This Week in Space (Audio)

What a wild week in space news! We were all set to discuss Starship Test Flight 12 and NASA's recent press conference updating their lunar base plans, when on Thursday night, Blue Origin lost a New Glenn rocket on the pad during a static test. The explosion appears to have severely damaged the launch structure, LC36, along with the loss of the rocket. Fortunately, there were no casualties. But this does throw NASA's schedule for returning American astronauts to the moon into question, given that the agency had recently signaled their choice of Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander for Artemis 4 in 2028. It's now a toss-up between the US and China, with the competition hotter--and closer--than ever. And of course, we'll still discuss Starship and the latest lunar base plans! Space.com's Mike Wall joins us.

Headlines:

• Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Static Fire Test

• Manhattanhenge Aligns City Streets with the Sunset

Main Topic: NASA's Artemis Moon Base and Lunar Exploration Plans

• SpaceX Starship Flight 12 Performance and Booster Mishap Investigation

• Starship's Role in Artemis and Competitive Moon Race with China

• Moon Base Contract Awards: Landers, Rovers, and Robotics

• National Security and Legal Implications of Lunar "Territory"

• China's Push for a 2030 Lunar Landing and US Response Strategy

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Mike Wall

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When one ponders the diet of Mars-bound astonauts, oysters don't often come to mind... but they should. As it turns out, the plucky bivalves have much to offer space voyagers, including water filtration and a ready source of protein. Jacob Scoccimerra, formerly of Nanoracks and now with Monolith Space, initiated a research project with students from the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, to design, build, and operate a closed-circuit, automated support environment for oysters in a simulated space analog. It's a fascinating discussion that may leave you hungry.



Headlines:

SpaceX IPO Filing Reveals Company Finances

NASA Opens JPL Operations to New Bidders, Eyes Management Shakeup

Viral Cardboard Star Wars Fan Film Gets a Nod

SpaceX Announces Crypto Billionaire's Planned Mars Flyby on Starship

Main Topic: Oysters in Space – Bioregenerative Life Support and Student Research

Jacob Discusses Monolith Space and Roots in Chemical Engineering

Origins and Environmental Role of Oysters in Water Filtration

Applying Aquatic Organisms to Space-Based Life Support Systems

Harrisburg University Student Collaboration and Prototype Development

Technical and Biological Challenges of Running Aquatic Habitats in Space

Educational Outcomes and Cross-Disciplinary Engineering Experience

Potential Earth Applications and Insights for Aquaculture Industry

Broader Prospects for Bioregenerative Systems in Space (e.g., other aquatic species, food sustainability)

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Jacob Scoccimerra

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Poor Mars. After a warm, wet childhood, the planet dried out and became cold and arid. And why? Mostly because it lost most of its atmosphere, scraped away by solar radiation. NASA's Maven mission studied the phenomenon of atmospheric loss for years, but has now gone silent. Enter Mars ESCAPADE—the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers—twin orbiters that will study the loss of Martian atmosphere more closely than ever before. The mission has been executed at a budget price. was largely built by industry upstart Rocket Lab, and launched on a New Glenn rocket. It will arrive at Mars in 2028, but we're giving you an early look at why it's an important and, frankly, very cool mission.



Headlines:

SpaceX Unveils Starship V3 Launch Plans

NASA Details Artemis 3 Earth Orbit Mission Updates

Psyche Probe Performs Mars Gravity Assist for Asteroid Mission

Main Topic: ESCAPADE Mars Mission—Twin Satellites to Study Atmospheric Loss

Introducing ESCAPADE: Twin Orbiters for Studying Mars' Upper Atmosphere

Explaining Why Mars Loses Its Atmosphere and Comparative Planetology

Stereo Measurements: Scientific Advantages of Two Orbiters Over One

How ESCAPADE's Orbits and Science Campaigns Are Structured

Rocket Lab and Commercial Partnerships Expand Mission Flexibility

Unique Launch Timing and Innovations in Trajectory Planning

Early Data from ESCAPADE's Mission and Earth's Magnetotail

Onboard Cameras to Capture Mars Auroras and Possibly Earth-Moon Portraits

Extended Mission Possibilities and Future Science Goals

The Role of Space Weather and Mars' Magnetic Field in Atmospheric Loss

Implications for Future Mars Missions, Technology, and Human Exploration

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Robert Lillis

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Many of us grew up idolizing astronauts as the best of the best that America—and other nations—have to offer. After leaving NASA, many of them go on to relatively routine careers in business or academia, but some stay "on mission" and continue striving to improve the human condition. The 100-plus astronauts behind Astronauts for America, led by Garrett Reisman and Steve Lindsey—a Democrat and Republican—have decided to speak out about their concerns for our democracy. As the nonprofit's website says, "Astronauts For America is a nonpartisan organization of former NASA astronauts who have sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to science, evidence-based decision-making, public service, and the rule of law." Reisman and Lindsey join us for this important episode.



Headlines:

Pentagon Releases Official UFO Files Online

James Webb Space Telescope Directly Observes Nearby 'Super Earth'

Curiosity Rover's Wheels Show Severe Wear on Mars

Curiosity Rover Gets Its Robotic Arm Stuck on a Martian Rock

Main Topic: Astronauts for America—Combatting Political Polarization

Group of 100+ Retired Astronauts Form Nonpartisan Organization

Mission to Counter Extreme Partisanship and Foster Civil Discourse

Oath to Uphold the Constitution Drives Their Advocacy

Experiences in Space and Military Inform Their Approach

Emphasis on Data, Science, and Rule of Law in National Debate

Concerns Over Erosion of Democratic Norms and Civic Trust

Civil Rights, Political Violence, and Challenges in Congress Prompt Action

Organization Seeks to Educate, Engage the Public, and Partner with Other Groups

Launch of Voter Scorecards Based on Constitutional Values, Not Policy Positions

Call for Informed Citizen Participation and Election Integrity Initiatives

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guests: Garrett Reisman and Steve Lindsey

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Lander, lander... who's got a lander? With NASA planning orbital tests of the Artemis landers in 2027 and a crewed landing in 2028, the pressure is on for SpaceX and Blue Origin to make good on their Human Landing System contracts. Who's actually going to put American astronauts back on the Moon first? This week's episode digs into the high-stakes race between the companies, surfacing new details and doubts about whether either lander will be ready in time. Both have to fly into Earth orbit, refuel multiple times, and perform robotic test landings on the moon (in addition to the Artemis III rendezvous and docking tests) before NASA can land astronauts on the moon — and they need to get it all done by 2028. We talk to Space.com's senior space guy, Mike Wall, about the risks and realities of the new space race to the moon.

Headlines:

Artemis 2 Astronauts Tour White House and Late Night Shows

Private Company Plans Asteroid Rendezvous with Apophis

NASA's Artemis Moon Lander Readiness and Delays

Main Topic: Lunar Landers and Artemis Program

Artemis 4 Moon Landing Delays and Timeline Uncertainty

SpaceX Starship vs. Blue Origin Blue Moon: Designs and Progress

Technical Hurdles: Life Support, Refueling, and Descent Systems

Starship's Role as Lander, Cargo Hauler, and Potential Space Station Alternative

Blue Origin's Test Schedule Impacted by Launch Mishap

International Lunar Landers: China's Upcoming Missions

Lunar Surface Infrastructure, Moon Bases, and Resource Rights

Legal Uncertainty Around Moon Land Rights and Exclusion Zones

Artemis Momentum, Funding, and Political Support

Long-Term Prospects for Sustained Human and Robotic Lunar Presence

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Mike Wall

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