Should We Settle in Space? - Tim Peake, Kelly Weinersmith and Alan Davies

Should We Settle in Space? - Tim Peake, Kelly Weinersmith and Alan Davies

Author: BBC Radio 4 July 16, 2025 Duration: 42:46

Brian Cox and Robin Ince blast off into a cosmic controversy as they ask, should humanity become an interplanetary species? At Harwell Campus, a space science innovation hub, they’re joined by astronaut Tim Peake, biologist and Royal Society prize winning author Kelly Weinersmith, and comedian Alan Davies to explore the science, ethics, and challenges of settling on Mars or on the Moon. Are we bold pioneers venturing into the unknown, or just reckless tenants abandoning Earth in search of a new abode? Our panel discuss whether space settlement is inevitable in humanity’s near future and how pushing the boundaries of space exploration could make extra-terrestrial travel more accessible to the masses. From sourcing materials, to surviving radiation, and even growing potatoes from poo, they tackle what it really would take to live a life beyond Earth!

Series Producer: Melanie Brown Assistant Producer: Olivia Jani Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

BBC Studios Audio Production


Imagine a room where the biggest questions in the universe meet the sharpest, silliest wit. That’s the essence of The Infinite Monkey Cage, a BBC Radio 4 production hosted by physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince. Each episode gathers a panel of leading scientists, experts, and curious celebrities to tear apart a topic, from quantum quirks to cosmic mysteries. The conversation is a genuine collision of rigorous thought and irreverent humor, where a profound insight about black holes might be followed by a perfectly timed joke. You’ll hear complex ideas explored with clarity and a sense of shared wonder, never taking the science-or themselves-too seriously. This particular podcast thrives on that dynamic tension, making the frontiers of knowledge feel like a lively, accessible, and often hilarious dinner party debate. It’s a journey through the latest discoveries and enduring puzzles, all filtered through the unique perspectives of people who are genuinely thrilled to be asking "why?" Tune in for a consistently surprising and enlightening blend of intellect and laughter that proves exploring life, the universe, and everything doesn't require a solemn face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Infinite Monkey Cage
Podcast Episodes
The Infinite Monkey's Guide To… Audience Favourites (Pt 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:16
`This week it's over to you the listeners, as we hear some of your favourite moments from The Infinite Monkey Cage. Comedian Claire Hooper hears about the mating rituals of spiders, which use several of their legs in thi…
The Infinite Monkey's Guide To… Tiny Things [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:08
Brian Cox and Robin Ince shuffle through the archive to find the smallest things in the world of science, from a particle so tiny nobody has ever actually seen it, to the millions of microbes we’re all made up of. They a…
The Infinite Monkey's Guide To… The Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:43
We know the universe is rapidly expanding but what happens if other galaxies disappear from view? That’s what Eric Idle wants to know as he ponders the future and what it holds in store. Solar scientist Lucie Green says…
The Infinite Monkey's Guide To… Failure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:54
Brian Cox and Robin Ince embrace failure in its many forms, with a frank look at the importance of making mistakes. They examine the flaws in Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution with the anthropologist Alice Roberts, as…
The Infinite Monkey's Guide To… Gambling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:16
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The Infinite Monkey's Guide To… The Gods [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:24
Robin Ince and Brian Cox tackle the thorny debate over whether science and religion can co-exist. But forget the tension between the church and the researchers – Eric Idle wants an answer to the important question of whe…
The Infinite Monkey's Guide To…  Talking to Aliens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:44
Brian Cox and Robin Ince are on a mission to discover whether extra-terrestrials exist. But if there really is other life out there, what would it look like?Comedian Conan O’Brien is hoping for lizard-like creatures with…