TWiS 199: The Obsolete Astronaut? - And a New Report on Crewed Mars Missions
About this episode
The episode discusses the relevance of human astronauts in the age of advanced robotics and AI, featuring insights from Dr. Pascal Lee on Mars exploration.
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…
More episodes of This Week in Space (Audio)
- TWiS 207: What, This Again? - Attempted Cuts to the NASA Budget
- TWiS 206: I Want to Believe - When We Meet the Aliens
- TWiS 205: All About Artemis - The Brilliance of Artemis 2
- TWiS 204: A New NASA - Artemis 2 Firsthand, and Isaacman Shakes up NASA!
- TWiS 203: China Rising - With Dr. Namrata Goswami
- TWiS 202: Artemis Imminent - Artemis II Back on the Pad!
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the This Week in Space (Audio) podcast page.