TWiS 219: SpaceX Goes to War! - And Other Space Headlines

This week we're jumping into the space headlines for the past few weeks. It's been busy, and some exciting things are happening! A couple of companies are moving into the space solar power arena--something we've long advocated--and that's welcome progress. Starship is set to fly Starship test number 13, and a lot is riding on this--the system is overdue for some proof of concept to keep up with NASA's HLS contract. An exoplanet spotted a decade ago has shown signs of a potentially habitable atmosphere; there are landslides--big ones--on Pluto, and evidence of "space candy" sugars in an interstellar cloud are in the news. Finally, SpaceX is doubling down on their big defense contracts with a well-funded US Space Force. Join us for all the latest!

Headlines:

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 Launch Aborted Due to Engine Issue

Meteorite Crashes Into New Jersey, Preserved Sample Fuels Origins of Life Research

Discovery of Atmosphere Around Habitable-Zone Exoplanet LHS 1140 b

NASA Moon Tree Planted After Artemis 1 Mission

Reflect Orbital to Launch Mirrors in Space, Sparking Astronomer Backlash

Landslides Found on Pluto Could Bury Entire Cities

Rare Sugar Found in Interstellar Cloud Hints at Building Blocks of Life

SpaceX's Growing Military Launch Contracts and Pentagon Ties

Space Development Agency's Expanding Satellite Constellation for Space Force

Starship's Dual Focus: NASA Moon Landings vs. Mars and Satellite Deployment