Please note that we experienced unidentified audio problems for this program including callers using our toll free line. We sincerely apologize for this unfortunate audio problem. In this space policy discussion, host David and guest Michael Listener, a space attorney, addressed recent developments including potential changes to COMSTACK, budget concerns, and the Trump administration's approach to commercial space through executive orders. They explored international competition with China, regu...
Aug 21, 2025•59 min
Our Open Lines program began by delving into a wide-ranging discussion about space exploration topics including nuclear power on the Moon, micro reactors, and SpaceX's Starship program. Together we explored various challenges facing space missions, including regulatory hurdles, technical limitations, and the need for proper infrastructure, while also discussing the financial implications of space programs and the role of government involvement. The conversation ended with updates on upcoming eve...
Aug 21, 2025•2 hr 7 min
John, David and Andrew Chanin (our guest) discussed UFO, ETF (Exchange Traded Fund), which offers exposure to over 40 publicly traded space-related companies worldwide. Their conversation explored investment opportunities in both public and private space companies, including large aerospace firms and emerging startups. Andrew examined investment vehicles such as ETFs, special purpose vehicles (SPVs), and private securities markets, highlighting the challenges of accessing high-profile private co...
Aug 18, 2025•19 min
The Space Show presents Dr. A.J. Kothar via Zoom leading a discussion on how best to return & get infrastructure to the Moon. Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Our discussion centered on Ajay Kothari's proposal to use multiple Falcon Heavy rockets for lunar missions as a cost-effective alternative to NASA’s SLS and SpaceX’s Starship. Kothari argued this method could be implemented within two years at an estimated cost of $400–600 million, and would avoid political pushback by serving as a complement ...
Aug 18, 2025•2 hr 3 min
Our program opened with my announcing changes to the show's format, including a new Tuesday Zoom-broadcast program, a toll-free call-in line, and details about upcoming guests such as Dr. Kothari returning to the Moon plans and Andrew Chanin of the UFO ETF being on Hotel Mars for Wednesday. He reminded listeners of the show's nonprofit status and encouraged support. With Dr. Tom Matula as our guest, our main topic centered around his new MBA programs focused on space commerce which he developed ...
Aug 11, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Hotel Mars with Rand Simberg, August 6, 2025 John and I, with our guest Rand Simberg, focused this one segment Hotel Mars program on the role of commercial space with regards to our effort to return to the Moon. Rand Simberg explainrd that while NASA's Artemis program includes public-private partnerships with SpaceX and Blue Origin, Congress has been requiring the use of the Space Launch System (SLS) for the past 15 years to maintain jobs and workforce. Rand noted that the SLS program faces sign...
Aug 11, 2025•10 min
Dr. Space, host of The Space Show , recently hosted a compelling conversation with Ben Roberts, founder and CEO of Skyworker Work Group Finance and Advisory Surfaces LLC. The discussion centered on financing space business entrepreneurs developing health and material products in microgravity. They explored how the unique conditions of space, specifically the absence of gravity—can be leveraged to manufacture advanced materials and medical goods. These include protein crystals for medicines, engi...
Aug 09, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Meeting notes for Sponable on Tuesday , August 5, 20245 interview: We welcomed back Jess Sponable, who shared his expertise on the feasibility of the Golden Dome defense system, drawing from his experience with DARPA and DCX. Jess explained that while Golden Dome is technically possible, it would require significant software and sensor technology development, and he noted that the US has robust safeguards against nuclear threats. David and Jess briefly touched on the anniversary of the atomic bo...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Dr. Livingston introduced Michael Gordon, a serial entrepreneur, author, and digital health innovator, known for co-founding Teladoc and developing VoIP telephone lines. Michael shared his background in space physics, including his graduate work on the magnetosphere and involvement in the Hayley's comet probe project. He discusses his Tachyon Tunnel sci fi book series, which explores the concept of using tachyons to build tunnels for faster-than-light travel, addressing the challenges of interst...
Aug 06, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Megan Masterson presented research on tidal disruption events (TDEs) observed using the James Webb Space Telescope, which has revealed previously dormant black holes becoming active and providing insights into their environmental effects. The discussion covered the physics of TDEs, including their impact on surrounding gas and dust, as well as the challenges of studying dormant black holes and their relationship with galaxy size. The conversation concluded with a discussion about the limitations...
Aug 01, 2025•19 min
Mark Whittington on Tuesday, 7-29-25 I introduced Mark, who discussed the current turmoil at NASA, describing the agency as "rudderless" due to the stalled nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman as Administrator. Isaacman, known for funding private missions like Inspiration 4 , was nominated by Donald Trump and had garnered bipartisan support, including backing from former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. However, his nomination unraveled after a post on Truth Social falsely labeled him a D...
Jul 31, 2025•1 hr 27 min
The Space Show Advisory Board discusses NASA budget and mission cuts plus policy via Zoom on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The Space Show Advisory Board meeting centered on NASA’s proposed budget cuts and the ongoing appropriations process in Congress. Bill Gowan outlined the current situation: while the President’s budget proposes a 24% overall cut to NASA—including a 47% reduction to the Science Mission Directorate—Congress appears inclined to preserve NASA’s funding. The Senate has approved a $24.9 ...
Jul 28, 2025•2 hr
Quick recap The meeting focused on challenges in science funding and peer review processes, with discussions about budget cuts, public pushback, and the need for advocacy and reform. The group explored issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in scientific research and academia, including their impact on merit-based evaluations and graduate admissions. The conversation concluded with discussions about the role of private versus public funding in scientific research, the potent...
Jul 26, 2025•1 hr 34 min
David opened the program by introducing Rand Simberg and his Evoloterra ceremony—a tradition created around 40 years ago and modeled on the Jewish Seder. The ceremony celebrates the evolution of Earth and humanity’s journey into space. Rand encouraged listeners to download and participate in Evoloterra annually, emphasizing its continued relevance today. He also mentioned China’s plans to land humans on the Moon by 2030, noting their efforts to carry forward Western civilizational values. The co...
Jul 21, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Our program with Dr. Talaat covered various aspects of space research, technology, and exploration, including the role of the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) in advancing these fields. Discussions focused on challenges in human spaceflight, the importance of government investment in space research, applications of AI in space-related activities, and the development of nuclear technology for space missions. The meeting also addressed workforce development in the space program, the ...
Jul 19, 2025•1 hr 21 min
Hotel Mars focused on Firefly Aerospace, a Texas-based company developing launch vehicles and spacecraft for lunar and Earth orbit missions. Despite financial challenges, Firefly has achieved significant milestones, including landing the first private lander on the Moon under NASA's CLPS program. The company has recently filed for an IPO to raise funds for debt repayment and expansion, with backing from major investment banks. Doug discussed the Firefly Aerospace IPO filing to raise $101 milion....
Jul 19, 2025•9 min
Meeting summary for John Hunt vs. the WSJ (07/15/2025) David introduced John Hunt as the guest for the Tuesday Space Show program. John quickly turned to criticizing the Wall Street Journal's two-part series on UFOs/UAPs, arguing that it unfairly dismissed the subject as government disinformation. He highlighted several issues with the article, including its selective use of evidence, misrepresentation of sources, and failure to address key cases like the Maelstrom missile shutdown and Soviet in...
Jul 16, 2025•1 hr 33 min
Our program with guest Jim Muncy covered NASA's current leadership situation and workforce challenges, including discussions about temporary administrators, potential job losses, and changes in federal government staffing policies. The conversation explored NASA's budget situation and space exploration priorities, with particular focus on the Appropriation Bill for Commerce, Justice, and Science, as well as the challenges posed by political divisions in Congress. Also discussed was the aging NAS...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr 56 min
We welcomed guest Bryant Cruz, founder of New Sapience, a company developing artificial intelligence technology that processes language in a fundamentally different way from traditional models such as ChatGPT and GROK. New Sapience’s approach involves building internal models of the world that mirror human knowledge, allowing their AI to reason and understand more like a person rather than relying on statistical language patterns. To start the interview, I offered Bryant a quick summary of the k...
Jul 12, 2025•1 hr 30 min
John, David and Dr. Haym Benaroya discussed the progress and ongoing challenges of human exploration and habitation on the Moon and Mars. Since 2002, significant advancements have been made in data collection and our understanding of Martian and lunar environments. These improvements were contrasted with earlier speculative or fictional portrayals of space colonization. Professor Benaroya, a mechanical and aerospace engineering expert from Rutgers University, emphasized that while technological ...
Jul 12, 2025•19 min
Our program centered on the Viking life detection experiments on Mars and their broader implications for the search for extraterrestrial life. Our guest, Dr. Steven Benner, delved into topics including synthetic biology, paleogenetics, and the potential for current and future Mars missions to detect life. The conversation also addressed the capabilities and limitations of genetic engineering technologies such as CRISPR, along with the conditions required for life to exist on Mars and other plane...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 28 min
John and I had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Simone Marchi from the Southwest Research Institute (SWRI) in Boulder, CO, to discuss his recent work on “The shaping of terrestrial planets by late accretions.” You can read his paper, published in Nature, at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08970-8 . In this fascinating study, Dr. Marchi and his co-author explore how the final ~1% of planetary growth—known as late accretion—may have played a disproportionate role in the long-term evolutio...
Jul 04, 2025•19 min
Meeting Summary The main portion of the meeting focused on space policy and technology, including debates about SpaceX's role in the U.S. space program, the feasibility of reusable rocket technology, and comparisons between U.S. and Chinese space capabilities. The discussion concluded with conversations about NASA's future, recent rocket nozzle issues, and Relativity Space’s new leadership, with participants exploring a range of strategic and technical considerations for the future of the space ...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 56 min
John and I spoke with Doug Messier for a single Hotel Mars segment focused on recent SpaceX launches and the latest developments with Starship, including efforts to troubleshoot recent launch failures. Doug discussed costs, testing, technical challenges, and the projected timelines for key SpaceX and Starship-related programs. He also reviewed the progression of Super Heavy Block 1, 2, and 3, noting that details about Block 3 remain unclear at this time. Doug was asked about the ongoing risk of ...
Jul 01, 2025•9 min
We began our discussion with Dr. Bae with a focus on nuclear fusion power and space propulsion. The conversation covered Dr. Bae’s research career, the challenges in developing fusion technology, and potential applications for space. We aimed to conclude with a consensus that both fusion and thorium-based fission could play key roles in future space propulsion, while fission would likely remain the more viable option for terrestrial energy needs. At the start of the program, I reminded listeners...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 34 min
Casey Dreyer, Director of Space Policy at the Planetary Society, joined us in our Space Show Zoom room to discuss the proposed 2026 NASA budget. He criticized the budget as unprecedented, “unstrategic,” and damaging—highlighting a historic 25% cut that could cancel numerous missions and projects. Casey stressed that the budget breaks the Artemis consensus, cuts scientific research, and threatens NASA’s workforce. He dismissed the possibility of significant internal savings, arguing that most mis...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Please note that both the video and the audio of this program are archived on our Substack page, doctorspace.substack.com . I strongly recommend you watch the video version. We introduced Dr. Ersilia Vaudo, an astrophysicist and author from Paris with a 30-year career at ESA, including roles overseeing relations with NASA. He mentions her book and asks about her background in space and her motivation for writing her book, “The Story of Astrophysics in Five Revolutions.” Our guest started us of b...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 3 min
The Space Show hosted a discussion with Dr. Saralyn Mark, focusing on space medicine, human spaceflight, and the challenges of long-duration space travel. The conversation covered topics such as the impact of space on human health, advancements in space technology, and the potential for space research to benefit medical treatments on Earth. Dr. Mark emphasized the importance of international collaboration, ethical considerations, and continued funding for space exploration to address challenges ...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Please note that there were audio and technical difficulties with this program My apologies. Dr. Karen Lloyd, author of INTRATERRESTRIALS: Discovering The Strangest Life On Earth , was our guest for this 63-minute program. We explored a variety of strange life forms that she has studied using deep-sea submersibles such as ALVIN. Although we did touch on some land-based life later in the program, most of our discussion focused on organisms found several hundred to several thousand feet below the ...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 3 min
We welcomed Dr. Robert Bishop of Texas A&M University to The Space Show for a wide-ranging discussion on space exploration, technology, and education—highlighting Texas A&M’s expanding leadership in space science, engineering, and research. After introducing the program and reminding listeners that The Space Show is a nonprofit, listener-supported initiative, I welcomed our guest, Dr. Robert Bishop, Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering at Texas A&M. Dr. Bishop began by outlining t...
Jun 21, 2025•1 hr 6 min
