Hello and welcome to the space policy edition of Planetary Radio.

I'm Casey Dreyer, the chief of space policy here at the Planetary Society, welcoming you

to another show that looks at the policies and processes behind space exploration.

This month, I welcome back Marcia Smith. the third or fourth time. I'm not sure,

probably the most recurring guest on this show, founder and editor of space policy online,

to talk about something we talked about a year ago. The challenges of change at NASA,

and given everything that's happened in the year of 2025, whether we need to reevaluate and reassess what some

of our models and ideas were about what can and can't change and how things can and can't advance

with or without Congress. It was an opportunity for us to revisit claims and beliefs and discussions we had made a year ago

before this wild year of space policy.

And it's also an opportunity to see what didn't change, despite the rhetoric.

And I'd say some of the biggest things generally did not in some ways.

It's a fascinating discussion. I hope you stick around for that.

And at the end of the day, I think we can summarize this as maybe not so much change as disruption.

And what are the challenges of disruption at NASA?

And what are we going to look for here in 2026 that will tell us whether we're in for more disruption or maybe some actual change?

Before we get to that, I'd be remiss if I did not mention that the Planetary Society, my organization that puts on this show,

is an independent nonprofit, membership-based organization. Anyone in the world can be a member of the Planetary Society. Memberships cost just four bucks a month to start. And it keeps us independent.

It keeps us producing content like this. Great outreach,

funding our scientific and investigation and technology development projects. And I would say

without too much objectivity here, but strong belief, funds our advocacy, outreach, and policy

program, something that I think really stepped up and presented a sophisticated,

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