logo
episode-header-image
Sep 26
1h 8m

This Week in Space 179: The New Crew of ...

TWiT
About this episode

It's almost time for Artemis II to fly to the moon! We got together with Space.com writer Josh Dinner, who joined our own Tariq to attend the "astro unveiling" of NASA's newest class of astronauts and a major press event surrounding the crew of Artemis II. The mission is currently scheduled to loop the moon in early 2026. Join us for the newest details!

Headlines:
• NASA's Escapade Mission Gears Up for Mars Launch
• Rocket Lab Prepares for First Interplanetary Mission
• Dream Chaser Space Plane's ISS Debut Delayed, Contract Adjustments Announced
• Simulated Universe Creates 3.4 Billion Digital Galaxies
• Reflections on the Evolution of Space Missions—From Apollo to Artemis

Main Topic: Artemis II Updates and NASA's Next Generation Astronauts
• Our Reporters Go Behind the Scenes at Johnson Space Center
• Artemis II Launch Windows Announced for Feb-April 2026
• Overview of Artemis II Crew and Their Spaceflight Experience
• Mission Profile: Free Return Trajectory, Timeline, and Unique Features
• Naming of Orion Capsule as "Integrity"
• NASA Preps for Extensive, Real-time Media Coverage During Artemis II
• Discussion of Public Enthusiasm and Challenges for Engaging a Modern Audience
• Artemis II Crew Details, Training, and Scientific Goals
• Addressing Orion Heat Shield Issues and Design Updates
• Training for Artemis III: Simulating Lunar Gravity and EVA Preparation
• NASA Unveils New Astronaut Class with Diverse Backgrounds
• Discussion of Astronaut Demographics, Public Messaging, and International Partners

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: Josh Dinner

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 shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Up next
Yesterday
Tech News Weekly 408: OpenAI DevDay: ChatGPT OS?
Amanda Silberling joins Mikah Sargent on Tech News Weekly this week! Casio has a new smart toy companion powered by AI. The UK is still seeking to develop backdoor encryption for Apple users. ChatGPT is looking to act more like an operating system. And how the 'Buy Now, Pay Later ... Show More
1h 10m
Yesterday
Hands-On Windows 161: Google Wants To Be Your Co-Pilot
Google is bringing Gemini into Windows territory, taking on Microsoft Copilot right from your desktop. Is the world's most popular browser about to change how you work with AI on Windows? Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands ... Show More
13m 29s
Yesterday
Hands-On Apple 203: Creating Genmoji on Mac
Apple's Genmoji just got smarter, letting you combine emojis, add custom descriptions, and totally personalize your reactions on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Find out how this playful AI tweak might just change the way you text. Apple Genmoji gets updated with new customization featur ... Show More
11m 32s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
The high stakes for AI Alexa
AI will fix everything, right? In this episode, friend of The Verge (and Waveform co-host) David Imel joins Nilay and David to talk all about Alexa Plus, and the AI-powered voice assistant Amazon thinks can do everything from turn on your lights to order your friend an Uber. The ... Show More
1h 56m
Sep 30
Amazon’s Hardware Event
All the headline’s from Amazon’s fall hardware event. Daniel Ek is stepping back from Spotify. A new Claude model. ChatGPT gets into the shopping biz. And OpenAI is likely launching it’s own TikTok clone soon to feature AI videos. And new buzzword alert! Microsoft wants you to st ... Show More
20m 43s
Sep 2024
The Man Leading Amazon’s AI Reboot
Rohit Prasad was one of the chief architects of Amazon’s Alexa. Now, he’s leading the company’s effort to catch up in the AI race. WSJ reporter Sebastian Herrera joins host Zoe Thomas to discuss how Amazon slipped behind rivals like OpenAI and Google and what Prasad’s team is doi ... Show More
13m 31s
Aug 21
Amazon is betting on agents to win the AI race
This is Alex Heath, your Thursday episode guest host and deputy editor at The Verge. One of the biggest topics in AI these days is agents — the idea that AI is going to move from chatbots to reliably completing tasks for us in the real world. But the problem with agents is that t ... Show More
53m 50s
Mar 2025
Trump's confusing crusade against Big Tech
Starlink is in the White House, Siri is still bad, Pebble is back, up is down, everything is chaos. In this episode, Nilay and David start the show by running through some big gadget news, from a Siri-related shakeup at Apple to the new Google Pixel 9A. After that, The Verge's La ... Show More
1h 54m
Sep 12
Week in Tech: Turning China's Surveillance Against Itself
What does getting older actually feel like? This week, Oz and Karah discuss MIT Researchers who are using technology to simulate aging. Then, Oz tells the story of an activist who used China’s surveillance state as a form of protest. Karah dives deep into the weird world of human ... Show More
30m 41s
May 2025
The Little Known Chip Lab Behind Amazon’s Success
Annapurna Labs is not a household name, but its chips play a major role in Amazon Web Services and the company’s broader AI strategy. WSJ Science of Success columnist Ben Cohen explains. Plus, Apple is facing an existential crisis: Should it keep focusing on hardware or pour its ... Show More
13m 49s
Oct 2024
Mon. 10/21 – Google Get’s A Stay
Google’s strategy of keeping it in the courts is already going to plan. New AI agents from Microsoft. New Open Source models from IBM. Perplexity is looking to raise again. How far behind Apple thinks it is in AI. And what it’s like to use your AirPods as hearing aids.Sponsors:Ra ... Show More
16m 38s
Sep 17
Nvidia In Trouble In China Again
The framework of a TikTok deal is finally coming together. Nvidia suffers another major setback in China. Bunch of new AI stuff from YouTube. A coming MacBook with a touchscreen. And a roundup of the reviews of the iPhone Air. U.S. Investors, Trump Close In on TikTok Deal With Ch ... Show More
20m 8s
Nov 2024
Bluesky's quest to be the next Twitter
Nilay and David talk about the future of social, in light of Bluesky's recent surge in growth. Threads is huge, Bluesky is ascendent, Mastodon is... around, but can any of them become the next Twitter? Is that even the goal? After that, Kylie Robison joins the show and the gang d ... Show More
1h 33m