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This Week in Space (Audio): Daily Summaries Delivered
by TWiT
The new space age is upon us, and This Week in Space leaves no topic untouched. Every Friday, join Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine, Rod Pyle and Managing Editor of Space.com, Tariq Malik as they explore everything related to the cosmos. You can join Club TWiT for $10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $5 per month. New episodes posted every Friday.
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- 1 weeks ago1h 2m
TWiS 212: Kabooms, Starship, and a Moon Base - What New Glenn's Explosion Means for NASA's Moon Base
What a wild week in space news! We were all set to discuss Starship Test Flight 12 and NASA's recent press conference updating their lunar base plans, when on Thursday night, Blue Origin lost a New Glenn rocket on the pad during a static test. The explosion appears to have severely damaged the launch structure, LC36, along with the loss of the rocket. Fortunately, there were no casualties. But this does throw NASA's schedule for returning American astronauts to the moon into question, given that the agency had recently signaled their choice of Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander for Artemis 4 in 2028. It's now a toss-up between the US and China, with the competition hotter--and closer--than ever. And of course, we'll still discuss Starship and the latest lunar base plans! Space.com's Mike Wall joins us. Headlines: • Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Static Fire Test • Manhattanhenge Aligns City Streets with the Sunset Main Topic: NASA's Artemis Moon Base and Lunar Exploration Plans • SpaceX Starship Flight 12 Performance and Booster Mishap Investigation • Starship's Role in Artemis and Competitive Moon Race with China • Moon Base Contract Awards: Landers, Rovers, and Robotics • National Security and Legal Implications of Lunar "Territory" • China's Push for a 2030 Lunar Landing and US Response Strategy Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Mike Wall Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit
- 2 weeks ago1h 8m
TWiS 211: Oysters in Space - With Jacob Scoccimerra of Monolith Space
When one ponders the diet of Mars-bound astonauts, oysters don't often come to mind... but they should. As it turns out, the plucky bivalves have much to offer space voyagers, including water filtration and a ready source of protein. Jacob Scoccimerra, formerly of Nanoracks and now with Monolith Space, initiated a research project with students from the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, to design, build, and operate a closed-circuit, automated support environment for oysters in a simulated space analog. It's a fascinating discussion that may leave you hungry. Headlines: SpaceX IPO Filing Reveals Company Finances NASA Opens JPL Operations to New Bidders, Eyes Management Shakeup Viral Cardboard Star Wars Fan Film Gets a Nod SpaceX Announces Crypto Billionaire's Planned Mars Flyby on Starship Main Topic: Oysters in Space – Bioregenerative Life Support and Student Research Jacob Discusses Monolith Space and Roots in Chemical Engineering Origins and Environmental Role of Oysters in Water Filtration Applying Aquatic Organisms to Space-Based Life Support Systems Harrisburg University Student Collaboration and Prototype Development Technical and Biological Challenges of Running Aquatic Habitats in Space Educational Outcomes and Cross-Disciplinary Engineering Experience Potential Earth Applications and Insights for Aquaculture Industry Broader Prospects for Bioregenerative Systems in Space (e.g., other aquatic species, food sustainability) Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Jacob Scoccimerra Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: outsystems.com/twit
- 3 weeks ago57 min
TWiS 210: ESCAPADES at Mars - Dr. Robert Lillis of the Mars ESCAPADE Mission
Poor Mars. After a warm, wet childhood, the planet dried out and became cold and arid. And why? Mostly because it lost most of its atmosphere, scraped away by solar radiation. NASA's Maven mission studied the phenomenon of atmospheric loss for years, but has now gone silent. Enter Mars ESCAPADE—the Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers—twin orbiters that will study the loss of Martian atmosphere more closely than ever before. The mission has been executed at a budget price. was largely built by industry upstart Rocket Lab, and launched on a New Glenn rocket. It will arrive at Mars in 2028, but we're giving you an early look at why it's an important and, frankly, very cool mission. Headlines: SpaceX Unveils Starship V3 Launch Plans NASA Details Artemis 3 Earth Orbit Mission Updates Psyche Probe Performs Mars Gravity Assist for Asteroid Mission Main Topic: ESCAPADE Mars Mission—Twin Satellites to Study Atmospheric Loss Introducing ESCAPADE: Twin Orbiters for Studying Mars' Upper Atmosphere Explaining Why Mars Loses Its Atmosphere and Comparative Planetology Stereo Measurements: Scientific Advantages of Two Orbiters Over One How ESCAPADE's Orbits and Science Campaigns Are Structured Rocket Lab and Commercial Partnerships Expand Mission Flexibility Unique Launch Timing and Innovations in Trajectory Planning Early Data from ESCAPADE's Mission and Earth's Magnetotail Onboard Cameras to Capture Mars Auroras and Possibly Earth-Moon Portraits Extended Mission Possibilities and Future Science Goals The Role of Space Weather and Mars' Magnetic Field in Atmospheric Loss Implications for Future Mars Missions, Technology, and Human Exploration Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. Robert Lillis Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit
- 4 weeks ago1h 9m
TWiS 209: Astronauts for America - The Best of the Best Speak Out
Many of us grew up idolizing astronauts as the best of the best that America—and other nations—have to offer. After leaving NASA, many of them go on to relatively routine careers in business or academia, but some stay "on mission" and continue striving to improve the human condition. The 100-plus astronauts behind Astronauts for America, led by Garrett Reisman and Steve Lindsey—a Democrat and Republican—have decided to speak out about their concerns for our democracy. As the nonprofit's website says, "Astronauts For America is a nonpartisan organization of former NASA astronauts who have sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to science, evidence-based decision-making, public service, and the rule of law." Reisman and Lindsey join us for this important episode. Headlines: Pentagon Releases Official UFO Files Online James Webb Space Telescope Directly Observes Nearby 'Super Earth' Curiosity Rover's Wheels Show Severe Wear on Mars Curiosity Rover Gets Its Robotic Arm Stuck on a Martian Rock Main Topic: Astronauts for America—Combatting Political Polarization Group of 100+ Retired Astronauts Form Nonpartisan Organization Mission to Counter Extreme Partisanship and Foster Civil Discourse Oath to Uphold the Constitution Drives Their Advocacy Experiences in Space and Military Inform Their Approach Emphasis on Data, Science, and Rule of Law in National Debate Concerns Over Erosion of Democratic Norms and Civic Trust Civil Rights, Political Violence, and Challenges in Congress Prompt Action Organization Seeks to Educate, Engage the Public, and Partner with Other Groups Launch of Voter Scorecards Based on Constitutional Values, Not Policy Positions Call for Informed Citizen Participation and Election Integrity Initiatives Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guests: Garrett Reisman and Steve Lindsey Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: outsystems.com/twit threatlocker.com/twit Melissa.com/twit
- May 1, 20261h 6m
TWiS 208: Lander, Lander, Who's Got a Lander - Will SpaceX or Blue Origin Touch Down First?
Lander, lander... who's got a lander? With NASA planning orbital tests of the Artemis landers in 2027 and a crewed landing in 2028, the pressure is on for SpaceX and Blue Origin to make good on their Human Landing System contracts. Who's actually going to put American astronauts back on the Moon first? This week's episode digs into the high-stakes race between the companies, surfacing new details and doubts about whether either lander will be ready in time. Both have to fly into Earth orbit, refuel multiple times, and perform robotic test landings on the moon (in addition to the Artemis III rendezvous and docking tests) before NASA can land astronauts on the moon — and they need to get it all done by 2028. We talk to Space.com's senior space guy, Mike Wall, about the risks and realities of the new space race to the moon. Headlines: Artemis 2 Astronauts Tour White House and Late Night Shows Private Company Plans Asteroid Rendezvous with Apophis NASA's Artemis Moon Lander Readiness and Delays Main Topic: Lunar Landers and Artemis Program Artemis 4 Moon Landing Delays and Timeline Uncertainty SpaceX Starship vs. Blue Origin Blue Moon: Designs and Progress Technical Hurdles: Life Support, Refueling, and Descent Systems Starship's Role as Lander, Cargo Hauler, and Potential Space Station Alternative Blue Origin's Test Schedule Impacted by Launch Mishap International Lunar Landers: China's Upcoming Missions Lunar Surface Infrastructure, Moon Bases, and Resource Rights Legal Uncertainty Around Moon Land Rights and Exclusion Zones Artemis Momentum, Funding, and Political Support Long-Term Prospects for Sustained Human and Robotic Lunar Presence Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Mike Wall Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: helixsleep.com/space
- Apr 24, 20261h 1m
TWiS 207: What, This Again? - Attempted Cuts to the NASA Budget
As you have doubtless heard, the White House has once again proposed drastic budget cuts of about 24% for NASA's 2027 budget. It's deja vu all over again for us, as we followed an almost identical story last year. And as with last year, Congress has signaled the new budget to be DOA. This time, however, we had a NASA administrator in the seat when this budget arrived and he said he could work with it—despite a near halving of the NASA science budget and proposed cancellation of well over 50 science missions, many already successful and returning great science after the bulk of the program has been paid for. We invited Jenniter Vaughn, the CEO of The Planetary Society, onto the show to discuss. Headlines: Blue Origin's New Glenn 3 Rocket Fails Key Mission Despite Successful Landin Discovery of Possible Hidden Moons Around Uranus in Planetary Rings Hubble Space Telescope Celebrates Its 36th Year in Orbit Main Topic: NASA Science Budget Crisis and Advocacy with Planetary Society CEO Jennifer Vaughn Jennifer Vaughn's Journey to Leading the Planetary Society Deep Cuts Proposed for NASA's Science Budget and Widespread Opposition Congressional Pushback and Ineffectiveness of Copy-Paste Budget Proposals Risks to Active and Developmental NASA Missions if Funding Slashed Brain Drain and Damage from Funding Instability at NASA and Partner Institutions Importance of Public Advocacy and Opportunities to Take Action Prospects and Cautions for New NASA Leadership Amid Budget Challenges Broader Impact on US Space Leadership, Innovation, and Long-Term Planning Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Jennifer Vaughn Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit
- Apr 17, 20261h 2m
TWiS 206: I Want to Believe - When We Meet the Aliens
What happens next when science can confidently announce the discovery of an alien life form? Whether it's a fully functioning civilization or a lowly Martian microbe, the implications are vast. Dr. Brianne Suldovsky of Portland State University has studied this mostly ignored question and come up with some interesting conclusions--and, like the best science, more questions. How this can best be communicated in an age of mistrust in large institutions and science is a vexing one, and the conversation looked at it from a variety of angles. And--it was fun. Join us! Headlines: Artemis 2 Heat Shield Passes Inspection Despite Social Media Panic SpaceX Nears Version 3 Starship Launch After Delays New Naked-Eye Comet and Lyrid Meteor Shower Viewing Tips Main Topic: Communicating the Discovery of Extraterrestrial Life Lack of Research on Public Communication of Alien Life Discoveries Religious Backgrounds and How They Shape Views on Science and Space Public Trust, Misinformation, and Institutional Perception Challenges Risks, Uncertainties, and Ethics in Announcing Life Discoveries What Happens if Private Companies Discover Alien Life First Measuring Public Beliefs: the Extraterrestrial Belief Scale and Conspiracies Religious, Psychological, and Societal Impacts of Alien Life Announcements Direct Public Involvement in Decisions About Contacting Alien Life Navigating AI, Social Media, and Pattern Recognition in Spreading Space News Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Brianne Suldovsky Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit
- Apr 10, 20261h 14m
TWiS 205: All About Artemis - The Brilliance of Artemis 2
This week's episode is devoted to the flight of Artemis 2. From the spectacular, on-time launch to the lunar flyby to reentry preparation, we chart all the major events of the mission. Some are technical and scientific--the interest in the small meteoritic impacts on the lunar farside and the spectacul solar eclsipse witnessed by the crew—and some are more human interest, such as the messages to the crew from Apollo moonwalker Charlie Duke and the posthumous message from Apollo 8/13 astronaut Jim Lovell, to the very emotional moment where the crew named a crater after Reid Wiseman's recently deceased wife, Carroll. It's a humdinger of a show packed with facts and relevant discussion. Join us! Main Topic: The Artemis II Mission Rod & Tariq Share Launch Site and Newsroom Experiences Spacecraft Amenities: The Ongoing Space Toilet Saga On-the-Ground Reporting at Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers Inside the Orion Capsule: Size, Crew Life, and Design Spectacular Launch: Countdown, Liftoff, and Astronaut Impressions Cameras and Tech: Photo Gear and Laser Communications on Artemis 2 Smoothest Crewed Launch Beyond Earth Orbit in Over 50 Years Life Aboard Orion: Living Space, Exercise, and Hygiene Challenges Emotional Moments: Naming Lunar Craters and Tribute to Crew Family Wakeup Calls from Apollo Astronauts—Legacy Meets Next Generation Crew Lunar Flyby: Scientific Observations and Lunar Impact Flashes Capturing Rare Sights: Earthset, Night Views, and Eclipses from Moon Orbit Presidential Call: Communications Hiccups and Political Overtones Return and Splashdown: Heat Shield Concerns, Recovery Procedures, and Records Set Reflections on Budget Constraints, Press Facilities, and NASA Operations Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: Melissa.com/twit threatlocker.com/twit
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About This Week in Space (Audio)
The new space age is upon us, and This Week in Space leaves no topic untouched. Every Friday, join Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine, Rod Pyle and Managing Editor of Space.com, Tariq Malik as they explore everything related to the cosmos. You can join Club TWiT for $10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $5 per month. New episodes posted every Friday.
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