Summary of "This Week in Space 145: We're Star Bound!"

Release Date: January 24, 2025

Hosted by Rod Pyle, "This Week in Space" brings together prominent voices in technology and space exploration to discuss pressing issues and developments in the sector. In episode 145, titled "We're Star Bound!", hosts Rod Pyle and Bruce McCandless III engage with guest Emily Carney to delve deep into the future of space exploration, their new book "Starbound," and recent developments within the American space program.

1. Introduction to the Episode and Guests

Rod Pyle kicks off the episode by introducing Emily Carney and Bruce McCandless III, co-authors of the newly released book "Starbound." The book serves as a comprehensive guide to the American space program, tracing its history from early rocketry to contemporary missions.

Notable Quote:

• [00:00] Rod Pyle: "This Week in Space, we'll talk with Emily Carney and Bruce McCandless III about their new book, Starbound, and whether we're going to the moon, Mars or somewhere beyond."

2. Trump's Ambition for Mars Exploration

A significant portion of the discussion centers around President Donald Trump's ambitious statement in his inaugural address, aiming to send American astronauts to Mars. This vision is portrayed as the nation's "manifest destiny," with Elon Musk expressing enthusiastic support.

Notable Quotes:

• [03:25] Rod Pyle: "President Donald Trump... said that he wants to see astronauts plant the Stars and stripes on the planet Mars."
• [04:08] Bruce McCandless III: "We've been talking about this since 1949... It would be nice to really go."

3. NASA Administration Changes and DEI Policies

The episode highlights recent administrative shifts within NASA, including the appointment of Janet Petro as the interim NASA administrator. Additionally, the impact of Trump's executive orders aiming to end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within government agencies is discussed, signaling potential upheavals in NASA's operational framework.

Notable Quotes:

• [07:12] Rod Pyle: "Trump has picked Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro as the interim NASA administrator... Diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives across all the agencies. NASA was not immune to that."
• [08:08] Bruce McCandless III: "If you work in a DEI related office, that's going to get closed."

4. Meteorite Impact Captured on Camera

An intriguing story shared during the episode involves a homeowner in Prince Edward Island who captured the first meteorite impact on a doorbell camera. The incident left a discernible mark on the walkway, confirmed by the University of Alberta, sparking interest and curiosity among space enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes:

• [11:02] Rod Pyle: "About the first meteorite impact caught by a doorbell camera... It left a big impression, like a big mark."
• [11:23] Bruce McCandless III: "It looks like it would hurt."

5. SpaceX's Milestone: 400th Falcon 9 Landing

The conversation shifts to SpaceX's remarkable achievement of landing their Falcon 9 rocket for the 400th time. This milestone underscores the rapid advancements and increasing reliability of reusable rocket technology, which is pivotal for future space missions.

Notable Quotes:

• [12:19] Rod Pyle: "SpaceX launched three Falcon Nines this week... culminating in a January 21st launch. What was their 400th Falcon landing ever? 400."
• [12:55] Rod Pyle: "The next Vulcan rocket is going to be sometime in the spring for its Space Force National Security launch."

6. Deep Dive: "Starbound" Book Discussion

Emily Carney and Bruce McCandless III delve into their book "Starbound," discussing their motivations, research process, and the book's objectives. Emily shares her transition from a 25-year legal career to writing, inspired by her late father's legacy in space exploration. Bruce adds personal anecdotes about his father's pioneering work, including the first untethered spacewalk.

Notable Quotes:

• [14:21] Emily Carney: "I was a lawyer for 25 years and retired back in 2019. And since then I've been writing."
• [15:13] Rod Pyle: "Starbound: a beginner's guide to the American space program. From Goddard's rockets to Goldilocks planets and everything in between."

7. Personal Stories and Skylab Reflections

Bruce McCandless III shares heartfelt stories about his father, Bruce McCandless II, highlighting his contributions to NASA and the dangers he faced during his missions. The discussion also touches on Skylab, emphasizing its role as a bridge between the Apollo missions and the International Space Station (ISS), and its lesser-known challenges and triumphs.

Notable Quotes:

• [17:08] Emily Carney: "We're hoping folks judge this book by its cover because it turned out really well and we're pleased with it."
• [54:16] Tarek Malik: "Skylab is really going to teach people the lessons they learned... it's gonna teach people how to live long term on the moon or Mars."

8. Future of Space Exploration and "Starbound"

The guests discuss the future trajectory of American space exploration, balancing current ambitions like Artemis with long-term goals such as Mars colonization. They reflect on how "Starbound" serves not only as a historical account but also as a foundational guide for future enthusiasts and stakeholders in the space industry.

Notable Quotes:

• [32:43] Rod Pyle: "Where do you see the book fitting in... in 27, we're going to be at 70 years of the space age."
• [69:00] Tarek Malik: "Our book is kind of at the handoff... we got a lot of stuff happening. We're not sure if we're going to go to the moon or Mars right now."

9. Community Engagement and Future Projects

Emily and Bruce promote their active online communities, particularly highlighting Emily's Facebook group "Space Hipsters" with over 66,000 members. They encourage listeners to engage with their content, join discussions, and participate in upcoming events like the Hipsters Book Prize. Additionally, Emily mentions her upcoming book on World War II, expanding her repertoire beyond space-related topics.

Notable Quotes:

• [73:42] Rod Pyle: "You can always drop us a line at TwitWit TV... Subscribe, like, give us five stars."
• [75:47] Emily Carney: "You can find source notes on sources for the book at www.brucemcanlis.com."

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the hosts and guests expressing gratitude to listeners, promoting their respective projects, and encouraging continued interest and participation in space exploration discussions. They emphasize the importance of community support in advancing their endeavors and the broader space narrative.

Notable Quotes:

• [80:51] Rod Pyle: "Secure your online presence in 2025 with Bluehost... Head to bluehost.com to start now."
• [81:29] Bruce McCandless III: "It's been a real treat. Emily, beyond your Facebook group, do you have somewhere online we should be looking at?"

Key Takeaways

• "Starbound" serves as an accessible and comprehensive guide to the American space program, blending historical context with contemporary developments.

• Trump's vision for Mars exploration signifies a renewed national ambition, aligning with private sector advancements led by companies like SpaceX.

• Administrative changes within NASA reflect broader policy shifts, particularly concerning DEI initiatives, which may influence the agency's future direction.

• SpaceX's advancements, exemplified by the 400th Falcon 9 landing, highlight the rapid progress in reusable rocket technology, crucial for sustainable space exploration.

• Personal narratives from Emily and Bruce provide depth and relatability to space history, emphasizing the human element behind technological achievements.

• Skylab's legacy as a precursor to the ISS underscores its significance in teaching long-term space habitation and operational lessons.

• Community engagement through platforms like "Space Hipsters" fosters a vibrant and inclusive space exploration community, essential for future advancements.

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting significant discussions, personal anecdotes, and forward-looking insights, making it informative and engaging for both listeners and those unfamiliar with the podcast.