This Week in Space (Audio)

On this episode, we look at NASA's plans to land humans on the Red Planet from the Apollo era through today, and SpaceX's parallel initiatives with the Starship mega-rocket. Which program will be the first to be Mars-capable? Also, a comet the size of Rhode Island heading our way, a cry for help to ET, and a meteor shower is happening.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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When will humans reach Mars? We've talked about it since the 1940s; now it's time to get going. NASA, SpaceX, and China are all eyeing the Red Planet. Who will get there first? This is part one of our "Humans on Mars" discussion and a look at early efforts to reach the red planet with American boots. Also, more delays for the Space Launch System, should the James Webb Space Telescope be renamed, and sympathies for SpaceX. The U.S. Army thinks waterbirds are more important than you.

Image credit: Chesley Bonestell

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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In this episode, Rod Pyle looks at some special space anniversaries, emphasizing Apollo 16, the penultimate lunar exploration mission. We also remember the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, and Pioneer 11, one of two first explorations of the frigid realms of Jupiter and Saturn. In addition, Yuri's Night, the ultimate space celebration, is subject to a name change at the Space Symposium.

Host: Rod Pyle

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On this episode of "This Week in Space," we're seeing busy times at the Kennedy Space Center! Axiom Space is set for the first launch of an all-private crew to the International Space Station from Pad 39A, the Space Launch System is testing over on Pad 39B, and SpaceX's Crew 4 mission is set to depart Pad 39A soon thereafter. Axiom's all-private flight to the ISS comes just two years after the first SpaceX crew launch to the station—and Axiom is also working on modules for the first all-private space station. Also, Hubble spies the most distant star ever, the Mars Helicopter aces another record-setting flight, and Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford tutors NASA on cooperation in space with Russia.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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NASA rolled its massive megarocket, the SLS, to the pad last week. It's the first moon rocket to emerge from the VAB in 50 years. What's next? Also, the Webb telescope beats expectations, another lunar lander is coming, and Blue Origin rides again!

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik take a look at space junk—what is it, where did it come from, and what can be done about it. The sheer amount of debris orbiting Earth is a serious threat to ongoing missions and must be addressed, or we may find ourselves permanently earthbound. Also, the SLS rolls out, astronauts and cosmonauts stay friends, and the Mars helicopter flies on. All on this episode of This Week in Space.

Image credit: ESA/ID&Sense/ONiRiXEL – CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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On this episode of This Week in Space, we'll tell you everything you need to know to fly your own rockets (mostly responsibly)--it's fun, it's safe, and it's a great hobby for a family to do together. Also, Virgin Orbit to launch from Old Blighty, tugboats headed for orbit, and astronaut Scott Kelly, who has flown on the Russian Soyuz, returns his Russian-awarded spaceflight medal in protest. Join us! 

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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We talk atomic rockets and nuclear power sources (RTGs) in space. In "The Martian," Watney used a surplus Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator to heat his rover but real spacecraft, like the Galileo and Cassini probes to Jupiter and Saturn, have used nuclear isotopes to power their vast arrays of instruments. And, the amazing Voyager spacecraft still talk to us from beyond the solar system powered by a small plutonium pellet. 

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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With NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic all players in an increasingly crowded race to learn more and explore beyond our planet. Every week, This Week in Space covers topics like the dash back to the moon, Space X's Starship and the missions to Mars, what Elon Musk is up to. Plus, we'll interview industry experts too, including scientists, engineers, and leaders from NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, new space companies, and even the international sector. Join Rod Pyle the Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra Magazine and Tariq Malik from Space.com as we dive deep into the new space age- humanity's greatest adventure.

Host: Rod Pyle

Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.

Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit