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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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

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

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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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