Looking Back at a Big Year in Space
The year 2025 was a whirlwind for space enthusiasts and professionals alike. In Episode 190 of This Week In Space, hosts Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik take listeners on a thoughtful ride through a year that delivered breakthroughs, faced setbacks, and sparked renewed curiosity about what lies beyond our atmosphere. This holiday special isn’t just a countdown of milestones; it’s a narrative of perseverance, collaboration, and the relentless human drive to explore the cosmos.
A Year of Milestones: Rockets, Rovers, and Revelations
2025 saw a spectrum of achievements that reminded us why space science captures the imagination. On the launch side, several missions advanced from concept to reality, with new payloads testing propulsion innovations and deep-space communication techniques. The podcast highlights how these technical strides improve not only mission success rates but also the safety and efficiency of future expeditions. The conversation emphasizes how incremental gains in propulsion, thermal management, and autonomy compound over time, enabling more ambitious research in orbit, on the Moon, and beyond.
Rovers and landers continued to push the boundaries of surface science. The episode reviews notable surface operations, including lander landings that demonstrated enhanced precision in touchdown and longer-lasting power systems. These developments open doors for longer-duration experiments, in-field cosmic ray studies, and mineralogical surveys that deepen our understanding of planetary histories. The host duo also reflects on the growing role of international collaboration in planetary science, where shared missions and data access translate into richer science for all participants.
The Human Element: Astronauts, Engineers, and the Public
Behind every hardware milestone are the people who design, test, and fly these missions. This year’s stories include astronauts’ experiences on orbit, engineers refining operations in real time, and scientists translating raw telemetry into meaningful discoveries. The TWIS team uses the holiday setting to spotlight the human side of spaceflight—the sleepless nights, the eureka moments, and the teamwork that turns ambitious plans into tangible results. The episode also touches on outreach efforts that connect space exploration with classrooms, space enthusiasts, and the broader public, reinforcing why a year in space matters to society at large.
Looking Ahead: Questions for the Coming Years
As the year closes, the hosts pivot to what lies ahead. The conversation probes upcoming missions, next-generation instruments, and how international partnerships might evolve in a landscape of rising costs and ambitious timelines. They discuss the balance between robotic science and human exploration, underscoring the practical considerations of funding, risk management, and mission design. The holiday-spirit angle invites listeners to reflect on personal space goals for the new year—whether that means following certain missions more closely, engaging with citizen science programs, or sharing space news with friends and family.
Why This Holiday Special Resonates
This Week In Space Episode 190 stands out for weaving technical detail with accessible storytelling. It preserves the excitement of discovery while acknowledging challenges, making it approachable for long-time space fans and newcomers alike. The holiday frame invites a moment of pause to appreciate a year’s worth of work—an annual chorus of rockets, rovers, and remote sensing that continues to push humanity toward new frontiers.
Conclusion: A Year in Review Worth Replaying
As the episode closes, the message is clear: 2025 was not just a list of events but a tapestry of progress, learning, and collaboration. The TWIS Holiday Special invites listeners to carry that sense of momentum into the next year, to stay curious, and to keep the conversation about space exploration alive in living rooms, classrooms, and online communities around the world.
