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This Week in Space (Audio)

TWiT 10 Episodes Jul 24, 2026

This Week in Space explores the new space age with hosts Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik. Each Friday, they discuss the latest news and developments in space exploration, from rocket launches to cosmic discoveries. The podcast is part of the TWiT network and offers ad-free options for subscribers.

Episodes

TWiS 220: First on Mars - The 50th Anniversary of Viking 1 Jul 24, 2026 1:16:43 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 revi

TWiS 219: SpaceX Goes to War! - And Other Space Headlines Jul 17, 2026 1:13:22 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 N

TWiS 218: Which Way to the Moonbase? - With Dr. Pascal Lee Jul 10, 2026 1:10:52 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

TWiS 217: America in Space - 250 Years of Bold Firsts & Our Favorite Missions! Jul 3, 2026 1:18:05 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

TWiS 216: Dark Matter Intelligence - With Physicist Dr. Daniel Whiteson Jun 26, 2026 1:10:55 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 difficu

TWiS 215: Disclosure Day - With Dr. David Brin Jun 19, 2026 1:06:22 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

TWiS 214: Moon Man - With Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine Jun 12, 2026 1:09:08 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 he

TWiS 213: Live From ISDC With Gerry Griffin - NASA Flight Director Breaks Down the Realities of Spaceflight Jun 5, 2026 1:22:34 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

TWiS 212: Kabooms, Starship, and a Moon Base - What New Glenn's Explosion Means for NASA's Moon Base May 29, 2026 1:02:33 What a wild week in space news! We were all set to discuss Starship Test Flight 12 and NASA's recent press conference updating their lunar base plans, when on Thursday night, Blue Origin lost a New Glenn rocket on the pad during a static test. The explosion appears to have severely damaged the launch structure, LC36, along with the loss of the rocket. Fortunately, there were no casualties. But th

TWiS 211: Oysters in Space - With Jacob Scoccimerra of Monolith Space May 22, 2026 1:08:58 When one ponders the diet of Mars-bound astonauts, oysters don't often come to mind... but they should. As it turns out, the plucky bivalves have much to offer space voyagers, including water filtration and a ready source of protein. Jacob Scoccimerra, formerly of Nanoracks and now with Monolith Space, initiated a research project with students from the Harrisburg University of Science and Techno

This Week in Space (Audio)

Episodes

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