This Week in Space (Audio)

TWiS 183: Lunar Lander Wanted! Apply Within - Artemis III Contract Opening Up?


Listen Later

Lander, lander, who's got the lander? Last week, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced that the agency would be re-opening the contract for the Artemis III lunar lander, which had previously been let to SpaceX to be fulfilled by their Starship Human Landing System. Unfortunately, that effort is well behind schedule, and the Trump administration has made landing astronauts on the moon, before China does, a national priority. With multiple refuelings and landing tests required, there is concern that SpaceX may not be able to fulfill their commitment before China's announced landing date of 2030. Elon Musk responded to the announcement with characteristic tack, with phrasing like "Sean Dummy" and him having a two-digit IQ. Mike Wall of Space.com joins us to dive into this rapidly evolving story.

Headlines:

  • Texas vs. the Smithsonian: The Fight Over Space Shuttle Discovery Heats Up
  • Artemis II Moon Rocket Fully Assembled, Awaits Rollout
  • California Senator Pushes State Funding to Support JPL Amid Federal Cuts
  • SpaceX Sets Record with 139 Launches, ULA Struggles to Keep Up
  • New Super-Earth Discovered Just 20 Light Years Away Near Gemini
  • Main Topic: The Lunar Lander Dilemma for Artemis III and Beyond

    • NASA Acting Chief Sean Duffy Announces Reopening Artemis III Lunar Lander Contract
    • SpaceX's Starship Faces Orbital Refueling Challenges and Timeline Doubts
    • Blue Origin Lurking in the Wings: Can They Deliver a Lander On Time?
    • Political Pressures: China's Moon Plans Drive US Urgency
    • Spacesuit Development Delays Threaten Artemis Timelines
    • NASA's Budget Woes and Layoffs Cloud Roadmap for Future Moon Missions
    • Speculation on Jared Isaacman's Potential Leadership of NASA
    • Broader Uncertainty Over Artemis IV, V, and Long-Term Lunar Strategy
    • Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

      Guest: Mike Wall

      Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.

      Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!

      Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      This Week in Space (Audio)By TWiT

      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6

      4.6

      153 ratings


      More shows like This Week in Space (Audio)

      View all
      The 365 Days of Astronomy by 365DaysOfAstronomy.org

      The 365 Days of Astronomy

      352 Listeners

      Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science by The Planetary Society

      Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

      1,350 Listeners

      SpaceTime with Stuart Gary by Stuart Gary

      SpaceTime with Stuart Gary

      324 Listeners

      Ask a Spaceman! by Paul M. Sutter

      Ask a Spaceman!

      831 Listeners

      Astronomy Cast by Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay

      Astronomy Cast

      2,869 Listeners

      Universe Today Podcast by Fraser Cain

      Universe Today Podcast

      559 Listeners

      Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries by Professor Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley

      Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

      232 Listeners

      Main Engine Cut Off by Anthony Colangelo

      Main Engine Cut Off

      284 Listeners

      Houston We Have a Podcast by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

      Houston We Have a Podcast

      1,246 Listeners

      Off-Nominal by Jake Robins, Anthony Colangelo

      Off-Nominal

      85 Listeners

      The Supermassive Podcast by The Royal Astronomical Society

      The Supermassive Podcast

      327 Listeners

      NASA's Curious Universe by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

      NASA's Curious Universe

      873 Listeners

      Why This Universe? by Dan Hooper, Shalma Wegsman

      Why This Universe?

      393 Listeners

      The LIUniverse with Dr. Charles Liu by theliuniverse

      The LIUniverse with Dr. Charles Liu

      70 Listeners

      The Astrophysics Podcast by Paul Duffell

      The Astrophysics Podcast

      54 Listeners