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This Week in Space (Audio)This Week in Space podcast covers the new space age plus the race to Mars and other planets. Author: TWiT
The new space age is upon us, and This Week in Space leaves no topic untouched. Every Friday, join Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine, Rod Pyle and Managing Editor of Space.com, Tariq Malik as they explore everything related to the cosmos. You can join Club TWiT for 10 per month and get ad-free audio and video feeds for all our shows plus everything else the club offers...or get just this podcast ad-free for 5 per month. New episodes posted every Friday. Language: en-us Genres: Astronomy, Science, Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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TWiS 199: The Obsolete Astronaut? - And a New Report on Crewed Mars Missions
Episode 199
Friday, 27 February, 2026
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 twis@twit.tv for Rod and Tariq to answer them! Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Pascal Lee 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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit
