Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The dismantling of USAID by Elon Musk and President Trump has sparked intense debates. While some critiques are valid, many overlook sone of the agency’s positive global impact. In this episode of Mr. Universe, Monte Belmonte and astrophysicist Salman Hameed 🔭 dive into the controversy—plus, Salman shares his personal experience with USAID’s influence on his early passion for astronomy in 1980s Karachi. 🌟
How does international aid shape scientific curiosity? What role does politics play in space exploration? Join the discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments! 👇✨
An edited version of this segment airs on The Fabulous 413 on NPR/NEPM
Listen Here: npr.org/podcasts/1155727495/the-fabulous-413
#astronomynews #carlsagan #cosmos #pakistan #astronomyadventures #usaid #dei #trump #musk #usa #vera #verarubin #chile #podcast #astronomypodcast #scienceexplained #fabulous413
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Subscribe to our Kids Urdu Channel here: youtube.com/@UCDt7wgStPBzuxtcAf2qqnkg
Subscribe to our Urdu Channel here: youtube.com/@UClJlxaRQLPsx0gPIHgIZffw
For more information about Kainaat Studios:
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Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios
Credits:
Hosts: Monte Belmonte & Salman Hameed
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Gates of Gagashah" by Zohaib Kazi
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):
Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge
Stellar Orbiters:
AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund
Space Orbiters:
Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik and Junaid Qurashi
Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well!
If you wish to donate, please visit: kainaatstudios.com/donate
The dismantling of USAID by Elon Musk and President Trump has sparked intense debates. While some critiques are valid, many overlook sone of the agency’s positive global impact. In this episode of Mr. Universe, Monte Belmonte and astrophysicist Salman Hameed 🔭 dive into the controversy—plus, Salman shares his personal experience with USAID’s influence on his early passion for astronomy in 1980s Karachi. 🌟
How does international aid shape scientific curiosity? What role does politics play in space exploration? Join the discussion and let us know your thoughts in the comments! 👇✨
An edited version of this segment airs on The Fabulous 413 on NPR/NEPM
Listen Here: npr.org/podcasts/1155727495/the-fabulous-413
#astronomynews #carlsagan #cosmos #pakistan #astronomyadventures #usaid #dei #trump #musk #usa #vera #verarubin #chile #podcast #astronomypodcast #scienceexplained #fabulous413
Subscribe to our NEW Kids English Channel here: youtube.com/@UCdIRtt8-Og1q99bkK5XBhoQ
Subscribe to our Kids Urdu Channel here: youtube.com/@UCDt7wgStPBzuxtcAf2qqnkg
Subscribe to our Urdu Channel here: youtube.com/@UClJlxaRQLPsx0gPIHgIZffw
For more information about Kainaat Studios:
kainaatstudios.com
Sign up to our mailing list to get unseen content and hear special announcements! kainaatstudios.com/newsletter
Follow us for more:
Facebook facebook.com/kainaatstudios
Twitter twitter.com/KainaatStudios
Instagram instagram.com/kainaatstudios
TikTok tiktok.com/@kainaatstudios
LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/kainaat
Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios
Credits:
Hosts: Monte Belmonte & Salman Hameed
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Gates of Gagashah" by Zohaib Kazi
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):
Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge
Stellar Orbiters:
AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund
Space Orbiters:
Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik and Junaid Qurashi
Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well!
If you wish to donate, please visit: kainaatstudios.com/donate
