This Week in Space (Audio‪)‬ This Week in Space

Unless you've been living under a big red Martian rock, you've likely heard that NASA's Mars Sample Return mission is in trouble. The robotic program has its roots in the 1960s, when NASA started thinking about sending robots to fetch Mars soil even before Mariner 4's first flyby of the planet. The Russians pondered it as well, as the Chinese and Japanese are today. The problem? It's really hard, with multiple spacecraft, possibly on different launches, rendezvousing around the Red Planet to accomplish. And then there are the concerns about the safety of returning possible pathogens to Earth (that said, I could use an extra tentacle). But the showstopper, as usual, is cost—and NASA's not happy. We invited the original Space Ace reporter, Leonard David, to join the discussion.

Headlines:

NASA gives green light to Dragonfly, a nuclear-powered helicopter mission to Saturn's moon Titan, set to launch in 2028 and arrive in 2034
New images from the Perseverance rover reveal the crash site of the Ingenuity helicopter on Mars, showing scattered debris and broken rotor blades
NASA continues to study the Orion spacecraft's heat shield, which experienced more erosion than expected during the Artemis 1 mission, raising concerns for future crewed missions
Main Topic: Mars Sample Return Mission

Leonard David expresses frustration with NASA's recent announcement of significant cost increases and delays for the Mars Sample Return mission
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that the current estimated cost of $11 billion is too high and called for innovative ideas from industry and academia to reduce costs and accelerate the timeline
They discuss the scientific importance of returning Martian samples to Earth but question whether the current approach is the most effective way to search for life on Mars
Leonard suggests that advancements in miniaturized instruments could allow for more comprehensive life detection experiments directly on the Martian surface, reducing the need for sample return
The conversation touches on the potential for international collaboration and competition in Mars exploration, with China, Japan, and Russia planning their own missions
Rod highlights the critical role of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Mars exploration and expresses concern about the potential loss of expertise if the MSR mission is scaled back or cancelled
The TWiS crew concludes by emphasizing the need for a clear, sustainable strategy for Mars exploration that balances scientific objectives, technological capabilities, and budgetary realities
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Leonard David

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Eclipse Wrap-Up & More Favorite Space Places

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

For full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/106

Unless you've been living under a rock or in Barstow, you probably know all about the solar eclipse on Monday. Rod will be going to Austin, likely to be staring at ever-darkening clouds, and Tariq will be headed to the eclipse path in the Northeast. Where will you be? On today's episode, we're talking to astronomer and meteorologist Joe Rao about the solar eclipse of 2024--what is it, where the moon's shadow cross Earth, how can you maximize what you see (or don't see), and how to view partial phases safely. This last bit is important, and we're going to give you an earful about "solar safety"--the effects of improper viewing can be catastrophic. And, of course, Rod's bringing a terrible eclipse-oriented space joke! Join us.

Headlines:

Chinese Space Debris Sighting: China's Shenzhou-15 crew capsule's orbital module made an uncontrolled reentry, lighting up the skies over California without prior warning.
Space Junk Hits a Florida Home: A story of a mysterious cylinder, believed to be part of a NASA battery pallet jettisoned from the ISS, crashing through a Florida man's home, illustrating the unpredictable nature of space debris re-entry.


Main Topic: The Solar Eclipse of 2024

Introduction to Joe Rao: Introduction of Joe Rao, his background, and his excitement for the upcoming eclipse, his 14th total solar eclipse viewing.
Eclipse Overview: Joe provides an in-depth look at the upcoming solar eclipse, discussing its path across North America, from Mexico through the United States to Canada, and highlighting its significance compared to past eclipses.
Viewing Tips: Discussion on safe viewing practices, including the importance of using certified eclipse glasses and other methods to safely observe the eclipse without damaging one's eyes.
Weather Considerations: Joe offers advice on how to choose the best viewing locations based on weather patterns and suggests resources for last-minute location adjustments to avoid cloud cover.
Personal Stories and Plans: Tariq shares his plans to view the eclipse with his family, emphasizing the personal significance and communal aspect of experiencing such a rare event.
Final Thoughts and Advice: The episode wraps up with Joe stressing the unparalleled experience of witnessing a total solar eclipse firsthand, urging listeners not to miss the opportunity to be in the path of totality.
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Joe Rao

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Ecuador's Space Ambitions With Robert Aillon

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Robert Aillon

For full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/104

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Last week's test flight of SpaceX's Starship--its third so far--was a mixed bag. The successful launch, ascent, staging, and testing of propellant transfer and the cargo bay door were all brilliant, yet both vehicles were destroyed before completing their planned trajectories, and the upper stage didn't make it into orbit (though it did reach "orbital velocity," according to Elon). So what's the real story on this test flight? When will the next one be? How close is SpaceX to routine launches of Starship, and when might it be ready to land NASA astronauts on the moon? And finally--an interstellar Starship, really Elon? Space.com ace reporter Mike Wall--that's Dr. Mike Wall to you--joins us with the details.

Headlines:

Soyuz Rocket Pad Abort: A rare occurrence where a Soyuz rocket's launch to the ISS was aborted due to a power issue, highlighting the reliability and challenges of space launches.
Boeing Starliner's Crew Test: An update on Boeing's Starliner, poised for its first crewed test flight, marking a significant milestone in commercial spaceflight.
Chandra Space Telescope Funding Cuts: Discussion on budgetary decisions impacting the Chandra X-ray Observatory, reflecting on the challenges of sustaining long-term space science missions.
Main Topic - SpaceX's Starship Developments:

Starship's Third Test Flight: Starship's third fully stacked test flight on March 14th was the most successful to date, achieving significant milestones but still facing challenges with stage separation and atmospheric reentry.
Technical Challenges and Innovations: Discussions on Starship's design choices, such as its stainless steel construction and the choice of methane as fuel, showcasing the innovative approaches to overcoming space travel challenges.
NASA's Artemis Program and Starship: NASA's reliance on Starship for future lunar landings underlines the spacecraft's importance in returning humans to the Moon and potentially beyond.
The Business Case for Mars: Speculation on how SpaceX plans to finance its Mars colonization ambitions, including the role of commercial and military contracts, point-to-point Earth transportation, and the potential market for Mars travel.
Potential for Interstellar Travel: Elon Musk's ambitious vision for Starship's future, including interstellar missions, underscores the long-term goals of SpaceX's space exploration efforts.
Get Mike's book "Out There": https://amzn.to/3PBrQlY

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Mike Wall

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Thought you knew all about Mars? Think again. Despite thousands of people poring through thousands of images from a flock of Mars orbiters over the decades, Dr. Pascal Lee and his associates found intriguing features in a region of complex terrain between Mars' Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system, and the western extent of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon. First, he spotted a relict glacier, covered with volcanic ash, and in a single day, realized he'd found a recently active volcano not previously identified--and how was this missed? Pascal will fill us in on the gritty details. This exciting discovery has wide-ranging implications, including the possibility of finding life nearby. Join us for this first-anywhere media reveal of the newest major feature on the Red Planet!

Headline: SpaceX's Starship Test Flight

SpaceX conducted its third test flight of the Starship and Super Heavy launch system, successfully reaching orbital speed but losing both vehicles during re-entry
The Starship reached orbital velocity and performed several test objectives, including a Starlink satellite dispenser demonstration and in-vehicle propellant transfer
The test flight, while not perfect, represents a significant step forward for SpaceX's Mars ambitions, though there is still a long way to go before Starship is ready for crewed missions
Main Topic: Dr. Pascal Lee's Discovery of a Giant Volcano on Mars

Dr. Lee and his team discovered a previously unknown volcano on Mars, measuring 450 km (280 miles) in diameter and rising 9,000 meters above the surrounding terrain
The volcano, located in the Noctis Labyrinthus region near Valles Marineris, has been hiding in plain sight since the Mariner 9 mission in 1971
The discovery was made while studying a nearby glacier, which is likely related to the volcanic activity in the area
The volcano's heavily eroded state suggests a long history of activity, with evidence of recent eruptions and the potential for ongoing activity
The presence of a glacier and potential for residual heat make this site a compelling target in the search for extant life on Mars
Dr. Lee proposes this location as an ideal site for future human exploration, offering access to both ancient and potentially modern life on Mars
The discovery highlights the importance of volcanic regions on Mars for understanding the planet's geological history and potential for harboring life
Dr. Lee and his team have submitted the name "Noctis Mons" for the newly discovered volcano, pending approval from the International Astronomical Union (IAU)
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Pascal Lee

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