The dark age of NASA science? Analyzing the FY 2026 budget proposal
The White House has released its Fiscal Year 2026 congressional budget justification for NASA, and the implications are staggering. If enacted, this proposal would slash NASA’s science program funding by nearly half, cancel dozens of active and upcoming missions, and reduce the agency’s workforce by one-third. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Jack Kiraly, The Planetary Society’s director of government relations, to examine what’s in the nearly 500-page document, what it means for the future of space science and exploration, and how advocates can still act to save NASA science. Then, in What’s Up, Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts shares insights on China’s newly launched asteroid sample return mission, Tianwen-2. The spacecraft will rendezvous with near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, offering new scientific opportunities amidst a moment of global uncertainty in space exploration. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-FY-2026-budget-proposalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4 Jun 59min
Volcanic worlds across the Solar System
Volcanoes aren’t just an earthly phenomenon. They’re found all across the Solar System. In this compilation episode of Planetary Radio, we explore volcanic and geothermal activity on planets, moons, and distant dwarf planets. You’ll hear from Rosaly Lopes, Nick Schneider, Rae Paoletta, Robbie Herrick, Scott Hensley, and Christopher Glein as they share insights into everything from lava flows on Venus and eruptions on Io to the mysterious heat signatures of icy bodies like Eris and Makemake. This journey spans over 20 years of Planetary Radio, featuring interviews hosted by both current host Sarah Al-Ahmed and founding host Mat Kaplan. Then, our Chief Scientist, Dr. Bruce Betts, returns for What’s Up and shares new findings from NASA’s Juno mission, which recently completed close passes by Jupiter’s volcanic moon, Io. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-volcanic-worldsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28 Mai 56min
Space science under fire: Your questions answered
As debates over NASA's future heat up, questions about the value of space exploration are popping up everywhere. This week on Planetary Radio, we're tackling the tough questions head-on with The Planetary Society's staff, including Casey Dreier, chief of space policy, and Ambre Trujillo, digital community manager. They break down the biggest misconceptions about space science, public versus private investment, and why exploration still matters in an ever-changing world. Then Jack Kiraly, director of government relations, joins us for a space policy update. We discuss the growing movement to save NASA science, how community action is ramping up, and what’s happening behind the scenes on Capitol Hill. And in What's Up with Bruce Betts, we explore some of the most recent NASA spinoffs, technologies developed for space that are making life better here on Earth. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-space-science-under-fireSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
21 Mai 59min
Kosmos 482: The Soviet-era Venus probe that fell to Earth
This week on Planetary Radio, we explore the decades-long journey of Kosmos 482, a Soviet-era Venus probe that spent 53 years orbiting Earth before its dramatic return on May 10, 2025. Ben Fernando, a postdoctoral researcher in seismology and planetary science at Johns Hopkins University, joins us to explain the history of Kosmos 482 and how seismology and acoustic sensors are helping scientists detect and locate objects impacting Earth. Then Bruce Betts, our chief scientist, joins us for What's Up, where we look back at the largest human-made objects ever to crash back to Earth. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-kosmos-482See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
14 Mai 52min
TOI-270 d: Unveiling the secrets of a sub-Neptune
TOI-270 d is revealing secrets about the most common type of planet in our galaxy, sub-Neptunes. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by planetary geochemist Chris Glein from the Southwest Research Insitute to discuss his team’s new analysis of its atmosphere, using data from JWST and insights from Earth analogs. Then, The Planetary Society’s Director of Government Relations, Jack Kiraly, breaks down the historic budget cuts proposed for NASA in the U.S. President’s “skinny” budget request, including a 47% reduction to its science program funding. We close out with Bruce Betts and What’s Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-toi-270-dSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
7 Mai 59min
Space Policy Edition: How NASA remembers—and forgets
No one person knows how to build a spaceship. Dr. Janet Vertesi has seen this firsthand. She’s spent years embedded in NASA science teams, not as a participant, but as an observer. She’s a sociologist who studies the team dynamics of NASA missions. She is alarmed at the prospect of indiscriminate firings at the agency, and at the potential loss of institutional knowledge that won’t easily be rebuilt. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/spe-janet-vertesi-on-threats-to-nasas-group-brainSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2 Mai 1h 18min
From backyard telescopes to global reach: AstroKobi and the power of short-form space videos
How does someone go from stargazing in a rural Australian backyard to inspiring millions around the world about space science? This week, Sarah Al-Ahmed sits down with Kobi Brown, better known as AstroKobi, to explore how his passion for the Cosmos and a knack for short-form storytelling launched his science communication career. They discuss the evolution of space outreach in the digital age, the power of social media to ignite curiosity, and how a new generation of space communicators is reshaping the way we connect with the Universe. You'll also hear the latest space policy update from Jack Kiraly, director of government relations at The Planetary Society, including developments affecting NASA’s science programs and the confirmation process for a new NASA administrator. We close out the show with What’s Up with Bruce Betts, chief scientist of The Planetary Society, and a discussion of direct imaging of exoplanets. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-astrokobiSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 Apr 59min
Celebrating 45 years of The Planetary Society at the Cosmic Shores Gala
Join us aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary for a celebration of The Planetary Society’s 45th anniversary. In this special episode of Planetary Radio, we bring you highlights from our Cosmic Shores Gala, where members, scientists, space advocates, and special guests came together to honor the past and look boldly to the future. You’ll hear from CEO Bill Nye, Board President Bethany Ehlmann, Executive Director Jennifer Vaughn, founding Executive Director Lou Friedman, and Congresswoman Judy Chu, with actor and Planetary Society board member Robert Picardo as our master of ceremonies. And of course, we close with Chief Scientist Bruce Betts in this week’s What’s Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-cosmic-shores-galaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
23 Apr 59min
