Shows / Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our Solar System and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts who are taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye the Science Guy and Bruce Betts as they dive deep into space science and exploration. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you…
Episodes
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePluto and Titan and Iran, Oh My!
Back to the annual meeting of the AAS Division for Planetary Sciences this week, where Mat Kaplan visited with experts on worlds of ice including Titan and…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceInside Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo
Host Mat Kaplan traveled to California’s Mojave Desert for a tour of Virgin Galactic’s The Spaceship Company, where the second SpaceShipTwo was built and is…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSpace Policy Edition #6: Election 2016! Where Do Clinton and Trump Stand on Space?
Just in time for election day in the USA, we take stock of the major candidates' space policies (as far as they go), comparing statements and policy op-eds put…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceMatt Taylor Rocks Rosetta
Mat Kaplan talks with Matt Taylor, the Rosetta Project Scientist, just two weeks after the spacecraft touched down on 67/P.Learn more about your ad choices…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceAlan Stern and a Triumph at Pluto
Alan Stern of the New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond was in Pasadena for the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceCharley Kohlhase and the Greatest Voyage
How did the Voyager spacecraft manage to weave their magnificent way through the outer planets of our solar system? Mission Design Manager Charley Kohlhase led…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceTrekkin’ Across the Universe With Andrew Fazekas
The Night Sky Guy, Andrew Fazekas, talks about his beautiful new, Star Trek-inspired guide to the real wonders of astronomy.Learn more about your ad choices…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSpace Policy Edition #5: The U.S. Senate takes on the politics of Mars
We take a deep dive into new space legislation working its way through the US Senate. It embraces Mars and NASA's big rocket. But Elon Musk and SpaceX just…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceFarewell Rosetta!
The European Space Agency’s magnificent Rosetta mission ended last week as the spacecraft gently touched down on the comet it has revealed.Learn more about…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceRocket Road Trip!
Planetary Society Digital Editor Jason Davis returns with the story of the ten-day trek across the South he just completed with two Society colleagues.Learn…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceCassini at Saturn: The Final Year
The great Cassini spacecraft has a year to go before it plunges into the ringed planet. Project Scientist Linda Spilker returns with more amazing mission…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceOSIRIS-REx: The Voyage to Bennu Begins, With Dante Lauretta
In two years a Near Earth Asteroid now known as Bennu will have a visitor from Earth. OSIRIS-REx Principal Investigator Dante Lauretta reports on his mission’s…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSpinoffs! Sharing NASA Technology
In its nearly five decades, NASA has created or improved thousands of technologies, processes and innovations. Dan Lockney is in charge of making sure these…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSpace Policy Edition #4: Near Earth Asteroids—Why we go, how we find them, and maybe mine them
In honor of OSIRIS-REx—NASA’s newest asteroid mission—we explore the policy and history of near-Earth Objects: why NASA explores them, how the government plans…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceThe Pale Red Dot: A Planet Called Proxima b
The announcement was made just days ago. Co-discoverer Michael Endl tells us about the discovery of a roughly Earth-mass planet orbiting in the habitable zone…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceCould the Soviet Union Have Won the Space Race?
Space historian and policy expert John Logsdon joins Mat Kaplan for a fascinating conversation about how the US could have lost the race to the moon.Learn more…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSailing the Canyons of Titan
Steep canyons on Saturn's moon Titan are filled with liquid methane. That's the discovery just announced by an international team of Cassini scientists…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSubcontractors: Making Space Happen
You may never hear their names, but there are thousands of small to medium-sized companies without which space exploration and development wouldn’t…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSpace Policy Edition #3: Plutonium-238, Europa via SLS, Cost of the Next Mars Rover Rises
In our third episode, we debate the risks and rewards of tying the future of a Europa mission to the fate of NASA's massive Space Launch System rocket. Also…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceInterstellar Dreams Turn Real
Philip Lubin and his former student Travis Brashears have had quite a year. Their bold plan to send tiny probes to nearby stars is now supported by NASA and…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceAnatomy of a Rover—Getting Down to Mars
It takes a lot of terrific components to create a successful spacecraft like Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory. We’ll visit JPL to learn about the…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceThe Eagle Has Landed: Remembering Neil Armstrong
We celebrate the 47th anniversary of the first moon landing with the reprise of a conversation with author and NBC space reporter Jay Barbree about his trusted…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceJuno Reaches Jupiter!
Return with us to the evening of July 4, 2016 and the exciting arrival at Jupiter of the Juno orbiter. You’ll hear the moment of successful orbital insertion…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceFighting for Space: Former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver
She has spent most of her life working toward a bright future for humanity in space, and Lori Garver has lost none of her passion. She visited the Planetary…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSpace Policy Edition #2: Why Juno? Why Jupiter? Why Now?
This month Jason Callahan, Casey Dreier and Mat Kaplan ask whether the Moon vs. Mars human destination debate makes sense, highlight a new report on the…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceCountdown to Jupiter
Juno will enter Jupiter orbit on July 4th. Mat Kaplan talks with the mission’s Principal Investigator, Scott Bolton at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Bill Nye…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePlanetary Radio Extra: Shining a Million Watt Flashlight on an Asteroid
PlanRad’s celebration of Asteroid Day (June 30th) continues as we call UCLA grad student Adam Greenberg at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.Learn more…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceOSIRIS REx: Ready for a Voyage to Bennu
OSIRIS-REx will launch toward Near Earth Asteroid Bennu soon. In an early celebration of Asteroid Day, mission leader Dante Lauretta tells us how learning…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceJunoCam, The People’s Jupiter Camera
The Juno spacecraft will enter orbit at Jupiter on July 4th. It carries a camera that will send back spectacular images from just above the swirling clouds of…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceChris McKay, Larry Niven and Andy Weir at the Contact Conference
Space art and science fiction joined science fact at the 2016 Contact Conference in Sunnyvale, California. We talk with three well-known visionaries.Learn more…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceSpace Policy Edition #1: How We Got Here: Human Spaceflight at the End of the Obama Era
In the premiere of this new monthly series we briefly examine the latest move by the House of Representatives in the game of NASA's budget and then discuss…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceGetting Humans to Mars
Three NASA leaders talk with host Mat Kaplan about the progress we're making toward leaving footprints on the Red Planet.Learn more about your ad choices…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceA Big Test for LightSail 2
The Planetary Society’s solar sail spacecraft was in the middle of a critical test as we spoke with the Society’s Bruce Betts and Jason Davis.Learn more about…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceNASA’s Science Leader John Grunsfeld
John Grunsfeld closes our coverage of the Space Foundation’s 32nd annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. We also meet the leaders of the New Generation…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceDream Chaser: The Return of the Spaceplane
We’re back at Space Symposium for a conversation with SNC’s Mark Sirangelo, leader of that company’s effort to build the Dream Chaser. We’ll also hear a few…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceAt Space Symposium With the Leader of the European Space Agency
The annual Space Symposium in Colorado is a must-attend event for space leaders from around the world. Our coverage begins with United Arab Emirates Space…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceA Death Valley Conversation About Life, The Universe and Everything With Tyler Nordgren and Jill Tarter
Beautiful Death Valley National Park was the setting for a fascinating conversation with famed SETI researcher Jill Tarter and celebrated astronomer, artist…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceExploring Europa and Mining Asteroids at Yuri’s Night
Our special coverage from the Los Angeles Yuri’s Night party continues with Chris Lewicki of Planetary Resources along with Bob Pappalardo and Boback “Mohawk…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceCelebrating Yuri’s Night 2016 with Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti
Happy Yuri’s Night! We’re partying under Space Shuttle Endeavour in the first of two shows featuring interviews from the worldwide celebration of space. Star…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceMichel Mayor, Discoverer of the First Extrasolar World
Michel Mayor and his team rocked the astronomy world with their 1995 announcement, but this modest man says it was a discovery whose time had come.Learn more…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceAshwin Vasavada, Leader of Scientists Roving Mars
The new Mars Science Laboratory Project Scientist is not new to the mission. Ashwin Vasavada has worked on the Curiosity rover since 2004.Learn more about your…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePlanetary Radio Live: All These Worlds…
Our live conversation about “Planet 9” and the amazing diversity of our solar system, featuring Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown of Caltech, Senior Editor…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceNeil Gehrels and WFIRST—A Space Telescope for the 2020s
NASA has given the go-ahead for creation of the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope. It might help reveal the nature of dark energy and point the way to life…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceHERA Heroine Julielynn Wong and Printing Medical Tools in Deep Space
Julielynn Wong came directly from her 30-day long HERA IX deep space simulation to our microphone. We talk with her about the experience, and her progress…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceInterstellar Dreams: Kim Stanley Robinson’s “Aurora”
Famed science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson is back with Aurora, a cautionary tale about just how difficult interstellar travel may be.Learn more about…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceExploring Saturn With Cassini
Cassini Mission Project Scientist Linda Spilker returns with the latest discoveries at the beautiful ringed planet, its moons and its rings.Learn more about…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePlanetary Radio Extra: Our Space Policy Experts Analyze NASA's Proposed 2017 Budget
Casey Dreier, the Planetary Society's Director of Space Policy, and Jason Callahan, the Society's Space Policy Advisor, talk with Mat Kaplan about the…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceZero-G With OK Go!
OK Go has gone where no band has gone before to make a music video. Mat talks with Damian Kulash and Tim Nordwind about the hazards, thrill and promise of…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePlanet 9 From Outer Space!
Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin fully expect a new and undemotable ninth planet will be found in the outer reaches of the solar system. The Caltech…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePlanetary Radio Extra: LightSail Update
The Planetary Society's Bruce Betts and Jason Davis join host Mat Kaplan for a status report on LightSail 2, the Society's next solar sail, now being prepared…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceNASA’s New Planetary Defense Office
Lindley Johnson has just been named NASA's first Planetary Defense Officer. He's joined on this week's PlanRad by astronomer Kelly Fast, the new manager of the…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceCivilizations Among the Clustered Stars?
New research indicates that globular clusters—collections of up to a million stars—could provide stable environments for life, along with opportunities for…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceMarc Rayman’s Dawn Mission Update
The Dawn Mission Chief Engineer Marc Rayman returns for another report on the ion-engine powered mission, now orbiting 240 miles above dwarf planet Ceres in…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceMaster of the Moon Rocks: NASA Astromaterials Curator Francis McCubbin
Francis McCubbin is the new Astromaterials Curator at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where the priceless collection includes the Apollo moonrocks. Join host Mat…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceAd Astra Builds “The Martian’s” Rocket Engine
Mat Kaplan visits the Ad Astra Rocket Company in Texas where they are perfecting the VASIMIR electric rocket engine. Emily Lakdawalla has created a…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePlanetary Radio Extra: Ad Astra Rocket Company Audio Tour
Ad Astra's Mark Carter took Planetary Radio Host Mat Kaplan on a great tour of the company's facility in mid-November of 2015. Space and science geeks are…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePlanetary Radio Extra: Planetary Society Experts 2015 Review
Bruce Betts, Jason Davis, Casey Dreier and Emily Lakdawalla gather with Mat Kaplan for a fascinating and informative Planetary Radio Extra year-in-review…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science2015: A Great Year for Space Exploration
Our year-end review features the “best of 2015” lists from Jason Davis, Casey Dreier, Emily Lakdawalla and Bill Nye the Science Guy. What’s Up offers planets…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and ScienceCongressman John Culberson on a Good Day for Space
The newly-approved federal budget includes great news for fans of space exploration and development. Texas Congressman John Culberson led the fight for a…
Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and SciencePlanetary Radio Extra: Casey Dreier on the 2016 NASA Budget
Mat Kaplan sits down with our Director of Advocacy, Casey Dreier, for a discussion of NASA's 2016 budget.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…