Transcript

Tarek Malik (0:00)

Coming up on this Week in Space, it's splashdown for Artemis 2. And Rod and I are going to get down to brass tacks about what this 10 day mission was like, what it means for the future of moon exploration, and what it was like to be in the newsroom when we saw our first glimpses of the far side of the moon. Check it out.

Rod Pyle (0:17)

Podcasts you love from people you trust. This is turret. This is this Week in space, episode number 205, recorded on April 10, 2026. All about Artemis. Hello and welcome to another very exciting episode of this Week in Space. The All About Artemis edition, where we talk all about Artemis. Because that's kind of what's going on. I'm Rod Pyle, editor in chief, Badass magazine. I'm here with tarek malachospace.com who is one hard working son of a gun as I saw at Johnson Space center for eight days.

Tarek Malik (0:53)

Hey, Rod. Rod. I miss you. I miss you. It's the first time we've not been in like the same room together for like a week and a half or something like that.

Rod Pyle (1:00)

Well, we had separate motel rooms. I mean, just want to be clear here. Yeah, yeah. And by the way, you know where I'm going, right?

Tarek Malik (1:07)

Oh, my gosh.

Rod Pyle (1:08)

So Tarek says, hey, here's where I'm staying. It looks pretty good. It's a day, a Wyndham days in, in Houston, near nasty.

Tarek Malik (1:15)

And I thought, okay, name brands, all name brands. Yeah.

Rod Pyle (1:18)

From what you can see, from what you can see on the ad, it looked pretty good. So we get there and this place looks like murder central, you know, peeling pain. The doors have all been patched because they've been kicked in and all that. But the best part is we go in the lobby and we're looking for the person, you know, and there's a little robot kiosk with a face on it. Somebody from India or Pakistan somewhere sitting there eight hours a day staring at the screen. And you check in by kiosk and there are no human beings involved. So that was very, very weird.

Tarek Malik (1:51)

It's weird. You look for the front desk and then you just hear a voice out of nowhere saying, can I help?

Sponsor/Ad Voice (1:55)

Hello.

Rod Pyle (1:56)

All right, so, but. So welcome back to New Jersey, my friend.

Summary

This Week in Space 205: All About Artemis

Date: April 10, 2026
Host: Rod Pyle
Guest: Tarek Malik (Space.com)
Theme: An in-depth recap of Artemis 2—the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years. Rod and Tarek recount their behind-the-scenes reporting from NASA, discuss the mission’s highlights, memorable moments, crew experiences, challenges, and what Artemis 2 means for moon exploration.

Main Theme Overview

This special Artemis episode covers the historic Artemis 2 mission: splashdown details, the spectacle of launch, on-board challenges (notably the infamous space toilet), crew perspectives, lunar observations, hardware and technical learnings, and the cultural impact of returning humans to deep space for the first time since the Apollo program.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic Context and Media Frenzy

Artemis 2 is the first human flight beyond Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972—a gap of over 50 years ([02:05]).
Both hosts were embedded at Johnson Space Center, offering firsthand coverage.
Press presence was lighter than expected, reminiscent of the Shuttle era: “[The press] was pretty light... for first time leaving Earth orbit in half a century.” (Rod, [15:00])

2. Pre-Launch & Launch Experience

Smoothest Countdown Ever:
- Compared to previous missions, Artemis 2 launch prep went unusually smoothly, with only minor issues (battery, range instrumentation) quickly resolved ([06:20]).
Launch Sights and Sounds:
- Tarek describes it as more intense, brighter, and louder than even Starship launches:
  
  “It was so much louder than the Starship launch... so bright too. Much brighter than the Starship launch.” (Tarek, [07:51])
Astronaut Jerry Griffin’s Take:
- Apollo-era flight director Jerry Griffin declared it the “smoothest launch he’s ever seen.” ([09:43])

3. Press Room Vibes & NASA's Grappling with Budgets

Nostalgia for the Shuttle era among journalists, even though the facilities have diminished due to “not exactly swimming in cash these days.” ([14:16])
Coffee and snacks in the media room were scarce and press amenities were “threadbare, but they did the best with what they’ve got.” (Rod, [14:07])

4. Odyssey of the Space Toilet

A running joke and real issue: headlines and press conferences obsessed over the toilet’s malfunction ([03:15]-[04:16]).
Problem traced to needing to “prime the pump”—eventually solved, but required backup “collapsible urinal device” use for a day ([19:00]-[20:25]).
“It was the first story I wrote after the launch…they’re having toilet trouble.” (Tarek, [19:00])
The containment and waste management stories became so prevalent “the toilet was a breakout star…literally asked every single press conference.” (Tarek, [03:15])

5. Life Aboard Orion: Crowded Quarters & Crew Routines

Orion’s interior “looks big in wide angle shots… but it’s still really small.” ([21:08])
Compared to Apollo, it’s larger, but living space is tight:

“I’m a little claustrophobic… maybe break into a cold sweat being in there for 10 days with three of your closest friends.” (Rod, [21:52])
Crew kept to exercise routines in the cramped quarters—Victor Glover’s televised workout became an unexpected viral moment:

“Victor Glover… takes his shirt off in front of millions of people… looked like something out of a Marvel movie.” (Rod, [32:50])

6. Lunar Flyby: Scientific & Emotional High Points

Personal Moments:
- Crew named lunar craters after their spacecraft (“Integrity”) and after commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife, “Carol”—an emotional, tearful broadcast ([42:02]-[44:08]).
- “Not a dry eye in the press room… or mission control… such a moment.” (Tarek, [42:02])
Astronaut Wake-Up Calls:
- Charlie Duke (Apollo 16) and a pre-recorded message from the late Jim Lovell (Apollo 8/13):
  
  “Welcome to my old neighborhood… don’t forget to enjoy the view.” (Jim Lovell, [44:49])
New Frontiers—Observations from Lunar Orbit:
- Crew broke the Apollo 13 record for farthest humans from Earth ([44:38]).
- First human eye observations of meteor impacts on the Moon’s far side, catching at least four flashes ([47:34]).
- Descriptions of the moon’s terrain—crew spotted unexpected colors and lighting, prompting intense interest from scientists ([48:16]).
- Ongoing debate: how much is “seeing with the human eye” critical, vs. what remote sensing already offers? NASA gave it heavy emphasis during live coverage ([49:53]).
Photographic Innovations:
- Crew used Nikon D5, Z9, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and GoPros in various positions. Laser communication beamed back up to 75-80GB of high-res imagery in a single session ([35:25]-[38:29]).
Watching a Solar Eclipse from Space:
- Witnessed a “glowing halo” as the sun passed behind the moon, lighting the lunar surface from behind—a spectacular and rare event ([54:29]).

7. Presidential Call: Technical Glitches and Awkwardness

President Trump (whose administration set Artemis in motion) called the crew post-flyby ([56:37]).
Communication issues led to an awkward silence captured live, with laughter from the press inadvertently sent over the link ([58:23]-[60:27]).
Reflection by hosts: the call focused on “neighbors in Canada” (for Canadian astronaut Hansen) and missed an opportunity to emphasize Trump's role in initiating Artemis ([61:34]).
“It’s sad that everyone’s focusing on that awkward silence because I think there’s more to it than that.” (Tarek, [62:15])

8. Technical and Safety Challenges: Heat Shield Concerns

The mission’s riskiest moment: reentry with a revised trajectory and a heat shield whose new Avcoat formulation (modified for EPA compliance) was less robust ([67:01]-[68:34]).
To avoid chunks popping off due to gas buildup (observed in Artemis 1), this mission opted for a steeper, hotter reentry for a shorter time.
“It is the most dangerous part of the mission… and it’s the very last stage.” (Tarek, [68:55])
Robust follow-up plans for Artemis 3 (and beyond) to reinforce heat shield design ([71:12]).

9. Looking Ahead: Artemis Implications and Personal Reflections

Artemis 2 set many milestones: first woman, first Black astronaut, first Canadian to lunar orbit, farthest from Earth, and more ([71:17]).
Personal anecdotes: Waffle House breakfasts, press camaraderie, and Rod’s fire truck as comic relief ([64:05]).
Both hosts underscore the mission’s importance:

“Someone please watch it… This is an important mission, and it’s going to set the stage for humanity’s return to the moon.” (Tarek, [74:38])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On launch energy:

“It was as smooth as humanly possible. It lifted off. It was gorgeous… You could feel it.”
(Tarek, [06:20]-[07:51])
On the Artemis “star of the show”:

“I think one of my stories was that how the toilet was a breakout star because they literally asked every single press conference…”
(Tarek, [03:15])
On astronaut Victor Glover’s viral workout:

“He takes off his shirt… these rippling muscles, cracking big biceps… looked like something out of a Marvel movie… And then NASA cuts the feed.”
(Rod, [32:50])
On the emotional crater naming:

“…They [named] one after their spaceship, one after Reid Wiseman’s late wife Carol… there wasn’t a dry eye in the press room or mission control.”
(Tarek, [42:02])
On the presidential call technical fail:

“…And then Trump stopped talking, there’s this long silence… The press starts laughing, and Tarek will tell us what wasn’t realized at that moment until later.”
(Rod, [59:09])
On Artemis 2’s significance:

“…First female astronaut to the moon, first Black astronaut to the moon, first Canadian non-American to the moon. All sorts of records set on this flight.”
(Tarek, [71:17])

Notable Timestamps

[02:05] – Framing Artemis 2 as the headline, after 53+ years since Apollo
[06:20] – Pre-launch preparations and Tarek’s firsthand launch account
[09:43] – Jerry Griffin’s historic perspective on launch smoothness
[19:00] – Toilet drama: day one post-launch, fixing and workaround
[21:08] – Aboard Orion: living/crew space details
[32:50] – Victor Glover’s workout, cut feed, and press room reaction
[42:02] – Emotional moment: crew names a crater after commander’s late wife
[44:49] – Jim Lovell’s recorded “Welcome to my old neighborhood…” message
[47:34] – Crew sees lunar impact flashes, live science excitement
[54:29] – Crew witnesses solar eclipse from lunar orbit
[56:37] – Presidential call and viral awkward silence
[67:01] – Technical deep-dive: heat shield concerns and chemistry
[71:17] – Records set by Artemis 2 and look ahead to Artemis 3
[74:38] – Where to watch splashdown (and why it matters)

Concluding Thoughts

Rod and Tarek’s insider coverage blends technical analysis and human storytelling. Artemis 2, beyond its engineering achievements, was marked by authentic crew moments, a surge of public curiosity, and the revival of lunar ambition for a new generation. The hosts reflect on their nostalgia, hope for Artemis’ continued success, and the ever-present need to inspire the public—one toilet joke, space photo, and lunar milestone at a time.

For in-depth reporting, photos, and updates:

End of Summary