This Week in Space (Audio)

In this age of rapidly advancing AI and robotic technology, do we still need to send humans into space? The argument has long been that people can do things better and faster off-Earth, but the changing face of robotic tech has some feeling otherwise. This week's guest is a returning friend of the show, Dr. Pascal Lee, who has thoughts on how and when robots may perform better--and more safely--than humans in space, and then, of course, Tariq and I worry about how our mechanical masters might take our place in the cosmos. Pascal also reports on his recent experience with the National Academies' report on the human exploration of Mars. Join us!



Headlines:

NASA Unveils Major Overhaul to Artemis Lunar Program, With Arrtemis II & III Facing Delays and a Shift in the Lunar Landing Timeline.

Mike Fincke Revealed as Astronaut Medically Evacuated from ISS

Main Topic: First Steps for the Human Exploration of Mars

National Academies Report Identifies Top Mars Science Priorities for Astronauts, With the Search for Life on Mars Ranked as the Highest Scientific Priority

Strategies Debated: Shorter Missions vs. Building Lasting Mars Infrastructure

Call for Focused Mars Surface Lab to Maximize Science Returns

Discussion of Sample Return, Planetary Protection, and Evolving AI/Robotics/Human Partnerships

Debate Over Long-Term Human Settlement on Mars Versus Robotic and Cyborg Exploration

Implications of Rapid Progress in Humanoid Robotics and AI for the Future of Space Exploration

Also, Rod and Tariq are celebrating their 200th episode of This Week in Space and are hosting an Ask Us Anything (AUA) episode! Get your questions ready and send them to [email protected] for Rod and Tariq to answer them!

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Pascal Lee

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One of the most exciting missions to ever journey to the outer solar system has the be the Dragonfly multi-rotor helicopter that will head to Saturn's moon Titan in 2028. The car-sized probe will arrive at that strange, frozen world in 2034, descending into the soupy, smoggy atmosphere and then taking flight before it even touches the ground! We spoke with the mission's Principal Investigator, Dr. Elizabeth "Zibi" Turtle, about the mission's origins, current progress, and what to expect in the coming years. She also took us through a narrated tour of the surface of Titan, with its hydrocarbon sand dunes and methane seas. The Dragonfly mission will be an adventure of a lifetime!



Headlines:

NASA's Artemis II Moon Rocket Aces New Fueling Test

Boeing Starliner is Rated a "Type A" Mishap and Faces More Launch Delays

Perseverance Rover Gets Instant Mars GPS-like Functionality

Main Topic: NASA's Dragonfly Mission to Titan

Dr. Elizabeth Turtle explains Dragonfly's origins and mission concept

Why Titan is unique and somewhat akin to the primordial Earth, perfect for exploring prebiotic chemistry

Dragonfly's advanced science suite and autonomous flying capability

Insights from the Cassini/Huygens missions and how they are shaping Dragonfly

Navigation, flight strategy, and safety planning for Titan's harsh environment

Power, heating, and longevity on Titan's freezing surface

Titan's dune landscape, flying conditions, and analogs to Earth

Big scientific questions: methane cycle, atmospheric mysteries, and potential surprises

Mission timeline, lander design, and the innovative "fly-as-you-land" arrival approach

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Turtle

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Most people don't think of spaceflight when talking about the United Nations, but the UN, through its Office of Outer Space Affairs, or UNOOSA, has been pivotal in securing agreements on space poilicy and behavioral norms. This week, we speak with Aarti Holla-Maini, the director of UNOOSA, and Dr. Rick Jenet, the executive director of Expanding Frontiers and the National Space Society's representative to the UN, about the importance of this office. It's a wide-ranging discussion of the intersection of international space efforts and the intersection with commercial space as we expand activities into Earth orbit, the moon, and beyond.



Headlines:

SpaceX Crew-12 Launch Sends New Astronauts to the ISS

Vast Joins Commercial Flights to the ISS, Prepares for Private Space Stations

Axiom, Voyager, and Vast Face Off in Commercial LEO Station Race

International Collaboration Ramps Up for Future of Space Policy

Main Topic: Inside UNOOSA—The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs

Dr. Rick Janet Explains the Role of COPUOS and UNOOSA in Global Space Governance

Aarti Holla-Maini Shares Her Path to Leading UNOOSA and Her Vision for Its Future

Distinguishing UNOOSA (the office) from COPUOS (the committee)

UNOOSA's Expanding Mission: Capacity Building, Disaster Response, Space Law, and Sustainability

The Importance of Neutral Convening, Capacity Building, and Industry Input

Growing Need for Space Sustainability, Debris Mitigation, and New Regulatory Focus

Anticipating Lunar Activity: Resource Use, Transparency, and Non-Appropriation Principle

Engaging Commercial Space Actors While Maintaining Member State Authority

Megaconstellations: Building New Norms for Responsible Behavior in Orbit

Future UNOOSA Goals: Coordinating Space Traffic, Centralizing Satellite Data Access, and Fostering Global Partnerships

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guests: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet and Aarti Holla-Maini

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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 human 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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