The Space Show

2026.06.03 | The Andy Thomas Space Foundation

On The Space Show for Wednesday, 3 June 2026: The Andy Thomas Space Foundation [https://andythomas.foundation/] with the Chair of the Foundation, Peter Nikoloff:  * What the Foundation is and what its aims and activities are [https://andythomas.foundation/#about].   * The 19th Australian Space Forum [https://australianspaceforum.com.au/] being organised for 21-22 July 2026, Adelaide, South Australia.   * The Kids In Space [https://andythomas.foundation/the-andy-thomas-space-foundation-education-fund-2024/] educational programme in primary schools.   * Nova Systems [https://www.novasystems.com/au]. Space Show News:   * Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket explodes on the launch pad [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-29/blue-origin-rocket-explodes-during-test-jeff-bezos/106737482] at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base.   * Announcement of contract awards for NASA's Moon Base program [https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-provides-update-on-moon-base-rovers-landers-missions/]; and how the explosion might affect the Moon Base mission schedule. [https://theconversation.com/nasa-names-artemis-iii-crew-but-a-rocket-explosion-has-thrown-us-moon-plans-into-turmoil-284784#:~:text=On%20May%2028%2C%202026%2C%20Blue,Air%20Force%20Station%20in%20Florida.] (Inserts courtesy 6News, ABC, NASA)

2026.05.27 | China in Space: China's ten-year plan, and the growth of commercial launch services

On The Space Show for Wednesday, 27 May 2026: Space Show News: Shenzhou 23   The launch [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-25/china-launches-shenzhou-23-astronauts-into-space/106718456] of Shenzhou 23 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhou_23] and Hong Kong's involvement. China in Space: China's ten-year plan for space, and the growth of commercial launch services [https://www.thinkchina.sg/technology/moonshots-market-share-chinas-space-strategy]. (Inserts courtesy CGTN)   Turn Back Time: Surveyor 1 The Surveyor 1 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyor_1] soft landing on the Moon, and preparations for the Gemini 9 mission. (Inserts BBC, VOA, NZBC)

2026.05.20 | Monash High Powered Rocketry: Pushing the boundaries of space technologies

On The Space Show for Wednesday, 20 May 2026: Space Show News: Australian Space Industry 2026 — Part 1   * Spiral Blue's first international LiDAR sale to Lodestar in the United Kingdom  * QuantX Labs on TEMPO   * Neuman Space's ND-25 propulsion system on CarbSAR.  Also, a giant sunspot on the far side of the Sun was observed by the Solar Orbiter and the Perseverance Rover on Mars. SMILE and Psyche: The China-ESA satellite SMILE (Solar-wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) has been launched, and the asteroid mission Psyche has had its trajectory changed by passing close to Mars. (Inserts courtesy ESA, JPL)  Monash HPR: Pushing the boundaries of space technologies The Space Show in conversation with Johson Zheng, Project Lead and Bavreet Ubhi, Propulsion Vice Lead, of Monash High Powered Rocketry, Monash University. Monash High Powered Rocketry (or MHPR) [https://www.monashhpr.com/] is a student team at Monash University revolutionising student rocketry in Australia by developing innovative space technologies, fostering collaboration, and igniting passion in future generations through outreach. With a team of over 100 members, MHPR actively competes in both the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) and Australian Universities Rocketry Competition (AURC). The design and manufacturing of almost all components of these rockets is done in-house by students, including all airframe components and many flight computers. Monash HPR is developing, manufacturing and testing a hybrid rocket engine using paraffin and liquid oxygen.  Turn Back Time: The 60th anniversary of the launch of Europa 1 F-4 from Woomera.  Listen or download the full recording of the launch made in Auckland off Radio Australia and 2NR Grafton (40 min 17 s - 38.7 MB)  [https://space.southernfm.com.au/audio/Europa1F4FullRecording.mp3]

2026.05.13 | Extraterrestrial Life — Could We Cope?

On The Space Show for Wednesday, 13 May 2026: Space Show News: The Australian Federal Budget — An analysis of the space and astronomy sections of the 2026 Federal Budget.  Extraterrestrial Life - Could We Cope?  The US government has released a first batch of 160 previously classified files on alleged UFO sightings and alien life. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_UFO_files]The files include a 1947 report of "flying discs" and a photo of "unidentified phenomena" taken from the Moon's surface during the Apollo 12 lunar mission in 1969. In light of these releases, we’ll first hear comments from President Trump, then a fascinating retrospective discussion, largely philosophical in nature, between the New Zealand astronomer and television presenter Peter Read [https://www.kiwitv.org.nz/people/presenters/read-peter] and Professor Alan Forbes of Wellington's Victoria University on how humanity might cope with the discovery of extraterrestrial life. (Inserts Fox News, WH and NZBC) The Andy Thomas Space Foundation:  [https://andythomas.foundation/] Nicola Sasanelli [https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/nicola-sasanelli/](Adjunct Professor and then Chief Executive Officer, Andy Thomas Space Foundation, Adelaide) on the formation and purposes of the Foundation. (Recorded by The Space Show at a meeting of the Space Association of Australia [https://space.asn.au/], South Melbourne) SMILE [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMILE_(spacecraft)] A preview of the China-ESA satellite SMILE (or Solar-wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer), which is due to be launched on 19 May 2026. SMILE is a collaborative satellite mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) designed to study how the solar wind interacts with Earth's magnetic shield.

2026.05.06 | Artemis II: A shared moment, especially for younger audiences

On The Space Show for Wednesday, 5 May 2026: YouGov polls about the Artemis 2 circumlunar mission and Apollo 11 lunar landing [https://yougov.com/articles/54550-new-study-reveals-one-in-six-australian-adults-watched-the-artemis-ii-launch-live-and-many-still-believe-in-value-of-space-exploration] One in six Australian adults watched the Artemis II launch live, and many still believe in the value of space exploration. In the wake of the Artemis II launch, new research from YouGov reveals that space exploration continues to capture the imagination of Australians, offering not just a moment of awe, but a reminder of what global collaboration can achieve. The study found that more than half of Australian adults (54%) watched footage of the Artemis II launch, either live or after the event. Notably, one in six (16%) tuned in live, equating to nearly 3.5 million Australians experiencing the launch in real time. In total, more than 11.5 million Australians engaged with the mission in some form. The launch proved particularly compelling for younger generations. Nearly one in four (24%) Gen Z adults watched the event live, followed by 17% of Millennials, highlighting the enduring appeal of space milestones among younger audiences. Space Show News: Voyager 1 Due to declining power, an instrument on Voyager 1 is to be shut down ahead of major changes on both Voyager spacecraft. Turn Back Time: Mars Odyssey The 25th anniversary of the launch of the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission.