Main Engine Cut Off

Jared Isaacman was in Congress for a confirmation hearing for his nomination as NASA Administrator, which was followed up by reports of huge proposed budget cuts at NASA and NOAA. And as expected, SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin all received awards for NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 33 executive producers—nt, Frank, Joonas, Will and Lars from Agile, Pat from KC, Joakim (Jo-Kim), Josh from Impulse, Pat, Bob, Warren, Heiko, Steve, Theo and Violet, David, Kris, Donald, Joel, Fred, Jan, Lee, Russell, The Astrogators at SEE, Ryan, Matt, Stealth Julian, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Better Every Day Studios, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support]. Topics * Isaacman Insists NASA Can Pursue Moon and Mars Goals Simultaneously – SpacePolicyOnline.com [https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/isaacman-insists-nasa-can-pursue-moon-and-mars-goals-simultaneously/] * Trump White House budget proposal eviscerates science funding at NASA - Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/04/trump-white-house-budget-proposal-eviscerates-science-funding-at-nasa/] * Planetary Science Caucus Co-Chairs Bacon & Chu Statement on White House’s Proposed Budget Cuts to NASA Science | U.S. Representative Don Bacon [https://bacon.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2647] * NOAA budget proposal would affect weather satellite, other space programs - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/noaa-budget-proposal-would-affect-weather-satellite-other-space-programs/] * SpaceX, ULA, Blue Origin win $13.7 billion in U.S. military launch contracts through 2029 - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/spacex-ula-blue-origin-win-13-5-billion-in-u-s-military-launch-contracts-through-2029/] * Space Force reassigns GPS satellite launch from ULA to SpaceX - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/space-force-reassigns-gps-satellite-launch-from-ula-to-spacex/] * SpaceX secures majority of NSSL Phase 3 fiscal year 2025 missions - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/spacex-secures-majority-of-nssl-phase-3-fiscal-year-2025-missions/] The Show * Like the show? Support the show [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support] on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/MECO] or Substack [https://mainenginecutoff.substack.com/]! * Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com [anthony@mainenginecutoff.com] * Follow @WeHaveMECO [https://twitter.com/WeHaveMECO] * Follow @meco@spacey.space [https://spacey.space/@meco] on Mastodon * Listen to MECO Headlines [https://mainenginecutoff.com/headlines] * Listen to Off-Nominal [https://offnom.com/] * Join the Off-Nominal Discord [http://discord.offnominal.space/] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/main-engine-cut-off/id1105457520], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1105457520/main-engine-cut-off], Pocket Casts [http://pca.st/e0qI], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16iCltJIbl8tB8sBi6SEP3], Google Play [https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I6gijrtvsxvadwkid2abzhsbqeq?t%3DMain_Engine_Cut_Off%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16], Stitcher [http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/main-engine-cut-off], TuneIn [https://beta.tunein.com/radio/Main-Engine-Cut-Off-p1017187/] or elsewhere [http://mainenginecutoff.com/podcast/feed] * Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter [https://mainenginecutoff.com/newsletter] * Artwork photo by Firefly [https://x.com/Firefly_Space/status/1896158394295390367/photo/1] * Work with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works [https://pineworks.co/]

Eric Berger of Ars Technica joins me to talk about his recent interviews with Butch and Suni in the aftermath of their flight, the update NASA put out about Starliner, and how it all lands from where we are now. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Ryan, David, Theo and Violet, Fred, Steve, Warren, The Astrogators at SEE, Matt, Pat, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Joakim (Jo-Kim), Will and Lars from Agile, Josh from Impulse, Joonas, Russell, Bob, Donald, Pat from KC, Jan, Heiko, Stealth Julian, Lee, Joel, Better Every Day Studios, Kris, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support]. Topics * Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) / X [https://twitter.com/sciguyspace] * Eric Berger | Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/author/ericberger/] * Starliner’s flight to the space station was far wilder than most of us thought - Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/04/the-harrowing-story-of-what-flying-starliner-was-like-when-its-thrusters-failed/] * NASA to put Starliner’s thrusters through an extensive workout before next launch - Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/nasa-to-put-starliners-thrusters-through-an-extensive-workout-before-next-launch/] * NASA likely to significantly delay the launch of Crew 9 due to Starliner issues - Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/08/nasa-likely-to-significantly-delay-the-launch-of-crew-9-due-to-starliner-issues/] The Show * Like the show? Support the show [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support] on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/MECO] or Substack [https://mainenginecutoff.substack.com/]! * Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com [anthony@mainenginecutoff.com] * Follow @WeHaveMECO [https://twitter.com/WeHaveMECO] * Follow @meco@spacey.space [https://spacey.space/@meco] on Mastodon * Listen to MECO Headlines [https://mainenginecutoff.com/headlines] * Listen to Off-Nominal [https://offnom.com/] * Join the Off-Nominal Discord [http://discord.offnominal.space/] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/main-engine-cut-off/id1105457520], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1105457520/main-engine-cut-off], Pocket Casts [http://pca.st/e0qI], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16iCltJIbl8tB8sBi6SEP3], Google Play [https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I6gijrtvsxvadwkid2abzhsbqeq?t%3DMain_Engine_Cut_Off%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16], Stitcher [http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/main-engine-cut-off], TuneIn [https://beta.tunein.com/radio/Main-Engine-Cut-Off-p1017187/] or elsewhere [http://mainenginecutoff.com/podcast/feed] * Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter [https://mainenginecutoff.com/newsletter] * Artwork photo by Firefly [https://x.com/Firefly_Space/status/1896158394295390367/photo/1] * Work with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works [https://pineworks.co/]

Eric Schmidt has taken a majority stake in Relativity and will serve as its CEO, so this is a good time to check in on their plans. Rocket Lab is planning to acquire Mynaric, and I have a theory I felt like I needed to float. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Matt, Donald, Frank, David, Lee, Will and Lars from Agile, Kris, Pat from KC, Joel, Bob, The Astrogators at SEE, Joakim (Jo-Kim), Steve, Josh from Impulse, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Warren, Better Every Day Studios, Ryan, Heiko, Joonas, Pat, Jan, Fred, Stealth Julian, Theo and Violet, Russell, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support]. Topics * Eric Schmidt Joins Relativity Space as C.E.O. - The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/technology/eric-schmidt-relativity-space.html?searchResultPosition=1] * Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is the new leader of Relativity Space - Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/former-google-ceo-eric-schmidt-is-the-new-leader-of-relativity-space/] * Relativity Space makes significant progress on Terran R; flight hardware in production - NASASpaceFlight.com [https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/03/terran-r-update/] * Relativity names Eric Schmidt as CEO as it updates Terran R development - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/relativity-names-eric-schmidt-as-ceo-as-it-updates-terran-r-development/] * To avoid the Panama Canal, Relativity Space is moving some operations to Texas - Ars Technica [https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/03/relativity-space-may-soon-move-a-majority-of-its-operations-to-texas/] * Rocket Lab to expand into laser communications with Mynaric acquisition - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-to-expand-into-laser-communications-with-mynaric-acquisition/] The Show * Like the show? Support the show [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support] on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/MECO] or Substack [https://mainenginecutoff.substack.com/]! * Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com [anthony@mainenginecutoff.com] * Follow @WeHaveMECO [https://twitter.com/WeHaveMECO] * Follow @meco@spacey.space [https://spacey.space/@meco] on Mastodon * Listen to MECO Headlines [https://mainenginecutoff.com/headlines] * Listen to Off-Nominal [https://offnom.com/] * Join the Off-Nominal Discord [http://discord.offnominal.space/] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/main-engine-cut-off/id1105457520], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1105457520/main-engine-cut-off], Pocket Casts [http://pca.st/e0qI], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16iCltJIbl8tB8sBi6SEP3], Google Play [https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I6gijrtvsxvadwkid2abzhsbqeq?t%3DMain_Engine_Cut_Off%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16], Stitcher [http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/main-engine-cut-off], TuneIn [https://beta.tunein.com/radio/Main-Engine-Cut-Off-p1017187/] or elsewhere [http://mainenginecutoff.com/podcast/feed] * Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter [https://mainenginecutoff.com/newsletter] * Artwork photo by Firefly [https://x.com/Firefly_Space/status/1896158394295390367/photo/1] * Work with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works [https://pineworks.co/]

Josh Dinner of Space.com joins me to talk about a wild week in space—Firefly’s Blue Ghost 1, Intuitive Machines’ IM-2, SpaceX’s Starship Flight 8, Rocket Lab announcements, and more. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Stealth Julian, Kris, Heiko, Pat, Jan, Warren, Josh from Impulse, Ryan, Lee, Joel, David, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Matt, Pat from KC, Will and Lars from Agile, Joonas, Donald, Bob, Frank, Joakim (Jo-Kim), Steve, Theo and Violet, Better Every Day Studios, Fred, Russell, The Astrogators at SEE, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support]. Topics * Josh Dinner (@JoshDinner) / X [https://x.com/JoshDinner] * Articles by Josh Dinner, Staff Writer, Spaceflight | Space [https://www.space.com/author/josh-dinner] * IM-2 lunar lander mission ends - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/im-2-lunar-lander-mission-ends/] * AstroForge | Odin't: A Complete Debrief of Our Deep Space Mission [https://www.astroforge.com/updates/odint-mission-debrief] * Starship destroyed on second consecutive test flight - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/starship-destroyed-on-second-consecutive-test-flight/] * Starship’s Eighth Flight Test - SpaceX - Launches [https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starship-flight-8] * Rocket Lab Announces Flatellite: A New Satellite Designed for Mass Manufacture and Tailored for Large Constellations | Rocket Lab [https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-announces-flatellite-a-new-satellite-designed-for-mass-manufacture-and-tailored-for-large-constellations/] * Rocket Lab Reveals Ocean Platform for Neutron Rocket Landings at Sea | Rocket Lab [https://www.rocketlabusa.com/updates/rocket-lab-reveals-ocean-platform-for-neutron-rocket-landings-at-sea/] The Show * Like the show? Support the show [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support] on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/MECO] or Substack [https://mainenginecutoff.substack.com/]! * Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com [anthony@mainenginecutoff.com] * Follow @WeHaveMECO [https://twitter.com/WeHaveMECO] * Follow @meco@spacey.space [https://spacey.space/@meco] on Mastodon * Listen to MECO Headlines [https://mainenginecutoff.com/headlines] * Listen to Off-Nominal [https://offnom.com/] * Join the Off-Nominal Discord [http://discord.offnominal.space/] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/main-engine-cut-off/id1105457520], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1105457520/main-engine-cut-off], Pocket Casts [http://pca.st/e0qI], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16iCltJIbl8tB8sBi6SEP3], Google Play [https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I6gijrtvsxvadwkid2abzhsbqeq?t%3DMain_Engine_Cut_Off%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16], Stitcher [http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/main-engine-cut-off], TuneIn [https://beta.tunein.com/radio/Main-Engine-Cut-Off-p1017187/] or elsewhere [http://mainenginecutoff.com/podcast/feed] * Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter [https://mainenginecutoff.com/newsletter] * Artwork photo by Firefly [https://x.com/Firefly_Space/status/1896158394295390367/photo/1] * Work with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works [https://pineworks.co/]

Former Congressman and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine joins me to talk space policy, then and now: CLPS, Commercial Space Stations, Artemis, international partnerships, and more. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Stealth Julian, Kris, Heiko, Pat, Jan, Warren, Josh from Impulse, Ryan, Lee, Joel, David, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Matt, Pat from KC, Will and Lars from Agile, Joonas, Donald, Bob, Frank, Joakim (Jo-Kim), Steve, Theo and Violet, Better Every Day Studios, Fred, Russell, The Astrogators at SEE, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support]. Topics * Home | The Artemis Group [https://www.theartemisgroup.space/] * Touchdown! Carrying NASA Science, Firefly’s Blue Ghost Lands on Moon - NASA [https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/touchdown-carrying-nasa-science-fireflys-blue-ghost-lands-on-moon/] * Firefly’s Blue Ghost 1 lands on the moon - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/fireflys-blue-ghost-1-lands-on-the-moon/] * Blue Ghost Mission 1 - Firefly Aerospace [https://fireflyspace.com/missions/blue-ghost-mission-1/] * Falcon 9 launches second Intuitive Machines lunar lander - SpaceNews [https://spacenews.com/falcon-9-launches-second-intuitive-machines-lunar-lander/] * House Committee Backs Moon-to-Mars, But Changes May Be Needed – SpacePolicyOnline.com [https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/house-committee-backs-moon-to-mars-but-changes-may-be-needed/] The Show * Like the show? Support the show [https://mainenginecutoff.com/support] on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/MECO] or Substack [https://mainenginecutoff.substack.com/]! * Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.com [anthony@mainenginecutoff.com] * Follow @WeHaveMECO [https://twitter.com/WeHaveMECO] * Follow @meco@spacey.space [https://spacey.space/@meco] on Mastodon * Listen to MECO Headlines [https://mainenginecutoff.com/headlines] * Listen to Off-Nominal [https://offnom.com/] * Join the Off-Nominal Discord [http://discord.offnominal.space/] * Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/main-engine-cut-off/id1105457520], Overcast [https://overcast.fm/itunes1105457520/main-engine-cut-off], Pocket Casts [http://pca.st/e0qI], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/16iCltJIbl8tB8sBi6SEP3], Google Play [https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I6gijrtvsxvadwkid2abzhsbqeq?t%3DMain_Engine_Cut_Off%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16], Stitcher [http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/main-engine-cut-off], TuneIn [https://beta.tunein.com/radio/Main-Engine-Cut-Off-p1017187/] or elsewhere [http://mainenginecutoff.com/podcast/feed] * Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter [https://mainenginecutoff.com/newsletter] * Artwork photo by Firefly [https://x.com/Firefly_Space/status/1896158394295390367/photo/1] * Work with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works [https://pineworks.co/]