This Week In Space podcast: Episode 236 — Alienspotting

On Episode 236 of This Week In Space, Tariq Malik and Rod Pyle are joined by Mikhail Tikhonov to talk about how life can take more unusual forms, ones we might not even recognize.

When we think of extraterrestrials, our minds generally go from the latex-suited bipedal aliens seen in Star Trek and Star Wars to more exotic critters in sci-fi movies. Scientists think in terms of carbon-based microbial life and other lower life forms.

But some researchers, such as Tikhonov from Washington University, suggest that life can take more unusual forms, ones we might not even recognize. He further suggests a new definition of life: something that takes in and transforms energy and replicates. His ideas radically expand our notions of alien life and how it might be recognized.

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Space news of the week

Watch SpaceX attempt a historic Starship launch and double-catch landing todayDouble-catch drama: Why Starship's Flight 15 is so important to SpaceXSpaceX's Starship megarocket will launch to orbit on Nov. 13. Will you be able to spot it in the night sky?'Don't panic': SpaceX pens familiar message on Starship ahead of historic double-catch test flightMikhail TikhonovHow to (theoretically) spot an alien

Model Falcon 9!

Finally, did you know you can launch your own SpaceX rocket? Model rocket maker Estes' stunning scale model of a Falcon 9 rocket that you can pick up now. The launchable model is a detailed recreation of the Falcon 9 and retails for $149.99. You can save 10% by using the code IN-COLLECTSPACE at checkout, courtesy of our partners collectSPACE.com.

About This Week In Space

This Week in Space covers the new space age. Every Friday we take a deep dive into a fascinating topic. What's happening with the new race to the moon and other planets? When will SpaceX really send people to Mars?

Join Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik from Space.com as they tackle those questions and more each week on Friday afternoons. You can subscribe today on your favorite podcatcher.