T-Minus Space Daily

Episode: NASA Announces Its 24th Astronaut Class
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazes (N2K Networks)
Special Guest: Greg Burgess, VP of Space Systems, General Atomics

Overview

This episode spotlights NASA's announcement of its 24th astronaut class—the first in four years and the first time women outnumber men in a selected class. It covers the impressive achievements and backgrounds of the new astronaut candidates and highlights Anna Menon’s historic selection. The episode also features a deep-dive interview with Greg Burgess of General Atomics, focusing on recent breakthroughs in air-to-space optical communications, as well as briefings on cutting-edge news in the aerospace and cybersecurity sectors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

NASA's 24th Astronaut Class Announcement (01:00–03:55)

• Historic Class Details: Out of 8,000 applicants, 10 candidates were selected—4 men and 6 women, marking the first time women outnumber men.
• Diverse Expertise: The class includes engineers, test pilots, physicians, helicopter pilots, and a geologist.
• Anna Menon’s Unique Milestone: Anna Menon, previously a SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission specialist, becomes the first NASA astronaut candidate to have already flown in space prior to selection.
  • “Anna was part of the SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission in September 2024... she now goes down in history as the first candidate selected by NASA to have already flown in space prior to joining the astronaut corps.” – Maria Varmazes (02:20)
• Program Context: NASA has selected a total of 360 astronaut candidates since 1959. The new class begins training immediately, set for potential near-future Moon or Mars missions.
• Artemis 2 Update: Artemis 2 on track for April 2026 launch, with a possibility to move up to February.

Additional Space Industry News (03:56–08:22)

• Firefly Aerospace: Awarded $10M for additional operational data from the Blue Ghost 1 lunar mission, including the first HD images of a solar eclipse and sunset from the Moon’s surface.

  • Data highlights: 120GB collected, communications and propulsion data, and temperature readings across a 500°F delta.

• Arkasis Selected for Astrobee Program: Arkasis will maintain NASA’s Astrobee, the trio of free-flying robots aboard the ISS, in collaboration with several NASA centers.

• GE Aerospace Milestone: Completed supersonic captive carry flight tests of the Atlas Flight Test Vehicle, advancing solid fuel ramjet propulsion technology.

• Cybersecurity Threat Warning: European aerospace, defense, telecom, and manufacturing firms are being targeted by Iranian-backed phishing campaigns with fake job portals distributing malware.

  • “Friends, please stay vigilant as always and if you encounter a similar campaign, definitely report the links to the right authorities.” – Maria Varmazes (07:40)

Quick Headlines with Alice Carruth (08:22–08:46)

• IMAP Mission Delay
• Washington Times on China’s Threat in Space
• Terran Orbital’s Delivery for Lockheed Martin
• Kazakh Telecom Partners with Amazon Kuiper
  • “We include links to the original sources of all the stories... in the selected reading section of our show notes.” – Alice Carruth (08:46)

Special Interview: Greg Burgess, VP of Space Systems, General Atomics

Discussion on Recent Air-to-Space Optical Communications Demonstration

Background & Introduction (10:48–11:24)

• General Atomics is building satellites (75–900 kg) for national security, NASA, and Space Force, and developing optical payloads for weather, missile warning, and communication.

Details of the Optical Comm Demo (11:58–13:01)

• Test Overview: Conducted for the Space Development Agency (SDA) in July–August 2025. Laser communication terminal on a Twin Otter aircraft, linking to Kepler-built satellites in LEO.
• Objective: Prove fast, secure laser-based connection between air and space, enabling global, near-instantaneous data transfer.
  • “You could imagine data going from the aircraft up to space and then across a space constellation to the other side of the planet and back down... in less than a couple of seconds.” – Greg Burgess (12:35)

Technical Deep Dive (13:33–14:53)

• Meticulous planning: Flight path coordination, weather forecasting, uploading precise coordinates hours in advance.
• Critical step: Pointing, acquisition, and tracking for the optical terminals.
• Operational sequence: Aircraft and satellite locked on and exchanged data during passes.
  • “A key part of optical communications is the ability to point and track at the other terminal.” – Greg Burgess (13:51)

Lessons Learned & Significance (15:22–16:50)

• Interoperability Milestone: General Atomics' and Kepler’s (via TSat, Germany) terminals, built to the same standard, successfully communicated—an industry breakthrough.
  • “The fact that we communicated not just across domains but two different companies building terminals to the same standard... really paves the way... for operational acceptance for laser communications.” – Greg Burgess (15:25)
• Robustness of Technology: Demonstrated stable communications even in low elevation scenarios with short windows, confirming operational viability.

Implications for Industry (17:02–18:27)

• General Atomics: Validation of years of investment and R&D; involved in multiple SDA and Space Force laser comms projects (Stallion, Manhattan, Enterprise Space Terminal).
• Broader Impact: Reduces risk for future military and commercial systems, supporting further adoption in architectures and budgets.
• Laser Comms Advantages:
  • Security: Narrow laser beams are much harder to jam/intercept than broad RF signals—crucial for military.
  • No Licensing Required: Unlike RF, laser comms don’t need spectrum licenses, saving commercial operators potentially billions.
    • “Laser communications don’t require a license... great potential here in the commercial market to use laser communications for high bandwidth.” – Greg Burgess (20:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Women Outnumbering Men in NASA’s 24th Class:

  • “Four men, six women make up the 24th astronaut class and they will start training immediately. Their resumes, zero surprise here, do not disappoint.” – Maria Varmazes (01:55)

• On Anna Menon’s Selection:

  • “She now goes down in history as the first candidate selected by NASA to have already flown in space prior to joining the astronaut corps.” – Maria Varmazes (02:20)

• On Cybersecurity Threats:

  • “Right now is time to be even more vigilant against online scams. Suspected Iranian government backed online attackers have expanded their European cyber ops…” – Maria Varmazes (07:16)

• On Operational Value of Laser Communications:

  • “It provides confidence for the US military, and frankly, other militaries, to start putting this into their future architectures and fund the development of operational airborne systems.” – Greg Burgess (18:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:00] NASA 24th Astronaut Class announced
• [02:20] Anna Menon’s pioneering candidacy
• [08:22] Alice Carruth shares additional headlines
• [10:48] Greg Burgess interview introduction
• [11:58] Air-to-space optical comms demo overview
• [13:33] Technical planning and execution details
• [15:22] Interoperability success and key takeaways
• [17:02] Implications for General Atomics, the industry, and military
• [18:27] Advantages of laser communication technology

Tone & Style

• Informative, with a mix of enthusiasm and technical depth—especially in news and the expert interview.
• Maria Varmazes often uses a conversational, engaging style: “Their resumes, zero surprise here, do not disappoint.”
• First-hand explanations from Greg Burgess bring clarity and excitement to complex technical advances.

Summary

This episode provides listeners with a comprehensive update on the latest NASA astronaut class—with historic gender milestones and an unprecedented selection of a spaceflown candidate—alongside lively, accessible reporting on the day’s most critical advances in space technology and security. The in-depth interview segment offers real-world insight into how high-bandwidth, jam-proof laser communications are progressing from demo to operational readiness, expanding both military and commercial horizons in space connectivity.