This Week in Space (Audio)

This week's episode is devoted to the flight of Artemis 2. 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 spectacul solar eclsipse 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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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

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

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