Hotline Feature – Prof. Michael Seigel: Interstellar Comets, Space Junk Rescue, and the Golden Age of Private Spaceflight
With Dave out, Coop welcomes Professor Michael Seigel of Penn State for a deep dive into space news. Seigel explains why the newly observed 3I Atlas qualifies as a true interstellar comet, what its chemical signatures reveal, and why it’s not an alien probe. They explore the scientific dream of retrieving samples from such objects, then turn to the fading Swift Observatory, which is slowly falling from orbit — and how a private-sector rescue mission could save it. The conversation highlights the rapid growth of commercial spaceflight and why we may be living in a modern space golden age.
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Hotline Feature – Kristyn Burtt: AI Takes Hollywood, Gen Z Saves the Movies, and a Turbulent Year in Entertainment
Filling in for Dave Weekley, Coop welcomes entertainment journalist Kristyn Burtt for a wide-ranging conversation on how fast-moving forces are reshaping Hollywood. The two dig into AI’s sudden takeover of the industry —…
Hotline Feature – Rod Pyle: Starship Struggles, Moon Traffic, and Why 2025 Changed Space Forever
Filling in for Dave Weekley, Coop welcomes author and This Week in Space co-host Rod Pyle for a sweeping conversation on why 2025 may be the most pivotal year in modern space history. Pyle reflects on witnessing iconic m…