This Week in Space (Audio)

We all know the ISS is living its last days and will be deorbited sometime around 2030... but what's coming up next? For episode 127, Max Haot of VAST joins us to discuss his company's first space station, called Haven-1, set to launch in 2025. For a company just just a few years old, VAST has made impressive progress toward what is likely to be the first private crewed space station in history. Subsequent plans include a larger orbital habitat with artificial gravity and much more. It's an exciting time in Space 2.0, and companies like VAST are leading the way! Join us for this fascinating hour.

Headlines:
- Boeing Starliner update: Undocking and landing plans, tension between Boeing and NASA over thruster issues, crew flight delayed to August 2025
- Blue Origin unveils landing ship Jaclyn (named after Jeff Bezos' mom) and moves New Glenn second stage to launch pad for testing, targeting October launch for NASA's Escapade Mars mission
- NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) CubeSat deploys solar sail and begins navigation tests

Main Topic: VAST with CEO Max Haot
- Max shares his background in software development and his journey to becoming the CEO of VAST
- VAST aims to create a future where more humans live in space than on Earth by developing artificial gravity space stations
- The company's near-term goal is to win NASA's Commercial LEO Destination (CLD) program to become a commercial successor to the ISS
- VAST is developing Haven-1, its first space station module, to be launched by 2026 and visited by a crew of four for two weeks as a proof of concept
- Haven-1 will provide a larger volume and better amenities compared to free-flying SpaceX Dragon missions, allowing customers to enjoy a more comfortable two-week stay in orbit
- VAST is working closely with SpaceX and will use Starlink laser terminals for high-speed, low-latency connectivity on Haven-1
- The long-term vision is to build a large, rotating space station consisting of seven Starship modules to create artificial gravity, though many technical challenges remain
- Max emphasizes the importance of building a strong company culture and the ability to develop safe, human-rated systems at a low cost
- Upcoming milestones for VAST include revealing Haven-1's primary structure and interior design, launching a demo satellite, and selecting the crew for the first Haven-1 mission

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Max Haot

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As if election season wasn't scary enough, now we have rogue planets to worry about! Out in the vast darkness between star systems, these worlds wander through the interstellar void, sometimes in pairs, and when they encounter a solar system, havoc can result. Add to the fact that they are hard to see, and you have a recipe for worry. Fortunately, we have astrophysicists like Dr. Rosalba Perna on the job, learning more about these strange, errant planets daily! Add to that the ever-increasing stash of data we're getting from the James Webb Space Telescope, and we can all sleep a bit better at night. Join us for a fascinating hour with Dr. Perna as we learn about rogue planets!

Headlines:

• Boeing's Starliner spacecraft set to return to Earth robotically, without its crew, on September 6th, marking the end of its three-month mission.
• SpaceX experiences a rare booster landing failure on its 23rd flight, ending a streak of successful landings
• Astrobotic's Peregrine Lander failure attributed to a faulty valve and leaks
• SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission delayed due to weather concerns

Main Topic - Rogue Planets:

• Dr. Perna explains rogue planets as worlds untethered to any star, floating freely in space
• Discussion of the likelihood and potential impact of a rogue planet entering our solar system
• Exploration of rogue planet formation theories, including ejection from solar systems and in-situ formation
• The James Webb Space Telescope's role in discovering potential rogue planet pairs in the Orion Nebula
• Challenges in confirming rogue planet candidates and distinguishing them from other celestial objects
• The possibility of life on rogue planets, particularly those with moons experiencing tidal heating
• Dr. Perna's computer simulations demonstrate how binary rogue planets could form and evolve
• The upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's potential for discovering more rogue planets
• Discussion of Dr. Perna's other research interests, including gamma-ray bursts and compact objects

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Rosalba Perna

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It's the end of summer, and that means it's time to go back to school—in our case, space school! There's a lot going on, a lot coming up, and a whole lot to know about the next 9 months in space. What can we expect from SpaceX? How are the outer solar system missions proceeding? What about the new rocket engines for the Artemis program? What are we doing about orbital debris? Are we really in a new space race with China? And much more, including that most vexing of questions: what's up with Starliner? Join us for the fun.

Headlines:

• Polaris Dawn mission: Set to launch soon, this private SpaceX flight aims to conduct the first private spacewalk and raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
• JUICE spacecraft flyby: The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer successfully completed its Earth flyby, capturing stunning images of Earth and the Moon.
• Fram 2 mission: A private SpaceX flight planning the first-ever crewed polar orbit mission, aiming to study aurora-like emissions called STEVE.
• Astroscale's space debris removal: The company secured an $82 million contract for its second test flight to remove an old Japanese H-2 rocket stage from orbit.
• RS-25 engine development: Discussion on the high costs of manufacturing new RS-25 engines for NASA's SLS rocket compared to SpaceX's more cost-effective Raptor engines.
• Upcoming celestial events: A partial lunar eclipse in September and an annular solar eclipse in October, with tips on how to safely view these events.
• World Space Week: Announcement of the upcoming event in October, focusing on space and climate change.
• Indian space program: Updates on India's plans to launch its first uncrewed test flight of the Gaganyaan space capsule by the end of the year.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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Czarina Salido, a physics graduate of mixed Mexican and Native American heritage, founded Taking Up Space in 2014. This nonprofit aims to address the underrepresentation of women, particularly Native American girls, in STEM fields. Based near Tucson, the organization provides mentoring, instruction, and Space Camp scholarships to disadvantaged girls on a nearby reservation. Salido's initiative has gained recognition in the STEM community and inspired similar efforts nationwide. Join us as we discuss her work's challenges and successes in this episode of This Week in Space!

Headlines:

• Starliner Update: NASA still undecided on whether astronauts will return on Starliner or SpaceX Dragon, with a decision expected within a week.
• SpaceX FRAM-2 Mission: A private polar orbit mission funded by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, scheduled for later this year, inspired by polar expeditions.
• Upcoming Super Blue Moon: A rare celestial event combining a supermoon and blue moon, visible from August 19-21.

Main Topic - Taking Up Space with Czarina Salido:

• Organization Overview: Taking Up Space is an astronaut-supported nonprofit helping Native American girls aged 8-16 enter STEM fields.
• Program Structure: 16-32 week programs combining STEM education, cultural awareness, and confidence-building activities.
• Space Camp Experience: Students earn trips to Space Camp, gaining hands-on experience with space technology and simulations.
• Cultural Integration: Lessons incorporate indigenous values, storytelling, and traditional knowledge alongside STEM concepts.
• Challenges Addressed: The program aims to combat high dropout, suicide, and murder rates among Native American youth and women.
• Funding and Support: The organization relies on astronaut involvement, fundraisers, and community support, with Space Hipsters providing significant backing.
• Future Plans: Salido hopes to establish a Space Camp in Tucson and create a database of indigenized STEM lessons for wider use.
• Personal Growth: Salido shares how the program has helped her reconnect with her own indigenous heritage.
• Upcoming Projects: A book collaboration with astronaut Hoot Gibson and an event with Terry Virts in January 2025.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Czarina Salido

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Each year, there are a handful of impressive meteor showers, and one of the largest and best this year will be the Perseids. The quarter moon will set just before midnight, when the shower activity peaks, and if you're in a dark spot expect to see maybe 50-60 shooting stars per hour. Steve Fentress, veteran astronomer and planetarium director, joins us to provide viewing tips, a meteor shower, and star lore over the ages, and more.

Headlines: Starliner
- Boeing's Starliner spacecraft continues to face issues, with some experts questioning whether the program will continue after the current mission
- NASA's recent press conferences regarding Starliner have been criticized for lack of clarity and transparency
- SpaceX's Crew Dragon may become the sole provider of crew transportation to the International Space Station if Starliner's problems persist

Main Topic: The Perseid Meteor Shower
- The Perseid meteor shower, peaking around August 12th, is expected to be especially impressive this year due to favorable moon conditions
- Observers can expect to see up to one or two meteors per minute under dark sky conditions
- The Perseids are created by debris left behind by comet 109P Swift-Tuttle, which orbits the sun every 133 years
- Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli first identified the connection between the Perseids and comet Swift-Tuttle in the 19th century
- The colors observed in meteors are caused by different chemical elements in the meteoroids and Earth's atmosphere
- Steve Fentress shares the fascinating history of meteor shower observations and their connection to comets
- Tips for observing the Perseids include finding a dark location, dressing warmly, and watching the sky between 3 AM and dawn
- The future of planetariums lies in becoming valuable community resources and embracing new technologies to create engaging experiences for visitors
- Steve Fentress discusses his book "Sky to Space" and his new podcast, "The Forgotten Bookshelf," which features interesting and obscure topics from old books

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Isaac Arthur

Guest: Steve Fentress

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It's been said that Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids, and that's certainly the assertion of the popular 2023 book, "A City on Mars" by Kelly and Zack Weinersmith. In fact, they question the future of settling humans off Earth in its entirety. Certainly, it will be challenging, but is it impossible? Are there reasons we should not go? We gathered together two of our favorite experts on the topic, Dale Skran, the COO and SVP of the National Space Society, and Mr. YouTube himself, Isaac Arthur—who has produced maybe 100 hours or more of well-regarded videos on the subject—to discuss the book and our prospects for rational, realistic space settlement plans. Join us!

• "A City on Mars" takes a skeptical and humorous look at space settlement, questioning our readiness for having children in space, building space farms, and creating independent space nations.
• Dale Skran wrote a comprehensive 40,000-word review of the book, acknowledging its depth while disagreeing with many of its conclusions. He believes the book represents the current stage of opposition to the increasingly realistic prospect of space settlement.
• The hosts discuss the potential benefits and resources available in space, with Dale and Isaac emphasizing the vast opportunities and the need for reasonable regulation to facilitate space development.
• The challenges of human reproduction in space are examined, with the hosts agreeing on the importance of further research and the need for artificial gravity experiments on space stations.
• The potential for conflict and war in space is explored, with Dale arguing that space settlements will likely be more resilient and less vulnerable than Earth-based cities due to their designed defenses against natural and artificial threats.
• The hosts critique the book's pessimistic view of space settlement and its suggestion to wait centuries until humanity has solved all its problems before venturing into space. They argue that space development and solving Earth's issues can and should happen concurrently.
• Dale Skran highlights an interesting idea from the book: the possibility of a dual life cycle for settlers, with reproduction occurring in 1G spin gravity settlements while adults spend much of their time working in low-gravity environments like the Moon or Mars.

Get "A City on Mars": https://amzn.to/3LWMhY1

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Isaac Arthur

Guest: Dale Skran

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A nova is a star that periodically sheds mass in a huge flare-up of light and energy. This week, astrophysicist Dr. Carlos Badenes from the University of Pittsburgh joins us to discuss a star that should be going nova in the next few weeks--and will be visible in the night sky for about 6-7 days! T Corona Borealis (TCrB) is a binary system comprising two stars in the constellation Corona Borealis that bursts into magnitude 2 (as seen from Earth) about every 80 years--and should do so again by mid-September! Join us.

Headlines:

• NASA's Perseverance rover discovers a rock on Mars that shows intriguing signs of potential ancient microbial life, sparking excitement among scientists
• Starliner Update: NASA and Boeing discuss the extended mission of the Starliner spacecraft, addressing concerns and highlighting the crew's safety and productivity
• Scientists uncover evidence suggesting Mercury's crust harbors a 10-mile thick diamond layer, formed by unique planetary processes

Main Topic - The Visible Nova in the Sky Near You:

• T Coronae Borealis, a recurring nova located in the constellation Corona Borealis, is expected to become visible to the naked eye between now and September 2024
• Novae are binary star systems where a white dwarf accumulates material from its companion star, leading to a thermonuclear runaway and a bright outburst
• Supernovae, in contrast, are the explosive deaths of stars, either through the complete disruption of a white dwarf or the collapse of a massive star's core
• Historical accounts of "new stars" include Tycho's Supernova (1572), Kepler's Supernova (1604), and the Crab Nebula progenitor (1054)
• Dr. Badenes discusses his research on novae in nearby galaxies and the use of the Hubble Space Telescope to study the progenitors of thermonuclear supernovae
• The crew explores the limits of recurring novae, the possibility of a white dwarf exploding as a Type Ia supernova, and the anticipated supernova of the star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Carlos Badenes

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In this episode of This Week in Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik dive into the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, discussing the mission's highlights, challenges, and historical significance. They also cover recent space news, including Elon Musk's plans to move SpaceX's headquarters to Texas, the Falcon 9 upper stage failure, and the cancellation of NASA's VIPER rover mission. Looking ahead, the hosts speculate on the future of the Artemis program and the political landscape's influence on space exploration.

Headlines:
- Elon Musk announces plans to move SpaceX's headquarters from California to Texas, citing disagreements with a new state law and his political alignment with Texas.
- SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket experiences an upper stage failure during a recent launch, leading to the loss of payload and an investigation by the FAA and NASA.
- NASA cancels its VIPER rover mission, which aimed to search for water ice at the Moon's south pole, due to budget constraints and scheduling issues with the Astrobotic Griffin lander.
- Lou Dobbs, the co-founder of Space.com, passes away at the age of 78.

Apollo 11 55th Anniversary:
- Rod Pyle shares his memories of watching the Apollo 11 launch and moon landing as a teenager, highlighting the limited media coverage and resources available at the time.
- The hosts discuss the tense moments during the lunar module's descent, including computer alarms, low fuel warnings, and Neil Armstrong's quick thinking to avoid a boulder field.
- They recount the challenges faced by the astronauts, such as the difficulty in opening the lunar module's hatch and Buzz Aldrin's ingenious use of a felt-tip pen to reset a broken circuit breaker.
- The hosts emphasize the significance of the Apollo 11 mission and argue for July 20th to be recognized as a national holiday.

Artemis Program and the Future of Space Exploration:
- Rod and Tariq express frustration with the slow progress of the Artemis program compared to the rapid pace of the Apollo missions.
- They discuss the potential impact of the upcoming U.S. presidential election on NASA's funding and priorities, particularly in light of the growing competition with China in space.
- The hosts highlight the challenges facing SpaceX's Starship as the chosen vehicle for the Artemis program's human landing system, including the need for further testing and the development of a 120-foot elevator to transport astronauts to the lunar surface.
- Tariq makes a bold prediction that NASA astronauts will be walking on the Moon by July 20th, 2029, and offers to give Rod his "STar Trek" chair if the prediction doesn't come to pass.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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If you saw the movie "Gravity," you have a sense of the dangers of orbital debris—and the risk is very real. More than 25,000 objects over four inches in diameter are tracked by the US Space Force, and millions of others are smaller or untracked—everything from derelict satellites to dead rocket stages to bits of shrapnel and even just chunks of frozen rocket fuel is there. And even something the size and mass of a paint chip, traveling at orbital speeds, can take out a window of a spacecraft. We're joined by Dr. John Crassidis from the University of Buffalo, an expert in orbital debris and its dangers. Look out below; this is going to be a hot one!

Headlines:

• SpaceX Falcon 9 launch failure investigation underway after engine explosion during upper stage relight
• James Webb Space Telescope celebrates 2nd anniversary with new "Cosmic Penguin" image
• Boeing Starliner return date still uncertain as NASA and Boeing review data

Mailbag:

• Zaheer Mohammed congratulates the National Space Society's Ad Astra magazine on winning the Marcom Awards in 2023

Main Topic: Orbital Debris Discussion with Dr. John Crassidis

• Orbital debris defined as anything in space that is no longer useful, ranging from paint flakes to rocket bodies
• Debris moves at extremely high speeds (17,500 mph), making collisions highly destructive
• Kessler Syndrome: cascading collisions could render low Earth orbit unusable within 50 years if debris growth is not slowed
• Approximately 47,000 tracked objects softball-size or larger, with millions more smaller pieces
• Challenges in tracking debris due to limited coverage, object tumbling, and modeling uncertainties
• Ownership and responsibility for debris removal complicated by lack of international agreements
• Current remediation techniques not feasible due to cost and technological limitations
• Urgent need for debris mitigation through international cooperation and improved satellite design
• Future threats extend beyond low Earth orbit, with debris already accumulating around the Moon
• Importance of investing in research to develop effective debris removal technologies

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. John Crassidis

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For many of us, dark matter and dark energy are two of the least understood areas of cosmology and astrophysics. This week, we invited Alina Kiessling and Jason Rhodes, both Research Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to explain these concepts and their broader implications for cosmology, exoplanet research, and more. Both of them are working on major space telescope projects to research "dark physics," as they will explain. Guest co-host Isaac Arthur asks compelling, comprehensive questions about physics and cosmology while Rod asks things like "is dark energy dangerous?" because, let's face it, someone has to ask the dumb questions. Join us for the fascinating deep dive into dark forces!

Headlines:

• Chinese rocket startup Space Pioneer accidentally launched a rocket during a static ground test, highlighting the unpredictable nature of rocketry.
• SpaceX and Jared Isaacman's Polaris Dawn mission, set for July 34th, 2024, aims to conduct the first private spacewalk and set a new orbital altitude record of 870 miles.
• NASA announced that Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is in good enough condition to stay at the International Space Station for at least 45 days despite ongoing investigations into malfunctioning thrusters and helium leaks.

Main Topic - Understanding the Darkness:

• Guests Jason Rhodes and Alina Kiessling, both Research Scientists and Astrophysicists at JPL, share their backgrounds and how they met through their shared passion for cosmology.
• The universe's composition, with dark matter and dark energy making up 95% of its content.
• Exploring the history of dark matter discovery, from Fritz Zwicky's observations in the 1930s to Vera Rubin's groundbreaking work in the 1960s and 70s.
• The differences between dark matter and dark energy, their effects on the universe's structure, and the challenges in studying them.
• The "cosmological crisis" or Hubble tension, which arises from discrepancies between early and late universe measurements.
• Upcoming space telescope missions, including Euclid, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and the Vera Rubin Observatory, are highlighted as crucial tools for advancing our understanding of dark matter and dark energy.
• The potential need for new physics to explain current observations is explored, with the guests expressing excitement about the possibility of groundbreaking discoveries.
• Exoplanet research: discussing how the Roman Space Telescope will use microlensing and coronagraphy techniques to detect and study distant worlds.
• The potential for detecting biosignatures on exoplanets, with a focus on identifying signs of life through spectroscopic analysis.Jason and Alina's advice for aspiring astrophysicists, emphasizing the growing importance of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the field.
• Finally, a lighthearted discussion of the guests' personal lives and travel experiences, highlighting the balance between their professional and family commitments.

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Isaac Arthur

Guests: Jason Rhodes and Alina Kiessling

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