This Week in Space (Audio)

By TWiTScience Technology Astronomy

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This Week in Space (Audio) episodes

October 02TWiS 230: Living on Lava Worlds - Atmospheres on Lava-Covered Exoplanets
Think you're having a hot summer? Try living on 55 Cancri-e, a super-Earth with daytime temperatures above 4000 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of these super-Earths orbit frighteningly close to their host stars and have long since had their atmospheres scraped away, leaving them baked, parched rocks. But some, like 55 Cancri, still have dense envelopes of air. How is that possible, when the planet is 20 times closer to its star than our own planet Mercury? Dr. Laura Schaefer explains how molten lava worlds defy the odds. Plus: Starship update, the first orbital data centers, and a new year on Mars.
Headlines:
SpaceX's Starship Achieves First Full Orbital Flight With Satellite Deployments

Google and Planet Labs Launch AI Data Center Satellite

Multiple SpaceX Launches Within Hours Mark a New Operational Standard

Cowboy Space Debuts Power-Beaming AI Data Center in Orbit

Mars Celebrates a New Year on Its Extended Journey Around the Sun

NASA Anniversary and Notable Space Birthdays Noted
Main Topic: Living on Lava Worlds—Atmospheres, Extreme Planets, and the Search for Life
Early Exoplanet Detection Methods and Evolution of Exoplanet Surveys

Cosmic Shoreline Concept: How Gravity and Stellar Radiation Shape Planetary Atmospheres

Airless Valleys, Sandbars, and Other New Categories for Rocky Exoplanets

Permanent Magma Oceans: Why Some Lava-covered Worlds Retain Atmospheres

Volatiles, Atmosphere Loss, and The Soda-Bottle Effect on Hot Exoplanets

Sandbar Regime: Superheated Planets Keep Atmospheres Longer Than Expected

Case Study: 55 Cancri e and the Myth of the Diamond Planet

K2-18b: Possibilities of a Water World or Another Magma-Lava Hybrid

Redefining Goldilocks Zones With Atmospheric Survival Factors

Tidal Heating, Volcanism, and Dynamics Shaping Exoplanet Atmospheres

Future Directions: Webb Telescope, Habitable Worlds Observatory, and Prospects for Imaging True "Earths"

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Laura Schaefer

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1 hr 9 min
September 25TWiS 229: Is It Starship's Time? - Test Flight 14 to Orbit
This week it's Rod and Tariq working through the most important space headlines. The big story: Starship could launch test flight 14 as early as Monday the 28th. We've seen lots of tests, but this is the first attempt at an orbital flight, the success of which is necessary for the lunar landing system and eventual retirement of the Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon. Also: Vast starts up a lunar division, Isaacman's relief over delays to China's lunar program, concerns over announced discontinuation of SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon, and yet more money for Boeing's troubled Starliner. This and more on this episode of TWiS!
Headlines:
SpaceX Prepares for Big Starship Flight 14 Launch

Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon Proposed Wind-down Sparks Industry Jitters

Starship's Role as Future Space Habitat Gains Traction

Industry Faces Uncertainty as Falcon 9 Phaseout Looms

Boeing Starliner and Alternative Crew Vehicles in Focus

SpaceX's Massive Louisiana Expansion Announced

Jared Isaacman Comments on China's Lunar Delays

U.S. and China Jostle for Lunar Leadership

Vast Unveils Lunar Habitat and Surface System Ambitions

ESA's JUICE and Ramses Missions Headline Upcoming Science

NASA Selects PRIMA Probe for Far-Infrared Astrophysics

New Study Details Disastrous Global Ice Loss

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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1 hr 7 min
September 18TWiS 228: What's a HOTOL? - Britain in Space
In the 1980s, as the US space shuttle was just starting operations, the UK embarked on an ambitious project called HOTOL—short for Horizontal Take Off and Landing, a radical, air-breathing spaceplane design. Political and funding shifts in the UK ultimately derailed the project, despite the promising technologies it pioneered. The idea was later restarted as Skylon, with key individuals and refined technologies at its core. This project, too, struggled, ultimately shuttering in 2024. Despite this, the promise of rapid, reusable spaceplanes that can launch and land at airports is still coveted by many countries, and efforts continue. Join Rob Coppinger, author of the definitive book on the topic and editor of the UK's "Spaceflight" magazine, as he tells this fascinating story.
Headlines:
New Crater Discovered on the Moon

Boeing Starliner Gains New Life with NASA Support

Starship Flight 14 Gears Up for Launch
Main Topic: British Spaceplanes – HOTOL and Skylon
Rob Coppinger Shares Inspiration and Career Path

Origins and Vision Behind HOTOL

HOTOL vs. the Space Shuttle: Concepts and Challenges

Funding Issues and UK Government Decisions

Evolution from HOTOL to Skylon and Reaction Engines

Technological Innovations: SABRE Engine and Reusability

International Context: Other Spaceplane Projects

Current Status and Future Prospects for UK Spaceplanes

Lessons in Vision, Imagination, and Persisting with Big Ideas

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Rob Coppinger

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59 min
September 11TWiS 227: TrekMania - Michael Okuda Talks LCARS, Easter Eggs, and Sci-Fi Innovation
Hold onto your phasers, but it's been 60 years since Star Trek's debut, and the franchise is still going strong. For 40 of those years, Mike Okuda, working with a gifted team that included his wife Denise, has been central to the look, feel, and substance of the Star Trek universe. From the LCARS computer graphical system to alien languages to the designs and color schemes, and even the digital effects remastering of the original series, Mike has been the Cardinal of Canon when it comes to all things Trek. He has also been involved with many more space-related shows, books, and NASA projects. Join us for this very special episode.
Headlines:
China Announces 2028 Mars Sample Return Mission

U.S. Space Command Conducts First Orbital Dogfighting Test

Reflections on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 from Space
Main Topic: Star Trek at 60—Legacy, Design, and Influence with Mike Okuda
Mike Okuda's Entry into Star Trek and Early Influences

Defining Star Trek's Visual Identity Across Series

Designing Control Panels and the Origin of LCARS

Maintaining Continuity and Hidden Easter Eggs in Star Trek Sets

Expanding the Design Language for Alien Cultures

Collaboration on For All Mankind and Space/NASA Projects

Challenges and Philosophy Behind Remastering The Original Series

Favorite Episodes, Iconic Sets, and Preserving Star Trek Props

The Enduring Core Message and Legacy of the Star Trek Franchise

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Michael Okuda

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1 hr 10 min
September 04TWiS 226: Who Owns the Moon? - Capitalism and Property Rights in Space
Capitalism—and a strong profit motivation—has driven enterprise for centuries. Two notable examples are the East India Company and the US transcontinental railroad, and the various tycoons who built it. In neither case, by today's standards, were the operations fair or ethical on a number of fronts. Can we do better in space? Dr. Rainer Zitelmann joins us to discuss capitalism and the importance of extraterrestrial land ownership as an enabler of human expansion off-Earth. He's got a lot to say, and not all of it is what you might expect. Join us for this fascinating and informative look at one business case for newspace.

Headlines:

• NASA's Roman Space Telescope Launches to Explore Cosmic Mysteries

• SpaceX Falcon Heavy Returns to Action for Major NASA Mission

• Blue Origin Selected to Build Mars Communications Relay for NASA

• Japan and Europe's BepiColombo Mission Arrives at Mercury

Main Topic: Who Owns the Moon? — Capitalism in Space With Dr. Rainer Zitelmann

• Dr. Zitelmann Explains Market Forces Transforming the Space Industry

• Historical Parallels Between Economic Reforms and the Privatization of Space

• The Outer Space Treaty and Legal Uncertainty Around Private Ownership Off-Earth

• Potential for Stock Markets and REITs for Off-World Real Estate and Resources

• China's Rapid Advancement in Private Space and Market-Driven Innovation

• Safety Zones, Artemis Accords, and the Limits of Current Legal Frameworks

• First-Mover Advantage: How Initial Claims Might Play Out on the Moon and Mars

• Equity, Envy, and Ethical Debates Over Colonization and Space Ownership

• The Role of Commercial Incentive Versus Public Benefit in Expanding Humanity's Reach

Get "New Space Capitalism" (Amazon Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/4xEeGID

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Rainer Zitelmann

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1 hr 14 min
August 28TWiS 225: Get a Grip! - New Technologies for Orbital Salvage
The mitigation of orbital debris is an increasingly serious problem that has not gotten enough attention, but this is changing. Commercial companies are addressing orbital debris, and one of them, KMI Space, has flown its experiments aboard the International Space Station, performing over 170 individual rendezvous-and-grab operations. The results are very promising, and the company is moving ahead with ever more ambitious designs. Adam Kall of KMI joins us to discuss their work on the ISS, the goals of the company, and how nature—via the humble octopus and gecko lizards—may have provided the answers for this vexing problem.
Headlines:
SpaceX to Build Major Starbase Louisiana with Ambitious Launch Plans

Falcon 9 Retirement Looms as Starship Prepares to Take Over

Recovery and Future of Starship Flight 13 Discussed

Roman Space Telescope Launch Previewed

Lunar Eclipse Recap and Next Major Eclipse Forecast

Trump Announces New US Space Academy
Main Topic: KMI Space's REACH Technology and In-Orbit Relocation
KMI Space's Origin Story and Path to the Space Industry

The REACCH Gripper: Gecko and Octopus-Inspired Robotic Arms

How REACCH Grips and Moves Tumbling Satellites and Debris

Real-World ISS Demonstrations and Operational Challenges

Pivot from Debris Removal to Satellite Relocation as a Service

Business Model: Transparent Pricing and Customer Targeting

Future Vision: In-Orbit Collection, Refueling, and Recycling Stations

National Security Implications and Force-Appropriate Applications

Technical Details: Materials, Propulsion, and Size Consideration

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Adam Kall

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1 hr 1 min
August 21TWiS 224: The Science of Artemis - What We'll Do on the Moon
It has been said that the Moon is a harsh mistress, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the lunar south pole. That is, however, where the Artemis program is headed, and we need to figure out how to best explore the region. Dr. David Kring of the Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute joins us to explore the where, whys, and hows of the Artemis Program's lunar exploration plans, and the answers--and risks--that await us.
Headlines:
Starship Flight 12 Survives Indian Ocean Landing nd Long Sea Journey

China's Chang'e 7 Lunar Hopper Mission Targets Permanently Shadowed Terrain

US National Space Transportation Policy Aims for 1,000 Launches Per Year by 2030
Main Topic: The Science and Planning of the Artemis Lunar Program
Criteria and Studies for Selecting Artemis Landing Sites

South Pole Resource Advantages: Continuous Solar Power and Potential Volatiles

Scientific Promise of the Schrödinger Impact Basin vs. South Pole Mandate

The Value of Lunar Sample Return for Transformational Science

Unique Terrain and Operational Challenges of the Lunar South Polar Region

Training, Mobility, and the Role of Human Exploration versus Robotics

Impact Cratering's Role in Life's Origins and Earth's Early History

Considerations for Lunar Base Location and Hazards

Training Programs for Scientists and Astronauts Preparing for Artemis

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

Guest: Dr. David Kring

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1 hr
August 14TWiS 223: The Lunar Domain - Our Future on the Moon with Dr. Scott Pace
We're headed for a space renaissance, and it will be focused on the Moon. The US, China, and international partners of both are vying to land people there and construct a permanent lunar base. Meanwhile, NASA is evolving to embrace commercial enterprise unlike any time in its past, and American lunar efforts are lagging. What are the stakes? Does it matter who returns humans there first? What does the future of lunar commerce look like? Dr. Scott Pace, the Director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, joins us.

Main Topic: The Evolving Lunar Domain and US Space Policy

• Dr. Scott Pace's space policy background and legacy

• Policy continuity from Trump to Biden and the focus on implementation

• Artemis program direction and geopolitical influences

• The importance of commercial and international partnerships

• NASA's commercial contract successes and limitations

• Need for an off-ramp from SLS as commercial heavy lift matures

• Differentiating between short-term wins and long-term infrastructure goals in lunar strategy

• Tension between NASA centers and commercial LEO station development

• Challenges and prospects for lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin

• Recommendations for NASA's future focus: tough technical problems, integration, and talent

• The cultural and inspirational necessity of human presence in space despite advancing AI and robotics

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Dale Skran

Guest: Dr. Scott Pace

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1 hr 6 min
August 07TWiS 222: How to Invade Earth in 22 Easy Steps - With Rich Edwards
We've all seen the movies... the aliens come to Earth, the aliens overcome the inferior humans, and the aliens fall prey to something dumb they overlooked, like microbes, Windows 95, or most absurdly, water. From the 1950s through yesterday, some of the best movies we've seen were about the invasion of our planet. They can be clever, scary, or even downright dumb, but they are all fun. Veteran space writer Rich Edwards joins us to give advice on how to repel the invaders!
Headlines:
Department of Defense drops new batch of UFO/UAP files

Blue Origin traces New Glenn rocket explosion to faulty oxygen valve

SpaceX's first public earnings call reveals key financials and hints at Starship's future

Total solar eclipse set to cross Europe; safety tips and gear recommendations
Main Topic: How to Invade Earth in Sci-Fi—22 Dos and Don'ts with Rich Edwards
The enduring appeal and adaptability of War of the Worlds

Why alien invaders always go for major landmarks (and why it's all for show)

Critique of aliens with impractical invasion strategies—water allergies and cocky attitudes

Pop culture's obsession with alien disguises, conspiracy plots, and gradual infiltration

Deep dive into Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Day of the Triffids, and the power of slow, stealthy takeovers

Starting small: Alien invasions in isolated towns and subtle conquests

The strategic use of time travel in alien invasion movies, with Star Trek: First Contact

Why James Cameron's Aliens remains a sci-fi invasion classic decades later

What makes a satisfying alien invasion ending—and the pitfalls of lazy resolutions

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Richard Edwards

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1 hr 9 min
July 31TWiS 221: Starship Can Float? - Roman Space Telescope Ready to Launch!
Rod Pyle is out this week, so Rick Jenet of the National Space Society joins Tariq Malik this week to talk about SpaceX's Starship Flight 13, which deployed new Starlink V3 satellites and stunned viewers when the ship survived reentry intact enough to float in the ocean for days afterward. They also discuss NASA's Roman Space Telescope, now just a month from launch, and an in-progress emergency effort to save the ailing Swift Space Observatory using a servicing spacecraft that is itself now experiencing technical trouble. Finally, they look into Boeing's continued Starliner delays and India's first successful private orbital launch via Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket. Tune in!
Headlines:
SpaceX Starship Flight 13 Splashdown and Recovery Efforts

Starlink V3 Satellite Deployment Updates

SpaceX Wins $1.6 Billion Space Force Contract

NASA's Roman Space Telescope Countdown and Origin Story

Urgent Swift Space Observatory Rescue Mission Faces Technical Setbacks

Boeing Starliner Faces More Delays and Uncertainty

India's First Commercial Rocket Launch Enters Global Market

Artemis II Astronaut Questions South Pole as Lunar Landing Target

Astronomers Detect Possible First-Ever Exomoon

Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Impact Experiment on the Moon

Preview: August Almost Total Solar Eclipse and Night Sky Events

Host: Tariq Malik

Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

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58 min

About This Week in Space (Audio)

From the publisher's feed

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.