Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy And Science podcast

1:17:34

Philosopher Rebecca Lowe joins us to explore how the ideas of classical liberalism can provide fresh insight into humanity’s activities in space. Our conversation explores the philosophical tensions between individual freedom and societal good, the instrumental and intrinsic value of space activities, and the uniquely accessible nature of space science and exploration. From a novel approach to lunar property rights and the opportunities to support human flourishing, Lowe offers a thought-provoking vision of how philosophical traditions can inform our cosmic ambitions. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/classical-liberalism-in-space See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Breaking down Bennu: OSIRIS-REx finds life’s building blocks in asteroid sample 58:41

6 giorni fa58:41

58:41

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has returned pristine samples from asteroid Bennu to Earth, and the early results are remarkable. Sample analysts have confirmed the presence of abundant organic compounds, nitrogen-rich material, and evidence of past liquid water, all key ingredients that could help us understand the role asteroids played in delivering the building blocks of life to Earth. This week, we’re joined by Scott Sandford, co-investigator on OSIRIS-REx and a research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center. He explores the first two sample analysis papers published by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx team. Then, Bruce Betts joins us for What’s Up , where we look back at humanity’s history of sample return missions. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-OSIRIS-REx-sample See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Genesis: The sample return mission that fell to Earth and still succeeded 1:01:13

13 giorni fa1:01:13

1:01:13

Twenty years ago, NASA’s Genesis spacecraft returned to Earth carrying precious samples of the solar wind, only to crash-land in the Utah desert. But that wasn’t the end of the mission. Amy Jurewicz, Assistant Research Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University and former project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Genesis team, takes us inside the mission’s highs and lows, from its Apollo-inspired origins to its contributions to cosmochemistry and space weather. We discuss what this mission taught us about future sample returns, spacecraft protection, and long-term human spaceflight beyond Earth’s magnetosphere. Then Bruce Betts, Planetary Society chief scientist, joins for What’s Up and a look back at the history of sample returns. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-genesis See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Astronaut Hayley shares her brave adventure 59:24

20 giorni fa59:24

59:24

From IV drips to rocket ships, Hayley Arceneaux has been on a journey. She joins Planetary Radio to discuss her memoir “Wild Ride” and her newly released kid's book “Astronaut Hayley's Brave Adventure,” which tell the story of how her experiences with childhood cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital set the stage for her journey to space aboard SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission. Then, Planetary Society Chief Scientist, Bruce Betts, talks about the g-forces experienced during astronaut training in What's Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-astronaut-hayleys-brave-adventure See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Near-Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4 and NASA under a new administration 1:02:13

27 giorni fa1:02:13

1:02:13

The internet is buzzing about Asteroid 2024 YR4, currently ranked as the highest-threat asteroid in our skies. But is it really cause for concern? Our Public Education Specialist, Kate Howells, breaks down the facts. Then, we shift from potential impacts to stunning space imagery as Finn Burridge from the Royal Observatory Greenwich shares how astrophotographers worldwide can participate in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition. Finally, our space policy experts, Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly, discuss how the new Trump administration has impacted NASA in its first weeks. Stick around for What’s Up with Bruce Betts, as he explains how we assess asteroid threats using the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-2024-YR4-and-a-new-administration See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Space Policy Edition: Mars Sample Return, but at what (fixed) price? 1:20:22

5 weeks fa1:20:22

1:20:22

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck joins the show to unpack his company’s bold, $4-billion fixed-price plan to bring Martian samples home, why he believes commercial partnerships can unlock new frontiers in planetary science, and his “soft spot” for interplanetary exploration. Then, Richard French — former JPL engineer and now VP of Business & Strategy at Rocket Lab — provides deeper insight into their proposed Mars Sample Return architecture, explaining how a single, vertically integrated team could cut costs and secure mission success. And yes, we get an update on the status of their Venus mission, too. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/can-rocketlab-save-msr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Kiss-and-capture: The dance of Pluto and Charon 59:55

5 weeks fa59:55

59:55

How did Pluto meet its largest moon, Charon? Many have speculated that Charon formed in an impact, but traditional models of planetary formation have struggled to explain many of the quirks of this system. This week, Adeene Denton, a research scientist at the University of Arizona, shares her team's new paper that suggests a "kiss-and-capture" may solve this mystery. Then Bruce Betts, The Planetary Society's chief scientist, discusses contact binaries in our Solar System and shares a new Random Space Fact in What's Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-pluto-kiss-and-capture See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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The Edward Stone Voyager Exploration Trail 57:23

6 weeks fa57:23

57:23

This week on Planetary Radio, we celebrate the enduring legacy of Ed Stone, the longtime project scientist for NASA’s Voyager mission and former director of JPL. Mat Kaplan, senior communications advisor at The Planetary Society, takes us to the unveiling of the Dr. Edward Stone Voyager Exploration Trail at JPL, where we hear from past and present JPL leaders, Voyager mission team members, and Ed Stone’s family. Plus, we kick off the episode with the much-anticipated launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and wrap up with What’s Up, as Bruce Betts explores the rare planetary configuration that made Voyager’s Grand Tour possible. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-ed-stone-trail See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Does It Fly? Putting science in entertainment to the test 56:52

7 weeks fa56:52

56:52

This week, we discuss how to examine the science behind our favorite TV shows and movies with the co-hosts of the "Does It Fly?" podcast, Hakeem Oluseyi and Tamara Krinsky. Produced by Roddenberry Entertainment, "Does It Fly?" takes an expert approach to breaking down the science of popular media, from lightsabers to Dune's stillsuits. Hakeem brings his astrophysics expertise, while Tamara provides her media industry insights as they join Planetary Radio to explore where science and fiction intersect. Stick around for What's Up with Bruce Betts and this week's Random Space Fact. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-does-it-fly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Revisiting K2-18 b: JWST finds a lead in the search for life on a mysterious exoplanet 51:28

8 weeks fa51:28

51:28

This week we revisit one of the most remarkable exoplanet discoveries of 2024 with the help of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST detected signs of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of K2-18 b. Knicole Colón, the deputy project scientist for exoplanet science for JWST, explains how this discovery could reshape our search for life beyond Earth and teach us more about the enigmatic class of exoplanets known as sub-Neptunes. Stick around for What's Up with Bruce Betts, the chief scientist of The Planetary Society. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-jwst-new-lead-in-search-for-life See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Emily Calandrelli becomes the hundredth woman in space 55:41

9 weeks fa55:41

55:41

This week, we celebrate a remarkable milestone as Emily Calandrelli, also known as “the Space Gal,” becomes the 100th woman to venture into space. Emily shares her experiences on the Blue Origin voyage, what she took to space, and how motherhood influenced her reaction to seeing Earth from space. Then Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts joins for What's Up and a list of fun things to do in zero-g. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-100th-woman-in-space See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Space Policy Edition: The Challenges of Change at NASA 1:08:17

10 weeks fa1:08:17

1:08:17

How does change happen within NASA, and what prevents it? Marcia Smith, founder of Space Policy Online, joins the show to discuss the opportunities and pitfalls faced by incoming presidential administrations and how NASA has—and hasn’t—changed over the decades. Will Artemis be reimagined? Will public-private partnerships introduce more risk than reward? And is change even the right default attitude to take? Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/change-and-continuity-at-nasa-with-marcia-smith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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The Planetary Society’s 45th anniversary with Bill Nye 52:37

10 weeks fa52:37

52:37

Planetary Radio kicks off The Planetary Society's 45th anniversary year with CEO, Bill Nye. Bill reflects on the organization's first forty-five years and what humanity has learned about space in that time. Then, Chief Scientist Bruce Betts joins in for the first What's Up and Random Space Fact of 2025. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-45th-anniversary See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Looking back on 2024 59:48

11 weeks fa59:48

59:48

The Planetary Society team reviews the best space moments of 2024, from the China National Space Administration's return of samples from the far side of the Moon to the triumphant launch of NASA's Europa Clipper mission. Kate Howells (Public Education Specialist) shares the winners of The Planetary Society's Best of 2024 awards. Then, Mat Kaplan (Senior Communications Advisor), Ambre Trujillo (Digital Community Manager), and Asa Stahl (Science Editor) team up for a rundown of the year's highlights. We close out 2024 with Bruce Betts, our chief scientist, as he shares his last random space fact of the year. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-looking-back See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

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Mars “spiders” recreated in the lab 59:59

12 weeks fa59:59