This Week in Space 139

This week, we're covering a broad swath, from President-Elect Trump's shocking choice for NASA Administrator to new delays for the Artemis lunar program to UFOs/UAPs! And for such an adventure, we turn to Leonard David, the most seasoned space reporter and journalist out there. Trump's pick for NASA, billionaire and private astronaut Jared Isaacman, came as a surprise to space watchers, and his name was not just missing from the shortlist but from *any* list making the rounds. However, he is widely supported and should bring renewed energy to the space agency. Then, after discussing yesterday's NASA press conference about Artemis--in which more delays were announced (no surprise to any of us)--we talk to Leonard about recent disclosures about UFO/UAP government records and the overall consideration of why people think they walk among us (and if they do, Musk is probably one of them).

Headlines:

• Jared Isaacman Nominated as NASA Administrator
• Artemis II Mission Delayed, Artismis III mission pushed to mid-2027.
• And Tariq defends his creative choice of words to compare different sizes of asteroids.

Main Topic: Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)

• Shift from UFO to UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena)
• Discussion about potential alien visitation
• Concerns about public perception and societal impacts
• Need for more rigorous scientific approach to UAP research
• Calls for NASA and National Science Foundation funding
• Skepticism about current congressional hearings and government disclosure
• Potential for document declassification under the incoming Trump administration.

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• Transcripts: This Week in Space 139 Transcript

Links

• Belief in alien visits to Earth is spiralling out of control – here’s why that’s so dangerous
• Leonard David
• Who is Jared Isaacman, Trump’s proposed NASA Administrator?
• NASA delays Artemis 2 moon mission to 2026, Artemis 3 astronaut landing to mid-2027
• NASA Shares Orion Heat Shield Findings, Updates Artemis Moon Missions