Podcasts about The Planetary Society

The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) is poised to become one of the most powerful ground-based observatories ever built. On June 12, 2025, the U.S. National Science Foundation announced that the GMT will enter its Major Facilities Final Design Phase, bringing it one step closer to full construction. This week on Planetary Radio, host Sarah Al-Ahmed speaks with Rebecca Bernstein, Chief Scientist for the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization and astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science, about the groundbreaking technology behind GMT and how it will transform our understanding of the Cosmos. Later in the show, Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at The Planetary Society, returns to discuss his new op-ed in Space News on the White House’s controversial Mars plan, and why a bold vision without political consensus is unlikely to succeed. As always, we wrap up with What’s Up with Bruce Betts, chief scientist at The Planetary Society. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-gmtSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony is joined by Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy at The Planetary Society, and Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica, to talk about the NASA 2026 budget proposal, the Jared Isaacman saga, and all the space policy storylines you could imagine.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 201 - Bad Ass, But Also Bad (with Casey Dreier and Eric Berger) (with Casey Dreier and Eric Berger) - YouTubeNASA's disastrous 2026 budget proposal in… | The Planetary SocietyThe Space Review: How NASA's proposed budget cuts are felt across the AtlanticThe Space Review: NASA's 2026 budget in brief: Unprecedented, unstrategic, and wastefulThe Planetary Society's NASA Data DashboardsIsaacman's bold plan for NASA: Nuclear ships, seven-crew Dragons, accelerated Artemis - Ars TechnicaThe administration's anti-consensus Mars plan will fail - SpaceNewsSpaceX's next Starship just blew up on its test stand in South Texas - Ars TechnicaShe was a Disney star with platinum records, but Bridgit Mendler gave it up to change the world - Ars TechnicaFollow CaseyCasey Dreier | The Planetary SocietyThe Planetary SocietyFollow EricEric Berger | Ars TechnicaEric Berger (@SciGuySpace) / XFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@offnom@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@meco@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo@jawns.club) - jawns.club

Few writers have captured the wonder of science through storytelling as powerfully as Dava Sobel. In this episode, we celebrate her remarkable career and her recent honor as the recipient of The Planetary Society’s 2025 Cosmos Award for Outstanding Public Presentation of Science. Mat Kaplan, senior communications advisor at The Planetary Society, sits down with Sobel for a conversation about the human lives behind great scientific discoveries, from Galileo and Copernicus to the women of the Harvard Observatory and Marie Curie’s lab. Later in the show, Jack Kiraly, our director of government relations, joins us with an encouraging update on our public advocacy campaign to save NASA science. And don’t miss What’s Up with Bruce Betts, where we reflect on the role of science communicators and share a fresh Random Space Fact. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-cosmos-awardSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we welcome Star Trek Royalty to the show as the Legendary Illustrator/Designer Rick Sternbach joined us. Rick is a senior production illustrator/designer who worked on some projects you may have heard of….Star Trek the Motion Picture, TNG, as well as the first two seasons of DS9 and Voyager. He has also done work for NASA, Sky and Telescope, The Planetary Society, The Smithsonian, Time-Life books and more.He worked as a scenic artist on Star Trek Nemesis, designing the Argo Shuttle, the Romulan Valdore-type sculpture, and more! He worked on Cosmos, Future Flight, The Last Starfighter, and the 2000 adaptation of Solaris. He is an Emmy and Hugo award winner. He has authored numerous Star Trek Technical manuals and is one of the geniuses responsible for so many things we've come to love and enjoy in the Star Trek universe!

John and I welcomed Casey Dreier from The Planetary Society to the program to go over the proposed NASA space and science budget cuts and project eliminations. Casey suspected the direction for the cuts originated out of OMB without much space guidance or thought. He identified several of the projects and programs identified for either a budget cut such as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to the New Horizons and Venus missions being totally eliminated. Casey also talked about the bleak future for SLS and the Gateway for their demise post Artemis 3. Casey talked about their being a shift to commercial Moon missions but with little detail and clarity. Cislunar development, cargo and resupply to the ISS, the future for the private space stations, Mars and EDL for Mars plus demos all were part of our discussion. In Part 2, John talked about the robotic missions including existing missions plus the future missions, all of course depending on robots. Casey worked in commentary about cuts and changes for both JPL and Goddard, two very important and key Nasa centers. Before concluding the program, our guest was asked about the impact of the layoffs for NASA scientists and engineers. Casey suggested they would have an uncertain future ahead of them as their might not be abundant job opportunities for these important skills. Read the full summary at The Space Show website, www.thespaceshow.com and also at doctorspace.substack.com.

1/2: #HOTEL MARS: CASEY DREIER, PLANETARY SOCIETY. DAVID LIVINGSTON.: NASA IN RETREAT FROM JPL. 1953

Good evening: The show begins in Istanbul where Ukraine and Russia exchange profoundly mutually unacceptable memos of their war aims. 1945 BERLIN CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9:15-9:30 1/2: Ukraine: Unviable memorandums. Anatol Lieven, Quincy Institute. 9:30-9:45 2/2: Ukraine: Unviable memorandums. Anatol Lieven. 9:45-10:00 1/2: Tariffs; What's wrong with the CIT decision that Liberation Day is unconstitutional? John Yoo, Civitas Institute. 10:00 2/2: Tariffs; What's wrong with the CIT decision that Liberation Day is unconstitutional? John Yoo, Civitas Institute. SECOND HOUR 10:00-10:15 Israel: Gaza aid. Malcolm Hoenlein @conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1. Ambassador Yechiel Leiter. 10:15-10:30 Iran: Trump administration jaw jaw. David Albright, Malcolm Hoenlein @conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1. 10:30-10:45 Antisemitism: Ananda and Australia campus tragedy. Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel. Malcolm Hoenlein @conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1. 10:45-11:00 Iran: The head of the snake. Jonathan Ruhe, JINSA. Malcolm Hoenlein @conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1. THIRD HOUR 11:00-11:15 #NewWorldReport: Mexico under Morena. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @revanellis #newworldreportellis 11:15-11:30 #NewWorldReport: Peru troubles. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @revanellis #newworldreportellis 11:30-11:45 #NewWorldReport: Bukele of El Salvador. Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @revanellis #newworldreportellis 11:45-12:00 Suriname: The good news. #NewWorldReport: Latin American Research Professor Evan Ellis, U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. @revanellis #newworldreportellis FOURTH HOUR 12:00-12:15 AI: Reducing headcount. #ScalaReport: Chris Riegel CEO, Scala.com @stratacache. 12:15-12:30 Mexico: Return of PRI as Morena. Mary Anastasia O'Grady, WSJ. 12:30-12:45 1/2: #Hotel Mars: Casey Dreier, Planetary Society. David Livingston: NASA in retreat from JPL. 12:45-1:00 AM 2/2: #Hotel Mars: Casey Dreier, Planetary Society. David Livingston: NASA in retreat from JPL.

2/2: #HOTEL MARS: CASEY DREIER, PLANETARY SOCIETY. DAVID LIVINGSTON.: NASA IN RETREAT FROM JPL. 1963

What a wild week it's been for NASA. With drastic budget cuts looming—pending any action by Congress—then comes the sudden and unexpected pulling of Jared Isaacman for the role of NASA Administrator, with no replacement named. Then came the very public split between President Trump and Elon Musk, and a flurry of furious Twitter/X and Truth Social postings, aimed at each other with razor-sharp edges. And finally, the proposed and drastic cuts to NASA outreach and education budgets, slimming them to nearly nothing. These are strange and concerning times for America's space agency, a premier global brand and icon of peaceful American prowess. We turned to Casey Dreier, the Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society, who has been quite vocal in his concern, for context. These are critical times for spaceflight, so you won't want to miss this episode!Headlines Trump and Musk "Bromance" Ends: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the public falling out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, which included Trump's threats to cancel SpaceX contracts and Musk's counter-accusations regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files. Commercial Crew Program and Boeing's Starliner: Tariq Malik highlights the critical role of SpaceX's Dragon in NASA's commercial crew program, especially given Boeing's Starliner delays, making NASA dependent on SpaceX for U.S. independent access to space. Japanese ispace Lunar Lander Failure: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the second failed attempt by the Japanese company ispace to land its Hakuto-R lunar lander on the moon, losing the European Space Agency's mini-rover, called Tenacious, in the process. Speculation on SpaceX Nationalization: The hosts discuss online speculation, including from Steve Bannon, about the possibility of the U.S. government nationalizing SpaceX, and Elon Musk's subsequent de-escalation. LAUNCH Act: Rod Pyle introduces the bipartisan LAUNCH Act, aimed at streamlining licensing for commercial space companies to encourage more rocket launches with faster approvals. Senate Reconciliation Bill: Tariq Malik and Rod Pyle discuss Senator Ted Cruz's Senate reconciliation bill, which proposes to restore funding for the Space Launch System (SLS), increase NASA's budget by $10 billion, and fund Artemis 4 and 5, missions previously targeted for alternate architectures. 60th Anniversary of First U.S. Spacewalk: The hosts commemorate Ed White's historic spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission in 1965 and discuss anecdotes and lingering questions surrounding the event. Definition of an Astronaut/Spacewalker Debate: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik briefly touch on the ongoing debate about what defines an "astronaut" or "spacewalker," given varying definitions and commercial spaceflight. Tribute to Marc Garneau: The hosts pay tribute to Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, who passed away at 76, highlighting his career with the Canadian Space Agency and his later political career. The Dark Age of NASA Science The Planetary Society's Mission: Space policy expert Casey Dreier provides an overview of the Planetary Society, its founding by Carl Sagan, its independence from government and corporate funding, and its projects like the Lightsail 2. Catastrophic NASA Budget Proposal: Casey Dreier These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/164 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Casey Dreier

What a wild week it's been for NASA. With drastic budget cuts looming—pending any action by Congress—then comes the sudden and unexpected pulling of Jared Isaacman for the role of NASA Administrator, with no replacement named. Then came the very public split between President Trump and Elon Musk, and a flurry of furious Twitter/X and Truth Social postings, aimed at each other with razor-sharp edges. And finally, the proposed and drastic cuts to NASA outreach and education budgets, slimming them to nearly nothing. These are strange and concerning times for America's space agency, a premier global brand and icon of peaceful American prowess. We turned to Casey Dreier, the Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society, who has been quite vocal in his concern, for context. These are critical times for spaceflight, so you won't want to miss this episode!Headlines Trump and Musk "Bromance" Ends: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the public falling out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, which included Trump's threats to cancel SpaceX contracts and Musk's counter-accusations regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files. Commercial Crew Program and Boeing's Starliner: Tariq Malik highlights the critical role of SpaceX's Dragon in NASA's commercial crew program, especially given Boeing's Starliner delays, making NASA dependent on SpaceX for U.S. independent access to space. Japanese ispace Lunar Lander Failure: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the second failed attempt by the Japanese company ispace to land its Hakuto-R lunar lander on the moon, losing the European Space Agency's mini-rover, called Tenacious, in the process. Speculation on SpaceX Nationalization: The hosts discuss online speculation, including from Steve Bannon, about the possibility of the U.S. government nationalizing SpaceX, and Elon Musk's subsequent de-escalation. LAUNCH Act: Rod Pyle introduces the bipartisan LAUNCH Act, aimed at streamlining licensing for commercial space companies to encourage more rocket launches with faster approvals. Senate Reconciliation Bill: Tariq Malik and Rod Pyle discuss Senator Ted Cruz's Senate reconciliation bill, which proposes to restore funding for the Space Launch System (SLS), increase NASA's budget by $10 billion, and fund Artemis 4 and 5, missions previously targeted for alternate architectures. 60th Anniversary of First U.S. Spacewalk: The hosts commemorate Ed White's historic spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission in 1965 and discuss anecdotes and lingering questions surrounding the event. Definition of an Astronaut/Spacewalker Debate: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik briefly touch on the ongoing debate about what defines an "astronaut" or "spacewalker," given varying definitions and commercial spaceflight. Tribute to Marc Garneau: The hosts pay tribute to Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, who passed away at 76, highlighting his career with the Canadian Space Agency and his later political career. The Dark Age of NASA Science The Planetary Society's Mission: Space policy expert Casey Dreier provides an overview of the Planetary Society, its founding by Carl Sagan, its independence from government and corporate funding, and its projects like the Lightsail 2. Catastrophic NASA Budget Proposal: Casey Dreier These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/164 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Casey Dreier

What a wild week it's been for NASA. With drastic budget cuts looming—pending any action by Congress—then comes the sudden and unexpected pulling of Jared Isaacman for the role of NASA Administrator, with no replacement named. Then came the very public split between President Trump and Elon Musk, and a flurry of furious Twitter/X and Truth Social postings, aimed at each other with razor-sharp edges. And finally, the proposed and drastic cuts to NASA outreach and education budgets, slimming them to nearly nothing. These are strange and concerning times for America's space agency, a premier global brand and icon of peaceful American prowess. We turned to Casey Dreier, the Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society, who has been quite vocal in his concern, for context. These are critical times for spaceflight, so you won't want to miss this episode!Headlines Trump and Musk "Bromance" Ends: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the public falling out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, which included Trump's threats to cancel SpaceX contracts and Musk's counter-accusations regarding the Jeffrey Epstein files. Commercial Crew Program and Boeing's Starliner: Tariq Malik highlights the critical role of SpaceX's Dragon in NASA's commercial crew program, especially given Boeing's Starliner delays, making NASA dependent on SpaceX for U.S. independent access to space. Japanese ispace Lunar Lander Failure: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik discuss the second failed attempt by the Japanese company ispace to land its Hakuto-R lunar lander on the moon, losing the European Space Agency's mini-rover, called Tenacious, in the process. Speculation on SpaceX Nationalization: The hosts discuss online speculation, including from Steve Bannon, about the possibility of the U.S. government nationalizing SpaceX, and Elon Musk's subsequent de-escalation. LAUNCH Act: Rod Pyle introduces the bipartisan LAUNCH Act, aimed at streamlining licensing for commercial space companies to encourage more rocket launches with faster approvals. Senate Reconciliation Bill: Tariq Malik and Rod Pyle discuss Senator Ted Cruz's Senate reconciliation bill, which proposes to restore funding for the Space Launch System (SLS), increase NASA's budget by $10 billion, and fund Artemis 4 and 5, missions previously targeted for alternate architectures. 60th Anniversary of First U.S. Spacewalk: The hosts commemorate Ed White's historic spacewalk during the Gemini 4 mission in 1965 and discuss anecdotes and lingering questions surrounding the event. Definition of an Astronaut/Spacewalker Debate: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik briefly touch on the ongoing debate about what defines an "astronaut" or "spacewalker," given varying definitions and commercial spaceflight. Tribute to Marc Garneau: The hosts pay tribute to Marc Garneau, Canada's first astronaut, who passed away at 76, highlighting his career with the Canadian Space Agency and his later political career. The Dark Age of NASA Science The Planetary Society's Mission: Space policy expert Casey Dreier provides an overview of the Planetary Society, its founding by Carl Sagan, its independence from government and corporate funding, and its projects like the Lightsail 2. Catastrophic NASA Budget Proposal: Casey Dreier These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space/episodes/164 Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Casey Dreier

PREVIEW: Colleague Casey Dreier of the Planetary Society comments on the last of the NASA hardware extant for a moon landing mission. More later. 1958

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.

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.

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.

Guest: Thomas White Mike speaks to propulsion engineer Thomas White about their experience participating in The Planetary Society's 2025 Day of Action, where they met with six Congressional offices to lobby in support of space science at a critical time. Inspired to take action? Visit The Planetary Society's Action Center: https://www.planetary.org/action-center Follow us on Bluesky! Mike: https://bsky.app/profile/miquai.bsky.social The Planetary Society: https://bsky.app/profile/planetarysociety.bsky.social

Presupuesto de Trump impulsa a SpaceX mientras recorta 24 % del dinero para NASA  Por Félix Riaño @LocutorCo   El nuevo presupuesto del presidente Donald Trump propone recortar en más de 6 mil millones de dólares el dinero para la NASA en 2026. Es el mayor recorte propuesto a la agencia espacial en toda su historia. Mientras tanto, esos fondos no desaparecen: se redirigen hacia programas de defensa espacial y hacia compañías privadas como SpaceX, que podrían recibir miles de millones en nuevos contratos. El plan sugiere eliminar el cohete SLS de Boeing y la cápsula Orión de Lockheed Martin, pilares de las misiones Artemisa, y en su lugar usar cohetes más económicos fabricados por empresas como SpaceX y Blue Origin. También busca cancelar la estación lunar Gateway, un proyecto internacional en el que participan Europa, Japón, Canadá y Emiratos Árabes Unidos. En paralelo, se propone aumentar mil millones de dólares para misiones a Marte, alineándose con el sueño de Elon Musk de colonizar el planeta rojo. ¿Es esto un impulso a la innovación o una apuesta riesgosa que pone en pausa la ciencia y las alianzas internacionales?  El plan desplaza contratos clave hacia empresas privadas estadounidenses.  La propuesta del presupuesto federal de 2026, publicada justo en el Día Nacional del Espacio, plantea una nueva visión sobre cómo y con quién se explora el universo. Mientras que otros años se había celebrado la cooperación internacional y el avance científico como pilares de la NASA, este documento concentra los recursos en programas más comerciales y militares. Se trata de una reorientación hacia el espacio como escenario de competencia económica y estratégica. SpaceX, empresa de Elon Musk, aparece como protagonista principal en esta nueva etapa. Actualmente, ya es la contratista más grande del Pentágono y de la NASA, y este presupuesto le abriría aún más puertas. Las inversiones más ambiciosas se concentran en dos objetivos concretos: la defensa antimisiles desde el espacio y los viajes tripulados a Marte. La empresa ha estado preparando su nave Starship justamente con este propósito. Si se aprueba este plan, Estados Unidos cambiaría su enfoque del conocimiento científico hacia la conquista y protección desde el espacio.  El cambio de prioridades ha despertado preocupaciones entre científicos, académicos y expertos en política espacial. La propuesta recorta en un 47 % el presupuesto de ciencia de la NASA, lo que afectaría satélites para monitorear el clima, misiones robóticas a otros planetas y programas de observación del universo profundo. Además, pone en riesgo miles de empleos científicos y técnicos. La estación Gateway, que serviría como plataforma para futuras misiones a la Luna y Marte, sería cancelada, lo cual afecta acuerdos con Japón, Canadá, Europa y Emiratos Árabes Unidos. La Estación Espacial Internacional también enfrentaría recortes: menos astronautas, menos experimentos y una retirada anticipada en 2030. Para muchos, esta propuesta no es solo un cambio presupuestal, sino una transformación del modelo de cooperación científica por uno centrado en el interés nacional y privado. Organizaciones como The Planetary Society advierten que el presupuesto es una amenaza directa a la formación de nuevos científicos y al liderazgo global de Estados Unidos en exploración espacial.  Aunque este presupuesto aún debe ser aprobado por el Congreso, ya está generando un fuerte debate. La congresista Grace Meng dijo que los recortes son "impactantes" y que destruirán años de trabajo de investigadores y educadores. Otros legisladores, como George Whitesides, aseguran que este sería el ataque más fuerte a la NASA en décadas. Del lado empresarial, hay quienes celebran el giro hacia sistemas “más eficientes” y dicen que los cohetes de SpaceX y Blue Origin pueden hacer lo mismo que el SLS, pero con menos dinero. El propio Elon Musk ha sugerido retirar la Estación Espacial antes de 2030 y usar los recursos para su visión marciana. Mientras tanto, la NASA sigue construyendo el cohete SLS y la cápsula Orión para las misiones Artemisa 3 y 4, que ya están en marcha. Los ingenieros que trabajan en estos proyectos piden claridad, mientras las alianzas internacionales esperan señales oficiales. En el fondo, esta discusión refleja una tensión entre dos modelos: la ciencia pública con alianzas globales, y la exploración comercial con fines estratégicos.  Durante el año fiscal 2024, SpaceX ya había asegurado contratos por 3.800 millones de dólares. En total, desde su fundación, la empresa ha recibido más de 18.000 millones en contratos federales. Uno de sus mayores logros recientes es el contrato para desorbitar la Estación Espacial Internacional cuando termine su vida útil. Ese trabajo está valorado en 843 millones. También está construyendo la nave Starship, pensada para llegar a Marte y que ya ha sido elegida por la NASA para aterrizar en la Luna durante la misión Artemisa 3. Por otro lado, Boeing y Lockheed Martin enfrentan la posible cancelación de sus contratos, pese a haber invertido décadas en el desarrollo de las misiones actuales. Mientras SpaceX avanza con cohetes reutilizables, las grandes contratistas tradicionales quedan en una posición incierta. Japón, que tenía previsto enviar a su primer astronauta a la Luna como parte del programa Artemisa, también ve peligrar su participación. Las decisiones sobre estos temas aún están en manos del Congreso, que deberá decidir si sigue esta nueva ruta o defiende el modelo científico tradicional.  Trump propone una reestructuración espacial: más fondos para SpaceX, menos para ciencia pública. Marte y defensa ganan protagonismo, mientras NASA pierde apoyo internacional. ¿Es esto el futuro de la exploración espacial? Te invito a seguir escuchando Flash Diario en Spotify y comentar tu opinión.  Bibliografía:The New York Times  Reuters  Spaceflight Now  Planetary Society  Conviértete en un seguidor de este podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/flash-diario-de-el-siglo-21-es-hoy--5835407/support.

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.

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.

NASA’s science programs are facing the largest proposed budget cut in more than 40 years. This staggering 47%reduction could cancel missions, waste billions in U.S. taxpayer investments, and unravel decades of discovery. In this episode of Planetary Radio, host Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Casey Dreier, The Planetary Society’s Chief of Space Policy, and Jack Kiraly, Director of Government Relations. Together, they break down what the “passback” stage of the federal budget process means for NASA, which missions and programs are in jeopardy, and how you can help push back. Later in the show, Chief Scientist Bruce Betts joins us for a reflective What’s Up as we explore the science that could be lost and why it still deserves to be saved. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-passback-budget-breakdownSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, scientists hypothesized that Mars’ reddish color came from hematite, an iron oxide thought to have formed through dry oxidation after Mars lost its water. But new research suggests the story is more complex—and more watery—than we once imagined. In this episode, planetary scientist Adomas (Adam) Valantinas from Brown University joins host Sarah Al-Ahmed to discuss his team’s discovery that Mars’ iconic red dust is likely dominated not by hematite but by a hydrated mineral called ferrihydrite. This subtle but significant shift in understanding could reshape what we know about Mars’ climate history and its potential for past habitability. Then, Sarah and Bruce Betts, Planetary Society chief scientist, revisit one of the most famous Martian discoveries: Opportunity’s hematite-rich “blueberries,” which also told a compelling story about water on the Red Planet. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-why-is-mars-redSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Sarah Al-Ahmed and Casey Dreier for a special live recording of Planetary Radio at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., immediately following The Planetary Society’s Day of Action. In this episode, we explore the complex geopolitical landscape NASA faces as it works toward returning humans to the Moon and exploring other worlds. With growing influence from commercial space companies, potential budget cuts, and changes in committee leadership, this pivotal moment in space exploration is shaping NASA’s future. We’re joined by Bill Nye (CEO, The Planetary Society), Nancy Chabot (Chief Scientist, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory), Rep. George Whitesides (Representative, CA-27), Rep. Judy Chu (Co-chair, Congressional Planetary Science Caucus, Representative, CA-28), and Antonio Peronace (Chief Executive, Space for Humanity). Together, we explore how evolving national priorities, key lawmakers, and the rapid growth of the commercial space sector could reshape U.S. space policy, potentially redefining the motivations that have driven space exploration since the Apollo era. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-live-from-dcSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The participation of private industry in science and exploration missions that are sponsored by government has increased while still asking and answering some of humanity's hardest questions – and lower costs, build domestic industry, prove technology, and maintain leadership. What could government do differently to continue fostering private space successes, including full commercialization? This episode highlights the 62nd annual Goddard Space Science Symposium, 19-21 March, 2025.  Colleen Stover, Center for Space Policy & Strategy, talks to key commercial players about their recent lunar landings, and guests from Planetary Society and the American Astronautical Association about the right policies, messaging, and questions needed to maintain US leadership in space exploration.  Featured guests: Jordi Paredes Garcia, Corporate Chief Engineer, Firefly Aerospace Trent Martin, Senior VP of Space Systems, Intuitive Machines Casey Dreier, Chief Space Policy, The Planetary Society  Jim Way, Executive Director, and Ron Birk, President, representing the American Astronautical Association Available by video or podcast. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation's Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!

The Apollo program put humans on the Moon, but behind that historic achievement were engineers whose stories have gone largely untold. In this episode, “LA Made: The Other Moonshot” host Joanne Higgins joins Planetary Radio to share the powerful history of Charlie Cheatham, Nate LeVert, and Shelby Jacobs, three Black engineers in Los Angeles who helped make Apollo possible while navigating racism and exclusion. We discuss how their technical brilliance shaped the space program, why their stories were left out of the history books, and how telling them now can help create a more equitable space community for the future. Plus, Casey Dreier checks in from Washington, D.C., during The Planetary Society’s Day of Action, where advocates from across the U.S. gathered to support NASA science. And in What’s Up, Bruce Betts and Sarah explore the Apollo-era technologies still in use today. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-the-other-moonshotSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is rewriting the rules of digital trust and security. Imagine a world where your identity is protected by a groundbreaking device — a computer embedded inside a credit card, complete with biometric sensors. This isn’t sci-fi; it’s the disruptive reality created by today’s visionary. With over 25 years of leadership in space systems, secure digital platforms, and game-changing innovation, this guest is not just building technology—he’s building the future. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Sentry Enterprises, he’s tackling the root causes of identity threats, reshaping cybersecurity, and making these cutting-edge solutions scalable and accessible for everyone. A member of Abundance360 and the Planetary Society, he’s fueled by a passion for uniting humanity through technology and breaking the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital age. Key Takeaways: 01:09 - The Problem with Traditional Identity Systems 11:20 - Credentials vs. True Identity 13:18 - Biometrics as the Future of Identity 19:41 - The Threat of Deepfakes and AI 28:43 - Decentralized Finance and Global Accessibility 36:35 - Adoption as the Biggest Challenge, and Optimism for the Future Quote of the Show: 36:08: “I do think there's going to be disruption in jobs in those kinds of things, but I think there's also going to be just an equal number of opportunities. I'm very optimistic about the future. I think we're going to see massive, rapid advances in, in healthcare, efficiencies in, and everything in an industry to government is related to these sort of tools. When it comes specifically to digital identity, the good news is that technology is here to solve those problems. Right. The biggest challenge is adoption. But, as with anything, when there's a pain point and people want it, it will get adopted, right? And, we're working and others are working with the right partners in the world, the government and others to solve these kinds of problems. So I think people should leave thinking that we have a very bright future in front of us. And despite political turmoil, all those kinds of things. Those are very short lived. The human species has proven to be very resilient. And that's beautiful.” Podcast Information Want PR that actually matters? Get 30 minutes of expert advice in a fast-paced, zero-nonsense session from Karla Jo Helms, a veteran Crisis PR and Anti-PR Strategist who knows how to tell your story in the best possible light and get the exposure you need to disrupt your industry. Click here to book your call: https://info.jotopr.com/free-anti-pr-eval Ways to connect with Mark Bennett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwbennett Website: https://sentryenterprises.com/ How to get more Disruption/Interruption: Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/eccda84d-4d5b-4c52-ba54-7fd8af3cbe87/disruption-interruption Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/disruption-interruption/id1581985755 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6yGSwcSp8J354awJkCmJlDSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA's science missions have transformed our understanding of the Universe, from breathtaking images of deep space to robotic explorers on Mars. But now, a reported 50% cut to NASA's science budget threatens to shut down missions, halt discoveries, and devastate the future of space exploration. This week, Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly from The Planetary Society's space policy team break down the fight ahead, explain why these cuts would be catastrophic, and explain how you can take action before they become part of the official presidential budget request. Then, Science Editor Asa Stahl joins us to discuss the power of grassroots advocacy and Planetary Society members' impact in defending space science over the past 45 years. Plus, Bruce Betts returns for What's Up with a celebration of Lunar PlanetVac and a look ahead to this week's lunar eclipse. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-extinction-level-event-for-nasa-scienceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On episode 150 of This Week in Space, it's our Listener Special edition! Not only do we answer your questions and respond to your comments, but we lined up a number of your most tummy-tickling space jokes in the humor shooting gallery. This one is more fun than wearing new shoes! Join us as we talk about asteroid 2024YR4, the Space Launch System's prospects, Katy Perry in space, the newest lunar missions, the X-37B "secret shuttle," Apollo-era flight director Gene Kranz and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, solar sails, the cage match between Elon and astronaut Andreas Morgenson, and the best meteor shower of the year! Headlines Asteroid 2024 YR4 no longer a threat - The Earth-shattering asteroid that briefly had a record high 3.2% chance of impact has been downgraded to a 1 in 20,000 risk after pre-discovery data was analyzed, sparing Barstow and the rest of Earth. SLS faces uncertain future - Even long-time supporters like Scott Pace (former National Space Council secretary) are suggesting an "off-ramp" from the SLS rocket to commercial providers, signaling a potential shift in NASA's approach to lunar missions. Lunar Trailblazer mission communication issues - The recently launched lunar orbiter briefly lost contact after launch on a Falcon 9 but has since established a heartbeat. Blue Origin announces all-female crew for NS-31 - The upcoming mission will feature singer Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, and four other accomplished women, marking the first all-female crew since Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in the 1960s. Blue Ghost lunar landing imminent - Firefly Aerospace's first moon lander is scheduled to touch down on March 2nd, joining two other private landers (from Intuitive Machines and ispace) headed to the moon in the coming weeks. Listener Questions X-37B space plane purpose - The hosts discussed the secretive Space Force vehicle that's been in orbit for 908 days, likely testing technologies like hall thrusters and conducting reconnaissance. Elon Musk vs. astronauts controversy - The hosts addressed the Twitter/X confrontation between Elon Musk and astronauts (including Andreas Morgensen) regarding claims that astronauts were "stranded" on the ISS for political reasons. Gene Kranz's impact during Apollo - Rod shared his experience interviewing the legendary flight director, highlighting Kranz's "dictum" speech after the Apollo 1 fire and his transition to a more reflective persona later in life. Meeting Buzz Aldrin - The hosts described Aldrin as passionate, technically brilliant, and candid about his personal struggles, with Tariq sharing how Aldrin was the subject of his first professional space article in 1999. Solar sail technology potential - They discussed the success of Planetary Society's LightSail 2 and other solar sail missions, lamenting that the technology hasn't been utilized more extensively for deep space missions. Best meteor showers to observe - The hosts recommended the Perseids (August), Geminids (December), and Leonids (November) as the most impressive annual meteor showers, emphasizing the importance of dark skies for optimal viewing. Convincing moon landing deniers - They discussed the challenge of persuading conspiracy theorists, citing evidence including Soviet tracking confirmation and modern lunar reconnaissance photos showing Apollo landing sites. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Jake and Anthony are joined by Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy at The Planetary Society, to talk about the current era of Executive action, Congressional pushback (or not) against it, and the upcoming Day of Action.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 186 - It's Like the Cinnamon Challenge (with Casey Dreier) - YouTubeThe Day of Action | The Planetary SocietyThe Space Advocate Newsletter, February 2025 | The Planetary SocietyHouse hearing debates ways to improve Artemis - SpaceNewsFollow CaseyCasey Dreier | The Planetary SocietyThe Planetary SocietyFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@offnom@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@meco@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo@jawns.club) - jawns.club

On episode 150 of This Week in Space, it's our Listener Special edition! Not only do we answer your questions and respond to your comments, but we lined up a number of your most tummy-tickling space jokes in the humor shooting gallery. This one is more fun than wearing new shoes! Join us as we talk about asteroid 2024YR4, the Space Launch System's prospects, Katy Perry in space, the newest lunar missions, the X-37B "secret shuttle," Apollo-era flight director Gene Kranz and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, solar sails, the cage match between Elon and astronaut Andreas Morgenson, and the best meteor shower of the year! Headlines Asteroid 2024 YR4 no longer a threat - The Earth-shattering asteroid that briefly had a record high 3.2% chance of impact has been downgraded to a 1 in 20,000 risk after pre-discovery data was analyzed, sparing Barstow and the rest of Earth. SLS faces uncertain future - Even long-time supporters like Scott Pace (former National Space Council secretary) are suggesting an "off-ramp" from the SLS rocket to commercial providers, signaling a potential shift in NASA's approach to lunar missions. Lunar Trailblazer mission communication issues - The recently launched lunar orbiter briefly lost contact after launch on a Falcon 9 but has since established a heartbeat. Blue Origin announces all-female crew for NS-31 - The upcoming mission will feature singer Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, and four other accomplished women, marking the first all-female crew since Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in the 1960s. Blue Ghost lunar landing imminent - Firefly Aerospace's first moon lander is scheduled to touch down on March 2nd, joining two other private landers (from Intuitive Machines and ispace) headed to the moon in the coming weeks. Listener Questions X-37B space plane purpose - The hosts discussed the secretive Space Force vehicle that's been in orbit for 908 days, likely testing technologies like hall thrusters and conducting reconnaissance. Elon Musk vs. astronauts controversy - The hosts addressed the Twitter/X confrontation between Elon Musk and astronauts (including Andreas Morgensen) regarding claims that astronauts were "stranded" on the ISS for political reasons. Gene Kranz's impact during Apollo - Rod shared his experience interviewing the legendary flight director, highlighting Kranz's "dictum" speech after the Apollo 1 fire and his transition to a more reflective persona later in life. Meeting Buzz Aldrin - The hosts described Aldrin as passionate, technically brilliant, and candid about his personal struggles, with Tariq sharing how Aldrin was the subject of his first professional space article in 1999. Solar sail technology potential - They discussed the success of Planetary Society's LightSail 2 and other solar sail missions, lamenting that the technology hasn't been utilized more extensively for deep space missions. Best meteor showers to observe - The hosts recommended the Perseids (August), Geminids (December), and Leonids (November) as the most impressive annual meteor showers, emphasizing the importance of dark skies for optimal viewing. Convincing moon landing deniers - They discussed the challenge of persuading conspiracy theorists, citing evidence including Soviet tracking confirmation and modern lunar reconnaissance photos showing Apollo landing sites. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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-genesisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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-captureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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-trailSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Electro-Agriculture “Scientists Grow Crops in Near-Total Darkness Thanks to New ‘Electro-Agriculture' Technique.” by Adam Kovac. 2024 “Electro-agriculture: Revolutionizing farming for a sustainable future.” by Bradie S. Crandall, Marcus Harland-Dunaway, Robert E. Jinkerson, et al. 2024 Space Exploration with Dr. Robert Lillis“An ESCAPADE to Mars, on the cheap.” The Planetary Society. 2021.“ESCAPADE: Mission to Mars.” Rocketlab. “Mission to Mars - ESCAPADE.” Rocketlab.“Dr. Rob Lillis.” Harvath Law Group. “MAVEN Maps Electric Currents around Mars that are Fundamental to Atmospheric Loss.” by William Steigerwald. 2020. Stem Cell Vision Repair “Induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived corneal epithelium for transplant surgery: a single-arm, open-label, first-in-human interventional study in Japan.” by Takeshi Soma, Yoshinori Oie, Hiroshi Takayanagi, Shoko Matsubara, et al. 2024 “World First: Stem Cell Transplant Restores Vision in Multiple People.” by Carly Cassella. 2024. “Stem cell transplant shows promise for vision loss.” by Rebecca Turner. 2024.“Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.” ColumbiaDoctors. “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.” UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center. Newscast Soundbites Mars ExplorationFollow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Coming into 2025, we have six flights of SpaceX's Starship behind us, with a possibility for as many as 25 tests supported by the FAA license for this year. This is also the year we need to see an orbital test, payloads carried, orbital refueling, and hopefully catches of both the Booster and Ship, and progress toward an uncrewed test landing on the moon. So much to discuss, so join Tariq, Rod, and ace space reporter Leonard David as we deep dive into King Starship! Headlines: • Wildfires near NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, have displaced many employees and caused the facility to shut down temporarily, but the lab itself remains untouched. • NASA is considering two options for the Mars Sample Return mission, both under $8 billion, with a launch planned by 2035-2039. • Bill Nye, CEO of The Planetary Society and former host of "Bill Nye the Science Guy," was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his dedication to science education and space exploration advocacy. Main Topic - SpaceX Starship in 2025: • SpaceX plans to ramp up Starship test flights in 2025, with up to 25 launches scheduled throughout the year. • Starship test flight 7, scheduled for January 13th, will feature a new Starship design with enhanced flaps, a new flight computer, and other upgrades. • The goal of Starship is to serve as a reusable, heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 100 people and 100 metric tons of cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. • SpaceX is rapidly iterating on the Starship design, with stated plans to build new Starships in a single day and test new features on each flight. • While Starship's development has been impressive, questions remain about its life support systems, radiation protection, and interior design for crewed missions. • A discussion of the potential impact of Starship on NASA's Artemis program and the future of space exploration, including the possibility of using Starship as a space station or for Mars missions. • The conversation also touches on the challenges facing NASA, including aging infrastructure and the need for greater collaboration with the private sector, as highlighted in a recent report by the National Academies. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Leonard David Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Coming into 2025, we have six flights of SpaceX's Starship behind us, with a possibility for as many as 25 tests supported by the FAA license for this year. This is also the year we need to see an orbital test, payloads carried, orbital refueling, and hopefully catches of both the Booster and Ship, and progress toward an uncrewed test landing on the moon. So much to discuss, so join Tariq, Rod, and ace space reporter Leonard David as we deep dive into King Starship! Headlines: • Wildfires near NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, have displaced many employees and caused the facility to shut down temporarily, but the lab itself remains untouched. • NASA is considering two options for the Mars Sample Return mission, both under $8 billion, with a launch planned by 2035-2039. • Bill Nye, CEO of The Planetary Society and former host of "Bill Nye the Science Guy," was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his dedication to science education and space exploration advocacy. Main Topic - SpaceX Starship in 2025: • SpaceX plans to ramp up Starship test flights in 2025, with up to 25 launches scheduled throughout the year. • Starship test flight 7, scheduled for January 13th, will feature a new Starship design with enhanced flaps, a new flight computer, and other upgrades. • The goal of Starship is to serve as a reusable, heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 100 people and 100 metric tons of cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. • SpaceX is rapidly iterating on the Starship design, with stated plans to build new Starships in a single day and test new features on each flight. • While Starship's development has been impressive, questions remain about its life support systems, radiation protection, and interior design for crewed missions. • A discussion of the potential impact of Starship on NASA's Artemis program and the future of space exploration, including the possibility of using Starship as a space station or for Mars missions. • The conversation also touches on the challenges facing NASA, including aging infrastructure and the need for greater collaboration with the private sector, as highlighted in a recent report by the National Academies. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Leonard David Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Coming into 2025, we have six flights of SpaceX's Starship behind us, with a possibility for as many as 25 tests supported by the FAA license for this year. This is also the year we need to see an orbital test, payloads carried, orbital refueling, and hopefully catches of both the Booster and Ship, and progress toward an uncrewed test landing on the moon. So much to discuss, so join Tariq, Rod, and ace space reporter Leonard David as we deep dive into King Starship! Headlines: • Wildfires near NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, have displaced many employees and caused the facility to shut down temporarily, but the lab itself remains untouched. • NASA is considering two options for the Mars Sample Return mission, both under $8 billion, with a launch planned by 2035-2039. • Bill Nye, CEO of The Planetary Society and former host of "Bill Nye the Science Guy," was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his dedication to science education and space exploration advocacy. Main Topic - SpaceX Starship in 2025: • SpaceX plans to ramp up Starship test flights in 2025, with up to 25 launches scheduled throughout the year. • Starship test flight 7, scheduled for January 13th, will feature a new Starship design with enhanced flaps, a new flight computer, and other upgrades. • The goal of Starship is to serve as a reusable, heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 100 people and 100 metric tons of cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. • SpaceX is rapidly iterating on the Starship design, with stated plans to build new Starships in a single day and test new features on each flight. • While Starship's development has been impressive, questions remain about its life support systems, radiation protection, and interior design for crewed missions. • A discussion of the potential impact of Starship on NASA's Artemis program and the future of space exploration, including the possibility of using Starship as a space station or for Mars missions. • The conversation also touches on the challenges facing NASA, including aging infrastructure and the need for greater collaboration with the private sector, as highlighted in a recent report by the National Academies. Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik Guest: Leonard David Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit

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.

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.

Lauren Mc Keown, a postdoctoral fellow at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, discusses her experiences recreating Martian araneiform terrain, also called Mars spiders, in the lab. Latif Nasser, the co-host of Radiolab, also joins Planetary Radio to share how you can cast your vote to name a quasi-Moon of Earth. Then Bruce Betts, chief scientist of The Planetary Society, looks at a different type of seasonal feature on Mars, recurring slope lineae, in What’s Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-mars-spidersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take you to Planetary Society headquarters, where Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and host of StarTalk, interviews Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye about the organization's 45-year history of empowering the world's citizens to advance space science and exploration. Then, we share an update on the incoming Trump administration's proposed pick for the next NASA Administrator, Jared Isaacman. Planetary Society Chief of Space Policy, Casey Dreier, and Director of Government Relations, Jack Kiraly, give us the details. We close out with Bruce Betts as he discusses the Van Allen belts and shares a new random space fact in What's Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-startalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Al-Ahmed, the host of Planetary Radio, marks her 100th episode with a look back at the defining moments of the past 100 weeks of space exploration. We'll revisit previous Planetary Radio interviews, including the launch of ESA's Juice mission to the icy moons of Jupiter with project scientist Olivier Witasse. Danny Glavin, the co-investigator for NASA's OSIRIS-REx, shares his thoughts after the triumphant return of samples from asteroid Bennu. Lindy Elkins-Tanton, principal investigator for NASA's Psyche mission, reflects on her team's mission to explore a metallic asteroid. Then, Bob Pappalardo, project scientist for Europa Clipper, discusses the mission's intense brush with Hurricane Milton before blasting off to unlock the secrets of a potentially habitable ocean world. We close out the show with Bruce Betts, the chief scientist of The Planetary Society, for What's Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-one-hundred-weeks  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could life hitchhike across planets? What color is the sky on Mars? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye, the current CEO of The Planetary Society, team up to discuss the science and advocacy that goes into space exploration, unraveling the threads of discovery that define humanity's quest to understand the cosmos.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here:https://startalkmedia.com/show/journey-to-the-stars-with-bill-nye/Thanks to our friends at The Planetary Society for partnering with us on this episode! To support their mission and the future of space advocacy, head over to https://Planetary.org/StarTalkThanks to our Patrons Edwin Strode, Mathew M, Micheal McDonough, Evan Fenwick, Trvis Knop, David Hardison, Sarah Kominek, Saulius Alminas, Rob Lentini, Eric Williams, Billy, John Buzzotta, Jeremy Hopcroft, Christian Harvey, Bob Cobourn, Jeremy ALford, Brandon Cortazar, James Finlay, Anastine2020, Rebecca Valenti, jordan battleson, Timothy Jarvis, and Gleb Mpakopuc for supporting us this week. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

The United Arab Emirates Space Agency is working on its next ambitious spacecraft, the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt. It will visit seven asteroids, ultimately rendezvousing with Justitia, the reddest object in the main asteroid belt. We'll get an update on their team's progress from Mohsen Al Awadhi and Hoor Al Hazmi, the director and science team lead for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt. Then, our chief scientist at The Planetary Society, Bruce Betts, joins host Sarah Al-Ahmed for What's Up and a new random space fact.  Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-uae-asteroid-belt  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  Presidential elections in the United States don't just shape the country's future — they set the course for space exploration. This week, Casey Dreier, the chief of space policy at The Planetary Society, analyzes what the incoming Trump administration could mean for NASA's funding, human spaceflight, and its Science Mission Directorate. Meanwhile, budget cuts have triggered another round of layoffs at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jack Kiraly, Planetary Society director of government relations, explains why it happened, and what U.S. residents can do to help. Plus, Bruce Betts is back with What's Up and another fascinating Random Space Fact. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-election-nasaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morgan Cable and Hiro Ono from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory join Planetary Radio to discuss the Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) robot concept, a snake-like AI-enabled device designed to navigate the vents of Enceladus. This technology could tell us more about the habitability of Enceladus' subsurface ocean. But first, Kate Howells, The Planetary Society's public education specialist, shares how you can participate in The Planetary Society Best of 2024 Awards. Stay tuned for Bruce Betts, our chief scientist, for What's Up and a new Random Space Fact about Enceladus. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-eels  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we investigate the mysteries of Pluto's iconic heart-shaped feature. We explore recent research on the origins of the Sputnik Planitia region and what it can tell us about whether or not the dwarf planet has a subsurface ocean. Our guest, Adeene Denton from the University of Arizona, discusses her team's work investigating oblique impact basins, or "splats," and their implications for planetary formation. Then Bruce Betts, chief scientist at The Planetary Society, joins host Sarah Al-Ahmed for a roundup of the most significant impacts in our Solar System in What's Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-pluto-splat See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA's Europa Clipper mission launched on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, embarking on a journey to explore Jupiter's icy moon, Europa. This week, Planetary Radio welcomes Bob Pappalardo, the mission's project scientist, who recounts the team's dramatic encounter with Hurricane Milton before their triumphant launch. Plus, get a sneak peek at The Planetary Society's upcoming collaboration with StarTalk as Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and director of the Hayden Planetarium, visits The Planetary Society's headquarters. As always, Bruce Betts wraps up with What's Up, featuring a beautiful member-submitted poem and an intriguing random space fact. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-europa-clipper-blasts-offSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Planetary Radio offers advice for students pursuing higher education in space-related fields. Elizabeth Koenck, a Zed Factor Fellow, shares how her internship at The Planetary Society has helped her pursue a future in space policy. Sara Miller, the organizer of AbGradCon and a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell, discusses how to best leverage conferences and build community. Then, Briley Lewis, a recent Ph.D. graduate at UCLA and a correspondent at STARtorialist, will teach you how to survive grad school. Stick around for What's Up with Bruce Betts, our chief scientist, as he shares more about The Planetary Society's new book series for kids. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-space-students-guide See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jupiter's moon Europa is one of the most promising targets in the search for life. The Planetary Society and space advocates around the world fought to make Europa Clipper a reality. This week, we learn more about the tumultuous history of the mission with Casey Dreier, our chief of space policy. Mat Kaplan, senior communications adviser, gives an update on the successful launch of the European Space Agency's Hera mission and the delayed launch of Europa Clipper due to Hurricane Milton. Then, Bruce Betts, chief scientist at The Planetary Society, discusses two opportunities to view comets in the October sky in What's Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2024-clippers-championsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.