This Week in Space (Audio)

• TWiS 183: Lunar Lander Wanted! Apply Within - Artemis III Contract Opening Up?

  Lander, lander, who's got the lander? Last week, acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy announced that the agency would be re-opening the contract for the Artemis III lunar lander, which had previously been let to SpaceX to be fulfilled by their Starship Human Landing System. Unfortunately, that effort is well behind schedule, and the Trump administration has made landing astronauts on the moon, before China does, a national priority. With multiple refuelings and landing tests required, there is concern that SpaceX may not be able to fulfil their commitment before China's announced landing date of 2030. Elon Musk responded to the announcement with characteristic tack, with phrasing like "Sean Dummy" and him having a two-digit IQ. Mike Wall of Space.com joins us to dive into this rapidly evolving story. 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. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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• TWiS 182: The Dream is Alive - With NASA Astronaut Terry Hart

  If you ever saw the IMAX spectacular, "The Dream is Alive," you've seen astronaut Terry Hart in action, capturing the Solar Max satellite with the shuttle's robotic arm. But even if you missed that film, Terry has had a fascinating career as an Air Force pilot, NASA astronaut, senior leadership at Bell Labs (more than once!), and as an academic and creator of a new aerospace engineering program at Lehigh University. Join us for an enjoyable hour with one of our favorite guys. Also, is Jared Isaacman back as the new NASA Administrator? Will the Orion capsule soon be used for non-NASA missions? And what's going on with the layoffs at the Jet Propulsion Lab? All this and more on This Week in Space. Headlines: Jared Isaacman Back in the Running for NASA Administrator Lockheed Martin Considers Launching Orion on Rockets Other Than SLS JPL Hit Hard by Layoffs and Uncertainty Amid NASA Budget Woes Main Topic: Astronaut Terry Hart's Career, Space Shuttle Missions, and NASA's Evolution Terry Hart Recaps a Multifaceted Aerospace Career from Bell Labs to NASA Behind the Scenes of the IMAX Film "The Dream is Alive" and Shooting in Space In-Depth Look at STS-41C: First Shuttle Rendezvous, Satellite Repair, and Pioneering On-Orbit Servicing Long Duration Space Experiments and the Legacy of LDEF Reflections on Challenger, Shuttle Risks, and Safety Culture in Human Spaceflight The Ongoing Shift from NASA-Led Programs to Private Spaceflight Industry Preparing the Next Generation: Aerospace Education and Lehigh University's New Graduate Program Insights on Space Bees, Life Aboard the Shuttle, and Visions for the Future of Space Manufacturing Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Terry Hart 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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• TWiS 181: World Space Week - A UN-Established Global Celebration of Space

  World Space Week is a global celebration of all things space, bringing together thousands of participants from all over the planet to celebrate our future in space. Chartered by the United Nations in 1999, this year's theme is "Living in Space." The many associated events from across the world are a reminder to all of the importance of space in our lives and our future, and a clarion call to international youth of the value of their future involvement. We spoke with the WSW Association's executive director, Alma Okpalefe, who explained their origins, activities, and plans for the future. It's one of the premier space-related events of the year, and when you're done with the episode, you'll want to know more! Headlines: SpaceX Starship Flight 11 Set for Launch 6,000 Alien Planets Discovered—Where's Earth 2.0? Mars Crew Study Reveals Diverse Teams Outperform "Alpha Males" Main Topic: World Space Week 2025 Alma Okpalefe Shares Her Path from Legal Counsel to Space Leadership Global Scope and Organization: 95+ Countries, Thousands of Events Types of World Space Week Activities: School Outreach, Museum Events, Art Competitions 2025 Theme: "Living in Space"—Why It Was Chosen, What It Means Globally Building Space Interest in Regions Without Established Programs Outcomes and Impact: Inspiring Space Agencies, Universities, and Advocacy Accessibility and Inclusion as Future Focus for Space Exploration Advice for Young Space Enthusiasts: Get Involved and Dream Big International Collaboration: Why Working Together Matters for Space Progress Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Alma Okpalefe 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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• TWiS 180: NASA is Closed for Business - And Other Top Space Stories

  This week we cover the headlines, from the shutdown of NASA, to the risky dismantling of the space shuttle Discovery (because Texas insists), to a rogue exoplanet's weird weather, and much more. Should we be worried about China investing in SpaceX? How about those close-up shots of the interstellar visitor 3I/Atlas? And are asteroids hiding out near Venus a threat to Earth? All this and more on episode 180 of This Week in Space. Headlines: NASA Suffers Major Disruption Amid Government Shutdown Shuttle Discovery Faces Potential Forced Dismantling for Texas Move China Might be Eying Perseverance Mars Samples in Race to Retrieve Martian Rocks Near-Venus Asteroids Pose Hidden Threats to Earth Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Gets Close-Up for Mars Orbiters Concerns Over Chinese Investments in SpaceX China Fast-Tracks Lunar Landing Systems and Rocket Tests James Webb Telescope Delivers First Rogue Exoplanet Weather Report 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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• TWiS 179: The New Crew of Artemis II - Who Will Fly to the Moon in 2026?

  It's almost time for Artemis II to fly to the moon! We got together with Space.com writer Josh Dinner, who joined our own Tariq to attend the "astro unveiling" of NASA's newest class of astronauts and a major press event surrounding the crew of Artemis II. The mission is currently scheduled to loop the moon in early 2026. Join us for the newest details! Headlines: NASA's Escapade Mission Gears Up for Mars Launch Rocket Lab Prepares for First Interplanetary Mission Dream Chaser Space Plane's ISS Debut Delayed, Contract Adjustments Announced Simulated Universe Creates 3.4 Billion Digital Galaxies Reflections on the Evolution of Space Missions—From Apollo to Artemis Main Topic: Artemis II Updates and NASA's Next Generation Astronauts Our Reporters Go Behind the Scenes at Johnson Space Center Artemis II Launch Windows Announced for Feb-April 2026 Overview of Artemis II Crew and Their Spaceflight Experience Mission Profile: Free Return Trajectory, Timeline, and Unique Features Naming of Orion Capsule as "Integrity" NASA Preps for Extensive, Real-time Media Coverage During Artemis II Discussion of Public Enthusiasm and Challenges for Engaging a Modern Audience Artemis II Crew Details, Training, and Scientific Goals Addressing Orion Heat Shield Issues and Design Updates Training for Artemis III: Simulating Lunar Gravity and EVA Preparation NASA Unveils New Astronaut Class with Diverse Backgrounds Discussion of Astronaut Demographics, Public Messaging, and International Partners Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Josh Dinner 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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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