This Week in Space 196: Becoming Martian!
Fri Feb 06 2026
It is widely accepted that over time, humanity will need to expand its presence into the solar system. What are the challenges? Well, space and our nearby worlds have proved to be a much greater challenge than we had long thought. While the rigors of zero-g have been well researched on the International Space Station, the challenges of living in lower gravity, such as that found on the moon and Mars, has not yet been explored. And human reproduction in space, along with genetic challenges, is a complete unknown. Rice Univeristy professor and researcher Scott Solomon joins us to explore these topics in depth, and to posit possible solutions.
Headlines:
Artemis 2 Moon Launch Faces More Delays Due to Hydrogen Leaks
Perseverance Rover on Mars Completes First Fully AI-Driven Journey
Study Warns of Urgent Need to Research Human Reproduction in Space
Main Topic: Becoming Martian – What It Would Take for Humans to Thrive on Mars
Biological impacts of space and Martian environments on the human body
Gaps in research about reproduction, growth, and development in space and partial gravity
Ethical, social, and medical challenges of having children beyond Earth
The complexities of transplanting Earth's ecosystems, microbiomes, and the risk of disruptive species
Evolutionary changes and the likely divergence of human populations living long-term off-Earth
Considerations around modifying humans versus modifying extraterrestrial environments
Infectious disease threats and dwindling biological immunity for space settlers
Psychological, cultural, and population dynamics for future interplanetary communities
Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik
Guest: Dr. Scott Solomon
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It is widely accepted that over time, humanity will need to expand its presence into the solar system. What are the challenges? Well, space and our nearby worlds have proved to be a much greater challenge than we had long thought. While the rigors of zero-g have been well researched on the International Space Station, the challenges of living in lower gravity, such as that found on the moon and Mars, has not yet been explored. And human reproduction in space, along with genetic challenges, is a complete unknown. Rice Univeristy professor and researcher Scott Solomon joins us to explore these topics in depth, and to posit possible solutions. Headlines: Artemis 2 Moon Launch Faces More Delays Due to Hydrogen Leaks Perseverance Rover on Mars Completes First Fully AI-Driven Journey Study Warns of Urgent Need to Research Human Reproduction in Space Main Topic: Becoming Martian – What It Would Take for Humans to Thrive on Mars Biological impacts of space and Martian environments on the human body Gaps in research about reproduction, growth, and development in space and partial gravity Ethical, social, and medical challenges of having children beyond Earth The complexities of transplanting Earth's ecosystems, microbiomes, and the risk of disruptive species Evolutionary changes and the likely divergence of human populations living long-term off-Earth Considerations around modifying humans versus modifying extraterrestrial environments Infectious disease threats and dwindling biological immunity for space settlers Psychological, cultural, and population dynamics for future interplanetary communities Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Dr. Scott Solomon 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 Sponsor: helixsleep.com/space