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In this episode, we talk to Mick West, a passionate conspiracy debunker who, rather uniquely, proceeds with kindness and empathy as he unravels some of the key pseudoscience of our time. Of particular interest to us is the spate of relatively recent videos of UFOs/UAPs from the US Navy, among other sources. He's got a lot to say and took a deep dive into the phenomenon with us. Buckle up and share the weird and sometimes wacky world of "Not As They Seem!" with us!
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Headlines:
• SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft to bring home astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams earlier than planned, swapping with the Axiom Space 4 mission's Endurance Dragon capsule
• Asteroid 2024 YR4's chances of impacting Earth in 2032 slightly increase to a 2.2% chance of hitting our planet on December 22, 2032, according to the European Space Agency. The risk assessment has increased from a chance of 1.2% over the last week due to new observations, but there is still a 97.7% chance it will miss our planet
• Putin replaces Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov with 37-year-old Dmitry Bakunov, former deputy transport minister
• Astrolab's FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) rover to replace NASA's canceled VIPER rover, hitching a ride on Griffin's lander to the Moon
• The Trump administration's first weeks in office bring significant changes to NASA and the space industry, with acting administrator Janet Petro set to address the future of the agencyMain Topic - UFOs/UAPs, Conspiracy Theories, and Critical Thinking:
• Mick West's background in video game programming and his transition to debunking conspiracy theories
• The importance of contrail science and debunking the chemtrails conspiracy theory
• Psychological factors that lead people to believe in conspiracy theories, such as the need for uniqueness and the appeal of simple explanations
• The role of social media and non-expert influencers in shaping public opinion on UFOs and other fringe topics
• Analyzing recent UFO videos and the challenges of interpreting visual data without proper context or expertise
• The potential impact of the Trump administration on UFO disclosure and the appointment of a "UFO/UAP czar"
• Examining the claims of UFO whistleblowers like Luis Elizondo and David Grusch, and the lack of concrete evidence to support their assertions
• The shift towards a distrust of science and academia, and the potential return to a belief in supernatural explanations
• Debunking moon landing conspiracy theories and the importance of considering evidence from multiple sources
• The potential consequences of hidden technology and the allure of "free energy" conspiracy theories
• Mick West's book, "Escaping the Rabbit Hole: How to Debunk Conspiracy Theories Using Facts, Logic, and Respect," and its guidance on communicating with conspiracy theoristsHosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Mick West
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What do schools, universities, motivated STEM students, NASA, and the space industry have in common, all across the globe? The Universities Space Research Association! You may not have heard of this group before, but it's high time you did. Their new President and CEO, Dr. Elsayed Talaat, joins us to discuss the association's long history, educational and industry affiliations, and perhaps most impressively, their vast areas of research. If it's space, cutting-edge, and cool, the USRA is probably engaged. Join us for this fascinating look at one of the best education and research facilitators anywhere--the USRA.
Headlines:
• Astronomers mistakenly identified Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster as an asteroid, highlighting the challenges of tracking an increasing number of objects in space
• AstroForge, a space mining company, announced their target asteroid for a mission launching next month, following calls for increased transparency from the scientific community
• SpaceX is completing construction on their fifth and final Crew Dragon capsule, as the current fleet is expected to meet NASA's needs until Starship becomes operational
• A newly discovered asteroid, 2024 YR4, has a small chance (1 in 83) of impacting Earth in 2032; NASA emphasizes that an impact is highly unlikely but will continue to track the object and refine the trajectory plotMain Topic - All the Way with the USRA:
• The USRA was founded in 1969 to connect universities with NASA projects, particularly for lunar sample research during the Apollo era
• The organization has since expanded to cover a wide range of space-related research areas, including astrophysics, heliophysics, Earth science, space nuclear propulsion, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and microgravity science
• The USRA plays a key role in workforce development by providing internship and scholarship opportunities for students interested in space research
• The organization has a consortium of 121 member universities worldwide, which helps guide USRA's research focus and advocate for the interests of the academic space research community
• The USRA's funding primarily comes from competitively awarded NASA contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, as well as some funding from the Department of Defense and Department of Energy
• President and CEO Dr. Talaat emphasizes the importance of collaboration and cross-disciplinary research in advancing space science and technology
• The USRA's Lunar and Planetary Institute has been a key player in lunar research and exploration since the Apollo era, and continues to offer internship programs to inspire and train the next generation of space scientists
• Dr. Talaat highlights the critical role of space weather research in protecting technological infrastructure and ensuring the safety of astronauts and pilots
• He encourages young people to get involved in space research, emphasizing the excitement of scientific discovery and the real-world applications that benefit societyHosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Dr. Elsayed R. Talaat
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This week, we're talking to the authors of a new book about spaceflight called "Star Bound: A Beginner's Guide to the American Space Program, from Goddard's Rockets to Goldilocks Planets and Everything in Between," Emily Carney and Bruce McCandless III. Emily started the popular Facebook group Space Hipsters, now 66,000 members strong, and Bruce is a retired lawyer and space enthusiast who also happens to be the son of Bruce McCandless II, the NASA astronaut who flew on the shuttle and pioneered the use of the Manned Maneuvering Unit. We're going to cover a lot of territory in this one, so take your hand off the eject lever and strap in!
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Headlines
- Trump's Mars Vision: The administration's push for a crewed Mars mission by 2029 sparks debate. Tariq notes Elon Musk's visible enthusiasm, while Rod highlights the technical and political hurdles.
- NASA Leadership Shuffle: Janet Petro named interim NASA administrator, bypassing Jim Free. The move might signal potential shifts in Artemis priorities.
- DEI Rollbacks: Executive orders halt NASA's diversity initiatives, sparking workforce concerns.
- SpaceX Milestones: 400th Falcon 9 landing celebrated, with 60 Starlink satellites launched in a week. ULA's Vulcan launch remains delayed.
- Meteorite Doorbell Footage: A meteorite impact in Canada, captured on camera, stuns scientists and homeowners.
- Quirky Moon Naming: IAU dubs a quasi-moon "Cardea" after the Roman goddess of door hinges.Main Topic: Star Bound
- Book Overview: A cultural history of the U.S. space program, connecting missions like Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab to societal shifts (e.g., civil rights movements). Authors Emily Carney and Bruce McCandless III emphasized accessibility, avoiding "engineer-speak."
- Skylab's Legacy: Emily's passion shines as she details Skylab's role as a bridge between Apollo and the Shuttle, citing the groundbreaking science performed and how it may help us send humans to Mars.
- MMU & Bruce McCandless II: Bruce shares stories of his father's iconic untethered flight with the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), suggesting that future missions may revive jetpack tech for tourism and repairs.
- Shuttle Era Love/Hate: Both guests defend the Shuttle's cultural impact (e.g., Judy Resnik's inspiring legacy) while acknowledging its flaws.
- Conspiracy Corner: The duo laughs over wild theories (STS-1 being flown by clones; Neil Armstrong being a robot) and praises Rod's 2016 book "Amazing Stories of the Space Age" for documenting Project Orion's nuclear explosive propulsion tech.
- Future of Space: The book ends at today's "precipice"—Artemis delays, Mars hype, and private ventures. Bruce predicts jetpacks and hotels; Emily urges newcomers to embrace space history's messy, human side.Don't Miss:
- Emily's Space Hipsters Facebook group for lively space discussions.
- Bruce's website (brucemccandless.com) with book sources and WWII project teasers.Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guests: Emily Carney and Bruce McCandless III
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2025 is the year that introduces the Great Lunar Armada! A small fleet of private and publicly-funded orbiters, landers, and rovers are heading off to explore Luna Incognita this year, and it will only speed up after that. We also look at the recent Starship test flight number seven—which ended in the total loss of the Starship upper stage—and the inaugural flight of Blue Origin's New Glenn mega-rocket, which flew successfully but did not manage to land on the recovery ship. Plus, our usual space dad joke and an update on the LA fires' impact on NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and how you can help.
Headlines:
• SpaceX's Starship test flight experiences partial success with booster catch but an explosive ending for the upper stage
• Blue Origin successfully launches its New Glenn rocket, marking a major milestone for the company
• India demonstrates automated docking capability in space with the SPADEX mission, crucial for future lunar exploration plans
• Wildfires in Los Angeles cause extensive damage, impacting the community around NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)Main Topic: The Great Lunar Armada
• Overview of recent lunar missions launched by private companies and national space agencies
• Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, carrying various scientific payloads, aims to study the lunar surface and test new technologies
• ispace's Hakuto-R mission, featuring a lunar lander and rover, will explore the moon and test in-situ resource utilization techniques
• Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, equipped with a drill and other scientific instruments, targets the lunar south pole
• Retrospective on previous private lunar missions, including SpaceIL's Beresheet lander and the defunct Google Lunar XPrize
• China's steady progress in lunar exploration, with plans for the International Lunar Research Station in collaboration with Russia
• Russia's setbacks and reduced budget for lunar missions and the failed mission of Luna 25
• India's advancements in space technology and plans for a robotic lunar sample return mission
• The crew express excitement about the rapid pace of lunar exploration and the potential for groundbreaking discoveries in the near futureHosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
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Coming into 2025, we have six flights of SpaceX's Starship behind us, with a possibility for as many as 25 tests supported by the FAA license for this year. This is also the year we need to see an orbital test, payloads carried, orbital refueling, and hopefully catches of both the Booster and Ship, and progress toward an uncrewed test landing on the moon. So much to discuss, so join Tariq, Rod, and ace space reporter Leonard David as we deep dive into King Starship!
Headlines:
• Wildfires near NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, have displaced many employees and caused the facility to shut down temporarily, but the lab itself remains untouched.
• NASA is considering two options for the Mars Sample Return mission, both under $8 billion, with a launch planned by 2035-2039.
• Bill Nye, CEO of The Planetary Society and former host of "Bill Nye the Science Guy," was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his dedication to science education and space exploration advocacy.Main Topic - SpaceX Starship in 2025:
• SpaceX plans to ramp up Starship test flights in 2025, with up to 25 launches scheduled throughout the year.
• Starship test flight 7, scheduled for January 13th, will feature a new Starship design with enhanced flaps, a new flight computer, and other upgrades.
• The goal of Starship is to serve as a reusable, heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 100 people and 100 metric tons of cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
• SpaceX is rapidly iterating on the Starship design, with stated plans to build new Starships in a single day and test new features on each flight.
• While Starship's development has been impressive, questions remain about its life support systems, radiation protection, and interior design for crewed missions.
• A discussion of the potential impact of Starship on NASA's Artemis program and the future of space exploration, including the possibility of using Starship as a space station or for Mars missions.
• The conversation also touches on the challenges facing NASA, including aging infrastructure and the need for greater collaboration with the private sector, as highlighted in a recent report by the National Academies.Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Leonard David
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On episode 142 we're talking about 2025 in space! It's going to be an exciting year, kicking off with the first launch attempt for Blue Origin's New Glenn heavy booster and another test flight of Starship. Then we'll see a new asteroid sampling mission from China, the first test flight of Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander to the moon, and the launch of the first-ever private robotic mission to Venus by Rocket Lab. There's a lot more in store, so be sure to join us for this jam-packed episode!
Headlines:
- NASA's Parker Solar Probe makes its closest, fastest, and hottest flyby of the Sun yet, flying through the corona and withstanding 1800°F temperatures
- Blue Origin's massive New Glenn rocket is finally on the pad with plans to launch in early January after many years of development
- China announces their crewed lunar lander and crew capsule are ready, raising concerns about a new space race to the Moon2025 in Space:
- SpaceX aims for up to 25 Starship launches—and landings—in 2025 if they can secure FAA approval, with flight 7 featuring Starlink satellite deployment tests coming within weeks
- Jared Isaacman, billionaire and private space mission funder, expected to be nominated as the new NASA administrator under the incoming Trump administration
- Several commercial and international robotic missions to the Moon are planned, some of which will help fill the void left by NASA's canceled VIPER rover
- The future of NASA's expensive and long-delayed Mars sample return mission is in question as China aims to complete its own by 2027
- Colorado and Alabama are vying to be the home of U.S. Space Command as it potentially reorganizes under the new administration
- Vast Space aims to be the first to launch a private space station module in 2025 without NASA funding, providing a potential ISS replacement
- The European Space Agency's Space Rider, a reusable robotic space transportation system, set to launch in 2025 for various orbital experiments and satellite deployment/retrieval
- China's ambitious Tianwen-2 mission to collect samples from a near-Earth asteroid and visit a main-belt comet in the 2030s launches this year
- Japan's Destiny+ mission will visit asteroid Phaethon, the source of the Geminid meteor showers, propelled by novel ion engines
- Rocket Lab plans to launch a small, privately financed probe to Venus to look for signs of life and organic molecules in the atmosphereHosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
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It's the holidays! This week, we are joined by producer Anthony and our old pal Ant Pruitt to celebrate and discuss a wide variety of topics, from first space memories to our favorite space toys to what spaceflight means to each of us. It's a warm "family reunion" you won't want to miss! Join us for some holiday cheer, and Tariq's "Tiny Tim" moment...
Headlines:
• NASA's Parker Solar Probe to make its closest approach to the sun on Christmas Eve 2024, flying within 3.8 million miles and withstanding temperatures up to 2,500°F to study the sun's behavior and dynamics
• Christmas and Hanukkah to be celebrated on the same day in 2024, with astronauts on the ISS enjoying the holidays and connecting with their families on Earth, continuing a 50-plus year tradition
• A potential partial shutdown is looming for the U.S. government, which could impact NASA and limit public outreach during the Parker Solar Probe's close approach to the sunMain Topic - Space Memories and Space Toys:
First Space Memories:
• Tariq recalls building paper rockets with his mother and launching them on a friend's farm
• Ant shares his first space memories from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and the Challenger disaster
• Anthony mentions playing with Lego space sets sent by his aunt from Denmark
• Rod remembers listening to a Gemini mission on the radio at the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra lounge where his father worked and being captivated by Apollo 8's mission to orbit the moon and reading of Genesis on December 24, 1968Favorite Space Toys:
• Rod shares memories of his ca. 1965 Big Loo Moon Robot and Major Matt Mason action figures, discussing the evolution of space toys in the 1960s
• Tariq reminisces about his Transformers Omega Supreme toy and a paper tab and slot space shuttle and carrier aircraft model
• Ant recalls his Transformers Skywarp toy and the appeal of its counterpart, Thundercracker
• Anthony talks about playing the video game Escape Velocity on his family's iMac computer
• The group discusses the joys and challenges of building model rockets, with Rod and Tariq sharing stories of their experiences
• Tariq shows off his new pre-built Estes space shuttle model rocket, comparing it to the more challenging build-it-yourself kitsThe Importance of Space Exploration:
• Ant questions the allocation of resources for space exploration while critical issues on Earth remain unaddressed
• Rod counters by highlighting the technological, educational, and inspirational benefits of space programs, as well as the economic returns on investment, and the cultural importance of exploration
• The group discusses the potential impact of SpaceX's Starlink satellite constellation on global connectivity and the debate surrounding its sustainability and alternatives
• Rod emphasizes the distinction between Elon Musk's ambitious Mars colonization plans and NASA's more measured approach to exploration
• The TWiS crew wishes everyone a happy holiday and Merry ChristmasHosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guests: Ant Pruitt and Anthony Nielsen
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Many of us flew model rockets as young people, but USC Rocket Propulsion Lab takes amateur rocketry to a whole new level--in this case, 470,000 feet! Meet Dr. Dan Erwin and student Ryan Kraemer, who, along with a very talented team of other undergrads, built and flew Aftershock II, a 14-foot, 330-pound "amateur" rocket that flew out of the Nevada desert and into the record books. It's a fun episode that will leave you wishing that your university had a club that was half this cool!
Headlines:
• Mars Ingenuity helicopter lives on after a hard landing, and may last another 20 years as a weather station and fixed camera
• Geminid meteor shower peaks this weekend, but the full moon may wash out fainter meteors
• NASA releases Moon to Mars architecture review with 12 new white papers covering various needs and capabilities for lunar and Mars missions
• Mysterious drones continue to be spotted over New Jersey and other parts of the U.S., with no clear explanationMain Topic - USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory:
• Dr. Daniel Erwin discusses the lab's founding in 2004 by student Ian Whittinghill, with the goal of being the first student group to reach space
• The lab's rockets have evolved over 20 years, with their current vehicle, Aftershock II, reaching an altitude of 470,000 feet (90 miles) and breaking the 20-year-old amateur rocketry record
• Ryan Kraemer explains how their rockets differ from amateur rockets, with a focus on continuity and optimization of design over the years
• The lab formulates its own solid propellant, which is mixed and cast under professional supervision due to safety concerns
• Discussing the bureaucratic requirements for high-altitude launches, including FAA permits and Bureau of Land Management approvals
• The lab's plans for the future include further optimizing rocket performance, developing smaller rockets capable of reaching space, and offering payload slots for scientific research
• Dr. Erwin emphasizes the valuable hands-on experience students gain through the lab, making them highly sought after by the aerospace industry
• Ryan Kraemer shares his personal journey and passion for rocketry, leading to his upcoming job at SpaceX
• The hosts and guests discuss the thrilling atmosphere surrounding the record-breaking launch and the dedication of the student team
• The show concludes with information on how to support the USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory and get involved as a student or donor.Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guests: Dr. Dan Erwin and Ryan Kraemer
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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 the incoming Trump administration.Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Leonard David
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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.
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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 spaceMain 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 weaknessesHosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Scott Tibbitts
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