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!

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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

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:

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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:
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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

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