The Talking Space Team gathers around the microphone once again to survey the horizon of spaceflight news—and what an eventful week it has been.

On May 26th, NASA announced a new wave of contracts for its moon base program, along with updates on the progress of Artemis III. We break down exactly what was said during the press event and what it means for humanity's return to the lunar surface.

SpaceX launched its highly anticipated Starship 12 mission on May 22nd, showcasing the brand-new Starship V3 vehicle. While some space news outlets were quick to stamp it as an unqualified success, the actual results were decidedly mixed. As far as debuts go, there is plenty of room for both applause and concern—and we dive deep into the launch.

The biggest, most shocking news of the week took place at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. On Thursday, May 28th, a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket suffered a catastrophic explosion on Launch Complex 36, yielding the most powerful rocket explosion since the Soviet N1 moon rocket disintegrated in the late 1960s. This static-test accident sent shockwaves through both Blue Origin and NASA’s Artemis timeline. We attempt to begin picking up the pieces.

Decades ago, NASA's twin Pioneer spacecraft became some of the first human-made objects to chart a course out of the solar system. But as they crossed into deep space, a mystery emerged: both probes were mysteriously slowing down. The effect was later referred to as the Pioneer Anomaly. With assistance from the Planetary Society archives, our resident cosmic detective, Mark Ratterman, goes on the case to solve this historic deep-space puzzle.

Show Presenters for this week,

Gene Mikulka, Heather Smith, and Mark Ratterman.

The full Talking Space team gathers around the microphone once more to share their thoughts and reactions to the Artemis II lunar flyby and how the 10-day mission was perceived back on Earth, especially those who seldom think about NASA. The panel examines next steps for the Artemis program, reviews highlights from NASA’s recent Ignition event, weighs whether a new space race with China is underway, and considers what the future may hold given the implications of the 2027 NASA Budget.

Australia has the capabilities to be a major space sector player, but lacks a cohesive national space policy. Isobel Haddow of The Space Industry Association and our resident space-policy expert, Dr. Kat Robison, crafted a brief for the United States Studies Center outlining the situation and what practical steps Australia can take. Dr. Robison discusses the highlights of her work and the panel debates the ramifications.

VIDEO: Via NASA: Artemis II Highlights

VIDEO: Via NASA: Crew Welcome Home Event

Via X: Post by Reid Wiseman Mark Ratterman referenced

Additional Post by Dr. Kat Robison for the Australian Institute of International Affairs published 29 April, 2026 " The US is Intentional About its Space Program. We Should Be Too."

Host This Week: Mark Ratterman

On the panel this week: Dr. Kat Robison, Heather Smith, Gene Mikulka

Recorded on Sunday 29 March, 2026:

Just days before the first human mission to the Moon in 53 years, Talking Space returns to discuss preflight activities and the changes within NASA’s Artemis lunar program. Mark Ratterman discusses his thoughts on the growth of activity in and around the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) since the days of the Space Shuttle program, and reflects on the L- 3 launch press conference, the Artemis II Crew arrival at KSC for the launch and their question-and-answer session with the press from their quarantine quarters at KSC.

Since Jared Isaacman has taken the reins at NASA, the Artemis Lunar Program architecture has undergone significant alterations. NASA has restructured the first few Artemis missions and has decided to put the Lunar Gateway on hold (not cancelling the program outright as some outlets have reported) in order to pursue the establishment of a permanent lunar base in three phases starting in 2027. We discuss the plan outlined in the NASA Ignition presentations last week, their features, cost, and the likelihood that NASA will land a human expedition on the Moon before the agency’s self-imposed deadline of 2028.

Talking Space will be watching closely the events of Artemis II and next time will bring you reports and reflections surrounding the progress of the first human mission to the Moon since the Apollo 17 flight in December of 1972.

For More on the Artemis II mission visit:

NASA's Artemis Webpage

CSA's Artemis II Webpage

ESA's Artemis II Webpage

Launch Minus Two Days Press Conference

Launch Minus One Day Press Conference

Featured Team Members This Week:

Mark Ratterman

Gene Mikulka