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Weekly Space News: Starship 36 Explodes During Static Fire and NASA’s Budget Cuts Threaten Space Science
Since early 2025, NASA faces severe budget cuts under the Trump administration, with a proposed 47% reduction to its Science Mission Directorate that could cancel 41 missions—including the Mars Sample Return—and slash its workforce to historic lows, sparking fears of lost scientific leadership and a brain drain. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues to accelerate its launch pace, successfully deploying dozens of Starlink satellites with reusable Falcon 9 rockets, marking a milestone 500th flight, underscoring a stark contrast between NASA’s struggles and private sector momentum in space access.
This is also our longest episode by far! Which also means it takes much longer to put together, so if you are enjoying the podcast please consider sharing it with your friends (or your enemies)!
Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you so much for listening, I really appreciate it! It would be an immense help if you would rate the podcast and share it with your friends if you enjoyed!
I also have an Esty store where I sell items like 3d printed dragons, speakers, puzzle box's and more (And I'm working on getting some rocket designs like the starship up on it), if you would like to support the podcast in another way:
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#NASABudgetCuts #ScienceMissionDirectorate #MarsSampleReturnMission #SpaceXFalcon9 #StarlinkLaunch #ReusableRocketLanding #SpaceXBoosterRecovery #NASALeadership #JaredIsaacman #SpacePolicy2025 #NASAWorkforce #SpaceMissionCancellations #SpaceScienceFunding #AmazonKuiperProject #ProjectKuiperSatellites #ULAAtlasVLaunch #SpaceXStarshipUpdates #Artemis2Mission #OrionSpacecraftTest #LunarFlyby #RocketLabElectronLaunch #SpaceTourismBlueOrigin #HondaReusableRocket #JapaneseSpaceTech #ChinaOnOrbitServicing #ShijianSatellites #SpaceDebrisManagement #SpaceX500thFalcon9 #StarlinkBroadband #FireflyLunarImaging #OculaMission #SpaceExplorationLeadership #NASAArtemisProgram #SpaceflightSafetyDrills #SpaceLaunchDelays #SpaceMissionPlanning #NASACommercialPartnerships #SpaceXStarbase #SpaceXRaptorEngine #SpaceIndustryGrowth #SpaceExplorationInnovation #SatelliteServicingTechnology #SpaceWeatherForecasting #SolarOrbiterMission #SolarCycleResearch #SpaceMissionResilience #SpaceLaunchReusability #LunarExplorationTech #SpaceLaunchInfrastructure #SpaceScienceCutbacks #SpaceMissionImpact #SpaceResearchMorale #SpaceScienceCommunity
Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you for listening, and please share with your friends if you enjoyed!
I also have an Esty store where I sell 3d printed items:
https://jc3dprintscreations.etsy.com
#ModernSpaceRace #SpaceNews #StarshipNews #ElonMusk #SpaceX #NASA #RocketLaunch #StarshipUpdate #SpaceExploration #NewSpace #MarsMission #MoonLanding #ArtemisProgram #SpaceTech #RocketLab #BlueOrigin #SpaceEconomy #OrbitalLaunch #SpacePodcast #AstronomyNews #CommercialSpaceflight #Astrophysics #Astrobiology #InterstellarTravel #SpaceDebris #SpaceflightNow #NextLaunch #Falcon9 #SpaceTourism #ISSUpdates #SatelliteLaunch #SpaceIndustry #RocketScience #ReusableRockets #SpaceStartups #DeepSpace #PlanetaryScience #LunarExploration #MarsColonization #CrewDragon #SpacePolicy #AstronautTraining #EarthFromSpace #SpaceInnovation #JamesWebb #HubbleUpdates #Starbase #SpaceInfrastructure #CosmicPerspective #PrivateAstronaut #SpaceTelescope
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46. [Q&A] Update on Nasa Artemis Missions, When will Space Tourism be Cheaper, Whose Leading the Space Race
17:36||Season 1, Ep. 46The space race isn’t just between nations anymore—it’s a global sprint involving private companies, new technologies, and bold ambitions. In this Q&A episode, we answer 10 of the most pressing and popular questions about the modern space race in 2025:When will we return to the Moon?Is SpaceX really going to Mars?Who’s building the next space station?What’s happening with China, India, and Russia?Is space tourism legit or just billionaire hype?We dive into rocket launches, space tech breakthroughs, satellite drama, and what the future holds for humanity beyond Earth. Whether you're a space nerd or just curious about what’s coming next, this episode has you covered.
44. Jared Isaccman Will No Longer be NASA Administrator - Weekly Space News
09:52||Season 1, Ep. 44In late May and early June 2025, the space industry saw major developments: the FAA opened an investigation into SpaceX’s Starship Flight 9 upper stage failure; ESA detailed plans for its Ramses mission to asteroid Apophis; Blue Origin completed its 12th human spaceflight; Rocket Lab launched a new Earth-observing satellite; and SpaceX executed three Starlink missions while preparing rapid Starship iteration for future Mars ambitions. Political shifts affected NASA leadership as President Trump withdrew Jared Isaacman’s nomination amid a proposed $6B budget cut.Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you so much for listening, I really appreciate it! It would be an immense help if you would rate the podcast and share it with your friends if you enjoyed!I also have an Esty store where I sell items like 3d printed dragons, speakers, and more:https://jc3dprintscreations.etsy.com#SpaceX #Starship #FAA #BlueOrigin #NewShepard #RocketLab #ElectronRocket #ESA #Apophis #RamsesMission #CubeSat #AsteroidDefense #Starlink #Falcon9 #MarsMission #ElonMusk #SpaceTourism #JaredIsaacman #NASA #SpacePolicy #Spaceflight #OrbitalLaunch #ReusableRockets #PrivateSpaceflight #BlackSky #SpaceNews #SpaceExploration #Apophis2029 #RocketLaunch43. Starship Flight 9 and Budget Cuts Affect Important Research - Weekly Space News
07:44||Season 1, Ep. 43The Trump administration’s proposed NOAA budget cuts threaten critical satellite-based pollution studies just as satellite re-entries surge—especially from SpaceX's Starlink. Meanwhile, global space activity intensifies with SpaceX Starlink launches, China’s Tianwen-2 asteroid mission, Blue Origin’s space tourism flight, and Starship Flight 9’s pivotal test ends in very partial success.Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you so much for listening, I really appreciate it! It would be an immense help if you would rate the podcast and share it with your friends if you enjoyed!I also have an Esty store where I sell items like 3d printed dragons, speakers, and more:https://jc3dprintscreations.etsy.com#SpaceX #Starlink #NOAA #ClimateScience #Pollution #Atmosphere #RocketEmissions #SatelliteReentry #TrumpBudgetCuts #ScienceFunding #SpacePolicy #EnvironmentalImpact #AirPollution #LowEarthOrbit #Falcon9 #Tianwen2 #ChinaSpace #AsteroidMission #SampleReturn #CometExploration #BlueOrigin #NewShepard #SpaceTourism #STEMinSpace #SpaceNews #SpaceLaunch #NASA #ReusableRockets #Starship #SpaceXStarship #StarshipFlight9 #SpaceInnovation #SpaceMissions #BoosterLanding #OrbitalDebris #SpaceJunk #RocketLaunch #EarthObservation #ClimateChange #RocketPollution #Astronomy #Astrophysics #SpaceExploration #SatelliteLaunch #Reusability #SpaceEngineering #AtmosphericScience #DeepSpace #Spaceflight #FutureOfSpace #SpaceTechnology42. Starship Flight 9 and a Lot More! Weekly Space News
23:31||Season 1, Ep. 42In this episode, we cover a flurry of major spaceflight activity from May 10 to May 20, including SpaceX's record-setting Starlink launches, the return of a 1972 Soviet Venus lander, the ESA’s groundbreaking Proba-3 mission, China's growing satellite fleet, the FAA’s greenlight for Starship Flight 9, and the return of Varda's W-3 capsule. We also explore launches by Rocket Lab, ISRO, Galactic Energy, and LandSpace, alongside budget uncertainty for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Plus, in the first part of the episode, we reflect on the outcomes and lessons from Starship Flight 9.Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you so much for listening, I really appreciate it! It would be an immense help if you would rate the podcast and share it with your friends if you enjoyed!I also have an Esty store where I sell items like 3d printed dragons, speakers, and more:https://jc3dprintscreations.etsy.com#SpaceX #Starlink #Falcon9 #RocketLab #ElectronRocket #ISRO #NASA #Proba3 #ESA #SolarResearch #Kosmos482 #VeneraProgram #ChinaSpace #LongMarch #Yaogan #GalacticEnergy #Ceres1 #SeaLaunch #Starship #Starbase #FAA #Spaceflight #ReentryCapsule #VardaSpace #W3Capsule #MethaneRocket #LandSpace #Zhuque2E #SpaceNews #SpaceUpdate #ReusableRockets #RocketLaunch #SpaceMilestone #FormationFlying #CoronaStudy #NancyGraceRoman #SpaceTelescope #SpaceExploration #LowEarthOrbit #SpaceTech #BoosterLanding #LaunchCoverage #SpaceInnovation #PrivateSpaceflight #SpaceIndustry #Orbit #HypersonicTest #SAR #TianqiSatellites #SatelliteLaunch #Astronomy #RocketFailure #MissionSuccess #WeeklyRecap43. Starbase is a City & Starship Approved for 25 Launches a Year
14:15||Season 1, Ep. 43In this episode, we cover major milestones in space exploration, including SpaceX's record-setting Falcon 9 launch, the European Space Agency's atmospheric reentry mission, and NASA’s progress with Artemis 2. We also explore India’s Gaganyaan mission delay, the shift in NASA's priorities toward commercial partnerships, and ongoing developments with SpaceX’s Starship program. Plus, Rocket Lab's partnership with the U.S. Air Force, ESA's response to proposed NASA budget cuts, and more!Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you so much for listening, I really appreciate it! It would be an immense help if you would rate the podcast and share it with your friends if you enjoyed!I also have an Esty store where I sell items like 3d printed dragons, speakers, and more:https://jc3dprintscreations.etsy.com#SpaceX #Falcon9 #Starlink #NASA #Artemis2 #Gaganyaan #ESA #RocketLab #SpaceExploration #SpaceNews #Starship #LunarMissions #MarsExploration #CislunarSpace #Astronomy #SpaceTechnology #SpaceStation #spacerace #SpaceRacePodcast #ExploringTheCosmos #RaceToTheStars #AstronomyAdventures #CelestialCompetition #GalacticQuests #CosmicExplorers #InterstellarJourney #BeyondEarthBoundaries #AstroAdventures #scifi #spacenews #technews #issacarthur #spacex #nasa #thespacerace #spacerace #universetoday #thespacerace #the21stcenturyspacerace #modernspacerace #thisweekinspace #virgingalactic #blueorigin #universetoday #Spacex #starship #rocketlab #stokespace #chopsticks #mechazilla #starshipflight942. Record Breaking 6 Launches in 18 Hours-Weekly Space News
14:17||Season 1, Ep. 42A Soviet spacecraft will come crashing back to Earth. A record breaking 6 lauches occured in 18 hours, Jared Issacmen is approved by the senate, and more this week in space.We have a website now! Check it out here: https://www.podpage.com/the-modern-space-race/Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you so much for listening, I really appreciate it! It would be an immense help if you would rate the podcast and share it with your friends if you enjoyed!I also have an Esty store where I sell items like 3d printed dragons, speakers, and more:https://jc3dprintscreations.etsy.com#spacerace #SpaceRacePodcast #ExploringTheCosmos #RaceToTheStars #AstronomyAdventures #CelestialCompetition #GalacticQuests #CosmicExplorers #InterstellarJourney #BeyondEarthBoundaries #AstroAdventures #scifi #spacenews #technews #issacarthur #spacex #nasa #thespacerace #spacerace #universetoday #thespacerace #the21stcenturyspacerace #modernspacerace #thisweekinspace #virgingalactic #blueorigin #universetoday #Spacex #starship #rocketlab #stokespace #chopsticks #mechazilla #starshipflight541. Potential Signs of Life on Exoplanet K2-18b
14:33||Season 1, Ep. 41In a packed week of space news, SpaceX launched the top-secret NROL-145 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, deploying a next-gen spy satellite into orbit. Meanwhile, scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope announced the potential discovery of biosignature gases on the distant exoplanet K2-18b—sparking excitement and skepticism over signs of life beyond Earth. At the same time, the U.S. Space Force published its first official “Space Warfighting” doctrine, detailing how America plans to defend its interests in orbit through advanced strategies in orbital, electromagnetic, and cyber warfare. These developments signal rapid shifts in space exploration, national security, and our search for extraterrestrial life.Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you so much for listening, I really appreciate it! It would be an immense help if you would rate the podcast and share it with your friends if you enjoyed!I also have an Esty store where I sell items like 3d printed dragons, speakers, and more:https://jc3dprintscreations.etsy.com#spacerace #SpaceRacePodcast #ExploringTheCosmos #RaceToTheStars #AstronomyAdventures #CelestialCompetition #GalacticQuests #CosmicExplorers #InterstellarJourney #BeyondEarthBoundaries #AstroAdventures #scifi #spacenews #technews #issacarthur #spacex #nasa #thespacerace #spacerace #universetoday #thespacerace #the21stcenturyspacerace #modernspacerace #thisweekinspace #virgingalactic #blueorigin #universetoday #Spacex #starship #rocketlab #stokespace #chopsticks #mechazilla #starshipflight5 #SpaceX #NROL145 #SpySatellite #Falcon9 #NationalReconnaissanceOffice #SpaceWarfare #USSpaceForce #SpaceDoctrine #OrbitalWarfare #CyberWarfare #EMWarfare #MilitarySpace #JWST #JamesWebbSpaceTelescope #K218b #Exoplanet #SignsOfLife #AlienLife #Astrobiology #HyceanWorld #DimethylSulfide #SpaceNews #Astronomy #RocketLaunch #Starlink #LowEarthOrbit #NASA #Artemis #ChinaSpace #SpaceRace #BlueOrigin #LunarMission #SpaceExploration #SpaceInnovation #ReusableRockets #SpaceDefense #EarthObservation #MilitarySatellites #SpaceScience #PlanetaryScience #RocketScience #SpaceTechnology #SpaceResearch #Astrophysics #MarsMission #MoonLanding #NewSpace #FutureOfSpace #SpaceUpdate #Satellites #SpacePolicy #SpaceDevelopment40. 1st All Womens Spaceflight in 70 years and a 3rd Mechazilla Begins Construction in Florida
10:42||Season 1, Ep. 40April 2025 was packed with major space milestones. SpaceX conducted multiple launches, including reconnaissance satellites for the U.S. government and record-breaking Starlink deployments, while Blue Origin sent an all-female crew into suborbital space on NS-31. The U.S. government launched the classified NROL-174 payload using a Minotaur IV rocket, and China unveiled details for its upcoming Chang’e 8 mission, aimed at 3D-printing structures on the Moon. Japan’s Hayabusa2 entered safe mode during its deep-space journey, while Northrop Grumman’s MEV-1 concluded the first successful commercial satellite servicing mission. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Starship program surged forward with rapid prototyping of Block 3 variants, upgraded launch infrastructure, and goals for weekly launches—all marking the steady advance toward a more robust spacefaring future.Welcome to The Modern Space Race! Thank you so much for listening, I really appreciate it! It would be an immense help if you would rate the podcast and share it with your friends if you enjoyed!I also have an Esty store where I sell items like 3d printed dragons, speakers, and more:https://jc3dprintscreations.etsy.com#SpaceX #Falcon9 #Starlink #BlueOrigin #NewShepard #NS31 #AllFemaleCrew #KatyPerryInSpace #LaurenSanchez #GayleKing #AmandaNguyen #AishaBowe #KerianneFlynn #WomenInSpace #SpaceNews #RocketLaunch #Booster1067 #NROL192 #NROL174 #NationalReconnaissanceOffice #VandenbergLaunch #CapeCanaveral #KennedySpaceCenter #ElonMusk #Starship #Block3Starship #Booster17 #Ship36 #SpaceInfrastructure #3DPrintingMoon #ChinasSpaceProgram #Change8 #LunarBricks #Hayabusa2 #JAXA #AsteroidMission #SatelliteServicing #MEV1 #NorthropGrumman #OnOrbitServicing #ReusableRockets #SpaceRace2025 #MoonBase #MarsMission #OrbitalLaunch #SpaceExploration #Starbase #LC39A #RocketBoosterReuse #CommercialSpaceflight #NASA #SpaceFuture #WeeklyLaunches