This Week in Space

More about This Week in Space:

Space Podcast: The Moon, Mars, SpaceX, and More

You can find podcasts on practically everything, whether it's politics, nutrition, video games, technology, books, and cars. While there were a few podcasts about space before we came along, there were not very many options out there for individuals enthralled by the cosmos.

Which is why we created This Week in Space, our entertaining podcast about the new space age. This Week in Space primarily focuses on emerging news and developments within the space sector. From private space travel to the prospect of humans colonizing Mars, nothing is off-limits.

About This Week in Space

Each Friday, two space experts take a deep dive into a different fascinating topic. The hosts become immersed in the conversation and take on a few off-the-cuff topics as well.

This Week in Space is available across a wide range of podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Spotify. This gives you the freedom to listen when and how you want.

The Hosts

This Week in Space is hosted by the dynamic combination of Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik. This duo's genuine passion for space and technology creates the perfect environment for tackling some of the most exciting topics in the sector. Whether they are discussing what's happening with the new race to the moon or when SpaceX will send people to Mars, the episodes are always captivating when these two get together.

Rod Pyle

Rod Pyle is a television producer, journalist, author, and the Editor-in-Chief of Ad Astra magazine.

Pyle has authored or co-authored 19 different books on space topics, such as the history of space travel, development of space programs, and exploration. Some of his most notable works include

• Interplanetary Robots
• Blueprint for a Battlestar
• Amazing Stories of the Space Age
• First on the Moon
• Destination Mars

In addition to his books, Pyle has also written for publications such as Space.com, LiveScience, WIRED, Caltech, JPL, and Popular Science. He also co-developed the Apollo Leadership Experience for NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Pyle has written, directed, and produced content for Discovery Networks, and The History Channel. He has also served as a consultant for Disney+ and National Geographic TV. He is frequently brought in as a guest on television and national radio shows to discuss space-related topics.

Prior to starting his current career, Rod Pyle assisted with visual effects for high-profile sci-fi projects such as the reboot of Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Tariq Malik

Tariq Malik has been part of the Space.com team for over two decades. In 2001, Tariq became an intern and staff writer. In 2009, Tariq became the Managing Editor. Ten years later, he assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief, a position he holds to this day.

Before joining Space.com, Tariq proved his writing chops as a staff reporter for The Los Angeles Times. In that role, he covered topics like education and local city news in the Huntington Beach, Fullerton, and La Habra communities.

Tariq's passion for space has been evident since his childhood. He was a perennial Space Camp attendee and obtained his Space Exploration merit badge as an Eagle Scout. In addition, Tariq earned a journalism degree from both New York University and the University of Southern California.

Space Podcasts Topics

On each episode of This Week in Space, Rod and Tariq explore a unique set of topics that include mainstream space sector news, emerging trends, historical events as they pertain to space exploration, and much more. Some episodes of TWiS include the following:

Atomic Rockets (episode 01)

Rod and Tariq discuss nuclear power sources (RTGs) and atomic rockets. They bridge the gap between Hollywood depictions of space travel by breaking down the power source used in The Martian and comparing it to equipment used in real-world devices like the Cassini probe.

From there, they turn their attention to atomic rocket experiments that were conducted by the Soviet Union and the United States during the cold war, then the conversation shifts to Starlink. If you're ready to dive into how the war of our worlds affects the ISS and the intergalactic universe – buckle up, because this is the episode for you.

Flying Your Own Rockets (episode 02)

Learn how to fly your own rockets. This relatively safe, family-friendly hobby can be a blast with a little guidance from Tariq and Rod.

In addition to flying your own rockets, Rod and Tariq take on topics like Virgin Orbit, astronaut Scott Kelly returning his Russian-awarded spaceflight medal as a means of standing in solidarity with Ukraine, and much more.

The Orbital Junkyard (episode 03)

The sheer volume of space junk orbiting the Earth hinders future space missions and new satellites launches. If the orbital junkyard is not addressed, then future space exploration endeavors may be damned before the rockets ever leave the launchpad.

Other topics include the Mars helicopter, cosmonauts, and astronauts maintaining positive relations despite the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, and the rollout of the SLS.

Emerging Tech (episode 04)

NASA's frequently talked-about SLS mega-rocket is poised to return to manned U.S. space exploration efforts over the next few decades. This rocket was developed with the hope of getting astronauts back to the moon. In addition to the SLS, NASA has been working on the next lunar lander. The This Week in Space crew discusses all of this in episode four.

Rod and Tariq also talk about the reemergence of a major player in the private space travel sector. That's right, Blue Origin is back in the mix.

Private Space Flight (episode 05)

Speaking of private space flight, the prospect of non-government organizations sending people to space has generated plenty of buzz in recent years. The private space travel sector seems to be picking up steam. Between SpaceX, Axiom, and others, the Kennedy Space Center is becoming quite busy these days.

If you would like to learn more about these developments and more, then episode 5 of This Week in Space is the source you have been looking for. Tariq and Rod take a closer look at "regular folks in space" and a whole lot more.

The History of Space (episode 06)

While the future of space exploration is bright, it is important to periodically look back at the accomplishments of humankind thus far. Tariq and Rod are never ones to neglect the past, which is why they occasionally take the time to recognize important space anniversaries, such as the 50th anniversary of Apollo 16. They also remember the launch of Pioneer 11 and the Hubble Space Telescope on This Week in Space.

Mars (episode 07)

When will we get humans to Mars? If you are captivated by the concept of transporting people to The Red Planet, then check out This Week in Space. We recommend starting with the two-part episode, Humans to Mars.

Subscribe Today

Once you start listening to This Week in Space, you are sure to be hooked. Subscribe today and catch up on the latest news and developments in the space travel industry.

Kick things off with episode 1, Atomic Rockets! — Starlink to the rescue, moon impact mystery, RTGs explained, or browse our current library of podcasts. You are sure to find plenty to keep you intrigued during your daily commute or downtime. Subscribe to This Week in Space on your favorite podcatchers.

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