Planetary Radio: Recent Episodes
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Join host Mat Kaplan and regulars including Bill Nye the Science Guy, Planetary Evangelist Emily Lakdawalla and Planetary Society Director of Science and Technology Bruce Betts for this weekly half -hour devoted to exploring our solar system and beyond. You'll hear conversations with the scientists, mission directors, astronauts, engineers and leaders at the forefront of space exploration and development. Special coverage of the biggest events in space--and our periodic Planetary Radio Live shows--will make you part of our quest to know the cosmos and ourselves.
Mat’s first-ever four-way conversation with Jason Davis, Casey Dreier and Emily Lakdawalla reviews the biggest 2017 events in space exploration and provides their predictions of what to look for in the new year. Bruce Betts follows up with his own list of exciting highlights in a special edition of What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2018/0103-davis-dreier-lakdawalla.html
Mars scientists dubbed them recurring slope lineae or RSLs. They sure looked like evidence of liquid water flowing down hillsides and ridges on the Red Planet. New research led by US Geological Survey Planetary Geologist Colin Dundas says they are probably no more than dry sand and dust. Emily Lakdawalla reports that NASA has narrowed the choices for the next New Frontiers mission to a Titan or a comet lander. And it’s time for the last 2017 What’s Up look around the night sky by Bruce Betts. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1227-colin-dundas-rsl-water.html
A holiday edition of Planetary Radio welcomes the Planetary Society’s Senior Editor back from the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. Emily reports on amazing developments in planetary science she discovered at the huge conference. Someone will win a half-scale model of the LightSail 2 cubesat when Bruce Betts joins Mat Kaplan for this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1220-emily-lakdawalla-agu-report.html
On December 11th President Donald Trump signed a memorandum that firmly points the US space effort toward the Moon, but without providing many details. Planetary Society Director of Space Policy Casey Dreier fills in some of the gaps left by this executive directive. Poor Venus! Digital Editor Jason Davis explains why the cloud-shrouded furnace planet has been ignored by NASA for many years. Cowabunga! Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan head for the warm beaches of Southern California for an on location edition of What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1213-trump-space-memorandum.html
The first confirmed interstellar visitor to our solar system is a needle-shaped asteroid give the Hawaiian name ‘Oumuamua. Karen Meech leads the team that is learning as much about it as possible before it leaves our neighborhood, never to return. Elon Musk has decided on the payload the first Falcon Heavy rocket will carry into space. It’s his electric sports car, says Bill Nye. The Science Guy talks with Mat Kaplan about several other space stories in the news. India’s next mission to the moon is simply amazing, as Emily Lakdawalla reports. The perfect gift for any young space explorer is one of the prizes in this week’s What’s Up space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1206-karen-meech-oumuamua.html
Moon Express Founder and CEO Bob Richards shares an inspiring vision for a return to the Moon. It includes introduction of a sophisticated line of robotic spacecraft, the first of which may make a soft landing next year. Sample return and Mars missions would follow. Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye returns with concern for the future capabilities of a Hubble telescope descendant. And Bruce Betts surprises Mat Kaplan with an anniversary celebration that’s fit for the cosmos. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1129-bob-richards-of-moon-express.html
Canada has a new Space Advisory Board, and the Planetary Society’s Kate Howells is a member. Mat Kaplan also talks with Jeff Kuhn and Thomas Rimmele, two of the scientists working toward completion of the biggest solar telescope in history. Emily Lakdawalla has issued her annual recommendation of books for children. Have you written your #spacehaiku? The Planetary Society is collecting poems from around the world. Bruce and Mat present a few in this week’s What’s Up segment. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1122-howells-dkist.html
They may disagree about nearly every other issue, but many Republican and Democratic congressional representatives find common ground where there is no ground—in space. Adam Schiff’s California district includes the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is as enthusiastic a fan of the final frontier as you are likely to find under the capitol dome in Washington D.C. Planetary Society Digital Editor Jason Davis has just returned from the famed Mirror Lab at the University of Arizona. He witnessed the creation of a mirror that will soon become part of the Giant Magellan Telescope. The International Astronomical Union has made it official. Bruce Betts is all over the first, confirmed interstellar object to enter our solar system. He tells us about it in this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1115-adam-schiff.html
The author of #1 bestseller The Martian is back with Artemis, a superbly-researched, rollicking adventure in the first city on the Moon. You might win a copy of the book in the new What’s Up space trivia contest. Emily Lakdawalla has returned from the 2017 Division for Planetary Sciences meeting with several reports on the process of planetary science and the vital element of creativity in all of science. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1108-andy-weir-artemis.html
The likely next Administrator of NASA, Jim Bridenstine, appeared before a somewhat skeptical Senate committee to defend his nomination. Casey and Jason recap the hearing and assess Congressman Bridenstine’s chance of moving forward. We also analyze the first meeting of the National Space Council and Vice President Pence's declaration that Americans will return to the Moon. What does that mean for existing NASA programs and funding? What role will commercial companies play? More resources to explore this month’s topics are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/space-policy-edition-16.html A new episode of the Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
Join us for a wide-ranging, salon-style conversation about space exploration, science, art and more. Mat’s guests are astronomer, television producer/writer and former Star Trek science advisor André Bormanis and Planetary Society Senior Editor Emily Lakdawalla. Bruce Betts is at his most scary in a What’s Up segment recorded on Halloween. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1101-salon-bormanis-lakdawalla.html
Are we alone? The nearly sixty-year effort to answer that question has gotten a big boost from the Breakthrough Initiatives, funded by Yuri Milner and led by former NASA Ames Research Center director Pete Worden, who is our guest this week. Planetary Society Digital Editor Jason Davis has written an outstanding overview of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. As we look and listen to the skies for ET, Bruce Betts keeps us up on where our own family of planets is. He joins Mat for another What’s Up segment and a new space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1025-seti-breakthrough-initiatives-pete-worden.html
Astronomer Pamela Gay is probably best known as co-host of the Astronomy Cast podcast, but she is also Principal Investigator for the CosmoQuest virtual research facility. It offers fun and rewarding citizen science opportunities, including its newest, Image Detective. She tells us how anyone can work with images of Earth taken by astronauts, turning them into terrific scientific resources. Bill Nye the Science Guy says the first observation of two neutron stars colliding is pure science gold. Distant dwarf planet Haumea has rings! Bruce Betts tells us about the Planetary Society’s connection to this story in this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1018-pamela-gay-image-detective.html
Dawn Mission Director and Chief Engineer Marc Rayman helps us salute the ion-engine powered spacecraft that first orbited asteroid Vesta in the main asteroid belt and then moved to dwarf planet Ceres, revealing two fascinating worlds. The new US National Space Council met in Washington DC last week. Director of Space Policy Casey Dreier reviews it. Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye reports from Australia where he addressed the International Astronautical Congress. More space art can be yours if you win the latest What’s Up space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1011-marc-rayman-dawn-ten-years.html
The Australian government announced that it would create a national space agency at the 68th annual International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide. We’ll talk with IAC 2017 CEO Brett Biddington about what this means for his country. Last week’s IAC was also where Elon Musk provided more details about his audacious plan to put hundreds of humans on Mars by the mid-2020s. Digital Editor Jason Davis has the scoop. A really easy space trivia contest question could win you space art and much more as you hear What’s Up in the night sky. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/1004-brett-biddington-australia.html
More than 1,100 fans of the just-completed 20-year mission to Saturn joined us for a live tribute. The Planetary Society’s Mat Kaplan and KPCC Science Reporter Jacob Margolis welcomed mission leaders and the Society’s Emily Lakdawalla to Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium stage. You’ll also hear a musical tribute to Cassini’s Grand Finale. Mat and Bruce Betts add space limited edition space art to the prize package in the What’s Up space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0927-celebrating-cassini-live.html
Join us at JPL and Caltech on the bittersweet morning the Cassini spacecraft plunged into Saturn. We’ll hear from many of the spectacular mission’s leaders, including Jim Green, John Grunsfeld, Ralph Lorenz, Bob Pappalardo, Earl Maize, Linda Spilker and Julie Webster. Bill Nye salutes the mission team and calls for continued exploration of space. The Cassini theme continues as Bruce Betts reveals What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0920-cassini-grand-finale.html
Robert Zubrin of the Mars Society talks with Gregory Benford, David Brin, Geoffrey Landis and Larry Niven about terraforming Mars, the origin of life, the drive to explore and more. Emily Lakdawalla tells us what expect when the Cassini Mission comes to a spectacular end. The Cassini theme continues through this week’s What’s Up segment with Bruce Betts. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0913-science-fiction-panel.html
The co-founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the Planetary Society returns for a conversation about the allure of sailing through space. Digital editor Jason Davis reviews three exciting space sail projects, and LightSail Program Manager Bruce Betts provides a LightSail 2 update before giving us his regular What’s Up report. There are two space trivia contests to close out before we offer a new opportunity to win the weekly prize package. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0906-solar-sailing-friedman-davis.html
The multi-billion dollar, multi-decade Cassini mission is about to end. A new report tries to answer an important question: are flagship science missions like Cassini worth the effort and expense? And how can NASA maximize the value of these endeavours? Dr. Ralph McNutt, co-chair of the National Academies study, reviews the report’s recommendations. More resources to explore this month’s topics are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/space-policy-edition-16.html A new episode of the Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
With hours to go before the Great American Eclipse, nine outstanding guests joined host Mat Kaplan for Planetary Radio Live in front of 1,100 rowdy eclipse and space science fans. Also at Southern Illinois University Carbondale for the show was the Jenny Johnson Band with its new song, “Solar Eclipse. Bruce Betts arrives later with a post-eclipse What’s Up report. The guys have found one last rubber asteroid to give away in the space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0830-planetary-radio-live-eclipse.html
It’s the Grandest Finale. The spectacular Cassini mission’s exploration of Saturn will end on September 15th when the spacecraft plunges into the planet. Cassini Project Scientist Linda Spilker is back with one last mission update. Mat also announces a live Cassini celebration on the evening of September 18, 2017. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan are back from the Great American Eclipse’s path of totality with another What’s Up segment and a new space trivia contest that features the eclipse. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0823-linda-spilker.html
It is most space fans’ favorite planetary science mission, and with good reason. We visit with the man who has been in charge of Voyager mission science for more than four decades. You’ve got an extra week to enter the space trivia contest, part of this week’s What’s Up segment with Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0816-ed-stone.html
JPL astrophysicists Alina Kiessling and Jason Rhodes were brought together by their fascination over the mystery of dark energy. They talk with Planetary Radio about their research and the many missions they are contributing to, including WFIRST, a unique new space telescope. Director of Space Policy Casey Dreier reviews the US Senate’s 2018 NASA budget proposal. CEO Bill Nye says enjoy the Great American Eclipse, but be careful! All this and What’s Up with Bruce Betts. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0809-jason-rhodes-alina-kiessling.html
With US/Russia relations at their worst since the Cold War, there are warnings that Vladimir Putin might end his nation’s participation in the International Space Station. Could Russia go even further and cut off rides for US astronauts to the ISS? Later, Casey Dreier joins Spark Science host Regina Barber Degraaff for a conversation with US Congressman Rick Larsen, Democratic representative of Washington state’s 2nd District. This month’s show opens with an overview of the NASA appropriations bill just passed by the US Senate. More resources to explore this month’s topics are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/space-policy-edition-15.html A new episode of the Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
The world’s most powerful solar telescope has just been renamed for the man responsible for its creation. We’ll meet astrophysicist and helioseismologist Phil Goode, and we’ll enjoy a tour of the Goode Solar Telescope. All you need to safely enjoy the coming Great American Eclipse are a couple of pieces of cardboard and a pushpin. Emily Lakdawalla explains. A discovery at Saturn’s moon Titan has Bill Nye thinking again about the discovery of life elsewhere in the universe. With an eclipse and a meteor shower on deck, Bruce Betts has much to share in this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0802-phil-goode-bbso.html
Will humans live, work and thrive on Mars? What challenges must be met before we can become Martians? On July 20th, the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Mat Kaplan welcomed an outstanding panel of experts for conversation in front of a Pasadena, California audience. Mat also talked with the six men and women who are nearing the end of the eight-month HI-SEAS V Mars analog mission in Hawaii. Later, Bruce Betts arrived on stage with another examination of the current night sky, along with a new space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0726-planetary-radio-live-living-on-mars.html
The Cassini Mission has less than two months to go before it ends with a spectacular plunge into the beautiful ringed world. Planetary Society Senior Editor Emily Lakdawalla has prepared a guide to the last orbits by the historic spacecraft. Bill Nye provides examples from his new book of how we will benefit from space applications and the way nerds solve problems. His impressions may not be ready for prime time, but Bruce Betts’ guide to the night sky and Random Space Facts are always entertaining. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0719-emily-lakdawalla-cassini.html
When the Pathfinder lander reached Mars 20 years ago it began a Martian renaissance that has never paused. JPL scientist Matt Golombek was the mission’s Project Scientist. He looks back and to the future of our explorations at the red planet. Planetary Society Director of Space Policy Casey Dreier shares his thoughts about the return of the National Space Council just authorized by President Trump. Got your eclipse glasses? You might win a pair, along with the new Planetary Radio t-shirt and an iTelescope astronomy account on What’s Up. Bill Nye is on book tour. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0712-matt-golombek.html
Veteran astronomer and cosmologist Sandra Faber has just been awarded the Gruber Prize for Cosmology, honoring more than forty years of pioneering work. She talks with Mat Kaplan on this week’s show. Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye tells us about his contribution to a conversation about protecting other worlds from aggressive life here on Earth. Bruce Betts takes us to the broiling highlands of Venus and the frigid plains of Mars for the space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0705-sandra-faber.html
Asteroid Day, June 30th, marks the anniversary of the great Tunguska impact that leveled a Siberian forest. It reminds us that a Near Earth Object can destroy a city or even a civilization. Former Minor Planet Center Director Tim Spahr reviews our efforts to find and understand these bodies. Bruce Betts unveils new round of Planetary Society grants that will support this work. Jason Davis takes us to Uranus and Neptune, ice giants that have only been visited by one spacecraft. Bill Nye wonders how future Mars rovers will communicate with Earth if aging satellite fail without replacements. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0628-tim-spahr-asteroid-day.html
The great inventor was just one of many men and women who made their way across the American West to view and document the total solar eclipse of 1878. Edison would test a new heat-detecting instrument. Vassar astronomer Maria Mitchell and her female colleagues demonstrated that women could conduct science under difficult conditions. Former NPR science reporter David Baron’s American Eclipse-- A Nation’s Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World tells their stories. Emily Lakdawalla and Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye also report from the final frontier. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0621-david-baron-american-eclipse.html
How do you keep a dazzlingly complex spacecraft in good health after 20 years in space? That’s the challenge for Julie Webster and her team of engineers supporting the Cassini mission at Saturn. Jason Davis reports on the possible discovery of the asteroid impact that wiped out most of Earth’s life. Bill Nye the Science Guy is following the youthful wanderings of Jupiter. Cassini is the source of this week’s space trivia contest on What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0614-julie-webster-cassini.html
Have you seen its stunning image of Jupiter’s south pole? The Juno orbiter is surpassing expectations and delivering surprising science. Scott Bolton, the mission’s Principal Investigator, is back with a thrilling report. We’ve reached another key milestone along LightSail 2’s road to space. Planetary Society Digital Editor Jason Davis fills us in. Bill Nye gets from India to William Shatner in less than three minutes, and Bruce Betts escorts us across the night sky in What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0607-scott-bolton-juno.html
The Trump Administration released its proposed FY2018 budget just days ago. Casey Dreier, Jason Callahan and Mat Kaplan dive deep into what this controversial plan means for NASA and how it has been received by Congress. Casey and Jason then provide a fascinating though disturbing preview of a Planetary Society white paper. Mars in Retrograde carefully and comprehensively analyzes the history and current status of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, and calls for immediate steps to protect future robotic exploration of the Red Planet. More resources to explore this month’s topics are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/space-policy-edition-13.html A new episode of the Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
He walked with Neil Armstrong on the moon, but that may not be his greatest legacy. Buzz Aldrin was joined by other space stars at the recent Humans To Mars Summit. Bill Nye returns with his sense of awe turned up to eleven by the images of Jupiter returned by Juno. Casey Dreier finds good and bad news for science in the White House’s proposed 2018 budget. And there’s a lively night sky to explore in this week’s What’s Up segment. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0531-h2m-buzz-aldrin-jim-green.html
Astronauts may soon ride on US rockets and in US spaceships for the first time since the last Space Shuttle flight. Jon Cowart of NASA is working with SpaceX toward the first launch of a Dragon spacecraft with humans on board. See the moons of Saturn as you’ve never seen them before in Emily Lakdawalla’s new composite image. Bruce Betts has just returned from Japan with a What’s Up update on the Planetary Defense Conference. Bill Nye has the week off. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0524-jon-cowart-commercial-crew-spacex.html
The human journey to the Red Planet is long and hard, but Mat’s conversation with three NASA Associate Administrators at the Humans to Mars Summit was filled with cautious optimism. Emily Lakdawalla shares a beautiful image of Saturn almost lost in the myriad stars of the Milky Way. The first Space Launch System rocket won’t carry astronauts, and Bill Nye says that’s probably a good thing. Bruce Betts reports in from the Planetary Defense Conference in Tokyo for this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0517-nasa-associate-admins-h2m.html
Veteran Jet Propulsion Lab planetary scientist Bonnie Buratti talks with Mat about the wonder of our solar neighborhood that she explores in Worlds Fantastic, Worlds Familiar—A Guided Tour of the Solar System. Emily Lakdawalla reviews a busy and challenging time for Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory rover. Bill Nye says thousands of small satellites may bring broadband internet access to the third world, but they may also bring new space debris challenges. And Bruce Betts somehow bring together Skylab, gold and hamsters in the new What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0510-bonnie-buratti-worlds-fantastic.html
Moon or Mars? Should NASA depend on private companies? What’s the goal of human spaceflight? These questions were debated three decades ago, yet are just as relevant today. Does that mean space policy is stagnant? Casey Dreier asks Marcia Smith, the founder and editor of Space Policy Online, and one of the top sources for space policy news and analysis. We also celebrate NASA's new budget--which gives a big boost to science--examine two new reports that indicate NASA's exploration programs might be running into trouble, and celebrate the first anniversary of the Space Policy Edition podcast. More resources to explore this month’s topics are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/space-policy-edition-12.html A new episode of the Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
Our ongoing coverage of preparation for the Great American Eclipse takes us to Southern Illinois University Carbondale where a huge celebration is planned. Then we hear from two members of the team that wants you to do eclipse science in the Eclipse Megamovie Project. Senior Editor Emily Lakdawalla is back! She was at JPL when Cassini began the final phase of its Saturn journey. How many confirmed planets are there in our galaxy? Bruce Betts will answer that question and offer another space trivia quiz in What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0503-eclipse-siu-adler.html
It was a big week for the Science Guy, and for science. Bill Nye served as honorary co-chair of the March for Science in Washington DC. His new Netflix series, Bill Nye Saves the World, premiered the next day, Friday, April 21st. Two of the show’s thirteen episodes are devoted to space science and exploration. Bill talks about all this in a special conversation with Mat Kaplan. Planetary Society Senior Editor Jason Davis marks the beginning of the end for the Cassini mission at Saturn. While Bruce Betts and Mat are fresh out of rubber asteroids, there’s no shortage of Random Space Facts and cosmic comedy in What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0426-bill-nye-tv-show.html
The University of Texas at Austin’s observatory is high in the hills of west Texas. In this special episode, Mat Kaplan joins the tens of thousands who visit it each year. The occasion was the rededication of the vastly upgraded Hobby-Eberly Telescope, third largest on Earth. The great instrument may help us understand the mysterious force known as dark energy. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0419-mcdonald-observatory-het.html
The Aerospace Corporation has been innovating since 1960. Now it’s headed by a former leader of “New Space company Virgin Galactic. President and CEO Steve Isakowitz talks about the evolving culture of the space industry. Aerospace Corp just received additional funding for development of tiny, paper-like, flexible spacecraft. We have a long talk with project leader Siegfried Janson. Heard about NASA’s new human spacecraft plans? Jason Davis has, and he’ll fill us in. Another near-miss for Earth has reinforced Bill Nye’s concern about Near Earth Objects. Someone is going to win a March for Science pin in the new space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0412-aerospace-isakowitz-janson.html
Whether it’s discovering gravity waves, curing cancer or building a space station, the biggest science challenges increasingly require investments that are beyond what private industry can afford and collaborations that include many nations. Casey, Jason and Mat look at the history of big science and the outlook for future efforts. The team also reviews the 2018 budget proposed for NASA by the Trump Administration, and shares other space policy news from Washington. More resources to explore this month’s topics are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/space-policy-edition-10.html A new episode of the Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
Mars was once a warm and wet world. Then its dense, protective atmosphere mostly vanished. Learning why was one of the greatest mysteries in planetary science. The answer has just been delivered by the MAVEN orbiter. Principal Investigator Bruce Jakosky will take us through it. Bill Nye the Science Guy co-chairs the March for Science. We’ll talk to him about this new effort and the successful relaunch of a SpaceX booster. Last chance to win a rubber asteroid is in this week’s What’s Up space trivia contest! Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0405-bruce-jakosky-maven-atmosphere.html
The longtime editor of outstanding online space news source Universe Today has just written about nine robotic missions of exploration in Incredible Stories From Space—A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos. NASA considers putting astronauts on the very first Space Launch System rocket. Jason Davis gives has the scoop. Bill Nye and Mat marvel at the discovery of a billion-star black hole that has been kicked out of a distant galaxy. Bruce Betts reminds us in What’s Up that Men in Black Agents J and K know a lot more about the galaxy than we do. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0327-nancy-atkinson-incredible-stories.html
The Planetary Society’s LightSail 2 solar sail spacecraft is ready to be packed away for its ride to orbit on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. Mat Kaplan checks the mission’s status with team members including Project Manager Dave Spencer and Society CEO Bill Nye the Science Guy. In addition to his regular What’s Up segment, LightSail Program Manager Bruce Betts provides his assessment of the effort. Casey Dreier reviews the just-announced NASA budget proposal from the Trump Administration.
It’s coming! Will you be in the path of totality? Astronomers Without Borders President Mike Simmons says be there if you can. He also tells us about AWB’s Google-funded outreach program that will use the August 21st total solar eclipse as a starting point. Casey Dreier explains the NASA Authorization bill just passed by the House. Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye has a message about space exploration for POTUS, while Mat and Bruce visit Mars and Venus. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0313-mike-simmons-eclipse.html
The discovery of seven, Earth-sized planets in a nearby solar system was announced last week. Astrophysicist and planetary scientist Sara Seager was part of the NASA press conference. Now she joins us to share her excitement about this find that includes three planets in the habitable zone. Digital Editor Jason Davis says we’re a little closer to orbiting and landing on Jupiter’s moon Europa. Bill Nye comments on SpaceX plans to send two people around the moon in 2018. And it’s not too late to catch a high and bright Venus according to What’s Up astronomer Bruce Betts. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0314-sara-seager-trappist-1.html
Leaders of the quest to find, understand and protect ourselves from the asteroids and comets called Near Earth Objects gathered with host Mat Kaplan for a live conversation about this existential threat from space. This special episode presents excerpts of that lively discussion with JPL Senior Research Scientist Amy Mainzer, Manager of NASA/JPL’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies Paul Chodas, and NASA’s Planetary Defense Officer Lindley Johnson. Also on stage was Planetary Society Director of Science and Technology Bruce Betts. Bruce stayed for this week’s What’s Up segment. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0220-planetary-radio-live-neos.html
Rod Pyle reveals bizarre yet fascinating space projects of the past in his new book. Pyle also exposes previously classified information about missions and spacecraft you thought you knew. Bill Nye throws his support behind a just-released Europa lander study conducted by NASA. Who’s that artist with a statue on the moon? Bruce Betts will tell all in this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0214-rod-pyle-amazing-stories.html
University of Arkansas grad student Rebecca Mickol and her team have demonstrated that some Earth bacteria can survive in the extremely thin atmosphere of Mars. Could Martian bacteria thrive under the same conditions? Jason Davis looks at the Mars vs. moon debate among some space explorers. Bill Nye says former NASA Administrator Charles Bolden is concerned about at least one area of activity conducted by the agency. Mat visits during Bruce Betts’ live astronomy class for this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0206-rebecca-mickol-microbes-mars.html
Planetary Radio’s most frequent guest, Project Scientist Linda Spilker, returns with another update on the Cassini mission that is approaching its grand finale. Senior editor Emily Lakdawalla has a special announcement. Humans on Mars by 2033? Bill Nye sees a glimmer of hope. Our solar system’s biggest volcano is on the Red Planet. How big? Bruce and Mat share some dimensions on What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0130-linda-spilker-cassini.html
Earth’s southernmost active volcano may also be its most remote. Rosaly Lopes and Michael Carroll recently spent a few frigid days on the slopes of Antarctica’s Mount Erebus. What they learned may help us understand volcanos on other worlds. Emily Lakdawalla shows us stunning new, close-up images of Saturn’s rings. Bill Nye says a LightSail solar sail prototype has gone on display in a London museum. How could black holes help answer a space trivia contest question about Earth and Saturn? Also, an encore presentation of a visit with the late Gene Cernan, last astronaut to walk on the moon. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0123-lopes-carroll-erebus-volcano.html
For well over three years, planetary scientist Ellen Stofan has worked directly with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden to help coordinate and expand the myriad science efforts by the agency. We talk with her as she ends this remarkable tenure. Emily Lakdawalla says don’t miss Hidden Figures. Bill Nye checks in from Japan with a tribute to the late Apollo moonwalker Gene Cernan. A year on Jupiter or the lifetime of this show? We’ll learn which is longer in this week’s What Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0116-ellen-stofan-leaves-nasa.html
After an opening update on the presidential transition, Casey, Jason and Mat share their nominees for the biggest space exploration events of 2016. Then they take on fascinating questions submitted by listeners. You’ll also hear the surprising early announcement of NASA’s next Discovery missions. More resources to explore this month’s topics are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/space-policy-edition-08.html A new episode of Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
CEO Randa Milliron introduces us to Interorbital Systems, which wants to put your payload in orbit for as little as $8,000. Can they do it? Emily Lakdawalla returns with a preview of 2017’s biggest solar system exploration events. Bill Nye the Science Guy congratulates and thanks outgoing NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan. We’re giving away another beautiful science/science fiction fine art print in this week’s What’s Up segment. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2017/0102-randa-milliron-interorbital.html
MAVEN, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution orbiter, has gone a long way toward solving the mystery of the Red Planet’s missing water and air. The University of Colorado’s Nick Schneider says it is also revealing gorgeous clouds, auroras and glowing skies. From the Sun to Pluto--so many North Poles! Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye the Science Guy has seen them in a recent blog post from Emily Lakdawalla. What do the late John Glenn and baseball great Ted Williams have in common? Far more than you may know, as we learn from Bruce Betts in this week’s year-ending What’s Up segment. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1226-nick-schneider-maven.html
Marilynn Flynn, Simon Kregar and Rick Sternbach are masters of space art. They talk about how their work furthers science and captures the imagination. The winner of this week’s space trivia contest will win a beautiful print by Marilyn Flynn. Emily Lakdawalla shows us the shy side of Mars’ moon Phobos. Mat Kaplan and Bill Nye the Science Guy take up the water on Ceres and the just-completed National Geographic Channel Mars miniseries. Related links are here http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1219-space-artists.html
Space historian John Logsdon remembers American hero John Glenn. Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye was a big fan of the Friendship 7 astronaut—less so the new Star Wars movie. Then we get an update on the Giant Magellan Telescope from Patrick McCarthy. Emily Lakdawalla explains how a Martian breeze has made the Curiosity rover’s work more challenging. John Glenn is also the focus of this week’s space trivia contest. Related links are here http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1212-gmt-john-glenn.html
No one is more excited about eclipses than famed solar astronomer and author Jay Pasachoff. He looks forward to the total solar eclipse in August of 2017. With Emily Lakdawalla away, Mat Kaplan welcomes back Planetary Society Digital Editor Jason Davis. Bill Nye is following major space developments in Europe. Enter the space trivia contest for another shot at winning the award-winning space exploration board game Xtronaut. Related links are here http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1205-jay-pasachoff.html
The 45th President of the United States will be sworn in on January 20th. He has promised sweeping changes in federal policy and spending. While many of the details are still unknown, we are beginning to see how NASA and space exploration may fare in this new era. The SPE team reviews the outlook for human spaceflight, planetary science, Earth observation and much more. More resources to explore this month’s topic are at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/space-policy-edition-07.html A new episode of Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
The SETI Institute is about much more than the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. President and CEO Bill Diamond of the Institute explains. Bill Nye reviews two more stories that illustrate how hard it is to go to Mars. Join the Rocket Road Trip with our special audio preview of this new Planetary Society video series. And you might win “Xtronaut: The Game of Solar System Exploration, in this week’s What’s Up space trivia contest. Emily Lakdawalla has the week off. Related links are here http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1128-bill-diamond-seti-institute.html
The National Geographic Channel’s “Mars miniseries has begun. Mat Kaplan attended a kickoff for the ambitious docudrama last summer. You’ll hear from series technical advisor Bobby Braun, author of “The Martian Andy Weir, Cosmos creator Ann Druyan and more. It took two years, but Emily Lakdawalla has completed an important visual document focused on Mars rover Opportunity. Bill Nye steps aside for Planetary Society Director of Space Policy Casey Dreier with a look toward Donald Trump’s NASA. One listener will win a spectacular new Pluto globe in the What’s Up space trivia contest. Related links are here http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1121-natgeo-mars-reception.html
Back to the annual meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences this week, where Mat Kaplan visited with experts on worlds of ice including Titan and Pluto, with a side trip to the dunes of Iran. Emily Lakdawalla checks in from a planning session for the next camera that will land on Mars. Bill Nye considers the outlook for space exploration in the Trump administration. Our What’s Up segment travels to a moon of Saturn to find characters from the Lord of the Rings.
Host Mat Kaplan traveled to California’s Mojave Desert for a tour of Virgin Galactic’s The Spaceship Company, where the second SpaceShipTwo was built and is undergoing flight tests. TSC Executive VP Enrico Palermo was his guide. Emily Lakdawalla provides a taste of this busy month throughout the solar system. NASA has reached an important milestone according to Bill Nye the Science Guy. And “The Honeymooners are Bruce and Mat’s special guests on Whats’ Up. Related links are here http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1107-enrico-palermo-tsc.html
Just in time for election day in the USA, we take stock of the major candidates' space policies (as far as they go), comparing statements and policy op-eds put out by both campaigns. We also look at the broader implications and challenges of the coming Presidential transition for NASA. Learn more about this week’s show at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/space-policy-edition-06.html A new episode of Space Policy Edition is posted on the first Friday of each month.
Last year it was New Horizons at Pluto. In 2016, the thrilling end of the Rosetta comet mission generated the greatest public interest and enthusiasm. Mat Kaplan talks with Matt Taylor, the Rosetta Project Scientist, just two weeks after the spacecraft touched down on 67/P. Emily says there’s reason for hope and joy after the Schiaparelli crash on Mars. Bill Nye is counting down to the US election. Mat Kaplan and Bruce Betts offer a slightly tardy Halloween edition of What’s Up. Related links are here http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1031-matt-taylor.html
Alan Stern of the New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond was in Pasadena for the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences. He joined Mat Kaplan for a very special conversation down the street at Planetary Society HQ. Emily Lakdawalla and Bruce Betts report in from the DPS meeting, where Bill Nye the Science Guy is heard giving Alan Stern and his team the Society’s Cosmos award. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1024-alan-stern.html
How did the Voyager spacecraft manage to weave their magnificent way through the outer planets of our solar system? Mission Design Manager Charley Kohlhase led the team that crunched the numbers to select the best possible trajectory from 10,000 candidates. The results have been astounding. Emily Lakdawalla prepares us for the arrival of Europe’s Exomars orbiter and Schiaparelli lander. Bill Nye says millennials and President Obama share excitement about humans to Mars. Win a copy of “Star Trek: The Official Guide to the Universe in the What’s Up segment. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1017-charley-kohlhase.html
The Night Sky Guy, Andrew Fazekas, talks about his beautiful new, Star Trek-inspired guide to the real wonders of astronomy. Emily Lakdawalla has done wondrous things with images from India’s Mars Orbiter Mission. Bill Nye the Science Guy wants NASA to set a deadline for humans to reach Mars. Don’t mess with Bruce Betts when he tells you what’s up in the night sky. We’ll give away “Star Trek, The Official Guide to Our Universe, in the space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1010-andrew-fazekas-trek-book.html
The European Space Agency’s magnificent Rosetta mission ended last week as the spacecraft gently touched down on the comet it has revealed. You’ll hear highlights of the final countdown, and Emily Lakdawalla’s impressions gained at the European Space Operations Center. Bill Nye was there to hear Elon Musk explain his plans to colonize Mars. Bruce Betts gets the comfy chair in this week’s What’s Up segment. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/1003-farewell-rosetta.html
Planetary Society Digital Editor Jason Davis returns with the story of the ten-day trek across the South he just completed with two Society colleagues. Emily Lakdawalla has the announcement of new evidence for water plumes on Jupiter’s moon Europa. Bill Nye reports from the International Aeronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico. Those cosmic cut-ups, Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan, have a new What’s Up space trivia contest and much more. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0926-rocket-road-trip.html
The great Cassini spacecraft has a year to go before it plunges into the ringed planet. Project Scientist Linda Spilker returns with more amazing mission science. Emily Lakdawalla introduces us to the wonders of Gaia and its one billion stars. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan have their usual good time exploring the current night sky and offering another space trivia contest. Bill Nye is away. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0919-cassini-update-linda-spilker.html
In two years a Near Earth Asteroid now known as Bennu will have a visitor from Earth. OSIRIS REx Principal Investigator Dante Lauretta reports on his mission’s successful launch. Bill Nye was in Florida for last week’s liftoff. Emily Lakdawalla shares the details of Rosetta’s last days, ending with a gentle impact on comet 67/P. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan reveal the amazing story behind a Soviet space shuttle that has traveled extensively, but not into space. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0912-dante-lauretta-osiris-rex-launch.html
In its nearly five decades, NASA has created or improved thousands of technologies, processes and innovations. Dan Lockney is in charge of making sure these solutions are found and utilized by industries and others in need. You really must see (and hear) the latest from Juno at Jupiter and the Rosetta comet probe. Bill Nye laments the loss of a SpaceX Falcon 9 even as he looks forward to the imminent launch of OSIRIS REx. This week’s space trivia contest is a jump back to the earliest days of humans in space. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0905-nasa-spinoffs-dan-lockney.html
The announcement was made just days ago. Co-discoverer Michael Endl tells us about the discovery of a roughly Earth-mass planet orbiting in the habitable zone of the closest star to our own. Juno has made its first science flyby of Jupiter. Emily Lakdawalla gives us an early report. Are you ready for the first interplanetary Olympics? Bruce and Mat review the listener-submitted out-of-this-world sports on What’s Up. Bill Nye is away this week. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0829-michael-endl-proxima-b.html
Space historian and policy expert John Logsdon joins Mat Kaplan for a fascinating conversation about how the US could have lost the race to the moon. Emily Lakdawalla prepares us for the launch of OSIRIS REx to asteroid Bennu. Bill Nye looks forward to the great North American total solar eclipse. What the current night sky offers, and a new space trivia contest make this week’s What’s Up segment shine. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0822-soviet-space-race-logsdon.html
You may never hear their names, but there are thousands of small to medium-sized companies without which space exploration and development wouldn’t happen. Bill Nye talks about STEAMed education through space, and Bruce Betts previews what may be a really great meteor shower. Emily Lakdawalla is on vacation. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0808-subcontractors.html
Philip Lubin and his former student Travis Brashears have had quite a year. Their bold plan to send tiny probes to nearby stars is now supported by NASA and the Breakthrough Starshot $100 million dollar initiative. Hear their amazing story. Emily Lakdawalla tells us August promises to be an exciting month. Bill Nye finds reason to celebrate science through findings that indicate Martian gullies weren’t carved by liquid water. We’ll head for central Africa with Bruce Betts for a surprising relationship with the Moon. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0801_philip_lubin_interstellar.html
It takes a lot of terrific components to create a successful spacecraft like Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory. We’ll visit JPL to learn about the Terminal Descent Sensor radar that will once again help land a rover on the Red Planet. Emily Lakdawalla has tales of science, science fiction and cosplay from ComicCon. Bill Nye has returned from the frigid, icy wastes of Greenland. There a space celebrity cameo performance in this week’s What’s Up segment. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0725-rover-tds.html
We celebrate the 47th anniversary of the first moon landing with the reprise of a conversation with author and NBC space reporter Jay Barbree about his trusted friend Neil Armstrong. Jason Davis brings us a special report on NASA’s 2020 Mars rover. Emily Lakdawalla reminds us that New Horizons at Pluto was anything but the end of exploration in our solar system. Bruce Betts poses a fascinating question in this week’s What’s Up trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0718-neil-armstrong.html
Return with us to the evening of July 4, 2016 and the exciting arrival at Jupiter of the Juno orbiter. You’ll hear the moment of successful orbital insertion. Several of the mission’s key contributors reveal how Juno accomplished this feat, along with what they hope the spacecraft will tell us about the giant planet. A Juno pin and t-shirt are waiting for the winner of the new What’s Up space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0711-juno-joi.html
She has spent most of her life working toward a bright future for humanity in space, and Lori Garver has lost none of her passion. She visited the Planetary Society for a wide-ranging conversation with Mat Kaplan. Join Emily Lakdawalla as we hear Juno enter the realm of Jupiter. Digital Editor Jason Davis takes us to the spectacular test of a vital Space Launch System rocket engine. Celebrating the 4th of July in space with Bruce Betts. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0704-lori-garver.html
Juno will enter Jupiter orbit on July 4th. Mat Kaplan talks with the mission’s Principal Investigator, Scott Bolton at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Bill Nye helps prepare us for this exciting encounter and the science that will follow. Emily Lakdawalla has the scoop on China’s next lunar mission—a rover on the Moon’s mysterious farside. And a Chinese mission from the past is at the core of this week’s space trivia contest on What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0627-scott-bolton-juno.html
OSIRIS-REx will launch toward Near Earth Asteroid Bennu soon. In an early celebration of Asteroid Day, mission leader Dante Lauretta tells us how learning about asteroids may teach us about our own origins, and help us avoid a cataclysmic impact. Emily Lakdawalla has prepared a minute-by-minute timeline for the high anxiety July 4th arrival of Juno at Jupiter. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan invent a new kind of quilting party under a spectacular summer night sky. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0620-dante-lauretta-osiris-rex.html
The Juno spacecraft will enter orbit at Jupiter on July 4th. It carries a camera that will send back spectacular images from just above the swirling clouds of that mighty planet. Planetary scientist Candy Hansen will tell us how we can help decide what it will view. You can watch Emily Lakdawalla deliver illustrated presentations to two very different audiences. Bruce Betts becomes the masked astronomer on this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0613-candy-hansen-junocam.html
Space art and science fiction joined science fact at the 2016 Contact Conference in Sunnyvale, California. We talk with three well-known visionaries. Emily Lakdawalla tells us what to expect in planetary science this month. Bill Nye discusses independent plans by SpaceX and Lockheed Martin for getting humans to Mars in the 2020s. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan are just wild about Mars and Jupiter. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0606-2016-contact-conference.html
In the premiere of this new monthly series we briefly examine the latest move by the House of Representatives in the game of NASA's budget and then discuss what Lockheed Martin's new "Mars Base Camp" proposal takes from The Society's Humans Orbiting Mars workshop. Our featured discussion takes a deep dive into the story of President Obama's impact on human spaceflight--how NASA ended up with a mixed program of commercial systems and big government programs.
A new episode of Space Policy Edition will be posted on the first Friday of each month. Let us know what you think about our topics and our approach! Comment on this page or write to planetaryradio@planetary.org.
Three NASA leaders talk with host Mat Kaplan about the progress we're making toward leaving footprints on the Red Planet. Emily Lakdawalla showcases great new space images from the amateur community. Bill Nye tells us how a LightSail technical challenge has been solved. Bruce Betts can't take his eyes off Mars as it makes its closest pass of Earth in years. Don’t miss the new arrangement of our theme! Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0530-getting-humans-to-mars.html
The Planetary Society’s solar sail spacecraft was in the middle of a critical test as we spoke with the Society’s Bruce Betts and Jason Davis. Mat Kaplan tells Senior Editor Emily Lakdawalla why he’s a bit frustrated by some media descriptions of the beautiful new Hubble image of Mars. And Bruce returns for the regular What’s Up segment, including a chance to win Offworld Trading Company, the new economic strategy game set on a future Mars. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0523-lightsail-2-ditl.html
Astronaut and NASA Associate AdministratorJohn Grunsfeld closes our coverage of the Space Foundation’s 32nd annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. We also meet the leaders of the New Generation Space Leaders Program. Emily has made it easy to be wowed by spectacular new images of comet 67/P taken by Europe’s Rosetta spacecraft. Bruce and Mat will pick three winners of a great new game in the What’s Up space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0516-john-grunsfeld-space-symposium.html
We’re back at Space Symposium for a conversation with SNC’s Mark Sirangelo, leader of that company’s effort to build the Dream Chaser. We’ll also hear a few moments of Bill Nye’s session at the annual gathering as he hosted Bernard Foing and Amy Mainzer. Emily lets us sample her “What’s Up in the Solar System May roundup. Bruce Betts helps Mat Kaplan feel better about missing the transit of Mercury. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0509-mark-sirangelo-dream-chaser.html
The annual Space Symposium in Colorado is a must-attend event for space leaders from around the world. Our coverage begins with United Arab Emirates Space Agency Director General Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, and then moves to ESA Director General Jan Woerner and Chief Scientist Bernard Foing. Emily Lakdawalla shows us the moon as you’ve never seen it before. SpaceX is rolling on to Mars according to Bill Nye. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan learn what a psychopomp has to do with one of our solar system’s most distant worlds. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0502-space-symposium-woerner-foing.html
Beautiful Death Valley National Park was the setting for a fascinating conversation with famed SETI researcher Jill Tarter and celebrated astronomer, artist and photographer Tyler Nordgren. Curiosity has drilled another hole in Mars. Emily Lakdawalla tells us why and where. Someone will win three of Tyler Nordgren’s great posters on this week’s What’s Up segment with Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0425-nordgren-tarter-death-valley.html
Our special coverage from the Los Angeles Yuri’s Night party continues with Chris Lewicki of Planetary Resources along with Bob Pappalardo and Boback “Mohawk Guy Ferdowsi who are preparing an orbiter for Jupiter’s ocean world Europa. Emily Lakdawalla takes us on a 3D trek across Mars. Bill Nye reports on the just-completed 2016 Space Symposium. Bruce Betts reveals the identity of the first astronaut to lose his lunch in space. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0418-yuris-night-lewicki-pappalardo-ferdowsi.html
Happy Yuri’s Night! We’re partying under Space Shuttle Endeavour in the first of two shows featuring interviews from the worldwide celebration of space. Star Trek’s Robert Picardo will talk about his new video newsletter, the Planetary Post, and we’ll visit with Samantha Cristoforetti, who returned last June from 200 days aboard the International Space Station. Emily Lakdawalla reports on the spacecraft exploring our solar system this month, while Bruce Betts tells us What’s Up. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0411-yuris-night-cristoforetti.html
Michel Mayor and his team rocked the astronomy world with their 1995 announcement, but this modest man says it was a discovery whose time had come. Emily Lakdawalla returns to mysterious dwarf planet Ceres. Seen the latest Blue Origin launch and landing? Bill Nye has. Which acronym for Laika the space dog’s name will be best in show? Related links are here:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0404-michel-mayor.html
Our live conversation about “Planet 9 and the amazing diversity of our solar system, featuring Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown of Caltech, Senior Editor Emily Lakdawalla, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Cassini Project Scientist Linda Spilker. We close with a special K9 edition of What’s Up! Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0321-all-these-worlds.html
NASA has given the go-ahead for creation of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope. It might help reveal the nature of dark energy and point the way to life among the stars. Europe and Russia are celebrating the ExoMars spacecraft now headed for Mars. Emily Lakdawalla tells us why. Spacewalks, re-entry…traveling in space is hard and dangerous! Bruce Betts tells a harrowing tale or two on this week’s What’s Up. Bill Nye is on the road this week. Related links are here:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0314-wfirst-gehrels.html
Julielynn Wong came directly from her 30-day long HERA IX deep space simulation to our microphone. We talk with her about the experience, and her progress toward 3D medical device printing solutions for astronauts and Earthbound humans. Emily Lakdawalla looks forward to “What’s Up in the Solar System this month. Bill Nye welcomes Scott Kelly back to Earth. A mystery prize for this week’s space trivia contest? Related links are here:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0307-julielynn-wong.html
Famed science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson is back with Aurora, a cautionary tale about just how difficult interstellar travel may be. Emily Lakdawalla reveals the used space shuttle part that has gone to Mars. Bill Nye hopes Congress will boost space exploration, but not by calling it a “renaissance. Bruce and Mat get all starry-eyed on this week’s What’s Up. Related links are here:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0229-kim-stanley-robinson-aurora.html
Cassini Mission Project Scientist Linda Spilker returns with the latest discoveries at the beautiful ringed planet, its moons and its rings. Emily Lakdawalla has assembled a crazy animation of distant Earth from a long dormant but just reawakened space camera. Bill Nye the Science Guy provides ample evidence that space has become a marketplace. A family of accomplished astronomers provides the answer to this week’s space trivia contest in our What’s Up segment, along with a new opportunity to win OK Go swag. Related links are here:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0222-cassini-saturn-spilker.html
Have you seen it? OK Go has gone where no band has gone before to make a music video. Mat talks with Damian Kulash and Tim Nordwind about the hazards, thrill and promise of making art in free fall. Emily Lakdawalla reveals another attempt to put a microphone on Mars. Bill Nye steps aside so that Casey Dreier can give us his first impression of the new budget proposed for NASA. And Mat drops in on Bruce’s live, online astronomy class to learn What’s Up. Related links are here:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0215-ok-go-zero-g.html
Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin fully expect a new and undemotable ninth planet will be found in the outer reaches of the solar system. The Caltech researchers talk about their findings and much more. Emily Lakdawalla has made a wealth of Chinese lunar lander images much more accessible. Have gravity waves been discovered? Bill Nye hopes so, as he also remembers Apollo 14 moonwalker Edgar Mitchell. Bruce and Mat enjoy a celebrity Random Space Fact and get their first talking answer to the space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0208-planet-9-brown-batygin.html
Lindley Johnson has just been named NASA's first Planetary Defense Officer. He's joined on this week's PlanRad by astronomer Kelly Fast, the new manager of the Near Earth Object Observation Program. Emily Lakdawalla presents her “What’s Up in the Solar System mission review for February. Bill Nye has birthday greetings for Voyager’s Ed Stone. Bruce and Mat learn that finding your way across the galaxy with pulsars can be very entertaining. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0201-lindley-fast-pdco.html
New research indicates that globular clusters—collections of up to a million stars—could provide stable environments for life, along with opportunities for interstellar civilizations. Lead author Rosanne Di Stefano joins us to explain. Emily Lakdawalla and Bill Nye examine the science and excitement around “Planet 9. “This Week in Space History is just one feature of our What’s Up segment with Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0125-distefano-globular-cluster-life.html
The Dawn Mission Chief Engineer Marc Rayman returns for another report on the ion-engine powered mission, now orbiting 240 miles above dwarf planet Ceres in the Asteroid Belt. Emily Lakdawalla explains the bittersweet quality of the Cassini’s latest images of Saturn’s moons. Bill Nye talks about two more milestones in commercial space access. Mat and Bruce offer an ISS Above system in the new space trivia contest. Related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0118-astromaterials.html
Francis McCubbin is the new Astromaterials Curator at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where the priceless collection includes the Apollo moonrocks. Join Mat Kaplan’s visit. Emily Lakdawalla reports on Curiosity’s busy and beautiful Mars trek. Bill Nye remembers David Bowie and remarks on the role of space in popular entertainment. Mat and Bruce learn on What’s Up that beer was invented just one year ago. One Sednan year. Photos of the JSC Astromaterials Acquisition and Curation Office and related links are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0111-astromaterials.html
Mat Kaplan visits the Ad Astra Rocket Company in Texas where they are perfecting the VASIMIR electric rocket engine. Emily Lakdawalla has created a comprehensive timeline tracing missions throughout the solar system. Bill Nye salutes Planetary Society colleagues who gathered to record a Planetary Radio Extra year in review conversation. The new year’s sky is chock full of planets according to Bruce Betts. An Ad Astra audio tour and photos are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2016/0104-2016_review.html
Our year-end review features the “best of 2015” lists from Jason Davis, Casey Dreier, Emily Lakdawalla and Bill Nye the Science Guy. What’s Up offers planets, a comet, and a nice prize package for the space trivia contest. Links to the contest, online work of this week’s guests and “The Looking Planet” are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1228-2015_review.html
The newly-approved federal budget includes great news for fans of space exploration and development. Texas Congressman John Culberson led the fight for a Europa mission, the SLS rocket, commercial crew and more. He tells us why on this week’s show. Director of Advocacy Casey Dreier is blown away by the support for planetary science. We once again visit spectacular comet 67/P with Emily Lakdawalla. You might win a signed copy of Randall Munroe’s “Thing Explainer in the What’s Up space trivia contest. Links to the contest, an extended budget conversation with Casey and much more are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1221-culberson_nasa_budget.html
Drilling through many meters of ice to Europa’s ocean or to the pristine sub-surface layers of Mars will be hard. The Planetary Deep Drill prototype has shown that it may be a practical approach. Join Mat Kaplan and Planetary Society colleagues at the field test site deep in California’s desert. Emily Lakdawalla has good news from Venus and comet 67/P. Mat returns with Bruce Betts for What’s Up and a special, light-hearted feature celebrating relativity. Learn more about the show here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1214-planetary_deep_drill.html
Journey to Space is both a new and spectacular IMAX movie and an exciting, hands-on exhibition at the California Science Center. We learn about both this week. Emily Lakdawalla, Bill Nye and Bruce Betts celebrate an amazing achievement by the Japanese space agency at Venus. Host Mat Kaplan offers another big holiday prize package in the space trivia contest. More show info is here:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1207-journey_to_space.html
A small but talented UK team is building Twinkle, a small spacecraft with a big mission—exploring the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars. Emily Lakdawalla has posted her annual review of children’s books about space. Listen to win a signed copy of Randall Munroe’s “Thinking Big. Bill Nye talks about good news for would-be asteroid miners, while Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan ponder first words on Mars in What’s Up. More show info is here:
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1130-twinkle_exoplanet.html
We join 1,600 space entrepreneurs and visionaries in Houston, and talk with Boeing, XCOR, Johnson Space Center Director Ellen Ochoa and more. Emily Lakdawalla was there when the preliminary design for a zoom lens on Mars was approved. Bill Nye looks forward to the return of humans reaching Earth orbit aboard US spacecraft. What’s Up offers a Black Friday prize package in the new space trivia contest.
http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1123-spacecom-expo.html
Emily Lakdawalla returns from the annual Division for Planetary Sciences meeting with big news from around the solar system. Then we talk with science journalist Traci Watson about the departure of the great Arecibo radio telescope’s Director and the funding challenge that could shut down the observatory. Bruce Betts says the Leonids meteor shower is upon us. Bill Nye is on book tour this week. Links and the contest are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1116-dps-arecibo.html
The founding Executive Director of the Planetary Society has just written “Human Spaceflight: From Mars to the Stars, an optimistic view of humanity’s future in the solar system and beyond. Bill Nye shares his admiration for his predecessor, Lou Friedman. Emily Lakdawalla is ready for the 2015 Division of Planetary Science conference. The What’s Up space trivia contest once again offers your chance to win Bill Nye’s personalized greeting on your voicemail. http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1109-lou-friedman.html
It was a grand night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. CEO Bill Nye led the Planetary Society’s 35th anniversary party with guests including Neil deGrasse Tyson and Deputy NASA Administrator Dava Newman. We present a very brief sampling of the celebration. Also, Emily Lakdawalla talks maps, while Jason Davis and Casey Dreier report on the planning workshop that has begun the process of deciding where humans will someday land on Mars. A barbershop quartet introduces Bruce Betts’ Random Space Fact on What’s Up. Links and contest at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1102-35th-anniversary.html
It was the #1 New York Times bestseller, and as this week’s Planetary Radio premiered it was once again the most popular movie in the USA. “The Martian has won universal acclaim from scientists, astronauts, NASA, science fiction fans, and people who thought they weren’t science fiction fans. Mat Kaplan talks with the author about his harrowing, uplifting, amazingly detailed and realistic tale. Emily is delighted by the massive release of Ceres data that enabled the first color images of the dwarf planet. Someone will win Bill Nye’s voice on their voicemail system.
Hal Weaver is a very happy Project Scientist. His New Horizons spacecraft has shocked his fellow researchers with magnificent images and data. He shares the excitement this week. Emily Lakdawalla has the brand new flyby images of Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus. Bill Nye looks forward to giving Neil deGrasse Tyson a major award. Bruce Betts knows what’s up in the night sky, and you will, too. Enter the What’s Up space trivia contest to win Bill Nye’s personalized greeting on your voicemail. http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1019-pluto-amazes.html
Digital editor Jason Davis is a lucky guy. He follows and reports on human spaceflight progress, as well as the progress of the LightSail solar sail, which is about a year from its next flight. Emily Lakdawalla shares her thoughts about the Mars depicted in The Martian, while Bill Nye has sharp words for NASA’s new plan for getting humans there. Learn more and enter the What’s Up trivia contest at http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/1012-big-rockets-and-little-lightsails.html
Franck Marchis is on the team that has delivered an actual image of a young, hot world about 100 light years from Earth. We talk with him on the 20th anniversary of the first exoplanet discovery. Emily Lakdawalla reveals spectacular Charon, while Bill Nye and Mat Kaplan compare notes on “The Martian. What’s a syzygy? Find out from Bruce Betts on What’s Up. More show info and this week’s contest are here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/0928-humans-orbiting-mars-workshop-report.html
Scott Hubbard and John Logsdon led the Humans Orbiting Mars Workshop last spring. They return with Casey Dreier as the report on that workshop is released to the world. Emily Lakdawalla sizes up NASA’s announcement about water on the surface of Mars right now. Bill Nye calls us on his way toward the Crimson Tide. Enter the What’s Up space trivia contest and learn more about this week’s show here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/0928-humans-orbiting-mars-workshop-report.html
They are the most neglected planets in our solar system, but that status may be changing. Planetary scientist Elizabeth “Zibi Turtle celebrates NASA’s announcement that it will study a mission to Uranus or Neptune. Emily Lakdawalla has the latest progress report for Curiosity, rolling across Mars. Bill Nye had a blast reading “The Martian. Someone will win the Extronaut game in the new What’s Up space trivia contest. Enter the space trivia contest and learn more about this week’s show here: http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/planetary-radio/show/2015/0922-zibi-turtle-and-the-ice-giants.html
Dante Lauretta heads the most ambitious mission to an asteroid ever mounted. With one year left till launch, he returns to Planetary Radio with an update. Emily Lakdawalla marvels at the best New Horizons Pluto images released thus far. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan are back from their flight on the SOFIA 747 with a game to give away. “Extronaut lets you manage your own robotic mission across the solar system.
Planetary Radio returns to SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, but this time we fly in the giant 747 turned telescope platform. It was a night to remember. Emily Lakdawalla has the lowdown on New Horizons’ tiny 2019 target far beyond Pluto. Bill Nye looks back at five years as leader of the Planetary Society. Bruce Betts joins Mat Kaplan at more than 40,000 feet for a very high edition of What’s Up.
Our reporting from the 2nd Mars 2020 Rover Landing Site Selection Workshop continues as we talk with Jim Bell and Justin Maki, leaders of the development team for the most advanced camera ever planned for the surface of Mars. Emily Lakdawalla shares jaw-dropping visualizations of Pluto created from New Horizons images by “amateurs. Bill Nye agrees with astronaut Jeremy Hansen: Mars is a crappy place to live. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan share more night sky wonder and a space trivia contest.
The 2020 Mars Rover may be years away, but determining where it will land is already a hot topic among scientists and engineers. Many of the former gathered in early August for a site selection workshop. We talk with Co-Chair and Mars veteran Matt Golombek, JPL astrobiologist Lindsay Hays, and Ken Edgett of Malin Space Science Systems. Emily Lakdawalla tells us how Curiosity takes those beautiful selfies, and there’s another LightSail patch and Planetary Radio t-shirt to win in the What’s Up space trivia contest.
NEEMO is a long-running NASA project that is helping to prepare us for mission to Mars and other destinations. Mat Kaplan talked with engineer and NEEMO Expedition 20 team member David Coan while he was hard at work with astronauts and other engineers living in the Aquarius undersea habitat. One lucky library is getting its space book collection reviewed by none other than Emily Lakdawalla. Director of Advocacy Casey Dreier provides an inside the beltway update, and Bruce Betts has his own undersea encounter.
We follow last week’s conversation with Ann Druyan about the $100 million funding of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence by visiting two of the scientists who will do the work: Dan Werthimer of UC Berkeley and Karen O’Neil of the Green Bank Telescope. Emily Lakdawalla and Bill Nye return to their regular slots, while Bruce and Mat ogle this year’s slick new Lunar Rover model.
The Breakthrough Initiatives will pump $100 million into the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence in the next 10 years, vastly expanding humanity’s quest to learn if it has company in the universe. Among the leaders of this brave new project is Cosmos creator Ann Druyan. Join us for a special, extended conversation with Ann. Did Bruce Betts really say Cthulhu lives on Pluto? Emily Lakdawalla and Bill Nye will return next week.
Come with us on a visit to the home of the prime meridian for a conversation with the curator of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich about the race to create a practical means for determining longitude. It’s a dramatic story of precision astronomy and clock making, told by the Curator of the Observatory to Mat Kaplan as they examined the timepieces that helped revolutionize navigation. Bill Nye is on vacation, but we’re joined by Emily Lakdawalla with hazy news from Pluto, and Bruce Betts’ explanation of the plutonium that just passed its namesake planet.
Join our live audience for highlights of an amazing evening, featuring Jim Bell, Bruce Betts, Mike Brown, Emily Lakdawalla and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Emily returns to provide the latest news from New Horizons as it voyages beyond Pluto. We close, as usual, with What’s Up and a new space trivia contest.
SETI Institute scientist Jason Rowe returns to tell us about the smallest exoplanet so far that has had its size and mass determined. Jason also talks with Mat about our ever-expanding knowledge of these worlds that circle faraway stars. Emily Lakdawalla and Bill Nye report from the New Horizons control center just hours before the spacecraft has its historic encounter with Pluto. Plutomania continues with Bruce Betts and this week’s What’s Up segment.
Two visits with the Planetary Society Senior Editor this week, as Emily first provides an update on the Rosetta comet mission and then returns with an extended look ahead at the New Horizons Pluto encounter next week. We also hear from Bill Nye the Science Guy, and Bruce Betts shares a new Random Space Fact as we explore what’s up in the night sky.
We’ve already brought you Planetary Radio Live from the 2015 PDC near Rome, Italy. Now you’ll hear a small sampling of the scientists, engineers, policymakers and media experts who spent five days considering how humanity will respond to a potentially disastrous threat. Bruce Betts celebrates the great Jupiter-Venus conjunction in What’s Up. Bill Nye and Emily Lakdawalla return next week.
We return to the beautiful Aquarium of the Pacific in southern California for a fascinating conversation about ocean science. What we learn down here is furthering our research around the solar system. William Patzert, Jerry Schubel and Steven Vance join Mat Kaplan on stage. Emily Lakdawalla tells us what Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory rover, has been doing lately. Bruce Betts is keeping his eye on converging Jupiter and Venus.
After a roller coaster ride that included a maddening eight-day silence, the LightSail test mission finally achieved all of its major goals. Leaders of the mission team gathered on June 10th to take questions from the media, and share their thoughts and emotions with the general public. Today’s show presents highlights of that briefing. Emily Lakdawalla is seeing things on Pluto, and she’s not alone. Bruce Betts takes Mat Kaplan on a walk in space during this week’s What’s Up segment.
Our most frequent guest, Cassini Project Scientist Linda Spilker, returns with another update on the magnificent mission at Saturn, including evidence for hydrothermal vents in the oceans of Enceladus! You’ll also hear Bill Nye and the moment when LightSail began to deploy its solar sail. Bruce Betts drops by with many more reasons to watch and wonder in What’s Up.
Explore Mars revealed the 2015 Humans to Mars Report at a recent conference in Washington. CEO Chris Carberry gives us a quick tour of this realistic yet inspiring assessment of what it will take to get more than robots to the Red Planet. Emily Lakdawalla updates work on several missions now in space, and several more that will be there soon. LightSail embedded reporter Jason Davis tells us what to expect as the little solar sail prepares to deploy its wings. How is LightSail like the Mona Lisa, a Borg cube, bacon and the human gut? Find out in What’s Up.
This special edition takes you behind the scenes on May 20, 2015 as LightSail is lifted into orbit. You’ll hear the thrilling launch, meet key team members as they prepare for the big moment, and hear a special status report from Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye. Emily Lakdawalla also check in, this time with even more spectacular images and animation from dwarf planet Ceres. Bruce Betts helps Mat close the show with a new space trivia contest on What’s Up.