This Week in Space (Video)

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

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We've all heard of it, and some of us have seen the Netflix comedy series, but what exactly is the U.S. Space Force, and what do they do? We invited Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna to the podcast to discuss the founding of Space Force, what they are charged with overseeing, their role in continuously monitoring U.S. orbital assets and possible threats to them, and their future role in guarding the space lanes. We also look at the controversy surrounding the recent Blue Origin flight with Katy Perry and other women of note, a recent explosion at a Northrop Grumman facility, and the announcement of a possible detection of life on exoplanet k2-18b!

Headlines:

• Possible Life on Exoplanet K2-18b: Scientists have detected potential signs of life in the spectra of exoplanet K2-18b, including dimethyl sulfide, a substance produced by algae and microbes on Earth.
• Blue Origin's Glam Flight Controversy: The recent Blue Origin NS-31 flight, intended to promote women in STEM, sparked debate about space tourism and what defines an astronaut.
• Northrop Grumman Explosion: A recent explosion at Northrop Grumman's Promontory, Utah, test site destroyed a building, raising questions about the future of solid rocket motor development.

Interview with Chief Master Sergeant John Bentivegna:

• His role in the Space Force: Chief Master Sergeant Bentivegna discusses his role as the senior enlisted member, advising on guardian development, strategy, and welfare.
• Career Path: Bentivegna recounts his journey from joining the Air Force in 1994 to becoming a key leader in the Space Force, highlighting his experience in space operations.
• Space Force Mission: He details the Space Force's core functions: assured space access, global space operations (including GPS management and space domain awareness), and space control to ensure space superiority.
• Space Warfighting Framework: The launch of the Space Warfighting Framework, just released this week, is discussed, emphasizing its importance for integrating and planning space operations across the joint force and clarifying the Space Force's capabilities and operational lexicon.
• Concerns About Threats in Space: The podcast addresses the threats posed by adversarial actions in space, such as the deployment of ASAT weapons and potential EMP attacks, and the measures the Space Force is developing to protect and defend critical space assets.
• Space Force and NASA Collaboration: The ongoing collaboration between the Space Force and NASA is highlighted, including the role of guardians in space exploration, research, and astronaut support.
• Future of Space Operations: The episode concludes with a look at the future of space operations, including the potential for a "Space Coast Guard" and the expanding role of the Space Force in lunar and cislunar activities.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: John Bentivegna

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In this episode of This Week in Space, hosts Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik welcome Dr. Phil Metzger from the University of Central Florida to discuss the dangerous realities of rocket plumes when landing spacecraft on the Moon and Mars. Before diving into the main topic, the hosts talk about Jared Isaacman's NASA administrator confirmation hearing, Katy Perry's upcoming Blue Origin spaceflight, and a newly discovered comet.

Headlines:

• Jared Isaacman's NASA Administrator Confirmation Hearing - The billionaire Shift4 CEO and astronaut faced intense questioning about his independence from Elon Musk, with senators repeatedly asking if Musk was present during his meeting with Trump. Isaacman confirmed he'll continue with Artemis missions and the ISS through 2030.
• Katy Perry's Space Flight - The pop star will join the world's first all-female crew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard, scheduled for April 14. The crew includes Gayle King and other accomplished women, though the flight has received criticism for being extravagant during tough economic times.
• New Comet Discovered - Comet C/2025 F2 Swan was discovered on March 29 by a Ukrainian skywatcher and is currently visible to the naked eye in dark skies, though it will soon only be visible from the Southern Hemisphere.

Main Topic - Rocket Plume Effects with Dr. Phil Metzger:

• Rocket Plume Dangers - Dr. Metzger explains how rocket exhaust can propel lunar soil at speeds up to 3 km/second (above lunar escape velocity), potentially damaging equipment far from landing sites and even ejecting material entirely off the Moon.
• Apollo 12 Evidence - The Surveyor 3 spacecraft, visited by Apollo 12 astronauts, showed significant sandblasting damage from the lunar module landing 160 meters away, with paint surfaces scoured and peppered with holes from high-velocity particles.
• SpaceX Starship Launch Analysis - Dr. Metzger studied the first Starship test launch and found concrete chunks traveling at 90 meters per second, with sand carried 6 miles away in raindrops formed within a rotating cloud of hot exhaust.
• Landing Pad Solutions - Various approaches for building lunar landing pads include microwave sintering of lunar soil, bringing polymers from Earth as binders, creating rock beds, and baking pavers in ovens—all requiring robotic construction methods.
• Future of Space Industry - Dr. Metzger advocates moving computing and energy production to space to reduce Earth's industrial burden. He estimates it could take 20-30 years to reach a tipping point where space industry becomes self-sustaining, potentially accelerated by billionaire investment or government support.
• Lunar Mining Potential - Dr. Metzger discusses surface mining approaches versus underground operations, noting the Moon's surface has been bombarded for billions of years with bedrock lying 10 kilometers deep.
• Science Budget Concerns - The hosts and Dr. Metzger express concerns about reported cuts to NASA's science budget, particularly affecting Earth science programs, with Dr. Metzger warning this could harm America's leadership in scientific research.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Phil Metzger

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This week, it's cool space news you can use (if you're not stuck on the ISS!). We look at the recent flight of Fram 2, the first spacecraft to fly a polar orbit; recent revelations about the flight of Starliner from commander Butch Wilmore; a mysterious Russian satellite behaving strangely; and carnivorous Martian dust devils. We also update you on SpaceX's next test of Starship, SpinLaunch's mighty "space cannon," recent experiments on abating lunar dust, and much more. Join us!

• Fram 2 Mission - SpaceX's private orbital mission financed by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang completed a four-day flight, making history as the first mission to send astronauts over Earth's poles.
• Amazon's Kuiper Satellites - Amazon launched its first batch of 27 Kuiper internet satellites on an Atlas 5 rocket, beginning its planned 3,200-satellite constellation to compete with SpaceX's Starlink.
• Blue Origin's All-Female Flight Controversy? - Actress Olivia Munn is blasting the all-female crew for Blue Origin's next suborbital flight for its costly, gluttonous mission.
• Tariffs Impact on Space Industry - The hosts discussed how new tariffs could affect aerospace companies that rely on international partnerships and imported components for spacecraft manufacturing.
• US Military Cargo Delivery with SpaceX - The US military's Rocket Cargo Vanguard program plans to test using SpaceX's Starship to deliver 100 tons of cargo anywhere in the world in under 90 minutes.
• Starliner's Harrowing Mission - New details revealed that Boeing's Starliner mission was more dangerous than initially reported, with multiple thruster failures creating serious maneuvering issues, threatening to leave them adrift in space.
• Mysterious Russian Satellites - Three Russian satellites (Cosmos 2581-2583) were observed performing proximity operations and possibly deploying another object in orbit, raising concerns about their purpose.
• Starship Test 9 Preparations - SpaceX is preparing to refly a Starship booster with 29 reused engines, marking progress toward their fully reusable rocket system.
• Japan's Mars Plans - JAXA is planning to send multiple mini rovers to Mars using an inflatable heat shield technology to enable larger payload deliveries, and add a lander to Phobos.
• Cannibal Dust Devils on Mars - The Perseverance rover captured images of two dust devils on Mars merging, with the larger one (210 feet wide) absorbing a smaller one (16 feet wide).
• Lunar Dust Mitigation Technology - NASA successfully tested an electrodynamic dust shield on Firefly's Blue Ghost lunar lander that could help manage the highly problematic lunar dust on future missions.
• Asteroid 2024 YR4 Update - James Webb Space Telescope observations determined the asteroid is about 200 feet wide with a slightly increased 3.8% chance of hitting the moon in 2032, up from 1.7%.
• SpinLaunch's Satellite Plans - SpinLaunch received $12 million in funding to develop an enhanced system using centrifugal force to launch up to 250 satellites at once, potentially offering a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly launch alternative.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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Hey, This Week in Space viewers! We've got a quick update for you. From now on, all episodes of This Week in Space will be available as audio-only in our public feeds. You can still catch every episode in your favorite podcast app!

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If you've ever wondered what the view from the International Space Station might look like in real-time, this is your episode. Or if you just want to know more about who's up there and what's going on at the ISS on a particular day, this is it. Liam Kennedy, the one and only Space TV Director, is with us. Liam has been working to bring content and video from the ISS down to earth for over a decade, and it's all come together just this year! Liam invented ISS Above, a Raspberry Pi-driven system that highlights key information about the space station in real-time. Join us for this special look at the view from on high!

Headlines:

• NASA is cutting $420 million in contracts, as confirmed by NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens.
• Boeing Starliner's next crewed launch was delayed to late 2025 / early 2026 due to ongoing helium leaks and thruster issues.
• Northrop Grumman's Cygnus cargo mission (CRS-22) was canceled after the spacecraft was damaged during shipping; it will be rescheduled to CRS-23 in the fall.
• Historic FRAM 2 mission launching March 31 - first human spaceflight over Earth's poles, financed by Maltese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Chun Wang.
• The Blue Origin launch date with Katy Perry, the first all-female mission since Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight, is set for April 14.
• A partial solar eclipse will be visible over northern US and Canada on March 29.

Main Topic - Interview with Liam Kennedy

• Liam Kennedy's space journey began at age 6, watching the Apollo 11 moon landing, leading to becoming president of Orange County Astronomers and developing ways for the public to experience the Overview Effect.
• ISS Above is a Raspberry Pi device created in 2013 that tracks the ISS and lights up when it passes overhead, and is now in 5,000 locations worldwide.
• Kennedy partnered with SEN, founded by Charles Black, to create high-quality 4K cameras for the ISS after NASA's HDEV camera system stopped transmitting in 2019.
• SEN provides free live streaming of Earth from space via YouTube and SEN.com, generating revenue through advertising and clip licensing.
• The Space TV camera system includes six cameras on the Columbus module of the ISS, showcasing docking ports, Earth views, and the horizon.
• Space TV offers dramatically higher quality than NASA's existing cameras and captured stunning 4K footage of Boeing Starliner's undocking and Crew Dragon flights.
• SEN plans to expand with more cameras and locations, including potential deployment on future commercial space stations and lunar missions.
• Kennedy discusses the "Overview Effect" - how seeing Earth from space creates a transformative perspective that inspires action on Earth.
• The ISS Above Experience will be featured at the Space Symposium to celebrate the 25th anniversary of continuous human presence on the ISS.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Liam Kennedy

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After 60 years of discussion, we may finally be making real, actionable plans to send a crew to Mars. One of the prime advocates for sending humans to the Red Planet has been Dr. Robert Zubrin, founder and president of The Mars Society. In 1990, he and David Baker worked up a plan called "Mars Direct," which took the core of then-current NASA planning and streamlined it into a more realistic, affordable approach. Since then, some of the key elements have been incorporated into NASA's Design Reference Missions, still the primary set of plans for reaching Mars. Join us for this fascinating discussion.

Headlines

• Crew-9 Return: Astronauts Wilmore and Williams returned to Earth via SpaceX Dragon with dolphins swimming around their capsule—spoiler alert: it was NOT AI generated!
• Isar Aerospace: A German company prepared for the first orbital launch from Norway's Andoya Spaceport
• SpaceX Record: Achieved fastest booster turnaround yet by flying the same booster twice within nine days

Main Topic: Mars Exploration with Dr. Robert Zubrin

• Mars Direct Plan: Zubrin's revolutionary 1990 proposal using just two heavy-lift launches and in-situ resource utilization, influencing NASA's planning
• Purpose vs. Vendor-Driven: Critique of NASA's Artemis as "vendor-driven" rather than focused on the mission goal
• Current Opportunity: New potential for Mars exploration under the current administration, but it must be a national program
• Timeline Prediction: Realistic goals of uncrewed Starship on Mars by 2028 and humans by 2033
• Scientific Value: First Mars Starship should carry substantial scientific payload instead of just a demonstration mission—no red Tesla Roadsters to Mars, please
• Planetary Protection: Strong case against the "anti-human aesthetics" of keeping Mars pristine
• Science Budget Concerns: Warning against proposed 50% cuts to NASA's science programs
• Starboat Concept: Proposal for a smaller ascent vehicle to complement Starship for more efficient Mars and Moon missions
• Moon vs. Mars Strategy: Design hardware primarily for Mars that can also work for lunar exploration

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Robert Zubrin

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In this episode of This Week in Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik host Dr. Robert O'Brien, Director of the Universities Space Research Association's Center for Space Nuclear Research, for a fascinating deep dive into nuclear propulsion technology for space exploration. They discuss the history, current developments, and future potential of nuclear electric and nuclear thermal propulsion systems, which could revolutionize our ability to explore Mars and beyond—both robotically and with human crews.

Headlines

• Crew-10 Launch Update: SpaceX's Dragon Endurance prepared to launch relief crew for ISS, addressing delays and setting stage for Williams and Wilmore's return.
• NASA Layoffs: NASA shuttering several offices including Technology Policy and Strategy, Chief Scientist, and diversity initiatives to comply with Trump administration executive orders.
• Saturn's Moon Count: 128 additional moons discovered orbiting Saturn, bringing total to 274 (surpassing Jupiter's 95), raising questions about moon classification criteria.
• Lunar Eclipse: First total lunar eclipse of 2025 visible across western hemisphere, with another eclipse in September for viewers in Asia and Australia.
• New Space Billionaire: Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO, takes over as CEO of Relativity Space (a 3D printing rocket company), joining Bezos, Musk, and Branson in the space industry.

Main Topic: Nuclear Propulsion with Dr. Robert O'Brien

• Propulsion Types: Dr. O'Brien explained two main types: nuclear electric propulsion generates electricity for electric thrusters, while nuclear thermal propulsion heats propellant directly through a fission reactor for thrust.
• Efficiency Advantages: Nuclear systems offer greater efficiency than chemical rockets, potentially reducing Mars mission mass to one-third or less while enabling "maneuver without regret" capability.
• Historical Context: US launched SNAP-10A reactor in mid-1960s; Rover-NERVA program demonstrated nuclear thermal rocket technology before cancellation after Apollo.
• Current Development: Working to regain 1960s capabilities while implementing modern safety protocols, testing procedures, and materials science improvements.
• Safety Considerations: Modern development includes full exhaust containment and comprehensive safety measures, with waste containment as the primary focus.
• AI Applications: AI could accelerate development through materials optimization, autonomous operation for deep space, and enhanced reactor control safety.
• Fusion Propulsion: Remains promising future technology potentially enabling interstellar travel, with growing international investment.
• Project Orion: Historical nuclear pulse propulsion concept using small nuclear explosions for thrust - impractical for Earth launches but potential for interstellar applications.
• Public Education: Addressing concerns requires transparent communication, moving away from the "veil of mystery" of earlier nuclear programs.
• Educational Outreach: The Universities Space Research Association is developing a talent pipeline for "unicorn capabilities" in space nuclear expertise.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Robert O'Brien

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In this episode of This Week in Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik talk with Dr. Jim Green, former NASA Chief Scientist. He discusses how we can search for technosignatures that might indicate advanced civilizations in other star systems, new ideas on Mars sample return, and his fascinating experience consulting on the movie, The Martian! Also: this week's robotic landings on the Moon - one successful, one partly so; what's up with the USAF X-37B mini-shuttle; and recent news on those Energizer Bunnies of space, Voyagers 1&2. Their wings have been clipped a bit, but they just keep going... join us!

News

• Lunar Landing Week: Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander achieved a flawless touchdown in Mare Chrisium, the Intuitive Machines Athena lander reached the Moon's south polar region but experienced issues with its navigation radar (and tipped over), and SpaceX's Starship test flight 8 successfully caught its booster for the third time but lost control of the upper stage, resulting in the breakup of the upper stage and debris over the Bahamas and Caribbean.
• NASA powered down additional instruments on both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 to extend their remaining power supply, including Voyager 1's cosmic ray system that helped confirm its entry into interstellar space in 2012.
• The secretive US Space Force X-37B space plane landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base after 434 days in orbit, completing its seventh mission, which tested new orbital capabilities, including aerobraking techniques.
• A newly released list showcases the world's top ten locations for dark skies and stargazing, with the US only having only one location—in Hawaii—to make the list.

Dr. Jim Green

• His Career: Dr. Green goes over his former role as NASA's Chief Scientist and highlights key aspects of his career, including running the National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) and leading NASA's Planetary Science Division, and how his interest in space first began.
• The Martian: Dr. Green also explains how he got involved as a consultant for Ridley Scott's movie, "The Martian," and how NASA got really involved with the film. He also shares his favorite scene from the movie.
• NASA's Search for Alien Civilizations: Dr. Green shares how he helped shift NASA's focus from traditional SETI to searching for technosignatures like Dyson Spheres and O'Neill structures in other star systems, securing $10 million in funding for research that could detect megastructures in our astronomical data while noting that humanity may need similar space habitats in 800 million years when the sun makes Earth uninhabitable.
• Mars Sample Return Strategy: Dr. Green explains how NASA's evolving plan to return samples fropm Mars includes developing Mars Ascent Vehicles that could eventually support human missions while revealing that Perseverance was deliberately designed to place sample tubes on the surface so any nation could retrieve them, making the mission more politically viable with budget offices and Congress.
• Humanity's Cosmic Future: Dr. Green reveals that he helped create NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to support new companies for lunar missions. Despite early failures, he emphasized that humanity must utilize space resources and capabilities to

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/151

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Jim Green

On episode 150 of This Week in Space, it's our Listener Special edition! Not only do we answer your questions and respond to your comments, but we lined up a number of your most tummy-tickling space jokes in the humor shooting gallery. This one is more fun than wearing new shoes! Join us as we talk about asteroid 2024YR4, the Space Launch System's prospects, Katy Perry in space, the newest lunar missions, the X-37B "secret shuttle," Apollo-era flight director Gene Kranz and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, solar sails, the cage match between Elon and astronaut Andreas Morgenson, and the best meteor shower of the year!

Headlines

• Asteroid 2024 YR4 no longer a threat - The Earth-shattering asteroid that briefly had a record high 3.2% chance of impact has been downgraded to a 1 in 20,000 risk after pre-discovery data was analyzed, sparing Barstow and the rest of Earth.
• SLS faces uncertain future - Even long-time supporters like Scott Pace (former National Space Council secretary) are suggesting an "off-ramp" from the SLS rocket to commercial providers, signaling a potential shift in NASA's approach to lunar missions.
• Lunar Trailblazer mission communication issues - The recently launched lunar orbiter briefly lost contact after launch on a Falcon 9 but has since established a heartbeat.
• Blue Origin announces all-female crew for NS-31 - The upcoming mission will feature singer Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, and four other accomplished women, marking the first all-female crew since Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in the 1960s.
• Blue Ghost lunar landing imminent - Firefly Aerospace's first moon lander is scheduled to touch down on March 2nd, joining two other private landers (from Intuitive Machines and ispace) headed to the moon in the coming weeks.

Listener Questions

• X-37B space plane purpose - The hosts discussed the secretive Space Force vehicle that's been in orbit for 908 days, likely testing technologies like hall thrusters and conducting reconnaissance.
• Elon Musk vs. astronauts controversy - The hosts addressed the Twitter/X confrontation between Elon Musk and astronauts (including Andreas Morgensen) regarding claims that astronauts were "stranded" on the ISS for political reasons.
• Gene Kranz's impact during Apollo - Rod shared his experience interviewing the legendary flight director, highlighting Kranz's "dictum" speech after the Apollo 1 fire and his transition to a more reflective persona later in life.
• Meeting Buzz Aldrin - The hosts described Aldrin as passionate, technically brilliant, and candid about his personal struggles, with Tariq sharing how Aldrin was the subject of his first professional space article in 1999.
• Solar sail technology potential - They discussed the success of Planetary Society's LightSail 2 and other solar sail missions, lamenting that the technology hasn't been utilized more extensively for deep space missions.
• Best meteor showers to observe - The hosts recommended the Perseids (August), Geminids (December), and Leonids (November) as the most impressive annual meteor showers, emphasizing the importance of dark skies for optimal viewing.
• Convincing moon landing deniers - They discussed the challenge of persuading conspiracy theorists, citing evidence including Soviet tracking

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/150

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

In this episode of This Week in Space, hosts Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the latest space news, including a potentially hazardous asteroid, SpaceX's plans to launch and land in the Bahamas, and the ongoing debate surrounding the retirement of the International Space Station. They also touch on NASA's budget cuts, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the development of new radiation protection technology for deep space missions.

• Asteroid 2024 YR4: While initially considered a potential threat, the chances of this asteroid impacting Earth have significantly decreased as more data has been collected. Rod and Tariq discuss the changing odds and the importance of tracking near-Earth objects.
• NASA budget cuts: The hosts discuss the proposed 20% budget cut for the James Webb Space Telescope and its potential impact on the groundbreaking observatory's operations and scientific output.
• Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Moon lander: Launched weeks ago, the lander is now in lunar orbit and scheduled to land on or about March 2nd, carrying 10 experiments to Mare Crisium. With several other lunar missions on the horizon, including those from Intuitive Machines and Japan's iSpace, the hosts discuss the exciting developments in the new lunar exploration era.
• SpaceX in the Bahamas: Elon Musk's company is in talks with the Bahamian government about launching and landing rights. The hosts speculate on the reasons behind this move and its potential implications for future missions.
• The retirement of the ISS: Elon Musk suggests de-orbiting the station as soon as possible and to press on to Mars, while others argue for maintaining it until suitable replacements are ready.
• "Stranded" astronauts controversy: The hosts address the recent claims that astronauts Sunny Williams and Butch Wilmore were "stranded" or "abandoned" on the ISS due to political motives. They clarify the situation and express their disappointment with the misleading narrative.
• Radiation shielding technology: The development of 3D-printed hydrogels offers a promising solution for protecting astronauts from harmful radiation during deep space missions. The hosts explore the potential applications and benefits of this innovative technology.
• Search for Extraterrestrial Life: The COSMIC project, working with the Very Large Array telescope, has been using advanced computer processing to seek out focused radio transmissions that might indicate the presence of alien civilizations. While no signals of interest have been found yet, the search continues, and the project serves as a valuable educational tool for aspiring radio astronomers.
• NASA workforce reduction: While NASA has not yet implemented the anticipated workforce reduction, the hosts discuss the potential impact of such cuts on the agency's future and the importance of maintaining a skilled workforce in the face of increasing competition from China.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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