This Week in Space 180: NASA is Closed for Business

Release Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Rod Pyle, Tarek Malik

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the ramifications of the U.S. government shutdown for NASA, the space community, and several high-profile missions. With NASA "closed for business," Rod and Tarek provide analysis on which programs are affected, which are deemed "essential," and explore headline topics from lunar politics and Mars sample return drama, to rogue exoplanets and surprising Chinese investment in SpaceX. The hosts mix sharp insight with humor, offering memorable moments, policy-wise exploration, and the latest in planetary science.

Main Discussion Points & Segments

1. The Government Shutdown and NASA (06:52–14:17, 23:28–28:13)

• NASA Impact:

  • 85% of NASA workforce furloughed (~15,000 out of 18,000 employees; only ~3,100 exempted).
  • Most Artemis program workers are considered "essential," as are mission control staff for the International Space Station.
  • Most PR and comms, plus non-essential robotic mission ops, halted. JPL remains in partial operation due to its Caltech management (07:07).
  • Quote: "If you're working for NASA ... you've had a hard year. I think it's fair to say you've had a very challenging year. And this is just... the couple on top of the wedding cake looking very chagrined." – Rod Pyle (10:08)

• Mission Continuity:

  • Artemis II and ISS operations continue as “essential.”
  • Launches such as ESCAPADE to Mars (with Blue Origin) are still scheduled, but with limited webcasting or none at all.
  • Live ISS video feeds continue, but without NASA commentary (11:50–12:34).

• Broader Context:

  • Discussion of the logic behind what is labeled "essential," with Artemis receiving special status due to national security and geo-political competition, especially with China moving rapidly (12:51–13:47).

• Concerns on Cancellations and Delays:

  • Layoffs and contract cancellations could impact ongoing and at-risk missions, referencing previous long shutdowns (~34 days in 2018–2019) and potential irrecoverable losses for spacecraft, notably Juno at Jupiter (24:30–26:47).
  • Mars & Lunar Orbiters: Robotic assets may not survive prolonged neglect; “Once you shut these things off, you can't bring them back.” – (26:39–27:48)

2. Space Shuttle Discovery Disassembly Controversy (16:46–23:21)

• Texas Senators' Push:

  • Ted Cruz and John Cornyn want Shuttle Discovery moved to Texas, requiring it to be cut up for transport—against Smithsonian's wishes and expert advice due to its rarity and engineering integrity.
  • Estimated moving cost: $120–$150 million, not covering final display (18:17).

• Critique & Emotional Analysis:

  • Hosts view the move as political grandstanding and counterproductive for educational and engineering heritage.
  • “If it was coming for Johnson Space Center, I'd almost get it more because they were very deeply involved with the shuttle program, obviously.” – Rod Pyle (22:50)

• Memorable Exchange:

  • “This feels like an emotional argument to score points and it feels very wrong headed to me.” – Rod Pyle (23:10)

3. The Mars Sample Return (Sample "Theft"?) (29:49–37:31)

• China's Mars Ambitions:

  • Concerns and speculation that China’s Tianwen-3 mission (2031) might target Perseverance Rover's cache at Jezero Crater, potentially returning crucial, already-identified Mars samples before the U.S.
  • “Whoever gets there first gets it and doesn't have to do the hard work of getting their own sample from the same area.” – Tarek Malik (33:43)
  • Discussion about legal/ethical implications: Outer Space Treaty, sample sharing, and planetary protection.

• Sample Return Risks:

  • U.S. Mars Sample Return is off or uncertain; if uncollected, samples may be lost to dust or other actors.

4. Viper Rover's Surprise Resurrection (39:54–45:57)

• Overview: NASA canceled the nearly-finished Viper lunar rover mission due to missed private lander schedules. Now, Blue Origin has unexpectedly been awarded a $190M contract to deliver it to the Moon in late 2027.
• Emotional Toll:
  • “To be a Viper scientist or an engineer ... it’s like I’ve come to terms... that this thing... isn’t going to fulfill its purpose. And then you throw it back into the front row, just dangling this in front of you.” – Tarek Malik (45:26)
• Implications for Blue Origin:
  • Could be pivotal for future NASA/Artemis crewed missions if the Blue Moon lander is as robust as expected.

5. Ignored & Surprising Risks in Space

A. Venus’s Hidden “Killer” Asteroids (50:13–56:45)

• Issue:
  • Population of asteroids co-orbiting with Venus (“Venus co-orbitals”) are hard to spot from Earth and could threaten Earth in future centuries.
  • Highlights the urgent need for space telescopes like the NEO Surveyor to hunt for these hidden threats.
  • Recent examples: surprise close asteroid flybys, including one within 250 miles of Earth (within ISS altitude).
  • “If we're not looking for it, if we can't see it, then by the time we detect it, it might be too late.” – Tarek Malik (55:01)

B. Interstellar Comet Passes Mars (57:19–59:49)

• Interstellar Comet 3I ATLAS:
  • Made closest approach to Mars on October 3, observed by ESA and possibly Mars/outer solar system spacecraft. Shutdown impacts whether NASA’s assets could contribute planned observations.

6. SpaceX’s Chinese Investors Disclosure (59:49–63:22)

• ProPublica Investigation:
  • SpaceX confirmed to have received investment through Chinese intermediaries (possibly government-affiliated), stoking tech transfer and national security concerns.
  • “The concern... is that, you know, you have these companies in China going through third parties to get a stake in a private [U.S.] company...without any public glimpse into who’s investing.” – Tarek Malik (61:56)
• Implications:
  • Given SpaceX’s civilian and military contracts, the lack of transparency raises regulatory and ITAR red flags.

7. China’s Accelerated Lunar Program (63:22–67:08)

• Update:
  • China’s pad abort and landing system tests for their 2030 human lunar landing show a methodical, Apollo-like approach, with rapid cadence of tests.
  • Outlines state-private hybrid ventures for launch systems, including Starship-like heavy-lift vehicles.

8. Exoplanet Weather: A Rogue World’s Forecast (67:14–72:34)

• James Webb Breakthrough:
  • First weather report for a rogue exoplanet (SIMP 0136), a brown dwarf 20 light years away, reveals storms and auroras with extreme atmospheric features (like warm silica clouds).
  • “It’s a stormy world...covered in auroras” – Tarek Malik (68:36)
  • This opens a “new window” for studying exoplanet atmospheres, especially those not swamped by starlight.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Space Joke: “What did Captain Picard say to Data when he wanted to indulge his model railroading hobby? … Set a course for the nearest hobby store. N gauge.” – Rod Pyle (04:43)
• On NASA Workforce: “If you're working for NASA ... you've had a hard year.” – Rod Pyle (10:08)
• On Artemis Priority: “A lot of lawmakers have called [Artemis] a national security matter ... getting there first in the 21st century.” – Tarek Malik (12:59)
• On Perseverance Sample Drama: “Whoever gets there first gets it and doesn't have to do the hard work of getting their own sample from the same area.” – Tarek Malik (33:43)
• On Space Heritage: “There is something to be said for maintaining the past... cutting it up into pieces... doesn’t seem like the way to go.” – Rod Pyle (18:17)
• On Exoplanet Weather: “It is a stormy world and it is covered in auroras.” – Tarek Malik (68:36)

Episode Structure & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|-------------| | Government Shutdown & NASA Impact | 06:52–14:17 | | Shuttle Discovery Move Debate | 16:46–23:21 | | Mars Sample "Theft" & China | 29:49–37:31 | | Viper Rover’s Blue Origin Resurrection | 39:54–45:57 | | Asteroid Threats near Venus | 50:13–56:45 | | Interstellar Comet at Mars | 57:19–59:49 | | SpaceX’s Chinese Investment Controversy | 59:49–63:22 | | China’s Moon Program Testing | 63:22–67:08 | | Rogue Planet Weather Discovery | 67:14–72:34 |

Closing Notes

Rod and Tarek sign off with the reminder to send them feedback, jokes, and reviews through TWiT's various channels, emphasizing the ongoing need for public support in turbulent times for both space and space journalism. Tarek also shares he’s off to test for his Taekwondo black belt, adding the personal touch listeners enjoy.

For listeners who want all the space headlines and analysis but missed the episode, this summary captures the wit, details, and policy relevance of the week in space.