The Michael Knowles Show

Episode: We’re Going (Back?) To The Moon!
Date: April 2, 2026
Overview:
Broadcasting live from the Kennedy Space Center, Michael Knowles covers the historic launch of the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed journey around the moon in 53 years. The episode blends real-time launch excitement with analysis of America’s past and future in space, skeptical takes on moon landings and aliens, and reflections on the significance—technological, political, and religious—of space exploration. Special guests include Bill Whittle (host of What We Saw: Apollo 11) and Matt Walsh, contributing their perspectives and humor.

Main Themes and Purpose

• Celebrating a New Era in Spaceflight: Live commentary from the Artemis II launch, highlighting its significance as the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.
• Public Skepticism & Moon Landing Conspiracies: Exploring growing doubts—especially among Americans under 50—that the U.S. ever landed on the moon.
• Political, Economic, and Religious Dimensions of Space Exploration: Considering why America invests in space, what is at stake geopolitically, and how exploration connects to Christian and Western traditions of scientific discovery.
• Aliens and Modern Mythology: Reacting to recent comments from NASA’s administrator and politicians about extraterrestrial life and alleged alien-human hybrid programs.
• The Will and Means of American Greatness: Debating whether America can (and should) sustain the will to advance into space, with reflections on the shift from government-led to profit-driven space endeavors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Artemis II Launch and Its Historical Context ([00:52] – [13:30])

• Milestone Mission: Artemis II is the first crewed trip beyond low Earth orbit since 1972, with the goal of circling the moon in preparation for future landings and a potential lunar base.
• Significance: It's described as "politically significant," akin to the Cold War space race—this time, with China as the main geopolitical competitor ([04:00]).
• Mission Details:
  • 10-day flight, splashdown off San Diego
  • Fastest re-entry ever, ~25,000 mph
  • Crew: Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover (first non-white astronaut beyond low Earth orbit), Christina Koch (record-holder for longest continuous spaceflight by a woman), Jeremy Hansen (Canadian)
• On Feeling the Launch:
  • Michael: “We’ll see it, we’ll hear it. I’m told we will feel it as the Earth shakes.” ([00:52])

2. Why Go Back? A Multi-layered Justification ([13:30] – [17:40])

• Technical Brilliance: Marveling at the complexity and power of space technology, comparing Artemis to Apollo.
• Geopolitical Stakes: The lunar surface’s limited “prime real estate” for bases ratchets up the new space race.
• Religious and Cultural Motives:
  • Drawing connections between Christian tradition, the Vatican’s astronomical history, and the urge for discovery ([12:30]).
  • Michael: “The heavens show forth the glory of God and the firmament declareth the work of his hands…” ([14:40])
  • “It seems to me that the reason to be interested in this is, is because it is deeply Christian.”

3. Skepticism and Conspiracy: Did We Ever Go to the Moon?

([18:00] – [25:00])

• Growing Skepticism, Especially Among the Young:
  • 1 in 10 Americans “dead certain” the moon landing was faked
  • Among those under 34, 1 in 4 believe it was faked, and skepticism increases with each younger generation ([24:00])
• Psychology of Conspiracy:
  • Michael: “We think we’re smarter. …I have this little portal to hell in my pocket, this magical little device. And so therefore, I know more than anybody who came before me. …But we flatter ourselves that way.” ([25:03])
• “Epistemological Crisis”:
  • Trust in media, government, and even foundational national achievements is eroding.

4. The Launch Experience—A Defining Moment ([28:16] – [32:00])

• Raw Emotion:
  • Michael counts down the launch, narrating the visual and physical sensations.
  • “Man. I have to switch my sunglasses to the polarized ones. That is freaking cool.” ([28:30])
  • "You can feel it in your chest. Watching a stream of fire…with that much force this close." ([29:13])
• Cultural Rejuvenation:
  • The vibe is described as a return of American greatness and optimism.

5. Expert Analysis: Conversation with Bill Whittle ([34:46] – [47:40])

• Did We Go to the Moon?
  • Bill: “Yeah, we sure enough did, Michael…The moon landing is presented to the public as something that just parachuted in outer space…But for those of us that grew up with it, it was just a regular event that happened every three or four months.” ([35:22])
  • He stresses the continuity of missions and technological development leading up to Apollo, debunking the idea of a sudden “miracle leap.”
• “We Lost the Will, Not the Technology”:
  • Bill: “We never lost the technology. The space shuttle…was infinitely more complex than the Apollo program hardware. We lost the will.” ([38:07])
  • He explains the shift in public interest and political priorities post-Apollo.
• Why Artemis, Why Now?
  • He champions private enterprise (notably SpaceX/Elon Musk) as the key to sustainable space expansion: “If we’re not going to space for profit, we’re not staying in space.” ([42:45])
  • On moon bases: “If you can put a base on the moon, the solar system is yours.” ([44:55])

6. Aliens, NASA’s Stance, and Modern Myth-making ([16:45], [20:31], [56:21])

• NASA’s Director Goes Full Mulder:
  • Jared Isaacman clip: “I’d put it at a better than 90% chance that we could prove there is some…microbial life on Mars…” ([16:45])
• Michael’s Response:
  • “He’s totally wrong on the aliens. I just don’t buy it… The argument that, well, the universe is so big, therefore statistically there must be some aliens, that doesn’t really hold water.” ([17:50])
• Matt Gaetz’s Wild Tale:
  • Rep. Matt Gaetz (clip): Claims to have been briefed on military alien-human hybrid breeding programs. ([20:31])
  • Michael: “…Color me a little skeptical. I don’t really. I just don’t.” ([21:37])
• Walsh’s Moderate Alien Take:
  • “It seems to me a near certainty that a lot of [planets] have life… I’m skeptical of the idea that there have been aliens actually visiting Earth. I’m open to it…But if they’re coming here, then it’s great. I’m open to the evidence…” ([60:33])

7. Reflecting on Greatness—What’s At Stake? ([53:00] – [61:53])

• National Will and American Destiny:
  • Michael: “We need to do things in common. We need to, one, recognize the common good as a political concept. But then we got to go out and be big and cool and explore.” ([59:21])
• Trump-Era Perspective:
  • Contrasts between minimalist government approaches and Trump’s philosophy of “doing big things,” including space missions and even humorous proposals like a "Trump Casino on the moon."
• Matt Walsh:
  • "As a civilization…we need to be reaching out into the unknown, going beyond, you know, exploring, trying to expand. I mean, this is what you do when you’re a healthy and thriving nation." ([57:33])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Skepticism and Social Media Supremacy:
  • Michael: “I have this little portal to hell in my pocket…And so therefore, I know more than anybody who came before me…We flatter ourselves that way.” ([25:03])
• On the Real-World Launch:
  • Michael: “That is one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my life, and I’ve seen a lot of very cool things. It’s so bright. I actually had to change sunglasses…” ([29:42])
• On Generational Memory:
  • Bill Whittle: “For those of us that grew up with it, Michael, it was just a regular event that happened every three or four months…There was never a point when all of a sudden something magic entered the equation.” ([35:22])
• On American Boredom with Moon Landings:
  • Bill: “America is such an amazing country that we got bored going to the moon.” ([38:07])
• On the Value of Lunar Colonies:
  • Bill: “If you can put a base on the moon, the solar system is yours.” ([44:55])
• On Political Will vs. Tech:
  • “…If we’re not going to space for profit, we’re not staying in space.” ([42:45])
• On Aliens & Human Nature:
  • Michael: “It is never okay to molest the aliens, which in my opinion, do not exist.” ([61:53])
• On Civic Aspiration:
  • Matt Walsh: "If we really want to make America great again, then I think relaunching the space program in earnest is one of the most important ways to do that." ([57:33])
• Spiritual Reflection:
  • Michael (repeating Psalm 18/19): “The Heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands...” ([62:06])

Important Timestamps

• [00:52] – Introduction, historic context, guest lineup
• [04:00] – Artemis mission purpose and US-China space rivalry
• [13:30] – Technical, political, and religious rationales for exploration
• [16:45] – NASA administrator on aliens (audio clip and discussion)
• [20:31] – Rep. Matt Gaetz’s claims of hybrid alien breeding programs (audio clip)
• [24:00] – Statistics on rising moon-landing skepticism
• [28:16] – Artemis II launch countdown and Michael’s live reaction
• [34:46] – Bill Whittle joins, moon landing context and Apollo history
• [38:07] – “Loss of will,” public interest, and path back to the moon
• [42:45] – The future: private enterprise, Elon Musk, value of profit in space
• [44:55] – Importance of lunar base for solar system exploration
• [53:00] – Community chat, audience reactions, engaging with moon skepticism
• [56:19] – Matt Walsh joins: philosophical and (lightly) alien-related takes
• [59:21] – Debating America’s need for collective greatness and adventure
• [61:53] – “It is never okay to molest the aliens…” (humorous close on Gaetz’s claims)
• [62:06] – Final reflection: Psalm 18/19 and the spiritual significance of exploration

Tone and Style

• Conversational, Humorous, Sincere:
  • Michael Knowles keeps a mix of awe, patriotism, irreverence, and gentle self-mockery throughout, especially reacting to live events and audience chat.
• Reflective and Philosophical:
  • The show regularly veers into deeper considerations about human curiosity, national confidence, and the meaning of civilization.
• Engaging Banter with Guests:
  • Bill Whittle brings veteran expertise and historical memory. Matt Walsh provides both wry alien commentary and serious patriotism.

Conclusion

This episode transports listeners to a genuinely historic moment for American spaceflight, capturing not only the spectacle and emotion of the Artemis II launch but also exploring the cultural, political, and philosophical currents around it. Through humor, skepticism, and reflection, the episode ponders what going to the moon means—for America, for science, and for the human spirit.

For listeners: If you missed America’s return to lunar exploration, this summary covers not just the facts, but the excitement, debates, and sense of shared national purpose that defined the show. It’s an episode where awe at human achievement blends with questions about trust, progress, and what it means to dream big again.