Main Engine Cut Off

Anthony Colangelo
  • 4.9 (284)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

MECO is opinion and analysis of spaceflight, exploration, policy, and strategy, by Anthony Colangelo.

  1. T+314: Jockeying for the Artemis 3 Lander, and the NASA Administrator Position

    OCT 31

    T+314: Jockeying for the Artemis 3 Lander, and the NASA Administrator Position

    Thinking through the chaos that has ensued over the NASA Administrator role, the Artemis 3 lander acceleration movement, the SpaceX Starship HLS update, and a bit on how we actually got here. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Donald, Stealth Julian, Jan, Theo and Violet, The Astrogators at SEE, Joakim, Steve, Matt, Fred, Lee, Joel, Kris, Ryan, David, Josh from Impulse, Warren, Heiko, Pat, Russell, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Joonas, Better Every Day Studios, Will and Lars from Agile, Natasha Tsakos, Frank, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics SpaceX - UpdatesSpaceX teases simplified Starship as alarms sound over Moon landing delays - Ars TechnicaWhy did NASA’s chief just shake up the agency’s plans to land on the Moon? - Ars TechnicaElon Musk just declared war on NASA’s acting administrator, apparently - Ars TechnicaHow America fell behind China in the lunar space race—and how it can catch back up - Ars TechnicaChina completes landing and takeoff test for crewed moon lander - SpaceNewsChina completes second hot-fire test for new moon rocket, including engine restarts - SpaceNewsTrump pulls Isaacman nomination for space. Source: “NASA is f***ed.” - Ars TechnicaThe Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works

    35 min
  2. T+313: Starlink, Kuiper, Project Bromo, and More (with Caleb Henry)

    OCT 30

    T+313: Starlink, Kuiper, Project Bromo, and More (with Caleb Henry)

    Caleb Henry, Director of Research at Quilty Space, joins me (in studio!) to talk about Starlink V3, Starlink satellite relay, Kuiper’s rollout, the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo merger, and the future of Iridium. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Heiko, Joonas, Joel, The Astrogators at SEE, Russell, Joakim, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Natasha Tsakos, David, Steve, Josh from Impulse, Will and Lars from Agile, Better Every Day Studios, Jan, Fred, Warren, Kris, Pat, Donald, Matt, Frank, Stealth Julian, Ryan, Theo and Violet, Lee, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics Caleb Henry (@ChenrySpace) / XThe OneWeb Book | Caleb Henry | SubstackQuilty SpaceSatellite operators will soon join airlines in using Starlink in-flight Wi-Fi - Ars TechnicaStarlink mini lasers to link Muon Space satellites for near real-time connectivity - SpaceNewsProject Kuiper plots broadband services in five countries by end of March - SpaceNewsAirbus, Leonardo and Thales agree to combine space businesses - SpaceNewsProject Bromo: An Escape Hatch, Not a FortressIridium pulls $1 billion 2030 service revenue goal amid SpaceX’s D2D push - SpaceNewsThe Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works

    33 min
  3. T+312: Starship Flight 11, Space Policy, and Priorities (with Miles O’Brien)

    OCT 17

    T+312: Starship Flight 11, Space Policy, and Priorities (with Miles O’Brien)

    Miles O’Brien, science correspondent for PBS News and CNN space analyst, joins me to talk about Starship Flight 11, the current space policy landscape including the ongoing government shutdown, the possible return of Jared Isaacman, and what to do about all the competing budget priorities at NASA. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Joakim, David, Heiko, Ryan, Jan, Kris, Frank, Josh from Impulse, Steve, Russell, Joonas, Joel, Matt, Will and Lars from Agile, Natasha Tsakos, Donald, Lee, Better Every Day Studios, Warren, Theo and Violet, Pat, Fred, The Astrogators at SEE, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Stealth Julian, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics Miles O'Brien Productions - Miles O'BrienMiles Ahead | Miles O'Brien | SubstackSpaceX finally got exactly what it needed from Starship V2 - Ars TechnicaMore layoffs at JPL - SpaceNewsTrump, Billionaire Isaacman Said to Meet About Top NASA Job - BloombergFormer NASA nominee Jared Isaacman in talks to become agency's chief | ReutersThe Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works

    44 min
  4. T+311: Phil McAlister on Commercial LEO and NASA’s Human Spaceflight Budget

    OCT 10

    T+311: Phil McAlister on Commercial LEO and NASA’s Human Spaceflight Budget

    Phil McAlister, former Director of NASA’s Commercial Space Division, joins me to talk about the Commercial LEO Destinations program, the budgetary issues facing NASA and its human spaceflight programs, and to share his perspective on the last (and next) few years in these areas. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 32 executive producers—Joel, Pat, Will and Lars from Agile, Joakim, Jan, Warren, David, Fred, Better Every Day Studios, Josh from Impulse, Ryan, Natasha Tsakos, Theo and Violet, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Stealth Julian, Donald, Joonas, The Astrogators at SEE, Russell, Kris, Frank, Steve, Heiko, Lee, Matt, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics Phil McAlister | LinkedInThe Dreaded Gap | LinkedInYou Can’t Reach the Stars While Chained to Low-Earth Orbit | LinkedInNo Changes Allowed | LinkedInVast backs new NASA commercial space station strategy - SpaceNewsT+205: Phil McAlister, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at NASA - Main Engine Cut OffThe Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works

    43 min
  5. T+310: NASA’s “Prove It” Era

    SEP 26

    T+310: NASA’s “Prove It” Era

    NASA selected Blue Origin to (maybe) deliver the once-cancelled VIPER rover, modified Sierra Space’s ISS resupply contract which likely puts the nail in the coffin of Dream Chaser, and released the draft of its new commercial space station strategy. All different stories with one message: prove it. But maybe not in a good way. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 34 executive producers—Jan, Kris, Lee, Will and Lars from Agile, Theo and Violet, Better Every Day Studios, Josh from Impulse, Joakim, Bob, Donald, Creative Taxi, Frank, Pat, Joonas, Fred, Heiko, Warren, Matt, Joel, The Astrogators at SEE, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), David, Ryan, Russell, Stealth Julian, Steve, Natasha Tsakos, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics NASA Selects Blue Origin to Deliver VIPER Rover to Moon’s South Pole - NASAVIPER Might Have A New Ride to the Moon on Blue Origin – SpacePolicyOnline.comBlue Origin only bidder for new VIPER lander award - SpaceNewsNASA, Sierra Space Modify Commercial Resupply Services Contract - NASASierra’s Dream Chaser is starting to resemble a nightmare - Ars TechnicaNASA releases details on revised next phase of commercial space station development - SpaceNewsVast backs new NASA commercial space station strategy - SpaceNewsThe Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works

    20 min
  6. T+309: EchoStar’s Spectrum Sale, Starlink’s Financials (with Caleb Henry, Director of Research at Quilty Space)

    SEP 11

    T+309: EchoStar’s Spectrum Sale, Starlink’s Financials (with Caleb Henry, Director of Research at Quilty Space)

    Caleb Henry, Director of Research at Quilty Space, joins me to talk about EchoStar’s spectrum sales and constellation cancellation, SpaceX’s spectrum purchase, and the financials of Starlink. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 34 executive producers—Bob, Heiko, Creative Taxi, Josh from Impulse, Russell, Donald, Will and Lars from Agile, Matt, Steve, Lee, Joel, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Frank, Natasha Tsakos (pronounced Tszakos), The Astrogators at SEE, Better Every Day Studios, Ryan, Kris, Pat, Joakim (Jo-Kim), Stealth Julian, Warren, Theo and Violet, Jan, Joonas, Fred, David, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics Quilty Space (@QuiltySpace) / XStarlink Financial & Strategic Analysis 2025 1H | Quilty SpaceSign Up Form | Quilty SpaceEchoStar sells spectrum to SpaceX, cancels MDA satellite contract - SpaceNewsEchoStar’s $23 billion spectrum sale clears path for direct-to-device constellation - SpaceNewsEchoStar orders initial MDA satellites for $5 billion LEO constellation - SpaceNewsThe Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by CMSEOWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works

    43 min
  7. T+308: Chatting with Casey Handmer

    AUG 27

    T+308: Chatting with Casey Handmer

    Casey Handmer, Founder of Terraform Industries, joins me to talk about the state of NASA in 2025, talent acquisition and retention, productivity, and so much more. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 34 executive producers—Kris, Joakim (Jo-Kim), Creative Taxi, Heiko, Joel, Frank, Josh from Impulse, The Astrogators at SEE, David, Jan, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Theo and Violet, Joonas, Stealth Julian, Donald, Warren, Matt, Pat, Steve, Fred, Bob, Lee, Natasha Tsakos (pronounced Tszakos), Will and Lars from Agile, Russell, Better Every Day Studios, Ryan, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics Casey Handmer (@CJHandmer) / XCasey HandmerTerraform IndustriesNASA Is Worth Saving – Casey Handmer's blogEpisode 170 - Luckily, We Did All the Math (with Casey Handmer) - Off-NominalThe science behind clean hydrocarbons | The Freethink Interview - YouTubeThe Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works

    36 min
  8. T+307: Executive Order on Regulatory Reform (with Tom Marotta)

    AUG 15

    T+307: Executive Order on Regulatory Reform (with Tom Marotta)

    Tom Marotta of The Spaceport Company joins me to talk about the executive order this week focused on commercial space regulatory reform, what problems it seeks to solve, his experience on both sides of those issues, and how we should understand the positioning of the order. This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 34 executive producers—Frank, David, Jan, Josh from Impulse, Steve, Ryan, Joakim (Jo-Kim), Lee, Creative Taxi, Theo and Violet, Fred, Pat, Donald, Better Every Day Studios, Stealth Julian, Bob, The Astrogators at SEE, Russell, Joel, Tim Dodd (the Everyday Astronaut!), Matt, Natasha Tsakos (pronounced Tszakos), Kris, Warren, Heiko, Will and Lars from Agile, Joonas, and four anonymous—and hundreds of supporters. Topics Tom Marotta | LinkedInThe Spaceport CompanyPrevious appearance: T+259: Tom Marotta, The Spaceport Company - Main Engine Cut OffEnabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry – The White HouseTrump Issues Executive Order on Commercial Space – SpacePolicyOnline.comThe Show Like the show? Support the show on Patreon or Substack!Email your thoughts, comments, and questions to anthony@mainenginecutoff.comFollow @WeHaveMECOFollow @meco@spacey.space on MastodonListen to MECO HeadlinesListen to Off-NominalJoin the Off-Nominal DiscordSubscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhereSubscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off NewsletterArtwork photo by NASAWork with me and my design and development agency: Pine Works

    31 min
See All (315)

Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
284 Ratings

About

MECO is opinion and analysis of spaceflight, exploration, policy, and strategy, by Anthony Colangelo.

Information

  • Creator
    Anthony Colangelo
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    315
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2016–2024 Colangelo Studios, LLC
  • Show Website
    Main Engine Cut Off

You Might Also Like