Are We There Yet?: Recent Episodes
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A mission to save a falling spacecraft is now in need of its own rescue. Katalyst Space’s LINK satellite launched to raise the Swift observatory’s altitude, but now the spacecraft is out of control.
When NASA astronauts return to the moon, they’ll be wearing a new spacesuit from Axiom Space. Plus, SpaceX and the U.S. are facing concerns after a land swap deal in Texas brings up environmental concerns.
NASA Administrator Jared Issacman is donating $500,000 of his own money to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping STEM college students. Plus, one public exhibit brings space down to Earth.
For the second installment of Space on Tap, a special “Are We There Yet?” live event series, we asked what scientists and their robotic coworkers are really looking for on Mars. Plus, the crew of the final shuttle mission, STS-135, reunited for the mission’s 15th anniversary.
A recent NASA audit says Boeing's Starliner is once again delayed from being certified. Plus, after acquiring the satellite company Iridium, Rocket Lab has its own constellation: 66 satellites and 14 spares.
NASA’s Quantum Lab is about the size of a mini fridge, but it allows NASA and international partners to study some of the biggest physics principles. By studying these atoms at these freezing temperatures, scientists can better understand how subatomic particles work and behave throughout the universe. Plus, human missions to the Mars could soon be a reality.
Data, it runs the world, and now one company is creating data centers in space. Plus, a rescue mission to save the falling Swift Observatory is launching later this month.
SpaceX’s launched its initial public offering. It’s a big move for SpaceX, not only to continue to develop some of its current projects like Starship, but it also brings a new wave of people hoping to invest in the company’s future. Plus, NASA lost contact with Maven, a satellite studying Mars. After efforts to contact Maven failed, the space agency officially declared the mission unrecoverable.
NASA has named the crew of the Artemis III mission that the agency is calling “one of the most highly complex missions NASA has undertaken.”
Blue Origin says it expects to fly its New Glenn rocket by the end of this year. That’s after an explosion last week destroyed a rocket and damaged the company’s launch facility at Cape Canaveral.
NPR's Geoff Brumfiel brings us up to speed on SpaceX's latest Starship test. Plus, the Roman space telescope is closer to launch. What might it find?
Some things in the universe we just can’t see through visible light, so instead, astronomers rely on radio waves and radio astronomy. Plus, from trips to the International Space Station to flybys around the moon, there’s a lot that goes into meal prepping for crews that leave the planet, including taste and dietary needs.
From 10-day moon missions like Artemis II, to months-long stays on the International Space Station, there’s a lot that goes into thinking about what foods to pack for those astronauts. Plus, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, founded by some of the original members of Mercury Seven astronauts, awards merit-based scholarships for STEM education.
Former NASA astronaut Eileen Collins speaks on Christina Koch’s journey to becoming the first woman to fly to the moon. Plus, one professor is cooking space food with his students.
From metals to rare elements, there are a lot of materials that can come from mining objects in space.
The Curiosity rover on Mars has found possible signs of life on the red planet. Plus, a closer look at samples from the asteroid Bennu surprises scientists.
Now that Artemis II is back on Earth, we'll take a look at how educators are inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts. Plus, we'll speak with Veteran NASA astronaut Winston Scott about the mission and take a look at what's ahead for Artemis III.
Artemis II successfully flew around our moon, taking thousands of pictures and making observations about our moon for the future of lunar exploration. Plus, we'll take a look at a proposed budget for NASA for the next fiscal year.
Artemis II is set to launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center this week, sending a crew of four on a flyby around the moon. Plus, how NASA satellite data is helping bring tortoises back to one of the Galapagos islands.
This is the first event as part of Central Florida Public Medias special Space on Tap event series. We'll speak with UCF scientists about the moon and what's ahead for some lunar missions. Then, Veteran NASA astronaut Winston Scott will answer questions from curious kids and audience members.
Humans are getting closer to landing on the moon once again, and understanding the environment is crucial as humanity prepares to spend time on the lunar surface. That's why technicians are making artificial moon dirt and why scientists are using that synthetic lunar soil to grow plants.
The Perseverance and Curiosity Rovers are exploring Mars, looking at things like boxwork formations and using new technology to navigate around the planet. Plus, a new project aims to look at how gravity waves are impacting things like GPS, radio, satellites and more.
NASA has released the anomaly report for the Lunar Trailblazer mission, highlighting what went wrong. Plus, we will look at how scientists are learning about reproduction health from mice.
NASA's EMIT mission uses a spectrometer to detect dusts and minerals from space, and it now can detect plastics from land. Plus, the Mars rovers can move around the red planet and do science, without human help.
The science the Artemis crew II will participate in on their flyby around the moon, and the new toilet joining the mission.
Europa, one of Jupiter’s icy moons could harbor life, but maybe not in the same way that Earth has life. Plus, we will take a look at radiation on our own moon, and why studying its impacts is important for future missions.
The crew of Artemis II is on the latest cover of TIME Magazine. In the issue, editor at large Jeffrey Kluger chronicles the mission. Plus, a new spacecraft is taking a closer look at exoplanets and their atmospheres.
The second Artemis mission is preparing for launch. The Space Launch Systems rocket is now on the launch pad with the Orion spacecraft, waiting to take a crew of four on a flyby around the moon. Plus, for Canada, this will be the first time a one of their astronauts will flyby around the moon.
NASA rolled out its Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket, preparing to launch the second Artemis mission. Plus, scientists are studying microscopic organisms called Tardigrades to see how resilient they are when it comes to extreme environments, like space.
Congress is moving forward with an appropriation that would only cut about 1% of NASA’s current budget. Plus, a look at a mission that will search for signs of life on distant planets.
It was a busy year for space news last year, and 2026 is shaping up to be another exciting year on the space beat. Plus, NASA and partners are trying to rescue a telescope before it burns up in Earth's atmosphere.
Plus, just like pirates roam the seas, the idea of pirates or criminals in space could be more of a reality than science fiction.
Astronauts find creative ways to celebrate the holidays in space. Plus, a new telescope will scan our skies for things like exoplanets and dark matter.
The Outer Space Treaty was negotiated during the Cold War, as space suddenly became a strategic war frontier. The treaty, signed by over 100 signatories, is the backbone of current space law and polity. Ely Sandler, a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, believes the treaty doesn't keep up with the times.
Starship will soon be launching from Florida, bringing the giant vehicle to Cape Canaveral. Plus, the Perseverance rover accidental discovered lightning on Mars.
Boeing’s Starliner could fly as early as next year, but without a crew. NASA has revised its original commercial crew contract with Boeing. Plus, the book “Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, The Untold Story,” highlights the idea that the Gemini program was crucial to bringing the Apollo moon landings to fruition.
Washington Post’s Christian Davenport explores how Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are shaping a new commercial space industry
The politics behind NASA and space exploration, plus a look at what you can see in the skies this fall.
Jared Isaacman has once again been nominated to be NASA's administrator. Plus, analog missions, or environments that mimic places like the moon and mars, are helping prepare humans for future missions in space.
Blue Origin will launch its massive rocket, New Glenn, from Florida for the second time. The mission will also take two twin spacecraft to orbit Mars and study the planet’s magnetosphere.
A critics favorite science fiction and horror films plus a look at the factual haunts of the cosmos.
The future of the Juno mission is uncertain after the probe's extension ended on Sept. 30, right before the government shutdown. Plus, the OSIRIS-APEX mission continues on after almost being cancelled. The mission will study the asteroid Apophis as it flies close to Earth in 2029.
With over a 100 million pieces of space junk around our planet, scientists researchers, and the public are concerned over how we treat our world and the repercussions of leaving trash in space. Plus, we can learn a lot from plants on how space impacts biological life, like people.
With the government shutdown, the majority of NASA and its projects have been put on pause. Plus, scientists are studying a sample that could be a sign of life on Mars and looking at how space weather could impact people.
Emily Calandrelli, also known online as The Space Gal, is encouraging kids to make their own rockets for the second annual Baking Soda Rocket Day. Plus, scientists are looking at how to grow plants off our planet.
NASA has found over 6,000 exoplanets, or planets that orbit other stars. Plus, we take a look at space junk, or human made objects that are left in orbit around our planet.
The James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble Telescope are exploring our universe, finding spiral galaxies, comets and where stars are born. Plus, a look at SpaceX’s fandom and how space enthusiasts feel about Elon Musk.
The U.S. Space Command is moving to Huntsville, Alabama. The unit is tasked overseeing the nation's military operations in outer space. Plus, NASA is partnering with Google to create an AI medical assistant that can help the on-board medical officer diagnose any medical issues mid-flight.
SpaceX's Starship successfully launched, and safety landed in the Indian Ocean. Plus, scientists have found an interesting object near Neptune.
Scientists are on the hunt for signs of life on Mars and the icy moons of Saturn and Venus.
Under the Trump administration the space agency has been undergoing policy changes as it prepares for future missions and goals, like putting a nuclear power plant on the moon. The new budget proposed may be problematic. Plus, a new executive order lifts some launch and flight regulations for commercial space companies.
Veteran NASA Astronaut Winston Scott fields questions from curious kids. Plus, a look at how food plays a crucial role in space in the book Space Bites.
From making artificial moon dirt to painting with real moon dust, there are several ways that scientists and space explorers bring the moon to Earth. Plus, Firefly Aerospace is preparing to send several payloads to the moon.
Co-hosts, Regina Barber and Emily Kwong, explore Earth's oceans in a special series running this summer from NPR’s science podcast, Short Wave: Sea Camp. Plus, a look at the commercial space company sector.
A new proposal suggests sending a spacecraft to Venus to search for gases that are often linked to biological cycles here on Earth. Plus, a look at veteran Canadian astronaut Roberta Bondar's book Space for Birds: Patterns and Parallels of Beauty and Flight.
The Trump Administration named Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, to be the interim NASA administrator. Plus, could life exist in an icy ocean on a distant moon within our solar system.
Catching up on your summer reading list? How about adding one more -- a science fiction thriller series set in space? Plus, a new company is taking their design process off Earth and designing sneakers in space using AI designers and 3D printing.
A new observatory in Chile, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, is searching the skies for things like asteroids, dark matter and dark energy. What new things might it uncover about the cosmos? Plus, the rovers on Mars are exploring two craters that have evidence of past water. Could they also be home to ancient life? lead scientists closer to finding out if Mars had water flowing on its surface.
With warmer weather and more free time for some, summer is a time to relax, unwind and to stargaze. Plus, another way to unwind is by reading space books like Star Bound: A Beginner's Guide to the American Space Program, from Goddard's Rockets to Goldilocks Planets and Everything in Between
Astronomers have discovered an object light-years away that’s emitting timely pulses like nothing ever seen before. Plus, the next private space crew is grounded. How are they dealing with the delay?
A budget proposal from the White House would cut about a quarter of NASA’s budget and cut key science missions if approved by Congress. Plus, President Trump withdrew his nomination of Jared Isaacman for NASA administrator and SpaceX once again launched its massive Starship rocket.
Varda Space is sending "huggable" capsules into low-Earth orbit for autonomous research and just recently, it returned its third successful mission. Plus, often nicknamed Earth’s twin, Venus didn’t evolve like Earth at all.
Lockheed Martin delivered the Orion spacecraft for NASA’s Artemis II mission. Now, the agency is preparing the vehicle for the more than ten-day flyby of our moon—with a crew of four. Plus, Voyager's thrusters are back online after over two decades.
From the inaugural launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket to plans for SpaceX’s Starship to lift once off again, it’s been a busy year for commercial space. Plus, one engineer is making a sweat shield to protect spacecraft when re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
The Orlando Museum of Art and the Central Florida Astronomical Society are hoping to inspire people to see the connection between art and space. Plus, we take a look at how the space economy is fairing under the new presidential administration and its policy changes.
In our own galaxy, a planet’s orbit slowly got closer and closer to a star, resulting in the star gobbling up its own planet. Plus, one veteran astronaut is using his inspiration from his space career to inspire others to reach for the stars.
One of the rovers on Mars made a big discovery on the red planet: the largest organic carbon molecules to date. This discovery could lead scientists closer to answering the age-old question: could there have been life on Mars? Plus, just like pirates roam the seas, the idea of pirates or criminals in space could be more of a reality than science fiction.
In an interview with Ars Technica’s Eric Berger, Starliner’s commander Butch Wilmore revealed that the spacecraft’s thruster issues led to one of the most harrowing journeys in his aerospace career. Plus, while we send robots to the moon, the success of a mission begins in the control room.
The “Are We There Yet?” team hosted a live panel discussion featuring experts on telescopes at the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences. For centuries, telescopes have played a crucial role in science and exploration.The way telescopes work is simple: They magnify distant objects by collecting and focusing light. But through this simplicity, they can illuminate the complexities of the cosmos.
Lunar Trailblazer, a mission to explore water on the lunar surface, is having some issues along its mission. Plus, the book “Alcohol in Space” and documentary explores the idea that alcohol should be more available so people can relax and have an important part of Earth’s culture while away from our home planet.
Exercise while in space is vital for the human body, but scientists are studying how important cardio workouts are for long duration missions. Plus, engineers and scientists have worked to keep Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 going for almost 50 years by turning off some of the systems.
SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft broke apart during a test flight. The debris from the rapid unplanned disassembly prompted the ground stoppage of many airline flights from Florida, highlighting the relationship between air traffic and space traffic. Plus, NASA is closing several of its offices in an attempt to reduce its forces—a reaction from new policy changes under the Trump administration.
NASA and other international partners are tracking an asteroid the size of a football field as it approaches Earth. Plus, one company sent a data center to the moon to preserve Earth's data and help advance the lunar economy.
The podcast “The Other Moonshot” explores the stories of three Black engineers and their contributions to the Apollo program. Plus, a look ahead at three missions that are launching this year that will help us understand and study our universe like never before.
Boeing is a contractor for NASA’s SLS rocket that will take astronauts on the moon, but Boeing recently announced plans to lay off over 400 employees from its SLS team. Plus, one professor’s experiment went for a spin on Blue Origin’s recent launch of New Sheppard that mimicked lunar gravity.
Researchers have uncovered evidence that Pluto may have found one of its moons through what they call the “kiss and capture method.” Plus, a centaur named Chiron has characteristics of both a comet and an asteroid; making scientist wonder what else makes this celestial body unique.
After almost three decades of science, research and exploration, the International Space Station is set to retire by the end of 2030. Once the station is decommissioned, commercial companies like Axiom Space will establish new orbiting platforms.
The new Trump administration has ended DEI programs for all federal organizations–how will this affect NASA? Plus, a look at the efforts to bring Mars rocks back to Earth.
Exoplanets, or planets orbiting another star, were originally confirmed in 1992. New telescopes and technological advancements have aided in the discovery of thousands of exoplanets. Now, astronomers wonder if worlds like our own could exist.
This year could be transformative for the space economy with new rockets, AI technology and upcoming missions to the moon. Plus, NASA and NOAA scientists found that 2024 was the hottest year on record since the 1850’s.
The Parker Solar Probe is the first man-made spacecraft to get closer to our sun than ever before. Plus, Firefly aerospace is launching its Blue Ghost Lunar Lander to deliver payloads to the moon.
The book, Star bound, A Beginner's Guide to the American Space Program, from Goddard's Rockets to Goldilocks Planets and Everything in Between (Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight) explains America’s space history while highlighting the nation’s social and cultural contexts in space. Plus, a glimpse into the major space news from this past year.
How an astronaut celebrated holidays at the International Space Station with festive foods, decorations and traditions.
SpaceKids Global’s founder Sharon Hagle launched into space for the second time and eight kids from the organization’s Press Squad contest watched her journey while getting experience as space journalists. Intuitive Machines unveiled its new lunar rover after being selected by NASA to create the vehicle for Artemis astronauts to use on the moon.
December skies will bring stargazer delights. Plus, a look at the growing tension between the U.S. and Chinese space programs.
One astronaut helped build a bridge between space and birds. New UAP hearings are leading to public conversations.
Exoplanets are planets that exist outside our solar system. As a relatively new field of study, there’s much to learn about these newly discovered worlds.
Space policy in Florida and the potential for private companies on Mars, plus the ISS begins to show its age.
During the last Trump administration there were big moves in space exploration like pushing for human landings on the moon and launching astronauts on commercial rockets, plus a look at some of JWST’s incredible images of stars exploding and galaxies deep in our universe.
Europa Clipper may open doors on the grander questions on life beyond Earth. Plus, Mars scientists found that Mars might not be so different than Earth as research suggests life could exist in signs of water on the red planet.
UCF physicist and co-host of the podcast “Walkabout the Galaxy”, shares spooky cosmic occurrences. Stephen Eikenberry, UCF professor of applied optics and professor of physics, explains the humanlike pulses from the darkest vacuums in our universe.
A journalist takes us through the significance of Starship’s test flight and Hubble’s senior project scientist shares new observations of cosmic phenomena.
A director at the ISS Laboratory shares unique research experiments to benefit life on Earth and exploration beyond and a chief of planetary policy addresses the need for executable plans and public support following Europa Clipper’s launch.
Earth has an asteroid, or mini moon, orbiting the planet for the next several weeks. Plus, a look at how forecasters use weather satellites to track storms.
One journalist takes us through the trajectory of SpaceX and its possible future and a University of Florida scientist takes a journey to space to better understand how humans thrive in space.
NASA is making plans for the future of space exploration with space enthusiasts and companies around the world preparing for the future retirement of the International Space Station and a look into women’s health in space.
Blue Origin commercial astronaut and founder of the nonprofit organization SpaceKids Global, Sharon Hagle, is going back to space, this time, with an audience of young people audience. Eight lucky winners from SpaceKids Global’s contest will be able to watch Hagle launch into space and be a part of a Press Squad: interviewing members of Blue Origin’s team.
Scientists will study the crew of SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission analyzing how the human body reacts to the environment of space and Mars has water hidden under its surface.
University of Florida researchers are brewing beer in microgravity and one author believes that humanity needs to focus on the needs of our own planet before focusing on space exploration.
NASA is weighing its options when it comes to returning two astronauts on Boeing's Starliner space craft. Plus, we'll hear about robotic bees on the International Space Station.
Veteran NASA astronaut, Winston Scott, answered questions from kids about his experiences while on the International Space Station and one researcher is studying flames in space for wildfire research.
One scientist is conducting the first research tended suborbital flight on board Blue Origin’s New Shepard capsule. Plus, could there be evidence of life on two icy moons in our solar system?
Researchers are trying to make a spacesuit that can recycle urine into clean drinking water for astronauts and curiosity accidentally discovered pure sulfur on Mars.
A new James Webb Space Telescope image of two galaxies in a cosmic dance was released for the telescope’s two-year anniversary of science operations. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket malfunction resulted in satellites burning up in Earth’s atmosphere, and the rocket grounded.
From the OSIRIS-REx mission, phosphate was found in a sample from the asteroid Bennu, a necessary building block for life to exist here on Earth. Then, as NASA grapples with aging space suits on the International Space Station, efforts to build the next generation of space suits hit a major snag.
The fourth and final satellite of the GOES-R weather satellite constellation is one step closer to tracking weather from space like never before. Plus, after a year of lost communication, Voyager 1 is back online after engineers delivered a fix 15 million miles away from Earth.
Scientists are sending instruments to the moon to explore unique domes similar to ones on Earth, but how they were made is a mystery. Plus, one man is trying to save and document moon trees, seedlings sent to orbit the moon that now are scattered across the country.
After helium and thruster malfunctions, Boeing’s Starliner has been delayed once again, with the crew still on the International Space Station. Plus, the rovers on Mars have been hard at work drilling on the red planet to find answers to how and why water flowed abundantly on Mars in the past.
For over three decades, the Hubble Space Telescope has remained in low earth orbit sending images to Earth for scientific research. But now, the telescope is starting to show signs of its age. Plus, a look at a new mission is headed far into our solar system to study one of Saturn’s moons.
Author and journalist Adam Higginbotham and his new book Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space explores the events that led up to the disaster in 1986.
A trio of mini moon rovers will launch to the moon later this year and an Italian space company is trying to communicate farther into space than ever before with new transponders and satellites.
On the space coast, engineers and anthropologists are trying to combat rising sea levels that threaten to wash away launch pads at the Kennedy Space Center and thousands-years-old village sites in the Indian River Lagoon.
Space Kids Global is inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts and scientists are preparing to study the hottest planet in our solar system.
Young space enthusiasts are asking an astronaut their burning questions about space exploration.
Scientists and astronomers are on the search for moons outside our solar system. Meanwhile, NASA and Nikon are working on a new camera designed to withstand our own moon’s environment.
Space food scientist Vickie Kloeris, speaks about her new book Space Bites, a memoir of her career with NASA preparing food for orbit.
Varda Space Industries is working on pharmaceutical research in space that could help produce HIV therapy drugs at a much lower cost.
Viewers across the country are gearing up for the upcoming solar eclipse, and scientists are using this time to launch rockets into the skies – for science!
It’s Women’s history month and ‘Are We There Yet?’ is exploring the women that made history in space with Wendy Lawrence, a veteran NASA Astronaut.
In Texas, Starship’s third orbital test flight was a win for SpaceX. Here in Florida, the Space Coast is celebrating the life of Robert Osband.
SpaceX is launching its third orbital test flight off Starship. How high are the stakes? Plus, a glimpse into the history of women in the space program and the fight for female astronauts.
As NASA explores human isolation on other planets, the agency’s plan to return Mars rocks to Earth is in limbo.
Former NASA astronaut Winston Scott shared his academic journey that brought him to space and his hope for the future of space exploration.
A new satellite will track things like hurricanes and volcanoes from space. Plus, a conversation with the Walkabout the Galaxy podcast hosts Josh Colwell, Audrey Martin and Jim Cooney about humans on Mars.
New technology on the moon and a space art competition that highlights the importance of space.
Plankton and staph bacteria are being studied in space to help keep humans and our oceans safe.
The Congressional response to Artemis delays and looking at ancient space rock samples.
With upcoming moon missions, scientists have been eager to study the lunar surface. Rovers on Mars continue to find evidence that water once flowed on the dusty planet.
NASA scientists are growing crops in orbit to see how plants are affected by the space environment and Redwire scientists are 3D printing tissue in space.
Veteran astronauts Chris Hadfield and Tom Jones use writing to tell stories about space exploration.
Two telescopes have captured images that led scientists to a better understanding of our universe and our place in it.
Researchers are looking to nonverbal communication to find life within our universe, and we may be closer to knowing if aliens do exist.
Guests at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex can blast off into space without leaving the ground and Vast is creating a new space station.
A glimpse into some of the recent space news and how Space Florida plans to grow the aerospace industry.
NASA is working on technology to develop air taxis, bringing humanity one step closer to living like The Jetsons.
We'll get an update on Relativity Space's efforts to build its Terran R vehicle. Plus, why the Mars rovers are on vacation.
Tracking the threat of asteroids before they get too close and a look at a book chronicling the first U.S. women astronauts.
In the cosmos many eerie mysteries await us. From the haunting specter of stars from the past to super massive black holes lurking in the depths of the universe.
Animals have been a part of NASA's research for generations. What scientists learn about them can help humans spend more time in space.
Can life exist on a planet without a surface? Plus, a look at new evidence from the Webb Space Telescope about galactic evolution.
NASA scientists can't wait to launch a probe to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. Its findings could uncover how our own planet formed.
The upcoming Artemis missions have grabbed the attention of the nation — and the commercial space sector. Plus, a look at how a NASA engineer honors his Native American heritage with his work.
A capsule of space dust arrived on Earth from an asteroid hundreds of millions of miles away, and scientist can't wait to start analyzing the sample. Plus, Firefly Aerospace discusses efforts to launch a rocket in record time.
Signs of phosphine were detected in the atmosphere of Venus alluding to signs of life on the hot planet. Plus, a new era of moon exploration has started.
A new book by space journalist Loren Grush dives into the stories of the first female astronauts. Plus, a look at the new decadal survey outlining the next 10 years of space exploration.
Sound that is collected by tiny microphones are being used to understand Martian life and create musical symphonies.
John Shoffner is working to inspire the next generation of astronauts to follow in his path. We also eplore the theoretical existence of white holes.
Scientists are working to understand climate change both here on Earth and on Mars. On Earth, these warmer temperatures are part of human-driven climate change. On Mars, understaning the planet's climate history is helping scientists uncover the possibility past life.
Cooking for astronauts, space news around the world and a conversation with NASA astronaut Woody Hoburg.
The Vast aerospace company is creating a space station with artificial gravity. We'll hear why gravity is a good thing in space exploration. Plus, a giant telescope will launch within the decade that could capture images of planets outside of our own solar system.
Sending art into orbit. Veteran astronaut Nicole Stott talks about her Space for Art Foundation and fields questions from kids at a live taping Friday from the Orlando Science Center.
Sierra Space plans to launch humans on the company’s Dream Chaser spacecraft. NASA’s Perseverance rover found evidence of organic molecules on Mars.
What do scientists hope to learn from a sample of asteroid dust from NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission? Plus, a look at the public's reaction to one year of Webb Telescope images.
Scientists have observed more ripples in the fabric of space-time, in the form of gravitational waves. The most recent discovery appears to be supermassive black holes on a collision course.
The catastrophic implosion of a submersible visiting wreckage of the Titanic that left all five people on board dead is raising questions about regulation in the high-risk tourism industry, including space.
We dig into the science of the sun as we approach the summer solstice. Plus, a look at how rocks on Mars get their names.
A security company found malware on an unnamed aerospace company's computers — what's the risk for the industry at large? And kids ask question about puking in space.
Seeds adapt to grow in the harsh environment of space. Do they pass along these changes to the next generation? Researchers hope to soon find out.
Astronaut and Ax-2 mission pilot John Shoffner speaks with WMFE from orbit about art, food, and the future of commercial space travel.
At the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, a new exhibit gives patrons a new way to view and interact with images from the Webb Space Telescope.
Author Ashlee Vance's new book explores the people and companies reshaping the commercial space industry.
Carbon dioxide is generally a bad thing when it comes to space travel. But what if you could harness it for good?
Shoffner is piloting the SpaceX Crew Dragon that will carry Axiom Space's second private space mission to the International Space Station
A research institute is leveraging a surge in private space missions to collect critical data on how space travel affects the human body
We'll hear from one investor in the private space sector on what's driving this industry upward despite economic uncertainty.
NASA announced the next crew to head to the moon, the first in more than 50 years. Plus, a conversation with retired astronaut Eileen Collins.
The proposal includes funding for NASA’s human missions like trips to the moon and maintenance of the International Space Station space station and science missions like a Mars sample return and probe heading to Venus.
Firefly Aerospace is flying a mission to the far side of the moon for NASA, paving the way for astronauts and other companies to explore the lunar surface. And, we'll talk about efforts to keep astronauts' brains sharp.
For Women's History Month, we revisit conversations chronicling the inclusion of female astronauts at NASA.
Relativity Space plans to launch its first 3D printed rocket this week, joining a growing number of commercial launch companies. We'll hear from CEO Tim Ellis about the compnay's plans and industry analyst Caleb Henry about its place in this market.
The SETI Institue has been searing for extraterrestrial life for decades. Now, the organization is closer than ever to hearing from life outside our planet.
NASA's Artemis I launch was really loud. That's according to new research by physicists hoping to better understand the behavior of rocket sounds. Plus, boy band superstar Lance Bass talks about his new podcast "The Last Soviet."
SpaceX completed a critical test of its Super Heavy booster. NASASpaceflight.com's Chris Gebhardt explains what's next for the massive vehicle that will take us to places like the moon and Mars? Plus, a look at this history of space mission patches with CollectSpace's Robert Pearlman.
A look at the latest robotic explorer on Mars and a conversation about efforts to send humans to the red planet.
As NASA develops nuclear thermal propulsion rockets for human exploration in our solar system, some astrobiologists say the technology could help us answer the age-old question: Are we alone?
From missions to the moon, a heavy metal asteroid, and findings outside our solar system, it's going to be a busy year for space science.
Last year was the fifth warmest on record, according to new data released by NASA and the NOAA. How is NASA tracking out warming planet?
Is there life out there? Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson says the answer to that question could come from our own solar system.
Fourteen disabled crew members took trip on a Zero-G flight, conducting research with the hope of making space accessible for all.
Inflatable habits could be the future of space exploration. But before they leave this planet, they have to explode.
NASA's newest moon mission appears to be a success. So what's next for the agency's lunar ambitions.
NASA's Artemis I mission is a big step in the agency's plans for permanent presence on the moon. Just how close is the agency to that goal, and what is left to be done?
NASA's Artemis I mission has made it to the moon. We check in with the mission and preview what's ahead. Plus, the new documentary "Goodnight Oppy" chronicles a planned 90 day mission on Mars that lasted 15 years.
NASA’s next moon mission could take flight this week. Artemis I is poised to launch from Kennedy Space Center as early as Wednesday morning. The mission has faced a handful of obstacles, from engine issues, a gas leak, to riding out a hurricane.
We’re getting a fresh new look at this cosmic nursery thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope.
What’s it like to feel weightless, like the astronauts on the International Space Station?
A look at a new documentary which highlights the people behind the scenes that kept the Space Shuttle program flying. Plus, and update on SpaceX's Starship plans.
People in the path of Hurricane Ian are still dealing with its aftermath. Before and during the storm, residents rely on forecasts from meteorologists to track the storm and plan to prepare. Many of the tools these forecasters use come from space.
For the past six years, Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen has led NASA’s science division. From the deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope to landing a robot on Mars, Dr. Z has been at the helm for some of NASA’s most complex and critical science missions. At the end of this year, he’s leaving the agency.
As Florida prepares for Hurricane Ian, NASA is hoping to deflect another natural disaster -- an asteroid.
How will NASA's lunar missions help get humans to Mars? And a look at an intriguing finding by NASA's newest Martian explorer in the search for signs of ancient life on Mars.
Two attempts to launch NASA’s new moon rocket SLS and deep space capsule Orion have been waived off -- facing a handful of issues including a hydrogen leak. Now, engineers are working on fixing the issues for an attempt as soon as the end of this month as NASA faces pressure to get this long-delayed and over-budget rocket to the moon.
NASA is heading back to the moon and some of our youngest listeners have some really important questions about the future of exploration.
A historian discusses how NASA's new moon missions differ from the Apollo flights of the 1960s and 70s. Plus, a look at the criticism of the Artemis program and why it's worth the cost.
A look back at Curiosity's decade of exploring Mars and what's ahead for the red planet rover. Plus, the Space Coast braces for at least 100,000 spectators as NASA launches Artemis I.
As more countries and companies leave the planet, governing space is getting increasingly more complicated.
How can the James Webb Space Telescope help us spot other Earth-like worlds? Plus, a conversation with Planetary Radio's Mat Kaplan about his two decades hosting the show.
It’s been a week since the first James Webb Space Telescope images captivated scientists and the general public alike.
They’re here. The first images from the James Webb Space Telescope are out, revealing thousands of ancient galaxies, nebulae, and a close-up look at a planet outside our own solar system.
Lori Garver served as NASA deputy administrator, its second in command, during the Obama administration. It was a tumultuous time for the agency. The Space Shuttle was retiring, Obama canceled NASA’s costly Constellation program, and the agency was at odds with Congress on how to move NASA forward. Garver was there for all of those conversations and takes a critical look back at what happened during her time at NASA in a new memoir.
Thursday marks World Asteroid Day, a U.N.-sanctioned campaign to raise awareness of the scientific opportunities, and planetary threats, posed by asteroids. So we’re taking this week’s episode to explore asteroids.
From filling the gap left by a retiring International Space Station to a possible solution to a unique supply chain issue, commercial space leaders weigh in on the future of the industry.
A team of researchers received approval for a $35 million dollar mission to the moon. The group will explore an uncharted portion of the moon, which scientists say was formed by magma below the surface.
NASA needs new space suits. The agency wants to put people back on the moon in the 2020s, and to do it safely, it needs brand new space suits for use on the lunar surface. NASA is working with two private companies to design, develop and build the new suits -- at a price of up to $3.5 billion.
What’s it like plummeting from space and landing…alive? We'll talk with Inspiration4 astronaut Chris Sembroski about the power of parachutes and how the technology helped get him back on the planet.
Boeing’s Starliner is set for yet another test mission, a critical step before NASA lets its astronauts fly to space in it. So what’s at stake for Boeing? And why is having two providers so important for NASA?
At the center of our galaxy lies a supermassive black hole. It’s a region of space where gravity is so strong nothing can escape it, not even light. While the name supermassive might make it seem like these things are easy to spot -- they’re really not.
With the first all-private space mission in the books, what's ahead for the commercial space economy? Plus, a look at the impacts to SpaceX after found Elon Musk announced plans to buy Twitter.
Every 10 years, the National Academies submits a report, outlining what it thinks NASA should focus on when it comes to planetary science efforts. Uranus came out the big winner.
It’s a busy week for space news. The first all-private crew is set to depart the space station after spending more than a week on board, a new crew of NASA astronauts is set to launch to the station this weekend, and the agency’s next mega moon rocket experienced some troubles during a test at its launch pad, prompting more delays. We’ll speak with NASA administrator Bill Nelson about these stories
It’s been a busy few weeks on the space beat. We’ll chat with Anthony Colangelo, he covers spaceflight and the aerospace industry on his podcast Main Engine Cutoff.
Some nine billion light years away, a pair of black holes are on a collision course. It’s a cosmic waltz that could come to an end in 10,000 years which will shake space and time. It’s now the second possible observation of two massive black holes colliding -- and scientists are eager to watch the destruction.
SpaceX is set to launch another crew of private astronauts from Kennedy Space Center, this time on a ten-day mission to the International Space Station. Researchers are taking advantage of the increased access to space -- and human subjects -- thanks to these private space missions.
NASA’s mega-rocket the Space Launch System has left the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center and made its way to a launch pad, ahead of an uncrewed mission around the moon and back later this year. It’s the first time a moon-class rocket has seen Launch Complex 39B since the days of Apollo and marks the start of NASA’s newest moonshot missions called Artemis.
Next week, Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket is set to take 6 people to the edge of space and back. Central Florida married couple Sharon and Marc Hagle will be on the flight from West Texas. Sharon Hagle is the founder and CEO of SpaceKids Global, a non-profit organization aimed at getting kids, especially girls, interested and excited about STEM learning. She hopes to share her experience in space with future explorers -- and highlight all the different career paths that lead to space.
It seems like a lot more people are going to space these days. Commercial companies are not only sending NASA astronauts into space, they’re giving ordinary people with the right amount of cash the chance to fly in space, too.
Tensions between the U.S. and Russia are high as the U.S. imposed strict sanctions in the wake of the Russian military’s invasion of Ukraine, but some 150 miles above Earth an important partnership between the U.S. and Russia remains: the International Space Station. Historically, the partnership between the two countries has transcended political tension here on Earth. But how long will that last?
Dr. Sian Proctor was one of four civilians to head to space last year thanks to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule. The mission called Inspiration 4 sent the crew on a three-day orbital trip and back.
NASA’s Perseverance rover is celebrating one year on Mars. The robot explorer arrived last year after a seven month journey from Cape Canaveral in Florida. It’s on the hunt for evidence of ancient life on Mars and is tasked with selecting and preparing samples of Martian rocks to send back to Earth.
NASA’s Orion space capsule will soon head on a mission to the moon and back, launching from Kennedy Space Center later this year. There won’t be a crew on board, but there will be a familiar voice. Lockheed Martin partnered with Amazon to install Alexa voice assistance on the capsule.
This past year, all eyes have been on NASA’s Perseverance rover as it explores Mars during its first year on the red planet. But a robotic explorer that landed there nearly a decade ago has made a curious finding -- carbon.
Back in 2006, a science organization changed the classification of Pluto as a planet, sparking a debate in both the astronomical community and pop culture. More than 15 years later, a new paper is reigniting that debate.
NASA is focusing on climate change -- specifically, observing our changing climate from space. But NASA’s focus on climate isn’t new. It has been observing the Earth’s climate for more than 50 years.
It was a very busy year for space exploration. In 2021 we saw the arrival of three missions to Mars, multiple human launches -- from suborbital space flights to commercial NASA missions -- two missions to asteroids and a massive space telescope took flight. And there’s no signs of slowing down in 2022. From moon missions to a busy launch schedule, there’s a lot to look forward to when it comes to space exploration.
NASA’s Mission Control Center is responsible for the safety of its astronauts and space hardware.It takes a special kind of person to take on that responsibility.
After decades of development, the James Webb Space Telescope takes flight. Scientists have been thinking about this moment since the 1990s -- a new set of eyes that will see father into our universe than ever before.
Meet new astronaut candidate Luke Delaney and hear from "Main Engine Cut Off" host Anthony Colangelo about the new commercial rockets in development.
What's ahead for space policy under a Biden administration? And how can we ethically explore space?
NASA’s DART mission is set to launch tonight from Vandenberg in California, on a 10-month mission that ends when it smashes into a tiny rock in space. The spacecraft is part of NASA’ planetary defense plan -- figuring out ways to save our own Earth should an asteroid threaten to hit us.
Astrophysicist, author and science communicator Neil deGrass Tyson says space enthusiasts are delusional. Exploration is aspirational, and the reality of geopolitics, economy and culture are huge challenges keeping us planted firmly on the ground.
Blue Origin sued NASA over its selection of SpaceX to build the agency's next moon lander. With the lawsuit behind it, what's ahead for NASA's Artemis program?
NASA's Perseverance rover on Mars and Juno spacecraft at Jupiter are helping us better understand our solar system.
Astronaut Nicole Stott spent more than 100 days in space. Her view of the planet up there changed the way she thinks about it now that she’s down here. We’ll talk with Stott about her motivation to write the book, and her rules for us here on this planet to treat it like our own spaceship and what we can do to be better crew mates.
Sembroski and the Inspiration4 crew are now back here on Earth. So what was the experience like? We’ll speak with Sembroksi about the mission and what’s next after leaving the planet.
A crew of four is set to launch to the International Space Station at the end of the month, starting a six month mission on the orbiting lab. One of those astronauts is Kayla Barron and she tells us the first rocket launch she’ll ever see in person will be the one she’s sitting on top of. We’ll speak with Barron about her rookie mission to space, and what she expects to do when she gets to the ISS.
We’re just a day away from the launch window opening of SpaceX’s Inspiration-4 mission. It’s the first all-civilian space mission to orbit, taking four people on a three-day trip to space and back. It’s also unlike any launch from the U.S. People are leaving the planet, and they’re not NASA astronauts.
An inside look at Virgin Galactic as the FAA investigates a recent "mishap" and a conversation with the photographer documenting the all-civilian SpaceX mission Inspiration4.
An all-civilian space mission is set to take flight in about two weeks. the crew of four will fly in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule mission on a three day trip to low-Earth orbit and back. But it’s not all about fun and games for this private mission. The crew will be performing crucial science experiments that will help get humans to farther places in our solar system like the moon and Mars and survive longer in the harsh environment of space.
It’s a new chapter in space flight history -- so how did we get here? Axios space reporter Miriam Kramer explores the mission’s origin and purpose in a new podcast for Axios. We’ll speak with her about her reporting and what’s ahead for the Inspiration 4 crew.
Fight and flight -- the battle over NASA’s lunar lander and new software for the agency’s moon rocket.
Can you print things on the moon? Redwire Space wants to find out using a 3D printer installed on the International Space Station.
The soundtrack of space. From Gustov Holtz’s suite "The Planets" to Kubrick’s choice of "Blue Danube" in 2001: A Space Odyssey, certain pieces of music are just cosmic. Now, a new project by a space entrepreneur and musician is building upon the soundtrack of space by beaming songs into the cosmos, starting from the International Space Station.
Boeing’s Starliner is set to launch on an uncrewed mission from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station later this week on a critical test mission to certify the vehicle to fly astronauts. It’s a redo of a previous test attempt in late 2019 that failed to reach the space station. We’ll speak with Michelle Parker, Boeing’s space and launch chief engineer about the mission and what the team learned from the previous attempt.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos has reached a life-long goal of flying in space. His company Blue Origin launched its first mission with passengers Tuesday morning from West Texas, ushering in a new era of private space tourism. But with a high price tag can only the wealthy fly?
Astronauts rarely get the comforts of home. Fresh food is scarce, a hot shower is unheard of, and they’re asked to wear their clothes multiple times before tossing them to the trash. Laundry is something missing from human space exploration, but scientists at Proctor and Gamble are hoping to change that.
On July 8, 2011, Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center, the final mission of the shuttle program. We’ll revisit the Space Shuttle program with two time astronaut Bruce Melnick, who was a mission specialist on both Space Shuttle Discovery and Endeavour. Then, we’ll speak with Space Florida’s Dale Ketcham about the Space Coast plan post-Shuttle and how commercial companies are filling in the void left by the program.
When we think of the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, we focus much on the Apollo program and the U.S. astronauts who crossed that finish line. But the space race began earlier than that and was far more perilous than we thought.
Why NASA is joining the inquiry into Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP), how a tiny mic on Mars is beaming back bigs sounds and a profile of a launch photographer capturing rockets leaving the planet.
A seat on Blue Origin’s first crewed New Shepard flight went for $28 million at auction. It marks the start of a new chapter of space tourism. So what’s the future of this burgeoning market?
NASA selected two missions to head to Venus by the end of the 2020s. VERITAS and DAVINCI+ will be the first U.S. mission to Venus in decades. So why study Venus?
NASA’s Perseverance rover is sending back some of the clearest and most dramatic images of the Martian surface ever. It landed earlier this year, and since then has been beaming back detailed panoramics, up close images, even sound and video of one of our closest celestial neighbors.
Every 10 years, NASA tasks the science community to chart the course for the next decade of discovery and exploration. As NASA and other agencies push forward looking for signs of life in our universe, what’s the path ahead? We'll also talk with ERAU's Terry Oswalt about techniques to uncover the age of stars.
The next space-based telescope is almost ready to head into orbit. The James Webb Space Telescope aims to look deeper into the history of the universe, piggy-backing off the incredible observations of the Hubble Space Telescope.
NASA’s Ingenuity helicopter had a Wright Brothers moment on Mars after performing the first powered flight on another planet. It’s the first in many planned helicopter missions to other worlds. So what are engineers learning from the test? And -- an aerial telescope is getting some new hardware to peer deep into the universe.
NASA’s next moon rocket has reached its final destination before launching from Kennedy Space Center. The massive 212-foot tall rocket will carry the Orion space capsule on an uncrewed mission around the moon and back, possibly launching at the end of this year.
Later this week, a new crew will launch to the International Space Station from Kennedy Space Center here in Florida. When the four astronauts arrive in SpaceX’s Dragon capsule about a day after launch, they’ll join the seven already on board bringing the total number of people on the station to 11. Where will they all sleep?
NASA’s Perseverance rover is hard at work, exploring Jezero crater since landing back in February. But the dune-buggy sized rover is about to get upstaged by a tiny helicopter.
Before he died, Einstein was working on a theory of everything. It aims to combine all the forces in the universe into one beautiful, mathematical equation to explain everything. That equation remains incomplete, but physicists like Michio Kaku are charging ahead using new scientific observations from gravitational wave detectors and particle accelerators.
Scientists are on the hunt for exoplanets, planets that exist outside our solar system. So far, they’ve found thousands of planets orbiting other stars and some that might be like our own world.
This podcast and radio show is celebrating its five year anniversary. To celebrate this milestone event we invited frequent guests for a virtual conversation last week -- Charlie Bolden, a former NASA administrator under President Obama and retired astronaut, and Nicole Stott, a retired astronaut who spent more than 100 days in space.
At 10 years old, Hayley Arceneaux was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Now at age 29 she's a physician's assistant at St. Jude Children’s research hospital and about to launch to space.
From booster landings to astronaut launches, it’s hard to imagine a time when SpaceX struggled. But once it seemed like the company may never get off the ground. Eric Berger, journalist and Ars Technica’s senior space editor, chronicles the company’s desperate first years in his new book Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX, starting with the company's founding 2002 and ending with the successful launch of Falcon 1 in 2008.
After a seven month journey hundreds of millions of miles through our solar system, NASA’s Perseverance rover safely landed on the surface of Mars. Now, the science campaign begins.
Getting to Mars isn’t easy, but so far this month two space agencies have delivered payloads to the red planet’s orbit -- China and the United Arab Emirates. A NASA mission is also on course for Mars.
The first of three robotic explorers has arrived at the red planet. The United Arab Emirates Hope probe successfully entered the orbit of Mars Tuesday, marking the UAE's first mission to the red planet.
On the outer edges of our solar system, beyond the orbit of Neptune, objects cluster in weird ways. This clustering led some scientists to search for something that could be acting as a gravitational shepherd, moving and modifying their orbits. That something could be Planet 9, a hypothetical planet at the edge of our solar system that could be tugging and clustering these far-out objects.
NASA’s administrator Jim Bridenstine stepped down last week as a new presidential administration took office. President Biden will now select the next leader of the civilian space agency -- could that mean a new direction for NASA?
After spending about a month on the International Space Station, SpaceX’s new Cargon Dragon capsule splashed down off the coast of Florida. It’s a departure from previous versions of the vehicle which splashed down in the Pacific. The new splash zone means scientists can get their hands on their returning equipment faster, meaning they can make critical observations of experiments quicker and opening up more opportunities for space-based science.
When it comes to how dirt on the moon behaves, scientists are still in the dark. Moon sand, also called regolith, is pretty mysterious -- but one team of University of Central Florida scientists want to shed some light on lunar dust clouds...by shooting lasers at it.
Understanding how dust behaves on the moon and other planetary surfaces is critical for future space exploration missions. Exhaust from a spacecraft’s landing engines could kick up razor-sharp moon dust that could damage instruments or obscure the view of landing.
A team led by scientists Addie Dove and Phil Metzger is developing a sensor that can measure how these dust particles interact with rocket exhaust -- a study that garnered the interest of NASA.
Metzger and Dove’s Ejecta STORM hardware received funding from NASA -- and recently Metzger traveled to the Mojave desert to test it out on a rocket which kicked up simulated dust.
UCF’s Phil Metzger and Addie Dove join us now to talk about the experiment and what they hope to learn about moon dust.
NASA announced the first group of astronauts who will train for a mission to the moon. We’ll talk with one of those astronauts, Kayla Barron, about the selection and what the mission means for women in the astronaut corps.
For the last three decades, the Hubble Space Telescope has peered deep into our universe, exploring the origins of the cosmos and capturing stunning views of stars, clusters and galaxies. Now, NASA is releasing a catalogue of some of its most dazzling images -- some you can see yourself from your own backyard.
A new company plans to launch small satellites from the belly of a drone. It joins the growing number of small launch companies popping up to send tiny payloads into space. So what’s the market for these small satellites?
A 305-meter radio telescope in Puerto Rico collapsed after sustaining damage earlier this year -- sending 900 tons of radio equipment crashing into the dish.
For nearly six decades, a 1,000 foot dish in a Puerto Rican forest has led the charge in searching for far away planets, alien life and tracking near-Earth asteroids. It’s also had cameos in television and film including the 1995 James Bond movie Goldeneye. Now, that dish is going dark.
Four astronauts successfully launched and docked to the International Space Station this week, flying on the first commercially designed and built spacecraft -- SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule.
All eyes have been on the Presidential race, but the 2020 election will also have an impact on the U.S. space program. From Congressional funding to NASA leadership -- what’s ahead? Then, black holes have captured the attention of the masses with breakthroughs in imaging, gravitational wave detection and Nobel Prize recognition. What’s spurring this new dawn of black hole discovery?
We’ll speak with co-creators, writers and stars of the new show Moonbase 8, John C. Reilly, Tim Heidecker and Fred Armisen about the inspiration and research behind the series.
We’re on the hunt for aliens. NASA astrobiologists are scanning the skies for signs of life. But will extraterrestrials look like the little green humanoids from science fiction movies, books or TV?
There’s a lot about space travel that doesn’t get talked about -- like how do astronauts shower or go to the bathroom?
After launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida back in 2016, OSIRIS-REx is about to execute one of its most critical mission objectives -- suck up some dust on a far away asteroid.
This week Mars is set to come closer to Earth than it has been in more than a decade. The Mars Opposition is when the red planet becomes a visible bright red spot in the night sky.
NASA and other space and science agencies are striving to diversify their workforces, but there’s still a long way to go. As the country grapples with racial inequality, so do these organizations.
Last week, scientists announced the finding of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus, one of our closest planetary neighbors. This stinky gas is linked to life here on Earth -- could that be the case on Venus?
It’s been more than a month since an asteroid-hunting telescope in Puerto Rico has gone dark. The Arecibo Observatory’s dish is broken after a piece of scaffolding fell, damaging the surface. So what will it take to fix it?
Last week, scientists, engineers and visionaries met at the annual Humans to Mars summit, outlining current challenges and technological breakthroughs in developing a plan for how to live on the red planet.
Public interest in space exploration is on the rise, partly due to high-profile missions like SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, returning to human launches from the U.S. and excitement around the launch of three missions to Mars this summer. With new interest comes questions from amateur space fans and a new podcast from WKMG’s space reporter Emilee Speck aims to answer those questions submitted by listeners
NASA’s Orion spacecraft is the next deep-space vehicle designed to take humans to the moon.
It’s been a busy year for the private space company SpaceX -- from launching and landing two NASA astronauts in its Crew Dragon Capsule, to the deployment of hundreds of tiny satellites to blanket the globe with internet access. Now, SpaceX is pushing ahead with development of its Starship spacecraft, with ambitious plans to send humans to the moon and Mars.
NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover launched last week carrying a stow-away -- a tiny helicopter named Ingenuity. If it works, it will be the first helicopter on another world and engineers and scientists are eagerly awaiting the results of the test flight, calling it Mars’ Wright Brother moment. Ingenuity might be the first, but it certainly won’t be the last. Work is underway on another off-planet helicopter named Dragonfly, with a plan to send it to Saturn’s moon Titan in 2027.
Astronaut splash downs, Martian missions and a new Mission:Impossible movie shot in space -- there’s a lot going on up there. We’ll dive into the space news headlines this week with WKMG’s space reporter Emilee Speck and take a look at the missions and events on the horizon.
Then, NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover is set to launch this week from Cape Canaveral. We’ve spent the past few shows talking about this flagship mission to the red planet. Today we’ll chat with our panel of expert scientists on this week’s “I’d Like to Know” segment to preview the exciting science this rover promises to collect.
The next Mars rover will have something no other Mars rover has ever had – a microphone. When the Mars Perseverance rover lands next February, scientists will get the chance to hear the red planet.
It’s the summer of Mars. Three spacecraft are heading to the red planet. Rovers from NASA and China, as well as an orbiter from the United Arab Emirates.
Commercial space is booming -- fueled by fresh cash, lots of new rockets and a change in how NASA works with private companies. What’s ahead for this new chapter in private space business?
As early as next year, space tourism company Space Perspective will ferry humans to the edge of space using a giant hydrogen-filled balloon. The capsule will have all the comforts of home – like a bar and a bathroom – and promises breathtaking views of the curvature of the Earth and blackness of space. As more and more space tourism ventures come online, how will greater access to space change how humans perceive this planet?
Protests across the country have highlighted systemic racism and turned the national conversation towards equality and justice. So how does racial inequality affect space exploration?
NASA is relying more and more on the private sector to help its exploration efforts -- from building the next moon lander to transporting astronauts to the International Space Station. So what does the future look like for this new dawn of commercial exploration?
The James Webb Space Telescope is nearing the finish line, with a campaign of full systems tests on the horizon. The mega space-based telescope is an incredible machine -- with a sunshield that once deployed in space will be the size of a tennis court.
On Saturday, SpaceX successfully launched two NASA astronauts from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a mission to the International Space Station. It’s the first time humans have launched from the U.S. since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011. We’re going to talk about the long-lasting impact of this launch -- from the inspiration it delivered to the innovation it paves the way for.
It’s finally here. The launch of American astronauts from American soil is happening this week with the launch of NASA’s Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on a SpaceX rocket.
In a little over a week, SpaceX will attempt to launch two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station from Florida -- the first human launch from the United States in nearly a decade.
For the past 25 years, CBS radio correspondent Peter King has covered human launches from Florida -- including the last Space Shuttle launch in 2011. Later this month, SpaceX will launch two NASA astronauts atop a Falcon 9 rocket. It will be the first human launch in nearly a decade. We’ll talk with Peter about his experience covering astronaut launches from Kennedy Space Center.
This summer, NASA will launch a 2,000 pound robot to the surface of Mars. The Perseverance rover will search for ancient signs of life and prep samples of Martian rocks to send back home.
The Mercury 7 might have had the right stuff and made the headlines, but behind the scenes 13 women were being tested to become astronauts.
For those of us now working from home, we know there are a few challenges. Your mic doesn’t work on a Zoom meeting, your cat walks across your keyboard, your VPN is busted. Well, imagine your job entails driving a car-sized rover some 100 million miles away on the surface of Mars — all from home.
That’s exactly what the Curiosity Rover team is doing now with great success. NASA’s Alicia Allbaugh leads the Mars rover driving team and joins us to talk about the challenges of remote working and the successes her team has accomplished.
Then, each year scientists get together and plan for the next ten years of discovery. The Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey is underway — so what’s on the horizon? On this week’s installment of “I’d Like to Know,” our expert scientists weigh in on what’s to come in the efforts of planetary discovery.
Some seniors at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida are learning about the night sky and the universe they live in thanks to their astronomy teacher Kyle Jeter. Astronomy isn’t a common course selection for most — we’ll explore how it can help students understand all sorts of science and promote science literacy in a social media world.
Then, our expert scientists have some sci-fi picks for keeping us busy during the quarantine. We’ll chat with UCF’s Addie Dove, Josh Colwell and Jim Cooney about science fiction shows and new science documentaries to keep us company as we’re safer at home.
While many of us are struggling with the new normal of quarantining and self-isolating, for NASA astronauts — it’s a part of the job. We’ll catch up with retired NASA astronaut Mike Massimino about the importance of quarantining for space travelers, and the lessons he learned while isolated from his family during his two missions to service the Hubble Space Telescope.
We’ll also talk about his book, “Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe” which has now been adapted to a young adult novel, about how he became an astronaut in the first place.
Then, with so many of us staying at home — what can we do to pass the time? Our panel of expert physicists say now’s a great time to do some stargazing. A crash course in backyard astronomy from our expert scientists.
There’s a new generation leading the charge when it comes to space exploration — millennials. These 20 and 30 year olds are entering the workforce and academia, driving innovation and pushing humanity farther into the solar system. So what’s motivating these millennials? And what’s different from the group of folks that came before them? We’ll chat with space policy analyst and author Laura Forczyk about her new book “Rise of the Space Age Millennials.”
Then, can planets exist outside the orbit of a star? We’ll talk with our panel of experts about the fascinating observations of rogue planets — how did they escape the gravity of their host star and how do we spot them?
There are now two new spacecraft zooming around the sun exploring our closest star. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is getting an up close and personal look at the sun and its corona — the wispy bits that radiate off the surface. And the recently launched Solar Orbiter will explore the poles of the sun.
All eyes are on the sun. So is this a new chapter of sun science? Our guest this week Nicky Fox says it is. She’s Director of the NASA Heliophysics Science Division and lead scientist on the Parker Solar Probe mission. We’ll talk about the early findings of the mission and how all this sun science will help better life here on Earth.
Then, the matter of antimatter. Our panel of expert scientists breakdown this fundamental piece of physics.
Back in 1967, Dr. Jocelyn Bell Burnell observed a curious set of radio pulses from a new type of telescope. Her findings would lead to a new type of star — a pulsar — and begin a new chapter of astronomical discovery. The findings were groundbreaking and paved the way for a new type of observation — radio astronomy.
We’ll chat with Burnell about the story of that discovery, where she sees the future of radio astronomy heading and her work to get more women and minorities involved in STEM.
Then, Space is huge, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to keep it clean. As we continue to venture into our solar system with robotic explorers and human missions, there’s a greater need for good hygiene. On this week’s “I’d Like to Know” segment, we’ll chat with physicists from the University of Central Florida about keeping our dirty Earth-germs off other planets and moons — and why the search for life depends on it.
The race to deep space is on. NASA has its eyes set on the moon then Mars, and other private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin have ambitious plans to send humans into deep space. So just how close are we to breaking the bonds of Earth’s gravity once more and exploring other worlds? We’ll speak with Mary Lynn Dittmar, President and CEO of the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration.
Then – astronomers are picking up a strange signal from somewhere in space. Fast Radio Bursts are puzzling scientists — where are they coming from and what’s causing them? On this week’s “I’d Like to Know” segment, we’ll ask our panel of experts about these interesting new waves.
Space is open for business. NASA is loosening restrictions on the use of the space station for commercial companies, paving the way for new business opportunities in orbit. From music videos to commercials, companies are now looking to the cosmos to tell their stories. So what will the future of space marketing look like? And what does NASA stand to gain? We’ll talk with Space Marketing Group’s Trisha Navidzadeh about the bold new future of space marketing.
Then, a listener asks: How far away are we from having rotating ships that create artificial gravity? We’ll put that question to our expert panel of scientists on this week’s edition of “I’d Like to Know”.
This week we’re talking with Alan Ladwig about his new book “See You in Orbit.” It chronicles the efforts to get regular humans, not just astronauts, into space. You probably heard us talk about those efforts after the Challenger disaster and into the era of commercial space tourism — but the story of civilians in space starts long before that.
In this bonus interview for Are We There Yet?, Ladwig takes us back to the start…
Companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are on the brink of launching a new class of astronauts into space — ordinary people. The experiences promise to give space tourists a new perspective on the world and experience the feeling of weightlessness. How will space tourism change the way we think about space and our planet?
We’ll chat with Alan Ladwig — former NASA official and author of the new book “See You in Orbit” about the history of civilians in space and the prospect of ordinary citizens leaving this planet.
Then, NASA has its sights set on the moon — the south pole of the moon, specifically — because of the evidence of water. But just how much water is there at the poles of the moon? And how do we know? We’ll ask our panel of expert scientists this week.
A new mission to study the sun launched this week from Cape Canaveral. For the first time, scientists will get a look at the poles of the sun, thanks to the Solar Orbiter spacecraft. The mission is a joint venture between the European Space Agency and NASA and will join other spacecraft studying the sun like the Parker Solar Probe.
So how will Solar Orbiter help better our understanding of the sun and its effects here on Earth? We’ll speak with NASA scientist Alex Young about the new era of heliophysics.
Then, a listener wants to know a little more about Tabby’s Star — it’s a star located in the constellation Cygnus. A space telescope captured some funky behavior of the star — so what’s up? We’ll ask our panel of expert scientists this week on our segment “I’d Like to Know”.
The House is moving through a new authorization bill. While these pieces of legislation are usually unremarkable, this one is getting a lot of attention. That’s because this bill would significantly alter NASA’s current plans to head to the moon in 2024 and establish a permanent presence there, instead focusing on a human mission to Mars in the 2030s.
To unpack the politics of the plan, we’ll speak with Casey Dreier, Chief Advocate & Senior Space Policy Adviser at the Planetary Society.
READ: Casey Dreier’s Policy Analysis on Planetary.org
Then, a listener asks “Where’s the love for Neptune and Uranus?” There have been no science missions to the ice giants since the Voyager flybys of the 1980s? What gives? We’ll ask our panel of experts on this week’s segment “I’d Like to Know” about the prospects of a ice giant mission and the likelihood it will happen this decade.
A spacecraft more than 160 million miles away is about to suck up some asteroid dust — then send it back to Earth. The OSIRIS-REx mission will collect the sample from Bennu this summer and mission managers are carefully planning the maneuver.
Scientists hope to uncover the building blocks of early life in the universe when the sample arrives back here on Earth in 2023.
We’ll talk with mission scientist Humberto Campins about the final site selected by the team and the surprises OSIRIS-REx uncovered along the way.
Then, the star Betelgeuse is causing quite a stir after astronomers observed the star brightening and dimming in the night sky. Is it going to blow up? We’ll talk with our panel of experts on this week’s segment “I’d Like to Know.”
Space travel could cause a leaky gut. A new medical study found that microgravity reduces an important barrier in the stomach which could mean nasty germs could get inside Astronaut’s bodies on deep-space missions. We’ll chat with UC Riverside medical researcher Dr. Declan McCole about the gut biomes of astronauts and how his research can all help our guts down here on Earth.
Then, how do you count the planets? The answer to how many planets there are isn’t a simple one. On this week’s “I’d Like to Know” segment, we’ll talk to our panel of planetary experts about the task of counting the planets and the controversies surrounding their definitions.
Alcohol has long been a staple of our cultures and civilizations but is there a place for it in space?
Author Chris Carberry explores this history and future of booze in space in his new book Alcohol in Space: Past, Present and Future. We’ll talk about how booze made its mark on the space program and just what type of drinks we might be toasting while orbiting the Earth or exploring Mars.
Then, there’s a black hole at the center of our galaxy. Should we be worried about falling in? This week on our segment “I’d Like to Know”, we’ll chat with planetary scientists about the possibility of being gobbled up by this black hole.
Over the last decade, there’s been a change in how things get to space. Since the end of the Space Shuttle program in 2011, NASA has been looking to commercial companies to fill the void. We’ll take a look at the “paradigm shift in the business of space” with The Verge’s senior science reporter Loren Grush. Her recent piece for the online publication examines the commercial boom in the 2010s led largely by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX. We’ll talk about that growth and what’s ahead for private space in the 2020s.
Then, are we alone in the universe? Surely we’re not and statistics can prove it. But why haven’t we uncovered any evidence of life outside our planet? A conversation about the Fermi paradox with our panel of planetary science experts on this week’s segment “I’d Like to Know”.
Astronomers have their eyes on a rare comet zooming 100,000 miles per hour through our solar system. It’s rare because it’s coming from outside our solar system. The comet named 2I/Borisov is the first confirmed interstellar comet.
The Hubble space telescope captured stunning images of the comet. Scientists are pouring through the data to figure out what it’s made of and where it came from. That information can help us better understand our universe. We’ll talk with planetary astronomer Heidi Hammel about what we know — and don’t yet know — about this incredible discovery.
Then, there’s a lot of talk about life on Mars, but how do we actually find it? This week on “I’d Like to Know,” we’ll chat with our panel of planetary scientists about the likelihood of finding signs of life on the red planet and where else in the solar system we should be looking.
For future missions to the moon or Mars, astronauts are going to need a new suit. Engineers like MIT’s Dava Newman are hard at work — but it’s a big ask. Designing a suit that protects astronauts while still allowing them the mobility to work in space or on another planet is tough. We’ll speak with Newman about the design challenges of making a new spacesuit and how the work done at her lab could help all of us here on Earth.
Then, we know the speed of light, the speed of sound — but what about the speed of gravity? This week on “I’d Like to Know” we chat with our panel of experts on the intricate measurement of gravity and how colliding black holes are helping us understand its speed.
Exploration is hardwired into our DNA. From early humans in sub-Saharan Africa to the Apollo moon walkers, humans have always had a thirst for knowledge and the need to understand the world around them.
Andrew Rader is a SpaceX mission manager. He’s one of the many new-age explorers now reaching out to the stars. He’s also an historian and author of a new book Beyond the Known: How Exploration Created the Modern World and Will Take Us to the Stars. We’ll speak with Rader about humanity’s storied history exploring our world and the efforts to expand into our solar system.
Then, are we living in the only version of this universe? We explore the idea of a multiverse with our panel of expert scientists this week on our segment “I’d Like to Know.”
Are we alone in the universe? Probably not. Scientists are hard at work looking for signs of life here in our solar system and beyond. But what will we say to those extraterrestrials when we find them?
Author and journalist Daniel Oberhaus delves into the efforts to talk with alien civilizations in his new book “Extraterrestrial Languages.” We’ll talk with Oberhaus about the attempts to speak with other civilizations in the universe and why many scientists think it’s a bad idea to reach out to them first.
Then, as we continue to venture into our solar system, there’s a greater need to keep it clean. On this week’s “I’d Like to Know” segment, we’ll chat with planetary scientist from the University of Central Florida about keeping our dirty Earth-germs off other planets and moons — and why the search for life depends on it.
Ken Chang: Science From Beyond Our Solar System.
Voyager 2 punched a hole through our heliosphere sending it into interstellar space.
The space probe launched more than 40 years ago along with its twin, Voyager 1, on a mission to visit the outer planets. Now the two have exited the boundary of our solar system and are beaming data back to scientists here on Earth.
We’ll speak to The New York Times reporter Ken Chang who wrote about the science coming back from Voyager 2, which was launched 42 years ago from Cape Canaveral on a mission to visit the outer planets of our solar system.
The spacecraft, along with its twin Voyager 1, is now traveling in interstellar space at more than 35,000 mph.
At that speed, it could travel around the world in less than an hour but, even so, it has taken four decades to leave the solar system all while continuing to transmit data back to Earth.
Scientists are just now digging into that data and it’s painting a new picture of the boundary of our solar system.
I’d Like to Know: The Science of Space Junk.
SpaceX’s Starlink constellation is taking shape. The private company launched 60 satellites into orbit last week that will be part of a network of thousands of satellites to blanket the globe with global, high-speed internet.
However, some people are concerned that the constellation, along with other planned space-based internet networks, could add to the growing number of space debris and interfere with astronomical observations.
Josh Colwell, Jim Cooney and Addie Dove, planetary scientists at the University of Central Florida and hosts of the podcast “Walk About the Galaxy” talk about the science of these constellations and the risks so many satellites zooming around in space might pose.
Got a question for “I’d Like to Know”? Send it in! Shoot us an email at arewethereyet@wmfe.org.
Space News Headlines
NASA OIG
A report released by NASA’s Inspector General says the agency’s commercial crew program is facing additional delays and questions some $157 million awarded to one of those contractors: Boeing.
According to the report, in 2016 Boeing was paid a so-called premium of $287 million to alleviate perceived delays to the program, but SpaceX wasn’t offered a similar opportunity.
The Inspector General criticized Commercial Crew managers for offering the additional money for Starliner missions, calling $157 million of that payment “unnecessary costs.”
In a statement, NASA disagrees with the inspector’s characterization. Boeing says the bidding process was quote fair and open and disagrees with the OIG’s findings.
The report outlines delays in developing the parachutes, propulsion and launch abort systems of the spacecraft. Because of those challenges, the space agency won’t send Commercial Crew astronauts to the station until at least Summer 2020.
Both companies are coming up on critical tests of their capsules that will help solidify human launch dates. Boeing is set to launch an uncrewed capsule to the station next month. And in just a few weeks, SpaceX will test the abort motors of the Crew Dragon Capsule mid flight after launching atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
Complicated Spacewalk
The latest spacewalks center around a co...
Nicole Stott: Spacewalker, artists and advocate for all explorers.
Last month, Astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch made history by conducting the first all-female spacewalk. While women have been space walking since 1984, this marks the first time a team has been made up of an all female crew.
Koch and Meir penned a Washington Post op-ed from space applauding NASA’s efforts for equality and calling on leaders to continue to include all humans as exploration efforts move forward.
There have been 221 spacewalks at the ISS and 37 have included women. But overall, there have only been 15 female spacewalkers. Retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott is one of them and we chat with her about the historic milestone and what that means for gender equality in the astronaut corps.
Stott is also an artist, one of the first to paint from space. We’ll talk about her efforts to inspire the next generation of space explorers through art and outreach.
I’d Like to Know: An interstellar comet is about to visit us.
An interstellar comet is zooming through space and it’s about to make a pass through our solar system. It is only the second identified space rock to visit us from interstellar space — so what can we expect? And why are scientists so excited about it?
Josh Colwell and Addie Dove — planetary scientists at the University of Central Florida and hosts of the podcast “Walk About the Galaxy” — help answer Brendan’s simple question: What the heck is this thing? \
Got a question for “I’d Like to Know”? Send it in! Shoot us an email at arewethereyet@wmfe.org.
Space News Headlines
Commercial Crew Tests Ramp Up
Boeing completed a critical test of its Starliner capsule designed to take NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. It’s part of a partnership between NASA and private companies to launch astronauts to the International Space Station from Florida — a first since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011 — and paves the way for an uncrewed test flight to the ISS December 17.
SpaceX is also planning for a critical safety test of it’s abort system later this year. SpaceX has already completed an uncrewed test mission to the ISS earlier this year and NASA said the company could send the first human astronauts early next year.
Starlink Ends Three Month Launch Draught
SpaceX launched 60 of its Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Monday on a Falcon 9 rocket. The company wants to blanket the globe with high-speed, broadband internet access. It’s the first round of thousands of satellites needed to complete the constellation.
SpaceX isn’t alone. Another company One Web plans to start launching 30 satellites a month starting next year — and that has some worried about orbiting traffic and the potential for collisions.
SpaceX said the network can operate safely. Each satellite is equipped with systems to steer it away from potential crashes. And if a satellite dies, it will fall out of orbit and burn up safely in the atmosphere.
Whether or not other companies will play nice and how satellite regulation might change is yet to be seen.
What’s Ahead?
Next week, we’ll explore NASA’s Voyager 2 mission. The probe launch 42 years ago. Last year, the spacecraft punched through the boundry of the solar system into interstellar space.
The International Astronautical Congress was last week in Washington D.C. It’s a global assembly of movers and shakers in the space industry — from government agencies to private partners. We’ll chat with the host of the We Martians podcast Jake Robins who attended the conference about the big news in space exploration.
Then, NASA has its sights set on the moon — the south pole of the moon specifically — because of the evidence of water. But just how much water is there? And how do we know? We’ll ask our panel of expert scientists.
Private company Relativity Space is designing and manufacturing 3D printed rockets to launch from Cape Canaveral but one day hopes to see the technology building parts on places like the moon or Mars.
We’ll talk with Relativity Space’s Jordan Noone about the prospects of 3D printing on other worlds — and what his company is doing here on Earth to support that goal.
Then, different telescopes see in different wavelengths. What’s the difference between ultraviolet, infrared and microwave — and how do different wavelengths help us uncover the mysteries of the universe? We’ll ask our panel of expert scientists on this week’s installment of “I’d Like to Know”.
NASA is going back to the moon but before it does, it has to figure out how to work with the dirt on the lunar surface.
Moon dust is nasty stuff. It’s sharp, sticky and can really mess up your equipment. But it also has valuable resources in it. So how do robots and humans work on the lunar surface and exploit its precious resources?
That’s up to the team at Swamp Works — a group of scientists and engineers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. We’ll visit NASA senior technologist Rob Mueller’s lab to learn about the work they do learning how to live and work on the lunar surface.
Then, what is light? It’s a simple question with a complex answer. We’ll talk with our expert scientists about the science of light.
Hardware for SpaceX’s Commercial Crew program and NASA’s SLS rocket have arrived at Kennedy Space. Elon Musk continues work on his Starship rockets.
It’s been a busy few weeks in space news. We’ll talk with space reporters Emre Kelly and Emilee Speck about the latest in getting astronauts to the International Space Station, the moon and beyond.
And later, a recent discovery by exoplanet hunters claims that a distant planet has an atmosphere filled with water vapor. Why is water so important in the search for life in the universe? We’ll talk to our panel of experts on our weekly segment “I’d Like To Know.”
But first, SpaceX’s commercial crew hardware arrives at Kennedy Space Center along with a key piece of SLS hardware and Elon Musk gives an update on his stainless steel Starhopper. It’s time this month to speak with WKMG’s Emilee Speck and Florida Today’s Emre Kelly.
Scientists have captured an image of a black hole swallowing a star. The findings are shedding light on the mystery of black holes. How does this event help us better understand our universe?
We’ll speak with NASA scientists Knicole Colon about the mysteries of black holes and what this discovery means for the future of black hole research.
Then, we’ll chat with our panel of expert scientists about black holes and gravitational waves in our weekly question segment called “I’d Like to Know.”
If you want to live on Mars, you’ll have to eat bugs.
That’s according to new research published by a team of University of Central Florida scientists in the journal New Space.
Companies like SpaceX are looking to send the first colonists in the next decade. For that, UCF planetary scientist Kevin Cannon said they’ll have to produce much of their own food.
Agriculture like grain, wheat and corn require a lot of land and additional resources like soil, water and fertilizer. Bugs require a lot less resources. We speak with Cannon about his findings and the future of a new food source — cellular agriculture.
Then, we’re asking about space exploration and the movies in our new segment “I’d Like To Know” where we take your questions and pose them to a panel of expert scientists. We’re joined by University of Central Florida Planetary Scientists and hosts of the podcast Walk About The Galaxy: Addie Dove, Jim Cooney and Josh Colwell.
India’s attempt to land a rover on the moon appears to have ended in failure. The Indian space agency lost contact with the lander during a touchdown attempt earlier this month. It follows the landing failure of another mission — SpaceIL’s attempt to land the Beresheet spacecraft on the moon earlier this year.
So what makes these lunar missions so hard?
The two recent failures highlight just how difficult lunar missions can be. Joining us to talk about the engineering challenges of such a mission is Dan Batcheldor — head of aerospace, physics and space sciences at Florida Tech.
And, we’re asking our expert panel of scientists about gravity waves — what are they and how are they helping scientists better understand the universe. UCF planetary scientists and hosts of the podcast Walkabout the Galaxy Addie Dove, Jim Cooney and Josh Colwell unpack the mysteries of gravity waves.
Last week, the Space Command came online. It’s what’s known as a combatant command group within the U.S. military and serves as a way to streamline the nation’s space military assets. It’s also seen as the precursor to the Space Force — a brand new military branch dedicated to all things space. We’ll talk with Republican Congressman Mike Waltz who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. We talk about the space command and the politics of exploration as NASA again looks to return to the moon.
And speaking of the moon — a recent report in Wired uncovered tiny little stow-aways on Israeli’s lunar lander. Should we be worried about microscopic bugs taking over the moon? We’ll ask a panel of planetary scientists in a brand new segment on this show called “I’ve Always Wondered.”
But first — the politics of space. We began the conversation talking about space command and I asked the Congressman, why now?
A spacecraft the size of a passenger van is orbiting an asteroid nearly 100 million miles away and will soon snag a sample of dirt from the surface and send it back to Earth.
OSIRIS-REx launched from Cape Canaveral three years ago. The mission is NASA’s first asteroid sample return. Scientists hope the ancient asteroid Bennu will hold signs of early life in the solar system — but since arriving, scientists are learning Bennu is full of surprises.
We welcome back the mission’s principal investigator Dante Lauretta to give us an update on the mission and the surprises uncovered at the asteroid Bennu.
It’s been a busy few days for space news. We’re unrolling a new segment on the podcast this week — a round table of space journalists based here in Florida to break down the latest headlines and offer insight and analysis of all the top space news stories.
The Orlando Sentinel’s Chabeli Herrera, WKMG’s Emilee Speck and Florida Today’s Emre Kelly join the podcast to talk about SpaceX’s Starship development, the search for exoplanets and NASA’s missions to launch humans to the International Space Station and the moon.
This conversation was recorded Monday, August 5th at 9:00 a.m. By the time you get to listen to this episode, some details might have changed.
NASA’s planet hunting satellite has completed its first year of science in space. The spacecraft searched the southern sky for signs of so-called exoplanets. The mission seeks to answer one of science’s age-old questions: are we alone in the universe?
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, identifies planets outside our solar system by staring at the stars. When a planet passes between the star and the spacecraft, the light of that star dims. TESS measures the dip in light — and scientists can use that data to determine what kind of planet is causing the dimming.
This week, NASA announced TESS has found a new planet about 31 light years away that exists in the so-called habitable zone — meaning it’s the right distance away from its host star to have liquid water.
The observations will help future telescopes, both on the ground and in space, make even more detailed observations of these planets and search for signs of life.
To talk about the spacecraft’s first year of science, we’re joined by Mark Clampin. He’s the Director of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
In the 1960’s, NASA’s Apollo program spurred growth and development on Florida’s SpaceCoast. Fifty years later, the lasting impact of the program can still be seen.
Photographer Jim Hobart set out to document those changes for a special photo project for WMFE. He recreated photos found from the 1960’s and you can compare his new photos with the old using a slider tool.
We speak with Hobart, along with Ben Brotemarkle from the Florida Historical Society to talk about the project and the impact Apollo had on Florida’s Space Coast.
When Niel Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon, millions tuned in live to watch the event. The moon landing inspired many to pursue an education and career in aerospace in what is now called the Apollo effect.
Phil Metzerger was one of those kids who grew up around the Apollo program on Florida’s Space Coast and went on to study engineering and eventually work at NASA.
He was nudged by his dad, Theodore Metzger, who worked on the Apollo program. Now, Metzger works at UCF’s Florida Space Institute as a planetary scientist. Phil rejoins the podcast to talk about growing up in the era of Apollo.
After launching from Kennedy Space Center, controllers in Houston, Texas took over the operation of the Apollo missions — keeping a watchful eye on the crew and vehicle as it made the nearly quarter-million mile trip to the moon.
One of those flight controllers was Gerry Griffin. We spoke about the role controllers played during the Apollo program and how the team handled the challenges and triumphs of the first moon missions — including the famous “SCE to AUX” fix that saved Apollo 12.
Two senior NASA officials have been ousted from their positions.
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said associate administrator Bill Gerstenmaier and deputy associate administrator Bill Hill have been reassigned within the agency.
Bridenstine said the move is meant to help meet the challenge of landing humans on the moon by 2024, a deadline set by the Trump administration.
Will this streamline the effort or cloud the mission with uncertainty? To unpack the news of the shakeup, we’re joined by Tim Fernholz. He’s a senior reporter at Quartz and the author of “Rocket Billionaires: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and The New Space Race.”
MaryLiz Bender and Ryan Chylinski didn’t know it at the time, but they were both embarking on a similar mission — selling all their stuff, hoping in a camper and touring the country documenting the latest space events.
The two met and once they realized they were doing the same thing, they joined up to criss-cross the nation in their modified campers collecting videos and photos from rocket launches, composing music inspired by the energy at these events, and leading the outreach effort to get more people interested in space.
The couple is launching their latest project, Guidance Internal: Lessons From Astronauts, a Kickstarter campaign for a book and documentary looking at how astronauts are inspired by the cosmos.
Astronauts on the International Space Station use a specialized suit called the Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or EMU, to work outside the space station safely.
The suits were delivered to the station in the 1980s and are in need of an upgrade. The suits made headlines earlier this year when what would be the first all-female spacewalk was postponed due to a lack of sizing for the innards of one of the EMUs.
Florida Today space reporter Antonia Jaramillo took a look at the history of the suit, the challenges NASA faces upgrading the equipment and what the agency is thinking about for moon or Mars suits in a piece published earlier this month.
As opportunities grow, space philosopher Frank White says it’s time to starting thinking about issues arising out of the human expansion into our solar system.
White is the author of “The Overview Effect” which chronicles the cognitive shift in awareness reported by some astronauts during spaceflight, often while viewing the Earth from outer space.
But now more and more humans will leave this planet, thanks to private companies like Blue Origin & Virgin Galactic — and other thinkers and innovators like Elon Musk foresee a future where people live on other planets.
In his new book “The Cosma Hypothesis,” White challenges us to think about broad, philosophical issues that relate to human spaceflight and to outline some ground rules for all of humanity to follow.
It has been a busy few weeks for moon news. Just last week, the Israeli non-profit SpaceIL attempted to land on the surface on the moon — a first for a private group. While the landing wasn’t successful, the attempt garnered the support of hundreds of thousands of people around the globe watching the event unfold in real time.
Last month, the Trump administration charged NASA with putting humans on the moon in the next five years. NASA’s administrator Jim Bridenstine has been busy lining up the details — from securing funding from Congress to figuring out what rockets to use to get there.
So to make sense of all this moon we’re joined by Alex Stuckey, space and science reporter at the Houston Chronicle.
An asteroid some 50 million miles away is spewing pebble and rock-sized debris — and scientists don’t know why. The findings are the latest from a robotic spacecraft on a mission to visit the asteroid.
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft took images of the surface of asteroid Bennu spewing particles into space and some are raining back down on the rocky surface.
The spacecraft is set to fly close to the surface of the asteroid, collect a sample of the particles and send it back to Earth.
Planetary scientists hope findings from Bennu can uncover how our solar system formed. But the initial findings, especially the observations of the asteroid spewing debris into space, are raising even more questions about asteroids.
Joining us in the studio is University of Central Florida’s Humberto Campins. He is co-investigator on the mission and joins us to talk about the newest findings and what questions investigators still have.
UCF’s Phil Metzger, WMFE’s Brendan Byrne and WKMG’s Emilee Speck
For the past three years, WMFE’s podcast Are We There Yet? has asked “when it comes to putting humans on Mars, are we there yet?” As the program reaches its third year, host Brendan Byrne asks the question to planetary scientist Phil Metzger and journalist Emilee Speck.
From lunar beer to Martian architecture, there’s still a lot of challenges to overcome before humans can step foot on another world. UCF’s Phil Metzger joins the show to talk about those hurdles and the work being done here on Earth to put humans on Mars.
And WKMG’s Emilee Speck recaps the past three years in spaceflight news — from robots dying to Dragons launching — and what’s on the horizon for human deep space exploration.
This episode was recorded live from the WMFE studios in Orlando, Florida, and live-streamed on YouTube. You can look back at the taping here.
SpaceX successfully launched its Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station, docked it to the orbiting outpost, and returned it safely to Earth. While the capsule didn’t have a crew — just a test-dummy named Ripley — It was a huge milestone for the private space company which is working with NASA on a contract to send humans to the space station from US soil for the first time since the end of the shuttle program in 2011. That could happen as soon as this summer.
NASA is also working with Boeing on its Starliner capsule to accomplish the same goal. The Starliner will launch uncrewed on a similar mission this spring, and would send astronauts soon after.
The program has faced multiple delays due to Congressional funding, but with SpaceX’s successful mission, all signs point to 2019 being the year of the so called Commercial Crew Program. To talk more about the milestone and missions ahead we’re joined by Chris Gebhardt, he’s the Assistant Managing Editor at NASA Spaceflight dot com and joins us from Cape Canaveral.
After 15 years, NASA has declared Opportunity’s mission complete. Earlier this week, the agency tried to contact the Mars rover one last. The rover had been radio silent since June.
Designed to only spend 90 days exploring, the mission far exceeded expectations, clocking in at a decade and a half while traversing 28 miles across the red planet.
The mission captivated more than just the science community. The photos beamed back from the red planet gave everyone here on Earth incredible views of another world. Opportunity’s end was grieved by many online in the form of comic strips, obituaries and remembrances from the people that spent their careers working on the mission.
To look back at Opportunity’s legacy, we’re speaking with Dan Batcheldor. He’s the head of Aerospace Physics and Space Sciences at Florida Tech.
Abigail Harrison wants to be the first person on Mars, and she’s on a mission to inspire others to help with those efforts.
That’s why she stated The Mars Generation, a non-profit dedicated to getting young people involved in STEM and space exploration. The group hosts various outreach events and offers a scholarship for low-income students to attend space camp.
Abigail Harrison, otherwise known as Astronaut Abby, joins us from her home in the Twin Cities, to talk about these efforts.
Fifty years ago today, Frank Boreman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders launch from the Kennedy Space Center atop a Saturn V rocket on humanity’s first mission to the moon.
The trio was the first to leave Earth’s orbit and see the Earth as a whole planet. Three days later, when they arrived at the moon, the crew could see the earth rise above the lunar surface
Anders snapped a photo, now known as Earthrise, which is called one of the most influential environmental photographs ever taken. The Apollo 8 mission paved the way for future lunar landing missions, too.
Now, a group of retired astronauts are remembering the mission, and the photograph, and using it as a tool to inspire future generations of explores.
Retired NASA Astronaut Nicole Stott joins the podcast to talk about the significance of the image and how her new program Constellation is inspiring others to view the planet from a different perspective.
The red planet just go another robot inhabitant. NASA’s Mars InSight lander touched down on November 26 after a six month trip through our solar system.
The mission aims to understand what’s going on UNDER the martian surface using a suite of geological and seismic tools. It will spend the next few weeks surveying it’s landing site before starting its science mission, but in the meantime, the spacecraft has been beaming back tantalizing new pictures from the surface of Mars.
So what do scientists hope to learn from InSight? Emily Lakdawalla joins the podcast to answer that question. She’s a geologist and also the Senior Editor at the Planetary Society. Emily was at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab during the landing and joins us via Skype today to talk about the mission ahead for InSight.
Every rocket that launches from Cape Canaveral falls under the watchful eye of the Air Force’s 45th Space Wing. Headquartered at Patrick Air Force Base, the Wing is responsible for the safety of the rocket by monitoring thing like weather, and the safety of the residents of Florida’s Space Coast.
Air Force leaders want to ramp up launches from the Cape – targeting 48 launches a year. That drive falls under the command of the new leader of the 45th Space Wing, Brigadier General Douglas A. Schiess
General Schiess spoke with host Brendan Byrne at Patrick Air Force Base to talk about the 45th’s role in launching rockets and upgrades happening at the base to help support more launches.
Tory Bruno. His social media presence is almost as large as the rockets he launches. He’s the CEO of United Launch Alliance, the rocket giant responsible for Delta and Atlas rockets. Recently, ULA launched NASA’s Parker Solar Probe on a mission to touch the sun, thanks to its Delta IV Heavy rocket
ULA has sent more than a dozen missions to Mars, and early next year it will lift Boeing’s Commercial Crew capsule, the Starliner, into orbit. We sat down to talk the Atlas’ legacy, the commercial crew missions, and ULA’s next rocket: The Vulcan.
Chris Ferguson is a Boeing astronaut and soon he’ll command the first crewed mission of Boeing’s Starliner on a trip to the International Space Station. It’s a bit symbolic that Chris is heading back to space. As a NASA astronaut, he commanded the last space shuttle mission more than seven years ago. It was the last launch of human from U.S. soil. Soon, Ferguson will be one of the first to return the country to the launching business.
We are just months away from the first launches of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Private companies Boeing and SpaceX are poised to launch astronauts to the International Space Station from Florida.
Earlier this week, 90.7’s space reporter Brendan Byrne sat down with Ferguson to talk about final preparations going into the first few flights of Starliner and what he misses most about being in space.
The debate over Pluto’s planethood has been reinvigorated once again, thanks to a new paper co-authored by a University of Central Florida planetary scientist.
Back in 2006, the International Astronomical Union adopted new classification rules. In order for an object to be considered a planet it must be the largest gravitational force in its orbit. In Pluto’s case, its orbit is influenced by neighboring Neptune, so according to the IAU, what was once our 9th planet is no longer a planet. Instead, Pluto is classified as a dwarf planet.
Phil Metzger co-authored the paper that is re-examining the debate. He is a planetary scientist at the Florida Space Institute at UCF so he stopped by to talk about the paper and the case for classifying planets.
Last week, NASA announced Commercial Crew mission assignments. The Commercial Crew program will launch astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil for the first time since 2011. NASA is doing it with private companies SpaceX and Boeing.
In this episode we’ll meet the astronauts flying on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner: Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson and NASA astronauts Nicole Mann, Suni Williams, Josh Cassada and Eric Boe.
Also, SpaceNews.com’s senior staff writer Jeff Foust brings us up to speed on the latest developments of the Commercial Crew program ahead of a launch later this year.
A spacecraft is about to launch on a mission to the sun, coming closer than any other spacecraft has ever come before and zooming through the solar system with mind-boggling speed.
The Parker Solar Probe is being sent to our star to study its corona. Scientists hope they can uncover some of the mysteries of the corona and help better predict space weather. And because we probably won’t get to any other stars anytime soon, scientists say they’ll use the data from the mission to better understand the other stars in our universe.
Parker launches from Kennedy Space Center August 11 on a ULA Delta IV Heavy. Ahead of the launch, we spoke with Alex Young, Associate Director for Science, Heliophysics Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
I’m sure you saw the headlines this week: “Water on Mars.” It’s a huge discovery on the red planet but what does it mean for our future exploration on Mars?
A study published this week in Science unveiled the discovery of the possibility of an underground body of water.
The findings are tantalizing to scientists who are searching for signs of life on the red planet or to use as a resource to create fuel for future human explorers.
To break down the news we’re joined by Dan Batcheldor, head of physics at Florida Tech.
Like all planets, the Earth and Mars orbit the sun but they do it at different speeds. Earth orbits about twice as fast as Mars, so every two years or so, they catch up to each other.
The Mars Opposition is happening at the end of this month. That means Mars and the sun are on opposite sides of the Earth, giving an up-close view of the red planet – the closest it has been in 15 years.
To talk more about this event we’re joined by Derek Demeter to the podcast. He’s an astronomer, astrophotographer and Director of Seminole State College Planetarium in Central Florida.
A simulated Mars mission was cut short earlier this year after a crew member was injured. Just what happened in the fake Mars habitat in Hawaii and what does that mean for future experiments?
Last year we spoke with a participant in the HI-SEAS experiment. That’s the simulated Mars base camp that’s actually in Hawaii. It’s a chance for scientists to observe how people live in work in the simulated isolation of a future Mars mission.
Well, the program was heading into its 6th mission back in February, but something happened that cut it short.
Marina Koren is a science reporter at The Atlantic. Her piece When a Mars Simulation Goes Wrong takes a deep dive into what happened that halted the experiment and what this means for future martian analogs.
In the 1960s, it was up to programmers like Alice Schmidt to help bring Gemini capsules safely home.
Schmidt was a member of an IBM programming team hired by NASA’s Goddard Spaceflight Center to analyze re-entry trajectories and guidance navigation to drop the Gemini capsule in a specific area in the ocean for recovery. The Gemini program was an important step in getting humans to the moon.
Schmidt joins the podcast to talk about her work with NASA, what it was like being a female programmer, and just how her team figured out complicated computations using only punch cards and pencils.
The Humans to Mars Summit wrapped up this week in Washington, D.C. It’s a yearly meeting of the minds to chat all things Mars and what it’s going to take to get people there.
It included panels of folks talking all things space from mission architecture to social media. NASA’s new administrator Jim Bridenstine spoke about his vision of human space exploration.
Laura Forczyk is the founder of Astralytical a space consulting firm. She kept a watchful eye on the summit and joins the program to let us know just how we’re going to get to Mars.
Follow Laura on Twitter for great space industry insight!
NASA is poised to launch a robotic geologist to Mars. Before it blasts off, what goes into planning that trip?
Caley Burke is a Trajectory Analyst for NASA’s Launch Services Program. Her job is to map out InSight’s trip to Mars. She joins us va Skype from the Kennedy Space Center to tell us just what goes into planning a Mars trajectory.
Where were you when you first saw Pluto? The New Horizons flyby back in the summer of 2015 had all eyes on the deep spacecraft exploring the outermost parts of our solar system.
New Horizons launched in 2006 but it was years in the making, and it wasn’t easy getting managers and administrators on board with the idea of exploring Pluto.
“Chasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Pluto” is a new book out this week that chronicles the triumphs and challenges of the mission that’s now past Pluto and on it’s way to it’s next flyby: Ultima Thule, an object 43 AU or 4 billion miles away.
Dr. Alan Stern is the Principle Investigator on New Horizons..and the co-author of the book. He joins the podcast to talk about the mission and the decades long path to reach Pluto.
A new space telescope will help scientists identify alien worlds.
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, launches on a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Space Coast. Once in space, it will look for planets outside our solar system by observing nearby stars.
Sara Seager is an astrophysicist at MIT and the Deputy Science Director of the TESS mission. She hopes the discoveries of these planets, called exoplanets, can help us find other Earth-like planets and eventually the evidence of life outside our world.
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Paul Allen. Our guest calls them the space barons. Washington Post reporter Christian Davenport interviewed the four space entrepreneurs for his book “The Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos.”
He joins the podcast to talk about what he learned from these four space entrepreneurs.
To celebrate the second year of the podcast “Are We There Yet?”, we commissioned designer Tim Gagnon to create a mission patch.
Gagnon has designed mission patches for NASA since the shuttle days and joins the program to talk about how these space coat of arms are designed and why so many people go bonkers collecting them. What’s the big deal with these things anyways?
You can get your own “Are We There Yet?” patch here.
Florida’s Space Coast is roaring back to life. Nearly a decade after the shuttle was retired, we’re on the brink of a new age of space exploration that leverages commercial and academic partnerships to send humans farther into the solar system than ever before. And NASA is working on its next big rocket, the Space Launch System, at the Kennedy Space Center.
To explore this bright future of space exploration from the sunshine state, WMFE hosted a panel of astronauts, scientists and space visionaries in front of a live studio audience in Orlando.
Panelists:
Robert Cabana – Director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. He was selected as an astronaut in 1985 and hisfirst flight was on STS-41 Discovery, launching in 1990. He’d go on to fly on three more shuttle missions, logging 37 days in space. He has served as the director of KSC since 2008.
Dr. Addie Dove – Planetary scientist and assistant professor of physics at the University of Central Florida. Her research interests include dusty plasmas, collisions and understanding how planets formed. Her experiments have flown to space on many different launch vehicles and she has conducted experiments on parabolic flights.
Bob Richards – As a space entrepreneur and futurist he co-founded the International Space University and the group Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. In 2008 he foundered the Singularity University, an institution based at the NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley dedicated to preparing humanity for accelerating technological change. Now he’s hoping to land the first commercial payload on the moon with his company Moon Express, where he serves as founder and CEO.
Nicole Stott – Retired NASA astronaut who served as a shuttle mission specialist and flight engineer on the International Space Station.
There has only been one person who has flown on all five space shuttles. His name is Story Musgrave. He’s been to space six times.
Musgrave led the team that serviced the Hubble space telescope in orbit, fixing a flaw in the $1.5 billion observatory while it was more than 300 miles above Earth.
“I know how to fix stuff,” said Musgrave. “If you look at the path I took, it’s leading to Hubble. No one at the time had the skills or the imagination to create solutions to the problem.”
Story has a humble background coming up as a farm-boy who eventually dropped out of school. He joins the program to talk about his rise from farm-boy to rocket-man and why having an imagination is one of his best assets.
You’ve probably heard about exoplanets, right? They’re planets that live outside of our solar system. The Kepler spacecraft has identified thousands of these things, and some of those planets it discovered are similar to Earth and reside in a zone around their host starts known as the Goldilocks zone — which means they could contain liquid water.
Kepler is about to get some help hunting for exoplanets in April. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, we’ll call it TESS, launches into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center, and it hopes to find not just thousands, but tens of thousands more exoplanets.
We speak with TESS principle investigator George Ricker and Orbital ATK’s Robert Lockwood about the mission.
I’m sure you’ve watch rocket launches on TV or streaming, right? You know those tight shots that follow the rocket into space and in SpaceX’s case the ones that follow them back down to earth? Well, someone like Rick Wetherington is responsible for those images.
He’s a photo planner for Abacus Technology a contractor at Kennedy Space Center. He tracks rockets as they take off using this huge camera rigs. He tracks them by hand, usually just a mile away from the launch or landing pads.
He tracked the Falcon Heavy launch, but I met with him a few weeks before that assignment. We spoke at the Kennedy Space Center’s Press Site ahead of that launch about what goes in to tracking rockets and why his film is so important to engineers.
One of Rick’s most memorable assignments was when a Delta II rocket exploded shortly after liftoff. This is what it looked like. Watch for the shots following the burning debris as it falls to the Earth. That was shot by someone just like Rick.
There’s a bunch of exciting space exploration mission slated for 2018. From SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy to NASA’s next Mars lander, space enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to in the new year.
Chris Gebhardt, NASASpaceflight.com‘s managing editor, joins the program to talk about all the exciting missions ahead this year.
Highlights from Chris’ 2018 watch list:
Cassini
Even thought Cassini crashed into Saturn last year, Gebhardt said there’s still plenty to learn about the ringed planet. “Towards the latter part of it’s final orbits, it was actually brushing up against the top of Saturn’s atmosphere and dip-diving into Saturn,” he said. “All of that data, while it was returned last year in the final days of Cassin’s mission, scientists are analyzing it and looking at all of that.”
LightSail
This Planetary Society-backed project hopes to provide spacecraft propulsion by harnessing the power of the sun in a space “sail”. LightSail captures the particles released from the sun and uses them to push a sail through space. “Once it’s in orbit, it’s going to deploy this really huge sail relative to the size of the spacecraft itself. What they’re going to try to do is use that sail to progressively raise that satellites orbit,” said Gebhardt.
The mission is slated for a launch on Falcon Heavy later this year.
New Horizons Flyby
In 20115, New Horizons thrust Pluto back into the spotlight after sending incredible images of the dwarf planet back to Earth. The spacecraft is now targeting a flyby of Kuiper belt object 2014 MU69.
“This mission just keeps on giving in very surprising and intriguing ways,” said Gebhardt. “It’s revealing a lot about a region of the solar system that’s very difficult to see.” The flyby begins in the early hours of January 1, 2019 — but most of the prep is happening in 2018.
NASA’s InSight
The InSight lander launches en route to Mars from South America in May, and when it gets there, it hopes to uncover how rocky planets of the inner solar system, including Earth, came to be more than four billion years ago.
“What’s really cool is that there are CubeSats going on this mission,” said Gebhardt. The tiny satellites will be deployed right before the lander makes its final approach of the red planet, and they’ll be used to help navigate the lander onto the surface of Mars and relay all that information back to Earth. “It’s a really cool experiment to use CubeSats to really help maintain contact with landing spacecraft on another planet.”
Before we send humans to Mars, it’s probably a smart idea to do a few test runs first, right? That’s what analogs are for. They’re a great way to test the human aspect of space exploration.
HI-SEAS is one of those analogs. The ‘Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation’ is a habitat on an isolated Mars-like site on the Big Island of Hawaii.
The habitat is about 1,200 square feet and has a small sleeping quarters for a crew of six, as well as a kitchen, laboratory, simulated airlock and of course a bathroom.
The location also has a geology similar to Mars, so a crew can perform similar ‘outside’ tasks as if they were on Mars. They have to suit up in an air lock and use space suits to step outside.
Each mission in HI-SEAS looks to test the human factors of a Mars mission. The last mission, HI-SEAS V, was an 8 month stay for 6 test subjects.
One of those test subjects was Brian Ramos. He’s a Portuguese-American pursuing a life of exploration. He grew up in Rhode Island and holds dual engineering degrees in biomedical and electrical engineering.
Last year, Curiosity’s drill broke. The Mars rover had used the drill to acquire sample material from Martian rocks 15 times so far. But a sensor that monitors the amount of force used on the arm that hold the drill failed. That means Curiousity can’t tell if the drill bit is slipping or facing excessive force.
Mission managers think they have a fix. Megan Richardson is an engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab who helped come up with a way to safely drill with Curiosity. She joins the podcast to talk about how the team figured out the solution and just how soon the rover’s drill will get back to work.
As scientist continue to sift through all that data from Scott Kelly’s year in space, the next generation of astronauts are beginning to look to longer missions in deep space and more extreme environments like the surface of Mars.
So what is next? What’s Beyond the year in space? PBS documentary “Beyond a Year in Space” asked that very question and you can stream it online.
One of those astronauts in the documentary who is looking at how to get humans farther into space is Jessica Meir. She was selected as an astronaut in 2013 and has a background in studying the physiology of animals in extreme environments.
She joins the podcast to talk about how astronauts are training for long duration, deep space missions and what’s ahead after a year in space.
If we’re going to go to Mars, we’re going to have to figure out how to live in space for a really long time.
NASA ran an experiment on astronauts and twins Scott and Mark Kelly. They sent Scott up in space for nearly a year, and kept Mark on earth to see how bodies change in microgravity.
What they found was Scott suffered from bone loss and new allergies to things like his own bed sheets. Back on earth, Scott Kelly spoke about some of the strange ways his body changed while up in space .and what’s ahead for figuring out long-duration space flight.
When it comes to taking a clear picture of the sky it helps to be isolated. That’s why astronomers have telescopes in remote locationsaway from light pollution and at a high altitude.
But sometimes ground based telescopes aren’t enough. There’s a handful of space-based telescopes, but resources on those machines are limited. Somewhere in the middle is SOFIA. It’s a modified 747-SP jumbo jet that hauls an 2.5 meter telescope into the stratosphere.
Host Brendan Byrne got a chance to hitch a ride with the SOFIA crew as they chase the shadow of Triton, Neptune’s moon.
Elon Musk has a new plan for Mars. The SpaceX founder unveiled his updated vision for Mars and more at this year’s International Astronautical Conference. It’s a bit more scaled down than before but still ambitious, in true Elon fashion.
And just this week, the Trump Administration’s National Space Council met for the first time, cementing the administration’s plans to head to the moon.
So what does this all mean for space exploration? Mashable’s Deputy Science Editor Miriam Kramer joins the podcast to break it down.
Be sure to follow Miriam on Twitter for more space news.
Clarification: SpaceX confirmed the Iridum-3 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Station will use a new launch vehicle and attempt a Pacific Ocean droneship landing.
The EchoStar 105/SES-11 launch from Kennedy Space Center will use a flight-proven booster and attempt an Atlantic Ocean droneship landing.
What does it take to become an astronaut? That’s the question Loren Grush asked ahead of the production of the new web series “Space Craft.” Loren is The Verge’s space reporter and host of the new web series that explores the tech and training taking humans into deep space.
We spoke earlier this month about the series and what she learned while producing the show.
Watch all the episodes online.
The building of NASA’s SLS rocket starts on the Mobile Launcher. It’s a giant piece of machinery that is towed into the Vehicle Assemble Building. When the rocket is ready for launch, it’s towed across Kennedy Space Center to the pad.
This is the way it was done during Apollo and Shuttle. Now, NASA’s Ground System Development and Operations (GSDO) is working to finalize the launcher ahead of Exploration Mission 1.
So just what goes into building a movable launch pad? Construction Manager Mike Canicatti joins the podcast to bring us up to speed.
Before NASA can launch its next big rocket, the Space Launch System, it has to put it together.
That happens in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The VAB is this gigantic building that towers over everything at Kennedy Space Center. It’s been home to the assembly of the Apollo rockets, as well as decades of shuttle assembly and processing.
Engineers and workers had to transition the building from the shuttle program to SLS — a pretty big task. Overseeing that effort is Jose Perez Morales. He takes us through the VAB to talk about the changes being made and how you actually put together a rocket.
NASA is in the process of developing a rocket system that will take humans past low-earth orbit and into deep space.
Astronauts will explore places like cis-lunar space, or maybe even Mars, from the safety of the Orion space capsule. To blast that piece of hardware into space, NASA is building the Space Launch System.
That huge rocket will launch an uncrewed capsule on a trip around the moon sometime in 2019 and that mission starts from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B.
Listen to the podcast episode by clicking on the audio player above.
Buzz Aldrin is obsessed with Mars. The Apollo 11 astronaut and second person to walk on the moon is now developing a plan to send humans to live permanently on the red planet.
The Buzz Aldrin Space Institute at Florida Tech is hoping to fine-tune that vision with research and workshops with experts. One question Buzz has is what are the psychological impacts of living on Mars?
Earlier this month, social science experts met at the Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex to answer that question. Buzz Aldrin’s son, Andy Aldrin, serves as the Director of the Institute.
OSIRIS-REx is zooming towards the asteroid Bennu. It’s on a mission to collect a sample of asteroid “dirt” and send it back to Earth. Scientists hope to uncover the building blocks of life in the solar system. The spacecraft launched last summer, so what’s it up to these days?
The mission’s principle investigator Dante Lauretta joins the podcast to update us on the mission so far, tell us what’s ahead this summer for OSIRIS-REx and explains how social media and board games are building interest for planetary science.
Nicole Stott calls herself the Artistic Astronaut — and for good reason. She’s the first person to paint in space.
Stott was in the NASA astronaut corp and flew in space for over 100 days, flying on shuttle and spending time on the International Space Station. She took a small watercolor set up to the station with her to keep busy during downtime
Back here on Earth, Nicole uses art to inspire the next generation of scientists and space explorers using it as a springboard to talk about all the cool tech in space and what’s ahead for space exploration. She even joined the Space Suit Art Project, a collaboration with kids battling cancer to create a flight suit made with their art. Stott says it helps them think about something other than their treatment, and helps them realize they’re part of something much bigger, something out of this world.
So who inspired Nicole Stott? Click play on the player above to find out.
When the first Martians arrive on the red planet, not much awaits them. There’s no food, no breathable air, no fuel. All they’ll have is what they brought with them — not much. That’s why researchers and engineers are developing the technology that will take what’s on Mars and turn it into much needed food, water and life-saving oxygen.
Listen back to WMFE’s Speak Series “How To Survive on Mars” with a panel of experts researching the tech that goes into making vital resources on a mission to Mars. Recorded in front of a live audience May 10, 2017 at the studios of WMFE in Orlando, Florida.
Panelists:
Nicole Dufour, NASA, Project Manager, VEGGIE
Dufour oversees the VEGGIE experiment, a garden of vegetables on the International Space Station. Astronauts are growing lettuce and cabbage thanks to Dufour and her team, and they’re learning vital lessons in plant growth in microgravity.
Annie Meier, NASA, Chemical Engineer, Exploration Research & Technology Programs
Meier is transforming trash into vital gases like methane, oxygen and water. Her trash-to-gas technology can be used to recycle dinner scraps, wrappers and packaging (and even poo!) into gases that can be used for life support on long duration missions. Meier tested the tech on NASA’s HI-SEAS mission, a simulated 6-month stay on a Martian base-camp.
Dan Batcheldor, Florida Institute of Technology, Department Head, Physics & Space Science
The physics department at FIT is working with NASA to develop dirt that is similar to Martian regolith. The goal is to figure out how to grow crops at a Martian base camp. Researchers at FIT are also trying to grow plants in the Mars-simulant. Batcheldor is an advocate for science literacy, and wrote the book “Astronomy Saves the World: Securing our Future Through Exploration and Education.”
SpaceX successful launched and landed a “flight proven” rocket booster, the second time this particular booster has seen action and making space flight history.
It’s an important step in the company’s effort to utilize rocket re-usability to lower the cost of access to space. Long term, however, it’s an imperative skill necessary to colonize Mars as outlined by SpaceX’s founder Elon Musk.
On an episode earlier this month, we spoke with NASASpaceflight.com’s assistant managing editor Chris Gebhardt about what this means for Musk’s Mars plans.
But just what goes into the engineering feat of landing a 180 foot tall booster that’s rocketing through the sky? How does SpaceX guide the booster back to land or the barge? And what keeps aerodynamic and thermal forces from ripping apart the thin-skinned booster? Fellow space podcaster Anthony Collangelo, host of the “Main Engine Cut Off” podcast joins us to talk about just what goes into bringing the booster safely back to earth.
A few months ago, NASA asked the internet for ideas on how to deal with poop and pee inside a flight suit. You see, astronauts need to wear a spacesuit during launch and when the return back to earth. It’s kinda like it’s own little spacecraft — pressurized and with it’s own life support system. That’s in case anything goes wrong during launch or landing. Since we’ve only been working in low-earth orbit, urine and feces hasn’t really been a big deal. Astronauts are in the suit for only a few hours. For number 1, they wear a diaper. For number 2, they just hold it.
But as we look to farther destinations, like the moon or mars, if something goes wrong they could be in those suits for a long time — up to 6 days. Can’t hold it that long! NASA asked for ideas to remove urine and feces from the body, and clean up any waste that might stick.
Thatcher Cardon is an Air Force Flight Surgeon and Family Physician. He was one of the winners of the competition, taking home the first place nod. His idea was an inflatable bedpan that removes the waste and a laparoscopic wand that could be used to clean up any mess left behind.
SpaceX’s ability to launch, land and recycle a rocket could lower the cost of access to space, and pave the way for founder Elon Musk’s to reach his ambitious goal of colonizing the red planet.
“This was really the first time that whole, complete rocket of a liquid fuel booster was reused, and that was huge,” said NASASpaceflight.com’s assistant managing editor Chris Gebhardt.
SpaceX re-launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center that previously sent cargo to the International Space Station last year. SpaceX wants to speed up that process. “What they really want is what they call single digits turnaround – which means being able to launch one of its boosters, get it back and re-fly it within a single day,” said Gebhardt.
Last year, Elon Musk unveiled plans to colonize Mars, which included huge spacecraft that could carry hundreds of passengers to Mars, and rockets that refueled in space. “Reusability is perhaps the most crucial part of the plan to get folks to Mars,” Gebhardt said. “It’s only economical feasible if you can use [the rocket] thousands of times. The Mars system is being designed for up to one-thousand reuses.”
Gebhardt said this launch from Kennedy Space Center is one for the history books. “I think what we watched was humanity really becoming a spacefaring civilization, not just a civilization who can get there.”
The 48th Lunar and Planetary Science conference wrapped up last week in The Woodlands, Texas. The annual meeting connected specialists from all sorts of Earth and planetary fields like geology, astronomy and geochemistry to talk about what’s ahead for science exploration.
Future Mars missions was high on the priority list, and Jake Robins was there to report on the latest news on the red planet. Jake is the host and producer of the WeMartians podcast, a show dedicated to engaging the public on the exploration of Mars in a fun, simple, educational and inspiring way.
Jake says NASA’s Jim Green teased the idea of using CubeSats to explore Mars as secondary payloads. Green also weighed in on recent budget talks and the political struggle to fund Earth sciences.
Bruce Melnick has been to space twice. Once on Space Shuttle Discovery and again on Endeavor’s’ first flight. Now, he spends his days talking to folks at the Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor complex about his time as an astronaut and what it’s like to live and work in space. He joined the program to talk about what it’s like waiting for liftoff, the smells of space travel, and how you navigate your behind when going to the restroom in space….
Brian Anderson has a tough job. He has to make a 20,000 pound spacecraft traveling at 300 miles per hour slow down and safely splash down in the ocean.
Brian is the Orion Parachute Deputy Project Manager and engineers the parachutes that deploy during the last portion of NASA’s Orion Mission to safely return the crew from deep space.
His team recently completed a drop test of Orion and the chutes, dumping an Orion capsule mock-up from a C-17 over the Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizon. It’s one of a handful of tests pushing the Orion chute system to the limits ahead of the next Orion mission, EM-1.
Brian Anderson joins the podcast from NASA’s Johnson Space Center to talk about the engineering behind parachutes, what’s left to learn, and what it’s like being responsible for the safe return of deep-space astronauts.
Elon Musk wants to go to the moon. Well, two private customers want Elon to send them to the moon.
The founder of SpaceX says he can do it by the end of 2018. The trip would be a free-return trip around the moon with SpaceX’s Dragon capsule which s being developed to take astronauts to the International Space Station now.
The announcement comes on the heels of NASA’s saying it’s looking into putting a crew on Exploration Mission – 1. That one’s on the books now as an uncrewed mission on the Orion Spacecraft launched on the Space Launch System, but program managers are exploring the option of putting astronauts on that mission which is pretty similar to the SpaceX plan and roughly around the same time.
So is the SpaceX plan do-able? Will NASA crew EM-1? And what’s with the timing of Elon’s announcement? Is a space race brewing?
Phil Larson joins the podcast. Phil was an adviser on space policy to the Obama Administration and also worked for SpaceX. Now, he’s an Assistant Dean at the University of Colorado Boulder.
To crew, or not to crew, that is the question. Well, that’s the question NASA’s acting director Robert Lightfoot is proposing for the next Orion mission.
Orion is NASA’s next human spacecraft that will take astronauts beyond low earth orbit into deep space – first to places like cis-lunar orbit and ideally it will eventually go to Mars.
The next test flight of Orion is atop the Space Launch System, SLS. Currently, it’s slated for a November 2018 launch but delays in hardware and certification threaten to push that back even further. The mission, Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) is an uncrewed flight to an orbit around the moon. It would be the first time a human-rated spacecraft will head to deep space sin the Apollo missions and it’s the first time the SLS will fly.
Despite delays and uncertainty, Lightfoot asked if there’s a chance the agency could get astronauts on this mission. NASA doesn’t have an answer yet.
Chris Gebhart is the Assistant Managing Editor at NASASpaceFlight.com and co-author of a piece looking at the possibilities of a crewed EM-1 mission. He joins the podcast to discuss three options for EM-1, and his best guess at what’s to come for the program.
Ralph Fritsche is a lot like Mark Watney. He’s growing potatoes in Martian regolith. And as we’ll find out, it’s harder than it looks.
Last episode, we learned about NASA’s Veggie experiment. Another experiment, the Advanced Plant Habitat, is heading up to the International Space Station in March. It’s a self-contained unit that allows even greater tweaking of space farming on the station and it’s the next step in unlocking the secrets to growing plants in space. In true NASA fashion, you’ll hear it referred to in acronym form during this episode: APH.
While engineers and scientists get ready to launch that experiment, Fritsche is busy working on the next steps – growing food on other worlds. He works with botanists here on earth to figure out what martians will plant, grow and eat when they get to the red planet.
Astronauts on the International Space Station are growing their own food. NASA’s Veggie experiment is figuring out how space travelers can have some of the comforts of home, like lettuce and cabbage, while also working to create a sustainable food source in space.
So how do you grow plants in space? NASA plant biologist Gioia Massa explains.
As President Trump begins his term, he’ll appoint a new NASA Administrator. That new head of the public space program will steer NASA’s vision for space exploration. So where is it heading?
The Planetary Society’s Director of Space Policy Casey Dreier joins the program to recap Trump’s space policy and how Congress might implement it.
The Cassini spacecraft has been exploring Saturn since launching in 1997. Cassini gave planetary scientists incredible insight into the planet’s rings, it’s surface and moons. Now, the spacecraft is entering it’s final phase before crashing into the surface of Saturn.
UCF Professor and Planetary Scientist Josh Colwell has been working on the spacecraft since he started his career as a planetary scientist and Colwell’s research interest include studying the rings of Saturn.
Colwell joins the program to talk about the end of the Cassini mission, the rings of Saturn, and how understanding Saturn gives us a glimpse of the dawn of our solar system.
You can hear Colwell and his planetary colleagues talk more about all things astronomy on his podcast Walkabout the Galaxy.
George Takei is best known for his role as Sulu, helmsmen on the USS Enterprise during the show Star Trek. While the show only lasted 3 seasons, its legacy lives on, spawning multiple shows and movies within the franchise.
Today, Takei is an advocate for equality, space exploration and science education. And later this month, he’s visiting Rollins College.
But before he makes the trip to Florida, George took some time to chat with “Are We There Yet?” about Star Trek, science fiction, and equality in the 23rd century.
‘The Glass Universe’ explores how the women of Harvard Observatory in 1890 broke through the gender barrier and revolutionized the way astronomers observe the night sky.
Dava Sobel is a former New York Times science reporter and longtime contributor to The New Yorker. Her latest book, the Glass Universe, looks at the women at Harvard Observatory and how they were breaking ground not only because of their gender, but because of the scientific observations they were making in the field of astronomy.
It started with a space suit, a bit of imagination and a near-death experience.
After photographer Tim Dodd impulsively bought an old Russian space suit, he became the everyday astronaut. Now, his photo series brings the magic, humor and human aspect of space-flight to the masses. And he’s getting to visit some cool places along the way.
Find Tim’s photography online at www.everydyastronaut.com and check out his online store
A fleet of 8 toaster-oven sized satellites are heading to orbit with the task of seeing through rain. NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System will measure wind speeds in the tropics to better understand cyclones and hurricanes. And it does this in a pretty interesting way: using left-over GPS signals beamed down to earth.
Derek Posselt is a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in California and he joins the program to talk about the mission and the technology that helps this fleet work.
John French wants to make people throw up. But don’t worry, it’s for science!
He’s a professor of Human Factors at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Florida. He’s studying motion sickness, and the effects it has on astronauts. To do that, he makes his subjects sick by placing them in an optokinetic drum: a cylinder with a chair in the middle. The inside is painted with black and white stripes. The cylinder, or drum, then rotates around the subject and in a few minutes they start to feel the symptoms of motion sickness.
So how does this apply to space travel? And what other physiological challenges do humans still have to overcome to spend a long time in space? We take a trip to John’s lab to find out.
Some troubling times for spacecraft around our solar systems over the past few weeks. Juno, the Jupiter orbiter, entered safe mode after engine troubles. And the ExoMars lander crashed hard onto the martian surface. But there’s much to be learned in the wake of disasters, at least that’s what mission managers are saying. It wouldn’t be a conversation about robotic spacecraft without a call to Emilee Speck.
If you picked up this month’s copy of National Geographic, you’ll see a composite photo of Mars, taken by India’s Mars Orbiter Mission Probe. It’s a sneak peak at what’s to come this month from National Geographic: an in-depth look at colonizing the red planet.
Inside this issue is a cover story titled “Elon Musk Want to Go to Mars.” The piece looks at the challenges of sending humans to Mars, the competing plans between the private space industry and NASA and how the two might work together to accomplish such a feat.
Joining us to talk about the piece is the author of that cover story, Joel Achenbach. Along with contributing to National Geographic, he’s a staff writer at the Washington Post.
We’re about to see things in the universe never before seen. The James Webb Space Telescope is huge and it’s going to give us a peek at things from a perspective we haven’t seen before.
The Webb as the call it will look at objects in the universe unfiltered by our atmosphere and by using infrared sensors. We’re going to be able to see through clouds of gas and dust and look at stars that have gone undiscovered.
The telescope is a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. It’s being assembled now with a launch scheduled in 2018.
Watching over that development effort is NASA’s John Mather. He joins us via skype from the Goddard Spaceflight Center in Maryland.
John F. Kennedy’s speech sent the U.S. on a moonshot and by the end of the decade, just as he said, we put men on the moon.
Now, we’re looking to Mars as our next moon-shot with visionaries like NASA’s Charlie Bolden and SpaceX’s Elon Musk promising to send humans to the red planet.
But it takes more than just a speech, and there’s speed bumps along the way. We’re going to shift gears a bit here and take a historical look at the programs that achieved enormous goals but also look at some of the low points in space history.
Joining us this week is Michael McConville. He has an interesting perspective to bring to the program. Michael is a space geek, and coordinator at the Buehler Planetarium and Seminole State College here in Central Florida. He’s also a professor of History at the University of Central Florida.
Did you know there are earthquakes on Mars. Or would you call them Mars-quakes?
Bruce Banerdt wants to study the seismic activity on Mars. To do that, he’s leading the Mars InSight mission — it’s a lander heading to the red planet in 2018. The mission was delayed due to a leak in one of the sensors. But it’s back on track, targeting a launch in 2018 to head to the red planet.
Banerdy joins us from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab out in Pasadena to brings us up to speed on this martian-quake hunter.
Elon Musk wants to go to Mars.
The SpaceX founder and multi-planetary visionary outlined his plan to colonize Mars at a talk at the International Astronautical Congress.His plan included an interplanetary space ship system capable of taking people by the hundreds to the red planet as early as the next decade.
Elon Musk gave the talk in front of space industry experts, journalist and exploration enthusiasts. Robin Seemangal, a reporter for The Observer, was in the audience. He joins us from Guadalajara, Mexico
What’s it like to walk on Mars? I’m sure if you listen to this podcast you’ve at least thought about that question.
Thanks to Microsoft’s HoloLens, and the incredible engineers over at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, you can now experience what it’s like to walk on Mars.
Destination: Mars uses an augmented reality headset — and images from the Mars rovers — to put people on the surface on Mars. Not going to lie, I was a bit sceptical at first. But the folks at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex invited me down to try it out, and let me tell you, it was incredible.
It really gives you a sense of scale, just how massive things are, and how incredibly similar the martian surface is to ours. Also, hologram Buzz Aldrin guides you through the experience.
I learned that the exhibit at KSC was based on real technology that scientist use to determine where Curiosity should explore next.
I spoke with Doug Ellison, he’s a visualization producer at NASA’s JPL, about the technology and how it went from the noggins of scientists to visitors at KSC.
At the Kennedy Space Center, there’s a groups of scientists and engineers that think outside the box when it comes building the tools that will one day take us to Mars. I’m calling them the Renegades of Research and Development — but they call themselves Swamp Works.
One of the biggest challenges in space exploration is fuel. It’s kind of important, right? But it’s also really heavy. And we’ll need fuel to get astronauts back from Mars. That means, we’ve got to pack extra fuel. That takes more fuel to send the fuel…Ah, it gets so crazy!
But what if we can make fuel when we get there? The term scientists use for that is in-situ resource utilization — or in-situ for short. I met some of the folks at Swamp Works to find out their crazy, out of the box plans for exploring places like Mars.
Commander Chris Hadfield has been to space three times. On the Shuttle twice, and he served as Commander on the International Space Station. He was the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space and produced a rendition of David Bowie’s Space Oddity from orbit.
Now that he’s back here on Earth, Commander Hadfield continues to promote space exploration by speaking publicly at events across the globe, producing YouTube videos and writing. His newest book, “The Darkest Dark” is meant for youngsters, and tackles the worries of childhood like fear.
He’s visiting Florida’s Space Coast September 16th at the Kennedy Space Center — where Commander Hadfield launch twice into space.
Find more details about the event at Kennedy Space Center
Commander Hadfield joins the podcast from New York to talk about his career, trips to Mars, and his life back here on Earth.
NASA and its academic partners are about to do something they’ve never done before: launch a spacecraft, rendezvous with an asteroid, collect a sample of regolith, or dust, from the surface and return it to Earth.
OSIRIS-REx is set to launch from Florida’s Space Coast September 8th on a seven year mission. Dante Lauretta, Principle Investigation of the mission, gives us a tour of OSIRIS-REx and the the science equipment on board.
But just what are they hoping to find? And how in the world are they going to pull this one off? To give us the details of this historic mission we chat with Robin Seemangal, a reporter at The New York Observer, where he covers space and contributor to Popular Science.
You’ve probably already heard by now, but scientists just discovered an exoplanet that might be like Earth. It’s pretty close, too — only about a parsec, or 4 light years away. Observers discovered it by noticing a wobble in the star Proxima Centari. That wobble was from the tug of this exoplanet.
Now, it’s time to verify the results. Joseph Harrington is a planetary scientist in the Department of Physics at the University of Central Florida. He’s going to try and spot evidence of the planet using telescopes in space. He talks to host Brendan Byrne about the work and what a discovery of this magnitude means for astronomy.
We talk a lot about the hardware that’s going to get us to Mars, but the most important things about human spaceflight is, well, humans! There’s a lot of research going into the impact space travel has on the body. Just think back to Scott Kelly’s year in space.
We’re going to have to jump over quite a bit of physiological hurdles when traveling to deep space. There’s living in reduced gravity environment, dealing with radiation, nutrient deficiencies, all sorts of challenges.
There’s also the immune system. My next guest found something rather interesting about astronauts. When they came back from space after spending multiple months in space, they were getting sick. Not like a cold or anything, but viruses that should have been kept in check by their T-cells.
Dr. Krishna Komanduri, is a researcher at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami and he looking into what was causing the flare ups of dormant viruses in astronauts…