TWiS 199: The Obsolete Astronaut? - And a New Report on C...

What this episode covers

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 Maximize Science Returns Discussion of Sample Return, Planetary Protection, and Evolving AI/Robotics/Human Partnerships Debate Over Long-Term Human Settlement on Mars Versus Robotic and Cyborg Exploration Implications of Rapid Progress in Humanoid Robotics and AI for the Future of Space Exploration Also, Rod and Tariq are celebrating their 200th episode of This Week in Space and are hosting an Ask Us Anything (AUA) episode! Get your questions ready and send them to [email protected] for Rod and Tariq to answer them! Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Pascal Lee 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 audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of This Week in Space (Video)?

This episode is 1 hour and 1 minute long.

When was this This Week in Space (Video) episode published?

This episode was published on February 27, 2026.

What is this episode about?

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...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

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