The 9pm Artemis II and the Space Cockroaches with Dr Alice Gorman and Rami Mandow

Left: Dr Alice Gorman. (Photo: Simon Royal/ABC) Right: Rami Mandow. (Photo: Supplied; Post-processing: Stilgherrian). Not the best ALT text, I know, but yeah a white women and a man "of Middle-Eastern appearance".
Left: Dr Alice Gorman. (Photo: Simon Royal/ABC) Right: Rami Mandow. (Photo: Supplied; Post-processing: Stilgherrian)

As I post this, we’re supposedly just hours away from the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission around the Moon. So what better time to chat with space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman aka Dr Space Junk and astrophysicist Rami Mandow?

In this episode we talk about that mission, but also flag some of the problems, including the various laws and treaties relating to the Moon. Also, cooking in space, drugged-up spiders, the recent total eclipse of the Moon, tightrope walking, and cockroaches.

This episode was recorded on 11 March 2026, so some of the topical references are slightly dated.

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The 9pm Edict is supported by the generosity of its listeners. Right now I’m hoping you’ll support not only the podcasts but also The 9pm Stilgherrian’s Dramatic Decamp to Campsie, to help cover the costs of me moving back to Sydney after 15 years in the Blue Mountains.

For this episode, though, it’s thanks yet again to everyone who supported The 9pm Summer Series 2025 crowdfunding campaign.

CONVERSATION TOPICS: None this time.

THREE TRIGGER WORDS: Bernard Walsh, Garth Kidd, Paul Williams, Peter Lieverdink, Peter Wickins, and one person who chooses to remain anonymous.

WE WILL, WE WILL JUDGE YOU, part of Another Untitled Music Podcast: Joanna Forbes, Martin English, and one person who chooses to remain anonymous.

ONE TRIGGER WORD: Andrew Best, Drew Mayo, Errol Cavit, Frank Filippone, Jim Campbell, Jordan Wightman, Karl Sinclair, Kym Yeap, Mark Newton, Michael, Michael again, Miriam Faye, Nicole Coombe, Oliver Townshend, Peter Blakeley, Ric Hayman, Stephen Collins, Steve Sainsbury, and two people who choose to remain anonymous.

RECOMMEND A SONG TO US, another part of Another Untitled Music Podcast: Briala Bowmer, Kimberley Heitman, Mindy Johnson, and Rhydwyn.

PERSONALISED VIDEO MESSAGE: None of these this time either.

PERSONALISED AUDIO MESSAGE: Matthew Taylor, and one person who chooses to remain anonymous.

FOOT SOLDIERS FOR MEDIA FREEDOM who gave a SLIGHTLY LESS BASIC TIP: Chris Scobell, Craig Askings, deejbah, Hammy Goonan, James Henstridge, Leigh Costin, Lindsay, Opheli8, and one person who chooses to remain anonymous.

MEDIA FREEDOM CITIZENS who contributed a BASIC TIP: None of these either, which is curious.

And another ten people who chose to have no reward at all, even though some of them were the most generous of all. Thank you all so much. You know who you are.

Series Credits