Today In Space

Make It So | What Patrick Stewart & Captain Picard Meant to This Aerospace Engineer

This week we lost Sir Patrick Stewart, at 86. For a lot of us he was the "measure of a man". And it's safe to say that without Captain Picard I would not have gone to school for an aerospace engineering degree, would not love space as much as I do, and this podcast wouldn't have started — never mind run regularly for over a decade now. This episode is about what Sir Patrick Stewart and Captain Picard meant to me. Audio version of this episode of @TodayInSpacepod is available below. Video (link also below) premieres tonight at 8PM ET Picard never led by the tip of the spear. He wasn't Kirk. There's a real business book about exactly this, "Make It So: Leadership Lessons from Star Trek: The Next Generation," t was the first time I understood that a fictional character could change how you run a business and how you live your life. Affiliate link for the book is here if you are interested (https://link.amazon/B0au0xffL) I talk about the leadership dynamics of the "Ready Room", the optimistic view of a Humanities AI future from Gene Roddenberry and Captain Picard, and how Partrick Stewart made me want to strive for creativity and was a pillar in my family. I close the episode with three quotes of his that really hit me. I'd love to hear what he meant to you. Put it in the comments and let's honor his memory together — or email me at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com if you'd rather. May his memory be eternal. Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. SPREAD LOVE, SPREAD SCIENCE, AND STAY CURIOUS. CHAPTERS 00:00 We lost Sir Patrick Stewart 01:13 Tell me what he meant to you 01:51 A pillar of leadership 02:16 Picard doesn't lead by the tip of the spear 02:43 "Make It So" — the leadership book 03:21 My first engineering job, and the mentor who made the connection 04:05 The Ready Room 05:06 Grunts, red shirts, and respect 05:37 How Picard handled conflict 06:49 Shakespeare, Ian McKellen, and the arts 07:35 The Starfleet mentality: become more human 08:33 Why this matters more as AI grows 09:49 My dad's VHS collection 10:43 Rest in peace, Sir Patrick 10:58 Three quotes that stayed with me 11:49 Go live life THE THREE QUOTES, AND WHERE THEY'RE FROM "We have powerful tools: openness, optimism, and the spirit of curiosity." — Picard, Star Trek: Picard, S1E8 "Broken Pieces" (2020) "Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives. I'd rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey, and reminds us to cherish every moment, because it will never come again." — Picard, Star Trek Generations (1994) "What we leave behind is not as important as how we lived." — Picard, Star Trek Generations (1994)\ Youtube ID: https://youtu.be/3_NYSHs098A THE BOOK I MENTION Make It So: Leadership Lessons from Star Trek: The Next Generation — Wess Roberts, Ph.D. and Bill Ross, Pocket Books, 1995. Amazon Affiliate link - https://link.amazon/B0au0xffL CORRECTIONS A few things I want to get right. The leadership book came out in 1995, not 1994 — Pocket Books ran the first hardcover that September. And when I introduced the three quotes I said they were all Next Generation. The second and third are Picard in Star Trek Generations, which is the TNG cast, so that one's close enough. But the first — openness, optimism, and the spirit of curiosity — is from Star Trek: Picard, season one. Same captain, different log entry. GET MY FIRST BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net What did Sir Patrick Stewart mean to you? Tell me in the comments. #patrickstewart #captainpicard #startrek #thenextgeneration #makeitso #leadership #startrekpicard #spacepodcast #todayinspace

Just Solve The Next Problem: Lessons from my 5-Week Comic Con Cosplay Gauntlet

On this week's episode, it's storytime after a very fun but also challenging NYCC trip. My third cosplay was my most ambitious yet, and with that ambition came complexity and things out of control! I'll tell you about the challenges I went through getting to the Cosplay showcase last Saturday, but more importantly I'll share how the wisdom of Mark Watney from the Martian kept me grounded. I'll talk about the Engineer's mindset I used to stay calm, focus on the next problem, and science the shit out of this ambitious cosplay! Never give up, never surrender! Subscribe for more space, science, & stem mindset content, and let us know your thoughts on this flight in the comments below. Timestamps: 00:00 The Five Week Cosplay Challenge 03:41 Unexpected Project Obstacles 06:18 Adapting the Build Plan 11:10 The Hotel Room Crunch 14:12 Comic Con Showcase Results 16:41 Lessons in Engineering Mindset Pick up a copy of my first book "The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing" out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net. SKYE is free space news & mission tracking, and it runs every 30 minutes: https://todayinspace.net

SpaceX Starship Flight 14 Live Launch Condensed Replay

Starship Flight 14 launched successfully! Watch the condensed replay of the liftoff and orbital insertion from our LIVE launch hangout. Subscribe and hit the bell to get notified the next time we go live and hangout with us in the chat. This recap covers the latest Starship launch, showcasing the flight from initial liftoff through to the vehicle reaching orbit and deployed 26/26 Starlink Satellites that joined the Constellation. For those following modern space exploration, this condensed sequence offers a clear look at the progress made by SpaceX. Seeing the vehicle reach its intended orbital flight goal and is a moment in modern space history. Next: More testing into orbit, more starlink deployments, and eventually the first orbital refueling demonstration! Subscribe for weekly space updates, and let us know your thoughts on this flight in the comments below. Starship Flight 14 Timestamps: Overview (0:00) Launch and Initial Ascent (12:54) Booster Landing and Ship Status (21:20) Orbital Insertion Decision (22:53) Starlink V3 Payload Deployment (39:32) Re-entry and Splashdown Mission End (83:16) THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net. SKYE is free space news & mission tracking, and it runs every 30 minutes: https://todayinspace.net

NASA Is Starting a U.S. Space Academy? Orbital Dogfighting and Starship Flight 14

This week, we're covering what's been trending in Space News for the last 5 days...and NASA HAS BEEN TASKED WITH BUILDING A U.S. SPACE ACADEMY! But how serious is this executive order and it's create a presidential commission? Could this be the start of our own Starfleet Academy or just the Presidents Legacy piece? We also get into the first U.S. military live-fly exercise in orbital dogfighting, and updates on where Starship Flight 14 stands. Gathered by our AI Assistant SKYE and reported by your human host Spaceman Alex! I'm Alex G. Orphanos, your space science podcast host and your favorite mad scientist. Tell me what you think of the SKYE Report, and which segments to dig deeper into. Drop it in the comments or email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. SPREAD LOVE, SPREAD SCIENCE, AND STAY CURIOUS. THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net SKYE is free and it runs every 30 minutes: https://todayinspace.net CHAPTERS 00:00 What SKYE is, and this week's report 01:13 The rundown — Sep 7 to 11 02:14 The big story: NASA tasked with a U.S. Space Academy 04:12 My take — a legacy piece until the funding shows up 05:00 Why there's still no real school for space 06:44 So many astronauts, so few seats 07:15 Starfleet Academy in San Francisco? 07:28 Isaacman's case for the academy 09:06 A first: orbital dogfighting in a live-fly exercise 10:28 Why Starlink matters to the military 11:48 My take — war, space, and who drives the conversation 12:24 Starship Flight 14 — no confirmed date yet 13:00 What to watch this week 13:33 Close WATCH THIS WEEK (Eastern) Mon Sep 14, 9:21pm — Vega-C with Sentinel-3C and FLEX Tue Sep 15, 9:00pm — Falcon 9 with USSF-259 Wed Sep 16, 9:33am — Soyuz with Progress MS-35 to the station, docking Sat Sep 19 — live on NASA+: https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/progress-96-cargo-ship-docking/ Fri Sep 18, 8:15am — Starship Flight 14, the earliest date on the board, not yet confirmed CORRECTIONS I said Vega-C launches Tuesday and USSF-259 on Wednesday. Those are the UTC dates — in Eastern they fly Monday night and Tuesday night. And no source we could read calls Starship Flight 14 "the first orbital flight"; Launch Library 2 describes it as the first Starship flight to deploy satellites into stable low Earth orbit. Update: O3b mPower 11-13, underway as I recorded, launched successfully on Sunday. SOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE U.S. SPACE ACADEMY NASA — President Trump signs executive order to create U.S. Space Academy https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/president-trump-signs-executive-order-to-create-us-space-academy/ NASA — NASA answers President's call to establish United States Space Academy https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-answers-presidents-call-to-establish-united-states-space-academy/ Jared Isaacman on X — the post I read from on air https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2098842327947317525 ORBITAL DOGFIGHTING Space.com — US military practices orbital dogfighting in 1st-ever 'live fly' exercise in space https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/us-military-practices-orbital-dogfighting-in-1st-ever-live-fly-exercise-in-space STARSHIP NASASpaceflight — Starship Flight 14 Nears — So Where Is The Rocket? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIrpJvrgEvs IMAGES: Alex G. Orphanos · NASA (U.S. Space Academy RFI cover) · U.S. Space Command / Christopher DeWitt Youtube ID: https://youtu.be/YVDyFDBgFuE #spaceacademy #nasa #spaceforce #starship #spacenews #isaacman #spacepodcast #todayinspace

A German Commercial Rocket Reached Orbit From Norway | Swift's Rescue Failed, New Horizons Faces Cuts

This week, we're covering what's been trending in Space News for the last 8 days...and EUROPE FINALLY HAS ITS OWN RIDE TO ORBIT! A German company launched a commercial rocket to orbit from Norway — and almost nobody covered it, including SKYE on its first pass. We also get into NASA's failed rescue of the Swift telescope, and a nuclear-powered spacecraft at the edge of the solar system that's on the chopping block. Space News gathered by our AI Assistant SKYE and reported by your human host Spaceman Alex! I'm Alex G. Orphanos, your space science podcast host and your favorite mad scientist. Tell me what you think of the SKYE Report, and which segments to dig deeper into. If the New Horizons segment lands with you, the ask at the end is real — it worked last year. SAVE NEW HORIZONS: https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-s-new-horizons-mission-may-shut-down-two-instruments-over-lack-funding WATCH our LIVE Launch Hangout for Roman Space Telescope: https://www.youtube.com/live/V3pipbUu3X0?si=5yUMqzM-kcf6O_2K Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. SPREAD LOVE, SPREAD SCIENCE, AND STAY CURIOUS. THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net SKYE is free and it updates every 30 minutes: https://todayinspace.net Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/QoLvWnAq8sw CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome — what SKYE is and what this report does 00:35 The hook: Isar reaches orbit, and how it nearly got missed 01:10 The rundown — Aug 30 to Sep 6, six launches, six successes 01:31 SKYE's trends — lunar at 1.6x, down from last week's 11x 01:54 Roman Space Telescope launches, and our live hangout 02:23 Isar Aerospace — the launch from Andoya, and what ESA said 02:56 The Spectrum vehicle and its payload 03:07 My take — why Europe needs its own launch capability 04:12 How the story got buried, and the fix in SKYE 05:04 SKYE picks — Pallas-1's debut, and the Venus mission still grounded 05:48 What's next — Progress MS-35, MS-33, Long March, USSF-153 06:41 The Swift Observatory and the failed rescue 07:00 The Swift timeline, Aug 9 to Aug 31 07:28 Isaacman and Domagal-Goldman on taking smart risks 08:42 New Horizons — a nuclear spacecraft on the funding chopping block 09:20 What New Horizons is and where it is now 10:56 The ask — call your representatives 12:36 Close WATCH THIS WEEK Progress MS-35 docks with the station Friday the 11th at 18:37 UTC, and NASA is carrying it live. https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/progress-96-cargo-ship-docking/ SOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE ISAR AEROSPACE ESA — Isar Aerospace achieves first launch to orbit from continental Europe https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Boost/Isar_Aerospace_achieves_first_launch_to_orbit_from_continental_Europe Ars Technica — German company is first in Europe to launch a fully commercial orbital rocket https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/09/german-company-becomes-first-in-europe-to-launch-fully-commercial-orbital-rocket/ Via Satellite — PLD Space, Isar and RFA land ESA Launcher Challenge contracts https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2026/08/27/pld-space-isar-aerospace-and-rocket-factory-augsburg-land-esa-contracts-in-launch-challenge/ SWIFT Via Satellite — Katalyst LINK mission is unable to rescue NASA's Swift observatory https://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2026/08/19/katalyst-link-mission-is-unable-to-rescue-nasa-swift-observatory/ Space.com — Swift restarts science work after the rescue mission fails https://www.space.com/space-exploration/missions/nasas-doomed-swift-space-telescope-restarts-science-work-after-rescue-mission-fails NASA — Updates on next steps for the commercial Swift boost mission https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-updates-next-steps-for-commercial-swift-boost-mission/ NEW HORIZONS Science — New Horizons may shut down two instruments over lack of funding https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-s-new-horizons-mission-may-shut-down-two-instruments-over-lack-funding NASA — New Horizons mission page https://science.nasa.gov/mission/new-horizons/ The Planetary Society — You just saved NASA's budget: the FY2026 outcome https://www.planetary.org/articles/advocacy-success-fy2026-nasa-budget Full list with timestamps is pinned in the comments. IMAGES: ESA / Isar Aerospace (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO) · NASA / JHUAPL / SwRI · NASA #isaraerospace #newhorizons #swift #spacenews #esa #nasa #spacex #spacepodcast #todayinspace

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A Falcon 9 Upper Stage Hit the Moon | The Crater, Artemis III, and NASA's Roman

This week, we're covering what's been trending in Space News for the last 10 days...and IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MOON! Starting up a new weekly segment where we gather the biggest stories and launches from the last week, gathered by our AI Assistant SKYE and reported by your human host Spaceman Alex! I'm Alex G. Orphanos, your space science podcast host and your favorite mad scientist. Tell me what you think of the SKYE Report, and which segments to dig deeper into. Don't forget to catch the NASA Roman Telescope mission - join us live Sunday August 30th! LIVE Launch Hangout link for Roman here: https://www.youtube.com/live/V3pipbUu3X0?si=TdaEN9pN-SCkFH-P Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. Youtube ID: IISCwaC_saI THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net - We just updated the site! Check it out SKYE is free and it runs every 30 minutes: https://todayinspace.net CHAPTERS 00:00 A new segment, and why I built SKYE 00:26 todayinspace.net: the mission clock and live space news 01:49 The brief — 514 items, 49 stories, 18 sources, 9/9 launches 02:58 The Moon is trending: 24% of the week, 11x its normal share 03:43 Twenty days from impact to peer-reviewed paper 03:57 Artemis II crew receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor 05:00 Artemis III: shuttle-veteran RS-25 engines, and the crew 05:31 Zeno Power books a nuclear payload to the Moon 06:22 THE TAKE — the outrage, the fake news, and what we owe the science 09:38 What's next: the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope 10:00 What Roman will actually do 10:40 SpaceX's $100B Louisiana spaceport 11:09 SKYE is the machine. I'm the human. 12:09 Clear skies WATCH ROMAN LAUNCH LIVE Falcon Heavy from LC-39A, no earlier than 7:26am ET, Sunday August 30. NASA coverage opens 6:20am ET, post-launch conference 9:30am. We'll be live on Today In Space. LIVE Launch Hangout link for Roman here: https://www.youtube.com/live/V3pipbUu3X0?si=TdaEN9pN-SCkFH-P SOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE THE LUNAR IMPACT NASA — LRO images the Falcon 9 crater, learns new details https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moon/nasas-lro-images-falcon-9-crater-on-moon-learns-new-details/ Space.com — A NASA spacecraft spotted the rocket's lunar grave https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/a-spacex-rocket-slammed-into-the-moon-this-month-and-a-nasa-spacecraft-has-spotted-its-lunar-grave-photos arXiv — Energetics, crater scaling, and comparison with LRO observations https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.22325 ARTEMIS NASA — Artemis II crew to receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-set-to-receive-congressional-space-medal-of-honor/ NASA — The ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGjffGccQig NASA — Artemis III engine install begins; boosters and crew training advance https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/08/27/nasa-starts-artemis-iii-engine-install-boosters-crew-training-advance/ NASA — Turkiye and the Artemis Accords https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-invites-media-to-turkey-artemis-accords-signing-ceremony/ LUNAR SURFACE Payload — Zeno Power books its first nuclear mission to the Moon https://payloadspace.com/zeno-power-books-its-first-nuclear-mission-to-the-moon/ ROMAN NASA — Coverage set for the Roman Space Telescope launch https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-sets-coverage-for-roman-space-telescope-launch-from-florida/ NASASpaceflight — Launch preview: Falcon Heavy with Roman https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/08/launch-preview-082426/ SPACEX Ars Technica — SpaceX intends to invest up to $100B in a Louisiana spaceport https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/08/spacex-intends-to-invest-up-to-100-billion-in-massive-louisiana-spaceport/ IMAGES: NASA · NASA/GSFC/Arizona State (LRO) · KARI/KASA (Danuri) · Payload · SpaceX #falcon9 #moon #spacenews #artemis #romanspacetelescope #nasa #spacex #lro #spacepodcast #todayinspace Youtube ID: IISCwaC_saI

There's Something Human About Stargazing | Bortle 1 Skies & Perspective | EP418

There's something human about stargazing. You don't even need to know what you're looking at. I just got back from Maine and about the most perfect dark skies you could ask for — a Bortle 1 or 2, against the Bortle 6 or 7 we get at Today In Space HQ outside Boston. Dark, clear skies like that makes you wonder what the night sky was to the early humans like the ancient Greeks & their Mythologies. These deep moments allow for some deep perspective. like what it's like a year since I was laid-off aka "terminated" and why the more AI work I do, the more I want to go do human things. Great summer nights with a dark sky and great company. Who could ask for a better end to the Summer? My advice? Grab 20 minutes and a patch of sky. Even the patch above you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome — the close of summer, and Maine 00:44 There's something human about stargazing 01:19 The Bortle scale: Bortle 1 in Maine, Bortle 5 at HQ 01:37 Cherry Springs next, with the Space Talkers 01:53 The night sky as humanity's first story map 02:37 How many satellites you can actually see up there 03:01 Mosaic mode: filtering satellite and plane streaks out 03:43 One year since the layoff 05:03 chat3DP — where the build is right now 05:44 The more AI I do, the more human things I want 06:51 The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing 07:22 I still don't identify as an author 08:00 A dock in Maine, and skies astronomers chase 08:42 How did anyone sleep before cities? 09:10 Greek ancestry, the mythologies, the Odyssey 10:03 What stargazing does to a conversation 10:46 Find the 20 minutes. Look up. 11:03 Clear skies THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net We just updated the site! Check it out I'm Alex G. Orphanos, your favorite mad scientist, wishing you clear skies and great conversations with great people as we build a fantastic future for all of us. Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. SPREAD LOVE, SPREAD SCIENCE, AND STAY CURIOUS. What's the darkest sky you've ever stood under? Tell me in the comments. #stargazing #astrophotography #bortlescale #lightpollution #spacepodcast #vaonisvespera #darksky #milkyway #3dprinting #todayinspace Youtube ID vTAoT8x5mfo

Artemis Origin, Moon Flashes, and Artemis III! Space Talkers Artemis 2 RECAP PT2

The Space Talkers are back for part TWO, for a discussion about how Artemis was created, and some round-table talk about our favorite moments of Artemis II! We get into the space toilet that froze, the mental health protocols behind a crew locked in a capsule for days, the East Coast fireballs, why NASA canceled planned correction burns, and what all of it means for Artemis III. Along the way we talk telescopes, dark skies, Cherry Springs, and how this little community of space people found each other in the first place. Thank you to Matt, Caitlin, and Andrew for joining us live for this back in June. Whether you are a dedicated space enthusiast or just catching up on current events, this episode is a great one to jump in. Follow Today In Space for grounded space science, exploration updates, and honest conversations about the future of humanity beyond Earth. Stay curious. Spread love. Spread science. Want to buy a copy of my NEW Book? Find your favorite book buy here: https://ag3dlabs.com/book Support the podcast: Starship Development Comic Infographic by Alex G Orphanos SPACEMAN COMICS: Digital ($2) https://stan.store/AG3Dlabs/p/space-comic-poster-01-by-spaceman-comics Physical (starting at $23) https://ag3dreplicator.com/products/starship-development-comic-poster-matte-vertical-spacex-inspired-infographic • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 • SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640

Artemis, AI, and Stargazing | Space Talkers RETURN! Artemis 2 RECAP PT1

The Space Talkers joined forces again to breakdown the Artemis II mission. Anything Artemis Program-related means lots of excitement, and so naturally AI, Technology, and Stargazing come up as we unwrap this mission and what it means as we move towards the next Artemis mission (III) Today in Space brings the team together to recap Artemis II. This discussion is for anyone following NASA moon mission progress. We analyze the key milestones and what the upcoming flight path means for the future of lunar exploration, and what's happening here on Earth in the meantime. Thank you to Matt, Caitlin, and Andrew for joining us live for this back in June. Whether you are a dedicated space enthusiast or just catching up on current events, this episode is a great one to jump in. Follow Today In Space for grounded space science, exploration updates, and honest conversations about the future of humanity beyond Earth. Stay curious. Spread love. Spread science. Want to buy a copy of my NEW Book? Find your favorite book buy here: https://ag3dlabs.com/book Support the podcast: Starship Development Comic Infographic by Alex G Orphanos SPACEMAN COMICS: Digital ($2) https://stan.store/AG3Dlabs/p/space-comic-poster-01-by-spaceman-comics Physical (starting at $23) https://ag3dreplicator.com/products/starship-development-comic-poster-matte-vertical-spacex-inspired-infographic • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 • SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640

I Wrote & Published a Book in 10 Months After Being Laid Off | The Return of Spaceman Alex

I got LAID OFF from my Engineering/Tech Day Job. 10 Months later, I've written and published my first book on 3D Printing. It's time to share that story... It's the Return of Spaceman Alex & Today in Space podcast! I share the process behind writing & publishing "The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing". If you are interested in how I managed to complete this project while navigating a major career change, this video is for you. Whether you follow my 3D printing advice or are just curious about my author journey, I hope this video provides some motivation. Writing a book taught me a lot about consistency and focus after a job loss. Publishing the book almost broke me. But I am excited to get back to the podcast! Lots of live podcast recaps this month including: Artemis 2 Space Talker 2 Parter, Starship Flight 12 Recap, Artemis 3 Crew Selection, and more! Follow Today In Space for grounded space science, exploration updates, and honest conversations about the future of humanity beyond Earth. Stay curious. Spread love. Spread science. Want to buy a copy of my NEW Book? Find the link to your favorite option here: https://ag3dlabs.com/book Support the podcast: Starship Development Comic Infographic by Alex G Orphanos SPACEMAN COMICS: Digital ($2) https://stan.store/AG3Dlabs/p/space-comic-poster-01-by-spaceman-comics Physical (starting at $23) https://ag3dreplicator.com/products/starship-development-comic-poster-matte-vertical-spacex-inspired-infographic • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640

NASA Moon Base Update & New Glenn Pad Anomaly for Blue Origin

NASA's Moon Base plans just got a major update — and then Blue Origin had a serious New Glenn pad anomaly at LC-36 that could shake up the timeline for upcoming lunar missions. In this episode of Today In Space, we break down NASA's latest Moon Base update, including new awards for lunar landers, terrain vehicles, lunar drones, and the next phase of Artemis-related infrastructure. We also react to the New Glenn pad anomaly during static-fire preparations, what it could mean for Blue Origin, the Artemis architecture, and the broader push to build a permanent human presence on the Moon. Thankfully, no one was harmed — and the payload was not onboard — but this is still a major engineering and programmatic setback. Space is demanding, and moments like this remind us just how much risk, testing, failure analysis, and teamwork go into building the future of exploration. We'll also look at the path forward: root cause analysis, potential pad repairs, whether other launch providers could step in, and how NASA's lunar campaign may adapt from here. In this episode: NASA Moon Base update Blue Origin New Glenn pad anomaly at LC-36 What this means for Artemis and lunar missions Blue Moon, lunar landers, rovers, and Moon Base infrastructure Astrolab, Lunar Outpost, Firefly, and Moonfall lunar drones Why engineering failures are part of building reliable space systems The future of commercial lunar exploration Watch the full NASA Moon Base update here: https://youtube.com/live/GrsWp798Fvg?feature=share Follow Today In Space for grounded space science, exploration updates, and honest conversations about the future of humanity beyond Earth. Stay curious. Spread love. Spread science. #NASA #Artemis #MoonBase #BlueOrigin #NewGlenn #SpaceNews #TodayInSpace #MoonMission #LunarExploration #SpacePodcast

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Starship Flight 12 Is Coming — And Falcon Heavy Just Reminded Us What SpaceX Can Do

On this week's episode, we break down what to expect for Starship Flight 12 coming up next week & we share the moments from our last live stream hanging out during another falcon heavy launch! There's a lot going on in the world and the space industry and we want to get you amped up for the next big rocket launch Starship flight 12 success is success for future Artemis missions and NASA;s journey to the moon again. So wish the team's luck and get caught up on everything since flight 11 in EP413! I'm Writing My First Book and Making My First AI! Sign up for our newsletter to follow along and learn more (sign up at chat3dp.ai) Is YOUR Company Looking to Hire Talented People in the Aerospace/Robotics/Technology fields? Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com for our in-podcast job listing ad rates and start finding talent within our community! Let's build a fantastic future together! We'd like to thank our sponsors:AG3D Labs (go to ag3dlabs.com to learn more, get started 3D printing, and sign up for our newsletter and 3D Printing AI release!) Resources: Video from Space leading up to Flight 12: https://x.com/spacex/status/2047800137133756633?s=46 Starship Development Comic Infographic by Alex G Orphanos SPACEMAN COMICS: Digital ($2) https://stan.store/AG3Dlabs/p/space-comic-poster-01-by-spaceman-comics Physical (starting at $23) https://ag3dreplicator.com/products/starship-development-comic-poster-matte-vertical-spacex-inspired-infographic Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com• Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 Timestamps: 00:00 Starship Flight 12 Incoming 00:58 Starship Development, Raptor V3, Pad 2, and more! 04:25 Moon Landers for NASA Artemis 3 & 4 - NO MORE NRHO? 04:45 What is NRHO? Generally, not technically 05:35 LEO For Artemis 3 06:41 About Writing My First Book & Making 1st AI 08:51 Your Space Company Looking to Hire? Advertise Jobs on the Podcast! 10:13 Falcon Heavy Replay for Viasat 3-F3 Launch Hangout Stream LIVE

Artemis 2 Returns! Thoughts After Splashdown | One Week RECAP Since Crew Returned

It's been a week since the Artemis 2 Crew returned home from their Moon Mission! It feels like the world has changed since this heroic adventure around the Moon and back. We still have plenty of problems here on Earth, but hope and Moon Joy seem to be in the air. An entire generation is now growing up with an Artemis Campaign and the Moon Landings are in sight. Let's recap the incredible cultural moment where we found some humanity following these 3 heroes around the moon and back! In the age of AI and global wars, it was the hope and humanity we were all looking for... Let us know what YOU took away from the mission in the comments or email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com Is YOUR Company Looking to Hire Talented People in the Aerospace/Robotics/Technology fields? Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com for our in-podcast job listing ad rates and start finding talent within our community! Let's build a fantastic future together! We'd like to thank our sponsors:AG3D Labs (go to ag3dlabs.com to learn more, get started 3D printing, and sign up for our newsletter and 3D Printing AI release!) Resources: Artemis II Reentry & Splashdown Coverage LIVE w/ Guest Hosts Andrew, Caitlin, and Matt: https://youtube.com/live/LPU-LMoiXII?feature=share Artemis II Crew Breifing & Q&A after 6 days post-splashdown: https://www.youtube.com/live/_43Ei9eQVww?si=bf2TmUUbgfVw-vVV&t=120 Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com• Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com• Donate at todayinspace.net • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 00:00 Artemis 2 Mission Recap and Reflections 01:30 Artemis 3 and Future Missions 04:31 Personal Reflections and Mission Impact 05:36 Press Conference and Crew Feedback 08:41 Humanity and Teamwork in Space 13:22 3D Printing Conference and AI Project (chat3DP) 17:03 Final Thoughts and Future Missions 21:30 My Favorite Artemis II Q&A Responses

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NASA Artemis 2 Mission RECAP | Days 2-7 | TLI Burn, Space Toilets, and the Humanity of Moon Science Missions!

On this episode we recap Days 2-7 of the Artemis II Mission as the crew has broken records and learned more about the Moon than we ever knew before! This mission is more than just another spaceflight adventure, moon missions are SO SPECIAL! I recap the last week of the Moon Mission after launch, and share some of the best moments. But I also discuss what has made this first moon mission in half a century so special and unique....and why the next two missions are gearing up to be incredible! But first, the Artemis II crew and team must make it through arguably the most risky part of this mission - reentry and splashdown! Make sure to follow along for the exciting finish to this incredible Lunar Adventure - and the safe return of our four Hero Astronauts! Is YOUR Company Looking to Hire Talented People in the Aerospace/Robotics/Technology fields? Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com for our in-podcast job listing ad rates and start finding talent within our community! Let's build a fantastic future together! We'd like to thank our sponsors:AG3D Labs (go to ag3dlabs.com to learn more, get started 3D printing, and sign up for our newsletter and 3D Printing AI release!) Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 Timestamps: 0:00 We're Back to the Moon (Artemis II Week Recap) 0:40 Why Moon Missions Hit Different Than than Any Human Missions 1:35 TLI Burn - The Moment You Commit to the Moon 2:30 Space Plumbers will be VERY Real Jobs (Mini Toilet Crisis in Space) 4:00 The Reality of Living in Deep Space 4:58 Day 6: Lunar Flyby & Science Operations Begin 5:30 Scientists + Astronauts Doing Science = Peak Mission Energy 6:30 Why This Mission Matters (Personal + Generational Impact) 7:16 The Internet Problem: Trolls, AI, and Fake Space Content 8:15 AI Content Farm Accounts Are Faking Space Content 9:15 Why Real NASA Coverage is BACK 10:00 Artemis II Breaks Records (Farthest Humans Ever In Space) 10:45 The Most Dangerous Phase Is Next: Reentry 11:30 The Heat Shield Problem (Biggest Concern) 12:15 Can Extra Fuel Help the Crew during Reentry? 13:30 The "Space Conundrum" Returns 14:15 Why This Mission Feels Different (Human Connection) 15:30 Splashdown Details & When to Watch Live 16:00 Where to Follow Artemis II Coverage 16:30 AG3D Labs - Our 3D Printing & AI Tool Company 17:00 Final Thoughts: Spread Science & Stay Curious

NASA Artemis 2 | Day 1 - Lift Off To The Moon! RECAP

In this episode, we're covering DAY 1 of the Artemis 2 Mission in Earth orbit, before the TLI Burn to send the Orion Spacecraft and it's crew of 4 to the Moon. So much has happened in only one day and there's still so much of this mission to go! Big shoutout to everyone who joined us for the community live stream, including our co-hosts Matt Guy (niche3d.com) and Fitting in Adventure (@FittingInAdventure on youtube). Want to stay caught up on the Artemis II mission? Check out our new page at todayinspace.net/artemis-2 for all the latest info, mission timer, and live links from NASA - including our coverage for the podcast. Make sure to ask your curious questions in our form at the bottom of that page - and we'll answer them on the podcast! Day 2 was packed with a GREAT TLI Burn! Go Artemis 2 Crew - We're going to the Moon! Is YOUR Company Looking to Hire Talented People in the Aerospace/Robotics/Technology fields? Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com for our in-podcast job listing ad rates and start finding talent within our community! Let's build a fantastic future together! We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!) Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 Timestamps: 00:00 Quick 2 min Recap of Day 1 of NASA Artemis 2 02:30 Stay Up To Date with Artemis 2 using our NEW Coverage Page todayinspace.net/artemis-2 04:32 Question from MP: W/ Artemis 2 Just Orbiting Moon, is Artemis 3 landing - or later mission? 11:26 T-10:00 Hold - Launch Readiness GO Poll (Chat GO For Launch Poll) 27:28 T-01:00 LIVE Artemis 2 Launch Community Hangout w/ Today In Space 37:12 First LIVE Views of Crew Inside Orion Capsule In Earth Orbit 42:12 Orion Seperation from ICPS - Prox Op Begins

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NASA's Ignition Plan PT3 | Roman Telescope, Mars SKYFALL, and SR-1 Freedom on the Eve of Artemis 2

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 We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!) Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 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

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NASA's Ignition Plan PT2 | To Build, or Not To Build...A Space Station in LEO & Lunar Orbit?

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 We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!) Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640

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NASA's Ignition Plan PT1 | My REACTIONS to the Update to Artemis & the Moon Base

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 👇 We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!) Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 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?

NASA's Future, Rethinking "Failure", and the 'Maker Mindset' from An Aerospace Engineer

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 We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!) Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net

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NASA Artemis Program REMIX | Did Jared Isaacman Make the RIGHT Decision?

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 We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!) Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net

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