This Week in Space (Audio)

By TWiTScience Technology Astronomy

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Typical duration
66 min
per episode

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This Week in Space (Audio) episodes

November 13TWiS 236: Alienspotting - Revisiting Assumptions About Extraterrestrial Life
When we think of extraterrestrials, our minds generally go from the latex-suited bipedal aliens seen in Star Trek and Star Wars to more exotic critters in sci-fi movies. Scientists think in terms of carbon-based microbial life and other lower life forms. But some researchers, such as Mikhail Tikhonov from Washington University, suggest that life can take more unusual forms, ones we might not even recognize. He further suggests a new definition of life: something that takes in and transforms energy and replicates. His ideas radically expand our notions of alien life and how it might be recognized.
Headlines:
Space Shuttle Endeavour's New Launch Configuration Exhibit Debuts

SpaceX Prepares for Starship Flight 15's First Attempted Double Landing

Risks and Stakes for SpaceX's Reusable Starship Program
Main Topic: Searching for Alien Life—Redefining the Approach
Origins and motivations for thinking differently about our definition of life

Traditional "follow the water" strategy versus seeking energy as life's marker

Challenges in recognizing non-Earth-like life forms

Signature of life through energy use and ecological patterns

Implications for planetary exploration and sampling, including Mars, Europa, and Venus

Theoretical examples and sci-fi inspirations for nontraditional life

Current research intersections between physics and microbial ecology

Limits, opportunities, and philosophical implications of agnostic biosignature searches

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Mikhail Tikhonov

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1 hr 9 min
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1 min
November 06TWiS 235: Robots in Dark and Scary Places - With Jim Green, Former NASA Chief Scientist
Robots have, and always will, be the first to go to the dark and scary places in space. For many years, Dr. Jim Green oversaw these missions for NASA as their Chief Scientist. He joins us to talk about the past, present, and future of planetary exploration. Jim has always been passionate about NASA's science programs and believes we're quite likely to find life off-Earth in the near future. Join us!
Headlines:
NASA Unveils New X-70 Fractal X-Plane with Reconfigurable Tech

Earth Gains Temporary "Mini Moon" Asteroid 2026 QQ8

NASA Hosts First-Ever Max Power Air Show Highlighting Space Innovation

Deep Space Nine's Iconic "Trials and Tribble-ations" Episode Turns 30
Main Topic: Planetary Exploration, Science Funding, and Planetary Defense With Dr. Jim Green
Top Unexplored Targets: Sending a Submarine to Europa's Ocean

How Political Changes Affect NASA's Budget and Science Programs

Mars Sample Return: Obstacles, Funding Challenges, and Possible Human Exploration Synergy

Science Communication: Relating New Discoveries to Everyday Life and Public Engagement

JPL's "7 Minutes of Terror" and Changing Outreach Strategies

Building Support for Planetary Defense and the DART Mission

Black Swan Events: How Earth is Threatened by Rare, High-Speed Oort Cloud Comets

Innovative Approaches to Science Education through the Metaverse and Outreach

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Jim Green

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1 hr 14 min
October 30TWiS 234: Living in Lunar Caves - Could We Live Inside the Moon?
In our ongoing quest to develop a moon base, could we possibly utilize the area beneath the surface of the moon in order to make the moon habitable? In this episode of This Week in Space, Tariq Malik and guest host Mike Wall of Space.com talk with Than Putzig of the Planetary Science Institute about a NASA-backed payload bound for the Marius Hills Pit, a roughly 50-meter-wide opening that may lead into a lunar lava tube to gather more data about these formations on the Moon and the possibility of these lunar caves becoming the Moon's first living habitats for humans. Putzig explains how geophysical instruments on a rover could detect hidden voids beneath the surface and measure the size of these lava tubes. We also ask Than how these lava tubes form, what a follow-up robotic explorer could reveal, and how this research fits alongside NASA's Artemis plans for a south polar moon base. Join us!
Headlines:
Clear Images Emerge of China's Secretive Shenzhou Space Plane

Virgin Galactic Unveils New Delta Class Spaceplane for Tourism

Remembering Star Trek Legends Walter Koenig and Sir Patrick Stewart
Main Topic: Exploring Lunar Caves and the Gimli Mission
Introduction to Lunar Caves, Pits, and the Quest for Lava Tubes

NASA's Gimli Mission and Selection to Explore Marius Hills Pit

Science Goals: Detecting and Mapping Lunar Lava Tubes for Potential Habitats

Details on Geophysical Instruments and Survey Techniques

Potential Benefits of Lava Tubes for Lunar Habitat Planning

Technical and Logistical Challenges for Accessing and Using Lunar Lava Tubes

Parallels with Lava Tubes on Mars and Planetary Science Collaboration

Building Teams and Proposals at the Planetary Science Institute

Future Steps for the Gimli Mission and Outreach Efforts

Host: Tariq Malik

Co-Host: Mike Wall

Guest: Than Putzig

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1 hr 9 min
October 23 TWiS 233: The Artemis Generation - The STEM Pipeline for Space
Newspace is hiring! With the major powers heading to the moon, low-Earth orbit becoming busier than ever, and countless new companies entering the space marketplace, the hiring pipeline is more critical than ever. We spoke with Dr. Amanda Smith-Hackler, the Director of Education for the Universities Space Research Association and Principal Investigator for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars and STEM Workforce Development Programs, about the new and exciting opportunities available to young people seeking to enter the space workforce.

Host: Tariq Malik

Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

Guest: Dr. Amanda Smith-Hackler

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48 min
October 16TWiS 232: The Lunar Dump - Over 800 GB of Moon Data
In this week's episode we turned to Chelsea Gohd, former writer for NASA/JPL and now with Space.com, to talk about the recent large data dump from the Artemis II mission. What was included? Why is this new data important? What observations were made, and what discoveries might result from them? What kind of annotations and notes did the astronauts include that make these observations uniquely valuable? And finally, we talk about Artemis III - what is the mission profile and what are the stakes for SpaceX and Blue Origin?
Headlines:
SpaceX Seeks Approval for 450 Starship Launches Per Year

Flying Tesla Roadster Demo Features SpaceX Thrusters and Suction Fan

Astronomers Spot Possible First Green Star – the Cosmic Zombie

Perseverance Rover Breaks Martian Distance Record
Main Topic: Artemis II Mission Data Dump and Lunar Science
NASA Releases 800GB of Artemis II Lunar Mission Data

Science, Images, Audio, and Annotations Collected by Astronauts

Crew's Training to Make Detailed Lunar Observations

Importance of Human Eyes on the Moon Versus Remote Sensing

Astronauts Witness Spectacular Impact Flashes on Lunar Surface

Firsthand Descriptions of Moon's Subtle Colors and Terrain

Insights Into Crew Experience and Data Collection Process

Astronauts' Career Moves Following Artemis II Mission

Artemis III Plans: Docking, Landers, and Science Objectives

Challenges Facing SpaceX Starship and Blue Origin Blue Moon Lander

The Role and Status of New Axiom-Prada EVA/Mobility Suits for Artemis III

Reflections on Historical and Current Lunar Exploration Approaches

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Chelsea Gohd

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1 hr 11 min
October 09TWiS 231: Sailing the Stellar Seas - Our Favorite Space Sci-Fi!
From the earliest works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells to the best of contemporary space science fiction, Tariq and I dive deep into our favorite space si-fi across the ages! And our challenge to you for some of the most obscure titles we know.
Headlines:
Remembering Apollo Era Legends Margaret Hamilton and Milt Windler

Soviet Meteor 27 Satellite Breaks Up, Raising Space Debris Concerns

Elon Musk Receives National Science Award Amid NASA Science Cuts
Main Topic: Space Science Fiction Books and Media
Influential Childhood Sci-Fi Classics and Lesser-Known Gems

H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, and the Enduring Power of Classic Novels

Comic Books as Gateway to Space Narratives, from Star Trek to Modern Series

Golden Age Science Fiction: Venus Sagas, Heinlein, and Asimov

Modern Standouts: The Expanse, Jack McDevitt, Martha Wells, and Ann Leckie

Women in Sci-Fi: Hidden Voices and Impactful Authors

Sci-Fi Landmarks: War of the Worlds' Grover's Mill Monument and Other Cultural Footprints

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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59 min
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

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.

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