Tyson Debunks Flat Earth, Moon Hoax on Podcast
The astrophysicist joined Jason and Travis Kelce on New Heights to address conspiracy theories circulating in NFL locker rooms.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Space
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Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson appeared on the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce to dispute flat-earth and Moon landing conspiracy theories. He argued that NASA's nine crewed Moon missions from Apollo 8 through Apollo 17 would have required faking the flights nine times.
Why it matters
Jason Kelce said the brothers wanted help answering conspiracy claims they heard among teammates in NFL locker rooms. The episode puts a well-known science communicator in front of a large sports audience on topics that still circulate widely.
Tyson cited NASA's nine crewed Moon missions, Apollo 8 through Apollo 17, as the scale a hoax would need to fake. The extraction does not specify any further measured evidence presented on the episode.
The players
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist and science communicator known for public outreach on space and astronomy.
Jason Kelce
Former NFL center and co-host of the New Heights podcast with his brother.
Travis Kelce
Tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and co-host of the New Heights podcast.
NASA
The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which ran the Apollo Moon missions.
The details
On the New Heights episode, Tyson used simultaneous daylight in San Francisco and darkness in New York to illustrate Earth's roundness, and described watching a 49ers game in New York while the sun was still up. He also referenced Kyrie Irving's 2017 flat-Earth claim, which Irving later apologized for, and Stephen Curry's 2018 invitation to visit NASA after a joke about the Moon landing.
Timeline
2017: Kyrie Irving claims the Earth is flat, later apologizes.
2018: Stephen Curry is invited to NASA after a Moon landing joke.
Apollo 8 through Apollo 17: NASA conducts nine crewed Moon missions.
November 4, 2026: New Heights episode featuring Tyson is published.
Historical Context
The podcast leans on the documented record of NASA's nine crewed Apollo Moon missions, Apollo 8 through Apollo 17, as the basis for rebutting hoax claims. Flat-Earth and Moon landing skepticism has circulated publicly for decades, and this episode revisits those arguments through a sports-media platform.
Readers who encounter flat-Earth or Moon hoax claims can use the documented count of nine crewed Apollo missions as a concrete reference point. The episode shows how science communicators are reaching audiences through sports and entertainment podcasts.
The takeaway
The Apollo record of nine crewed Moon missions gives a specific, checkable reference for evaluating Moon landing hoax claims. Looking at primary mission counts and documentation is a practical way to test such claims.
Further reading
Explore more on Space coverage for related context on NASA's Apollo missions and space exploration.
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