The Search for Mental Freedom in the Space Conundrum | Thoughts on the Space Industry & Humanity
Release Date: 07/04/2025
Today In Space
This week has been BUSY with activity in Low Earth Orbit on the Space Station! This episode is a recap from our LIVE Hangout broadcast on social media during NASA's International Space Station Update. We hear from the new NASA Administrator (Jared Isaacman), the Associate Administrator (Amit Kshatriya), and the Chief Space Medical Officer (Dr. James D. Polk) as they answer questions from NASA HQ in Washington, D.C. as the ISS operation teams at JSC in Houston were prepping Crew 11 to come home. Hear my thoughts at the start and close - this conference was really good and a sign of the...
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🚀 In this full-length episode of Today In Space, Chuck Dorn — former NASA official and COO of SolaMed Solutions — takes us deep into the world of space medicine. We discuss: • What it takes to keep astronauts alive during long-duration missions • The challenges of medical care in microgravity • Ethical questions like “Who should fly to space?” • How telemedicine and remote care will shape commercial space travel • The role of standards and safety protocols for future space exploration If you’re curious about the human side of spaceflight, this is a must-watch episode....
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This week, we talk with the Director of Global Affairs at SolaMed Solutions - Dr. Michelle Hailey. We learn about her origin story of entering the space industry, meeting Dr. Saralyn Mark, and diving into this space industry of ours on Earth. We learn about space culture, international partnership, and another non-traditional pathway to entering the Space Workforce. So buckle up - and get ready for another episode of Today In Space and a People of Space segment with Dr. Michelle Hailey. Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas - let’s dive in! Timestamps: 00:00 My...
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In this episode, Alex uses a scientific approach to combat the emotional rollercoaster this past week has been since Mr. Musk has confirmed SpaceX is going Public! The Space Conundrum strikes again - and it's leaving many to wonder: Why Now? Listen to this episode if you'd like to learn more and explore: What is Elon Musk Thinking, taking SpaceX from an independent private company and trading it on the US stock exchange? What does an IPO mean for SpaceX? Does this mean "SpaceX's Mission to Mars" is over? What are the upsides to SpaceX going public? We’re going to give our answer to all...
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Jared Isaacman, previously chosen as the President's pick for NASA Administrator in March 2025, faced the Senate committee hearing AGAIN to discuss his qualifications and potential conflicts of interest before leading the American Space Program. The past year of delay was due to political nonsense, leaving NASA without leadership that whole time. Mr. Isaacman is an entrepreneur, 2 mission astronaut commander, philanthropist, and father who has a unique leadership style. He returned to the Senate Committee sharper than ever! We listen in on the live Senate Committee meeting for some Q&A and...
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We went live for the NASA broadcast of the release of images of the Interplanetary "comet" 3I-Atlas, which was delayed due to the government shutdown. As the cultural curiosity surrounding 3I-ATLAS went viral during the poorly timed government shutdown, it was a unique opportunity for NASA to do what it does best. Share data and spend a little more time with the actual experts to explore that curiosity and dig deeper into what we found. Unfortunately, it feels as though the government shutdown and funding cuts proposed by the current President's cabinet was more of an influence on this...
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We were LIVE hanging out for the 2nd launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn - this episode is a compilation of the best moments from launch, including the audio and sounds of launch, landing, and pure success from Team Blue. Make sure to follow us online and hang out in the chat in the future! Come hang, Ask questions, and let's all learn more and have a blast watching the Next Space Culture Moment LIVE Are you a big New Glenn or Blue Origin Fan? Check out our Blue Origin New Glenn-inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) Timestamps: 00:00 New Glenn Launch and Blue Origin's Achievements ...
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We are joined by experts from Xometry, a company that many engineer's have grabbed instant quotes & custom parts on demand with CNC machining, 3D printing, and more. This week, we are joined by Mike Cavalieri and Greg Paulsen - both leaders at Xometry. Our guests are experts in rapid prototyping to full production and have helped big Space Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA, and more when they need a reliable machine shop to make parts for space applications. We discuss their origin stories, how 3D Printing can be helpful in Space applications, and what kinds of parts have been...
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Catch the latest on SpaceX's Starship Development with Flight 11! This video is a compilation of the launch and reentry of both the Super Heavy Booster and Starship S38. If you are looking for a fun launch hangout for Starship Flight 11 - here's the best of from our live stream during the launch. We'd like to thank our sponsors: AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!) Today In Space Merch: James Webb Space Telescope Model (3DPrinted) SpaceX Starship-Inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) Blue Origin New Glenn-inspired Rocket Pen...
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Trevor Smith, Founder and CEO of Atomic-6, shares his origin story and journey from a commercial real estate broker to leading a company specializing in near-theoretical high-performance composites. Some of Atomic-6's innovations include: - A composite debris shield for the International Space Station, which outperformed traditional aluminum shields in tests. - Development on a redeployable solar array system, Light Wing, which offers significantly improved space power efficiency. - Composite Radomes that provide a great balance of functionality and light-weighting - And so much more -...
info_outlineOn Independence Day 2025, Alex discusses the current state of the U.S. space program and the world, searching for ways to navigate the chaos. We make historical parallels with the 1970s, during the end of the first space race and the post-Apollo era tumble (i.e. the end of the 1st Space Conundrum).
Alex emphasizes the importance of mental freedom and adaptability in navigating societal chaos, and how he is practicing gratitude and using it as a tool for maintaining focus on what matters. We close out with some gratitude on the return of the last 10 years of space progress, and the glimmer of hope Alex sees in humanity during these trying times.
Wishing you a fulfilling and restful Independence Day - urging you to find your own mental freedom, and finding insights into today by learning more about the 1970s.
Here's to building a fantastic future - and continued progress in Space (and humanity)!
Spread Love, Spread Science
Alex G. Orphanos
Timestamps:
00:00 Fourth of July Episode Introduction and Podcast Promotion
00:58 NASA Administrator and Budget Cut Chaos
01:54 The Space Conundrum Theory Revisited
03:50 Reflections on Space Progress and Societal Chaos
04:22 Gratitude unlocks my Mental Freedom
08:10 Independence and Space Industry Progress
10:58 Closing Remarks and Wishes for Independence Day
We'd like to thank our sponsors:
AG3D Printing (go to ag3d-printing.com to learn more & start 3D printing today!)
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
Blue Origin New Glenn-inspired Rocket Pen (3DPrinted) https://ag3dprinting.etsy.com/listing/1859644348
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• Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - ag3dprinting.etsy.com
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