Podcasts about space news

Tariq is back from the Far East and bursting with space news! This week we'll look at the passing of Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, potential re-tasking of NASA's Juno probe from Jupiter to the interstellar interloper, 3I/Atlas--Avi Loeb wants it, of course--the third launch of ULA's Vulcan rocket, Artemis 2 lunar flyby updates, Virgin Galactic's new spaceplane (can they ever make a profit?), a proposed Pluto orbiter--with a planned mission of 50 years--and much more, on This Week in Space! Headlines: Remembering Apollo 13's Jim Lovell ULA's Vulcan Rocket Hits New Milestone With Powerful Launch Could Juno Chase an Interstellar Visitor? NASA Eyes Pluto Orbiter Mission Persephone Virgin Galactic Preps Next-Gen Delta Spaceplane Strange "Helmet" Rock Spotted on Mars Artemis II Orion Capsule Fuels Up for 2026 Launch 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Tariq is back from the Far East and bursting with space news! This week we'll look at the passing of Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, potential re-tasking of NASA's Juno probe from Jupiter to the interstellar interloper, 3I/Atlas--Avi Loeb wants it, of course--the third launch of ULA's Vulcan rocket, Artemis 2 lunar flyby updates, Virgin Galactic's new spaceplane (can they ever make a profit?), a proposed Pluto orbiter--with a planned mission of 50 years--and much more, on This Week in Space! Headlines: Remembering Apollo 13's Jim Lovell ULA's Vulcan Rocket Hits New Milestone With Powerful Launch Could Juno Chase an Interstellar Visitor? NASA Eyes Pluto Orbiter Mission Persephone Virgin Galactic Preps Next-Gen Delta Spaceplane Strange "Helmet" Rock Spotted on Mars Artemis II Orion Capsule Fuels Up for 2026 Launch 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Tariq is back from the Far East and bursting with space news! This week we'll look at the passing of Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, potential re-tasking of NASA's Juno probe from Jupiter to the interstellar interloper, 3I/Atlas--Avi Loeb wants it, of course--the third launch of ULA's Vulcan rocket, Artemis 2 lunar flyby updates, Virgin Galactic's new spaceplane (can they ever make a profit?), a proposed Pluto orbiter--with a planned mission of 50 years--and much more, on This Week in Space! Headlines: Remembering Apollo 13's Jim Lovell ULA's Vulcan Rocket Hits New Milestone With Powerful Launch Could Juno Chase an Interstellar Visitor? NASA Eyes Pluto Orbiter Mission Persephone Virgin Galactic Preps Next-Gen Delta Spaceplane Strange "Helmet" Rock Spotted on Mars Artemis II Orion Capsule Fuels Up for 2026 Launch 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

If we're ever to make Mars a second home, we have some serious housekeeping to do... as in a total renovation. The Red Planet has little atmosphere, no radiation shielding, and some seriously toxic soil. How can we make it more Earthlike... and should we? Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis joins us to discuss how terraforming might work, how it could be done in decades instead of millennia, and the questions surrounding the ethics of changing another planet to suit humanity's needs. We say it's a trailer park of a planet, but the best bet for human expansion. Dr. Rick Jenet is this week's co-host. Join us for the conversation! Headlines: NASA aims to place a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, competing with China's similar plans for the Moon. NASA's planned commercial space stations are facing delays. As ISS retirement nears, the U.S. risks losing its foothold in low-Earth orbit within the coming years. SpaceX hits 100 launches in 2025, dominating global orbital launch activity and enabling rapid rocket reuse. Main Topic: High-Speed Terraforming of Mars Guest Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis shares new, biotech-driven concepts for terraforming Mars much faster than traditional proposals. Dr. DeBenedictis shares a modern understanding of Mars' past and present environment, including radiation, toxic perchlorate-laced soil, and thin atmosphere. Discussion on the importance and challenges of Mars Sample Return for accurate soil and resource analysis. Modern synthetic biology as a tool for creating microbes tailored for Martian soil and future terraforming. A step-by-step outline by Dr. DeBenedictis on building a breathable Mars atmosphere via engineered photosynthetic microbes, engineered atmospheric warming, and greenhouse construction. Exploration of the ethical considerations and philosophical implications of turning Mars into a habitable "garden," weighing preservation versus transformation. Dr. DeBenedictis makes a case for Martian settlement, terraforming technology, and legal and resource challenges for commercial space expansion. And Dr. DeBenedictis' vision for Mars' future as a unique, partially Earth-like biosphere with new opportunities in planetary stewardship and human adaptation of the planet. Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet Guest: Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

If we're ever to make Mars a second home, we have some serious housekeeping to do... as in a total renovation. The Red Planet has little atmosphere, no radiation shielding, and some seriously toxic soil. How can we make it more Earthlike... and should we? Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis joins us to discuss how terraforming might work, how it could be done in decades instead of millennia, and the questions surrounding the ethics of changing another planet to suit humanity's needs. We say it's a trailer park of a planet, but the best bet for human expansion. Dr. Rick Jenet is this week's co-host. Join us for the conversation! Headlines: NASA aims to place a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, competing with China's similar plans for the Moon. NASA's planned commercial space stations are facing delays. As ISS retirement nears, the U.S. risks losing its foothold in low-Earth orbit within the coming years. SpaceX hits 100 launches in 2025, dominating global orbital launch activity and enabling rapid rocket reuse. Main Topic: High-Speed Terraforming of Mars Guest Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis shares new, biotech-driven concepts for terraforming Mars much faster than traditional proposals. Dr. DeBenedictis shares a modern understanding of Mars' past and present environment, including radiation, toxic perchlorate-laced soil, and thin atmosphere. Discussion on the importance and challenges of Mars Sample Return for accurate soil and resource analysis. Modern synthetic biology as a tool for creating microbes tailored for Martian soil and future terraforming. A step-by-step outline by Dr. DeBenedictis on building a breathable Mars atmosphere via engineered photosynthetic microbes, engineered atmospheric warming, and greenhouse construction. Exploration of the ethical considerations and philosophical implications of turning Mars into a habitable "garden," weighing preservation versus transformation. Dr. DeBenedictis makes a case for Martian settlement, terraforming technology, and legal and resource challenges for commercial space expansion. And Dr. DeBenedictis' vision for Mars' future as a unique, partially Earth-like biosphere with new opportunities in planetary stewardship and human adaptation of the planet. Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet Guest: Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

If we're ever to make Mars a second home, we have some serious housekeeping to do... as in a total renovation. The Red Planet has little atmosphere, no radiation shielding, and some seriously toxic soil. How can we make it more Earthlike... and should we? Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis joins us to discuss how terraforming might work, how it could be done in decades instead of millennia, and the questions surrounding the ethics of changing another planet to suit humanity's needs. We say it's a trailer park of a planet, but the best bet for human expansion. Dr. Rick Jenet is this week's co-host. Join us for the conversation! Headlines: NASA aims to place a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, competing with China's similar plans for the Moon. NASA's planned commercial space stations are facing delays. As ISS retirement nears, the U.S. risks losing its foothold in low-Earth orbit within the coming years. SpaceX hits 100 launches in 2025, dominating global orbital launch activity and enabling rapid rocket reuse. Main Topic: High-Speed Terraforming of Mars Guest Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis shares new, biotech-driven concepts for terraforming Mars much faster than traditional proposals. Dr. DeBenedictis shares a modern understanding of Mars' past and present environment, including radiation, toxic perchlorate-laced soil, and thin atmosphere. Discussion on the importance and challenges of Mars Sample Return for accurate soil and resource analysis. Modern synthetic biology as a tool for creating microbes tailored for Martian soil and future terraforming. A step-by-step outline by Dr. DeBenedictis on building a breathable Mars atmosphere via engineered photosynthetic microbes, engineered atmospheric warming, and greenhouse construction. Exploration of the ethical considerations and philosophical implications of turning Mars into a habitable "garden," weighing preservation versus transformation. Dr. DeBenedictis makes a case for Martian settlement, terraforming technology, and legal and resource challenges for commercial space expansion. And Dr. DeBenedictis' vision for Mars' future as a unique, partially Earth-like biosphere with new opportunities in planetary stewardship and human adaptation of the planet. Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet Guest: Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Hour 3 of A&G features... Who's against D.E.I. & vaccines The world of human coupling & more vaccine news Space News & Moon Take Over! 19 years for Jack & England's in trouble See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 of A&G features... Who's against D.E.I. & vaccines The world of human coupling & more vaccine news Space News & Moon Take Over! 19 years for Jack & England's in trouble See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From futuristic defense to flashbacks of the past — this week's headlines pack a punch. Lockheed Martin sets its sights on 2028 with plans to demo space-based missile interceptors, a major leap in orbital warfare (04:56). Meanwhile, a former Space Force officer once sidelined for controversial Marxism comments is now the Air Force's second-highest civilian (19:07). As the Air Force calls for service-wide M18 pistol inspections, other branches are standing by Sig Sauer (32:21). And we pause to remember the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 — a moment that forever changed the world (43:25). https://lateforchangeover.com/

The United Nations has mediated conflicts since its founding in 1945. That domain of involvement extended into space in 1967 with the Outer Space Treaty. Today, their role is increasingly active with more and more nations entering space and the private sector getting into the game. The US's space-related branches, UNOOSA (the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs) and COPUOUS (UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space), are busy. Many years ago, the National Space Society gained permanent UN observer status, which is much less passive than the name sounds. The organization has addressed the committees on more than one occasion and is working to influence the policy for space flight positively. Dr. Rick Jenet has been instrumental in these efforts and joins us in explaining the landscape of newspace, international space efforts, and the organization's future initiatives.Headline Space Shuttle Discovery Controversy: Rod and Isaac discuss the proposed $85 million move of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, plan that faces obstacles from the Smithsonian, which holds the rights to the shuttle. Main Topic: UNOOSA & Dr. Rick Jenet The National Space Society's UN Observer Status: Dr. Jenet explains that the NSS gained permanent observer status at the UN in 2001. The NSS uses this privilege to inform delegates by providing research and presentations. UNOOSA and COPUOS Explained: Dr. Jenet clarifies that UNOOSA organizes the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). While UNOOSA maintains a registry of space objects, COPUOS is the body of 104 member states that develops legal frameworks. Outer Space Treaty of 1967: Dr. Jenet talks about the Outer Space Treaty, a global treaty dating back to the Cold War era that governs how state actors behave in space. He that the treaty's language on property ownership is being re-examined due to the rise of commercial space activities. Space Traffic Management and Orbital Debris: Dr. Jenet highlights that discussions on space traffic management and orbital debris are in their early stages. These discussions focus on basic tenets like coordination and information sharing. Lunar Activities and Resource Utilization: The development of policies for lunar exploration and resource extraction is also an area of new activity. UNOOSA's "Action Team for Lunar Activities Consultation," with co-chairs from Romania and Pakistan, coordinates the future of humanity's return to the moon by aligning different national initiatives. The "Regulation Sandbox" Concept: Dr. Jenet discusses the "regulation sandbox" concept, where existing regulations for an area with commercial potential, for example a lunar ice deposit, are set aside for a limited time to allow a new set of rules to be tested. This concept could be applied more boradly to space launch or ISRU. Why the Public Should Care: Dr. Jenet emphasizes that the public should care about these efforts because these high-level discussions will lead to international laws governing the behavior of all actors in space, including private companies and entrepreneurs. Early awareness of these frameworks will be less painful for startups later on. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/171 Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

A mysterious new object is entering our solar system. Named 3I/ATLAS, this fast-moving interstellar visitor is much larger than ‘Oumuamua and possibly older than any comet we've observed. Is it a comet, an alien spacecraft, or something entirely new?

The United Nations has mediated conflicts since its founding in 1945. That domain of involvement extended into space in 1967 with the Outer Space Treaty. Today, their role is increasingly active with more and more nations entering space and the private sector getting into the game. The US's space-related branches, UNOOSA (the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs) and COPUOUS (UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space), are busy. Many years ago, the National Space Society gained permanent UN observer status, which is much less passive than the name sounds. The organization has addressed the committees on more than one occasion and is working to influence the policy for space flight positively. Dr. Rick Jenet has been instrumental in these efforts and joins us in explaining the landscape of newspace, international space efforts, and the organization's future initiatives.Headline Space Shuttle Discovery Controversy: Rod and Isaac discuss the proposed $85 million move of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, plan that faces obstacles from the Smithsonian, which holds the rights to the shuttle. Main Topic: UNOOSA & Dr. Rick Jenet The National Space Society's UN Observer Status: Dr. Jenet explains that the NSS gained permanent observer status at the UN in 2001. The NSS uses this privilege to inform delegates by providing research and presentations. UNOOSA and COPUOS Explained: Dr. Jenet clarifies that UNOOSA organizes the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). While UNOOSA maintains a registry of space objects, COPUOS is the body of 104 member states that develops legal frameworks. Outer Space Treaty of 1967: Dr. Jenet talks about the Outer Space Treaty, a global treaty dating back to the Cold War era that governs how state actors behave in space. He that the treaty's language on property ownership is being re-examined due to the rise of commercial space activities. Space Traffic Management and Orbital Debris: Dr. Jenet highlights that discussions on space traffic management and orbital debris are in their early stages. These discussions focus on basic tenets like coordination and information sharing. Lunar Activities and Resource Utilization: The development of policies for lunar exploration and resource extraction is also an area of new activity. UNOOSA's "Action Team for Lunar Activities Consultation," with co-chairs from Romania and Pakistan, coordinates the future of humanity's return to the moon by aligning different national initiatives. The "Regulation Sandbox" Concept: Dr. Jenet discusses the "regulation sandbox" concept, where existing regulations for an area with commercial potential, for example a lunar ice deposit, are set aside for a limited time to allow a new set of rules to be tested. This concept could be applied more boradly to space launch or ISRU. Why the Public Should Care: Dr. Jenet emphasizes that the public should care about these efforts because these high-level discussions will lead to international laws governing the behavior of all actors in space, including private companies and entrepreneurs. Early awareness of these frameworks will be less painful for startups later on. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/171 Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

A mysterious new object is entering our solar system. Named 3I/ATLAS, this fast-moving interstellar visitor is much larger than ‘Oumuamua and possibly older than any comet we've observed. Is it a comet, an alien spacecraft, or something entirely new?

The United Nations has mediated conflicts since its founding in 1945. That domain of involvement extended into space in 1967 with the Outer Space Treaty. Today, their role is increasingly active with more and more nations entering space and the private sector getting into the game. The US's space-related branches, UNOOSA (the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs) and COPUOUS (UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space), are busy. Many years ago, the National Space Society gained permanent UN observer status, which is much less passive than the name sounds. The organization has addressed the committees on more than one occasion and is working to influence the policy for space flight positively. Dr. Rick Jenet has been instrumental in these efforts and joins us in explaining the landscape of newspace, international space efforts, and the organization's future initiatives.Headline Space Shuttle Discovery Controversy: Rod and Isaac discuss the proposed $85 million move of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, plan that faces obstacles from the Smithsonian, which holds the rights to the shuttle. Main Topic: UNOOSA & Dr. Rick Jenet The National Space Society's UN Observer Status: Dr. Jenet explains that the NSS gained permanent observer status at the UN in 2001. The NSS uses this privilege to inform delegates by providing research and presentations. UNOOSA and COPUOS Explained: Dr. Jenet clarifies that UNOOSA organizes the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). While UNOOSA maintains a registry of space objects, COPUOS is the body of 104 member states that develops legal frameworks. Outer Space Treaty of 1967: Dr. Jenet talks about the Outer Space Treaty, a global treaty dating back to the Cold War era that governs how state actors behave in space. He that the treaty's language on property ownership is being re-examined due to the rise of commercial space activities. Space Traffic Management and Orbital Debris: Dr. Jenet highlights that discussions on space traffic management and orbital debris are in their early stages. These discussions focus on basic tenets like coordination and information sharing. Lunar Activities and Resource Utilization: The development of policies for lunar exploration and resource extraction is also an area of new activity. UNOOSA's "Action Team for Lunar Activities Consultation," with co-chairs from Romania and Pakistan, coordinates the future of humanity's return to the moon by aligning different national initiatives. The "Regulation Sandbox" Concept: Dr. Jenet discusses the "regulation sandbox" concept, where existing regulations for an area with commercial potential, for example a lunar ice deposit, are set aside for a limited time to allow a new set of rules to be tested. This concept could be applied more boradly to space launch or ISRU. Why the Public Should Care: Dr. Jenet emphasizes that the public should care about these efforts because these high-level discussions will lead to international laws governing the behavior of all actors in space, including private companies and entrepreneurs. Early awareness of these frameworks will be less painful for startups later on. These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/171 Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Isaac Arthur Guest: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

Does the Elon-Trump breakup change the future of space research? Space expert Elizabeth Howell returns to No Nonsense.

Powering spacecraft, especially out in the dark, cold outer solar system, is a huge challenge. There are limits to how large solar panels can be, and they are not very efficient in the weak sunlight beyond Mars. For decades, choice flagship NASA missions have used RTGs--radioisotope thermoelectric generators--to fill this need. From the experiments on the Apollo missions to the Viking Mars landers, Galileo to Jupiter, Cassini to Saturn, and the twin Voyagers, RTGs have provided decades of power for space exploration. From Plutonium to Americium, nuclear elements provide years and years of heat that can be converted into electricity. Dr. Rob O'Brien is the Director of the Center for Space Nuclear Research for the Universities Space Research Association and has specialized in RTGs for decades. It's a fascinating dive into atomic space batteries! Headlines The End of the Universe is Nigh (in 33 Billion Years): New dark matter discoveries suggest an earlier end to the universe, leading to a humorous discussion about bucket list items. August 2nd "Solar Eclipse": Rumors of an August 2nd, 2025, total solar eclipse are false; the next one on that date is in 2027 that won't darken the entire world, but will be the longest one of the century. Mother Earth 2.0 (L98-59f): Discussion of exoplanet L98-59f, 35 light-years away, and its potential habitability despite orbiting a red dwarf with a 23-day year. NASA Budget Concerns: Senate and House pushback against proposed cuts to NASA's 2026 science mission budget is discussed, with calls to preserve vital research. Mass Exodus at NASA: Senior NASA staff, including scientists and engineers, are reportedly leaving due to budget cuts, raising concerns about future capabilities. Main Topic - Dr. Robert O'Brien & RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) Understanding RTGs: Dr. O'Brien explains RTGs convert heat from radioactive decay into electricity using the Seebeck effect. Early Use of RTGs in Space: The first US public RTG demonstration was on President Eisenhower's desk, and the first space use was the US Navy's Transit 4A satellite in 1961. RTGs on Mars and Deep Space Missions: RTGs power Mars landers and rovers (Viking, Curiosity, Perseverance), and deep space missions like Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini, providing long-term power in harsh environments. Fission Reactors vs. RTGs: RTGs suit small systems and backup power, while fission reactors are better for high-power needs of human expeditions. Plutonium-238 Production Challenges: The scarcity of plutonium-238 is due to its production requiring nuclear reactors and past moratoriums on reprocessing. Americium-241 as an Alternative: Americium-241, abundant in spent fuel and now accessible due to lifted moratoriums on reprocessing, is a viable alternative for powering missions despite lower energy density. Americium in Smoke Detectors and Safety: Americium's safe use in smoke detectors is highlighted, while acknowledging the hazards of working with nuclear materials. Public Perception and RTG Safety: Discussion covers historical atomic energy perceptions, from early toys to environmental concerns, emphasizing rigorous engineering and safety measures like ablative and impact-resistant casings for RTGs. Recovery of These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/170 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. Robert O'Brien

Powering spacecraft, especially out in the dark, cold outer solar system, is a huge challenge. There are limits to how large solar panels can be, and they are not very efficient in the weak sunlight beyond Mars. For decades, choice flagship NASA missions have used RTGs--radioisotope thermoelectric generators--to fill this need. From the experiments on the Apollo missions to the Viking Mars landers, Galileo to Jupiter, Cassini to Saturn, and the twin Voyagers, RTGs have provided decades of power for space exploration. From Plutonium to Americium, nuclear elements provide years and years of heat that can be converted into electricity. Dr. Rob O'Brien is the Director of the Center for Space Nuclear Research for the Universities Space Research Association and has specialized in RTGs for decades. It's a fascinating dive into atomic space batteries! Headlines The End of the Universe is Nigh (in 33 Billion Years): New dark matter discoveries suggest an earlier end to the universe, leading to a humorous discussion about bucket list items. August 2nd "Solar Eclipse": Rumors of an August 2nd, 2025, total solar eclipse are false; the next one on that date is in 2027 that won't darken the entire world, but will be the longest one of the century. Mother Earth 2.0 (L98-59f): Discussion of exoplanet L98-59f, 35 light-years away, and its potential habitability despite orbiting a red dwarf with a 23-day year. NASA Budget Concerns: Senate and House pushback against proposed cuts to NASA's 2026 science mission budget is discussed, with calls to preserve vital research. Mass Exodus at NASA: Senior NASA staff, including scientists and engineers, are reportedly leaving due to budget cuts, raising concerns about future capabilities. Main Topic - Dr. Robert O'Brien & RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) Understanding RTGs: Dr. O'Brien explains RTGs convert heat from radioactive decay into electricity using the Seebeck effect. Early Use of RTGs in Space: The first US public RTG demonstration was on President Eisenhower's desk, and the first space use was the US Navy's Transit 4A satellite in 1961. RTGs on Mars and Deep Space Missions: RTGs power Mars landers and rovers (Viking, Curiosity, Perseverance), and deep space missions like Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini, providing long-term power in harsh environments. Fission Reactors vs. RTGs: RTGs suit small systems and backup power, while fission reactors are better for high-power needs of human expeditions. Plutonium-238 Production Challenges: The scarcity of plutonium-238 is due to its production requiring nuclear reactors and past moratoriums on reprocessing. Americium-241 as an Alternative: Americium-241, abundant in spent fuel and now accessible due to lifted moratoriums on reprocessing, is a viable alternative for powering missions despite lower energy density. Americium in Smoke Detectors and Safety: Americium's safe use in smoke detectors is highlighted, while acknowledging the hazards of working with nuclear materials. Public Perception and RTG Safety: Discussion covers historical atomic energy perceptions, from early toys to environmental concerns, emphasizing rigorous engineering and safety measures like ablative and impact-resistant casings for RTGs. Recovery of These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/170 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. Robert O'Brien

Powering spacecraft, especially out in the dark, cold outer solar system, is a huge challenge. There are limits to how large solar panels can be, and they are not very efficient in the weak sunlight beyond Mars. For decades, choice flagship NASA missions have used RTGs--radioisotope thermoelectric generators--to fill this need. From the experiments on the Apollo missions to the Viking Mars landers, Galileo to Jupiter, Cassini to Saturn, and the twin Voyagers, RTGs have provided decades of power for space exploration. From Plutonium to Americium, nuclear elements provide years and years of heat that can be converted into electricity. Dr. Rob O'Brien is the Director of the Center for Space Nuclear Research for the Universities Space Research Association and has specialized in RTGs for decades. It's a fascinating dive into atomic space batteries! Headlines The End of the Universe is Nigh (in 33 Billion Years): New dark matter discoveries suggest an earlier end to the universe, leading to a humorous discussion about bucket list items. August 2nd "Solar Eclipse": Rumors of an August 2nd, 2025, total solar eclipse are false; the next one on that date is in 2027 that won't darken the entire world, but will be the longest one of the century. Mother Earth 2.0 (L98-59f): Discussion of exoplanet L98-59f, 35 light-years away, and its potential habitability despite orbiting a red dwarf with a 23-day year. NASA Budget Concerns: Senate and House pushback against proposed cuts to NASA's 2026 science mission budget is discussed, with calls to preserve vital research. Mass Exodus at NASA: Senior NASA staff, including scientists and engineers, are reportedly leaving due to budget cuts, raising concerns about future capabilities. Main Topic - Dr. Robert O'Brien & RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators) Understanding RTGs: Dr. O'Brien explains RTGs convert heat from radioactive decay into electricity using the Seebeck effect. Early Use of RTGs in Space: The first US public RTG demonstration was on President Eisenhower's desk, and the first space use was the US Navy's Transit 4A satellite in 1961. RTGs on Mars and Deep Space Missions: RTGs power Mars landers and rovers (Viking, Curiosity, Perseverance), and deep space missions like Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini, providing long-term power in harsh environments. Fission Reactors vs. RTGs: RTGs suit small systems and backup power, while fission reactors are better for high-power needs of human expeditions. Plutonium-238 Production Challenges: The scarcity of plutonium-238 is due to its production requiring nuclear reactors and past moratoriums on reprocessing. Americium-241 as an Alternative: Americium-241, abundant in spent fuel and now accessible due to lifted moratoriums on reprocessing, is a viable alternative for powering missions despite lower energy density. Americium in Smoke Detectors and Safety: Americium's safe use in smoke detectors is highlighted, while acknowledging the hazards of working with nuclear materials. Public Perception and RTG Safety: Discussion covers historical atomic energy perceptions, from early toys to environmental concerns, emphasizing rigorous engineering and safety measures like ablative and impact-resistant casings for RTGs. Recovery of These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/170 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. Robert O'Brien

Moiya tells Amanda about some recent astronomy stories, from showboating comets to the future of rocket launches, it's all in honor of the people's princess, Moo Deng.Guest Star: Amanda McLoughlin is the CEO of Multitude Productions, where she cohosts several podcasts and proves that media companies don't have to suck. Her IG is @shessomickeyMessagesBecome a star and join the patreon at patreon.com/palebluepod!Go supernova and support Pale Blue Pod on PayPalGet your Pale Blue Pod Merch Listen to Join the Party every TuesdayFind Us OnlineWebsite: palebluepod.comPatreon: patreon.com/palebluepodTwitter: twitter.com/PaleBluePodInstagram: instagram.com/palebluepodCreditsHost Dr. Moiya McTier. Twitter: @GoAstroMo, Website: moiyamctier.comEditor Mischa Stanton. Twitter: @mischaetc, Website: mischastanton.comCover artist Shae McMullin. Twitter: @thereshaegoes, Website: shaemcmullin.comTheme musician Evan Johnston. Website: evanjohnstonmusic.comAbout UsPale Blue Pod is an astronomy podcast for people who are overwhelmed by the universe but want to be its friend. Astrophysicist Dr. Moiya McTier and comedian Corinne Caputo demystify space one topic at a time with open eyes, open arms, and open mouths (from so much laughing and jaw-dropping). By the end of each episode, the cosmos will feel a little less “ahhh too scary” and a lot more “ohhh, so cool!” New episodes every Monday.Pale Blue Pod is a member of the Multitude Collective.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Topics discussed on today's show: Back From Vacation, Stressful Like Monday Mornings, Birthdays, Deaths, History Quiz, 20 in 25, Comic Con, More Unemployed, Music News, AI Music, Karaoke Songs, Forgetful Husband, Space News, and Apologies.

Welcome to the "Survivor: NASA" edition! This week, Tariq and Rod jump into the headlines, and boy are there a lot of them! NASA has a new interim administrator: former Congress member, reality TV star, and Fox News commentator Sean Duffy. NASA's budget may still be cut by 25%, or it might be increased to more than they have seen since the 1960s in adjusted dollars. At the same time, NASA is under orders to cut as many as 2000 mostly senior-level positions, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory could be headed for new management, and will Houston be able to grab the Smithsonian's space shuttle as specified in the Big Beautiful Bill? Join us and find out! Headlines NASA Budget Battles: Rod and Tariq delved into the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill regarding NASA's budget, with the Senate seeking more funding than the Trump administration's proposed cuts. Trump Administration's NASA Policies: They discussed the perplexing approach of the Trump White House, which initiated the Artemis lunar program but simultaneously proposed significant budget reductions. New Interim NASA Administrator: The surprising appointment of Sean Duffy, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, as the new interim NASA Administrator was a key topic, prompting questions about his background and suitability, as well as the ability to run two departments at once--each of which requires great attention. Mass Exodus of NASA Senior Staff: A Politico report highlighted that over 2,000 senior-level employees are leaving NASA due to job cuts and early retirements, raising concerns about a brain drain. JPL Management Review: Concern over a review of JPL's management by Caltech, which has historically operated the center, potentially impacting its unique culture. Controversial Space Shuttle Discovery Move: The "Big Beautiful Bill" included an $85 million allocation to move space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, a plan met with skepticism regarding logistics and cost. Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas: The discovery of 3I/Atlas, the third interstellar object identified in our solar system, was discussed, with early data suggesting it's an ancient, water-ice-rich comet, possibly much older than the solar system. Vera Rubin Telescope and Interstellar Object Research: The new Vera Rubin Telescope is already making significant discoveries, including 2,000 new asteroids in just three weeks, and is investigating 3I/Atlas. No Pacific Rocket Landing Pads: The Air Force has decided to cancel plans for experimental rocket landing pads on Johnston Atoll in the Central Pacific, citing environmental concerns. Supreme Court Decision on Government Firings: A recent Supreme Court decision has broadened the Trump administration's ability to conduct mass firings of government contractors and federal employees. Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) Update: The private Axiom-4 mission, commanded by Peggy Whitson and carrying India's first astronaut to the ISS, is scheduled to undock soon. Starliner 1 to be Cargo-Only Flight: Reports from Space News indicate that Boeing's Starliner 1 flight, now slated for early 2026, might be configured as a cargo-only mission. James Webb Space Telescope's Third Anniversary: The James Webb Space Telescope is celebrating its third year These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/168 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Welcome to the "Survivor: NASA" edition! This week, Tariq and Rod jump into the headlines, and boy are there a lot of them! NASA has a new interim administrator: former Congress member, reality TV star, and Fox News commentator Sean Duffy. NASA's budget may still be cut by 25%, or it might be increased to more than they have seen since the 1960s in adjusted dollars. At the same time, NASA is under orders to cut as many as 2000 mostly senior-level positions, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory could be headed for new management, and will Houston be able to grab the Smithsonian's space shuttle as specified in the Big Beautiful Bill? Join us and find out! Headlines NASA Budget Battles: Rod and Tariq delved into the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill regarding NASA's budget, with the Senate seeking more funding than the Trump administration's proposed cuts. Trump Administration's NASA Policies: They discussed the perplexing approach of the Trump White House, which initiated the Artemis lunar program but simultaneously proposed significant budget reductions. New Interim NASA Administrator: The surprising appointment of Sean Duffy, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, as the new interim NASA Administrator was a key topic, prompting questions about his background and suitability, as well as the ability to run two departments at once--each of which requires great attention. Mass Exodus of NASA Senior Staff: A Politico report highlighted that over 2,000 senior-level employees are leaving NASA due to job cuts and early retirements, raising concerns about a brain drain. JPL Management Review: Concern over a review of JPL's management by Caltech, which has historically operated the center, potentially impacting its unique culture. Controversial Space Shuttle Discovery Move: The "Big Beautiful Bill" included an $85 million allocation to move space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, a plan met with skepticism regarding logistics and cost. Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas: The discovery of 3I/Atlas, the third interstellar object identified in our solar system, was discussed, with early data suggesting it's an ancient, water-ice-rich comet, possibly much older than the solar system. Vera Rubin Telescope and Interstellar Object Research: The new Vera Rubin Telescope is already making significant discoveries, including 2,000 new asteroids in just three weeks, and is investigating 3I/Atlas. No Pacific Rocket Landing Pads: The Air Force has decided to cancel plans for experimental rocket landing pads on Johnston Atoll in the Central Pacific, citing environmental concerns. Supreme Court Decision on Government Firings: A recent Supreme Court decision has broadened the Trump administration's ability to conduct mass firings of government contractors and federal employees. Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) Update: The private Axiom-4 mission, commanded by Peggy Whitson and carrying India's first astronaut to the ISS, is scheduled to undock soon. Starliner 1 to be Cargo-Only Flight: Reports from Space News indicate that Boeing's Starliner 1 flight, now slated for early 2026, might be configured as a cargo-only mission. James Webb Space Telescope's Third Anniversary: The James Webb Space Telescope is celebrating its third year These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/168 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Welcome to the "Survivor: NASA" edition! This week, Tariq and Rod jump into the headlines, and boy are there a lot of them! NASA has a new interim administrator: former Congress member, reality TV star, and Fox News commentator Sean Duffy. NASA's budget may still be cut by 25%, or it might be increased to more than they have seen since the 1960s in adjusted dollars. At the same time, NASA is under orders to cut as many as 2000 mostly senior-level positions, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory could be headed for new management, and will Houston be able to grab the Smithsonian's space shuttle as specified in the Big Beautiful Bill? Join us and find out! Headlines NASA Budget Battles: Rod and Tariq delved into the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill regarding NASA's budget, with the Senate seeking more funding than the Trump administration's proposed cuts. Trump Administration's NASA Policies: They discussed the perplexing approach of the Trump White House, which initiated the Artemis lunar program but simultaneously proposed significant budget reductions. New Interim NASA Administrator: The surprising appointment of Sean Duffy, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, as the new interim NASA Administrator was a key topic, prompting questions about his background and suitability, as well as the ability to run two departments at once--each of which requires great attention. Mass Exodus of NASA Senior Staff: A Politico report highlighted that over 2,000 senior-level employees are leaving NASA due to job cuts and early retirements, raising concerns about a brain drain. JPL Management Review: Concern over a review of JPL's management by Caltech, which has historically operated the center, potentially impacting its unique culture. Controversial Space Shuttle Discovery Move: The "Big Beautiful Bill" included an $85 million allocation to move space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, a plan met with skepticism regarding logistics and cost. Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas: The discovery of 3I/Atlas, the third interstellar object identified in our solar system, was discussed, with early data suggesting it's an ancient, water-ice-rich comet, possibly much older than the solar system. Vera Rubin Telescope and Interstellar Object Research: The new Vera Rubin Telescope is already making significant discoveries, including 2,000 new asteroids in just three weeks, and is investigating 3I/Atlas. No Pacific Rocket Landing Pads: The Air Force has decided to cancel plans for experimental rocket landing pads on Johnston Atoll in the Central Pacific, citing environmental concerns. Supreme Court Decision on Government Firings: A recent Supreme Court decision has broadened the Trump administration's ability to conduct mass firings of government contractors and federal employees. Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) Update: The private Axiom-4 mission, commanded by Peggy Whitson and carrying India's first astronaut to the ISS, is scheduled to undock soon. Starliner 1 to be Cargo-Only Flight: Reports from Space News indicate that Boeing's Starliner 1 flight, now slated for early 2026, might be configured as a cargo-only mission. James Webb Space Telescope's Third Anniversary: The James Webb Space Telescope is celebrating its third year These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/168 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this session include -As part of a restructure, JetBlue stops serving Miami.Qatar Airways receives plenty of praise for the way in which it handled the airspace closure incident, with thousands of passengers affected. Their CEO posted an open letter about the event.Barcelona's airport receives a $3.7b fund to expand, despite a local community heavily opposed to "overtourism".The yearly business and TravelTech Show in London concludes, with no major announcements.At the North American Open Source Summit held this week, Google announced they will be donating their Agent2Agent protocol to The Linux Foundation. This has huge implications for travel according to the OpenTravel Alliance.UK hotel chain Travelodge Hotels Limited partners with Katanox to improve their bookability amongst TMCs.SAS - Scandinavian Airlines returns to India after 17 years, with a Copenhagen - Mumbai flight planned from June.....next year.Extra Stories & Space News! You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

The Edge. Space News. The Mailbag. LINKS If you've got something to add to the show, slide into our DMs @matt.and.alex at https://bit.ly/mattandalex-ig CREDITSHosts: Matt Okine and Alex Dyson Executive Producer: James ParkinsonAudio Imager: Linc Kelly Find more great podcasts like this at www.listnr.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is poised to become one of the most powerful ground-based observatories ever built. On June 12, 2025, the U.S. National Science Foundation announced that the GMT will enter its Major Facilities Final Design Phase, bringing it one step closer to full construction. This week on Planetary Radio, host Sarah Al-Ahmed speaks with Rebecca Bernstein, Chief Scientist for the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization and astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science, about the groundbreaking technology behind GMT and how it will transform our understanding of the Cosmos. Later in the show, Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at The Planetary Society, returns to discuss his new op-ed in Space News on the White House’s controversial Mars plan, and why a bold vision without political consensus is unlikely to succeed. As always, we wrap up with What’s Up with Bruce Betts, chief scientist at The Planetary Society. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-gmtSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Space is rapidly becoming a critical domain for so much of 21st-century living. Banking, transport across the sea and land, agriculture, and dozens of other things we take for granted all depend on satellites, and tracking them to avoid collisions. Nick Hague is a NASA astronaut and the first U.S. Space Force Guardian to launch to the International Space Station in that role, and we invited him to talk to us about the Space Force, living on the ISS, his frightening abort on a Soyuz rocket in 2018, how the Space Force tracks orbital objects, and much more. He's a very accomplished guy who makes it all sound routine—and we suspect, for him, it is. Join us for this very special interview. Headlines European Space Agency Programs Threatened by NASA Budget Cuts: The European Space Agency (ESA) reveals three key missions are significantly threatened by proposed NASA budget reductions, requiring "dramatic recovery actions." Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover in Jeopardy: The ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover faces its second major setback as its U.S. launch partner is no longer included in the current budget, leaving the rover without a ride. U.S. as an "Unreliable Partner": Rod and Tariq discuss concerns about the U.S. being perceived as an unreliable partner due to repeated withdrawals from international space partnerships. National Solar Observatory Funding Cuts: The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the most powerful solar observatory, faces drastic funding cuts that could prevent effective science operations. First Look at the Sun's Poles by Solar Orbiter: Scientists using the ESA's Solar Orbiter have obtained the first direct images of the sun's poles to study its cycle, weather, and magnetic field. Geomagnetic Storm & Auroras: Tariq notes a coronal mass ejection is expected to buffet Earth on Saturday, potentially causing visible auroras during the podcast recording. Who Will Lead NASA? Potential Administrator Candidates: Politico Space's newsletter highlights potential candidates for the next NASA administrator, sparking discussion on the agency's future leadership. Main Topic Colonel Nick Hague: Colonel Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut, joins the show to discuss his background, path to NASA, and recent ISS experiences. Nick Hague's Path to Space & Service: Colonel Hague shares his journey from stargazing in Kansas to his interwoven military and space exploration career, starting with the Air Force, joining NASA in 2013, and transferring to the Space Force in 2021. Test Pilot Training School & Astronaut Capabilities: Colonel Hague explains how test pilot school develops critical skills highly applicable to astronaut duties and space operations despite not being a direct requirement. Readaptation After Space Flight: Colonel Hague describes adapting to Earth's gravity after six months in space, noting challenges in regaining balance and strengthening muscles, requiring months of physical therapy. Subconscious Mind & Gravity: He shares that after prolonged zero gravity, the subconscious mind still expects that objects will float, making everyday actions on Earth feel strange. First Space Force Guardian to Launch Full Mission: Colonel Hague discusses the personal honor of being the first Space These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/165 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Nick Hague

This week, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the alarming impact of budget cuts on international space missions and crucial solar observatories, share exciting new solar discoveries, and welcome special guest Colonel Nick Hague, the first Space Force Guardian to launch a full mission, for an in-depth conversation about his experiences as an astronaut, the Space Force's vital role, and what it takes to join their elite ranks. Headlines European Space Agency Programs Threatened by NASA Budget Cuts: The European Space Agency (ESA) reveals three key missions are significantly threatened by proposed NASA budget reductions, requiring "dramatic recovery actions." Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover in Jeopardy: The ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover faces its second major setback as its U.S. launch partner is no longer included in the current budget, leaving the rover without a ride. U.S. as an "Unreliable Partner": Rod and Tariq discuss concerns about the U.S. being perceived as an unreliable partner due to repeated withdrawals from international space partnerships. National Solar Observatory Funding Cuts: The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the most powerful solar observatory, faces drastic funding cuts that could prevent effective science operations. First Look at the Sun's Poles by Solar Orbiter: Scientists using the ESA's Solar Orbiter have obtained the first direct images of the sun's poles to study its cycle, weather, and magnetic field. Geomagnetic Storm & Auroras: Tariq notes a coronal mass ejection is expected to buffet Earth on Saturday, potentially causing visible auroras during the podcast recording. Who Will Lead NASA? Potential Administrator Candidates: Politico Space's newsletter highlights potential candidates for the next NASA administrator, sparking discussion on the agency's future leadership. Main Topic Colonel Nick Hague: Colonel Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut, joins the show to discuss his background, path to NASA, and recent ISS experiences. Nick Hague's Path to Space & Service: Colonel Hague shares his journey from stargazing in Kansas to his interwoven military and space exploration career, starting with the Air Force, joining NASA in 2013, and transferring to the Space Force in 2021. Test Pilot Training School & Astronaut Capabilities: Colonel Hague explains how test pilot school develops critical skills highly applicable to astronaut duties and space operations despite not being a direct requirement. Readaptation After Space Flight: Colonel Hague describes adapting to Earth's gravity after six months in space, noting challenges in regaining balance and strengthening muscles, requiring months of physical therapy. Subconscious Mind & Gravity: He shares that after prolonged zero gravity, the subconscious mind still expects that objects will float, making everyday actions on Earth feel strange. First Space Force Guardian to Launch Full Mission: Colonel Hague discusses the personal honor of being the first Space Force Guardian to launch and complete an entire mission. Space Force's Critical Roles: Colonel Hague details vital Space Force functions, including maintaining GPS for financial systems and tracking over 50,000 objects in space to prevent collisions. Congestion in Low These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/165 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Nick Hague

This week, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the alarming impact of budget cuts on international space missions and crucial solar observatories, share exciting new solar discoveries, and welcome special guest Colonel Nick Hague, the first Space Force Guardian to launch a full mission, for an in-depth conversation about his experiences as an astronaut, the Space Force's vital role, and what it takes to join their elite ranks. Headlines European Space Agency Programs Threatened by NASA Budget Cuts: The European Space Agency (ESA) reveals three key missions are significantly threatened by proposed NASA budget reductions, requiring "dramatic recovery actions." Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover in Jeopardy: The ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover faces its second major setback as its U.S. launch partner is no longer included in the current budget, leaving the rover without a ride. U.S. as an "Unreliable Partner": Rod and Tariq discuss concerns about the U.S. being perceived as an unreliable partner due to repeated withdrawals from international space partnerships. National Solar Observatory Funding Cuts: The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the most powerful solar observatory, faces drastic funding cuts that could prevent effective science operations. First Look at the Sun's Poles by Solar Orbiter: Scientists using the ESA's Solar Orbiter have obtained the first direct images of the sun's poles to study its cycle, weather, and magnetic field. Geomagnetic Storm & Auroras: Tariq notes a coronal mass ejection is expected to buffet Earth on Saturday, potentially causing visible auroras during the podcast recording. Who Will Lead NASA? Potential Administrator Candidates: Politico Space's newsletter highlights potential candidates for the next NASA administrator, sparking discussion on the agency's future leadership. Main Topic Colonel Nick Hague: Colonel Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut, joins the show to discuss his background, path to NASA, and recent ISS experiences. Nick Hague's Path to Space & Service: Colonel Hague shares his journey from stargazing in Kansas to his interwoven military and space exploration career, starting with the Air Force, joining NASA in 2013, and transferring to the Space Force in 2021. Test Pilot Training School & Astronaut Capabilities: Colonel Hague explains how test pilot school develops critical skills highly applicable to astronaut duties and space operations despite not being a direct requirement. Readaptation After Space Flight: Colonel Hague describes adapting to Earth's gravity after six months in space, noting challenges in regaining balance and strengthening muscles, requiring months of physical therapy. Subconscious Mind & Gravity: He shares that after prolonged zero gravity, the subconscious mind still expects that objects will float, making everyday actions on Earth feel strange. First Space Force Guardian to Launch Full Mission: Colonel Hague discusses the personal honor of being the first Space Force Guardian to launch and complete an entire mission. Space Force's Critical Roles: Colonel Hague details vital Space Force functions, including maintaining GPS for financial systems and tracking over 50,000 objects in space to prevent collisions. Congestion in Low These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/165 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Nick Hague

From May 21, 2025. This week, we take a closer look at the weirdly twisty search for a possible planet in our outer solar system. We'll also take in the happy science of aurorae here, at Jupiter, and over Neptune, as well as a bunch of weird discoveries that has some people screaming "It's Aliens!" (it's not aliens).    We've added a new way to donate to 365 Days of Astronomy to support editing, hosting, and production costs.  Just visit: https://www.patreon.com/365DaysOfAstronomy and donate as much as you can! Share the podcast with your friends and send the Patreon link to them too!  Every bit helps! Thank you! ------------------------------------ Do go visit http://www.redbubble.com/people/CosmoQuestX/shop for cool Astronomy Cast and CosmoQuest t-shirts, coffee mugs and other awesomeness! http://cosmoquest.org/Donate This show is made possible through your donations.  Thank you! (Haven't donated? It's not too late! Just click!) ------------------------------------ The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is produced by the Planetary Science Institute. http://www.psi.edu Visit us on the web at 365DaysOfAstronomy.org or email us at info@365DaysOfAstronomy.org.

What a wild week it's been for NASA. With drastic budget cuts looming—pending any action by Congress—then comes the sudden and unexpected pulling of Jared Isaacman for the role of NASA Administrator, with no replacement named. Then came the very public split between President Trump and Elon Musk, and a flurry of furious Twitter/X and Truth Social postings, aimed at each other with razor-sharp edges. And finally, the proposed and drastic cuts to NASA outreach and education budgets, slimming them to nearly nothing. These are strange and concerning times for America's space agency, a premier global brand and icon of peaceful American prowess. We turned to Casey Dreier, the Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society, who has been quite vocal in his concern, for context. These are critical times for spaceflight, so you won't want to miss this episode!Headlines Trump and Musk "Bromance" Ends: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the public falling out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, which included Trump's threats to cancel SpaceX contracts and Musk's counter-accusations regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files. Commercial Crew Program and Boeing's Starliner: Tariq Malik highlights the critical role of SpaceX's Dragon in NASA's commercial crew program, especially given Boeing's Starliner delays, making NASA dependent on SpaceX for U.S. independent access to space. Japanese ispace Lunar Lander Failure: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the second failed attempt by the Japanese company ispace to land its Hakuto-R lunar lander on the moon, losing the European Space Agency's mini-rover, called Tenacious, in the process. Speculation on SpaceX Nationalization: The hosts discuss online speculation, including from Steve Bannon, about the possibility of the U.S. government nationalizing SpaceX, and Elon Musk's subsequent de-escalation. LAUNCH Act: Rod Pyle introduces the bipartisan LAUNCH Act, aimed at streamlining licensing for commercial space companies to encourage more rocket launches with faster approvals. Senate Reconciliation Bill: Tariq Malik and Rod Pyle discuss Senator Ted Cruz's Senate reconciliation bill, which proposes to restore funding for the Space Launch System (SLS), increase NASA's budget by $10 billion, and fund Artemis 4 and 5, missions previously targeted for alternate architectures. 60th Anniversary of First U.S. Spacewalk: The hosts commemorate Ed White's historic spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission in 1965 and discuss anecdotes and lingering questions surrounding the event. Definition of an Astronaut/Spacewalker Debate: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik briefly touch on the ongoing debate about what defines an "astronaut" or "spacewalker," given varying definitions and commercial spaceflight. Tribute to Marc Garneau: The hosts pay tribute to Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, who passed away at 76, highlighting his career with the Canadian Space Agency and his later political career. The Dark Age of NASA Science The Planetary Society's Mission: Space policy expert Casey Dreier provides an overview of the Planetary Society, its founding by Carl Sagan, its independence from government and corporate funding, and its projects like the Lightsail 2. Catastrophic NASA Budget Proposal: Casey Dreier These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/164 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Casey Dreier

What a wild week it's been for NASA. With drastic budget cuts looming—pending any action by Congress—then comes the sudden and unexpected pulling of Jared Isaacman for the role of NASA Administrator, with no replacement named. Then came the very public split between President Trump and Elon Musk, and a flurry of furious Twitter/X and Truth Social postings, aimed at each other with razor-sharp edges. And finally, the proposed and drastic cuts to NASA outreach and education budgets, slimming them to nearly nothing. These are strange and concerning times for America's space agency, a premier global brand and icon of peaceful American prowess. We turned to Casey Dreier, the Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society, who has been quite vocal in his concern, for context. These are critical times for spaceflight, so you won't want to miss this episode!Headlines Trump and Musk "Bromance" Ends: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the public falling out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, which included Trump's threats to cancel SpaceX contracts and Musk's counter-accusations regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files. Commercial Crew Program and Boeing's Starliner: Tariq Malik highlights the critical role of SpaceX's Dragon in NASA's commercial crew program, especially given Boeing's Starliner delays, making NASA dependent on SpaceX for U.S. independent access to space. Japanese ispace Lunar Lander Failure: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the second failed attempt by the Japanese company ispace to land its Hakuto-R lunar lander on the moon, losing the European Space Agency's mini-rover, called Tenacious, in the process. Speculation on SpaceX Nationalization: The hosts discuss online speculation, including from Steve Bannon, about the possibility of the U.S. government nationalizing SpaceX, and Elon Musk's subsequent de-escalation. LAUNCH Act: Rod Pyle introduces the bipartisan LAUNCH Act, aimed at streamlining licensing for commercial space companies to encourage more rocket launches with faster approvals. Senate Reconciliation Bill: Tariq Malik and Rod Pyle discuss Senator Ted Cruz's Senate reconciliation bill, which proposes to restore funding for the Space Launch System (SLS), increase NASA's budget by $10 billion, and fund Artemis 4 and 5, missions previously targeted for alternate architectures. 60th Anniversary of First U.S. Spacewalk: The hosts commemorate Ed White's historic spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission in 1965 and discuss anecdotes and lingering questions surrounding the event. Definition of an Astronaut/Spacewalker Debate: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik briefly touch on the ongoing debate about what defines an "astronaut" or "spacewalker," given varying definitions and commercial spaceflight. Tribute to Marc Garneau: The hosts pay tribute to Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, who passed away at 76, highlighting his career with the Canadian Space Agency and his later political career. The Dark Age of NASA Science The Planetary Society's Mission: Space policy expert Casey Dreier provides an overview of the Planetary Society, its founding by Carl Sagan, its independence from government and corporate funding, and its projects like the Lightsail 2. Catastrophic NASA Budget Proposal: Casey Dreier These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/164 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Casey Dreier

What a wild week it's been for NASA. With drastic budget cuts looming—pending any action by Congress—then comes the sudden and unexpected pulling of Jared Isaacman for the role of NASA Administrator, with no replacement named. Then came the very public split between President Trump and Elon Musk, and a flurry of furious Twitter/X and Truth Social postings, aimed at each other with razor-sharp edges. And finally, the proposed and drastic cuts to NASA outreach and education budgets, slimming them to nearly nothing. These are strange and concerning times for America's space agency, a premier global brand and icon of peaceful American prowess. We turned to Casey Dreier, the Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society, who has been quite vocal in his concern, for context. These are critical times for spaceflight, so you won't want to miss this episode!Headlines Trump and Musk "Bromance" Ends: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the public falling out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, which included Trump's threats to cancel SpaceX contracts and Musk's counter-accusations regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files. Commercial Crew Program and Boeing's Starliner: Tariq Malik highlights the critical role of SpaceX's Dragon in NASA's commercial crew program, especially given Boeing's Starliner delays, making NASA dependent on SpaceX for U.S. independent access to space. Japanese ispace Lunar Lander Failure: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the second failed attempt by the Japanese company ispace to land its Hakuto-R lunar lander on the moon, losing the European Space Agency's mini-rover, called Tenacious, in the process. Speculation on SpaceX Nationalization: The hosts discuss online speculation, including from Steve Bannon, about the possibility of the U.S. government nationalizing SpaceX, and Elon Musk's subsequent de-escalation. LAUNCH Act: Rod Pyle introduces the bipartisan LAUNCH Act, aimed at streamlining licensing for commercial space companies to encourage more rocket launches with faster approvals. Senate Reconciliation Bill: Tariq Malik and Rod Pyle discuss Senator Ted Cruz's Senate reconciliation bill, which proposes to restore funding for the Space Launch System (SLS), increase NASA's budget by $10 billion, and fund Artemis 4 and 5, missions previously targeted for alternate architectures. 60th Anniversary of First U.S. Spacewalk: The hosts commemorate Ed White's historic spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission in 1965 and discuss anecdotes and lingering questions surrounding the event. Definition of an Astronaut/Spacewalker Debate: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik briefly touch on the ongoing debate about what defines an "astronaut" or "spacewalker," given varying definitions and commercial spaceflight. Tribute to Marc Garneau: The hosts pay tribute to Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, who passed away at 76, highlighting his career with the Canadian Space Agency and his later political career. The Dark Age of NASA Science The Planetary Society's Mission: Space policy expert Casey Dreier provides an overview of the Planetary Society, its founding by Carl Sagan, its independence from government and corporate funding, and its projects like the Lightsail 2. Catastrophic NASA Budget Proposal: Casey Dreier These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/164 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Casey Dreier

Topics discussed on today's show: National Egg Day, Inflation, Price of Owning a Pet, Birthdays, History Quiz, Dust Storm, Sports News, Disney Cuts, Volcano in Italy, Science and Tech, Colliding Galaxies, Space News, Changing a Pets Name, Bee News, Super Termites, Fishes and Spiders, Best Sex Ever, Getting Sloshed with Co-Workers, Sleeping with a Cousin, Weird Habits, and Apologies.

This week we speak with Dr. Mike Wall, ace space reporter from Space.com, about Starship's recent test flight. What went right, what went wrong, and what are the prospects for Elon's mammoth rocket meeting NASA's goals for a moon landing in 2027? Also, Musk's recent video outlining future plans for Starship and a Martian metropolis, Chinese company Sepoch's recent (and very Starship-like) vertical launch and landing test, Japan's robotic lander, Resilience, about to attempt a lunar touchdown, and roadside assistance for the Psyche asteroid mission. See this and more on This Week in Space! Headlines New Dwarf Planet Discovery: Scientists at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton have identified a new dwarf planet with an orbit over 16 times the size of Earth's. Its closest approach to the Sun is 44.5 times Earth's orbit, similar to Pluto's orbit, placing it far out in the Oort cloud. While exciting, this object, named 2017 OF, is not Planet Nine because its mass doesn't align with the perturbations observed in other objects. NASA's Psyche Mission Update: NASA's Psyche spacecraft experienced a fuel pressure glitch requiring a switch to a backup propellant line for its Hall effect thruster. Engineers successfully restored pressure, and the mission is still on track to arrive at the metallic asteroid Psyche in 2029. This mission is crucial as Psyche is believed to be the stripped-away core of an ancient proto-planet, offering insights into planet formation. China's Reusable Rocket Advancements: Chinese rocket manufacturer Space Epoch successfully performed a vertical ascent and controlled vertical descent test of a booster stage, similar to SpaceX's Falcon 9 landings. The stainless steel rocket successfully soft-landed in the waters off Hainan Island, demonstrating advanced gimballing for stable landing. Main Topic - Starship Flight 9 Test Recap: SpaceX's Starship Test Flight 9 was deemed a partial success. The Super Heavy booster was reflown for the first time, demonstrating reusability and performing well despite an experimental hard ocean splashdown that resulted in an explosion six minutes into flight. The Ship upper stage reached space and the desired trajectory, an improvement over previous flights, but failed to deploy dummy Starlink satellites or perform an in-space relight due to an attitude control anomaly, possibly a fuel leak. SpaceX's Ambitious Starship Plans: Elon Musk outlined plans for Starship Version 3, envisioned as the first fully mature version capable of Mars missions, rapid reuse, and in-orbit refueling. The long-term goal includes sending thousands of Starships and hundreds of people to Mars to establish a self-sustaining city. Lunar Starship for Artemis Missions: There's ongoing discussion about the number of tanker flights required for a lunar mission, with estimates ranging from 8 to 12, even 16 flights. The timeline for Artemis III in 2027 is a concern, given the need for numerous refueling missions and the development of life support systems for crewed flights, which are currently absent in the Starship test vehicles. Competition in Lunar Landers: While SpaceX is developing Lunar Starship, Blue Origin is also a strong contender with its Blue Moon lander, which is China These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/163 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Mike Wall

Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members.  We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members.  You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this session include -For a 3rd year in a row, Emirates hands out a generous bonus to their staff after record profits.Canadian airline WestJet gets invested in by Delta Air Lines taking a 15% stake for $330m and Korean Air taking 10% at $220m.American Airlines files a lawsuit against Chicago O'Hare airport to try and prevent expansion plans which would give United Airlines more gates there.International Airlines Group (IAG) places orders for 71 long-haul aircraft for their various airlines.Boeing scored even bigger when Qatar Airways announced a record order for 210 wide-body planes from them.Payment by bank account specialist Trustly teams up with Sabre Corporation to expand pay by bank in the travel industry.Google teams up with SAP Concur and American Express Global Business Travel to push NDC adoption.Finnair claims to be the first airline globally to implement an Offers and Orders model, using Amadeus' Nevio system.Saudi Arabian LCC flynas raises $1.1b in it's IPO.Global Airlines's maiden flight took off from Glasgow to New York, with 95 pax on board their only A380.And....Space News!You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360.  Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show

This week we speak with Dr. Mike Wall, ace space reporter from Space.com, about Starship's recent test flight. What went right, what went wrong, and what are the prospects for Elon's mammoth rocket meeting NASA's goals for a moon landing in 2027? Also, Musk's recent video outlining future plans for Starship and a Martian metropolis, Chinese company Sepoch's recent (and very Starship-like) vertical launch and landing test, Japan's robotic lander, Resilience, about to attempt a lunar touchdown, and roadside assistance for the Psyche asteroid mission. See this and more on This Week in Space! Headlines New Dwarf Planet Discovery: Scientists at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton have identified a new dwarf planet with an orbit over 16 times the size of Earth's. Its closest approach to the Sun is 44.5 times Earth's orbit, similar to Pluto's orbit, placing it far out in the Oort cloud. While exciting, this object, named 2017 OF, is not Planet Nine because its mass doesn't align with the perturbations observed in other objects. NASA's Psyche Mission Update: NASA's Psyche spacecraft experienced a fuel pressure glitch requiring a switch to a backup propellant line for its Hall effect thruster. Engineers successfully restored pressure, and the mission is still on track to arrive at the metallic asteroid Psyche in 2029. This mission is crucial as Psyche is believed to be the stripped-away core of an ancient proto-planet, offering insights into planet formation. China's Reusable Rocket Advancements: Chinese rocket manufacturer Space Epoch successfully performed a vertical ascent and controlled vertical descent test of a booster stage, similar to SpaceX's Falcon 9 landings. The stainless steel rocket successfully soft-landed in the waters off Hainan Island, demonstrating advanced gimballing for stable landing. Main Topic - Starship Flight 9 Test Recap: SpaceX's Starship Test Flight 9 was deemed a partial success. The Super Heavy booster was reflown for the first time, demonstrating reusability and performing well despite an experimental hard ocean splashdown that resulted in an explosion six minutes into flight. The Ship upper stage reached space and the desired trajectory, an improvement over previous flights, but failed to deploy dummy Starlink satellites or perform an in-space relight due to an attitude control anomaly, possibly a fuel leak. SpaceX's Ambitious Starship Plans: Elon Musk outlined plans for Starship Version 3, envisioned as the first fully mature version capable of Mars missions, rapid reuse, and in-orbit refueling. The long-term goal includes sending thousands of Starships and hundreds of people to Mars to establish a self-sustaining city. Lunar Starship for Artemis Missions: There's ongoing discussion about the number of tanker flights required for a lunar mission, with estimates ranging from 8 to 12, even 16 flights. The timeline for Artemis III in 2027 is a concern, given the need for numerous refueling missions and the development of life support systems for crewed flights, which are currently absent in the Starship test vehicles. Competition in Lunar Landers: While SpaceX is developing Lunar Starship, Blue Origin is also a strong contender with its Blue Moon lander, which is China These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/163 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Mike Wall

This week we speak with Dr. Mike Wall, ace space reporter from Space.com, about Starship's recent test flight. What went right, what went wrong, and what are the prospects for Elon's mammoth rocket meeting NASA's goals for a moon landing in 2027? Also, Musk's recent video outlining future plans for Starship and a Martian metropolis, Chinese company Sepoch's recent (and very Starship-like) vertical launch and landing test, Japan's robotic lander, Resilience, about to attempt a lunar touchdown, and roadside assistance for the Psyche asteroid mission. See this and more on This Week in Space! Headlines New Dwarf Planet Discovery: Scientists at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton have identified a new dwarf planet with an orbit over 16 times the size of Earth's. Its closest approach to the Sun is 44.5 times Earth's orbit, similar to Pluto's orbit, placing it far out in the Oort cloud. While exciting, this object, named 2017 OF, is not Planet Nine because its mass doesn't align with the perturbations observed in other objects. NASA's Psyche Mission Update: NASA's Psyche spacecraft experienced a fuel pressure glitch requiring a switch to a backup propellant line for its Hall effect thruster. Engineers successfully restored pressure, and the mission is still on track to arrive at the metallic asteroid Psyche in 2029. This mission is crucial as Psyche is believed to be the stripped-away core of an ancient proto-planet, offering insights into planet formation. China's Reusable Rocket Advancements: Chinese rocket manufacturer Space Epoch successfully performed a vertical ascent and controlled vertical descent test of a booster stage, similar to SpaceX's Falcon 9 landings. The stainless steel rocket successfully soft-landed in the waters off Hainan Island, demonstrating advanced gimballing for stable landing. Main Topic - Starship Flight 9 Test Recap: SpaceX's Starship Test Flight 9 was deemed a partial success. The Super Heavy booster was reflown for the first time, demonstrating reusability and performing well despite an experimental hard ocean splashdown that resulted in an explosion six minutes into flight. The Ship upper stage reached space and the desired trajectory, an improvement over previous flights, but failed to deploy dummy Starlink satellites or perform an in-space relight due to an attitude control anomaly, possibly a fuel leak. SpaceX's Ambitious Starship Plans: Elon Musk outlined plans for Starship Version 3, envisioned as the first fully mature version capable of Mars missions, rapid reuse, and in-orbit refueling. The long-term goal includes sending thousands of Starships and hundreds of people to Mars to establish a self-sustaining city. Lunar Starship for Artemis Missions: There's ongoing discussion about the number of tanker flights required for a lunar mission, with estimates ranging from 8 to 12, even 16 flights. The timeline for Artemis III in 2027 is a concern, given the need for numerous refueling missions and the development of life support systems for crewed flights, which are currently absent in the Starship test vehicles. Competition in Lunar Landers: While SpaceX is developing Lunar Starship, Blue Origin is also a strong contender with its Blue Moon lander, which is China These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/163 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Mike Wall

If you're lucky enough to have witnessed the landing of Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969, you know what a momentous occasion that was. If you're younger than a Boomer, you've read and heard about that amazing day, but it might not have the impact it did for those who witnessed it. Bob Slater, M.D., is out to change that with his campaign to make July 20 a national holiday called "Lunar Landing Day," and we think it's a fine idea--and so do the moonwalkers, Mission Control folks, and lots of others. It'll be good for STEM, good for national pride, and just good all around. Join us to learn more and about how you can help make this great idea a reality! Headlines Next Starship Launch Scheduled: SpaceX aims for its third Starship launch of the year, Flight 9, no earlier than May 27th, 7:30 PM Eastern. This follows previous failures, with hopes for a successful mission. SpaceX Flight 9 Gets FAA Approval, with Caveats: The FAA approved Starship Flight 9 after SpaceX's Flight 8 failure assessment. A changed trajectory was requested for safety. The goal is to recreate earlier trajectories for a soft landing in the Indian Ocean and will be the first full reflight of the Super Heavy booster. China's Experimental Fuel Dump: Chinese company Landscape launched a methane-fueled rocket that performed an experimental fuel dump at 155 miles, creating a visible ribbon of reflective crystals. Discussion arose on its necessity, accidental nature, or deliberate intent, and its resemblance to 1950s US/Russian plans to nuke the moon as a political statement. "Golden Dome" Missile Defense Initiative: The Trump administration announced a $175 billion "Golden Dome" missile defense shield, similar to Israel's Iron Dome, to intercept orbital threats. U.S. Space Force General Michael Gutzlian will oversee the three-year development. AI Processing Center in Abu Dhabi: OpenAI plans a new AI processing center in Abu Dhabi, requiring immense power (equivalent to five nuclear plants), raising concerns about AI's resource consumption. "Rocket on a Rocket": Blue Origin's NS-32 private space flight will include investor Mark Rocket, CEO of Kai Aerospace and seed investor in Rocket Lab, among its six passengers: a Panamanian businessman, a radiologist and space camp alumni, an entrepreneur and real estate developer, a middle school STEM teacher, and a Canadian entrepreneur and adventurer. From the wacky Weekly World News: Are eight U.S. senators actually aliens in disguise? (Just a gag!) Main Topic - The Landing Day Initiative Dr. Robert Slater, M.D., joins the podcast to discuss his Lunar Landing Day Initiative. Dr. Slater's Path to Space Passion: Slater's passion for space began at age six, watching the moon landing, an event his parents stressed as historical. The Lunar Landing Day Initiative: Inspired by the lack of public recall about July 20, 1969, Slater started the initiative to celebrate the moon landing as a unifying, historic American achievement. Lunar Landing Day Initiative Federal Holiday Goal: The ultimate goal is to make July 20th a federal holiday with a paid day off for federal employees, encouraging states and companies to follow. Historical Significance: Dr. Slater emphasizes the moon landing's historical context as a Cold War These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/162 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. Robert Slater

If you're lucky enough to have witnessed the landing of Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969, you know what a momentous occasion that was. If you're younger than a Boomer, you've read and heard about that amazing day, but it might not have the impact it did for those who witnessed it. Bob Slater, M.D., is out to change that with his campaign to make July 20 a national holiday called "Lunar Landing Day," and we think it's a fine idea--and so do the moonwalkers, Mission Control folks, and lots of others. It'll be good for STEM, good for national pride, and just good all around. Join us to learn more and about how you can help make this great idea a reality! Headlines Next Starship Launch Scheduled: SpaceX aims for its third Starship launch of the year, Flight 9, no earlier than May 27th, 7:30 PM Eastern. This follows previous failures, with hopes for a successful mission. SpaceX Flight 9 Gets FAA Approval, with Caveats: The FAA approved Starship Flight 9 after SpaceX's Flight 8 failure assessment. A changed trajectory was requested for safety. The goal is to recreate earlier trajectories for a soft landing in the Indian Ocean and will be the first full reflight of the Super Heavy booster. China's Experimental Fuel Dump: Chinese company Landscape launched a methane-fueled rocket that performed an experimental fuel dump at 155 miles, creating a visible ribbon of reflective crystals. Discussion arose on its necessity, accidental nature, or deliberate intent, and its resemblance to 1950s US/Russian plans to nuke the moon as a political statement. "Golden Dome" Missile Defense Initiative: The Trump administration announced a $175 billion "Golden Dome" missile defense shield, similar to Israel's Iron Dome, to intercept orbital threats. U.S. Space Force General Michael Gutzlian will oversee the three-year development. AI Processing Center in Abu Dhabi: OpenAI plans a new AI processing center in Abu Dhabi, requiring immense power (equivalent to five nuclear plants), raising concerns about AI's resource consumption. "Rocket on a Rocket": Blue Origin's NS-32 private space flight will include investor Mark Rocket, CEO of Kai Aerospace and seed investor in Rocket Lab, among its six passengers: a Panamanian businessman, a radiologist and space camp alumni, an entrepreneur and real estate developer, a middle school STEM teacher, and a Canadian entrepreneur and adventurer. From the wacky Weekly World News: Are eight U.S. senators actually aliens in disguise? (Just a gag!) Main Topic - The Landing Day Initiative Dr. Robert Slater, M.D., joins the podcast to discuss his Lunar Landing Day Initiative. Dr. Slater's Path to Space Passion: Slater's passion for space began at age six, watching the moon landing, an event his parents stressed as historical. The Lunar Landing Day Initiative: Inspired by the lack of public recall about July 20, 1969, Slater started the initiative to celebrate the moon landing as a unifying, historic American achievement. Lunar Landing Day Initiative Federal Holiday Goal: The ultimate goal is to make July 20th a federal holiday with a paid day off for federal employees, encouraging states and companies to follow. Historical Significance: Dr. Slater emphasizes the moon landing's historical context as a Cold War These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/162 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. Robert Slater

This week, we take a closer look at the weirdly twisty search for a possible planet in our outer solar system. We'll also take in the happy science of aurorae here, at Jupiter, and over Neptune, as well as a bunch of weird discoveries that has some people screaming "It's Aliens!" (it's not aliens). 

It's time for Rod and Tariq to catch up on headlines... and space dad jokes! We're going to update you on the ever-slimming NASA budget, the latest news on the Voyager spacecraft, what's up with the SLS, Orion capsule, and Artemis programs? SpaceX's 9th Starship test flight, AliBaba in orbit, and the end of the universe. And more space jokes than ever for you to choke on. Gilmore Space Launch Attempt: Gilmore Space's Ares rocket experienced a payload fairing separation on the pad before launch. NASA Budget Cuts & Artemis Program: Proposed budget cuts threaten NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), Orion capsule, and Lunar Gateway, sparking debate about the future of the Artemis program and a potential shift towards commercial solutions. Voyager 1 Thrusters: After 21 years of inactivity, Voyager 1 successfully fired its backup thrusters, ensuring continued communication from interstellar space. NASA Advisory Groups React: NASA advisory groups, including the Mars Exploration Program Advisory Group, expressed concern over budget cuts and their potential to hinder U.S. leadership in space exploration. Texas MARS Act: Texas Senator John Cornyn proposed allocating $1 billion for modernizing the Johnson Space Center. Intuitive Machines Update: Intuitive Machines plans to return to the moon in Q1 2026 with Intuitive Machines 3, having identified and addressed the causes of previous landing failures. SpaceX Starship Update: Elon Musk will provide an update on SpaceX's Mars plans before the next Starship test flight, frlight 9, addressing challenges like refueling the vehicle in space. The End of the Universe: Astrophysicists predict the universe's end, or "heat death", will occur sooner than previously thought, approximately 10 to the power of 78 years from now. China's Orbital Computing Sats: China launched its first 12 orbital computing satellites, part of a planned 2,800-satellite constellation designed to shift power-hungry computing and AI capabilities off-planet. Starlink Profitability: SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet business has generated $11.8 billion in revenue in 2024, surpassing its space transportation business. VIPER Lunar Rover: NASA may be working to save the VIPER lunar prospecting rover mission, which was previously canceled due to lander delays. Solar Flare Activity: The sun has unleashed a strong solar flare, an X2.7 magnitude, with the potential for increased auroras on Earth. Auroras on Mars: Perseverance rover images reveal the first visible light auroras on Mars from the planet's surface. Virgin Galactic Update: Virgin Galactic plans to launch its new Spaceship Delta fleet in early 2026 and resume ticket sales, with prices increases to come. 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

It's time for Rod and Tariq to catch up on headlines... and space dad jokes! We're going to update you on the ever-slimming NASA budget, the latest news on the Voyager spacecraft, what's up with the SLS, Orion capsule, and Artemis programs? SpaceX's 9th Starship test flight, AliBaba in orbit, and the end of the universe. And more space jokes than ever for you to choke on. Gilmore Space Launch Attempt: Gilmore Space's Ares rocket experienced a payload fairing separation on the pad before launch. NASA Budget Cuts & Artemis Program: Proposed budget cuts threaten NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), Orion capsule, and Lunar Gateway, sparking debate about the future of the Artemis program and a potential shift towards commercial solutions. Voyager 1 Thrusters: After 21 years of inactivity, Voyager 1 successfully fired its backup thrusters, ensuring continued communication from interstellar space. NASA Advisory Groups React: NASA advisory groups, including the Mars Exploration Program Advisory Group, expressed concern over budget cuts and their potential to hinder U.S. leadership in space exploration. Texas MARS Act: Texas Senator John Cornyn proposed allocating $1 billion for modernizing the Johnson Space Center. Intuitive Machines Update: Intuitive Machines plans to return to the moon in Q1 2026 with Intuitive Machines 3, having identified and addressed the causes of previous landing failures. SpaceX Starship Update: Elon Musk will provide an update on SpaceX's Mars plans before the next Starship test flight, frlight 9, addressing challenges like refueling the vehicle in space. The End of the Universe: Astrophysicists predict the universe's end, or "heat death", will occur sooner than previously thought, approximately 10 to the power of 78 years from now. China's Orbital Computing Sats: China launched its first 12 orbital computing satellites, part of a planned 2,800-satellite constellation designed to shift power-hungry computing and AI capabilities off-planet. Starlink Profitability: SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet business has generated $11.8 billion in revenue in 2024, surpassing its space transportation business. VIPER Lunar Rover: NASA may be working to save the VIPER lunar prospecting rover mission, which was previously canceled due to lander delays. Solar Flare Activity: The sun has unleashed a strong solar flare, an X2.7 magnitude, with the potential for increased auroras on Earth. Auroras on Mars: Perseverance rover images reveal the first visible light auroras on Mars from the planet's surface. Virgin Galactic Update: Virgin Galactic plans to launch its new Spaceship Delta fleet in early 2026 and resume ticket sales, with prices increases to come. 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Dr. Robert Goddard is known as the "Father of Rocketry," but his legacy has been largely overlooked--until now. Charles Slatkin grew up during the Space Age and has become a Goddard evangelist, going so far as to purchase the historic Goddard home to convert into a museum. But his efforts don't stop there. Slatkin has started a nonprofit to not only further Goddard's legacy, but also to inspire young people, who he calls "today's Goddards," to reach for the stars. Hear this inspiring story on this episode of This Week in Space! Headliines Soviet Venus Probe Re-entry: The Soviet Union's Cosmos 42 Venus probe, launched in 1972, is set to re-enter Earth's atmosphere after failing to reach Venus. Due to its design for landing on Venus, there's a possibility some or much of it may survive re-entry. NASA's Roman Space Telescope: NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has successfully passed thermal vacuum tests, but its future is uncertain due to potential budget cuts. Scott Kelly and Goodnites: Astronaut Scott Kelly has partnered with Goodnites Undergarments to destigmatize bedwetting, humorously drawing parallels to astronauts wearing diapers in space. Main Topic - The Robert Goddard Project Introducing Charles Slatkin: A space enthusiast and advocate, Charles Slatkin is dedicated to inspiring future generations through the wonders of space and preserving Robert Goddard's legacy in rocketry. Slatkin's Space Journey: Sputnik and Wernher von Braun's vision of lunar exploration ignited Slatkin's passion for space at a young age. Who Was Robert Goddard?: Robert Goddard, born in 1882, launched the world's first liquid-propellant rocket in 1926. Despite facing mockery and failures, his perseverance and ingenuity paved the way for modern space exploration. Slatkin's Connection to Goddard: Slatkin's journey with Goddard began at Clark University, where Goddard earned his PhD and later taught. His efforts to save Goddard's house from destruction and his involvement in the Goddard Centennial highlight his dedication to preserving Goddard's legacy. Goddard House Restoration: Slatkin bought Goddard's house and is restoring it into a museum, library, and resource center, with plans to house a student caretaker. Goddard's Rocketry Breakthrough: Goddard's shift to liquid-fueled rockets was revolutionary, overcoming the limitations of solid propellants and paving the way for modern rocketry. The Wonder Mission: Slatkin's Wonder Mission aims to inspire awe and wonder for space through immersive experiences and educational initiatives, including the Goddard Project and the National Space Trail. Goddard Centennial: The upcoming Goddard Centennial in 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate Goddard's legacy, honor today's scientists and engineers, and inspire future generations of space explorers. National Space Trail: The National Space Trail, an initiative inspired by the Boston Freedom Trail, will connect significant sites related to space exploration across the United States, beginning in Worcester, Massachusetts. Virtual Goddard Museum: Plans are underway for a virtual museum to expand access to Goddard's story and legacy, featuring multimedia resources and information connected to the National Space Trail. Goddard's Enduring These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/160 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Charles Slatkin

The Hubble Space Telescope has been one of NASA's most successful flagship missions, recently celebrating 35 years in space. Often referred to as "the gift that keeps giving," the HST has provided not just magnificent science—shared worldwide—but also some of our universe's most significant and stunning images, inspiring wonder and driving countless young people into the sciences and STEM fields in general. And for the general public, Hubble continues to provide a profound sense of the wonders of the universe and our place in it. We are joined this week by Dr. John Grunsfeld, who flew five times on the space shuttle and spent over 50 hours on Hubble servicing missions to keep those incredible images coming. Join us for a fascinating deep dive into this magnificent project. Headlines NASA Budget Cuts: The episode starts with a discussion about proposed budget cuts to NASA, including concerns from future NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, who expressed reservations about the cuts. Hercules-Corona-Borealis Great Wall: The hosts discuss the discovery of the largest structure in the universe, the Hercules-Corona-Borealis Great Wall, and the ongoing efforts to understand its size and implications. China's Tiangong Space Station: An update on China's Tiangong space station and their successful crew rotation operations, as well as their recent agreement to train astronauts from Pakistan. Interview with Dr. John Grunsfeld John Grunsfeld's Background: Grunsfeld shares his early inspirations, including the pioneering Gemini program during the Space Race, and how this influenced his path to becoming an astronaut and physicist. Hubble's 35th Anniversary: The conversation shifts to the Hubble Space Telescope's 35th anniversary and Grunsfeld's unique perspective as someone who flew on the space shuttle and performed multiple Hubble servicing missions. Hubble Servicing and EVAs: Grunsfeld details the challenges and complexities of performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) to repair and upgrade Hubble, highlighting the extensive training involved. Hubble's Scientific Contributions: The discussion covers Hubble's significant scientific achievements, including measuring the age and expansion of the universe and the discovery of dark energy. NASA's Value and Budget Concerns: Grunsfeld emphasizes NASA's importance in driving innovation, inspiring the public, and its positive impact on the economy, expressing concern over proposed budget cuts. Future of Space Telescopes: The episode concludes with a look at the future of space telescopes, including the Habitable Worlds Observatory and the potential for robotic servicing to maintain these complex instruments. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. John Grunsfeld 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Good evening: The show begins in Ukraine, expecting a Russian spring offensive. 1855 British Army Crimea CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor FIRST HOUR 9-9:15 - Ukraine: Russian Spring Offensive. Anatol Lieven, Quincy 9:15-9:30 - NATO: Doubting the US. Anatol Lieven, Quincy 9:30-9:45 - PRC: NVDA to Beijing. #ScalaReport: Chris Riegel CEO, Scala.com @Stratacache 9:45-10:00 - NASA: Jared Isaacman, Administrator. Jeff Faust, SpaceNews.com SECOND HOUR 10-10:15 - #NewWorldReport: Ecuador Votes. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @RevAnEllis #NewWorldReportEllis 10:15-10:30 - #NewWorldReport: Bukele in the White House. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @RevAnEllis #NewWorldReportEllis 10:30-10:45 - #NewWorldReport: Panama, Brazil, Argentina. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @RevAnEllis #NewWorldReportEllis 10:45-11:00 - #NewWorldReport: Mario Vargas Llosa. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @RevAnEllis #NewWorldReportEllis THIRD HOUR 11:00-11:15 - 1865: The Confederate Secret Service. Patrick K. O'Donnell, author, "The Unvanquished." 11:15-11:30 - 1865: Mosby's Rangers. Patrick K. O'Donnell, author, "The Unvanquished." 11:30-11:45 - 1865: Booth and the Secret Service. Patrick K. O'Donnell, author, "The Unvanquished." 11:45-12:00 - 1865: The Trial. Patrick K. O'Donnell, author, "The Unvanquished." FOURTH HOUR 12-12:15 - Reverse Kissinger No Go. Cliff May, FDD 12:15-12:30 - #Cosmos: Isolated Black Hole Discovered at 5,000 Light Years. Ken Croswell, Science News. 12:30-12:45 - MrMarket: Hall-Rabushka Tax Regimen. Veronique de Rugy, Mercatus Center 12:45-1:00 AM - Manitoba Nickel Mining St 18: David Henderson, Hoover

NASA: JARED ISAACMAN, ADMINISTRATOR. JEFF FAUST, SPACENEWS.COM 2010 

A great deal from NASA. Neil deGrasse Tyson is never shy with his opinions-here's his take on Mars. And Uranus may surprise you!

Episode 1687 - brought to you by our incredible sponsors: Turtle Beach: Head to TurtleBeach.com and use code HARDFACTOR for 10% off your entire order of the best wireless headsets known to man Factor Meals: The Best Premade Meal Delivery Service on Earth - Get started at factormeals.com/hardfactor50off and use code hardfactor50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. BRUNT Workwear: Get $10 Off at BRUNT with code HARDFACTOR at https://www.Bruntworkwear.com/HARDFACTOR  #Bruntpod #sponsored Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/hardfactor to upgrade your selling with the world's #1 online checkout today. Timestamps: (00:00:00) - What's good on TV right now? (00:07:50) - Space News?? Gay Laser Beams at TSA?? (00:17:35) - "City Killer" Asteroid is now Moon Killer Asteroid??? (00:21:29) - The "Trump and Dump" on Tariffs, as many are calling it, causes a stock market roller-coaster that leaves many scratching their heads and China shaking their firsts + EOs and More (00:34:33) - PA Man accidentally send illegal underage films to Doctor's office, exposing horrifying hard drive (00:41:54) - UK Women's Billiards Championship ends up being between two trans athletes, and outrage ensues Thank you for listening!! Go to patreon.com/hardfactor to join our community, get access to the discord chat server, and up to 3 weekly bonus podcasts! But most importantly: HAGFD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices