May 29, 2026 Zimmerman/Batchelor podcast

Embedded below the fold in two parts.

To listen to all of John Batchelor’s podcasts, go here.

The first segment below is definitely worth listening to, because my discussion with John Batchelor about the Blue Origin explosion yesterday demonstrated quite clearly the difficulty of most people to understand that the NASA Moon program is no longer the only game in town. John kept asking if SpaceX can continue our Moon program, and I kept trying to explain to him that it not only could, its private effort was the American space effort, and that effort will carry NASA’s increasingly irrelevant Artemis program along with it. He couldn’t get it. As far as he was concerned, the only program that mattered was the government program of NASA’s, and if that program is in trouble he worries we have nothing at all.
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My two appearances on The Space Show this week

David Livingston has now archived for download or listening or watching the two Space Shows this week in which I participated.

On Sunday, May 24, 2026 the show was an open discussion focused on reviewing SpaceX’s 12th Starship/Superheavy test flight on May 22, 2026. The show can be viewed here, here, and here. You can also download the audio here to listen at your pleasure.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026 I was the Space Show’s main guest, with the discussion avoiding SpaceX almost completely. First I outlined NASA’s just announced new lunar missions and its overall plans for the Moon, adding some commentary amid the discussion with other participants. Then I outlined the state of development of the five American space stations being developed to replace ISS. As always, the discussion was made more interesting by the participation of others. The show can be viewed here, here, and here. You can also download the audio here to listen at your pleasure.

Both shows are definitely worth your time, if you are at all interested in the on-going commercial renaissance now taking place in the aerospace industry.

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On the Space Show twice this week!

After yesterday’s Starship/Superheavy test launch, David Livingston, who runs The Space Show, decided schedule an quick open-lines show for tomorrow, Sunday May 24, 2026 at noon (Pacific), asking all of the show’s board of advisors to come on and discuss their impressions of the launch and the future of SpaceX.

I agreed, mostly because I am curious to hear what the other board members think. They focus more on the engineering than I do, so I want their perspective. I will of course chime in when I think I have something to add.

In addition, I have a full two-hour appearance already scheduled on The Space Show for Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 6 pm (Pacific). On that show I will expand on my own perspective SpaceX as well as all things related to space exploration, focusing less on engineering and more on the larger political and cultural issues.

In both cases, the shows will be aired live on Zoom. To join that Zoom meeting as a video participant you need to be a supporter of the Space Show by donating at least $100.

However, anyone can listen and participate by phone without donating. To do so you need to email David Livingston at drspace@thespaceshow.com prior to airtime for both the Zoom phone numbers and access permission. The name and the phone number you provide should agree with the same on your telephone number log in when you enter the Zoom waiting room. The Space Show is following Zoom security requirements in inviting public participation in this program.

Without the access codes, you will not be able to join.

You can also place a comment below saying you want to participate, and I will then put you in touch with David.

I hope some of my readers join the discussion. You have a lot to contribute, and you also would ask really pertinent questions.

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