This Week in Space (Audio) – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

This Week in Space (Audio)

TWiT

Science

Technology

Frequency: 1 episode/7d. Total Eps: 10

The new space age is upon us, and This Week in Space leaves no topic untouched. Every Friday, join Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine, Rod Pyle and Managing Editor of Space.com, Tariq Malik as they explore everything related to the cosmos. You can join Club TWiT for $10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for $5 per month. New episodes posted every Friday.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

No recent rankings available

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://twit.tv/clubtwit
20 shares
https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space
20 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 63%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

TWiS 214: Moon Man - With Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine

Episode 214

Friday, June 12, 2026 • Duration 01:09:08

There are NASA Administrators, and then there are NASA Administrators—all are very accomplished individuals, but some stand out for their unique backgrounds and on-the-job successes, and Jim Bridenstine is one of the latter. Entering service as the new NASA Administrator in 2017 with a background as a Navy pilot, Congressman, and museum director, he was an unconventional choice, and faced some headwinds in the appointment—but Jim turned out to be exceptional in the job, especially given the state of NASA when he took it on. Join us to hear his experiences with our favorite space agency and what he's doing today.

Headlines:

SpaceX Shatters Records with Largest IPO Ever
NASA Faces Backlash Over Artemis 3 Diversity
Scientists Propose Magnetosphere Shield Against Solar Storms

Main Topic: Jim Bridenstine & Quantum Space

Jim Bridenstine's Unconventional Path to NASA Leadership
Overcoming Political Challenges as NASA Administrator
Launch and Evolution of the Artemis Moon Program
Securing Bipartisan Support and Budget for Artemis
Reflections on Artemis 2 Success and Artemis 3's Challenges
The Need for a Robust Lunar Lander Solution
NASA's Global Influence and Soft Power
The Role of Private Investment in Space Exploration
Bridenstine's Leadership at Quantum Space
Quantum Space's Ranger Spacecraft and Military Space Tech
National Security and Distributed Satellite Architectures
Small Satellites and Future Space Warfare
Quantum Space's Move to Go Public via SPAC
Vision for Moon Bases and Lunar Resource Utilization
Geopolitics of the New Moon Race and First Mover Advantage
Quantum Space's Ambitions in Cislunar and Lunar Operations

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Jim Bridenstine

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:

threatlocker.com/twit

Read moreCollapse

TWiS 216: Dark Matter Intelligence - With Physicist Dr. Daniel Whiteson

Episode 216

Friday, June 26, 2026 • Duration 01:10:55

We've had endless conversations about aliens and first contact--but what if a conversation with other intelligences is beyond our scope? Dr. Daniel Whiteson, particle physicist at CERN's Large Hadron Collider and professor at UC Irvine, joins us to explore less conventional thoughts on first contact. We look at the challenges of communicating with extraterrestrial intelligences, potential difficulties of communicating via non-terrestrial mathematics and physics, and the possibility that extraterrestrials might actually be terrestrial... but existing as denizens of the dark energy universe. One might be sitting in your lap right now! Join us for the far-ranging discussion.

Headlines:

Boeing's Troubled Starliner Spacecraft Faces Further Setbacks and Delays
NASA Perseverance Rover Finds Promising Clues of Ancient Life on Mars
NASA Space Telescope Faces Fiery Descent, Mission Planned to Save It

Main Topic: Dark Matter, Particle Physics, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

UC Irvine's Dr. Daniel Whiteson Discusses Path into Space Science and Particle Physics
Exploring Nontraditional Signals for Alien Communication Beyond Radio Waves
The Mystery of Ultra-High Energy Particles and Speculation on Artificial Cosmic Rays
Challenges of Detecting, Interpreting, and Interacting with Alien Intelligence
Implications of Dark Matter for Hidden Civilizations and Parallel Existence
Complexities in Communicating with Truly Alien Life and Human-Centric Scientific Assumptions

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Daniel Whiteson

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

TWiS 215: Disclosure Day - With Dr. David Brin

Episode 215

Friday, June 19, 2026 • Duration 01:06:22

If you've seen "Disclosure Day" or "Age of Disclosure," you're going to want to join us for this fascinating discussion with famed bestselling sci-fi/sci-fact author Dr. David Brin. Long known for his universe-spanning visions, storytelling skills, and occasionally contrarian viewpoints, this episode will not disappoint! Our discussion ranged from reactions to Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" to why people believe in AI and more. This week's guest co-host is ace science journalist Susan Karlin.

Headlines:

Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" Premieres to Mixed Reviews
Alien Lore and the Evolution of Sci-Fi Tropes
Comparing Modern and Classic Alien Invasion Films
NASA's NIAC Program and Cutting-Edge Space Concepts
UFO Conspiracies and Cultural Obsessions

Main Topic: Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" and the Alien Narrative

Film critiques: Plot, character arcs, and visual effects
Overused tropes in government conspiracy stories
Modern alien movies compared to classics like Independence Day and Close Encounters
Recurring alien mythologies and sci-fi's role in cultural reflection
Exploration of why UFO conspiracy theories persist
Insights from David Brin on skepticism, evidence, and hidden truths
Connections drawn between UFO lore and folklore about elves and fairies
Examination of AI's parallels to alien encounters, danger, and self-accountability

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Susan Karlin

Guest: Dr. David Brin

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

TWiS 217: America in Space - 250 Years of Bold Firsts & Our Favorite Missions!

Episode 217

Friday, July 3, 2026 • Duration 01:18:05

Since 1958, the United States has been part of the spaceflight adventure, and since the mid-1960s has led in just about any category that counts. In this episode, we discuss the progression of American space efforts, review which flights launched or landed on July 4, and relive some of our very favorite US space missions of all time!

"Headlines:
• NASA's Swift Boost Mission Aims to Rescue Swift Space Telescope
• Astronomer Avi Loeb Tapped to Chair White House UAP Panel
• Celebrating 30 Years of the Film Independence Day

Main Topic: 250 Years of America in Space
• American Flags Across the Solar System
• Origins of the Space Age: Operation Paperclip and the V2 Legacy
• Explorer 1 and Early U.S. Satellite Achievements
• Mariner and Viking Missions: Mars Exploration Milestones
• Key American Firsts in Human Spaceflight
• Apollo Landings and Moonwalk Milestones
• Skylab and Its Legacy as America's First Space Station
• The Rise of Reusable Rockets: Space Shuttle, Blue Origin, and SpaceX
• Private Spaceflight and Tourism: From Dennis Tito to Jared Isaacman
• Curiosity, Pathfinder, and Other Mars Rovers as Iconic U.S. Achievements
• Reflections on Favorite Missions and the Future of U.S. Space Leadership"

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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

TWiS 218: Which Way to the Moonbase? - With Dr. Pascal Lee

Episode 218

Friday, July 10, 2026 • Duration 01:10:52

We've been hearing a lot about NASA's new moonbase plans, and they are ambitious. Starting with Artemis V (so far), the US plans to begin preparations for a permanent base situated in the south polar regions of the moon. Details are somewhat fluid, but one thing stands out: the poles are likely to be the most challenging places to set up shop in an already hostile environment. Planetary scientist Dr. Pascal Lee joins us to discuss moonbase siting options and why the poles may not be the best choice at first.

Headlines:

China Demonstrates Impressive Rocket Landing and Catch Mechanism
New Horizons Probe Awakens to Transmit Deep Space Data
Wally Funk, Last of the "Mercury 13," Passes Away
West Coast Rocket Launch Alert: SpaceX Falcon 9 Visual Spectacle

Main Topic: Moon Base Strategy and Location Debate

History and Evolution of U.S. Moon Base Plans
NASA's New Multi-Phase Moon Base Timeline and Missions
Strategic and Logistical Challenges of South Pole Moon Bases
Arguments for a Centralized, Benign Location for Moon Infrastructure
Commercial and International Partnership Models for Lunar Operations
Role of Robotics and AI in Moon Exploration and Prospecting
Lessons from Antarctic Base Logistics Applied to the Moon
Potential for Tourism and Commercial Development on the Lunar Surface

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Pascal Lee

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 video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today:

TWiS 220: First on Mars - The 50th Anniversary of Viking 1

Episode 220

Friday, July 24, 2026 • Duration 01:16:43

This week, we cover how Starship Flight 13 finally prepares to launch amid a legal battle over SpaceX's proposed land swap at Starbase, plus a Chinese Long March 3B rocket gets struck by lightning during liftoff, yet still delivers its satellite safely. Then, guests Dr. Pascal Lee and astrobiologist Dr. Penny Boston join the show to mark the 50th anniversary of Viking 1's landing on Mars and revisit the mission's groundbreaking life-detection experiments and the decades-long controversy over what they actually found. The conversation traces Mars exploration from the earliest Mariner flybys through Viking's ambiguous, still-debated results—later explained by perchlorates in the Martian soil—and the fierce scientific rivalry the findings sparked. Join us!

Headlines:

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 faces engine and weather delays ahead of launch
SpaceX land swap proposal sparks conservation group lawsuit over Rio Grande Valley wildlife preserve
Chinese Long March rocket survives dramatic lightning strike during launch

Main Topic: 50th Anniversary of Viking Mars Landers—Search for Life on Mars

The evolution of Mars exploration from telescopes to Viking lander
Early Mars missions: Mariner flybys, Soviet attempts, and breakthroughs in orbital imaging
Viking 1 and 2: Ambitious design, life-detection experiments, and landing impact
Mixed public and scientific reactions to Viking's first iconic Mars surface images
Technical overview of the Viking biology experiments and their controversial results
The unresolved debate: Did Viking detect life or chemical reactions on Mars?
Personal accounts of key scientists, scientific disputes, and the "Wolf Trap" experiment that never flew
Lessons from Viking: Limitations of technology, extremophile discoveries, and shifting strategies for detecting life
The scientific case for seeking life in Martian caves and subsurface environments
Critique of current and future Mars missions: Perseverance rover findings and value of Mars Sample Return
Exploring planetary protection, contamination risks, and the challenges of certifying Martian samples=

TWiS 219: SpaceX Goes to War! - And Other Space Headlines

Episode 219

Saturday, July 18, 2026 • Duration 01:13:22

This week we're jumping into the space headlines for the past few weeks. It's been busy, and some exciting things are happening! A couple of companies are moving into the space solar power arena--something we've long advocated--and that's welcome progress. Starship is set to fly Starship test number 13, and a lot is riding on this--the system is overdue for some proof of concept to keep up with NASA's HLS contract. An exoplanet spotted a decade ago has shown signs of a potentially habitable atmosphere; there are landslides--big ones--on Pluto, and evidence of "space candy" sugars in an interstellar cloud are in the news. Finally, SpaceX is doubling down on their big defense contracts with a well-funded US Space Force. Join us for all the latest!

Headlines:

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 Launch Aborted Due to Engine Issue
Meteorite Crashes Into New Jersey, Preserved Sample Fuels Origins of Life Research
Discovery of Atmosphere Around Habitable-Zone Exoplanet LHS 1140 b
NASA Moon Tree Planted After Artemis 1 Mission
Reflect Orbital to Launch Mirrors in Space, Sparking Astronomer Backlash
Landslides Found on Pluto Could Bury Entire Cities
Rare Sugar Found in Interstellar Cloud Hints at Building Blocks of Life
SpaceX's Growing Military Launch Contracts and Pentagon Ties
Space Development Agency's Expanding Satellite Constellation for Space Force
Starship's Dual Focus: NASA Moon Landings vs. Mars and Satellite Deployment
Artemis 3 Updates: New Renderings, Docking Plans, and Starlink HD Laser Payloads
Defense Innovation Unit's Push for Space-Based Power Beaming Technology
Pulse Space and Laser-Based Satellite Power and Communication
New Satellite Concept to Detect Nuclear Devices in Orbit Amid Global Security Concerns

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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

TWiS 221: Starship Can Float? - Roman Space Telescope Ready to Launch!

Episode 221

Friday, July 31, 2026 • Duration 57:01

Rod Pyle is out this week, so Rick Jenet of the National Space Society joins Tariq Malik this week to talk about SpaceX's Starship Flight 13, which deployed new Starlink V3 satellites and stunned viewers when the ship survived reentry intact enough to float in the ocean for days afterward. They also discuss NASA's Roman Space Telescope, now just a month from launch, and an in-progress emergency effort to save the ailing Swift Space Observatory using a servicing spacecraft that is itself now experiencing technical trouble. Finally, they look into Boeing's continued Starliner delays and India's first successful private orbital launch via Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket. Tune in!

Headlines:

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 Splashdown and Recovery Efforts
Starlink V3 Satellite Deployment Updates
SpaceX Wins $1.6 Billion Space Force Contract
NASA's Roman Space Telescope Countdown and Origin Story
Urgent Swift Space Observatory Rescue Mission Faces Technical Setbacks
Boeing Starliner Faces More Delays and Uncertainty
India's First Commercial Rocket Launch Enters Global Market
Artemis II Astronaut Questions South Pole as Lunar Landing Target
Astronomers Detect Possible First-Ever Exomoon
Upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 Impact Experiment on the Moon
Preview: August Almost Total Solar Eclipse and Night Sky Events

Host: Tariq Malik

Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

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:

TWiS 222: How to Invade Earth in 22 Easy Steps - With Rich Edwards

Episode 222

Friday, August 7, 2026 • Duration 01:08:07

We've all seen the movies... the aliens come to Earth, the aliens overcome the inferior humans, and the aliens fall prey to something dumb they overlooked, like microbes, Windows 95, or most absurdly, water. From the 1950s through yesterday, some of the best movies we've seen were about the invasion of our planet. They can be clever, scary, or even downright dumb, but they are all fun. Veteran space writer Rich Edwards joins us to give advice on how to repel the invaders!

Headlines:

Department of Defense drops new batch of UFO/UAP files
Blue Origin traces New Glenn rocket explosion to faulty oxygen valve
SpaceX's first public earnings call reveals key financials and hints at Starship's future
Total solar eclipse set to cross Europe; safety tips and gear recommendations

Main Topic: How to Invade Earth in Sci-Fi—22 Dos and Don'ts with Rich Edwards

The enduring appeal and adaptability of War of the Worlds
Why alien invaders always go for major landmarks (and why it's all for show)
Critique of aliens with impractical invasion strategies—water allergies and cocky attitudes
Pop culture's obsession with alien disguises, conspiracy plots, and gradual infiltration
Deep dive into Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Day of the Triffids, and the power of slow, stealthy takeovers
Starting small: Alien invasions in isolated towns and subtle conquests
The strategic use of time travel in alien invasion movies, with Star Trek: First Contact
Why James Cameron's Aliens remains a sci-fi invasion classic decades later
What makes a satisfying alien invasion ending—and the pitfalls of lazy resolutions

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Richard Edwards

Download or subscribe to at .

TWiS 223: The Lunar Domain - Our Future on the Moon with Dr. Scott Pace

Episode 223

Friday, August 14, 2026 • Duration 01:05:04

We're headed for a space renaissance, and it will be focused on the Moon. The US, China, and international partners of both are vying to land people there and construct a permanent lunar base. Meanwhile, NASA is evolving to embrace commercial enterprise unlike any time in its past, and American lunar efforts are lagging. What are the stakes? Does it matter who returns humans there first? What does the future of lunar commerce look like? Dr. Scott Pace, the Director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, joins us.

Main Topic: The Evolving Lunar Domain and US Space Policy
• Dr. Scott Pace's space policy background and legacy
• Policy continuity from Trump to Biden and the focus on implementation
• Artemis program direction and geopolitical influences
• The importance of commercial and international partnerships
• NASA's commercial contract successes and limitations
• Need for an off-ramp from SLS as commercial heavy lift matures
• Differentiating between short-term wins and long-term infrastructure goals in lunar strategy
• Tension between NASA centers and commercial LEO station development
• Challenges and prospects for lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin
• Recommendations for NASA's future focus: tough technical problems, integration, and talent
• The cultural and inspirational necessity of human presence in space despite advancing AI and robotics

Host: Rod Pyle

Co-Host: Dale Skran

Guest: Dr. Scott Pace

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

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

This Week in Space (Audio) – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

This Week in Space (Audio) – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other36

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other36

LinkedIn3

Amazon1