This Week in Space (Audio)

It is widely accepted that over time, humanity will need to expand its presence into the solar system. What are the challenges? Well, space and our nearby worlds have proved to be a much greater challenge than we had long thought. While the rigors of zero-g have been well researched on the International Space Station, the challenges of living in lower gravity, such as that found on the moon and Mars, has not yet been explored. And human reproduction in space, along with genetic challenges, is a complete unknown. Rice Univeristy professor and researcher Scott Solomon joins us to explore these topics in depth, and to posit possible solutions.



Headlines:

Artemis 2 Moon Launch Faces More Delays Due to Hydrogen Leaks

Perseverance Rover on Mars Completes First Fully AI-Driven Journey

Study Warns of Urgent Need to Research Human Reproduction in Space

Main Topic: Becoming Martian – What It Would Take for Humans to Thrive on Mars

Biological impacts of space and Martian environments on the human body

Gaps in research about reproduction, growth, and development in space and partial gravity

Ethical, social, and medical challenges of having children beyond Earth

The complexities of transplanting Earth's ecosystems, microbiomes, and the risk of disruptive species

Evolutionary changes and the likely divergence of human populations living long-term off-Earth

Considerations around modifying humans versus modifying extraterrestrial environments

Infectious disease threats and dwindling biological immunity for space settlers

Psychological, cultural, and population dynamics for future interplanetary communities

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Scott Solomon

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This month marks a bitter annual anniversary for NASA. On February 1, 1967, the crew of Apollo 1 was killed in a horrific fire on the pad in Florida. Years later, as the space shuttle Challenger ascended on February 28, 1986, it was destroyed mid-flight with a loss of seven crewmembers. Finally, on February 1, 2003, the shuttle Columbia was lost during reentry, again with a crew of seven. This episode is a remembrance of these tragic events with Gerry Griffin, former Apollo Flight Director and Director of the Johnson Space Center among his many other roles with NASA and beyond. Gerry brings a personal touch to these events, describing the experiences first-hand and lessons learned. Please join us for this very special episode.



Headlines:

NASA Artemis 2 Testing and Launch Delayed by Cold Weather

Crew 12 Launch Schedule Impacted by Artemis II Slip

New Artemis Launch Windows and Associated Challenges

Countdown to NASA's Next Moonshot: Updated Flight Timelines

Main Topic: Remembering NASA's Worst Tragedies and Lessons Learned

Apollo 1 Fire: Causes, Team Reaction, and Aftermath

Transition from Gemini to Apollo: Organizational and Technical Shifts

Challenger Disaster: Technical Failures, Team Dynamics, and Impact

Shuttle Safety Evolution and Lessons from Columbia

The Resolve and Spirit of NASA Teams After Tragedy

Evolving Risk Management and Decision-Making in Human Spaceflight

Reflections and Advice for Today's Flight Directors as Artemis II Flight Approaches

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Gerry Griffin

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The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which was intended to regulate activities in space, is hard to enforce and woefully out of date. New nations and private actors are entering the spaceflight arena, and an updated mechanism with a bit more teeth is needed. Our guest, Ely Sandler, a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, has put forward the idea of using COPs—not the kind in uniform, but a Conference of Parties—as a less-formal gathering of spacefaring (and space-ambitious) entities, to discuss future treaties, agreements, and enforcement mechanisms, eventually leading to new treaties. These would be similar to the annual climate COP that has provided useful discourse on climate change. A space COP would address responsibility for and control of orbital assets, land and resource use on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids; and possibly limits to the militarization of space. Join us for a fascinating discussion!

Headlines:

Artemis II Moon Rocket Rolls Out for Launch Preparations

Crew-11 Astronauts Speak on Space Station Medical Evacuation

Earth Faces Strongest Solar Radiation Storm in 20 Years

Auroras Sparked Across Unusual Latitudes

Main Topic: Is the Outer Space Treaty Obsolete? Examining the Future of Space Governance with Ely Sandler

Outer Space Treaty's Vagueness and Limits for Modern Space Activity

Why New Space Policy Models Are Needed for Orbital Debris, Spacecraft Ownership, and Liability

"Conference of the Parties" (COP) Model Proposed for Space Law Updates

Challenges of Property Rights, Exclusion Zones, and International Consensus on the Moon

How Commercial Space and Military Concerns Intersect Under Outdated Treaties

Space Solar Power's Potential and Regulatory Hurdles for Energy Beaming

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Ely Sandler

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NASA's history is a long and fascinating story, and we decided we'd invite former NASA Chief Historian Dr. Roger Launius onto the show to tell us about how NASA tracks its history, the public's perceptions of spaceflight, and how our understanding of the past might inform our future in space. Also the Crew 11 return, Artemis II rollout, and MAVEN, phone home! Join us for this engaging conversation!



Headlines:

NASA Completes First-Ever Medical Evacuation From the ISS

Artemis 2 Megarocket Rolls Out to the Launch Pad Amid Tight Schedule

NASA Attempts to Revive MAVEN Spacecraft Around Mars

Main Topic: Chronicling the Space Age — With Dr. Roger Launius

How NASA's First Chief Historian Got Hooked on Space

The Role and Daily Work of a NASA Chief Historian

Transitioning From NASA to Smithsonian: Culture, Audience, and Mission

Is This a "Second Space Age"? Commercial Players and Evolving Space Policy

Public Attitudes Toward Space: Then and Now—Separating Myth From Reality

Historical Parallels Between Apollo and Artemis and the Notion of a New Space Race

Challenges of Public Engagement and NASA's Struggle to Stay In the Spotlight

Media Fragmentation, Social Media, and Changing Consumption of Space News

The Rise of Moon Landing Conspiracies Amid Information Abundance

The Vital Importance of Documenting Accidents and Hard Lessons in Space History

Preserving Space History in the Digital Era—From Paper to Tweets

Dr. Roger Launius' Upcoming Book: NASA History in 100 Objects

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Roger Launius

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2026 promises to be the most exciting year in the new space age yet! Shining bright is the prospect of an Artemis II launch to send astronauts around the moon for the first time since 1972, as early as February. We've already seen news about a medical incident on the International Space Station that will force a crew to return to Earth early, but NASA says this won't affect the Artemis launch. On other news, NASA's budget seems on track to be passed at near 2025 levels, China is preparing to send a robot to the south lunar pole, SpaceX plans robust tests of Starship this year—and hopefully refinement of their lander for Artemis III, Boeing will fly Starliner again (uncrewed), Mars Sample Return is poised to be scuttled, and all this under the leadership of a new—and apparently quite capable—NASA administrator, Jared Isaacman. Join us for an in-depth look at what's coming in 2026!



Headlines:

Medical evacuation planned for ISS astronauts due to health concerns

NASA Chief Jared Isaacman leads first big press conference amid ISS medical incident

Artemis 2 lunar mission remains on track for February launch

Orion spacecraft heat shield faces scrutiny ahead of crewed flight

NASA budget nearly secured—Congress backs full funding for 2026

Mars Sample Return project faces likely cancellation

SpaceX Starship gears up for crucial orbital and refueling tests

Blue Origin's Blue Moon lunar lander launch delayed, competition heats up

China's lunar, asteroid, and orbital missions ramp up for 2026

Boeing Starliner and Sierra Space Dream Chaser schedule ISS cargo missions

New moon landers, asteroid missions, and global crewed capsule tests coming in 2026

NASA's Roman Space Telescope possibly launching this year

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

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