This Week in Space (Audio)

When we think of extraterrestrials, our minds generally go from the latex-suited bipedal aliens seen in Star Trek and Star Wars to more exotic critters in sci-fi movies. Scientists think in terms of carbon-based microbial life and other lower life forms. But some researchers, such as Mikhail Tikhonov from Washington University, suggest that life can take more unusual forms, ones we might not even recognize. He further suggests a new definition of life: something that takes in and transforms energy and replicates. His ideas radically expand our notions of alien life and how it might be recognized.



Headlines:

Space Shuttle Endeavour's New Launch Configuration Exhibit Debuts

SpaceX Prepares for Starship Flight 15's First Attempted Double Landing

Risks and Stakes for SpaceX's Reusable Starship Program

Main Topic: Searching for Alien Life—Redefining the Approach

Origins and motivations for thinking differently about our definition of life

Traditional "follow the water" strategy versus seeking energy as life's marker

Challenges in recognizing non-Earth-like life forms

Signature of life through energy use and ecological patterns

Implications for planetary exploration and sampling, including Mars, Europa, and Venus

Theoretical examples and sci-fi inspirations for nontraditional life

Current research intersections between physics and microbial ecology

Limits, opportunities, and philosophical implications of agnostic biosignature searches

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Mikhail Tikhonov

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Robots have, and always will, be the first to go to the dark and scary places in space. For many years, Dr. Jim Green oversaw these missions for NASA as their Chief Scientist. He joins us to talk about the past, present, and future of planetary exploration. Jim has always been passionate about NASA's science programs and believes we're quite likely to find life off-Earth in the near future. Join us!



Headlines:

NASA Unveils New X-70 Fractal X-Plane with Reconfigurable Tech

Earth Gains Temporary "Mini Moon" Asteroid 2026 QQ8

NASA Hosts First-Ever Max Power Air Show Highlighting Space Innovation

Deep Space Nine's Iconic "Trials and Tribble-ations" Episode Turns 30

Main Topic: Planetary Exploration, Science Funding, and Planetary Defense With Dr. Jim Green

Top Unexplored Targets: Sending a Submarine to Europa's Ocean

How Political Changes Affect NASA's Budget and Science Programs

Mars Sample Return: Obstacles, Funding Challenges, and Possible Human Exploration Synergy

Science Communication: Relating New Discoveries to Everyday Life and Public Engagement

JPL's "7 Minutes of Terror" and Changing Outreach Strategies

Building Support for Planetary Defense and the DART Mission

Black Swan Events: How Earth is Threatened by Rare, High-Speed Oort Cloud Comets

Innovative Approaches to Science Education through the Metaverse and Outreach

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Dr. Jim Green

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In our ongoing quest to develop a moon base, could we possibly utilize the area beneath the surface of the moon in order to make the moon habitable? In this episode of This Week in Space, Tariq Malik and guest host Mike Wall of Space.com talk with Than Putzig of the Planetary Science Institute about a NASA-backed payload bound for the Marius Hills Pit, a roughly 50-meter-wide opening that may lead into a lunar lava tube to gather more data about these formations on the Moon and the possibility of these lunar caves becoming the Moon's first living habitats for humans. Putzig explains how geophysical instruments on a rover could detect hidden voids beneath the surface and measure the size of these lava tubes. We also ask Than how these lava tubes form, what a follow-up robotic explorer could reveal, and how this research fits alongside NASA's Artemis plans for a south polar moon base. Join us!



Headlines:

Clear Images Emerge of China's Secretive Shenzhou Space Plane

Virgin Galactic Unveils New Delta Class Spaceplane for Tourism

Remembering Star Trek Legends Walter Koenig and Sir Patrick Stewart

Main Topic: Exploring Lunar Caves and the Gimli Mission

Introduction to Lunar Caves, Pits, and the Quest for Lava Tubes

NASA's Gimli Mission and Selection to Explore Marius Hills Pit

Science Goals: Detecting and Mapping Lunar Lava Tubes for Potential Habitats

Details on Geophysical Instruments and Survey Techniques

Potential Benefits of Lava Tubes for Lunar Habitat Planning

Technical and Logistical Challenges for Accessing and Using Lunar Lava Tubes

Parallels with Lava Tubes on Mars and Planetary Science Collaboration

Building Teams and Proposals at the Planetary Science Institute

Future Steps for the Gimli Mission and Outreach Efforts

Host: Tariq Malik

Co-Host: Mike Wall

Guest: Than Putzig

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Newspace is hiring! With the major powers heading to the moon, low-Earth orbit becoming busier than ever, and countless new companies entering the space marketplace, the hiring pipeline is more critical than ever. We spoke with Dr. Amanda Smith-Hackler, the Director of Education for the Universities Space Research Association and Principal Investigator for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars and STEM Workforce Development Programs, about the new and exciting opportunities available to young people seeking to enter the space workforce.

Host: Tariq Malik

Co-Host: Fredrick (Rick) Jenet

Guest: Dr. Amanda Smith-Hackler

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

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