AI Insight
This Week In Space podcast Episode 219 covers recent developments in space exploration, including SpaceX's upcoming Starship Flight 13 test critical to NASA's lunar lander contract, companies advancing space-based solar power technology, and SpaceX's expanded defense contracts with the U.S. Space Force. Additional topics include the discovery of the first atmosphere around a rocky Earth-like exoplanet in the habitable zone, detection of interstellar sugar molecules that may provide clues about life's origins, and evidence of large-scale landslides on Pluto.
Why it matters
These developments represent significant progress in commercial spaceflight, planetary defense capabilities, and astrobiology research. The detection of atmospheres around potentially habitable exoplanets and organic molecules in space advances our understanding of conditions necessary for life beyond Earth.
Understand the Science
On Episode 219 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss 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!
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Space news of the week
- SpaceX’s Starship Flight 13 test launch aborts at last second
- Meteorite that crashed through New Jersey house could hold the clues to life’s origins
- Astronomers discover 1st atmosphere around a rocky Earth-like planet in the habitable zone
- How NASA’s Artemis III Lander Test Will Pave Way for Moon Landings
- NASA Taps SpaceX’s Starlink to Deliver Artemis III Imagery from Orion
- Blue Origin continues work on lunar landers during recovery from New Glenn explosion
- SpaceX launches 21 ‘data transport’ satellites for US military
- The FCC just gave Reflect Orbital permission to launch its 1st space mirror to orbit. Tens of thousands more could follow
- A “disaster waiting to happen”? Industry officials worry about Crew Dragon availability.
- Spacecraft Commissioning On Track for Mission to Boost NASA’s Swift
- Raspberry sugar spotted in interstellar space, a sweet discovery that could reveal clues about life’s origins
- Defense Innovation Unit – Space Power Beaming
- Nature study identifies a new way to spot nuclear weapons in orbit
Model Falcon 9!
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About This Week In Space
This Week in Space covers the new space age. Every Friday we take a deep dive into a fascinating topic. What’s happening with the new race to the moon and other planets? When will SpaceX really send people to Mars?
Join Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik from Space.com as they tackle those questions and more each week on Friday afternoons. You can subscribe today on your favorite podcatcher.
Source: This Week In Space podcast: Episode 219 — SpaceX Goes to War!