In this episode, we break down the final part of NASA's major Ignition Program Announcement on the Eve of Artemis 2. After the Artemis 2, we enter an exciting new era of NASA Future Tech that will expand science, exploration, and even the use of nuclear propulsion for space travel! From the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope, to SKYFALL drones on Mars, and SR-1 Freedom demonstrating nuclear electric propulsion for the first time - there is so much to discuss. Drop your thoughts in the comments!

To listen to Dr. Nicki Fox's Talk (full) watch our coverage here: https://www.youtube.com/live/uEUZJl-9SD0?si=fpaljV2ltf1_RAuC&t=4096

To listen to Steven Sinacore's Talk on Nuclear in Space (full) watch our coverage here: https://www.youtube.com/live/uEUZJl-9SD0?si=J_Jj7nPqJxIMLVmu&t=8636

To listen to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's closing thoughts go to (34:32) in this episode

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Timestamps:
00:00 Artemis 2 Launch and Community Engagement
04:16 Portion of Dr. Nikki Fox's Speech Science and Exploration
07:44 Alex's Reaction to Dr. Nikki Fox's talk
24:01 Portion of Steve Sinacore's Presentation on Nuclear Power in Space
33:23 NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's Recap (full talk)
55:34 Alex & Chat Breakdown NASA Ignition Closing Talks
01:00:00 Challenges and Opportunities in Space Exploration

In this episode we recap PT2 of NASA's ambitious plan for the moon with live reactions from Alex during last Monday's epic reveal of the Ignition Plan. This part is dedicated to orbital space stations and NASA's controversial pausing of Gateway (the planned but underdeveloped Lunar Space Station) and their plans to replace the International Space Station in Low Earth Orbit.

While seemingly a difficult admission from NASA that space stations are very expensive and complicated to not only build but also maintain continuous human presence, it also was deemed controversial by the same private contractors that will build the next ISS.

I thought the talk from Dana Weigel, program manager for the ISS Program was brutally and refreshingly honest. Even their module idea to build a NASA station that detaches when ISS is decommissioned seemed good to me, but according to Eric Berger's reporting (link below) it was not received well by the people who would use it.

To listen to the whole talk from Dana Weigel, watch our coverage here: https://www.youtube.com/live/uEUZJl-9SD0?si=pFvQiyUMq178AMra&t=934

To read Eric Berger's reporting on the aftermath, click here: https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/03/what-happens-next-with-nasas-plan-to-replace-the-iss-source-it-could-get-ugly/

We'd love to know what you think! Let us know below.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction, Artemis 2 coverage, Controversy for Space Stations
01:47 Costs and Future of the International Space Station (ISS)
03:13 NASA Honesty & Leadership
11:28 Potential Replacements for the ISS
22:40 NASA's Moon Base and Gateway Project
26:27 Final Thoughts & Future Plans

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NASA just dropped one of the biggest space updates in years—and it could completely change the future of humanity in space.

In this episode of Today In Space, I break down my live reaction to NASA's IGNITION announcement, including:
- The push toward a permanent Moon Base
- Major changes to the Artemis Program (up to 5 and beyond!)
- Why NASA is shifting strategy (and what it means)
- The role of 3D printing, manufacturing, and infrastructure on the Moon
- How this plan sets the stage for Mars and deep space exploration

After following NASA and the space industry for over a decade, this is one of the most exciting and complete plans I've seen. This isn't just about going back to the Moon—this is about staying there and building humanity's first true deep space foothold.

If this works, we're looking at:
🌕 A real lunar base
🚀 A new era of space innovation
🛰️ Opportunities for engineers, creators, and companies
🌌 The foundation for missions to Mars and beyond

This is a turning point.

👨‍🚀 Join the Conversation

What do YOU think about NASA's Moon Base plans?
Is this the moment NASA takes the lead again?

Drop your thoughts below 👇

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Support the podcast:
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to NASA Ignition Program Release this Week
04:30 My LIVE Reaction to NASA Artemis Update by Dr. Lori Glaze
23:09 My LIVE Reaction to NASA Moon Base by Carlos Garcia-Galan aka 'Lunar Viceroy'
36:50 Time-Dilation and Relativistic Physics for Moon GPS w/ Atomic Clocks
44:45 Question: What's my opinion now that NASA has moved from Gateway to Moon Base?

In this episode, Alex catches up on some of the latest projects he's been working on between using Space Internet (Starlink) and the testing on the 3D Printed Starlink mount. The topic of "rethinking failure" has continued to stay in the zeitgiest after the new NASA Artemis plan. As a classically trained Aerospace Engineer, Alex thought it made sense to dive into this idea more. As a maker at heart, failure is thought of as a necessity in development so that you LEARN quickly. For the "classic" way of engineering that I was taught, failure was seen differently...

Some 3D printing & Space News updates to start, a dive into what "Space Internet" has been like, and then a quick trip to rethinking "failure" as we look towards NASA's future and the eventual Artemis 2 launch in April (hopefully). Thanks for joining us

3D Printing Playlist for Starlink Deck Mount Testing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nao06nbw5U&list=PLu6GQO_0j48-zpTNyhsOzUJAR8vVo6_TJ&index=7

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On this episode of Today In Space, we discuss the recent changes to the #ArtemisProgram by the new NASA administrator, bringing a variety of reactions among space advocates and fans.

We dive into my perspective as an Aerospace Engineer, Maker, and someone who has been covering Artemis at its beginning! Why is it good that #ArtemisII mission is delayed for now and what the new Artemis III and IV mean for the old way of doing things for our #returnToTheMoon.

Even if you've only been following along recently - this episode should help transform your understanding on why an engineer/maker likes this REMIXED NASA Artemis mission plan - even though some engineers may not.

Timestamps:

00:00 NASA's Artemis Mission Remix: Introduction and Personal Perspective

01:21 Impact of Mission Change on Aerospace Employees

02:48 Evolution of Space Missions and Industry Changes

04:41 Rapid Iteration and the Advantages of 3D Printing

07:18 Challenges and Opportunities in the New Artemis Plan

11:55 Support for NASA and the Future of Space Exploration

NASA Announcement of Artemis Program Remix: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-adds-mission-to-artemis-lunar-program-updates-architecture/

Video of NASA Administrator Announcing New Artemis Program Infrastructure changes: https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2027460193919827997?s=20

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This week on Today In Space, we are joined by Astrophotographers Andrew Abban (@apa_astro) & Thorne Ransom (@ransomobservatory on Instagram) — for Space Talkers 02! We were live on social media and Andrew, Thorne, myself, and the chat discussed Stargazing and all-things space.

Other moments from the podcast:

• Experiencing the total solar eclipse in 2024
• Chasing the aurora borealis in 2025
• Capturing our latest astronomy photos
• Capturing the Total Lunar Eclipse in 2026
• Breaking down what Artemis II means for the future of human spaceflight

What does it feel like to stand under totality when day turns into night?
What does it take to photograph deep space?
And why is Artemis II such a critical mission for NASA and the future return to the Moon?

Artemis II will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time since Apollo.

If you love astronomy, NASA missions, astrophotography, or just talking space — this one's for you.

Thanks for joining us. Let's dive in.

Timestamps:

04:09 Introduction Andrew Abban & Thorne Ransom
07:15 IRL Stargazing, Total Solar Eclipse, Live Streaming my Telescope
10:10 The Chat joins the Podcast LIVE
11:12 Alex discusses his Vespera 1 Smart Telescope & custom setup
12:45 Childhood & Early Experiences with Space & Stargazing
15:30 Custom telescope rigs, clear weather(?), and manual astronomy
17:45 Stargazing & Mental Health
19:07 Andrew Abban's Custom Telescope Gear Setup
21:51 Thorne Ransom's Custom Telescope Gear Setup
24:27 Looking to advertise jobs on Today In Space? Email us todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com
26:09 The intensity of capturing a Total Solar Eclipse with custom manual telescope
29:25 Shout out to @Bostronomy Matt Schricker & IRL Star-parties
33:09 AG3D Lab's 1st AI for 3D Printing coming out soon! Join our newsletter
37:16 How we plan to observe the night sky all night
44:53 How much harddrive space is on the Vespera 1 Smart Telescope? How big are the image files?
48:09 Sharing our latest Astrophotography in 2025/26
50:34 Post-Processing Astrophotos
52:34 3D Printing & Astrophotography
55:00 Cherry Springs Star Party - Will it Happen This Year?
57:30 Total Lunar Eclipse 2026 Viewing TIps
01:03:00 2015 Total Lunar Eclipse
01:04:51 We're going back to the Moon with Artemis 2!
01:07:28 Starship & What Needs to Happen for A Moon Landing to Succeed
01:08:13 The Power Spaceflight Resuability
01:09:19 What is the Artemis Program, really?
01:11:54 Moon To Mar? Moon? Mars?
01:14:06 Astronomy & Community
01:15:45 Private Companies & NASA Since the Beginnging, And Orion Type A Mishap
01:17:00 New NASA Leadership gives us hope...

This week on Today In Space...space nerds leave Florida disappointed as Artemis II is scrubbed until March — and cryogenic hydrogen does what it does best: leak.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why liquid cryogenic hydrogen is both an incredible and deeply frustrating rocket fuel
• How Artemis I scrubbed three times in 2022 due to hydrogen leaks
• The forgotten history of the "Summer of Hydrogen" (1990) during the Space Shuttle era
• Why SLS inherits many of the same strengths — and weaknesses — as the Space Shuttle
• What this means for Artemis II launch timing in 2026 Hydrogen rockets are powerful, elegant, and environmentally cleaner — but they are also notoriously fickle.

If you want to understand why scrubs are normal, why patience is required, and why Artemis II will eventually fly, this episode is for you.

#Artemis2 #NASAArtemis #SpaceLaunchSystem #ArtemisScrub #TodayInSpace

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In episode 402 of Today In Space, Alex G Orphanos discusses the rapid return of NASA's Crew 11 due to a medical emergency, highlighting NASA's swift response.

The crew, including astronauts from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos, safely undocked from the International Space Station, Reentry plash down off the coast of San Diego. Alex also announces the launch of our Substack newsletter, offering updates on space exploration, 3D printing, Al, and technology.

We close the episode with clips from our live coverage of the Crew 11 undocking.

#SpaceMedicine #NASA #SpaceSafety #HumanSpaceflight #TodayInSpace

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