing it to the spirit of early American settlers.Gary presented an overview of XISP Inc.'s mission development efforts, highlighting their work on space wear technology that combines electro muscular stimulation with kinetic fabrics for exercise in variable gravity environments. He explained that the technology, which can provide equivalent of a 4-hour workout in 20 minutes, is already available commercially and is being tested with a broad demographic group. David expressed interest in featuring Gary in a dedicated Space Show segment and discussed the potential for using similar technology with animals, particularly dogs, for space missions. The group agreed to schedule Gary's next appearance on the Space Show for February. or later, then program concluded its broadcast.Special thanks to our sponsors:Northrup Grumman, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 4482: Zoom: Open Lines to kick of 2026 | Sunday 04 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dr. David LivingstonZoom: Open Lines to start the New Year Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe
During this portion of the interview, Steve Thomson chats with ArsTechnica's Stephen Clark about NASA's growing effort to use reuseable rocket services (SpaceX, Blue Origin) for its future projects.
The Space Show Presents Tom Olson, Sunday, 12-28-25.Quick Summary:Our program focused on reviewing key space industry developments and trends in 2025, with Tom Olson leading a discussion on global launch statistics, commercial space progress, and future outlooks. The group examined SpaceX's dominance in launches, China's growing space capabilities, and the status of NASA's Artemis program, while also discussing emerging technologies like space-based data centers and AI computing. The conversation covered space debris concerns, the potential for nuclear power in space, and the future of human spaceflight, including the upcoming retirement of the ISS in 2030. The participants also touched on the commercialization of space resources, property rights discussions, and the increasing investment in space startups, with particular attention to Starlink's market expansion and its $80/month pricing in the US market.Detailed Summary:Tom and I discussed our plan for this year-end show, covering topics such as global launch, SpaceX Starship, and future policy ideas. Before moving on, I reminded listeners about the upcoming open line discussion on Tuesday, the last program of 2025 for The Space Show, with my making our Zoom program an open invitation program with the requirements of civility, no eating on camera, no name calling, no shouting and talking over people. Otherwise, even if you disagree with what is being said, be civil about it as you let us know your thoughts on the topic.Tom discussed upcoming events, including Starship's launch and a trip to India. He also shared details about his radio show and podcast, “The Unknown Quantity,” which focuses on the intersection of space and money. He highlighted the rapid growth of the space industry and his involvement in various events, including a pitch competition for young entrepreneurs and a panel discussion on lunar space economy. Tom expressed enthusiasm for these opportunities to engage with the space community and influence future developments.Our Wisdom Team brought up property rights in space, particularly regarding the moon, and the potential for helium-3 mining for quantum computing. Tom shared insights from a recent discussion with government officials about lunar economy development. The conversation touched on the Outer Space Treaty's limitations and the potential for private sector claims. Marshall raised questions about claim jumping and enforcement, while China's potential role in lunar development and the need for quick U.S. presence to establish dominance was highlighted. This part of our discussion concluded with a brief mention of 3D mapping technology's potential to resolve border disputes diplomatically.Tom reported that global launches in 2023 set a record with 328 launches, with the U.S. leading at 198 launches and only 4 failures, followed by China with 91 launches and 3 failures. He noted that SpaceX dominated U.S. launches with 150 flights, while Russia had 17 successful launches. Tom also discussed SpaceX's progress with Starship, including two successful test flights and plans for six Block 3 launches starting in late January, aiming to reach low Earth orbit and demonstrate refueling. As a group we briefly touched on Blue Origin's development of the Blue Moon lander and Rocket Lab's plans to launch from Wallops, with Thomas mentioning that SpaceX has received permission to launch from the Cape, potentially as early as late next year.Tom and David discussed the regulatory environment for space launches, noting that while intentions are good, legal challenges have slowed progress. They debated the future of NASA's Artemis program, with Tom suggesting that Artemis III will reach the moon before China but may be unsustainable at its current cost. The conversation also touched on commercial space activities, including Russia's recent launch facility accident and the status of the Starliner spacecraft after a long-duration mission.The group discussed the status of the Gateway project, which ESA and the EU have decided to build independently, taking it off NASA's hands. Tom said that European countries will continue to build components for Gateway, but now ESA will own and operate it. The discussion also touched on the increasing investment in space operations, with our guest mentioning that $3.5 billion in new money had been put into space operations by the end of Q3. Joe noted that Voyager, a space station company, has a European footprint through its partnership with Airbus. The conversation concluded with a brief discussion about space solar power, with Thomas expressing skepticism about its current feasibility due to challenges in power transmission.The group discussed several space-related topics, including a new startup using near-infrared light for energy transfer and the status of space solar power projects. Tom expressed skepticism about space solar power's feasibility, while also advocating for thorium reactors as a potential solution. The conversation touched on space debris concerns and the development of Starlink satellites. Tom shared insights on his company Avealto's plans to address the digital divide by building high-altitude platforms to provide affordable internet access in developing countries.The group discussed Starlink's pricing and availability, with David noting its $80/month offer in the US, while Tom mentioned plans for testing in Malaysia by year-end. Joe shared his experience with Starlink, paying $120 monthly for 200 Mbps download speed. The conversation then shifted to astronomy and space science updates, including the discovery of 6,000 extrasolar planets, new analyses of TRAPPIST-1E, and the first images from the Vera Rubin Observatory. Tom and John Jossy discussed upcoming developments in dark energy research and potential discoveries about dark matter. The conversation ended with a discussion about future trends in space exploration, with Tom predicting increased focus on AI and space-based data centers.The Wisdom Team discussed the feasibility and challenges of AI data centers in space, with Joe presenting an economic analysis suggesting it would cost three times as much as building data centers in Oregon. They explored the technical aspects, including latency concerns and the potential for clusters of satellites in sun-synchronous orbit. The conversation also touched on the future of the ISS, with concerns about maintaining research capabilities after 2030 and the potential for private sector involvement. Tom mentioned his organization, Center for Space Commerce, planning a Space Investment Summit in Turkey next year. John Jossy shared information about Rendezvous Robotics, a company working on space infrastructure, and their partnership with StarCloud for orbital data centers. David noted the absence of discussion on fusion energy, a topic he intended to address.The group discussed fusion energy, with Thomas expressing skepticism about its timeline and Jossy mentioning Microsoft's partnership with a fusion startup aiming for data centers by 2028. They also discussed nuclear power plants, including Microsoft's plans for Three Mile Island and the status of Diablo Canyon in California. Tom announced he would be running a business track and panel at the upcoming ISDC conference in McLean, Virginia. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the rapid development of AI processors and the need for new data center buildings in the coming years.Special thanks to our sponsors:Northrup Grumman, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 4480: Zoom Open Lines Discussion For All | Tuesday 30 Dec 2025 700PM PTGuests: Dr. David LivingstonZoom: Open Lines. Come One Come AllBroadcast 4481: Zoom from India with JATAN MEHTA | Friday 02 Jan 2026 930AM PTGuests: Jatan MehtaZoom: Happy New Year from India with guest JATAN MEHTABroadcast 4482: Zoom: Open Lines to kick of 2026 | Sunday 04 Jan 2026 1200PM PTGuests: Dr. David LivingstonZoom: Open Lines to start the New Year Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe
Crazy Wisdom: Read the notes at at podcastnotes.org. Don't forget to subscribe for free to our newsletter, the top 10 ideas of the week, every Monday --------- In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop speaks with Aaron Borger, founder and CEO of Orbital Robotics, about the emerging world of space robotics and satellite capture technology. The conversation covers a fascinating range of topics including Borger's early experience launching AI-controlled robotic arms to space as a student, his work at Blue Origin developing lunar lander software, and how his company is developing robots that can capture other spacecraft for refueling, repair, and debris removal. They discuss the technical challenges of operating in space - from radiation hardening electronics to dealing with tumbling satellites - as well as the broader implications for the space economy, from preventing the Kessler effect to building space-based recycling facilities and mining lunar ice for rocket fuel. You can find more about Aaron Borger's work at Orbital Robots and follow him on LinkedIn for updates on upcoming missions and demos. Check out this GPT we trained on the conversationTimestamps00:00 Introduction to orbital robotics, satellite capture, and why sensing and perception matter in space 05:00 The Kessler Effect, cascading collisions, and why space debris is an economic problem before it is an existential one 10:00 From debris removal to orbital recycling and the idea of turning junk into infrastructure 15:00 Long-term vision of space factories, lunar ice, and refueling satellites to bootstrap a lunar economy 20:00 Satellite upgrading, servicing live spacecraft, and expanding today's narrow space economy 25:00 Costs of collision avoidance, ISS maneuvers, and making debris capture economically viable 30:00 Early experiments with AI-controlled robotic arms, suborbital launches, and reinforcement learning in microgravity 35:00 Why deterministic AI and provable safety matter more than LLM hype for spacecraft control 40:00 Radiation, single event upsets, and designing space-safe AI systems with bounded behavior 45:00 AI, physics-based world models, and autonomy as the key to scaling space operations 50:00 Manufacturing constraints, space supply chains, and lessons from rocket engine software 55:00 The future of space startups, geopolitics, deterrence, and keeping space usable for humanityKey Insights1. Space Debris Removal as a Growing Economic Opportunity: Aaron Borger explains that orbital debris is becoming a critical problem with approximately 3,000-4,000 defunct satellites among the 15,000 total satellites in orbit. The company is developing robotic arms and AI-controlled spacecraft to capture other satellites for refueling, repair, debris removal, and even space station assembly. The economic case is compelling - it costs about $1 million for the ISS to maneuver around debris, so if their spacecraft can capture and remove multiple pieces of debris for less than that cost per piece, it becomes financially viable while addressing the growing space junk problem.2. Revolutionary AI Safety Methods Enable Space Robotics: Traditional NASA engineers have been reluctant to use AI for spacecraft control due to safety concerns, but Orbital Robotics has developed breakthrough methods combining reinforcement learning with traditional control systems that can mathematically prove the AI will behave safely. Their approach uses physics-based world models rather than pure data-driven learning, ensuring deterministic behavior and bounded operations. This represents a significant advancement over previous AI approaches that couldn't guarantee safe operation in the high-stakes environment of space.3. Vision for Space-Based Manufacturing and Resource Utilization: The long-term vision extends beyond debris removal to creating orbital recycling facilities that can break down captured satellites and rebuild them into new spacecraft using existing materials in orbit. Additionally, the company plans to harvest propellant from lunar ice, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel, which could kickstart a lunar economy by providing economic incentives for moon-based operations while supporting the growing satellite constellation infrastructure.4. Unique Space Technology Development Through Student Programs: Borger and his co-founder gained unprecedented experience by launching six AI-controlled robotic arms to space through NASA's student rocket programs while still undergraduates. These missions involved throwing and catching objects in microgravity using deep reinforcement learning trained in simulation and tested on Earth. This hands-on space experience is extremely rare and gave them practical knowledge that informed their current commercial venture.5. Hardware Challenges Require Innovative Engineering Solutions: Space presents unique technical challenges including radiation-induced single event upsets that can reset processors for up to 10 seconds, requiring "passive safe" trajectories that won't cause collisions even during system resets. Unlike traditional space companies that spend $100,000 on radiation-hardened processors, Orbital Robotics uses automotive-grade components made radiation-tolerant through smart software and electrical design, enabling cost-effective operations while maintaining safety.6. Space Manufacturing Supply Chain Constraints: The space industry faces significant manufacturing bottlenecks with 24-week lead times for space-grade components and limited suppliers serving multiple companies simultaneously. This creates challenges for scaling production - Orbital Robotics needs to manufacture 30 robotic arms per year within a few years. They've partnered with manufacturers who previously worked on Blue Origin's rocket engines to address these supply chain limitations and achieve the scale necessary for their ambitious deployment timeline.7. Emerging Space Economy Beyond Communications: While current commercial space activities focus primarily on communications satellites (with SpaceX Starlink holding 60% market share) and Earth observation, new sectors are emerging including AI data centers in space and orbital manufacturing. The convergence of AI, robotics, and space technology is enabling more sophisticated autonomous operations, from predictive maintenance of rocket engines using sensor data to complex orbital maneuvering and satellite servicing that was previously impossible with traditional control methods.
In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop speaks with Aaron Borger, founder and CEO of Orbital Robotics, about the emerging world of space robotics and satellite capture technology. The conversation covers a fascinating range of topics including Borger's early experience launching AI-controlled robotic arms to space as a student, his work at Blue Origin developing lunar lander software, and how his company is developing robots that can capture other spacecraft for refueling, repair, and debris removal. They discuss the technical challenges of operating in space - from radiation hardening electronics to dealing with tumbling satellites - as well as the broader implications for the space economy, from preventing the Kessler effect to building space-based recycling facilities and mining lunar ice for rocket fuel. You can find more about Aaron Borger's work at Orbital Robots and follow him on LinkedIn for updates on upcoming missions and demos. Check out this GPT we trained on the conversationTimestamps00:00 Introduction to orbital robotics, satellite capture, and why sensing and perception matter in space 05:00 The Kessler Effect, cascading collisions, and why space debris is an economic problem before it is an existential one 10:00 From debris removal to orbital recycling and the idea of turning junk into infrastructure 15:00 Long-term vision of space factories, lunar ice, and refueling satellites to bootstrap a lunar economy 20:00 Satellite upgrading, servicing live spacecraft, and expanding today's narrow space economy 25:00 Costs of collision avoidance, ISS maneuvers, and making debris capture economically viable 30:00 Early experiments with AI-controlled robotic arms, suborbital launches, and reinforcement learning in microgravity 35:00 Why deterministic AI and provable safety matter more than LLM hype for spacecraft control 40:00 Radiation, single event upsets, and designing space-safe AI systems with bounded behavior 45:00 AI, physics-based world models, and autonomy as the key to scaling space operations 50:00 Manufacturing constraints, space supply chains, and lessons from rocket engine software 55:00 The future of space startups, geopolitics, deterrence, and keeping space usable for humanityKey Insights1. Space Debris Removal as a Growing Economic Opportunity: Aaron Borger explains that orbital debris is becoming a critical problem with approximately 3,000-4,000 defunct satellites among the 15,000 total satellites in orbit. The company is developing robotic arms and AI-controlled spacecraft to capture other satellites for refueling, repair, debris removal, and even space station assembly. The economic case is compelling - it costs about $1 million for the ISS to maneuver around debris, so if their spacecraft can capture and remove multiple pieces of debris for less than that cost per piece, it becomes financially viable while addressing the growing space junk problem.2. Revolutionary AI Safety Methods Enable Space Robotics: Traditional NASA engineers have been reluctant to use AI for spacecraft control due to safety concerns, but Orbital Robotics has developed breakthrough methods combining reinforcement learning with traditional control systems that can mathematically prove the AI will behave safely. Their approach uses physics-based world models rather than pure data-driven learning, ensuring deterministic behavior and bounded operations. This represents a significant advancement over previous AI approaches that couldn't guarantee safe operation in the high-stakes environment of space.3. Vision for Space-Based Manufacturing and Resource Utilization: The long-term vision extends beyond debris removal to creating orbital recycling facilities that can break down captured satellites and rebuild them into new spacecraft using existing materials in orbit. Additionally, the company plans to harvest propellant from lunar ice, splitting it into hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel, which could kickstart a lunar economy by providing economic incentives for moon-based operations while supporting the growing satellite constellation infrastructure.4. Unique Space Technology Development Through Student Programs: Borger and his co-founder gained unprecedented experience by launching six AI-controlled robotic arms to space through NASA's student rocket programs while still undergraduates. These missions involved throwing and catching objects in microgravity using deep reinforcement learning trained in simulation and tested on Earth. This hands-on space experience is extremely rare and gave them practical knowledge that informed their current commercial venture.5. Hardware Challenges Require Innovative Engineering Solutions: Space presents unique technical challenges including radiation-induced single event upsets that can reset processors for up to 10 seconds, requiring "passive safe" trajectories that won't cause collisions even during system resets. Unlike traditional space companies that spend $100,000 on radiation-hardened processors, Orbital Robotics uses automotive-grade components made radiation-tolerant through smart software and electrical design, enabling cost-effective operations while maintaining safety.6. Space Manufacturing Supply Chain Constraints: The space industry faces significant manufacturing bottlenecks with 24-week lead times for space-grade components and limited suppliers serving multiple companies simultaneously. This creates challenges for scaling production - Orbital Robotics needs to manufacture 30 robotic arms per year within a few years. They've partnered with manufacturers who previously worked on Blue Origin's rocket engines to address these supply chain limitations and achieve the scale necessary for their ambitious deployment timeline.7. Emerging Space Economy Beyond Communications: While current commercial space activities focus primarily on communications satellites (with SpaceX Starlink holding 60% market share) and Earth observation, new sectors are emerging including AI data centers in space and orbital manufacturing. The convergence of AI, robotics, and space technology is enabling more sophisticated autonomous operations, from predictive maintenance of rocket engines using sensor data to complex orbital maneuvering and satellite servicing that was previously impossible with traditional control methods.
In today's episode we dive into the pop culture moments of 2025, and how some people are calling 2025 the 'year of brain rot'. We go over viral events like the Coldplay cheater kiss cam, the women's only Blue Origin space flight, and viral internet slang and memes, while exploring the "surveillance culture" that seems to exist in 2025 - in many different aspects. Check out https://www.squarespace.com/fluently to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FLUENTLY Elevate your closet with Quince. Go to Quince.com/fluently for free shipping on your order and 365 -day returns. MasterClass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to masterclass.com/fluently for the current offer.
Episode 740: Neal and Toby discuss Waymo cars stalling during a San Francisco blackout over the weekend. Then, why the new Avatar movie didn't impress at the box office and Blue Origin is making history. Next up the ‘Peanuts' franchise has a new home with Sony and everything you need to know about the week ahead. Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Send us your questions for our special Mailbag episode! Email: morningbrewdaily@morningbrew.com IG: @MBDailyShow Visit public.com/morningbrew to learn more Paid endorsement. Brokerage services provided by Open to the Public Investing Inc, member FINRA & SIPC. Investing involves risk. Not investment advice. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool by Public Advisors. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. See disclosures at public.com/disclosures/ga. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and investment values may rise or fall. See terms of match program at https://public.com/disclosures/matchprogram. Matched funds must remain in your account for at least 5 years. Match rate and other terms are subject to change at any time. Watch Morning Brew Daily Here: https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The United States has released dramatic footage of its forces seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, ten days after taking control of another ship in similar circumstances. Washington says the tankers' oil is funding narco-terrorism, while Caracas accuses the United States of theft and kidnapping. Also: with just one Israeli hostage's remains still held by Hamas in Gaza, Israel's Hostages Family Forum begins winding down its operations. The Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has ordered a review into the police and intelligence services after the mass shooting at Bondi Beach last week. President Volodymyr Zelensky says he would support direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian teams if it unlocked prisoner swaps or paved the way for negotiations between him and Vladimir Putin. A German engineer becomes the first wheelchair user to travel to space on a Blue Origin rocket. And astronomers marvel at an unusual lemon-shaped exoplanet the size of Jupiter spotted with the James Webb Space Telescope. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk
SHOW 12-17-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT THE US CONFLICT WITH VENEZUELA... 1926 USS OMAHA IN THE PANAMA CANAL. Colonel Jeff McCausland discusses the US "blockade" of sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers and the potential for escalation into a regional conflict involving Colombia. He also analyzes the Pentagon's refusal to release videos of destroyed drug boats, suggesting possible war crime concerns, and notes stalled Ukraine negotiations. Colonel McCausland reports on NATO's eastern flank "digging in," with Baltic states building defensive bunkers and Germany significantly increasing military spending. He highlights a divergence where European allies prepare for existential Russian threats while US leadership may prioritize "strategic stability" and economic cooperation with Moscow. General Blaine Holt warns that integrating Artificial Intelligence into military command increases the risks of deliberate, inadvertent, and accidental escalation. He argues that while AI accelerates decision-making, it lacks human judgment, potentially leading to catastrophic miscalculations if adversaries rely on algorithms during crises. General Holt explains that AI models in war games demonstrate a bias toward violent escalation, often prioritizing "winning" over negotiation, which leads to nuclear conflict. He emphasizes the necessity of keeping humans in the loop and maintaining direct communications between rival nations to prevent automated catastrophe. Simon Constable reports from France on high copper prices and slowing European energy demand. He describes protests by French farmers burning hay to oppose government orders to cull cattle exposed to disease and notes a significant rise in electric vehicle sales across the European Union. Simon Constable discusses the political troubles of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the suspension of a US-UK tech deal due to clashes over AI regulation. He explains that Britain's "Online Safety Act" aims to tax and regulate tech giants, which threatens to stifle American AI companies operating there. Bob Zimmerman highlights a record-breaking year with over 300 global rocket launches, driven largely by private enterprise competition. He notes that Amazon was forced to contract SpaceX for satellite launches due to delays from rivals like Blue Origin and reports on safety concerns involving Russian launch pad negligence. Bob Zimmerman reports on the success of commercial space station company Vast and orbital tug tests that outperformed government efforts. Conversely, he details problems with NASA's Maven orbiter at Mars, which has lost communication, potentially jeopardizing data relays for surface rovers. David Shedd critiques the bipartisan failure of allowing China into the World Trade Organization in 2001, which was based on the false assumption that economic engagement would lead to democratization. Instead, this decision facilitated a massive transfer of intellectual property, fueling China's rise as a predatory economic rival. David Shedd explains how China's Ministry of State Security operates as a massive intelligence entity combining the functions of the CIA, FBI, and NSA. He traces this economic espionage to Deng Xiaoping's 1984 strategy, noting that Chinese officers view theft as repayment for past Western oppression. David Shedd details espionage cases, including an Apple engineer stealing "Project Titan" car schematics for a Chinese competitor. He also describes a Google employee who stole AI data while secretly working for a Chinese firm, highlighting how corporate greed and weak internal security enable intellectual property theft. David Shedd outlines strategies to counter Chinese espionage, advocating for "partial decoupling" to protect critical technologies like semiconductors and AI. He argues for modernizing legal deterrence to prosecute theft effectively and warns that Chinese platforms like DeepSeek harvest user data to advance their "Great Heist" of American wealth. Nury Turkel discusses the plight of Guan Hang, a whistleblower facing deportation from the US despite documenting Uyghur concentration camps. Turkel criticizes the inconsistent enforcement of forced labor laws and highlights new evidence linking Uyghur slave labor to the excavation and processing of critical minerals. Rebecca Grant argues against the planned retirement of the USS Nimitz in 2026, suggesting it should be kept in reserve given delays in new Ford-class carriers. Despite the ship's age, Grant asserts that retaining the carrier offers crucial strategic depth against threats like China's PLA Navy. Rick Fisher analyzes the emerging race to build AI data centers in low Earth orbit, noting advantages like natural cooling and zero real estate costs. While Elon Musk's Starlink positions the US well, Fisher warns that China has detailed plans to use space-based data centers to support expansion into the solar system. Alan Tonelson evaluates China's economic strengths, acknowledging their dominance in rare earth processing and solar panels, often achieved through subsidies. He argues that China's heavy investment in industrial robots attempts to offset a looming demographic crash, while questioning the true market demand for their subsidized electric vehicles.
Bob Zimmerman highlights a record-breaking year with over 300 global rocket launches, driven largely by private enterprise competition. He notes that Amazon was forced to contract SpaceX for satellite launches due to delays from rivals like Blue Origin and reports on safety concerns involving Russian launch pad negligence. 1955
PREVIEW: Bob Zimmerman questions Amazon's perplexing launch strategy for its LEO constellation, asking why the company is utilizing more costly, non-reusable launch providers like ULA and Blue Origin instead of the more cost-effective SpaceX reusable boosters. He speculates that historical contracts or potential personal conflicts between billionaires may explain the decision. 1958
SHOW 12-12-2025 THE SHOW BEGINS IN DOUBTS ABOUT 2026.2 Las Vegas Venues, California Rail, and Disney's AI Investment: Colleague Jeff Bliss reports that Las Vegas's Allegiant Stadium is now a top-grossing venue while many resorts are dropping unpopular fees, discussing California's new rail line to Anaheim, mismanagement of the Pacific Palisades fire, and high gas prices, additionally covering Disney's investment in OpenAI and its new luxury community, Cotino. Nvidia's Jensen Huang and the AI Revolution: Colleague Brandon Weichert praises Nvidia's Jensen Huang as a pivotal geopolitical figure driving the AI revolution, comparing AI's growth to the railroad boom and predicting long-term economic benefits and massive opportunities for construction and energy sectors as the US builds infrastructure to support data centers. Business Resilience and AI Tools in Construction: Colleague Gene Marks reports on business resilience in Austin despite tariff concerns and describes a safety conference in Fargo where AI tools were a focus, explaining that AI and robotics like Boston Dynamics' Spot are supplementing rather than replacing workers in construction, helping address severe labor shortages. Health Reimbursement Arrangements and AI's Economic Potential: Colleague Gene Marks advocates for Health Reimbursement Arrangements, noting they allow small businesses to control costs while employees buy their own insurance tax-free, also discussing AI's potential to double economic growth and advising businesses to ignore doomsday predictions and embrace tools that enhance productivity and daily life. Lancaster County's Economic Divide and Holiday Retail: Colleague Jim McTague reports from Lancaster County, highlighting the economic divide between flush Baby Boomers and struggling younger generations, observing strong holiday retail activity exemplified by crowded venues like Shady Maple and a proliferation of Amazon delivery trucks, suggesting the economy remains afloat despite challenges. La Scala's Season Opening and Milan's Christmas Atmosphere: Colleague Lorenzo Fiori describes attending the season opening at La Scala, featuring a dramatic Russian opera that audiences connected to current geopolitical tensions, also noting the festive Christmas atmosphere in Milan and Prime Minister Meloni's continued, albeit non-military, support for Ukraine. SpaceX IPO Rumors and EU Space Regulations: Colleague Bob Zimmerman discusses rumors of a SpaceX IPO and new scientific strategies for using Starship for Mars exploration, reporting on the Pentagon's certification requirements for Blue Origin's New Glenn and critiquing proposed EU space laws that could impose bureaucratic hurdles on international private space companies. Mapping the Sun's Corona and Rethinking Ice Giants: Colleague Bob Zimmerman details scientific advances including mapping the sun's corona and rethinking Uranus and Neptune as having rocky interiors rather than just ice, mentioning discoveries regarding supernova composition, the lack of supermassive black holes in small galaxies, and new images of Mars' polar ice layers. "The Incident" of 1641 and Charles I's Failed Plot: Colleague Jonathan Healey narrates "The Incident" of 1641, a failed plot by Charles I to arrest Scottish Covenanter leaders, explaining that the conspiracy's exposure and Charles's subsequent denial destroyed his political standing in Scotland, forcing him to concede power to the Scottish Parliament and weakening his position before the English Civil War. The Prelude to the English Civil War: Colleague Jonathan Healey discusses the prelude to the English Civil War, detailing the power struggles between Charles I and the Commons and Lords, explaining the execution of the King's advisor Strafford, noting Charles's regret and the rising influence of reformists who feared royal tyranny and supported impeachment. The Junto and Puritan Influence in Parliament: Colleague Jonathan Healey describes the political geography of London, introducing the "Junto," a reformist party coordinating between Parliament's houses, analyzing the influence of Puritans and key opposition figures like John Pym and Mandeville who strategically challenged Charles I's authority regarding church reform and arbitrary taxation. The Grand Remonstrance and Popular Politics: Colleague Jonathan Healey explains the "Grand Remonstrance," a document used by the Junto to rally public support against the King, highlighting how rising literacy and the printing press fueled popular politics in London, while also discussing Queen Henrietta Maria's political acumen and Catholic faith amidst the growing conflict. Critiquing Isolationism and the Risks of Disengagement: Colleague Henry Sokolski critiques isolationist arguments, comparing current sentiments to pre-WWII attitudes, warning against relying solely on missile defense bubbles and discussing the distinct threats posed by Russia and China, emphasizing that US disengagement could lead to global instability and unchecked nuclear proliferation. Saudi Uranium Enrichment and Proliferation Risks: Colleague Henry Sokolski discusses the risks of allowing Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium, fearing it creates a bomb-making option, warning that making exceptions for Saudi Arabia could trigger a proliferation cascade among neighbors like Turkey and Egypt, undermining global non-proliferation efforts amidst rising tensions involving Russia and NATO. The Historical Context of Humphrey's Executor: Colleague Richard Epstein analyzes the historical context of Humphrey's Executor, explaining how the administrative state grew from the 1930s, detailing FDR's attempt to politicize independent commissions and the Supreme Court's justification, arguing that while constitutionally questionable, long-standing prescription has solidified these agencies' legal status over time. Presidential Power and Independent Agency Dismissals: Colleague Richard Epstein discusses current Supreme Court arguments regarding presidential power to fire independent board members, referencing actions by both Trump and Biden, critiquing the politicization of agencies like the FTC under Lina Khan and warning that unchecked executive authority to dismiss advisory boards undermines necessary checks and balances.
SpaceX IPO Rumors and EU Space Regulations: Colleague Bob Zimmerman discusses rumors of a SpaceX IPO and new scientific strategies for using Starship for Mars exploration, reporting on the Pentagon's certification requirements for Blue Origin's New Glenn and critiquing proposed EU space laws that could impose bureaucratic hurdles on international private space companies. 1938
SpaceX and Blue Origin are trying to move the trillion-dollar data-center boom into orbit, but getting there will take a whole lot of cash. Wall Street Journal reporter Micah Maidenberg lays out what's ahead in this new space race. Plus, WSJ reporter Ellen Gamerman explains what's next for Tilly Norwood, the AI actress who's shaking up Hollywood. Katie Deighton hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SHOW 12-5-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1940 PITTSBURGH THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT INFLATION. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Infrastructure Booms and Business Exoduses in the West: Colleague Jeff Bliss reports that high-speed rail construction from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is accelerating in anticipation of the 2028 Olympics, while the Boring Company expands tunnel networks; conversely, California faces corruption scandals and business flights, and Oregon sees companies like Columbia Sportswear struggle with the business climate. 915-930 Milan Prepares for Christmas and the Olympics: Colleague Lorenzo Fiori reports that Milan celebrates St. Ambrose Day with traditional markets and lights, marking the start of the holiday season, as the city prepares to host the Winter Olympics in February 2026, with cultural events including the La Scala premiere of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and the enjoyment of Panettone. 930-945 Supreme Court Enables Partisan Gerrymandering: Colleague Richard Epstein discusses the Supreme Court permitting Texas to redraw congressional districts for 2026, favoring Republicans, arguing that lack of oversight allows parties to entrench power, creating extreme polarization where "reds become redder and blues become bluer," making legislative compromise nearly impossible. 945-1000 Scrutiny Over Lethal Strike on Drug Boat: Colleague Richard Epstein examines Defense Secretary Hegseth facing pressure regarding a lethal strike on alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean, with reports suggesting survivors may have been shot in the water, asserting that murdering surrendered individuals violates the laws of war, regardless of whether the targets were smugglers. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Lancaster County Shows Consumer Fatigue: Colleague Jim McTague reports that retailers in Lancaster are using deep discounts to attract price-sensitive shoppers, noting that while weekend traffic is decent, weekdays are slow and high-end dining is struggling, with the job market tightening significantly as skilled labor demands vanish, suggesting consumers are "running out of disposable income". 1015-1030 Future Tech and Economic Shifts: Colleague Jim McTague predicts "creative destruction" where old industries fade, expressing bullishness on solar power due to data center demands and envisioning self-driving cars and useful humanoid robots revolutionizing daily life, with rate cuts expected in 2026 as consumers rebuild savings after a period of spending. C 1030-1045 Private Space Sector Challenges and Triumphs: Colleague Bob Zimmerman reports that Jared Isaacman testified that private companies, not NASA, are driving space colonization; a Russian cosmonaut was removed from a SpaceX mission for spying, while China successfully tested a reusable rocket; additionally, Boeing faces legal challenges from crash victims' families, and activists oppose Blue Origin's operations. 1045-1100 New Discoveries Challenge Cosmic Models: Colleague Bob Zimmerman reports that ground-based telescopes have directly imaged exoplanets and debris discs, the James Webb Telescope found a barred spiral galaxy in the early universe defying evolutionary models, scientists discovered organic sugars on asteroid Bennu, and admits solar cycle predictions have been consistently incorrect. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 The Early Church Headquarters on Mount Zion: Colleague James Tabor discusses archaeology on Mount Zion revealing a first-century foundation beneath a medieval church, likely the headquarters of the early movement, describing this as the home where James led the church and Mary hosted pilgrims, with Mary possibly living long enough to witness James's martyrdom. 1115-1130 The Historical Disappearance of Mary: Colleague James Tabor explains that following the crucifixion, Mary disappears from the biblical record, likely dying before the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem; while early Christians fled to Pella under Simon's leadership, traditions suggest Mary died on Mount Zion, with Tabor arguing she was "written out" of the story by later traditions. 1130-1145 The Talpiot Tomb and Ossuary Evidence: Colleague James Tabor discusses a tomb discovered in 1980 containing ossuaries with a unique cluster of names, including Jesus, Maria, and Jose, suggesting this could be the Jesus family tomb, supported by statistical analysis and an ossuary inscribed "James son of Joseph brother of Jesus," with new DNA testing underway. 1145-1200 Mary's Influence on Early Christian Teachings: Colleague James Tabor examines the "Q" source containing teachings shared by Matthew and Luke that parallel the words of James and John the Baptist, positing that Mary, as the mother, was the source of this shared wisdom, arguing that historians must reclaim her humanity and influence from theological erasure. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 The Limits of AI and the Global Quantum Race: Colleague Brandon Weichert explains that current AI models are data crunchers rather than thinking entities, facing limits known as "The Bitter Lesson," while China is "nanoseconds" away from practical quantum computing aimed at decrypting military communications, with Switzerland and Singapore also pursuing sovereign quantum capabilities to ensure digital independence. 1215-1230 Lebanon's Demographic Decline and Political Stagnation: Colleague Hussain Abdul-Hussain reports that Pope Leo's visit highlighted Lebanon's diminishing Christian population, now estimated at perhaps one-quarter, with the government remaining weak and reluctant to disarm Hezbollah, fearing foreign deals that sacrifice national interests; while civil war is unlikely, the country remains dominated by an Iranian-backed militia. 1230-1245 Nuclear Ambitions in South Korea: Colleague Henry Sokolski reports that South Korea is requesting nuclear-powered submarines and enrichment rights, raising concerns about potential nuclear proliferation, with some arguing this could lead to a confederation with the North or US withdrawal, while others prefer Seoul invest in American nuclear facilities to strengthen the alliance. 1245-100 AM audi Arabia Seeks Nuclear Capabilities: Colleague Henry Sokolski explains that Saudi Arabia wants a nuclear power plant but resists signing US protocols allowing inspections; while Washington may view this as a hedge against Iran, a Saudi nuclear capability would threaten Israel's qualitative military edge, and the US has not yet granted advanced consent for enrichment.