We've seen NASA go through a lot of drama this year, and recently, some remarkable changes have been announced under the new administrator, Jared Isaacman. We're taking a deep dive into what's changed, what's the same, and what to expect. But first: Tariq and Rod are in Houston monitoring the Artemis 2 mission, which launched flawlessly on Wednesday. It's been a thrill since launch day, which Tariq saw in Florida, and shows no sign of slowing. We're bringing it to you from the field, so strap on in and join us!

Headlines:

• Artemis 2 Launched This Week!
• Challenges Hit Artemis 2 After Launch: Toilet Problems and Personal Computing Issues
• Artemis 2 Crew Prepares for Lunar Flyby and Science Activities
• NASA Faces Another Budget Cut for 2027

Main Topic: New NASA, Artemis Overhauls, and Future Missions

• NASA Reshuffles Artemis 3–5: Landings Delayed, Missions Reassigned
• SLS Development Locked; Vulcan Centaur 5 Upper Stage Selected
• Aggressive Timeline for 29 Moon Missions and 22 Landings in Next Decade
• Push for Moon Bases by 2032 with $20 Billion Investment
• Gateway Lunar Station Put on Ice; Hardware Repurposed for Moon Base and Mars
• Surprise Nuclear-Powered Mars Mission Announced for 2028
• New Mars Helicopter Fleet to Debut as Part of Skyfall Payload
• Shift Away from Private Space Stations; NASA to Build New Core Module
• NASA Workforce Hit by Layoffs, Launches New NASA Force Hiring Initiative
• Geopolitics, China's Role, and Space Race 2.0 Narrative

(Video of Artemis 2 Launch Courtesy of Space.com)

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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Many suggest there is a new space race afoot, this time between the US and China. We've also know that America seems to be at its best in innovation and achievement when challenged by some external force. Will the Chinese human lunar program light the fuse of American innovation and accomplishment when it comes to our lagging lunar program and other spaceflight initiatives? Dr. Namrata Goswami of Johns Hopkins University joins us to examine the intricacies of potential threats to American leadership in space and the possible outcomes. Who will be first to land astronauts on the moon? Does it really matter? Who controls what regions of the moon? Will cislunar space be contested between major space powers? This and much more in this episode of This Week in Space.

Headlines:

• Artemis 2 Mission Nears Launch, Astronauts Arrive at Kennedy Space Center
• Stunning New Images of Saturn Released from Webb and Hubble Telescopes
• "For All Mankind" Renewed for Sixth and Final Season
• Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Clears Vibration Test, Launch Date Set

Main Topic: U.S.-China Competition and Global Ambitions in Space

• Dr. Namrata Goswami Explains the Evolution of the New Space Race
• China's Strategic, Economic, and Cultural Goals for Lunar Exploration
• Comparison of U.S. and Chinese Approaches to Public Messaging and Program Identity
• The Role of the Artemis Accords vs. China's International Lunar Research Station Partnerships
• The Legal and Political Implications of Lunar Safety and Exclusion Zones
• Space Force's Emerging Role in Cislunar Security and Commerce
• Increasing Global Participation: India, Japan, and Developing Nations Expand Space Competition
• Impact of Lunar "Real Estate" and Resource Maps on International Strategies

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Namrata Goswami

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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit