NASA v. Billionaires with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Lori Garver - Cosmic Queries

Mining on the moon? Owning an asteroid? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer questions about the private space industry, the role of NASA, and the future of space law with former Deputy Administrator of NASA, Lori Garver.
Are we entering a new space age? We discuss the issues with the shuttle program and why we don’t go to the moon anymore. Why aren’t we on Mars yet? How much should the government spend on going to space? Explore the history of private industry in space, when it started, and why it didn’t happen sooner. Learn about Lori’s new book Escaping Gravity: My Quest to Transform NASA and Launch a New Space Age.
Who’s better: bureaucrats or billionaires? Will private industry in space cause even more companies to go into space? Learn about space startups and whether NASA will manage to stay at the forefront of space exploration in the US. Are we going to mine asteroids? What technology will we use? Find out about asteroids made of planet core and missions to research the asteroid Psyche.
Who owns what? We explore space law and what rules need to be established. Will space lawyers let companies own asteroids? Is the homestead model the best for space? We take a look at our own history of exploration on Earth and what lessons we can take into space exploration. Plus, is there such a thing as space pirates?
Thanks to our Patrons ​​Adam Connelly, ManDarin, Sergio, Glenn Carter, Anthony Schena, David Lenwell, Bruno Anyangwe, Christopher Soliz, Roslyn Goddard, and Chris Jones for supporting us this week.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.
Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): amzn.to/3dYIEQF
Buy Lori Garver's book 'Escaping Gravity' : amzn.to/3OBcpHj
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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
#StarTalk #neildegrassetyson
0:00 - Introduction
1:52 - Escaping Gravity
4:44 - Space Industrial Complex
6:30 - Economics of Space Exploration
13:23 - NASA’s Public Image
16:14 - Would NASA Have Launched William Shatner?
18:28 - Billionaires vs. Bureaucrats
22:45 - Is Competition Good For Space Exploration?
26:38 - Asteroid Research & Mining
36:48 - Space Ownership & Law
41:19 - Future Of Space Travel
45:23 - Closing Notes

[@StarTalk]

Check out Lori Garver's book 'Escaping Gravity: My Quest to Transform NASA and Launch a New Space Age' :amzn.to/3OyqFk8

[@contentdeleted4978]

Elon rekt nasa

[@meliferra1913]

If my book wasn't finished I would read and reference her as I did Dr. Neil and StarTalk. This program is a real inspiration. I will still read her anyway.

[@Bob-of-Zoid]

I really want to know what Neil has to say about Elon Musks reckless launching of so many satellites for his Skynet internet company as to it's obscuring the view of telescopes, other space craft launches and use, and what not, and his forcing the Kessler effect to come exponentially earlier than calculated, and how he is even allowed to do it, which I can only see as crony capitalism despite the environment and future effects. It's bad enough that his Texas launch facility is an environmental disaster in the making, displaced whole communities, messes with transportation in the area, is a terrible place for it in the first place being too close to land masses, and he gets away with not sticking to the rules set forth because of the money it generates at the loss of everything else... At what point do politicians and his investors take science and the environment into account, think farther ahead and recognize him for the conman he is (has thoroughly proved to be) and putting an end to it?

[@ready1fire1aim1]

Dr Tyson, explain 1D-9D. I'm getting increasingly worried that nobody knows 1D-9D (basic knowledge). I Google 4th dimension info and get 5th dimension results. That's a huge problem. American scientists don't understand the basics? 1D, 2D, 3D are spatial 4D, 5D, 6D are temporal 7D, 8D, 9D are spectral 1D, 4D, 7D line/length/continuous 2D, 5D, 8D width/breadth/emission 3D, 6D, 9D height/depth/absorption

[@ready1fire1aim1]

If American scientists are so wrong about the fundamental structure of our universe...how are you guys famous? American scientists say we're 3D. I'm not joking. Twilight Zone level incompetence.

[@ThatGuyJunJun]

One of my favorite guests. Lori was exceptional in her industry knowledge but also in the give and take banter with Neil and Chuck. Made for a good flow and very entertaining.

[@DarkazKnight100]

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite programs. 👏 keep up the good work guys.

[@StarTalk]

So glad to hear it! Thanks for sticking with us. Keep Looking Up!

[@mathieuconnor4564]

The reason I love watching Star Talk is that it's about learning, knowledge and progress, three things that I don't see enough of in the global sphere these days. Love to you all!

[@Mutual_Information]

I bet, along many avenues that are difficult to count, Neil’s conversations have inspired investments and careers in space exploration.. and b/c of that, we’ll reach the stars that much sooner.

[@JohnyG29]

We'll never get to other stars with manned missions, too far away.

[@Zagy21]

@@JohnyG29 this comment won’t age well. Just wait a couple hundred years :p

[@JohnyG29]

@@Zagy21 Both you and I will be long dead by then lol, so I'll not care.

[@Asterism_Desmos]

I just read a book of yours “astrophysics for people in a hurry” and I loved it a lot!

[@JD987abc]

One of the best Star Talks I’ve watched. The guest Lori is knowledgeable and genuine and the dynamic duo NDT and CN were entertaining and informative too. More shows like this please.

[@jacobdtod5034]

It's always a pleasure listening to Neil talk.

[@emark8928]

I love it when Chuck is the smartest person in the stream, even for a moment. Excellent points my dude.

[@dayegilharno4988]

As a German born in '66 and therefore a tad bit too young to have seen the moon landing live (though I must have seen it a dozen times on subsequent anniversaries) I would say that the rep you guys (as in: The US of effing A) earned through this investment on a global scale must certainly far outweigh the monetary equivalent spent.

[@raynic1173]

That's exactly why it was done. The whole thing was a PR endeavor, The Democratic Capitalists had to beat the Communists.

[@aaronsoto4622]

I think it was great watching William Shatner go out into space. Umm hes like a orginal guy. I loved his response too. So natural and pure.

[@4TheRecord]

Would be great to create an international space agency called "Starfleet"

[@motogeee510]

If they do I love to be captain

[@sapelesteve]

Terrific show Neil, Lori & Chuck! Now I have to purchase another book to read. Thanks for posting the link to the book Neil! 👍👍😉😉

[@StarTalk]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LazyLifeIFreak]

Space mining & manufacturing will be mandatory for further exploration and exploitation of...space. All the stuff we need is out there.

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

Great conversation between the three of you. I could see this kind of thing again and again because there is so much to cover. Like it would interesting to hear Lori's take on SLS. 👍

[@StarTalk]

A follow up is surely needed!

[@qwazse4]

Don’t go all ageist on 11 year-olds. I was just camping with them, and they joined me while stargazing. A couple of them had a really solid grasp of cosmology.

[@belkyhernandez8281]

It's not just space. It's also the innovation and discoveries and territories and resources derived from space. My concern is the people will not own those benefits if not done via the government.

[@kevinhagen7808]

Please invite Lori Garver on again, this was a really enjoyable episode indeed!

[@notation254]

You guys gotta have her back! This is the stuff I tune in and stick around for...

[@xFFSx]

great debate. chuck, funny as ever. love this show.

[@ngnatural]

I love all the episodes but the space ones are always my favourite. Thanks as always!!

[@Leebearify]

I ordered my copy !!! Thanks for an amazing conversation. You brought back a lot of memories as my Dad worked for Nasa during that time and even send Viking out to send back info. I heard that its 30+ years life span is almost over.

[@StarTalk]

Thanks to your dad for doing important work!

[@dharmaqueen7877]

There should be no laws or regulations against any space travel. Enter at your own risk and come up with your own funding.

[@davidpeek6831]

This was a great episode 👏🏾

[@StarTalk]

Great to hear!

[@beeheart6529]

I love when Chuck makes Neil laugh. So cute! 😊

[@juliannamcgill7626]

Me too...real conversations laced with good humor💯

[@MountainPirate]

And even if there is money in it, a profit to make, certain things do not belong into hands of private companies, i.e. water, power, public transport, medical facilities ...

[@diamonddbw]

Fascinating! Loved your (Candid) guest.

[@Jager-er4vc]

27:45 Being a Houston Native… I’m impressed he knows we don’t have basements. I grew up there, 3rd - HS Graduation. Dad is retired NASA. (GO FHS Mustangs! CO ‘96)

[@richardvandeursen2395]

I have loved Startalk for a while. I have a few of Neil's books and watch every episode. Really, what else is there to watch? Kidding but you know what I mean. Space with private investment is becoming a frontier where might governments be rendered irrelevant as they run out of money, reduce spending on the sciences or don't have the wherewithal or will to spend on anything to do with space/science.

[@LEDewey_MD]

As I watch this, SpaceX is loading their 33 raptor engine booster onto the chopsticks of their orbital launch tower! Great episode, StarTalk!

[@LordMustangGT93]

Me too!

[@shawnlorenzana2359]

"Where the sun don't shine, Chuck". This is why I luv this show.

[@joehebert789]

Great show that shed some light on issues going forward from here.

[@ALL_CAPS__]

Anything that has the public interest involved should never have a profit motive. You will always have somebody looking at it as a quarterly or yearly expense. It's the whole reason why you cannot run a government like a business. The ROI should not be measured in dollars.

[@Desbo]

Great stuff, and chapters two that’s great!

[@sellison899]

This was great. Lori was an amazing guest!

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Neil and Chuck for 2024

[@Smingleflorp]

23:35 that in itself is a very interesting thought. Our ability to shrink is expanding 😃

[@sargeb.cuttin6512]

“Space is the show!” -Chuck

[@JoshHoodSucks]

For anyone that sees William Shatner as little more than a comedic prop so to say I'd recommend his episode of Hot Boxin with Mike Tyson (just keep an open mind) I think you see pieces of the real Bill on that episode. This is fascinating stuff. I have to learn more about the politics etc involved with the private sector.

[@murasaki848]

42:42 Gentle pushback on the decades long Saturn tour question: William Shatner didn't get to wander outside, and yet look at his reaction to the view from the window. Also, Paul Salopek is a journalist who has spent a decade walking along early human migratory routes (see Out of Eden on National Geographic). To be fair, the space tourist's view won't change a lot for a large length of the trip to Saturn, but there are people who would spend a good chunk of their years doing it anyway, and it's really hard to say it would be a waste of time.

[@josephdonais3436]

That was fun. Bring her back soon.

[@TechViewOpinions]

Excellent! She's wonderful and super smart.

[@qwazse4]

Follow-up future space travel question: will we be able to assign each science classroom it’s own block of data from an exploration vehicle? Next best thing to looking out the window would be being the first to peruse the satellite download.

[@MutualistSoc]

This video is gonna do good in the algorithm just from the title.

[@morlin101]

Thanx for always helping chuck I see u

[@beeheart6529]

Fascinating!

[@king5phenom]

Take us to the stars🚀⭐️💫🌟

[@johnandrews6872]

Born and raised in Lowell MA. a dieing textile community, the space program. brought it back to life. plus gave the US citizens better tech. better computers and much more. Money well spent.

[@BushidoBrownSama]

What role did Lowell have in the space program?

[@canaryburton7115]

beautiful, Thank you.

[@pharaohblack1784]

Just "dangling in space" LOOOL . Neil is high AF. What a legend lol.

[@Robbie_jojo]

Thanks Dr Neil

[@MrBonners]

good, funny, interesting observations. more

[@leeFbeatz]

🍷🌹🖤🙏🙏🙏 much love startalkers and educators 💯

[@TheGiggleMasterP]

Chucks got a real Martin Lawrence vibe going on today!

[@blondweber]

I love this program. I've listened to past and present episodes only to crave more. I originally started listening because of hearing about Flat earth belief. What I know was reinforced and further expanded my knowledge. I love the banter between Chuck and Neil and I love it when I get to hear the experiences of astronauts. Space has always fascinated thank you guys so much for working my brain and blowing my mind all at the same time.

[@EmmetFord]

That was lots of fun!

[@StarTalk]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ralph4233]

I was 10 when I waited to midnight to watch this three guys expose to danger for curosity. I saw a moon roc k in the NYC planetarium

[@xaviermitchell578]

She was a great guest!

[@StarTalk]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@jeffdavis5723]

@@StarTalk *I clicked everyone’s **#Like** button on their comments so it will activate **#KZbin**’s **#algorithms** so this video would come back up on this social media network.* 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💰

[@zanecook6292]

Good talk on economics, i have "no 'bout a doubt it"

[@edpoell2876]

Huge solar panel arrays smelting asteroids might be profitable enough to become a new gold rush. Producing materials in space would be instrumental to manufacturing larger, long range habitat space craft. I like the earth environment effect moving manufacturing in to space and sending huge crowds of people off on interstellar missions.

[@noisycarlos]

I've been watching Shark Tank, so I misread the guest name as Lori Grenier. I was a bit confused, but went with it and was very pleasantly surprised

[@robertmiller9735]

Early on, NASA did launch an astronaut who had room for awe in his situation-Scott Carpenter (though the situation was only partly his fault). They decided it'd be a bad idea after that.

[@SteveC38]

Great Show, EveryBody!

[@deebee4575]

Stunts can serve to help keep public attention on space travel, however.

[@spaceboi135]

I’m really impressed with Chuck’s insight in this episode, it was a joy to watch

[@w0nd3rlu573r]

35:03 And how is nobody addressing the issue with mining on the Moon could eventually end up destabilizing the Earth-Moon gravitational balance? Should we not be reminded by those fine scientists and Lord Chuck that the Earth is not inherited from the past generations, but instead is borrowed from the future ones?

[@Robbie_jojo]

Awesome

[@IdkWhatToMakeMyHandle-_-]

I love this channel :)

[@davidwalterhughes2258]

Thanks for the video

[@StarTalk]

Thanks for the comment!

[@jeffdavis5723]

@@StarTalk *#Click** the **#Like** button and do more **#hearts**.* 💕 👍🏼👍🏼

[@josesilva2050]

🇺🇲🏅🎖️👨🏻‍🚀Whit all do respect greetings to the Great "Neil deGrasse Tyson" You are my hero , sincerely Jose Silva from San Diego CA USA.

[@daveg4963]

Love San Diego!

[@johnfincher496]

Great video guys! PLEASE keep 'em coming! I worked at JSC for many years, though in a capacity you'd never guess, and it was hilarious to hear, and especially see, what Lori carefully did NOT say. ;). Reminded me of some good times. Miss the vibe and miss the cool things I got to see.

[@morlin101]

I've always said start your calls and don't let your calls when stir you

[@kallofkthuluz5922]

I need a full star talk on this one.!

[@tatotato85]

Her smile is something else

[@lordInquisitor]

It's very wholesome

[@michaelseaver1]

Thanks! -- Let's not forget the number of patents that transferred to private industry--and those patents fed the American economy. The return in corporate income, about "15 dollars for every single dollar expended on space. Cash cow.

[@j_arrows5898]

The time is now!

[@bgeizer1116]

It would be fantastic to put a few cameras on the moon, a few more on Mars and a few in space that could be accessed by anyone on Earth that you could flip to each camera to view. Worth a paid membership, except me, I'm broke lol. But would that not increase interest and funding for more?

[@bored9260]

Plus mining needs refining so the budget would be tight because you would be overhauling impurities unless you have a refiner in space.

[@NeroThacher]

I garuntee there are some mighty salaries that take a considerable portion away from the budget - not to mention, there are those whom exist with no ethical issue of artificially extending work/jobs to get a bigger paycheck.

[@nathanwildthorn6919]

Lori *ROCKS!*

[@Dad_Brad]

Chuck Yeager said he was NASA/NACA’s biggest critic. During the Cold War he felt space should be weaponized.

[@carlatteniese2]

Lori, Chuck and Neil--Please, we are forgetting something. The size--the enormity and probably heart-stopping beauty of the vista of Jupiter is--in and of itself--a reason to send humans to the Jovian system--not to mention that boots on the ground on some of Jupiter's moons will open up insight that machines never can--as good as they are. The inspiration therefrom would likely be capable of dwarfing the overlook effect.

[@meliferra1913]

This is scary but amazing? I am presently uploading a kindle book about Space and one of my chapters is Escaping Earth's Gravity.

[@Robbie_jojo]

We love you 💜💜

[@RobinMarkowitzcoolmedia]

There's something else about last October's Cap'n Kirk launch, which has been almost totally overlooked. We talk much about inspirating youth to go into STEM fields. That's very nice! But sending an actor professionally trained in performing Shakespeare live (in the 1950s, he performed entire such plays on live television - just wonderful) to express what he personally felt WITH his skills did something else of enormous importance. It inspired young people to consider the importance of studying *the humanities!* Shatner did this after graduating McGill University. He is a classically trained Shakespearean actor. Most people got to see the impact of that last October, when he was 90. Young people today are simply not encouraged in such career paths and humanities education is being savagely defunded. Of all higher education and/or post-graduate fields, that's the area getting utterly slaughtered right now. Almost erased. And this has impoverished humanity itself in North America to an incalculable extent. For me, a Ph.D. "soft scientist" (sociology), seeing millions of people knocked off their feet by someone trained in the humanities is incalculable in terms of inspiration. Who *wouldn't* want the ability to express their experiences in the way he was able to do. He wasn't born with that ability; he was trained for a career people now practically find humorous. Back in the day, it was a legitimate career choice.¹ Food for thought. (Neil, your turn is approaching. Get on that weird little rocket and go to space, teaching us as you soar. I'm sure your trip will be comp'ed.) -- ¹He did this after graduating from McGill University in Canada. The Humanities was then a career trajectory! (Also being practical, his undergraduate studies were in "commerce." Yin and yang there.) These days, in the USA especially, young people are rejecting higher education of all kinds in droves due to the expense. This has impacted the Humanities most grievously of all. I like to think sending more people with such backgrounds above the Kármán line can help a little to rectify that. There is so much to be gained from human space exploration - things we haven't necessarily considered. But things that make us better.

[@R2-RO_1981]

29:41 Neil should have said spoiler ALERT first 🤣

[@alleneverhart4141]

Time code 15:00 - did she say, "Snot rocket" !?

[@Jxpk03]

🔥

[@mathieuconnor4564]

I recognize that Michigan accent, Lori!

[@mikeabc5355]

Due to legalized corruption (lobbying) billionaires own our politicians so billionaires / oligarchs make the laws and politicians rubber stamp laws that lobbyists for oligarchs provide to them. What party is in power does not matter golden rule applies (he who has the gold makes the rules).

[@KaiLuck]

Invest in space. 🌌 🚀

[@fulmarmusic1413]

@15:20, I was watching a gif on Reddit. "Intense reaction of lithium with water. Lithium-ion batteries can be very dangerous."

[@Theomatikalli]

@StarTalk what are the chances that mining asteroids could overtime cause the mass of the earth to increase causing the planet to seek a new equilibrium path in it's orbit that would cause us to be too close or too far away (or both) from the sun for it to be habitable on earth. Would we need to maybe transport an equal mass of earth to an asteroid, as the amount we intend to mine, in order to preserve the balance or is this something that does not need serious consideration. Thanks.

[@richardpelto9099]

I’ve thought about that as well

[@life_of_i_]

I’m heading to space rn 😉

[@Trp44]

I suggest caution at anyone’s introduction is based on errors of previous factors…whether it be a system, a group, theories, OPINION…

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Pardon me Neil, Sir, I need your help to change the stars. Will you please help me? My idea for changing the stars includes Orion and Pleiades (Subaru). Take Orion's belt and Betelgeuse becomes the head with a baseball hat. Below the belt are two legs bending at the knee. The feet aligning perfectly and the 3 stars of Orion's belt align perfectly as the 3 fat belt loops on a baseball uniform. The spear pointing at Subaru is the bat being swung and Pleiades is the baseball flying away after being hit. Put it all together and you get, "THE ALL-STAR." In my case I drew a 7 on the jersey to make him, "Mickey," but you can put any number you want. I've figured out how to change the stars by stopping hurricanes. Don't worry, I've technically already done the easy part and changed the stars. My parents were teachers and for over 3 decades, they taught their students my constellation. Those kids will teach their kids. So on and so on. See, stars changed. I just need help to make it legit and with the rest. I need to get to Texas ASAP. No, I'm not kidding. Yes, I'm serious. I get 7 things. One of them being to change the stars and remember, crazy is a compliment. Figured Neil has taken on the IAU and won. He's the best place to start. If, rather when, it works it could be converted to a larger scale and EASILY regulate temperature, end drought, stop wildfires in the west. Let me know if you're interested, please and thank you. It'd be wrong of me to not, at least, try. This is me, trying. More, hopefully, to come.

[@RobertCLudwig]

Is this an example of work expands to accommodate the available money?

[@willytrumpold3179]

Lov3 it

[@lynnlobliner3933]

My comment about bureaucrats is off this subject, but almost all (like 95%) of the infrastructure of the US (sewers, electricity, water lines, etc) was done by the government. Then the government "gave" them to private industry, whose main job is to make money for its investors, so therefore, they didn't spend money on upkeep. The city of Paradise, CA was burnt to the ground by PG &E's failure to maintain/upgrade. There are many failures occurring across the nation because of this. So Chuck is right about bureaucrats. Private generally speaking DOES NOT do it better.

[@bored9260]

Btw just saying Cassini had 2 probes, one that took a picture of a probe that punch a hole in the Saturn ring, and 1 that punched a hole in the equator that caused a ripple that stretched the whole circumference of the gas planet making it look like Jupiter and some of it’s belts.

[@bored9260]

I keep mixing up Uranus with Jupiter 😂😂😂 Juno Jupiter 😂😂Ive done that before.