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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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- 5 days ago1h 16m
TWiS 220: First on Mars - The 50th Anniversary of Viking 1
This week, we cover how Starship Flight 13 finally prepares to launch amid a legal battle over SpaceX's proposed land swap at Starbase, plus a Chinese Long March 3B rocket gets struck by lightning during liftoff, yet still delivers its satellite safely. Then, guests Dr. Pascal Lee and astrobiologist Dr. Penny Boston join the show to mark the 50th anniversary of Viking 1's landing on Mars and revisit the mission's groundbreaking life-detection experiments and the decades-long controversy over what they actually found. The conversation traces Mars exploration from the earliest Mariner flybys through Viking's ambiguous, still-debated results—later explained by perchlorates in the Martian soil—and the fierce scientific rivalry the findings sparked. Join us! Headlines: SpaceX Starship Flight 13 faces engine and weather delays ahead of launch SpaceX land swap proposal sparks conservation group lawsuit over Rio Grande Valley wildlife preserve Chinese Long March rocket survives dramatic lightning strike during launch Main Topic: 50th Anniversary of Viking Mars Landers—Search for Life on Mars The evolution of Mars exploration from telescopes to Viking lander Early Mars missions: Mariner flybys, Soviet attempts, and breakthroughs in orbital imaging Viking 1 and 2: Ambitious design, life-detection experiments, and landing impact Mixed public and scientific reactions to Viking's first iconic Mars surface images Technical overview of the Viking biology experiments and their controversial results The unresolved debate: Did Viking detect life or chemical reactions on Mars? Personal accounts of key scientists, scientific disputes, and the "Wolf Trap" experiment that never flew Lessons from Viking: Limitations of technology, extremophile discoveries, and shifting strategies for detecting life The scientific case for seeking life in Martian caves and subsurface environments Critique of current and future Mars missions: Perseverance rover findings and value of Mars Sample Return Exploring planetary protection, contamination risks, and the challenges of certifying Martian samples= Key takeaways for future missions—bold searches, new technologies, and the ongoing quest for answers Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guests: Pascal Lee and Dr. Penelope Boston 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: rippling.ai/twis
- 1 weeks ago1h 13m
TWiS 219: SpaceX Goes to War! - And Other Space Headlines
This week we're jumping into the space headlines for the past few weeks. It's been busy, and some exciting things are happening! A couple of companies are moving into the space solar power arena--something we've long advocated--and that's welcome progress. Starship is set to fly Starship test number 13, and a lot is riding on this--the system is overdue for some proof of concept to keep up with NASA's HLS contract. An exoplanet spotted a decade ago has shown signs of a potentially habitable atmosphere; there are landslides--big ones--on Pluto, and evidence of "space candy" sugars in an interstellar cloud are in the news. Finally, SpaceX is doubling down on their big defense contracts with a well-funded US Space Force. Join us for all the latest! Headlines: SpaceX Starship Flight 13 Launch Aborted Due to Engine Issue Meteorite Crashes Into New Jersey, Preserved Sample Fuels Origins of Life Research Discovery of Atmosphere Around Habitable-Zone Exoplanet LHS 1140 b NASA Moon Tree Planted After Artemis 1 Mission Reflect Orbital to Launch Mirrors in Space, Sparking Astronomer Backlash Landslides Found on Pluto Could Bury Entire Cities Rare Sugar Found in Interstellar Cloud Hints at Building Blocks of Life SpaceX's Growing Military Launch Contracts and Pentagon Ties Space Development Agency's Expanding Satellite Constellation for Space Force Starship's Dual Focus: NASA Moon Landings vs. Mars and Satellite Deployment Artemis 3 Updates: New Renderings, Docking Plans, and Starlink HD Laser Payloads Defense Innovation Unit's Push for Space-Based Power Beaming Technology Pulse Space and Laser-Based Satellite Power and Communication New Satellite Concept to Detect Nuclear Devices in Orbit Amid Global Security Concerns 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: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT ethos.com/twis
- 2 weeks ago1h 10m
TWiS 218: Which Way to the Moonbase? - With Dr. Pascal Lee
We've been hearing a lot about NASA's new moonbase plans, and they are ambitious. Starting with Artemis V (so far), the US plans to begin preparations for a permanent base situated in the south polar regions of the moon. Details are somewhat fluid, but one thing stands out: the poles are likely to be the most challenging places to set up shop in an already hostile environment. Planetary scientist Dr. Pascal Lee joins us to discuss moonbase siting options and why the poles may not be the best choice at first. Headlines: China Demonstrates Impressive Rocket Landing and Catch Mechanism New Horizons Probe Awakens to Transmit Deep Space Data Wally Funk, Last of the "Mercury 13," Passes Away West Coast Rocket Launch Alert: SpaceX Falcon 9 Visual Spectacle Main Topic: Moon Base Strategy and Location Debate History and Evolution of U.S. Moon Base Plans NASA's New Multi-Phase Moon Base Timeline and Missions Strategic and Logistical Challenges of South Pole Moon Bases Arguments for a Centralized, Benign Location for Moon Infrastructure Commercial and International Partnership Models for Lunar Operations Role of Robotics and AI in Moon Exploration and Prospecting Lessons from Antarctic Base Logistics Applied to the Moon Potential for Tourism and Commercial Development on the Lunar Surface Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Pascal Lee 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: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT rippling.ai/twis threatlocker.com/twit
- 3 weeks ago1h 18m
TWiS 217: America in Space - 250 Years of Bold Firsts & Our Favorite Missions!
Since 1958, the United States has been part of the spaceflight adventure, and since the mid-1960s has led in just about any category that counts. In this episode, we discuss the progression of American space efforts, review which flights launched or landed on July 4, and relive some of our very favorite US space missions of all time! "Headlines: • NASA's Swift Boost Mission Aims to Rescue Swift Space Telescope • Astronomer Avi Loeb Tapped to Chair White House UAP Panel • Celebrating 30 Years of the Film Independence Day Main Topic: 250 Years of America in Space • American Flags Across the Solar System • Origins of the Space Age: Operation Paperclip and the V2 Legacy • Explorer 1 and Early U.S. Satellite Achievements • Mariner and Viking Missions: Mars Exploration Milestones • Key American Firsts in Human Spaceflight • Apollo Landings and Moonwalk Milestones • Skylab and Its Legacy as America's First Space Station • The Rise of Reusable Rockets: Space Shuttle, Blue Origin, and SpaceX • Private Spaceflight and Tourism: From Dennis Tito to Jared Isaacman • Curiosity, Pathfinder, and Other Mars Rovers as Iconic U.S. Achievements • Reflections on Favorite Missions and the Future of U.S. Space Leadership" 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: blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT helixsleep.com/space
- Jun 26, 20261h 10m
TWiS 216: Dark Matter Intelligence - With Physicist Dr. Daniel Whiteson
We've had endless conversations about aliens and first contact--but what if a conversation with other intelligences is beyond our scope? Dr. Daniel Whiteson, particle physicist at CERN's Large Hadron Collider and professor at UC Irvine, joins us to explore less conventional thoughts on first contact. We look at the challenges of communicating with extraterrestrial intelligences, potential difficulties of communicating via non-terrestrial mathematics and physics, and the possibility that extraterrestrials might actually be terrestrial... but existing as denizens of the dark energy universe. One might be sitting in your lap right now! Join us for the far-ranging discussion. Headlines: NASA Perseverance Rover Finds Promising Clues of Ancient Life on Mars NASA Space Telescope Faces Fiery Descent, Mission Planned to Save It Boeing's Troubled Starliner Spacecraft Faces Further Setbacks and Delays Main Topic: Dark Matter, Particle Physics, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence UC Irvine's Dr. Daniel Whiteson Discusses Path into Space Science and Particle Physics Exploring Nontraditional Signals for Alien Communication Beyond Radio Waves The Mystery of Ultra-High Energy Particles and Speculation on Artificial Cosmic Rays Challenges of Detecting, Interpreting, and Interacting with Alien Intelligence Implications of Dark Matter for Hidden Civilizations and Parallel Existence Complexities in Communicating with Truly Alien Life and Human-Centric Scientific Assumptions Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Daniel Whiteson 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
- Jun 19, 20261h 6m
TWiS 215: Disclosure Day - With Dr. David Brin
If you've seen "Disclosure Day" or "Age of Disclosure," you're going to want to join us for this fascinating discussion with famed bestselling sci-fi/sci-fact author Dr. David Brin. Long known for his universe-spanning visions, storytelling skills, and occasionally contrarian viewpoints, this episode will not disappoint! Our discussion ranged from reactions to Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" to why people believe in AI and more. This week's guest co-host is ace science journalist Susan Karlin. Host: Rod Pyle Co-Host: Susan Karlin Guest: Dr. David Brin 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
- Jun 12, 20261h 9m
TWiS 214: Moon Man - With Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
There are NASA Administrators, and then there are NASA Administrators—all are very accomplished individuals, but some stand out for their unique backgrounds and on-the-job successes, and Jim Bridenstine is one of the latter. Entering service as the new NASA Administrator in 2017 with a background as a Navy pilot, Congressman, and museum director, he was an unconventional choice, and faced some headwinds in the appointment—but Jim turned out to be exceptional in the job, especially given the state of NASA when he took it on. Join us to hear his experiences with our favorite space agency and what he's doing today. Headlines: SpaceX Shatters Records with Largest IPO Ever NASA Faces Backlash Over Artemis 3 Diversity Scientists Propose Magnetosphere Shield Against Solar Storms Main Topic: Jim Bridenstine & Quantum Space Jim Bridenstine's Unconventional Path to NASA Leadership Overcoming Political Challenges as NASA Administrator Launch and Evolution of the Artemis Moon Program Securing Bipartisan Support and Budget for Artemis Reflections on Artemis 2 Success and Artemis 3's Challenges The Need for a Robust Lunar Lander Solution NASA's Global Influence and Soft Power The Role of Private Investment in Space Exploration Bridenstine's Leadership at Quantum Space Quantum Space's Ranger Spacecraft and Military Space Tech National Security and Distributed Satellite Architectures Small Satellites and Future Space Warfare Quantum Space's Move to Go Public via SPAC Vision for Moon Bases and Lunar Resource Utilization Geopolitics of the New Moon Race and First Mover Advantage Quantum Space's Ambitions in Cislunar and Lunar Operations Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Jim Bridenstine 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: threatlocker.com/twit
- Jun 5, 20261h 22m
TWiS 213: Live From ISDC With Gerry Griffin - Legendary Flight Director Breaks Down the Realities of Spaceflight
Recorded live from the International Space Development Conference in McLean, Virginia, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik are joined by Apollo legend and former Johnson Space Center director Gerry Griffin. Griffin takes us on a journey through his extraordinary career, from his appointment as a flight director in the wake of the Apollo 1 fire, through the audacious decision to send Apollo 8 around the moon, all the way to the nail-biting rescue of Apollo 13. We also venture behind the scenes of Ron Howard's Apollo 13 film, where Griffin reveals the real story behind some of Hollywood's most famous dramatic liberties. It's a rare, firsthand account of the golden age of human spaceflight — from one of the few people who was there for all of it. Headlines: Space Station Faces Recurring Air Leak Crisis Main Topic: Jerry Griffin's Legacy in Space Exploration Transition from Fighter Pilot to Mission Control Gemini and Apollo Era Engineering Breakthroughs The Apollo 1 Fire: Lessons and Safety Changes Fast-Tracking from Apollo 7 to Apollo 8 Lunar Orbit Insights From the Apollo 11 Moon Landing Apollo 13 Crisis Management Onscreen and in Reality The Evolution and Importance of Mission Control Teams Reflections on NASA's Culture and Training Through Decades Preparing Future Generations for Artemis and Beyond (Note: Apologies for the video flickering that occurs in the podcast.) Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Gerry Griffin 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 helixsleep.com/space
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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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