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Main Engine Cut Off

Main Engine Cut Off

Written by: Anthony Colangelo
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About this listen

 MECO is opinion and analysis of spaceflight, exploration, policy, and strategy, by Anthony Colangelo.© 2016–2026 Colangelo Studios, LLC Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • T+330: 10 Years of MECO

    T+330: 10 Years of MECO
    Apr 24 2026

    The show turned 10 last Monday, so I thought it would be fun to have our good friend Jake Robins on to look back at where we were then, what’s happened since, and what that teaches us about the future.

    This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Donald, Ryan, Joakim, Better Every Day Studios, Stealth Julian, David, Theo and Violet, Lee, Miles O’Brien, Will and Lars from Agile, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), The Astrogators at SEE, Frank, Steve, Russell, Matt, Joel, Kris, Natasha Tsakos, Pat, Jan, Warren, Fred, Joonas, Josh from Impulse, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters.

    Topics

    • T-0: The Near Future of US-Based Competitors - Main Engine Cut Off
    • T+1: The Near Future of NASA’s Orion and SLS Programs - Main Engine Cut Off
    • 1 – The Waxing Interest in Mars
    • T+23: SpaceX Mars Architecture Initial Reactions - Main Engine Cut Off
    • 13 – Making Humans Multiplanetary (feat. Anthony Colangelo)
    • 65 – Starship on Course (feat. Anthony Colangelo)
    • T+135: Jake Robins on Starship - Main Engine Cut Off
    • wemartians comments on Main Engine Cut Off — A new, short, weekly podcast about spaceflight and exploration

    The Show

    • Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!
    • Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com
    • Follow @WeHaveMECO
    • Follow @meco@spacey.space on Mastodon
    • Listen to MECO Headlines
    • Listen to Off-Nominal
    • Join the Off-Nominal Discord
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhere
    • Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter
    • Artwork photo by NASA/Bill Ingalls
    • Work with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • T+329: Katalyst Space and the Mission to Boost Swift (with Ghonhee Lee, Founder and CEO)

    T+329: Katalyst Space and the Mission to Boost Swift (with Ghonhee Lee, Founder and CEO)
    Apr 23 2026

    Ghonhee Lee, CEO of Katalyst Space, joins me to talk about their upcoming mission to boost NASA’s Swift observatory, and how they are approaching in-orbit services differently than those that came before.

    This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Donald, Ryan, Joakim, Better Every Day Studios, Stealth Julian, David, Theo and Violet, Lee, Miles O’Brien, Will and Lars from Agile, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), The Astrogators at SEE, Frank, Steve, Russell, Matt, Joel, Kris, Natasha Tsakos, Pat, Jan, Warren, Fred, Joonas, Josh from Impulse, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters.

    Topics

    • Upgrade Satellites Post-Launch | Katalyst Space Technologies​
    • A unique NASA satellite is falling out of orbit—this team is trying to rescue it - Ars Technica
    • Swift spacecraft reorientation buys time for reboost mission - SpaceNews
    • Katalyst Space acquires Atomos to accelerate in-space services - SpaceNews
    • Arianespace to launch Katalyst servicing spacecraft - SpaceNews
    • LinkedIn post with the mission patch

    The Show

    • Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!
    • Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com
    • Follow @WeHaveMECO
    • Follow @meco@spacey.space on Mastodon
    • Listen to MECO Headlines
    • Listen to Off-Nominal
    • Join the Off-Nominal Discord
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhere
    • Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter
    • Artwork photo by NASA/Bill Ingalls
    • Work with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • T+328: Pam Melroy, Former NASA Deputy Administrator and Space Shuttle Commander

    T+328: Pam Melroy, Former NASA Deputy Administrator and Space Shuttle Commander
    Apr 9 2026
    Pam Melroy, Former NASA Deputy Administrator, Space Shuttle Commander, and three-time Shuttle astronaut, joins me to talk about space policy past, present, and future. We talk about the most critical decisions and moments during her time as Deputy Administrator under Administrator Bill Nelson, and her thoughts on the Isaacman-era space policy from Ignition to Commercial LEO, and what to do about Mars Sample Return. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Steve, Lee, Russell, Stealth Julian, Warren, Miles O’Brien, Josh from Impulse, Joel, David, Natasha Tsakos, Joakim, Will and Lars from Agile, Frank, Better Every Day Studios, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Donald, The Astrogators at SEE, Jan, Joonas, Pat, Matt, Kris, Fred, Theo and Violet, Ryan, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics Pamela Melroy (@Astro_Pam) / XNASA Statement on Nomination of Pam Melroy for Agency Deputy Administrator - NASAPam Melroy Sworn in as NASA Deputy Administrator - NASAAs Artemis Moves Forward, NASA Picks SpaceX to Land Next Americans on Moon - NASANASA Selects Blue Origin as Second Artemis Lunar Lander Provider - NASANASA Selects Companies to Develop Commercial Destinations in Space - NASAOp-ed: NASA’s New CLD Strategy Will Lose Mars, LEO to ChinaNASA Sets Path to Return Mars Samples, Seeks Innovative Designs - NASANASA to Explore Two Landing Options for Returning Samples from Mars - NASA The Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASA/Bill IngallsWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
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