This week, we're covering what's been trending in Space News for the last 8 days...and EUROPE FINALLY HAS ITS OWN RIDE TO ORBIT! A German company launched a commercial rocket to orbit from Norway — and almost nobody covered it, including SKYE on its first pass. We also get into NASA's failed rescue of the Swift telescope, and a nuclear-powered spacecraft at the edge of the solar system that's on the chopping block. Space News gathered by our AI Assistant SKYE and reported by your human host Spaceman Alex! I'm Alex G. Orphanos, your space science podcast host and your favorite mad scientist. Tell me what you think of the SKYE Report, and which segments to dig deeper into. If the New Horizons segment lands with you, the ask at the end is real — it worked last year. SAVE NEW HORIZONS: https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-s-new-horizons-mission-may-shut-down-two-instruments-over-lack-funding WATCH our LIVE Launch Hangout for Roman Space Telescope: https://www.youtube.com/live/V3pipbUu3X0?si=5yUMqzM-kcf6O_2K Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. SPREAD LOVE, SPREAD SCIENCE, AND STAY CURIOUS. THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net SKYE is free and it updates every 30 minutes: https://todayinspace.net Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/QoLvWnAq8sw CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome — what SKYE is and what this report does 00:35 The hook: Isar reaches orbit, and how it nearly got missed 01:10 The rundown — Aug 30 to Sep 6, six launches, six successes 01:31 SKYE's trends — lunar at 1.6x, down from last week's 11x 01:54 Roman Space Telescope launches, and our live hangout 02:23 Isar Aerospace — the launch from Andoya, and what ESA said 02:56 The Spectrum vehicle and its payload 03:07 My take — why Europe needs its own launch capability 04:12 How the story got buried, and the fix in SKYE 05:04 SKYE picks — Pallas-1's debut, and the Venus mission still grounded 05:48 What's next — Progress MS-35, MS-33, Long March, USSF-153 06:41 The Swift Observatory and the failed rescue 07:00 The Swift timeline, Aug 9 to Aug 31 07:28 Isaacman and Domagal-Goldman on taking smart risks 08:42 New Horizons — a nuclear spacecraft on the funding chopping block 09:20 What New Horizons is and where it is now 10:56 The ask — call your representatives 12:36 Close WATCH THIS WEEK Progress MS-35 docks with the station Friday the 11th at 18:37 UTC, and NASA is carrying it live. https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/progress-96-cargo-ship-docking/ SOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE ISAR AEROSPACE ESA — Isar Aerospace achieves first launch to orbit from continental Europe https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Boost/Isar_Aerospace_achieves_first_launch_to_orbit_from_continental_Europe Ars Technica — German company is first in Europe to launch a fully commercial orbital rocket https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/09/german-company-becomes-first-in-europe-to-launch-fully-commercial-orbital-rocket/ Via Satellite — PLD Space, Isar and RFA land ESA Launcher Challenge contracts https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2026/08/27/pld-space-isar-aerospace-and-rocket-factory-augsburg-land-esa-contracts-in-launch-challenge/ SWIFT Via Satellite — Katalyst LINK mission is unable to rescue NASA's Swift observatory https://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2026/08/19/katalyst-link-mission-is-unable-to-rescue-nasa-swift-observatory/ Space.com — Swift restarts science work after the rescue mission fails https://www.space.com/space-exploration/missions/nasas-doomed-swift-space-telescope-restarts-science-work-after-rescue-mission-fails NASA — Updates on next steps for the commercial Swift boost mission https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-updates-next-steps-for-commercial-swift-boost-mission/ NEW HORIZONS Science — New Horizons may shut down two instruments over lack of funding https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-s-new-horizons-mission-may-shut-down-two-instruments-over-lack-funding NASA — New Horizons mission page https://science.nasa.gov/mission/new-horizons/ The Planetary Society — You just saved NASA's budget: the FY2026 outcome https://www.planetary.org/articles/advocacy-success-fy2026-nasa-budget Full list with timestamps is pinned in the comments. IMAGES: ESA / Isar Aerospace (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO) · NASA / JHUAPL / SwRI · NASA #isaraerospace #newhorizons #swift #spacenews #esa #nasa #spacex #spacepodcast #todayinspace

This week, we're covering what's been trending in Space News for the last 10 days...and IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MOON! Starting up a new weekly segment where we gather the biggest stories and launches from the last week, gathered by our AI Assistant SKYE and reported by your human host Spaceman Alex! I'm Alex G. Orphanos, your space science podcast host and your favorite mad scientist.   Tell me what you think of the SKYE Report, and which segments to dig deeper into. Don't forget to catch the NASA Roman Telescope mission - join us live Sunday August 30th!   LIVE Launch Hangout link for Roman here: https://www.youtube.com/live/V3pipbUu3X0?si=TdaEN9pN-SCkFH-P   Be well, stay safe, and stay curious.   Youtube ID: IISCwaC_saI   THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle: https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE https://todayinspace.net - We just updated the site! Check it out   SKYE is free and it runs every 30 minutes: https://todayinspace.net   CHAPTERS 00:00 A new segment, and why I built SKYE 00:26 todayinspace.net: the mission clock and live space news 01:49 The brief — 514 items, 49 stories, 18 sources, 9/9 launches 02:58 The Moon is trending: 24% of the week, 11x its normal share 03:43 Twenty days from impact to peer-reviewed paper 03:57 Artemis II crew receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor 05:00 Artemis III: shuttle-veteran RS-25 engines, and the crew 05:31 Zeno Power books a nuclear payload to the Moon 06:22 THE TAKE — the outrage, the fake news, and what we owe the science 09:38 What's next: the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope 10:00 What Roman will actually do 10:40 SpaceX's $100B Louisiana spaceport 11:09 SKYE is the machine. I'm the human. 12:09 Clear skies   WATCH ROMAN LAUNCH LIVE Falcon Heavy from LC-39A, no earlier than 7:26am ET, Sunday August 30. NASA coverage opens 6:20am ET, post-launch conference 9:30am. We'll be live on Today In Space. LIVE Launch Hangout link for Roman here: https://www.youtube.com/live/V3pipbUu3X0?si=TdaEN9pN-SCkFH-P   SOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE   THE LUNAR IMPACT NASA — LRO images the Falcon 9 crater, learns new details https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/moon/nasas-lro-images-falcon-9-crater-on-moon-learns-new-details/ Space.com — A NASA spacecraft spotted the rocket's lunar grave https://www.space.com/astronomy/moon/a-spacex-rocket-slammed-into-the-moon-this-month-and-a-nasa-spacecraft-has-spotted-its-lunar-grave-photos arXiv — Energetics, crater scaling, and comparison with LRO observations https://arxiv.org/abs/2608.22325   ARTEMIS NASA — Artemis II crew to receive the Congressional Space Medal of Honor https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-set-to-receive-congressional-space-medal-of-honor/ NASA — The ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGjffGccQig NASA — Artemis III engine install begins; boosters and crew training advance https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/08/27/nasa-starts-artemis-iii-engine-install-boosters-crew-training-advance/ NASA — Turkiye and the Artemis Accords https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-invites-media-to-turkey-artemis-accords-signing-ceremony/   LUNAR SURFACE Payload — Zeno Power books its first nuclear mission to the Moon https://payloadspace.com/zeno-power-books-its-first-nuclear-mission-to-the-moon/   ROMAN NASA — Coverage set for the Roman Space Telescope launch https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-sets-coverage-for-roman-space-telescope-launch-from-florida/ NASASpaceflight — Launch preview: Falcon Heavy with Roman https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/08/launch-preview-082426/   SPACEX Ars Technica — SpaceX intends to invest up to $100B in a Louisiana spaceport https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/08/spacex-intends-to-invest-up-to-100-billion-in-massive-louisiana-spaceport/   IMAGES: NASA · NASA/GSFC/Arizona State (LRO) · KARI/KASA (Danuri) · Payload · SpaceX   #falcon9 #moon #spacenews #artemis #romanspacetelescope #nasa #spacex #lro #spacepodcast #todayinspace   Youtube ID: IISCwaC_saI

There's something human about stargazing. You don't even need to know what you're looking at. I just got back from Maine and about the most perfect dark skies you could ask for — a Bortle 1 or 2, against the Bortle 6 or 7 we get at Today In Space HQ outside Boston. Dark, clear skies like that makes you wonder what the night sky was to the early humans like the ancient Greeks & their Mythologies. These deep moments allow for some deep perspective. like what it's like a year since I was laid-off aka "terminated" and why the more AI work I do, the more I want to go do human things. Great summer nights with a dark sky and great company. Who could ask for a better end to the Summer? My advice? Grab 20 minutes and a patch of sky. Even the patch above you. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome — the close of summer, and Maine 00:44 There's something human about stargazing 01:19 The Bortle scale: Bortle 1 in Maine, Bortle 5 at HQ 01:37 Cherry Springs next, with the Space Talkers 01:53 The night sky as humanity's first story map 02:37 How many satellites you can actually see up there 03:01 Mosaic mode: filtering satellite and plane streaks out 03:43 One year since the layoff 05:03 chat3DP — where the build is right now 05:44 The more AI I do, the more human things I want 06:51 The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing 07:22 I still don't identify as an author 08:00 A dock in Maine, and skies astronomers chase 08:42 How did anyone sleep before cities? 09:10 Greek ancestry, the mythologies, the Odyssey 10:03 What stargazing does to a conversation 10:46 Find the 20 minutes. Look up. 11:03 Clear skies THE BOOK The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing is out now in hardcover and on Kindle:  https://ag3dlabs.com/book MORE TODAY IN SPACE  https://todayinspace.net We just updated the site! Check it out I'm Alex G. Orphanos, your favorite mad scientist, wishing you clear skies and great conversations with great people as we build a fantastic future for all of us. Be well, stay safe, and stay curious. SPREAD LOVE, SPREAD SCIENCE, AND STAY CURIOUS. What's the darkest sky you've ever stood under? Tell me in the comments. #stargazing #astrophotography #bortlescale #lightpollution #spacepodcast #vaonisvespera #darksky #milkyway #3dprinting #todayinspace   Youtube ID vTAoT8x5mfo

The Space Talkers are back for part TWO, for a discussion about how Artemis was created, and some round-table talk about our favorite moments of Artemis II! We get into the space toilet that froze, the mental health protocols behind a crew locked in a capsule for days, the East Coast fireballs, why NASA canceled planned correction burns, and what all of it means for Artemis III. Along the way we talk telescopes, dark skies, Cherry Springs, and how this little community of space people found each other in the first place. Thank you to Matt, Caitlin, and Andrew for joining us live for this back in June. Whether you are a dedicated space enthusiast or just catching up on current events, this episode is a great one to jump in. Follow Today In Space for grounded space science, exploration updates, and honest conversations about the future of humanity beyond Earth. Stay curious. Spread love. Spread science. Want to buy a copy of my NEW Book? Find your favorite book buy here: https://ag3dlabs.com/book Support the podcast: Starship Development Comic Infographic by Alex G Orphanos SPACEMAN COMICS:  Digital ($2) https://stan.store/AG3Dlabs/p/space-comic-poster-01-by-spaceman-comics Physical (starting at $23) https://ag3dreplicator.com/products/starship-development-comic-poster-matte-vertical-spacex-inspired-infographic • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 • SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640

The Space Talkers joined forces again to breakdown the Artemis II mission. Anything Artemis Program-related means lots of excitement, and so naturally AI, Technology, and Stargazing come up as we unwrap this mission and what it means as we move towards the next Artemis mission (III) Today in Space brings the team together to recap Artemis II. This discussion is for anyone following NASA moon mission progress. We analyze the key milestones and what the upcoming flight path means for the future of lunar exploration, and what's happening here on Earth in the meantime. Thank you to Matt, Caitlin, and Andrew for joining us live for this back in June. Whether you are a dedicated space enthusiast or just catching up on current events, this episode is a great one to jump in. Follow Today In Space for grounded space science, exploration updates, and honest conversations about the future of humanity beyond Earth. Stay curious. Spread love. Spread science. Want to buy a copy of my NEW Book? Find your favorite book buy here: https://ag3dlabs.com/book Support the podcast: Starship Development Comic Infographic by Alex G Orphanos SPACEMAN COMICS:  Digital ($2) https://stan.store/AG3Dlabs/p/space-comic-poster-01-by-spaceman-comics Physical (starting at $23) https://ag3dreplicator.com/products/starship-development-comic-poster-matte-vertical-spacex-inspired-infographic • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 • SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640

I got LAID OFF from my Engineering/Tech Day Job. 10 Months later, I've written and published my first book on 3D Printing. It's time to share that story... It's the Return of Spaceman Alex & Today in Space podcast! I share the process behind writing & publishing "The Book of Uncommon-Sense 3D Printing". If you are interested in how I managed to complete this project while navigating a major career change, this video is for you. Whether you follow my 3D printing advice or are just curious about my author journey, I hope this video provides some motivation. Writing a book taught me a lot about consistency and focus after a job loss. Publishing the book almost broke me. But I am excited to get back to the podcast! Lots of live podcast recaps this month including: Artemis 2 Space Talker 2 Parter, Starship Flight 12 Recap, Artemis 3 Crew Selection, and more! Follow Today In Space for grounded space science, exploration updates, and honest conversations about the future of humanity beyond Earth. Stay curious. Spread love. Spread science. Want to buy a copy of my NEW Book?  Find the link to your favorite option here: https://ag3dlabs.com/book Support the podcast: Starship Development Comic Infographic by Alex G Orphanos SPACEMAN COMICS: Digital ($2) https://stan.store/AG3Dlabs/p/space-comic-poster-01-by-spaceman-comics Physical (starting at $23) https://ag3dreplicator.com/products/starship-development-comic-poster-matte-vertical-spacex-inspired-infographic • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com  • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Today In Space Merch:  James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640  

NASA's Moon Base plans just got a major update — and then Blue Origin had a serious New Glenn pad anomaly at LC-36 that could shake up the timeline for upcoming lunar missions. In this episode of Today In Space, we break down NASA's latest Moon Base update, including new awards for lunar landers, terrain vehicles, lunar drones, and the next phase of Artemis-related infrastructure. We also react to the New Glenn pad anomaly during static-fire preparations, what it could mean for Blue Origin, the Artemis architecture, and the broader push to build a permanent human presence on the Moon. Thankfully, no one was harmed — and the payload was not onboard — but this is still a major engineering and programmatic setback. Space is demanding, and moments like this remind us just how much risk, testing, failure analysis, and teamwork go into building the future of exploration. We'll also look at the path forward: root cause analysis, potential pad repairs, whether other launch providers could step in, and how NASA's lunar campaign may adapt from here. In this episode: NASA Moon Base update Blue Origin New Glenn pad anomaly at LC-36 What this means for Artemis and lunar missions Blue Moon, lunar landers, rovers, and Moon Base infrastructure Astrolab, Lunar Outpost, Firefly, and Moonfall lunar drones Why engineering failures are part of building reliable space systems The future of commercial lunar exploration Watch the full NASA Moon Base update here: https://youtube.com/live/GrsWp798Fvg?feature=share Follow Today In Space for grounded space science, exploration updates, and honest conversations about the future of humanity beyond Earth. Stay curious. Spread love. Spread science. #NASA #Artemis #MoonBase #BlueOrigin #NewGlenn #SpaceNews #TodayInSpace #MoonMission #LunarExploration #SpacePodcast

On this week's episode, we break down what to expect for Starship Flight 12 coming up next week & we share the moments from our last live stream hanging out during another falcon heavy launch! There's a lot going on in the world and the space industry and we want to get you amped up for the next big rocket launch Starship flight 12 success is success for future Artemis missions and NASA;s journey to the moon again. So wish the team's luck and get caught up on everything since flight 11 in EP413! I'm Writing My First Book and Making My First AI! Sign up for our newsletter to follow along and learn more (sign up at chat3dp.ai) Is YOUR Company Looking to Hire Talented People in the Aerospace/Robotics/Technology fields? Email us at  [email protected]  for our in-podcast job listing ad rates and start finding talent within our community! Let's build a fantastic future together! We'd like to thank our sponsors:AG3D Labs (go to ag3dlabs.com to learn more, get started 3D printing, and sign up for our newsletter and 3D Printing AI release!) Resources: Video from Space leading up to Flight 12: https://x.com/spacex/status/2047800137133756633?s=46 Starship Development Comic Infographic by Alex G Orphanos SPACEMAN COMICS:  Digital ($2)  https://stan.store/AG3Dlabs/p/space-comic-poster-01-by-spaceman-comics Physical (starting at $23) https://ag3dreplicator.com/products/starship-development-comic-poster-matte-vertical-spacex-inspired-infographic Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop -  http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com• Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at  http://ag3d-printing.com • Today In Space Merch:  James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted)  https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted)  https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 Timestamps: 00:00 Starship Flight 12 Incoming 00:58 Starship Development, Raptor V3, Pad 2, and more! 04:25 Moon Landers for NASA Artemis 3 & 4 - NO MORE NRHO? 04:45 What is NRHO? Generally, not technically 05:35 LEO For Artemis 3 06:41 About Writing My First Book & Making 1st AI 08:51 Your Space Company Looking to Hire? Advertise Jobs on the Podcast! 10:13 Falcon Heavy Replay for Viasat 3-F3 Launch Hangout Stream LIVE

It's been a week since the Artemis 2 Crew returned home from their Moon Mission! It feels like the world has changed since this heroic adventure around the Moon and back. We still have plenty of problems here on Earth, but hope and Moon Joy seem to be in the air. An entire generation is now growing up with an Artemis Campaign and the Moon Landings are in sight. Let's recap the incredible cultural moment where we found some humanity following these 3 heroes around the moon and back! In the age of AI and global wars, it was the hope and humanity we were all looking for... Let us know what YOU took away from the mission in the comments or email us at [email protected] Is YOUR Company Looking to Hire Talented People in the Aerospace/Robotics/Technology fields? Email us at  [email protected]  for our in-podcast job listing ad rates and start finding talent within our community! Let's build a fantastic future together! We'd like to thank our sponsors:AG3D Labs (go to ag3dlabs.com to learn more, get started 3D printing, and sign up for our newsletter and 3D Printing AI release!) Resources: Artemis II Reentry & Splashdown Coverage LIVE w/ Guest Hosts Andrew, Caitlin, and Matt: https://youtube.com/live/LPU-LMoiXII?feature=share Artemis II Crew Breifing & Q&A after 6 days post-splashdown:  https://www.youtube.com/live/_43Ei9eQVww?si=bf2TmUUbgfVw-vVV&t=120 Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop -  http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com• Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at  http://ag3d-printing.com• Donate at  todayinspace.net • Today In Space Merch:  James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted)  https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted)  https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 00:00 Artemis 2 Mission Recap and Reflections 01:30 Artemis 3 and Future Missions 04:31 Personal Reflections and Mission Impact 05:36 Press Conference and Crew Feedback 08:41 Humanity and Teamwork in Space 13:22 3D Printing Conference and AI Project (chat3DP) 17:03 Final Thoughts and Future Missions 21:30 My Favorite Artemis II Q&A Responses

On this episode we recap Days 2-7 of the Artemis II Mission as the crew has broken records and learned more about the Moon than we ever knew before! This mission is more than just another spaceflight adventure, moon missions are SO SPECIAL! I recap the last week of the Moon Mission after launch, and share some of the best moments. But I also discuss what has made this first moon mission in half a century so special and unique....and why the next two missions are gearing up to be incredible! But first, the Artemis II crew and team must make it through arguably the most risky part of this mission - reentry and splashdown!  Make sure to follow along for the exciting finish to this incredible Lunar Adventure - and the safe return of our four Hero Astronauts! Is YOUR Company Looking to Hire Talented People in the Aerospace/Robotics/Technology fields? Email us at [email protected] for our in-podcast job listing ad rates and start finding talent within our community! Let's build a fantastic future together!   We'd like to thank our sponsors:AG3D Labs (go to ag3dlabs.com to learn more, get started 3D printing, and sign up for our newsletter and 3D Printing AI release!) Support the podcast: • Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - http://ag3dprinting.etsy.com • Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at http://ag3d-printing.com • Donate at todayinspace.net • Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1839142903 SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1602850640 Timestamps: 0:00 We're Back to the Moon (Artemis II Week Recap) 0:40 Why Moon Missions Hit Different Than than Any Human Missions 1:35 TLI Burn - The Moment You Commit to the Moon 2:30 Space Plumbers will be VERY Real Jobs (Mini Toilet Crisis in Space) 4:00 The Reality of Living in Deep Space 4:58 Day 6: Lunar Flyby & Science Operations Begin 5:30 Scientists + Astronauts Doing Science = Peak Mission Energy 6:30 Why This Mission Matters (Personal + Generational Impact) 7:16 The Internet Problem: Trolls, AI, and Fake Space Content 8:15 AI Content Farm Accounts Are Faking Space Content 9:15 Why Real NASA Coverage is BACK 10:00 Artemis II Breaks Records (Farthest Humans Ever In Space) 10:45 The Most Dangerous Phase Is Next: Reentry 11:30 The Heat Shield Problem (Biggest Concern) 12:15 Can Extra Fuel Help the Crew during Reentry? 13:30 The "Space Conundrum" Returns 14:15 Why This Mission Feels Different (Human Connection) 15:30 Splashdown Details & When to Watch Live 16:00 Where to Follow Artemis II Coverage 16:30 AG3D Labs - Our 3D Printing & AI Tool Company 17:00 Final Thoughts: Spread Science & Stay Curious