Looking Back at 2025 in Space
As the year draws to a close, This Week In Space returns with Episode 190, a Holiday Special that looks back on the space year 2025. Hosts Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik guide listeners through the highs, the lows, and the unexpected moments that shaped space exploration, astronomy, and the broader space industry. This episode isn’t just a roundup; it’s a narrative of perseverance, collaboration, and curiosity that defined a year in orbit and beyond.
Milestones That Shaped 2025
The year featured a blend of bold missions and long-term plans reaching critical milestones. Lunar exploration continued to gain momentum, with both public and private teams advancing sustained surface operations and scientific experiments. Mars missions delivered new data on the planet’s geology and climate, refining our understanding of its past habitability and present environment. The telescope community celebrated new discoveries from space- and ground-based observatories, including unprecedented deep-field observations and high-resolution spectral data that reframed our view of distant galaxies and exoplanets.
Artemis and the Return to the Moon
The Holiday Special delves into Artemis program progress, examining how hardware demonstrations, international partnerships, and crewed lunar sorties are setting the stage for longer-duration stays on the Moon. The episode highlights the scientific payoff from lunar surface experiments, the development of new habitats, and the logistics of sustaining a multinational presence on and around the Moon.
The Human Element: People Behind the Progress
Beyond robots and rockets, the show centers on the researchers, engineers, and storytellers who translate complex science into accessible content. The Holiday Special spotlights breakthroughs in space medicine, robotics, and AI-assisted data analysis that are accelerating discoveries. It also reflects on the challenges—budget constraints, launch delays, and the occasional setback—and how the space community navigates them with resilience and creativity.
Looking Ahead: What 2026 Might Bring
While 2025 provided a rich archive of milestones, Episode 190 also peers into the near future. Listeners get a teaser of planned missions, anticipated telescope campaigns, and the evolving role of private companies in enabling sustainable space activities. The hosts discuss how international collaboration and open science will continue to shape a more connected and transparent spacefaring era.
Why This Holiday Special Matters
For fans of space exploration, this episode is a curated reflection—an opportunity to celebrate achievements while learning from challenges. The format blends analysis, context, and storytelling to help audiences appreciate not just the “what” of 2025, but the “why” behind the year’s most consequential events in space. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the show, this Holiday Special offers a clear, engaging overview of a year that pushed the boundaries of what’s possible.
Where to Listen and What to Expect Next
Episode 190 is designed as a standalone retrospective, with links and references for listeners who want to dive deeper into specific missions or discoveries. If you’re planning to catch up before 2026 headlines roll in, this episode is a concise, informative waypoint that pairs well with the regular weekly cadence of This Week In Space.
