This Week in Space 165

Space is rapidly becoming a critical domain for so much of 21st-century living. Banking, transport across the sea and land, agriculture, and dozens of other things we take for granted all depend on satellites, and tracking them to avoid collisions. Nick Hague is a NASA astronaut and the first U.S. Space Force Guardian to launch to the International Space Station in that role, and we invited him to talk to us about the Space Force, living on the ISS, his frightening abort on a Soyuz rocket in 2018, how the Space Force tracks orbital objects, and much more. He's a very accomplished guy who makes it all sound routine—and we suspect, for him, it is. Join us for this very special interview. 

Headlines

• European Space Agency Programs Threatened by NASA Budget Cuts: The European Space Agency (ESA) reveals three key missions are significantly threatened by proposed NASA budget reductions, requiring "dramatic recovery actions."
• Rosalind Franklin Mars Rover in Jeopardy: The ESA's Rosalind Franklin Mars rover faces its second major setback as its U.S. launch partner is no longer included in the current budget, leaving the rover without a ride.
• U.S. as an "Unreliable Partner": Rod and Tariq discuss concerns about the U.S. being perceived as an unreliable partner due to repeated withdrawals from international space partnerships.
• National Solar Observatory Funding Cuts: The Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the most powerful solar observatory, faces drastic funding cuts that could prevent effective science operations.
• First Look at the Sun's Poles by Solar Orbiter: Scientists using the ESA's Solar Orbiter have obtained the first direct images of the sun's poles to study its cycle, weather, and magnetic field.
• Geomagnetic Storm & Auroras: Tariq notes a coronal mass ejection is expected to buffet Earth on Saturday, potentially causing visible auroras during the podcast recording.
• Who Will Lead NASA? Potential Administrator Candidates: Politico Space's newsletter highlights potential candidates for the next NASA administrator, sparking discussion on the agency's future leadership.

Main Topic

• Colonel Nick Hague: Colonel Nick Hague, Space Force Guardian and NASA astronaut, joins the show to discuss his background, path to NASA, and recent ISS experiences.
• Nick Hague's Path to Space & Service: Colonel Hague shares his journey from stargazing in Kansas to his interwoven military and space exploration career, starting with the Air Force, joining NASA in 2013, and transferring to the Space Force in 2021.
• Test Pilot Training School & Astronaut Capabilities: Colonel Hague explains how test pilot school develops critical skills highly applicable to astronaut duties and space operations despite not being a direct requirement.
• Readaptation After Space Flight: Colonel Hague describes adapting to Earth's gravity after six months in space, noting challenges in regaining balance and strengthening muscles, requiring months of physical therapy.
• Subconscious Mind & Gravity: He shares that after prolonged zero gravity, the subconscious mind still expects that objects will float, making everyday actions on Earth feel strange.
• First Space Force Guardian to Launch Full Mission: Colonel Hague discusses the personal honor of being the first Space Force Guardian to launch and complete an entire mission.
• Space Force's Critical Roles: Colonel Hague details vital Space Force functions, including maintaining GPS for financial systems and tracking over 50,000 objects in space to prevent collisions.
• Congestion in Low Earth Orbit: Colonel Hague shares a video showing increased low Earth orbit congestion, with hundreds of Starlink and other satellites visible, highlighting the importance of Space Force tracking.
• Space Force's Evolving Mission & Impact: He clarifies Space Force's primary role is safeguarding the "American way of life" by ensuring space capabilities and providing an asymmetric advantage for the joint force.
• Advice for Aspiring Astronauts & Space Force Guardians: Colonel Hague advises students interested in becoming astronauts or joining the Space Force to pursue a strong STEM education, find their passion, and work hard.
• Surviving a Soyuz Abort: Colonel Hague recounts his rare Soyuz launch abort experience in 2018, crediting extensive training and a focus on procedures for his survival.
• Sleeping in Space: Colonel Hague describes sleeping in his "phone booth"-sized crew quarters on the ISS, floating untethered for a unique and restful experience.
• Claustrophobia in Space: He confirms claustrophobia is undesirable for astronauts, noting that he grew accustomed to tight spaces like the Soyuz capsule quickly.
• Soyuz vs. Dragon: Colonel Hague compares the Soyuz and Dragon spacecraft, noting their different engineering approaches and the Dragon's more spacious, automated experience.
• Living and Working on the ISS: Colonel Hague explains the complex balance of living and working on the ISS, which is managed by a large ground team and allows astronauts to focus on tasks and enjoy social time.

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• Tech: Space Force Guardian Colonel Nick Hague on Life in Space and Military Service Beyond Earth
• Transcripts: This Week in Space 165 Transcript

Links

• European Space Agency reveals 3 key space missions threatened by Trump's NASA budget cuts
• Trump's 2026 budget cuts would force the world's most powerful solar telescope to close
• Humanity takes its 1st look at the sun's poles: 'This is just the first step of Solar Orbiter's stairway to heaven'
• Wanted: One NASA administrator
• Nick Hague
• Space Force
• Space Force Guardian returns to Earth after six-month space mission
• Why Cislunar Security Must Be a Space Force Concern
• How do Astronauts Sleep on Space?