This Week in Space | Nukes in Space - Starship’s Next Launch Date, Solar Eclipse Ahead, and Voyager 1 in Peril? @thisweekinspace | Uploaded March 2024 | Updated October 2024, 5 hours ago.
Russia is building a secret nuclear-powered space weapon, but what does that mean for the rest of us? In this episode, Tariq Malik is joined by Space.com's Brett Tingley to discuss the recent reports and delve into the history of nuclear weapons and reactors in space, the existing international treaties governing weapons of mass destruction in orbit, and the growing militarization of space by Russia, China, and the United States. Malik and Tingley also cover the week's top headlines, including SpaceX's upcoming Starship orbital launch attempt and NASA's continuing struggles to revive the Voyager 1 spacecraft.
Headlines:
• SpaceX sets March 14th as tentative date for Starship's third test flight, pending final launch license approval from the FAA
• NASA's Voyager 1 probe, launched in 1977 and now in interstellar space, continues to experience significant computer glitches that mission controllers are struggling to diagnose
• The next Great North American Solar Eclipse is just one month away, with the path of totality crossing from Mexico through the central and northeastern US on April 8th
Main Topic: Potential Russian Nuclear Space Weapons
• Recent reports from US officials suggest Russia may be developing a new nuclear-powered anti-satellite weapon or electronic warfare platform
• The weapon likely wouldn't pose an immediate threat, but highlights the growing militarization of space and potential for a new arms race
• Nuclear power has long been used in space, from radioisotope thermoelectric generators on probes like Voyager to plans for nuclear propulsion
• The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans placing WMDs in orbit, but has some gray areas and lacks robust enforcement mechanisms
• The US, Russia, and China have all demonstrated anti-satellite capabilities in recent years, from missiles to lasers to mini-satellites with robotic arms
• There are also growing concerns over military interest in cislunar space and the Moon as another "high ground" to be contested
• While there are more pressing threats than space-based nuclear weapons, the situation reflects deteriorating international relations and the need for updated treaties
Host: Tariq Malik
Guest: Brett Tingley
This Week in Space episode 101
More Info: twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/101
Download or subscribe to this show at twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space
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About us:
TWiT.tv is a technology podcasting network located in the San Francisco Bay Area with the #1 ranked technology podcast This Week in Tech hosted by Leo Laporte. Every week we produce dozens of hours of content on a variety of programs including Tech News Weekly, MacBreak Weekly, This Week in Google, Windows Weekly, Security Now, and more.
Russia is building a secret nuclear-powered space weapon, but what does that mean for the rest of us? In this episode, Tariq Malik is joined by Space.com's Brett Tingley to discuss the recent reports and delve into the history of nuclear weapons and reactors in space, the existing international treaties governing weapons of mass destruction in orbit, and the growing militarization of space by Russia, China, and the United States. Malik and Tingley also cover the week's top headlines, including SpaceX's upcoming Starship orbital launch attempt and NASA's continuing struggles to revive the Voyager 1 spacecraft.
Headlines:
• SpaceX sets March 14th as tentative date for Starship's third test flight, pending final launch license approval from the FAA
• NASA's Voyager 1 probe, launched in 1977 and now in interstellar space, continues to experience significant computer glitches that mission controllers are struggling to diagnose
• The next Great North American Solar Eclipse is just one month away, with the path of totality crossing from Mexico through the central and northeastern US on April 8th
Main Topic: Potential Russian Nuclear Space Weapons
• Recent reports from US officials suggest Russia may be developing a new nuclear-powered anti-satellite weapon or electronic warfare platform
• The weapon likely wouldn't pose an immediate threat, but highlights the growing militarization of space and potential for a new arms race
• Nuclear power has long been used in space, from radioisotope thermoelectric generators on probes like Voyager to plans for nuclear propulsion
• The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans placing WMDs in orbit, but has some gray areas and lacks robust enforcement mechanisms
• The US, Russia, and China have all demonstrated anti-satellite capabilities in recent years, from missiles to lasers to mini-satellites with robotic arms
• There are also growing concerns over military interest in cislunar space and the Moon as another "high ground" to be contested
• While there are more pressing threats than space-based nuclear weapons, the situation reflects deteriorating international relations and the need for updated treaties
Host: Tariq Malik
Guest: Brett Tingley
This Week in Space episode 101
More Info: twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/101
Download or subscribe to this show at twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space
Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at twit.tv/clubtwit
Products we recommend: amazon.com/shop/twitnetcastnetwork
TWiT may earn commissions on certain products.
Follow us:
twit.tv
twitter.com/TWiT
facebook.com/TWiTNetwork
instagram.com/twit.tv
https://bsky.app/profile/twit.tv
About us:
TWiT.tv is a technology podcasting network located in the San Francisco Bay Area with the #1 ranked technology podcast This Week in Tech hosted by Leo Laporte. Every week we produce dozens of hours of content on a variety of programs including Tech News Weekly, MacBreak Weekly, This Week in Google, Windows Weekly, Security Now, and more.
