Podcast Summary: All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio) – This Week in Space 164: Goodbye NASA?

Release Date: June 6, 2025
Host: Rod Pyle
Guest: Casey Dreyer, Chief of Space Policy for the Planetary Society

1. Introduction

Rod Pyle opens the episode by outlining the major topics of discussion:

• The deterioration of the relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
• ispace's unsuccessful moon landing attempt.
• The contentious NASA budget request and its implications.

2. The Fallout Between Elon Musk and Donald Trump

The conversation delves into the rapid decline of the camaraderie between tech mogul Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump.

• Martial Breakdown: Casey Dreyer describes the falling out as "a rapid unscheduled dis-friendship" following Trump's criticism of Musk's budgetary requests.

• Notable Quote:

  Casey Dreyer ([05:14])
  “Musk and Trump have experienced a rapid unscheduled dis. A friendship disenfriendship.”

• Public Perception: While some viewers found their public disagreements entertaining, Rod Pyle emphasizes the negative impact on the Republic's image.

  Rod Pyle ([08:07])
  “It's just like this is the face we've chosen to show to the world about how we work.”

3. Ispace’s Moon Landing Failure

iSpace, a Japanese private space company, attempted its second moon landing mission but failed due to technical issues.

• Mission Details: The Hakuto lander aimed for Mare Frigoris on the Moon but crashed during its final descent.

• Cause of Failure: Lag in the laser rangefinder data led to miscalculations in the lander's speed and altitude.

• Impact: The failure resulted in the loss of the ESA’s Tenacious rover, which was part of a collaborative effort to demonstrate lunar regolith scooping.

• CEO’s Statement:

  Casey Dreyer ([13:54])
  “The CEO of the company said very specifically when asked the question that it was not a time for crying.”

4. NASA Budget Cuts and Their Implications

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the alarming NASA budget proposal, which threatens to halve the agency’s science budget—the lowest since the 1960s.

• Budget Overview:

  Casey Dreyer ([40:54])
  “This will be NASA's smallest budget adjusted for inflation since fiscal year 1961.”

• Consequences:

  • Mission Cancellations: 19 active missions and 18 development projects are slated for cancellation.
  • Workforce Reduction: A third of NASA’s civil service staff would be eliminated.
  • Impact on Science Divisions: All five science divisions (Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Heliophysics, Earth Science, and Microgravity/Biological Sciences) face severe budget cuts ranging from 30% to 80%.

• Symbolic Loss: The cuts are not just financial but represent a "dark age" for NASA science, undermining decades of progress and international partnerships.

• Notable Quote:

  Casey Dreyer ([52:35])
  “We are risking something that we've taken for granted. And if we destroy, if Mars even becomes a partisan issue, we are so screwed.”

5. Impact on International Cooperation

The proposed budget cuts have significant repercussions for international collaborations, particularly with the European Space Agency (ESA).

• Broken Commitments:

  Tarek Malik ([55:32])
  “These types of situations are going to make it harder for these our partners to trust us in the future.”

• Shifting Alliances: With the U.S. withdrawing support, ESA and other partners may turn to more reliable collaborators like China, diminishing NASA’s soft power and global influence.

6. Efforts to Mitigate the Budget Crisis

Casey Dreyer outlines the Planetary Society’s initiatives to combat the proposed budget cuts.

• Advocacy Actions:

  Casey Dreyer ([67:03])
  “We have a petition that folks outside the US can sign, as well as people inside the US if you live in the United States, we have phone call scripts, we have pathways to. You can use our forms to write your member of Congress.”

• Collaborative Support: The Planetary Society is joined by other scientific and commercial organizations in denouncing the budget proposal, emphasizing its detrimental impact on both current and future space missions.

• Notable Quote:

  Casey Dreyer ([77:16])
  “This has been a long couple of months. But this is a taking something precious and just grinding it into the ground. And what a tragedy that would be.”

7. Tribute to Mark Garno, Canada’s First Astronaut

In a heartfelt segment, Rod Pyle honors the late Mark Garno, Canada’s pioneering astronaut.

• Career Highlights:
  Garno flew three missions aboard the Space Shuttle, contributing significantly to NASA’s endeavors and international space cooperation.

• Legacy: His autobiography, A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space Politics and the Pursuit of the Canadian Dream, chronicles his remarkable journey and lasting impact on space exploration.

• Notable Quote:

  Casey Dreyer ([27:53])
  “It wouldn't have had arms if not for them. And Edgar no was featured in probably the best film ever made about the shuttle, in my opinion.”

8. Conclusion and Call to Action

As the episode wraps up, Rod Pyle and Casey Dreyer stress the urgency of addressing the NASA budget crisis.

• Call to Action:

  Casey Dreyer ([67:03])
  “This is a budget proposal and the US Congress ultimately decides what is prioritized and spent... this is the time if you've ever to get off the couch and do something, if you've always been unsure this is the time to do it.”

• Resources for Listeners: The Planetary Society provides various tools and platforms for listeners to get involved, including petitions, phone scripts, and advocacy courses.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Casey Dreyer ([05:14]):
  “Musk and Trump have experienced a rapid unscheduled dis. A friendship disenfriendship.”

• Rod Pyle ([08:07]):
  “It's just like this is the face we've chosen to show to the world about how we work.”

• Casey Dreyer ([13:54]):
  “The CEO of the company said very specifically when asked the question that it was not a time for crying.”

• Casey Dreyer ([40:54]):
  “This will be NASA's smallest budget adjusted for inflation since fiscal year 1961.”

• Casey Dreyer ([52:35]):
  “We are risking something that we've taken for granted. And if we destroy, if Mars even becomes a partisan issue, we are so screwed.”

• Tarek Malik ([55:32]):
  “These types of situations are going to make it harder for these our partners to trust us in the future.”

• Casey Dreyer ([67:03]):
  “We have a petition that folks outside the US can sign, as well as people inside the US if you live in the United States, we have phone call scripts, we have pathways to. You can use our forms to write your member of Congress.”

• Casey Dreyer ([77:16]):
  “This has been a long couple of months. But this is a taking something precious and just grinding it into the ground. And what a tragedy that would be.”

Final Remarks: Rod Pyle and Casey Dreyer emphasize the critical nature of the proposed NASA budget cuts and urge listeners to engage in advocacy to preserve and advance space exploration and scientific discovery. The episode serves as both an informative analysis of current space policy challenges and a rallying call for public support against detrimental governmental decisions.