The Space Show by Dr. David Livingston

The Space Show Presents BRYCE MEYER, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 Quick Summary We initially focused on our Space Show program featuring Bryce Meyer discussing his upcoming book on space agriculture, which explores technologies and principles for growing food in space environments. The discussion covered various challenges of space farming, including plant adaptation, soil biomes, and the need for furthe...

The Space Show Presents Dr. Avi Loeb, Sunday, 11-23-25. Quick summary: Today’s program focused on the upcoming interview with Professor Avi Loeb regarding 3I Atlas and its interpretation. Dr. Loeb shared detailed insights about interstellar objects, including the discovery of 3i Atlas and its unusual characteristics, while expressing concerns about NASA’s limited presentation of data and the need...

The Space Show Presents Open Lines, Sunday, 12-7-25 Quick recap The program began with discussions about space-related topics including data centers in LEO, NASA’s Artemis program, and orbital debris concerns. The conversation ended with our Wisdom Team talking about the geopolitical implications of returning to the moon, the challenges of space exploration priorities, and the disconnect between s...

The Space Show present Brian Clegg, author of “The Multiverse When One Universe Isn’t Enough” on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 Short summary Our discussion featured Brian Clegg, a UK science author, who talked his book “The Multiverse: When One Universe Isn’t Enough.” The conversation explored various scientific theories about multiple universes, including inflationary cosmology, string theory, and the man...

The John Batchelor Hotel Mars program featuring co-host Dr. David Livingston and guest Rick Fisher discussed the space safety issues in that China’s Space Station lacked an emergency lifeboat when their space craft sustained a crack in the window in space. Evidently a high-velocity space debris cracked a porthole on the Chinese space station, forcing the unmanned return of the Shenzhou 20 spacecra...

The Space Show Presents Dr. Casey Handmer, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 Short Summary: The meeting focused on discussing the Artemis program’s challenges and complexities, with particular emphasis on comparing NASA’s current architecture with SpaceX’s Starship capabilities for lunar missions. The group explored various technical and political considerations, including orbital refueling requirements, safe...

The Space Show Presents KATHRYN BOLISH, WEX Foundation, Friday, 11-21-25 Brief Summary: The program focused on discussing the WEX Foundation’s educational programs, particularly their space STEM initiatives for K-12 students through their LCATS program, which provides free education and mentorship in space-related topics. The discussion covered the foundation’s approach to teaching mathematics and...

Hotel Mars with Eric Berger, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 John Batchelor and I introduced Eric Berger of Ars Technica as our guest to discuss the recent very successful launch and flight of the Blue Origin New Glenn rocket. Eric Berger described the successful second launch and booster landing of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket as thrilling. We noted the accuracy of the return of the first stage to ret...

The Space Show Presents Leonard David for Tuesday, 11-18-25 Brief Summary The program focused on discussing various aspects of the space industry, including current challenges with space safety standards, rescue capabilities, and NASA’s progress on lunar exploration programs. The participants explored potential solutions for space rescue missions, debated the feasibility of alternative lunar explo...

The Space Show Presents Dr. Doug Plata on Elon Musk, Sunday, 11-16-25 Brief Summary: The program began with technical discussions and introductions for a space show featuring Dr. Doug Plata as the guest, followed by coverage of Blue Origin’s successful New Glenn launch and their future plans including a NASA moon mission. The conversation then delved into Elon Musk’s motivations and ventures, expl...

The Space Show Presents Dr. Daniel Whiteson on his new book, “Do Aliens Speak Physics” Friday, 11-14-25 Brief Summary: Our program began with introductions and discussions about alternative physics theories, including hyperdimensional physics, and the challenges of accepting unconventional ideas in the scientific community. The group explored various topics related to extraterrestrial life and com...

John Batchelor and I welcomed Cal Tech Professor Matthew Graham to Hotel Mars to discusses the most powerful black hole flare ever recorded, equal in brightness to about 10 trillion suns known and referred to as an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN). It is believed and our guest explained that material falling into the supermassive black hole forms an accretion disc which releasing both massive and int...

Brief Summary Our main program focus was on space exploration, where participants discussed various aspects including NASA’s role, commercial space initiatives, and the future of human spaceflight, with particular emphasis on SpaceX’s development timeline and capabilities. The conversation concluded with discussions about space markets, orbital data centers, and the broader implications of space e...

The Space Show Presents Open Lines Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 Brief Summary: The program began with discussions about the delayed New Glenn rocket launch due to weather concerns, followed by conversations about space policy, regulations, and the future of the International Space Station. The group explored various space exploration programs and technologies, including NASA’s Orion program, commercial sp...

Brief Summary: The program focused on a discussion with Roger Launius, a retired NASA historian, about his book covering NASA’s history from its origins as NACA to the present day. The conversation explored NASA’s relationship with commercial space industry, historical organizational changes, and the challenges of accessing NASA’s historical records and archives. The discussion also covered variou...

Hotel Mars, Weds, Nov. 5, 2025 Guest Dr. Ajay Kothari Summary: John and I welcomed back to Hotel Mars Dr. AJ Kothari for one segment to discuss Russia’s successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile which Russia claims flew 14,000 km for 15 hours. The missile does this by capturing and compresses air, heating it over a nuclear reactor to create thrust. Dr. Kothari emphasized th...

The Space Show Presents Arkisys CEO DAVE BARNHART Sunday, 11-2-25 David Barnhart (Dave), CEO of Arkisys and research professor at USC, discussed the company’s progress in space operations and their unique business platform called “The Port” in Los Alamitos, Ca, including their work with NASA’s Astrobee facility and development of a free-flying space platform called “The Port.” The discussion cover...

Doug Messier was our Hotel Mars guest to discuss the challenges and the struggles concerning NASA getting back to the Moon before China even gets to the Moon. and the Moon Race Douglas Messier both responded to questions by John and David and he discussed a power struggle over NASA, including acting administrator Shawn Duffy’s interest in folding NASA into the Department of Transportation and his...

Bill Gowan, Tuesday, 10-28-25 Quick Summary: The main focus of the discussion was Bill’s experience participating in The Planetary Society’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, where he and other volunteers met with congressional representatives to advocate for increased funding for NASA’s science programs, which faces a proposed 47% budget cut in 2026. Detailed Summary David Livingston hosted a spe...

Dr. Arun Sharma Monday 10-27-25 Space Show Quick Summary: Our program focused on the establishment and operations of Cedars-Sinai’s new Space Medicine Research Center, including its research programs, educational components, and institutional support. Arun discussed their stem cell research initiatives, particularly the creation of 3D heart tissue organoids grown in microgravity on the ISS, and ex...

Open Line Discussion – 4451 10-26-25 Quick Summary: The meeting began with technical discussions about audio issues and upcoming show scheduling, including a fundraising campaign for The Space Show. The group then engaged in extensive discussions about space exploration, focusing on SpaceX’s Starship program, NASA’s lunar lander projects, and the geopolitical competition with China regarding moon...

The Space Show presents Phil Swan, Friday, 10-24-25 Quick recap The program focused on economic and technological aspects of space exploration, particularly Mars voyages, with Phil Swan presenting his analysis of kinetic energy costs and the need for long-term strategic planning. The discussion covered various propulsion technologies, cost considerations for different rocket systems, and the poten...

Hotel Mars, #4449 with Rick Fisher as guest, Wednesday, Oct. 22,2025: Brief program summary: The Hotel Mars team discussed the US Acceleration of the Moon Race Against China. Guest Rick Fisher, John and David discussed how the US moon race is accelerating, driven by President Trump’s demand to land on the moon by 2028 and concerns that China, using the Long March 10 booster, might get there by 202...

Quick recap: The program began with a focus on Neil Armstrong’s academic background and connections to USC, including his completed coursework and potential master’s degree, as well as his compensation as a NASA civil servant. The discussion concluded with an examination of space engineering education and industry practices, including the balance between government oversight and contractor respons...

Brief Summary: John Batchelor and I welcomed our guest, Anatoly Zak of the RussianSpaceWeb.com. Anatoly updated us regarding the continued Russian debates about orbits and costs for a new space station after the ISS is deorbited. Anatoly Zak went into detail about Roscosmos facing challenging questions over the orbit of its new space station, considering both a low-inclination 51-degree orbit or a...