In this conversation, Jim Merrifield hosts Phil Plait and Mike Salvarezza to discuss the upcoming Infocon 2024 conference in Houston. They delve into the evolution of data management in astronomy, the challenges of long-distance communication with space probes, and the significance of the conference for information professionals. Phil shares insights about his keynote presentation titled 'Downloading the Universe,' which will explore how astronomers handle vast amounts of data. The discussion also touches on personal reflections about space exploration and the importance of effective data management in the field of astronomy.