This Week in Space (Audio)

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

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

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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.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!

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

Sponsor:
trustedtech.team/twit

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. Poilitical 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 cointries, 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 fasincating 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.

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!

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

Sponsor:
trustedtech.team/twit

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

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

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!

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

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

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

Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts!

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