This Week in Space 202: Artemis Imminent (March 20, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this lively and informative episode, hosts Rod Pyle and Tarik Malik are joined by veteran space journalist Mike Wall (Space.com) to tackle the imminent Artemis II mission, review Blue Origin’s asteroid-hunting plans, dissect Rocket Lab’s new military contract, and examine the ever-shifting roadmap for NASA’s return to the Moon. The conversation careens from playful banter to deep technical dives, providing history, expert insight, and personal anecdotes throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Blue Origin & NASA's Asteroid Defense Mission

[05:28 – 09:31]

• Blue Origin's New Partnership

  • Blue Origin joins NASA to develop an asteroid-hunting "NEO Hunter" mission using its Blue Ring spacecraft bus.
  • The platform can deploy multiple cubesats as asteroid scouts, operate in phases, and is designed to protect Earth by tracking and, if necessary, deflecting hazardous asteroids.

• Dual-Phase Mitigation Strategy

  • Phase 1: Uses an ion beam ("pew pew pew it") to nudge smaller asteroids off a collision course.
  • Phase 2: For larger threats, acts as a kinetic impactor—similar to NASA’s DART mission—slamming into the object to alter its trajectory.
  • Mike Wall: “They’re going to release a bunch of cubesats...it’s kind of like a mothership.” [06:56]

• Fun Digression:
  Hosts reference sci-fi “sun guns” and orbital reflectors, illustrating public concerns about weaponized space technology.

  • Rod Pyle: “We have a new sun gun coming if this company goes...” [09:31]
  • Tarik Malik: “That’s the plot of Die Another Day...Those movies got awful.” [11:02]

2. Rocket Lab's Massive Military Launch Deal

[11:12 – 13:21]

• Rocket Lab’s 190M Deal

  • Awarded for 20 “Haste” rocket launches—suborbital, hypersonic test flights for the US military.
  • Highlights the “hypersonic missile race” and US efforts to catch up to Russia/China.
  • Tarek notes: “That’s less than a million dollars a launch...that should say something about what Rocket Lab can do at scale.” [12:40]

• Cost Perspective

  • Hosts joke that even selling their homes might not cover a single full rocket launch, poking fun at LA’s real estate market.

3. Solar Storms and the Spring Equinox

[13:23 – 14:26]

• With spring’s arrival, a geomagnetic storm is expected from a cluster of solar eruptions, possibly bringing auroras visible across 18 US states.
• Tarek Malik: “At least now my daffodils can be safe...maybe we’ll get some northern lights.” [14:13]

4. Artemis II: Status, Hurdles, and Procedures

Artemis II’s Current Status

[19:55 – 24:37]

• Timeline Recap

  • Artemis II rolled to the launchpad for the second time, aiming for an early April launch window (April 1–6).
  • January: Vehicle arrived at pad; issues (hydrogen leak, helium flow blockage) prompted rollback for repairs.
  • Now returned, with all major tests complete except for final system check-outs.

• Launch Window

  • If not launched April 1-6, next chance is April 30.
  • Mike Wall: “If everything goes well, it could actually launch just a couple weeks from now.” [19:55]

Astronaut Quarantine & Crew Info

[29:20 – 32:56]

• Crew for Artemis II:
  • Commander: Reid Wiseman (NASA)
  • Pilot: Victor Glover (NASA)
  • Mission Specialists: Christina Koch (NASA), Jeremy Hansen (Canadian Space Agency, rookie).
• Current Quarantine:
  • Crew in quarantine to avoid illness, will transfer to launch site about five days before liftoff.
  • Mike Wall: “They’re currently in quarantine at Johnson Space Center...the main purpose is just so they stay healthy enough to launch.” [31:04]

Artemis II Mission Profile vs. Apollo 8

[33:18 – 38:29]

• Apollo 8 (1968):

  • First crewed mission around the Moon.
  • Entered lunar orbit, performed multiple orbits, returned safely—an audacious leap in the space race.
  • Rod Pyle: “When you look back on this today...It sounds horrifying, which is 1950s, early 1960s...we just got off of vacuum tubes technology.” [26:04]

• Artemis II:

  • First crewed flight for SLS/Orion.
  • Will do a “free-return” lunar flyby (like Apollo 13 emergency trajectory) without entering lunar orbit—reducing mission risk.
  • Quick mission: ~10 days total, including one day in Earth orbit as a systems checkout.
  • Will set a new record for distance from the Moon by a human crew.
  • Mike Wall: “They’re going to spend the first day in Earth orbit, checking out Orion...then trans-lunar injection...” [37:05]

5. Risks: Solar Cycle & Deep Space Radiation

[38:48 – 43:13]

• Solar maximum heightens concern for increased solar flare activity, posing potential risks for Artemis II crew beyond Earth’s protective magnetic field.
• Mike Wall: “If there is like a mega eruption...it could affect their health over the long haul...it’s just part of the risk matrix.” [39:27]
• NASA measures radiation with mannequins (as on Artemis I) and plans to test crew sheltering strategies inside Orion.

6. The Shifting Artemis Roadmap

Artemis 3: Now an Earth-Orbital Mission

[44:07 – 46:25]

• Shakeup revealed by Jared Isaacman: Artemis 3 will no longer attempt a lunar landing but will practice docking with commercial landers (SpaceX or Blue Origin) in Earth orbit.
• Uncertainty exists on which lander will be ready; neither has yet flown the necessary demonstration missions.

SpaceX vs. Blue Origin: Lander Readiness

[46:25 – 52:32]

• SpaceX’s Starship still tackling major milestones: orbital launches, in-space refueling (possibly up to a dozen launches per lunar attempt), and crewed life support systems.
• Blue Origin shifting resources to accelerate "Blue Moon" lander.
• Neither company has clear schedule supremacy; both are making visible but slow progress.
• Mike Wall: “It could go either way...It's possible one of them is ready. I’m not going to bet on which one.” [46:25]

7. Gateway, Suits, and Long-Term Lunar Infrastructure

[54:36 – 57:06]

• Lunar Suits: Axiom Space continues to develop new-generation lunar EVA suits; hopeful for Artemis 3, but timeline is uncertain.
• Lunar Gateway: Its future is now unclear—NASA officials increasingly noncommittal, despite international partnerships and industrial investment.
  • Mike Wall: “I think the writing is on the wall that [Gateway] is probably not going to happen.” [55:15]

8. Money, Politics, and the Pace of Progress

[58:28 – 59:55]

• Congressional support is present for a permanent lunar base, but actual funding is limited compared to Apollo era (now ~0.25% of US federal budget vs. ~4% in the 1960s).
• NASA faces challenge of astronomical ambition on a thinly-spread budget.
  • “When people ask why can’t NASA do what it did 60 years ago...they don’t have the money and they’re spread more thinly.” [59:37]

9. What’s Next for Artemis II?

[60:09 – End]

• No further wet dress rehearsal; only final pad checks remain before April 1–6 launch window.
• Success indicators: crew transfer to Florida, launch readiness review, and no new technical hang-ups.
  • “There isn’t like this huge milestone they have to pass.” [61:26]
• Lighthearted close: Artemis II’s lunar circuit could coincide with US tax day—hosts joke about writing a story on it. [61:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Artemis II’s Delays:
  Tarik: “Four years. Four years!” [29:20]
  Rod: “Once they got the cadence of the crewed missions going, it was a matter of every two months or so.” [29:29]

• On Blue Origin’s Asteroid Mission:
  Tarik: “It's very nice of Jeff Bezos that he wants to protect all of us on the planet by finding asteroids—so that we can consume more of Amazon Prime.” [06:13]

• On Apollo Eras’ Risk Tolerance:
  Rod: “When you look back on this today...It sounds horrifying...We just got off of vacuum tubes technology.” [26:04]
  Mike: “It was a national security priority to beat the Soviets to the Moon...They were willing to take risks like that. It's a totally different environment now.” [27:37]

• On Artemis II’s Trajectory:
  Mike: “It’s going to be quick, over within 10 days...lower risk trajectory than going into lunar orbit.” [37:41]

• On NASA’s Budget & Scope:
  Rod: “NASA that’s doing easily 10 times as much as they were in the 1960s on 1/10 of the budget.” [28:23]

• On Lunar Gateway’s Fate:
  Mike: “The writing is on the wall that it’s probably not going to happen.” [55:15]
  Tarik: “That’s such a ripple effect because ... Lockheed or Northrop Grumman have already built like a power propulsion module thing already.” [56:00]

• On the Artemis Cadence vs. Apollo:
  Tarik: “Can you imagine? Anyway, anyway, I digress...” [29:34]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Blue Origin/NASA Asteroid Mission: [05:28 – 09:31]
• Rocket Lab/US Military Contract: [11:12 – 13:21]
• Solar Storm/Equinox: [13:23 – 14:26]
• Artemis II Update Begins: [19:55]
• Crew, Quarantine, and Preps: [29:20 – 32:56]
• Apollo 8 vs. Artemis II Profiles: [33:18 – 38:29]
• Solar Radiation Concerns: [38:48 – 43:13]
• Artemis 3 Became an Orbital Test: [44:07 – 46:25]
• SpaceX/Blue Moon Lander Outlook: [46:25 – 52:32]
• EVA Suits & Gateway: [54:36 – 57:06]
• Moon Base Funding/Policy: [58:28 – 59:55]
• What’s Next? Milestones to Launch: [60:09 – End]

Tone & Style

The show features jovial banter, inside jokes, and light sarcasm—with a deep respect for technical detail and a keen sense of space history. Witty, approachable, and occasionally self-deprecating (“If we sell your house…,” “He’s our crutch guy”), the hosts make advanced spaceflight topics accessible and engaging.

Further Reading & Guest Links

• Mike Wall:

  • Space.com
  • Book: Out There (2018), on the search for alien life

• Rod Pyle:

  • astermagazine.com
  • pilebooks.com

• Tarik Malik:

  • Space.com
  • Social: @tarikj.malik (multiple platforms)

This summary captures the episode’s spirit, technical depth, and key information. All ad segments, intro/outro material, and off-topic banter have been omitted for clarity.