This Week in Space (Audio)

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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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

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

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Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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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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