Episode 16: Returning to the Moon: Optimism & Technology that Moves Our Space Needle

Published: April 9, 2026

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFmV750qMPY

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2438895/episodes/18980854

Summary

Space travel didn't get safer, we just got used to it. The crew nerds out over Artemis II as humans loop the Moon for the first time since Apollo, from Orion's tight quarters to the Deep Space Network and next-gen optical laser comms, and brings it back to ham radio with licensed astronauts on the crew. Plus shack updates: Jim's new Xiegu G90 travel kit and James' POTA field notes from Hawaii.

In This Episode

• Jim resets his radio brain, then buys a Xiegu G90 for a throw-it-in-the-car HF kit

• Rory on how getting an antenna outside changes everything, plus QSO party season and more CW

• James' POTA field notes from Hawaii: patience, expectations, and battery math

• Artemis II: Orion's tight quarters and why creature comforts are crew performance issues

• The communications backbone: Deep Space Network and optical laser comms bandwidth

• Proven gear in space: GoPros and a Nikon D5 earning their seats

• The ham radio connection: licensed astronauts and volunteer tracking efforts

Mentioned in This Episode

• NASA Artemis II: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii-multimedia/

• Xiegu G90: https://www.radioddity.com/products/xiegu-g90-hf-transceiver

• Orion spacecraft and the Deep Space Network

• POTA in Hawaii

• Parks on the Air: https://parksontheair.com