Ad Astra

Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and nothing else in this week's episode! It's no surprise that Jack has seen the movie 4 times already, but Newton just got back from Africa and only 30 minutes has passed since he saw the film for the first time. Make sure to tweet at the show for a lively discussion on this Blockbuster new release!    Links: Latest from the Galaxy Far, Far Away Last Jedi Redeems the Prequels Last Jedi Killed Our Childhood But those ratings though… All thanks to the Alt-Right   Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates and events!

Newton is back from Ethiopia and the guys do what they do best! Trump lays out a national security strategy, there's another crew change up at the ISS, more planets are discovered, the government may shut down, and footage of a UFO is released! What a week!   Links: Latest from Washington Space is highlighted in Trump’s National Security Strategy Thales Alenia working on DSG NASA is planning to purchase some remote imaging data...and not for the reason you think “Foreign Policy” talks “Space Policy” Let’s go to Mars   Space News Highlight of the Week UFOs are in the news...again…     International News NASA Astronaut Bresnik and Crewmates Return to Earth From Space Station Three new crew members sent to ISS   Latest in Tech NASA Sends New Research to Space Station Aboard SpaceX Resupply Mission NASA uses Deep Learning to discover Eighth Planet at another star   Coming Soon to Space NASA to Name Finalists for Future Solar System Mission A government shutdown???     Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Pod

As Newton gets some much deserved rest, Jason Callahan of the Planetary Society joins the team to cover some big news in space policy. Are we really going back to the Moon? Are our Martian dreams shot? Who won the Alabama Senate Election? You'll have to listen to find out.   Links: Latest from Washington Aerospace Corporation calls on Administration to listen The paper   Space News Highlight of the Week Trump Administration edits one line in the National Space Policy The National Space Policy   Latest in Tech Blue Origin resuming test flights Rocket Lab aborts at the last second SpaceX is launching a reflown rocket to the ISS ...With a space debris sensor on board   Coming Soon to Space Star Wars Episode VIII comes out on Friday!!!   Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates and events!

Late night, lightnight round of news. Major policy discussions mounting in Washington and worldwide, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy's maybe-probably not payload, and the cutest darn baby picture you've ever seen. You're gonna want to hear about this and much, much more.   Links: Ad Astra is on Reddit!    Latest from Washington NASA Caucus update Space Corps is “inevitable” Deep Space Gateway is part of plan to expand human exploration of space NASA’s little brother gets an administrator nominee Space News Highlight of the Week Universe’s Baby Picture Wins $3 Million     International News ESA pours $107 million into Vega E and a reusable spaceplane Japan wants to be part of Deep Space Gateway Japan also wants to play some war games IN SPACE Latest in Tech James Webb Space Telescope Out of Chamber A Elon makes another great claim   Listener Submitted Question NASA approves SpaceX to fly pre-flown rocket on next Dragon mission ...BUT, NASA also expects the highest safety standards for future commercial sp

Short episode! The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence gets a neoliberal bent, James Webb (Space Telescope)’s little brother gets a proposed funding cut, and the return of the Listener Submitted Question segment. Hint: It’s all about SpaceX. Stock up on water, food, and your favorite podcast as we go into the last week of the federal government (unless Congress does something).   Links: Latest from Washington Privately funded SETI Proposed changes to WFIRST Budget hangs in the balance   Listener Submitted Question From Ralph Steenblik: Why is BFR not useful to the US Government? Government needs reliable access to space SpaceX wants to prove reliability   Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates and events!

This week, the guys highlight the launch of JPSS-1 and where space enthusiasts should go for Black Friday deals! They also dive into future funding for Virgin Orbit and SpaceX, the FAA’s role in commercial space, ISRO and Japan teaming up to go to the moon, and the current state of the Parker Solar Probe.   Links: Latest from Washington Virgin Orbit gets its first customer; DoD SpaceX wants the government to help pay for BFR Companies agree that FAA AST is the right agency for commercial space   Space News Highlight of the Week JPSS-1 launched   International News ISRO, Japan space agency JAXA discuss joint mission to moon   Latest in Tech Parker Solar Probe Passes Acoustic Testing   Coming Soon to Space Emily Lakdawalla’s recommended space books of 2017 Space.com 2017 Black Friday deals for Space Fans   Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates and events!

Bridenstine moves on to full Senate, Space Corps is no more, rocket launches, and a couple big things going on in the tech world. Newton and Jack take a departure from the usual routine.   Links: Latest from Washington No More Space Corps Private Plane Disrupts Orbital ATK Launch EM-1 launch in December 2019   Space News Highlight of the Week Bridenstine Passes Committee, on to the Full Senate   International News Vega has launched to deploy an Earth observation satellite for Morocco   Latest in Tech Hubble Shows Light Echo Expanding from Exploded Star Antares launches Cygnus spacecraft to ISS   Coming Soon to Space JPSS-1 Launch   Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates and events!

Bridenstine moves on to a full committee vote, a climate report shakes up the country (and internet), and our favorite future space station gets an update. Be sure to check out Nerd Nite this weekend for a presentation from your favorite podcast. Links: Latest from Washington Commerce Committee to vote on advancing Bridenstine House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith to retire Air Force hopeful they won’t need Russian rockets for much longer   Space News Highlight of the Week Climate Science Special Report   International News China plans to link 30 satellites to provide real-time geospatial information worldwide by 2020   Latest in Tech NASA Selects Studies for Gateway Power and Propulsion Element A sandy core may have kept Enceladus’ ocean warm Coming Soon to Space Ad Astra is presenting “How to be a Space Advocate” at the November Nerd Nite Falcon Heavy is launching in December   Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates an

Jim Bridenstine gets ready to jump the first hoop towards Administrator. Plus, some news about upcoming events in space, commercial spacecraft launches, and the end to the RAINN fundraiser.   Jack’s fundraiser for RAINN   Latest from Washington Senator Murray opposes Bridenstine   Space News Highlight of the Week NASA approves “flight-proven” Falcon 9 rocket for CRS-13   Latest in Tech Small Asteroid or Comet ‘Visits’ from Beyond the Solar System   Coming Soon to Space NASA Highlights Science on Next Commercial Mission to Space Station Ad Astra is presenting “How to be a Space Advocate” at the November Nerd Nite   Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates and events!

What are you waiting for? Join us on Capitol Hill for some Planetary Society events. Oh, and check out this week's episode, featuring committee hearing, Luxembourg, and some awesome upcoming events! Also, commercial satellites may provide faster and more reliable internet for the planet, and may come online soon to help the people of Puerto Rico. XCOR may be staring death straight in the eyes as SpaceX is awarded more money from the Air Force, and Blue Origin reminds us once again that they're still in the game.  Jack’s fundraiser for RAINN   Latest from Washington Senate Commerce Committee Hearing on Commercial Satellite Industry   Space News Highlight of the Week Hurry! Come to these awesome Planetary Society events in DC!   After Cassini: What’s Next? Happy Hour with Casey Dreier and Jason Callahan   International News Luxembourgers and Google helping out Puerto Rico   Latest in Tech Air Force adds more than $40 million to SpaceX engine contract New NASA Study Improves Search for Habitable Worlds XCOR is

The Last Jedi reactions, NASA working with Russia, one of the biggest astrophysical events we’ve ever observed, SpaceX making the news (AGAIN), and much more on this week’s episode of Ad Astra. Jack’s fundraiser for RAINN     Links: Latest from Washington NASA discussing potential partnership with Russia Why send humans? New NASA caucus takes shape in the House   Space News Highlight of the Week NASA Missions Catch First Light from a Gravitational-Wave Event   International News What was ESA’s role?   Latest in Tech SpaceX launches third pre-flown rocket with EchoStar-SES satellite, lands booster Musk talks BFR in reddit AMA     Coming Soon to Space The Planetary Society is hosting a reception at the Library of Congress     Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates and events!

The National Space Council's inaugural meeting, proposed changes to commercial space regulators, the schedule slip for James Webb Space Telescope. All that and more on your favorite weekly space podcast.   Places to Donate for Hurricane Irma American Red Cross: Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. It says it is providing shelters for those displaced by Irma, and it has thousands of volunteers on the ground in the state. Global Giving: A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts. Airbnb: The hospitality company is working to coordinate people in need of a place to stay with people willing to offer a free room.   Links: Latest from Washington GAO releases report, recommendations for FAA AST Space News Highlight of the Week Watch the whole NSpC Meeting NASA Statement on National Space Council Policy for Future American Leadership in Space Moon before Mars is now our national policy     Intern

Space agencies abound! Elon Musk makes us all excited for space again, yet...we've heard this spiel before. Lockheed Martin announces a lander for their Mars plan. One step closer to Mars!   Links:   Places to Donate for Hurricane Irma American Red Cross: Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. It says it is providing shelters for those displaced by Irma, and it has thousands of volunteers on the ground in the state.   Global Giving: A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts.   Airbnb: The hospitality company is working to coordinate people in need of a place to stay with people willing to offer a free room.   Ad Astra T-Shirt Competition   Latest from Washington NSpC is meeting for the first time on Thursday     Space News Highlight of the Week Elon Musk announces the Big Falcon’ Rocket   International News UAE announces their astronaut corps Egypt gets a space agency too! Latest in Tech N

Australia hosts IAC and announces their space program. Bill Nye gets famous (again). And we all forgot to die on Saturday. All this and more on this week of Ad Astra.   Places to Donate for Hurricane Irma American Red Cross: Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. It says it is providing shelters for those displaced by Irma, and it has thousands of volunteers on the ground in the state.   Global Giving: A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts.   Airbnb: The hospitality company is working to coordinate people in need of a place to stay with people willing to offer a free room.   Links: Ad Astra T-Shirt Competition     Latest from Washington NASA names building after Katherine Johnson NDAA Passed the Senate, Now on to Conference Trump makes a speech in Huntsville, mentions National Space Council, still no details Pence visited Huntsville too Buzz Aldrin and Greg Autry endorse Bridenstine for NAS

Northrop Grumman just bought a whole lotta rockets, Cassini bids adieu, and the guys have a great conversation with Emily Calandrelli; the Next Science Person. This episode concludes the first trilogy of episodes focused specifically on science communication, best practices, and the need for more of it. Be sure to check out Ad Astra Episodes 8 and 27 to get the whole picture.   Places to Donate for Hurricane Irma American Red Cross: Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. It says it is providing shelters for those displaced by Irma, and it has thousands of volunteers on the ground in the state. Global Giving: A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts. Airbnb: The hospitality company is working to coordinate people in need of a place to stay with people willing to offer a free room.   Links: Ad Astra T-Shirt Competition Robert Picardo’s Opera to Cassini Northrop Grumman to buy Orbital ATK

Carl Sagan is an inspiration to us all. This week, they guys bring in Ingrid Ockert, a PhD student at Princeton University and an expert in the inner and outer machinations of science communication. Ingrid offers insight into the history of modern science education, while everyone waxes poetic about the man, the myth, the legend: Carl Sagan.   Places to Donate for Hurricane Irma American Red Cross: Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. It says it is providing shelters for those displaced by Harvey, and it has thousands of volunteers on the ground in the state. Global Giving: A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts. Airbnb: The hospitality company is working to coordinate people in need of a place to stay with people willing to offer a free room.   Links: Ad Astra T-Shirt Competition These Vibes Are Too Cosmic Carl Sagan & Bill Nye BEYOND THE HORIZON Red Rocket’s Glare Space and the

The guys talk about Jim Bridenstine’s place in the Climate Change Denier’s Alignment System. They then put the spotlight on Peggy Whitson and her plunge back to Earth. They cover SLS and Hurricane Harvey imagery by NASA. Finally, they chat about Cassini’s upcoming plunge.   Links: Places to Donate for Hurricane Harvey American Red Cross: Usually the first group people think of when giving after a disaster. It says it is providing shelters for those displaced by Harvey, and it has thousands of volunteers on the ground in the state. Global Giving: A charity crowdfunding site that is attempting to raise $2 million to be used exclusively for local relief and recovery efforts. Airbnb: The hospitality company is working to coordinate people in need of a place to stay with people willing to offer a free room.   Ad Astra T-Shirt Competition: Submit your ideas via email as a 300dpi .png to AdAstra@elemental.fm   Latest from Washington Administration picks Bridenstine for NASA Admin position But he faces some obstac

This week, the guys tackle...the Eclipse. Jack and Newton are joined by friends of the show, and fellow Planetary Society members, Tom, Gerrit and Jeremy. The group dives into their experience from the Path of Totality and just how special this moment was for all those who participated. And if you did not catch the Livestream from the trip, be sure to head over to the Facebook page to catch up on all of your Ad Astra content!     Links: Listener Submitted Topic The Great American Eclipse! History of Eclipses Joanne’s Post on Greater Greater Washington   Follow Ad Astra on Twitter at @AdAstra_Podcast, on Facebook, and subscribe to the mailing list for future updates and events!

This week, Jack and Newton speak with Casey Dreier, Director of Space Policy for the Planetary Society, about why we want to go to Mars and why the future of the Mars Exploration Program is in jeopardy. Space warfare remains a hot topic in Washington, while the smallsat boom continues to, well, boom around the world. SpaceX announces a November launch date for Falcon Heavy, and the guys are getting ready for an eclipse.   Links: Join the Planetary Society!!!   Listener Submitted Topic Robert Brockmeijer asks: Why do people think it would be easier to colonize Mars than to fix Earth? Casey Dreier’s Mars Op-Ed Mars In Retrograde White Paper The National Academies are meeting at the end of August to discuss the future of NASA’s planetary science programs     Latest from Washington Space War starts to become a clearer strategy   Space News Highlight of the Week SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy is launching in November     International News Lithuanian company receives 3.2M Euros to commercialize its propulsion system   La

This week, the guys record a short episode. Just kidding! The guys cover a range of topics, from Buzz Aldrin's call for a presidential commitment to humans on Mars and a space technology smuggling ring bust in Texas. We also see the return of Listener Submitted Topics, the results of the favorite planet vote, and an announcement about the eclipse that you won't want to miss.   Links: Listener Submitted Topic What about an episode on commercial contracts to design the living comforts for space modules and habitats? IKEA designers spend a week inside a Mars simulation NASA NextSTEP program   Latest from Washington Rogers and Cooper argue that Space Corps will solve DoD space problems America’s future is both commercial and traditional Space News Highlight of the Week Buzz says US should pivot back to the Moon International News Plano man admits illegally smuggling U.S. space technology to China, Russia Latest in Tech Spotlight on the Ninth Planet EVIDENCE FOR A DISTANT GIANT PLANET IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM