This week's episode is devoted to the flight of Artemis II. From the spectacular, on-time launch to the lunar flyby to reentry preparation, we chart all the major events of the mission. Some are technical and scientific--the interest in the small meteoritic impacts on the lunar farside and the spectacular solar eclipse witnessed by the crew—and some are more human interest, such as the messages to the crew from Apollo moonwalker Charlie Duke and the posthumous message from Apollo 8/13 astronaut Jim Lovell, to the very emotional moment where the crew named a crater after Reid Wiseman's recently deceased wife, Carroll. It's a humdinger of a show packed with facts and relevant discussion. Join us!

Main Topic: The Artemis II Mission

• Rod & Tariq Share Launch Site and Newsroom Experiences
• Spacecraft Amenities: The Ongoing Space Toilet Saga
• On-the-Ground Reporting at Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers
• Inside the Orion Capsule: Size, Crew Life, and Design
• Spectacular Launch: Countdown, Liftoff, and Astronaut Impressions
• Cameras and Tech: Photo Gear and Laser Communications on Artemis 2
• Smoothest Crewed Launch Beyond Earth Orbit in Over 50 Years
• Life Aboard Orion: Living Space, Exercise, and Hygiene Challenges
• Emotional Moments: Naming Lunar Craters and Tribute to Crew Family
• Wakeup Calls from Apollo Astronauts—Legacy Meets Next Generation
• Crew Lunar Flyby: Scientific Observations and Lunar Impact Flashes
• Capturing Rare Sights: Earthset, Night Views, and Eclipses from Moon Orbit
• Presidential Call: Communications Hiccups and Political Overtones
• Return and Splashdown: Heat Shield Concerns, Recovery Procedures, and Records Set
• Reflections on Budget Constraints, Press Facilities, and NASA Operations

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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We've seen NASA go through a lot of drama this year, and recently, some remarkable changes have been announced under the new administrator, Jared Isaacman. We're taking a deep dive into what's changed, what's the same, and what to expect. But first: Tariq and Rod are in Houston monitoring the Artemis 2 mission, which launched flawlessly on Wednesday. It's been a thrill since launch day, which Tariq saw in Florida, and shows no sign of slowing. We're bringing it to you from the field, so strap on in and join us!

Headlines:

• Artemis 2 Launched This Week!
• Challenges Hit Artemis 2 After Launch: Toilet Problems and Personal Computing Issues
• Artemis 2 Crew Prepares for Lunar Flyby and Science Activities
• NASA Faces Another Budget Cut for 2027

Main Topic: New NASA, Artemis Overhauls, and Future Missions

• NASA Reshuffles Artemis 3–5: Landings Delayed, Missions Reassigned
• SLS Development Locked; Vulcan Centaur 5 Upper Stage Selected
• Aggressive Timeline for 29 Moon Missions and 22 Landings in Next Decade
• Push for Moon Bases by 2032 with $20 Billion Investment
• Gateway Lunar Station Put on Ice; Hardware Repurposed for Moon Base and Mars
• Surprise Nuclear-Powered Mars Mission Announced for 2028
• New Mars Helicopter Fleet to Debut as Part of Skyfall Payload
• Shift Away from Private Space Stations; NASA to Build New Core Module
• NASA Workforce Hit by Layoffs, Launches New NASA Force Hiring Initiative
• Geopolitics, China's Role, and Space Race 2.0 Narrative

(Video of Artemis 2 Launch Courtesy of Space.com)

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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Many suggest there is a new space race afoot, this time between the US and China. We've also seen that America seems to be at its best in innovation and achievement when challenged by some external force. Will the Chinese human lunar program light the fuse of American innovation and accomplishment when it comes to our lagging lunar program and other spaceflight initiatives? Dr. Namrata Goswami of Johns Hopkins University joins us to examine the intricacies of potential threats to American leadership in space and the possible outcomes. Who will be first to land astronauts on the moon? Does it really matter? Who controls what regions of the moon? Will cislunar space be contested between major space powers? This and much more in this episode of This Week in Space.

Headlines:

• Artemis 2 Mission Nears Launch, Astronauts Arrive at Kennedy Space Center
• Stunning New Images of Saturn Released from Webb and Hubble Telescopes
• "For All Mankind" Renewed for Sixth and Final Season
• Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Clears Vibration Test, Launch Date Set

Main Topic: U.S.-China Competition and Global Ambitions in Space

• Dr. Namrata Goswami Explains the Evolution of the New Space Race
• China's Strategic, Economic, and Cultural Goals for Lunar Exploration
• Comparison of U.S. and Chinese Approaches to Public Messaging and Program Identity
• The Role of the Artemis Accords vs. China's International Lunar Research Station Partnerships
• The Legal and Political Implications of Lunar Safety and Exclusion Zones
• Space Force's Emerging Role in Cislunar Security and Commerce
• Increasing Global Participation: India, Japan, and Developing Nations Expand Space Competition
• Impact of Lunar "Real Estate" and Resource Maps on International Strategies

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Namrata Goswami

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We've waited, and we've waited, and it looks like Artemis 2 might be ready to go in early April! It's moved back to the launch pad, LC-39B, and will begin preparations for a launch as early as April 1. There will be no wet-dress rehearsal this time — associate administrator Lori Glaze said in a recent press conference that once they fuel successfully, she just wants to go to launch. The crew of Artemis 2 will soon arrive at KSC for pre-launch quarantine, as will Tariq, who will be covering the launch. We invited Mike Wall, the spaceflight and tech editor at Space.com, back to the show to bring us up to date on all the latest Artemis news.

Headlines:

• Blue Origin and NASA Team Up to Hunt Earth-Threatening Asteroids
• Rocket Lab Nabs $190 Million for 20 Hypersonic Test Launches
• Spring Equinox Arrives with Northern Lights Potential
• Sun Gun Orbital Mirrors Spark Debate on Utility and Security

Main Topic: Artemis II Launch Update

• Rollout and Status of Artemis II: Delays, Rocket Issues, and Launch Windows
• Comparing Artemis II Trajectory to Apollo 8 and Apollo 13
• Solar Activity Risks for Artemis Astronauts Discussed
• Shake-Up in Artemis Program: Artemis III Will Perform Docking Tests with Lunar Landers
• Blue Origin vs SpaceX: Moon Lander Progress and Readiness
• Gateway Lunar Station Uncertainty and International Partnerships
• Challenges with Refueling Starship and Lander Logistics
• Legislative Moves Toward a Permanent Moon Base
• What to Watch for Ahead of Artemis II—Final Checks and Go/No-Go Signs

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Mike Wall

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When most people think about deep space exploration, management acumen is generally not the first thing they settle on—but without it, no robotic mission would ever succeed. This week we are joined by Jay Gallentine, author of multiple books on the robotic exploration of space. Each of these tomes is a somewhat of a masterpiece; a deep dive into a topic that few explore in such detail. His newest book, "Born to Explore," started off as a book about robots exploring Mars, but his interviews with former JPL manager John Casani was so compelling that he transformed it into a biography. John Casani is a legend at JPL and NASA, and his story reads like a combination of a spaceflight adventure, personal memoir, and a pirate's tale. You'll love the book, and you'll love hearing about it from Jay. Join us!

Headlines:

• Artemis II Sets April 1st Launch Date Amid Technical Fixes
• NASA Discusses Risks and Media Reactions Around Artemis II Mission Breifing
• OIG Report Reveals Delays and Issues with Artemis Moon Landers
• NASA's Human Landing System Development Faces Setbacks
• Blue Origin and SpaceX Landers Compared for Progress and Outlook
• Starship's Next Launch and Orbital Refueling Plans Delayed Again

Main Topic: Jay Gallantine on His Book, Born to Explore, and John Casani's NASA Legacy

• Jay Gallantine Shares Origins of His Space Research and Writing Career
• Unpacking John Casani's Crucial Role at JPL and Mission Leadership
• Casani's Unique Team-Building Tactics and the Legendary Goat Story
• Galileo Mission's Hurdles, Constant Redesigns, and Casani's Problem-Solving
• Budget Cuts and Hard Choices on Casini Mission Management
• How Casani's Leadership and Philosophy Shaped NASA Spacecraft Teams
• Sneak Peek: Gallantine's Upcoming Book on the Evolution of Mars Rovers

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Jay Gallentine

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It's our 200th episode, our annual listener special! We took your comments, suggestions, advice, and insults and wove them into a rollicking, fun-filled hour of mishaps, mayhem, and mirth! Plus space headlines and a whole passel of your space jokes! This is a fun one, so don't be shy—join us!

Headlines:

• NASA's Artemis Program Unveils New Details and Updates
• Moon Safe from Asteroid 2024 YR4 in 2032
• NASA Launches "NASA Force" Hiring Initiative Led by Jared Isaacman
• MAVEN Orbiter at Mars Faces Potential Loss—Latest Status Update
• Total Lunar Eclipse Marks Last Sight Until 2029

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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In this age of rapidly advancing AI and robotic technology, do we still need to send humans into space? The argument has long been that people can do things better and faster off-Earth, but the changing face of robotic tech has some feeling otherwise. This week's guest is a returning friend of the show, Dr. Pascal Lee, who has thoughts on how and when robots may perform better--and more safely--than humans in space, and then, of course, Tariq and I worry about how our mechanical masters might take our place in the cosmos. Pascal also reports on his recent experience with the National Academies' report on the human exploration of Mars. Join us!

Headlines:

• NASA Unveils Major Overhaul to Artemis Lunar Program, With Arrtemis II & III Facing Delays and a Shift in the Lunar Landing Timeline.
• Mike Fincke Revealed as Astronaut Medically Evacuated from ISS

Main Topic: First Steps for the Human Exploration of Mars

• National Academies Report Identifies Top Mars Science Priorities for Astronauts, With the Search for Life on Mars Ranked as the Highest Scientific Priority
• Strategies Debated: Shorter Missions vs. Building Lasting Mars Infrastructure
• Call for Focused Mars Surface Lab to Maximize Science Returns
• Discussion of Sample Return, Planetary Protection, and Evolving AI/Robotics/Human Partnerships
• Debate Over Long-Term Human Settlement on Mars Versus Robotic and Cyborg Exploration
• Implications of Rapid Progress in Humanoid Robotics and AI for the Future of Space Exploration

Also, Rod and Tariq are celebrating their 200th episode of This Week in Space and are hosting an Ask Us Anything (AUA) episode! Get your questions ready and send them to [email protected] for Rod and Tariq to answer them!

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Pascal Lee

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One of the most exciting missions to ever journey to the outer solar system has the be the Dragonfly multi-rotor helicopter that will head to Saturn's moon Titan in 2028. The car-sized probe will arrive at that strange, frozen world in 2034, descending into the soupy, smoggy atmosphere and then taking flight before it even touches the ground! We spoke with the mission's Principal Investigator, Dr. Elizabeth "Zibi" Turtle, about the mission's origins, current progress, and what to expect in the coming years. She also took us through a narrated tour of the surface of Titan, with its hydrocarbon sand dunes and methane seas. The Dragonfly mission will be an adventure of a lifetime!

Headlines:

• NASA's Artemis II Moon Rocket Aces New Fueling Test
• Boeing Starliner is Rated a "Type A" Mishap and Faces More Launch Delays
• Perseverance Rover Gets Instant Mars GPS-like Functionality

Main Topic: NASA's Dragonfly Mission to Titan

• Dr. Elizabeth Turtle explains Dragonfly's origins and mission concept
• Why Titan is unique and somewhat akin to the primordial Earth, perfect for exploring prebiotic chemistry
• Dragonfly's advanced science suite and autonomous flying capability
• Insights from the Cassini/Huygens missions and how they are shaping Dragonfly
• Navigation, flight strategy, and safety planning for Titan's harsh environment
• Power, heating, and longevity on Titan's freezing surface
• Titan's dune landscape, flying conditions, and analogs to Earth
• Big scientific questions: methane cycle, atmospheric mysteries, and potential surprises
• Mission timeline, lander design, and the innovative "fly-as-you-land" arrival approach

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Turtle

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Most people don't think of spaceflight when talking about the United Nations, but the UN, through its Office of Outer Space Affairs, or UNOOSA, has been pivotal in securing agreements on space poilicy and behavioral norms. This week, we speak with Aarti Holla-Maini, the director of UNOOSA, and Dr. Rick Jenet, the executive director of Expanding Frontiers and the National Space Society's representative to the UN, about the importance of this office. It's a wide-ranging discussion of the intersection of international space efforts and the intersection with commercial space as we expand activities into Earth orbit, the moon, and beyond.

Headlines:

• SpaceX Crew-12 Launch Sends New Astronauts to the ISS
• Vast Joins Commercial Flights to the ISS, Prepares for Private Space Stations
• Axiom, Voyager, and Vast Face Off in Commercial LEO Station Race
• International Collaboration Ramps Up for Future of Space Policy

Main Topic: Inside UNOOSA—The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

• Dr. Rick Janet Explains the Role of COPUOS and UNOOSA in Global Space Governance
• Aarti Holla-Maini Shares Her Path to Leading UNOOSA and Her Vision for Its Future
• Distinguishing UNOOSA (the office) from COPUOS (the committee)
• UNOOSA's Expanding Mission: Capacity Building, Disaster Response, Space Law, and Sustainability
• The Importance of Neutral Convening, Capacity Building, and Industry Input
• Growing Need for Space Sustainability, Debris Mitigation, and New Regulatory Focus
• Anticipating Lunar Activity: Resource Use, Transparency, and Non-Appropriation Principle
• Engaging Commercial Space Actors While Maintaining Member State Authority
• Megaconstellations: Building New Norms for Responsible Behavior in Orbit
• Future UNOOSA Goals: Coordinating Space Traffic, Centralizing Satellite Data Access, and Fostering Global Partnerships

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guests: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet and Aarti Holla-Maini

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It is widely accepted that over time, humanity will need to expand its presence into the solar system. What are the challenges? Well, space and our nearby worlds have proved to be a much greater challenge than we had long thought. While the rigors of zero-g have been well researched on the International Space Station, the challenges of living in lower gravity, such as that found on the moon and Mars, has not yet been explored. And human reproduction in space, along with genetic challenges, is a complete unknown. Rice University professor and researcher Scott Solomon joins us to explore these topics in depth, and to posit possible solutions.

Headlines:

• Artemis 2 Moon Launch Faces More Delays Due to Hydrogen Leaks
• Perseverance Rover on Mars Completes First Fully AI-Driven Journey
• Study Warns of Urgent Need to Research Human Reproduction in Space

Main Topic: Becoming Martian – What It Would Take for Humans to Thrive on Mars

• Biological impacts of space and Martian environments on the human body
• Gaps in research about human reproduction, growth, and development in space and partial gravity
• Ethical, social, and medical challenges of having children beyond Earth
• The complexities of transplanting Earth's ecosystems, microbiomes, and the risk of disruptive species
• Evolutionary changes and the likely divergence of human populations living long-term off-Earth
• Considerations around modifying humans versus modifying extraterrestrial environments
• Infectious disease threats and dwindling biological immunity for space settlers
• Psychological, cultural, and population dynamics for future interplanetary communities

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Scott Solomon

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