This Week in Space 200: Our 200th Episode Listener Special!

Date: March 6, 2026
Hosts: Rod Pyle (Editor-in-Chief, Ad Astra Magazine) & Tarek Malik (Editor-in-Chief, Space.com)
Theme: Celebrating 200 episodes of “This Week in Space” with headline news, listener questions, jokes, and nostalgia about the show’s journey.

Episode Overview

The 200th episode marks a milestone for “This Week in Space” as Rod and Tarek don their finest attire (“dressed to the nines”) and dedicate the show to their listeners. This special episode features updates on major space news, reflections on favorite show moments, a rapid-fire reading of listener questions and space jokes, and a heartfelt sense of community and banter. The tone is celebratory, informal, and loaded with classic Rod-Tarek humor, inside jokes, and engaging anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Latest Artemis Program Developments (03:29–08:14)

• Update on Artemis 2:
  NASA has repaired the helium system on the upper stage, and the mission remains on track for a rollback to the pad, aiming for an April 1st launch window.
  Tarek: “They fixed the issue on the helium system on the upper stage. So that's really good. And we're thinking that we're going to see rollback to the pad sometime in the next couple weeks… They're still looking at April 1st.” (03:32)

• Artemis Roadmap:

  • Artemis 2 will fly around the Moon using the current SLS Block 1 with the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS).
  • Artemis 3 will also use the current configuration; only with Artemis 4 and 5 will a new, likely commercially competed upper stage be introduced, possibly Vulcan Centaur.
  • NASA clarified that there will no longer be a Block 2 SLS or an Exploration Upper Stage (E.U.S.), signaling a streamlined direction for Artemis.

• Hardware & Cost Concerns:
  Construction of the Mobile Launch Platform 2 is halted due to changes in the program, with much of the funding already spent.

  Notable quote — Rod (on hardware costs):
  “How much did they spend on that thing? Like a billion eight or something.” (07:24)

  Tarek (on launch platform):
  “Looking at the contract... it was like 90 plus percent paid out already. So that money is out the door, you know.” (07:29)

2. Asteroid Safety for the Moon (08:46–09:48)

• Good news for future lunar astronauts:
  Asteroid 2024 YR4 was once considered a threat to both the Earth and Moon in 2032, but updated NASA analysis shows it will miss both.

  Tarek: “...we don't have to worry in 2032 when asteroid 2024 YR4 swings by… NASA says that we don't have to worry about it now. It's just going to miss us all entirely.” (08:48)

3. NASA’s New Hiring Initiative: NASA Force (10:05–12:28)

• Background:
  Reflects federal job losses at NASA due to previous administration cuts and a new push to rapidly hire technical talent to accelerate Artemis and other programs.

  Tarek: “Their goal is to just recruit as many people as fast as possible through this NASA Force so that they can continue, as Isaac says, to attract the next generation… of innovators and technical experts...” (12:19)

4. Status of MAVEN Mars Orbiter (12:43–14:47)

• Update:
  After losing contact in December during solar conjunction, efforts to revive MAVEN have so far been unsuccessful, and the outlook is pessimistic.

  Tarek (on MAVEN): “We've been waiting for an update about what NASA's going to do because at some point they have to call it. Is Maven dead and lost in orbit around Mars or is it salvageable and can they resurrect it?” (13:53)

5. Recent Lunar Eclipse (14:56–15:46)

• Astro Weather:
  The last total lunar eclipse until 2029 in the US occurred March 3rd, 2026. Cloudy skies obscured it for the hosts, but listeners worldwide sent in photos.

6. Listener Questions & Show Nostalgia (19:12–79:50)

Favorite Guests (23:01–25:27)

• Notable guests included John de Lancie, Bill Nye, Pam Melroy, Eileen Collins, and authors like Jack McDevitt and Alan Steele.
  • Tarek (on Eileen Collins): “...that was the first mission that I ever covered as lead reporter back in 2005.” (24:01)

Science Fiction’s Influence (20:12–22:09)

• Discussion on how sci-fi authors incorporate real science, and tease for a potential interview with Andy Weir about the upcoming “Hail Mary” film.

Global Collaboration vs. Competition in Mars Exploration (39:46–42:45)

• Debate on whether competition or collaboration would get humans to Mars faster, with both hosts leaning toward competition as the historical motivator for rapid progress.

  Rod: “God love the US, we do best when we're competing with somebody... it may be that it takes that kick to the groin to get us to wake up and get back to the moon.” (41:23)

Communications Tech Evolution (26:17–29:43)

• Reminiscing on old frustrations sending emails via satphone in the Arctic vs. now having Starlink and ubiquitous global connectivity.

The Moon Landing Proofs (64:17–69:21)

• Multiple forms of modern and historical proof for the Apollo landings explained, including recent lunar orbiter images showing hardware and rover tracks, and the ongoing use of lunar laser retroreflectors.

  Rod (on Soviet tracking):
  “Since we follow the Soviet Union, we know that the Russians were tracking everything we did. And they were able to use Doppler radar to see Apollo coming around the side of the moon...” (67:21)

  Tarek (on retroreflectors):
  “Anyone can shoot a laser, they know where it is and they can get the flashback. And we saw them on video deploy that stuff.” (68:08)

Terraforming and Martian Settlement Ethics (49:32–54:29)

• Discussion of “terraforming hubris,” and the philosophical debate: Should we prioritize fixing Earth before investing in making Mars habitable? Both acknowledge the allure and immense challenge of interplanetary settlement.

  Tarek: “...I would hope that we wouldn't stop working on Earth to make it better for everybody and not just for the people that have the money and the SpaceX, Elysium, the Amazons and all of that stuff.” (52:56)

7. Listener Jokes, Sound Effects & Fun (Throughout)

• The episode is peppered with listener-submitted space jokes, rapid banter, and the hosts riffing off one another. Notable moments include:
  • “Why did the sun go to school? To get brighter.” (02:11)
  • “Why did the space tourists want to go to Saturn? To go ring shopping.” (22:21)
  • “Why are astronauts hungry when they reach space? Because they already had a lunch.” (58:53)
  • “Because he had too big a pile of them!” (Rod on his last name – 72:52)

8. The Show’s Spirit and Community

• Frequent digs at each other, sharing slips, embarrassing stories, and how their families don’t really want to join them onscreen (“Your family tolerates you. Let's be honest...” – 32:49).
• Fans write in with limericks (45:13), favorite moments, questions about sci-fi objects on set, and mission naming suggestions.
• Both hosts express gratitude for the audience, acknowledging that the show’s true highlight is its community of listeners.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Artemis priorities:
  Rod: “NASA, NASA, NASA.” (08:12)

• Listener love:
  Rod: “This one's for you, gang. Listener gang.” (01:36)

• Meta-podcast humor:
  Tarek: “We wouldn't be at episode 200 if we didn't have listeners, so thank you all.” (74:36)

• Reflective:
  Rod, closing thoughts: “From the bottom of our hearts, small, gnarled, and black as they may be in my case, because we love having you here and we love doing this show... this is kind of the highlight of my week, sad to say.” (78:19)

Important Segments (Timestamps)

• Artemis & NASA Updates: 03:29–08:14
• Asteroid 2024 YR4 News: 08:46–09:48
• NASA Force Hiring: 10:05–12:28
• MAVEN Status: 12:43–14:47
• Listener Questions, Nostalgia & Jokes: 19:12–79:50

Final Segment: Looking Forward

The episode ends by encouraging audience engagement, sending in questions or jokes, and teasing future milestones. Both hosts share updates about their activities (e.g., Tarek doing yoga and visiting the Lego store; Rod’s talk at the Bowers Museum), plug their social handles, and express excitement for another 100 episodes to come.

Summary

This celebratory 200th episode of “This Week in Space” is a lively, listener-driven showcase of space news updates, reflections on past milestones, the quirky charm and wit of its hosts, and strong connections to the show’s dedicated fan base. Covering everything from the status of Artemis to the ongoing proof of the Moon landings, debates about Mars, space tech evolution, special guests, and lots of laughter, the episode is both a space-geek’s delight and a warm thank-you note to its audience.

Subscribe, send a space joke, and celebrate with Rod and Tarek—200 down, hundreds more to go.