The new space age is upon us, and This Week in Space leaves no topic untouched. Every Friday, join Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine, Rod Pyle and Managing E...
TWiS 139: Look to the Skies - Leonard David, Jared Isaacman, UFOs & UAPs
This week, we're covering a broad swath, from President-Elect Trump's shocking choice for NASA Administrator to new delays for the Artemis lunar program to UFOs/UAPs! And for such an adventure, we turn to Leonard David, the most seasoned space reporter and journalist out there. Trump's pick for NASA, billionaire and private astronaut Jared Isaacman, came as a surprise to space watchers, and his name was not just missing from the shortlist but from *any* list making the rounds. However, he is widely supported and should bring renewed energy to the space agency. Then, after discussing yesterday's NASA press conference about Artemis--in which more delays were announced (no surprise to any of us)--we talk to Leonard about recent disclosures about UFO/UAP government records and the overall consideration of why people think they walk among us (and if they do, Musk is probably one of them).
Headlines:
Jared Isaacman Nominated as NASA Administrator
Artemis II Mission Delayed, Artismis III mission pushed to mid-2027.
And Tariq defends his creative choice of words to compare different sizes of asteroids.
Main Topic: Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)
Shift from UFO to UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena)
Discussion about potential alien visitation
Concerns about public perception and societal impacts
Need for more rigorous scientific approach to UAP research
Calls for NASA and National Science Foundation funding
Skepticism about current congressional hearings and government disclosure
Potential for document declassification under a potential Trump administration
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Leonard David
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1:22:19
TWiS 138: From the Garage to Mars - With Space Entrepreneur Scott Tibbetts
On this week's episode, Tariq and I speak with Scott Tibbitts, a dynamic and engaging space entrepreneur who spun $7 of hardware store parts into a 150-person, multimillion-dollar space company making tech for NASA that allowed deep space probes, starting with the Cassini mission to Saturn, to operate in the harsh environment of the outer solar system. Scott's tiny actuator replaced expensive, failure-prone explosive squibs with a device that could be tested (you can't really test something that goes *bang*), cycled, and tried again if it didn't work the first time. And it all started with his work at a water heater company and a few dozen cold calls that ended with one to NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. There's much more to this story--including some intriguing advice for entrepreneurs--but you'll have to tune in to learn more! See you there.
Get "From the Garage to Mars" (Amazon Affiliate): https://amzn.to/3CPUgVw
Headlines:
• SpaceX successfully launches Starship test flight number six, despite not catching the Super Heavy booster
• The FAA releases a new draft environmental assessment, potentially allowing SpaceX to increase Starship launches to 25 per year
• Blue Origin completes its ninth crewed spaceflight with the NS-28 mission, carrying the 100th woman to fly to space
Main Topic - From the Garage to Mars with Scott Tibbitts:
• Tibbitts discusses his background and the role of fun and human connection in his life and work
• The origin story of Tibbitts' space company, Starsys, which began with a $7 invention using a copper tube and wax
• Tibbitts' cold call to NASA/JPL that led to the company's first contract and the development of a novel, non-explosive actuator for spacecraft
• The importance of testing and demonstrating the reliability of space hardware, as exemplified by Starsys' record of 3,500 devices in space with zero failures
• Tibbitts' experience fostering a unique company culture at Starsys, balancing the need for reliability with a focus on fun, family, and celebrating both successes and failures
• The role of intuition and "gut feelings" in entrepreneurship and how Tibbitts has learned to trust and follow these intuitive nudges
• The challenges faced by modern space startups, including the pressure from venture capital investors and the difficulty of hiring experienced space talent
• Tibbitts' advice for entrepreneurs: focus on customer discovery and product discovery, and "stop doing what you suck at" by focusing on your strengths and finding partners to complement your weaknesses
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Scott Tibbitts
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1:15:25
TWiS 137: Strange New Worlds - Kepler's Legacy With Dr. Jason Steffen
Kepler's Legacy With Dr. Jason Steffen
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Dr. Jason Steffen
For full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/137
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1:19:22
TWiS 136: SpaceX Ascendant - Can Anyone Compete?
At this point, can anyone compete with SpaceX? Love him or hate him, Elon Musk and his cadre of very talented employees and partners have built the most remarkable launch service in history, increasing the US launch rate from a handful to over 100 per year in less than a decade. Eric Berger--Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica and author of "Liftoff" and "Reentry," two books about Musk and SpaceX--joins us. We discuss the rise of SpaceX, Musk's future in US politics and the market, and what to expect from SpaceX in the next decade. We also look at the possible competitors to SpaceX's dominance in the market. Join us!
Get "Reentry" (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/4fe4f5s
Headlines:
- The 2024 US presidential election results are in, with Donald Trump set to become the 47th President. Trump has shown a keen interest in space, name-dropping Elon Musk, SpaceX, and Starlink during his victory speech.
- SpaceX conducted its first ISS reboost mission using a Dragon cargo ship, showcasing a new capability for the company.
- NASA issued a statement addressing tabloid rumors about astronaut Sunita Williams' health, affirming that all astronauts aboard the ISS are in good health and undergo routine medical evaluations.
Main Topic - SpaceX Ascendant:
- The Trump administration is expected to embrace SpaceX's Starship vision, potentially fast-tracking the company's progress by reducing regulatory hurdles.
- SpaceX has a significant lead in the space industry, with no other company having achieved reusable rocket technology. The closest competitors are Blue Origin and Chinese companies, which are still years behind.
- The US government has become increasingly reliant on SpaceX for launches, satellite internet, and the Artemis program, with no viable alternatives currently available.
- SpaceX's success can be attributed to Elon Musk's relentless drive and vision to make humanity a multi-planetary species, as well as the company's willingness to take risks and innovate.
- Starship is seen as the key to making widespread space access possible, with the potential to drastically reduce the cost of space travel and enable missions to Mars.
- The future of space exploration is uncertain, with the potential for significant changes under the new administration and Elon Musk's growing influence as an advisor to the President.
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Eric Berger
Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.
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1:02:27
TWiS 135: The Spacer Pipeline - Preparing for Careers in Space
On this episode, we take a look at how the space workforce of the future will be educated and, perhaps more importantly, engaged with Dr. Rick Jenet of Expanding Frontiers. Located in Brownsville, Texas, just a stone's throw away from SpaceX's Starbase, expanding Frontiers works with underprivileged communities to bring them into 21st-century space-related trades and to encourage individual entrepreneurship. Dr. Jenet has a fascinating history as well, attending MIT as an undergraduate and earning his PhD in astrophysics from Caltech, then progressing through his work at various places, including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, before founding Expanding Frontiers. Join us!
Headlines:
- Voyager 1 spacecraft uses backup radio system from 1977, and last utilized in 1981, to phone home after a recent glitch
- China aims to conduct a Mars sample return mission before NASA, potentially launching in 2028
- Boeing considers selling its space division, excluding SLS contracts, as part of a restructuring effort
Main Topic - The Spacer Pipeline with Dr. Fredrick Jenet:
- Dr. Jenet's journey from MIT and Caltech to founding Expanding Frontiers in South Texas
- The importance of giving back to the community and fostering a culture of innovation
- Stargate: The first building at SpaceX's Boca Chica facility, a collaboration with Dr. Jenet's team
- Expanding Frontiers' programs for students and aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Space Entrepreneur Summer Academy: Introducing high school students to space entrepreneurship
- Space Settlement Design Tournament: Industry simulation for students to design space settlements
- Space Coders: Internship program focused on coding for space industry projects
- Tech Trek: Developing programming for entrepreneurs working on space-related technology
- Expanding Frontier Space Tech Pitch Competition: Showcasing startups utilizing NASA technology
- The role of funding from local, state, and federal sources, as well as sponsorships, in sustaining non-profit organizations like Expanding Frontiers
- Future plans for Expanding Frontiers, including the development of a space innovation corridor from Brownsville to Houston
- The importance of continued support and funding for programs that promote STEM education and entrepreneurship in the space industry
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet
Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.
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The new space age is upon us, and This Week in Space leaves no topic untouched. Every Friday, join Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine, Rod Pyle and Managing Editor of Space.com, Tariq Malik as they explore everything related to the cosmos.
New episodes posted every Friday.
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