The Michael Shermer Show The Future of Space Exploration Amid NASA Mission Shutdowns
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Sep 6, 2025 Alan Stern, a renowned planetary scientist and leader of NASA’s New Horizons mission, shares thrilling insights from his recent suborbital flight. He dives into the clash between government and private space ventures, emphasizing the rapid innovation in commercial space activities. Stern discusses the unfortunate budget cuts threatening NASA's future missions. He also explores the significance of ongoing extraterrestrial research and the potential for inspiring future generations in STEM through space exploration.
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Commercial Space Dominates Spending
- Commercial space now dwarfs government spending at roughly $600B vs NASA's ~$25B per year.
- Stern says private industry drives innovation and marks an inflection point toward a Star Trek-like era.
Suborbital Flight Experience
- Alan Stern flew a suborbital Virgin Galactic flight and described the full profile from carrier drop to glider landing.
- He called the hour-long mission the most exhilarating professional experience he's had and wants to fly often.
Research Conducted During Flight
- Stern ran biomedical harness experiments and trained for a NASA flight while on his commercial mission.
- He measured heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure during ascent, microgravity, and reentry to reduce mission risk.
