Eric Berger of Ars Technica joins me to talk about the budgetary threat facing Mars Sample Return, the latest issue with ULA’s Vulcan vehicle, and the ongoing tweaks to the National Security Space Launch Program’s Phase 3 architecture.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 35 executive producers—Will, Tyler, Ryan, Stealth Julian, Lars from Agile Space, Harrison, Craig from SpaceHappyHour.com, SmallSpark Space Systems, Pat, Theo and Violet, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut), Kris, Russell, Donald, Matt, Jan, Dawn Aerospace, Steve, Bob, Benjamin, Joel, Joonas, Lee, David, Warren, Frank, Simon, Fred, Chris, The Astrogators at SEE, Pat from KC, and four anonymous—and 833 other supporters.

Topics

• Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) / Twitter
• Eric Berger | Ars Technica
• NASA’s Mars Sample Return has a new price tag—and it’s colossal | Ars Technica
• The Senate just lobbed a tactical nuke at NASA’s Mars Sample Return program | Ars Technica
• Vulcan’s upper stage failed due to higher stress and weaker welds | Ars Technica
• Space Force to select three providers of national security launch services - SpaceNews
• National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 DRAFT Request for Proposals (RFPs) #2
• Stephen Clark | Ars Technica

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