This Week in Space (Audio)

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This Week in Space (Audio) episodes

September 12, 2025TWiS 177: Life on Mars? - With Dr. Michael Tice
You've heard the news about a possible detection of ancient life on Mars... now get the inside scoop from one of the paper's key authors. Dr. Michael Tice is a research scientist and planetary geologist at Texas A&M, and has a lot to say about how the research was pulled from the year-old drill sampling, the incredible rigor that was applied to their findings, and what's next in this amazing story. It's the one we've all been waiting for--a possible indication of life beyond our own planet!
Headlines:
NASA's Interim Chief Declares Mission to Beat China Back to the Moon

Starlink Satellite Photobombs Maxar Image of Secret Chinese Airbase

James Webb Telescope Captures Stunning Interstellar Jet "Flatulence"
Main Topic: Signs of Ancient Life Discovered on Mars by Perseverance
Dr. Michael Tice Explains Potential Biosignatures in Jezero Crater

Discovery of Unusual "Leopard Spots" Linked to Possible Microbial Activity

Redox Reactions and Organics Suggest Favorable Conditions for Life

Debate Between Biological and Abiotic Explanations for Findings

Cutting-Edge Rover Instruments Push Detection Limits

Challenges of Confirming Life Without Sample Return to Earth

Future Work Needed: Sample Return Missions and Analogs on Earth

Broader Reflections on Mars Science, Search for Life, and Technology Choices

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Michael Tice

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1 hr 5 min
September 05, 2025TWiS 176: Beyond the Solar System - With Dr. Alan Stern, PI for New Horizons
What's next in deep space exploration? Dr. Alan Stern, planetary scientist and the Principal Investigator for the New Horizons mission to Pluto, joins us to discuss what we learned about Pluto, the prospects for a future Pluto orbiter, the news from the Kuiper Belt, and to talk about his experiences as a commercial suborbital astronaut. Oh, and he might just mention that he was short-listed to fly on the space shuttle! Alan is one of those people that just has one adventure after another... did I mention that he dove on the Titanic? Yeah, that kind of guy. Join us for an hour of deep space adventure.
Headlines:
U.S. Faces Warnings of Losing Lunar Race to China

NASA Selects a New Associate Administrator

Third Interstellar Comet Spotted With Unusual CO2 Cloud
Main Topic: Pluto, the New Horizons Mission, and the Future of Planetary Exploration
Why Pluto Was Chosen as a Prime Target for Exploration

Building and Launching New Horizons: Team Effort and Challenges

Emotional Moments as Pluto Data Arrived on Earth

Precise Navigation: Getting New Horizons Safely to Pluto

Pluto's Surprising Geological Activity and Complexity

Major Discoveries at Pluto's Moon Charon

Exploring Arrokoth: Insights into Planetary Formation

The Search for a Possible Third Flyby Target in the Kuiper Belt

The Importance of Long-Term Funding for New Horizons

NASA Budget Threats Could End Multiple Key Space Missions

The Possible Role of Kuiper Belt Objects in Delivering Organics to Earth

How Flybys at Pluto and Arrokoth Reshaped Theories of Planetary Systems

Prospects for Future Pluto Orbiters and Human Spaceflight

Advocacy for Continued U.S. Leadership in Deep Space Exploration

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

Guest: Alan Stern

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58 min
August 29, 2025TWiS 175: More AI in Space - Crews and AI with Dr. Daniel Selva
So you're on a months-long flight to Mars... seven months with five people and one computer as crewmates. You've been told to put any fears of a HAL-9000 computer takeover of your mission out of your mind, but can you, really? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Selva of Texas A&M joins us to talk about his recent study of crew interactions and trust with AI using, well, computers, and the HERA habitat simulator at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The results were not entirely as expected! Join us for this fascinating look at crew-AI interaction in spaceflight procedures and emergencies.
Headlines:
SpaceX Starship Flight 10 Nails Test Milestones, Despite Some Reentry Damage

Simulated Satellite Deployments and Heat Shield Experiments Show Progress for Starship

SETI's 1977 "Wow Signal" Mystery Gets Closer to Natural Explanation

China Prepares for 2030 Moon Landing with New Hardware Tests, Spurs US Lunar Competition
Main Topic: AI Helpers for Diagnosing Space Emergencies (Interview with Dr. Daniel Selva)
Dr. Selva's Background and Journey from Europe to Texas A&M and Space AI Research

Using AI Agents to Assist Astronauts During Long-Duration, Deep Space Missions

Details of the DAPHNE Virtual Assistant Study: Lab and NASA Analog Experiments

Surprising Results: AI Shows Big Benefits in Lab, Mixed Results with Experienced Crews

Individual Differences: Experience, Trust, and Task Complexity Influence AI Effectiveness

Real-World Limitations: Emergency Charts vs. AI, Training, and Interface Design Challenges

Broader Implications: Evolving AI to Assist Mission Control, Crew Autonomy, and Future Tech

Fun Sci-Fi Comparisons: Favorite AI Assistants in Movies and the Reality of Human-AI Collaboration

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Daniel Selva

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

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59 min
August 22, 2025TWiS 174: Gifts From Orbit - With Lynn Harper
The International Space Station has been serving as a major research center in space for over 25 years, but its time is coming to an end with a planned deorbit in 2030. Should we end this expensive experiment in space, or are we squandering a $150 billion resource? Lynn Harper, the Lead for Integrative Studies at the NASA Ames Space Portal, joins us to discuss some of the amazing research taking place aboard the ISS. We've all heard about crystal growth and so forth, but how about the promising work done on cancer treatments? Or the growing of replacement retinas? Perhaps the potential breakthroughs for treating Alzheimer's disease might interest you? These and many more will be the focus of our conversation.
Headlines:
NASA Earth Science Faces Massive Cuts Under Interim Administrator Sean Duffy

James Webb Telescope Discovers New Moon Orbiting Uranus

SpaceX Gears Up for Starship Flight 10, Hopes for First Success of the Year
Main Topic: International Space Station Spinoffs & NASA's InSPA Breakthroughs
NASA's InSPA Program Pushes Space-Based Research for Terrestrial Benefits

Microgravity Research Triggers Life-Changing Advances in Medicine and Technology

Space-Grown Protein Crystals Revolutionize Cancer Treatments, Save Lives and Billions

ISS Tissue Engineering Enables Next-Generation Organ and Cell Therapies

Accelerated Disease Modeling in Space Fast-Tracks Drug Discovery for Alzheimer's, ALS, and Cancer

Space-Based Manufacturing Dramatically Improves Semiconductor and Fiber Optic Quality

The Case for Extending ISS Operations to Maintain Biomedical & Industrial Progress

Future Visions: Overlapping Space Stations and Expansion into Commercial Free-Flyers and Industrial Complexes

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Lynn Harper

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

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1 hr 9 min
August 15, 2025TWiS 173: The Return of the Malik - The Wild Proposals on NASA's Table
Tariq is back from the Far East and bursting with space news! This week we'll look at the passing of Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, potential re-tasking of NASA's Juno probe from Jupiter to the interstellar interloper, 3I/Atlas--Avi Loeb wants it, of course--the third launch of ULA's Vulcan rocket, Artemis 2 lunar flyby updates, Virgin Galactic's new spaceplane (can they ever make a profit?), a proposed Pluto orbiter--with a planned mission of 50 years--and much more, on This Week in Space!
Headlines:
Remembering Apollo 13's Jim Lovell

ULA's Vulcan Rocket Hits New Milestone With Powerful Launch

Could Juno Chase an Interstellar Visitor?

NASA Eyes Pluto Orbiter Mission Persephone

Virgin Galactic Preps Next-Gen Delta Spaceplane

Strange "Helmet" Rock Spotted on Mars

Artemis II Orion Capsule Fuels Up for 2026 Launch

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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

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1 hr 3 min
August 08, 2025TWiS 172: Earth on Mars - Terraforming the Red Planet
If we're ever to make Mars a second home, we have some serious housekeeping to do... as in a total renovation. The Red Planet has little atmosphere, no radiation shielding, and some seriously toxic soil. How can we make it more Earthlike... and should we? Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis joins us to discuss how terraforming might work, how it could be done in decades instead of millennia, and the questions surrounding the ethics of changing another planet to suit humanity's needs. We say it's a trailer park of a planet, but the best bet for human expansion. Dr. Rick Jenet is this week's co-host. Join us for the conversation!
Headlines:
NASA aims to place a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, competing with China's similar plans for the Moon.

NASA's planned commercial space stations are facing delays. As ISS retirement nears, the U.S. risks losing its foothold in low-Earth orbit within the coming years.

SpaceX hits 100 launches in 2025, dominating global orbital launch activity and enabling rapid rocket reuse.
Main Topic: High-Speed Terraforming of Mars
Guest Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis shares new, biotech-driven concepts for terraforming Mars much faster than traditional proposals.

Dr. DeBenedictis shares a modern understanding of Mars' past and present environment, including radiation, toxic perchlorate-laced soil, and thin atmosphere.

Discussion on the importance and challenges of Mars Sample Return for accurate soil and resource analysis.

Modern synthetic biology as a tool for creating microbes tailored for Martian soil and future terraforming.

A step-by-step outline by Dr. DeBenedictis on building a breathable Mars atmosphere via engineered photosynthetic microbes, engineered atmospheric warming, and greenhouse construction.

Exploration of the ethical considerations and philosophical implications of turning Mars into a habitable "garden," weighing preservation versus transformation.

Dr. DeBenedictis makes a case for Martian settlement, terraforming technology, and legal and resource challenges for commercial space expansion.

And Dr. DeBenedictis' vision for Mars' future as a unique, partially Earth-like biosphere with new opportunities in planetary stewardship and human adaptation of the planet.

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

Guest: Dr. Erika Alden DeBenedictis

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

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1 hr 5 min
August 01, 2025TWiS 171: What's an UNOOSA? - Rick Jenet, the National Space Society, and the UN
The United Nations has mediated conflicts since its founding in 1945. That domain of involvement extended into space in 1967 with the Outer Space Treaty. Today, their role is increasingly active with more and more nations entering space and the private sector getting into the game. The US's space-related branches, UNOOSA (the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs) and COPUOUS (UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space), are busy. Many years ago, the National Space Society gained permanent UN observer status, which is much less passive than the name sounds. The organization has addressed the committees on more than one occasion and is working to influence the policy for space flight positively. Dr. Rick Jenet has been instrumental in these efforts and joins us in explaining the landscape of newspace, international space efforts, and the organization's future initiatives.
Headline
Space Shuttle Discovery Controversy: Rod and Isaac discuss the proposed $85 million move of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, plan that faces obstacles from the Smithsonian, which holds the rights to the shuttle.
Main Topic: UNOOSA & Dr. Rick Jenet
The National Space Society's UN Observer Status: Dr. Jenet explains that the NSS gained permanent observer status at the UN in 2001. The NSS uses this privilege to inform delegates by providing research and presentations.

UNOOSA and COPUOS Explained: Dr. Jenet clarifies that UNOOSA organizes the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). While UNOOSA maintains a registry of space objects, COPUOS is the body of 104 member states that develops legal frameworks.

Outer Space Treaty of 1967: Dr. Jenet talks about the Outer Space Treaty, a global treaty dating back to the Cold War era that governs how state actors behave in space. He that the treaty's language on property ownership is being re-examined due to the rise of commercial space activities.

Space Traffic Management and Orbital Debris: Dr. Jenet highlights that discussions on space traffic management and orbital debris are in their early stages. These discussions focus on basic tenets like coordination and information sharing.

Lunar Activities and Resource Utilization: The development of policies for lunar exploration and resource extraction is also an area of new activity. UNOOSA's "Action Team for Lunar Activities Consultation," with co-chairs from Romania and Pakistan, coordinates the future of humanity's return to the moon by aligning different national initiatives.

The "Regulation Sandbox" Concept: Dr. Jenet discusses the "regulation sandbox" concept, where existing regulations for an area with commercial potential, for example a lunar ice deposit, are set aside for a limited time to allow a new set of rules to be tested. This concept could be applied more boradly to space launch or ISRU.

Why the Public Should Care: Dr. Jenet emphasizes that the public should care about these efforts because these high-level discussions will lead to international laws governing the behavior of all actors in space, including private companies and entrepreneurs. Early awareness of these frameworks will be less painful for startups later on.

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/171

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Isaac Arthur

Guest: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet
57 min
July 25, 2025TWiS 170: Atomic Space Batteries! - Dr. Robert O'Brien of USRA
Powering spacecraft, especially out in the dark, cold outer solar system, is a huge challenge. There are limits to how large solar panels can be, and they are not very efficient in the weak sunlight beyond Mars. For decades, choice flagship NASA missions have used RTGs--radioisotope thermoelectric generators--to fill this need. From the experiments on the Apollo missions to the Viking Mars landers, Galileo to Jupiter, Cassini to Saturn, and the twin Voyagers, RTGs have provided decades of power for space exploration. From Plutonium to Americium, nuclear elements provide years and years of heat that can be converted into electricity. Dr. Rob O'Brien is the Director of the Center for Space Nuclear Research for the Universities Space Research Association and has specialized in RTGs for decades. It's a fascinating dive into atomic space batteries!
Headlines
The End of the Universe is Nigh (in 33 Billion Years): New dark matter discoveries suggest an earlier end to the universe, leading to a humorous discussion about bucket list items.

August 2nd "Solar Eclipse": Rumors of an August 2nd, 2025, total solar eclipse are false; the next one on that date is in 2027 that won't darken the entire world, but will be the longest one of the century.

Mother Earth 2.0 (L98-59f): Discussion of exoplanet L98-59f, 35 light-years away, and its potential habitability despite orbiting a red dwarf with a 23-day year.

NASA Budget Concerns: Senate and House pushback against proposed cuts to NASA's 2026 science mission budget is discussed, with calls to preserve vital research.

Mass Exodus at NASA: Senior NASA staff, including scientists and engineers, are reportedly leaving due to budget cuts, raising concerns about future capabilities.
Main Topic - Dr. Robert O'Brien & RTGs (Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators)
Understanding RTGs: Dr. O'Brien explains RTGs convert heat from radioactive decay into electricity using the Seebeck effect.

Early Use of RTGs in Space: The first US public RTG demonstration was on President Eisenhower's desk, and the first space use was the US Navy's Transit 4A satellite in 1961.

RTGs on Mars and Deep Space Missions: RTGs power Mars landers and rovers (Viking, Curiosity, Perseverance), and deep space missions like Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini, providing long-term power in harsh environments.

Fission Reactors vs. RTGs: RTGs suit small systems and backup power, while fission reactors are better for high-power needs of human expeditions.

Plutonium-238 Production Challenges: The scarcity of plutonium-238 is due to its production requiring nuclear reactors and past moratoriums on reprocessing.

Americium-241 as an Alternative: Americium-241, abundant in spent fuel and now accessible due to lifted moratoriums on reprocessing, is a viable alternative for powering missions despite lower energy density.

Americium in Smoke Detectors and Safety: Americium's safe use in smoke detectors is highlighted, while acknowledging the hazards of working with nuclear materials.

Public Perception and RTG Safety: Discussion covers historical atomic energy perceptions, from early toys to environmental concerns, emphasizing rigorous engineering and safety measures like ablative and impact-resistant casings for RTGs.

Recovery of

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/170

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Robert O'Brien
1 hr 9 min
July 18, 2025TWiS 169: The Day Mars Died - 60th Anniversary of Mariner 4
Sixty years ago this week, the Mariner 4 probe sped past Mars, the first to succeed in this then-brash undertaking. The technology was unbelievably primitive, yet effective, sending back 22 low-resolution video frames of the Red Planet. On that day, the wee hours of July 15 at JPL in Pasadena, the Mars of the romantics died. What had long been viewed as a slightly colder, somewhat drier, near-twin of Earth ended up having just a trace of an atmosphere and looked more like the moon--bone dry and pummelled by craters. Rob Manning, JPL's Chief Engineer Emeritus, joins us for this look back at that mission and the first images returned of another planet from space.
Headlines
Apollo-Soyuz 50th Anniversary: Rod and Tariq marked 50 years since the historic Apollo-Soyuz docking, a significant event for international cooperation in space.

Starliner: Boeing's Starliner won't fly again until early 2026, with good odds that it will be an uncrewed flight.

Mars Meteorite on Earth: Tariq shared his awe-inspiring experience viewing the largest piece of Mars on Earth, a 54-pound meteorite discovered in 2023 that recently sold for $5.3 million.
Main Topic - The 60th Anniversary of Mariner 4
Rob Manning, JPL Chief Engineer Emeritus: Rob Manning joins the host to discuss his extensive career working on most of NASA's Mars missions.

Mariner 4's 60th Anniversary: The show's discussion highlighted the 60th anniversary of Mariner 4, which was America's first successful spacecraft to Mars.

The "Death" of Mars: Mariner 4's images shattered romantic notions of Mars, revealing a cratered, arid planet with a thin atmosphere.

Mariner 4's Camera Technology: Rob Manning detailed the technical challenges involved in adding a Vidicon tube TV camera to Mariner 4, emphasizing the difficulties in managing data size and ensuring functionality in space.

Hand-Colored Mars Image: Scientists famously hand-colored Mariner 4's first black and white digital image.

Mariner 4 Scientific Discoveries: Key scientific findings from Mariner 4 included the discovery of Mars' extremely thin atmosphere, roughly 1% the density of Earth's, and the absence of a strong global magnetic field.

Challenges of Martian Landings: Rob underscores the extreme difficulty of landing on Mars due to its thin atmosphere, which rendered early concepts like glider landings impractical and dangerous.

Legacy of John Casani: Rob praises the recently passed John Casani, Mariner 4's manager, for his pivotal role in advocating for the camera's inclusion and inspiring innovation at JPL.

"Properly Paranoid" Approach: Rob discussed the concept of being "properly paranoid" in space engineering, stressing the importance of meticulous testing and proactive risk mitigation for high-stakes missions.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Rob Manning

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

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1 hr 19 min
July 11, 2025TWiS 168: "Survivor: NASA" - And Other Space News
Welcome to the "Survivor: NASA" edition! This week, Tariq and Rod jump into the headlines, and boy are there a lot of them! NASA has a new interim administrator: former Congress member, reality TV star, and Fox News commentator Sean Duffy. NASA's budget may still be cut by 25%, or it might be increased to more than they have seen since the 1960s in adjusted dollars. At the same time, NASA is under orders to cut as many as 2000 mostly senior-level positions, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory could be headed for new management, and will Houston be able to grab the Smithsonian's space shuttle as specified in the Big Beautiful Bill? Join us and find out!
Headlines
NASA Budget Battles: Rod and Tariq delved into the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill regarding NASA's budget, with the Senate seeking more funding than the Trump administration's proposed cuts.

Trump Administration's NASA Policies: They discussed the perplexing approach of the Trump White House, which initiated the Artemis lunar program but simultaneously proposed significant budget reductions.

New Interim NASA Administrator: The surprising appointment of Sean Duffy, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, as the new interim NASA Administrator was a key topic, prompting questions about his background and suitability, as well as the ability to run two departments at once--each of which requires great attention.

Mass Exodus of NASA Senior Staff: A Politico report highlighted that over 2,000 senior-level employees are leaving NASA due to job cuts and early retirements, raising concerns about a brain drain.

JPL Management Review: Concern over a review of JPL's management by Caltech, which has historically operated the center, potentially impacting its unique culture.

Controversial Space Shuttle Discovery Move: The "Big Beautiful Bill" included an $85 million allocation to move space shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian to Houston, a plan met with skepticism regarding logistics and cost.

Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas: The discovery of 3I/Atlas, the third interstellar object identified in our solar system, was discussed, with early data suggesting it's an ancient, water-ice-rich comet, possibly much older than the solar system.

Vera Rubin Telescope and Interstellar Object Research: The new Vera Rubin Telescope is already making significant discoveries, including 2,000 new asteroids in just three weeks, and is investigating 3I/Atlas.

No Pacific Rocket Landing Pads: The Air Force has decided to cancel plans for experimental rocket landing pads on Johnston Atoll in the Central Pacific, citing environmental concerns.

Supreme Court Decision on Government Firings: A recent Supreme Court decision has broadened the Trump administration's ability to conduct mass firings of government contractors and federal employees.

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) Update: The private Axiom-4 mission, commanded by Peggy Whitson and carrying India's first astronaut to the ISS, is scheduled to undock soon.

Starliner 1 to be Cargo-Only Flight: Reports from Space News indicate that Boeing's Starliner 1 flight, now slated for early 2026, might be configured as a cargo-only mission.

James Webb Space Telescope's Third Anniversary: The James Webb Space Telescope is celebrating its third year

These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/168

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
1 hr 9 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.