Space Policy Edition: Real and Acceptable Reasons for Space Exploration

It’s the 25th anniversary of the Pathfinder Mars mission and Sojourner, the first rover on the Red Planet. Historian Michael Neufeld joins the show to put this path blazing mission in context as the start of NASA’s low-cost Discovery mission line. There have been 12 Discovery missions over the past 25 years, with two Venus missions now in development. Why did Discovery succeed when other attempts to reign in costs failed? What drove NASA’s readiness to experiment with new ways of building spacecraft? And how did an embarrassing loss for JPL push the lab to change its approach to planetary exploration? We’ll answer these and other questions as we explore the history of one of NASA’s most successful programs. Discover more here: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/michael-neufeld-discovery-programSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Heinä 20221h 15min

We Earthlings are making progress toward defending our planet from near-Earth objects, which is reason enough for the annual Asteroid Day celebration. Co-founder Danica Remy tells us what to expect, while Detlef Koschny, acting head of the European Space Agency’s Planetary Defence Office, reviews ESA’s expanded efforts. Planetary Society chief scientist Bruce Betts oversees the Society’s deep involvement before he shows us the current night sky. There’s more to discover at https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2022-danica-remy-detlef-koschny-planetary-defenseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

29 Kesä 202255min

The Planetary Society’s LightSail 2 rocketed into orbit three years ago. Society CEO Bill Nye, chief operating officer Jennifer Vaughn, and LightSail program manager Bruce Betts join Mat Kaplan for a look at the long road to this award-winning mission, the current status of the spacecraft, and what’s ahead. Society editorial director Rae Paoletta provides a sneak peek at the June Solstice edition of The Planetary Report, and digital community manager Sarah Al-Ahmed shares highlights of the just-completed meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Take your shot at winning Bruce’s new book about the solar system in this week’s What’s Up segment. There’s more to discover at https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2022-lightsail-2-third-anniversary-nye-betts-vaughnSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

22 Kesä 202257min

Lindy Elkins-Tanton’s wonderful new memoir is titled, “A Portrait of the Scientist as a Young Woman.” Host Mat Kaplan talks with Lindy about this sometimes harrowing, often heroic, and adventurous chronicle of her path toward leadership of the Psyche asteroid mission. This new conversation follows their brief encounter in a Jet Propulsion Lab clean room that we presented last May. Your chance to win Lindy’s book arrives in this week’s What’s Up segment with Bruce Betts. Discover more at https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2022-lindy-elkins-tanton-portrait-of-the-scientist-bookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 Kesä 20221h 9min

Join host Mat Kaplan in Washington D.C. for conversations with outstanding presenters at the first in-person Humans to Mars Summit in three years. You’ll hear from Inspiration 4 astronaut Sian Proctor, chief engineer for NASA’s robotic exploration program “Hoppy” Price, and the designer of award-winning Martian homes. NASA deputy administrator and former space shuttle commander Pam Melroy delivered a brilliant keynote. Then Bruce Betts tells us about the new STEP Grant opportunity from The Planetary Society. Hear and discover more at https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2022-2022-humans-to-mars-summitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Kesä 20221h 20min

Caltech planetary scientist and Planetary Society president Bethany Ehlmann was a key player in the creation of the recently released recommendations that may guide solar system exploration for years to come. SPE host Casey Dreier talks with her about the process and approach that led to this influential document. Discover more here: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/bethany-ehlmann-decadal-surveySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 Kesä 202254min

Host Mat Kaplan has returned from the UK and the recording of The Moons Symphony by the London Symphony Orchestra. You’ll hear excerpts from our Planetary Radio Live show celebrating this intersection of art and science with composer Amanda Lee Falkenberg and three distinguished planetary scientists. It was produced at Imperial College London before a live audience. Hear and discover more at https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2022-planetary-radio-live-moons-symphonySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 Kesä 20221h 39min

With Mat Kaplan in London for Planetary Radio Live, we bring back one of the most moving events in the history of our show. The Cassini orbiter plunged into Saturn in the early hours of September 15, 2017. Hundreds gathered to mark the end of this remarkable voyage, including former NASA chief scientists Jim Green, John Grunsfeld and Ellen Stofan. Mat talked with them and many others on that memorable morning. Then we’ll check in with Bruce Betts for a brand new What’s Up. Discover more at https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2022-cassini-eom-repriseSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25 Touko 20221h 1min