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 of those questions and I'll share my thoughts on this major piece of news. Just another day in the Space Conundrum - but it definitely wasn't on my 2025 or 2026 space bingo card. By the end of the video - we want to here from YOU! What do you think?? Are you excited? Scared?? Or Both??!!

We'd love to hear what you think in the comments or by emailing us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com. Make sure to follow us on social media - you can find links to everything by going to stan.store/ag3dlabs.

Timestamps:

00:00 SpaceX Going Public: Initial Reactions and Concerns

03:40 Potential Impact on SpaceX's Mission and NASA's History as A Lesson

06:31 Tesla's Success and SpaceX's Potential IPO

09:59 SpaceX's Strengths and Advantages

13:10 The AI Race and SpaceX's Future

18:39 Let us know what YOU think!

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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 talk about the state of NASA. Not to mention, how much NASA is in need of clear leadership and direction after almost a year of delay.

Today In Space is PRO-Jared! Go get 'em Rook! As of December 9th, 2025 - Mr. Isaacman has passed the Senate Committee and is on to full Senate Vote! Enjoy this bit of LIVE hangout from the past week

We'd love to hear what you think in the comments or by emailing us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com. Make sure to follow us on social media - you can find links to everything by going to stan.store/ag3dlabs.

Timestamps:
00:00 Jared Isaacman's Nomination and Background
01:58 Senate Committee Hearing: Jared Isaacman's Testimony
03:36 Political Influence on Economic Data
06:38 Critical Mineral Supply Chain and Defense Industrial Base
11:12 Elon Musk and Financial Ties
18:01 NASA's Role in Supersonic Flight and Space Diplomacy
22:01 Support for Science and Earth Observation Data
26:18 Agriculture Data and Space Medicine
29:41 Access to NASA Data for Researchers w/ Private Partners?
32:53 Digital Trade and Cross-Border Data Flows

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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 3I-ATLAS review than curiosity was. If you wanted to know how I feel about this you can rewatch it live.

Two major themes for me:
- Don't be an intellectual bully. There are curious people out there who are not trolling you (NASA). Talk to those people without demeaning their curiosity
- The definition of a "Comet" is vague and outdated. Just like Pluto needed to be reclassified as a dwarf planet, we need a better term for these icy objects.

Would love to know what you think! Let us know in the comments below or email us at todayinspacepodcast @ gmail.com

Timestamps:
00:00 Initial Thoughts before NASA's Image Reveal Event
04:31 Some Context and Observations of 3I Atlas
11:45 Q&A Session with Press and Scientific Insights
14:01 Alien Hypothesis and Scientific Evidence
36:07 Scientific Goals and Future Observations
36:20 Processing and Release of Images
39:06 Orbital Dynamics and Non-Gravitational Accelerations
39:24 Public Engagement and Citizen Science
40:00 Alex's Final Thoughts on the definition of a "comet" and power of science communication

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Support the podcast:

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