Topic: International Space Station

NASA astronaut Mike Fink provided details regarding a medical emergency on the International Space Station that led to the agency's first medical evacuation. Fink reported a 20-minute period where he was unable to speak, though doctors have ruled out a heart attack or choking. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.

A wide-ranging discussion covers the demeanor of Apollo astronauts in post-flight press conferences, Elon Musk's Mars ambitions, and the altitude of the International Space Station. The hosts explore "nutty" theories including the "hollow moon" hypothesis and Operation High Jump, a 1946 US Navy expedition to Antarctica. One host claims the expedition was an attempt to penetrate a "firmament" above the Earth using nuclear weapons.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule after their original eight-day mission was extended to nine months. The delay was caused by thruster failures on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which NASA deemed unsafe for a crewed return. Despite the extended stay, the astronauts reportedly did not receive overtime pay, receiving only a standard per diem for their 286 days in orbit.

Boeing ousted Theodore Colbert, the head of its Defense, Space, and Security division, following the high-profile failure of the Starliner capsule. The spacecraft's thruster malfunctions left two NASA astronauts stranded on the International Space Station, requiring a future rescue by SpaceX. Steve Parker has been named as the temporary replacement as the company faces increased scrutiny and ongoing labor strikes.

The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, which intended to conduct the first private spacewalk, has been delayed due to weather and a helium leak. Meanwhile, Boeing Starliner astronauts remain on the International Space Station until February. The hosts express skepticism about the safety of private space travel and the reliability of Boeing's spacecraft.

Three Russian cosmonauts arrived at the International Space Station wearing yellow flight suits with blue trim, sparking rumors of solidarity with Ukraine. Roscosmos later dismissed these claims, stating the color choice was simply due to an abundance of yellow material in storage.

The hosts express skepticism regarding the 2024 moon landing goal, citing missing telemetry data and the destruction of Apollo-era technology. They discuss NASA's plan to open the International Space Station to tourists for $58 million per trip, plus $35,000 per night for room and board, viewing it as a distraction from the lack of lunar progress.

NASA researchers released a study comparing the DNA of astronaut Scott Kelly to his twin brother Mark Kelly after Scott spent a year on the International Space Station. The findings indicate that 7% of Scott's genes remained altered after his return to Earth. The hosts compare these biological changes to science fiction tropes and express skepticism regarding the safety of long-term space travel.

Russia announces plans to cut its staff on the International Space Station, raising concerns about the long-term maintenance of the facility. The hosts discuss the U.S. dependency on Russian Soyuz vehicles for transporting astronauts. They speculate on the eventual deorbiting of the station and the potential for private entities like Elon Musk's SpaceX to fill the void in low-earth orbit operations.

CNN's Carol Costello interviews astronaut Chris Hadfield, asking why humans have not returned to the moon since the Apollo missions. The discussion evolves into a debate between the hosts regarding the existence of secret moon bases and the strategic military value of the lunar surface.

NASA announced a suspension of most contacts with the Russian Federation due to the situation in Ukraine, though cooperation on the International Space Station will continue. An internal NASA email reveals that travel, teleconferences, and even emails with Russian government representatives are prohibited unless specifically exempted. The hosts suggest the move is a political maneuver to secure more funding for domestic private space firms like Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The hosts discuss Chevron's $10 billion fracking license in Ukraine and the possibility of directional drilling into Russian gas fields. They also investigate reports of NASA cutting ties with Russia over the Ukraine crisis, noting that the International Space Station remains the sole exception to the suspension of cooperation.

The hosts mock the Russian publicity stunt of taking an unlit Olympic torch on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station ahead of the Sochi Winter Games. They characterize the Olympic torch relay as a "scam" and a "bogus sports event" used for nationalistic promotion. Adam Curry recalls a personal anecdote about the lack of public interest during a torch relay through Dallas, Texas.

The hosts compare the massive media attention given to Elon Musk's SpaceX with the relatively quiet docking of Orbital Sciences' Cygnus spacecraft with the ISS. They argue that Orbital is a "real" aerospace company with deep ties to missile defense and satellite launches, while SpaceX serves as a celebrity-driven distraction. The segment concludes with a critique of "techie fanboys" who prioritize personality over industrial reality.

The show continues with a lengthy list of producer credits and birthday shoutouts. A notable mention includes a successful APRS message sent to the International Space Station by a listener, which was "digi-peated" back to Earth.

Donors from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and various US states contribute to the show, with one producer living in an RV while waiting for a home purchase. Other contributors include a supplier for the International Space Station and a listener from Adelaide starting a "race for knighthood."

A Russian Progress freighter failed to reach the International Space Station, marking a rare loss for the Soyuz carrier rocket system. In London, the government announces special "VIP lanes" for dignitaries during the Olympics that will turn traffic lights green while ordinary motorists face gridlock. Additionally, a report clears the British Army of systematic torture in Iraq but criticizes soldiers for "closing ranks" to cover up specific incidents.

Jordan Wyatt is officially knighted as "Sir Jordan Wyatt, Magic Knight of the No Agenda Roundtable," despite his "frail vegan body." In news, a Russian supply ship carrying three tons of supplies to the International Space Station failed to reach orbit and crashed in Siberia, highlighting a recent trend of frequent rocket failures.

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) is a $2 billion physics experiment scheduled to be installed on the International Space Station. Originally estimated at $33 million in 1999, the project's cost has ballooned significantly. The hosts express deep skepticism about the "magnets in space" experiment, questioning why such funds are spent on theoretical physics while citizens face homelessness.