Planetary Radio
Each week, Planetary Radio visits with a scientist, engineer, project manager, astronaut, advocate or writer who provides a unique and exciting perspective on the exploration of our solar system and beyond. We also showcase regular features that raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Host Mat Kaplan is joined by Planetary Society colleagues Bill Nye the Science Guy, Bruce Betts, and Emily Lakdawalla. We hit the road now and then to produce a Planetary Radio Live show in front of an audience. Drop us a line or enter the weekly space trivia contest at planetaryradio@planetary.org.
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Recent Shows
MAVEN Mars Mission's Bruce Jakosky
09/16/2013 | 28:50
Guests
- Bruce Jakosky, MAVEN Principal Investigator, University of Colorado Boulder
The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN) orbiter leaves for the red planet in November of 2013. Bruce Jakosky of the University of Colorado Boulder is its Principal Investigator. Mat Kaplan sat down with Bruce at a recent MAVEN workshop.
Bleeding Edge--NIAC Chooses 12 New Out There Projects
08/12/2013 | 31:25
Guests
- Jay Falker, Program Executive, NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program
They might be happy if one in ten of the projects they fund makes it in the real world…because that project just might change the world. We talk with Jay Falker, Program Executive for the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program about 12 crazy and not so crazy ideas that have just received early seed funding.
08/05/2013 | 28:50
Guests
- Kat Scanlon, Graduate Student and Researcher, Brown University Geological Sciences
When she was learning to forecast the weather in Hawaii, Brown University grad student Kat Scanlon didn’t suspect it would help her uncover evidence for rain or, more likely, snow that helped shape the surface of Mars billions of years ago.
Landing On Mars With JPL's Matt Golombek
06/17/2013 | 38:05
Guests
- Matt Golombek, Co-chair, Mars Exploration Rover Landing Site selection committee
Join us at JPL for a conversation with Mars landing site selection leader Matt Golombek. Matt is also now Project Scientist for the Mars Exploration Rover program, and shares the great news from Opportunity about its latest discovery. Emily Lakdawalla presents a guest blog entry that features splendid images from Mars Express, while Bill Nye traces the convoluted ways of space science funding in Washington. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan are at a legendary Pasadena eatery for this week’s What’s Up. Cosmic hot dog, anyone?
03/11/2013 | 28:50
Guests
- Luther Beegle, Curiosity Sampling System Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
With the first use of its drill and delivery of samples to its internal instruments, Curiosity is now a fully-functioning science station on Mars. JPL Sampling System Scientist Luther Beegle provides an update.
Looking Back, Looking Forward: Beginning a New Year In Space
12/31/2012 | 28:50
Guests
- Bruce Betts, Director of Projects, The Planetary Society
- Casey Dreier, Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator, The Planetary Society
- Emily Lakdawalla, Senior Editor and Planetary Evangelist, The Planetary Society
- Bill Nye, Chief Executive Officer
Planetary Society experts review the challenges and triumphs of 2012 and look forward to a new and exciting year. You’ll hear Bill Nye the Science Guy, Emily Lakdawalla on new missions, Casey Dreier on “Saving our Science,” and Bruce Betts’ review of great projects, as well as a musical rendition of “Random Space Fact.”
PLANETARY RADIO LIVE: Special Curiosity Report Continues
12/24/2012 | 28:50
Guests
- Richard Cook, Curiosity Project Manager, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- John Grotzinger, Curiosity Project Scientist, California Institute of Technology
- Emily Lakdawalla, Senior Editor and Planetary Evangelist, The Planetary Society
- Bill Nye, Chief Executive Officer
Our fascinating, live conversation with Curiosity Project Manager Richard Cook and Project Scientist John Grotzinger continues. Richard and John are joined on stage by Bill Nye the Science Guy, Emily Lakdawalla and Mat Kaplan.
PLANETARY RADIO LIVE: Celebrating Rover Curiosity
12/17/2012 | 28:50
Guests
- John Grotzinger, Curiosity Project Scientist, California Institute of Technology
- Richard Cook, Curiosity Project Manager, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Emily Lakdawalla, Senior Editor and Planetary Evangelist, The Planetary Society
- Bill Nye, Chief Executive Officer
The leaders of the Curiosity mission join Bill Nye, Emily Lakdawalla and host Mat Kaplan for a live conversation about the thrilling mission on Mars.
All Together Now! The News From Curiosity
12/03/2012 | 28:50
Guests
- John Grotzinger, Curiosity Project Scientist, California Institute of Technology
Mars Science Laboratory Project Scientist John Grotzinger's fascinating comments at the December 3 press conference, followed by analysis from Emily Lakdawalla.
Curiosity Sniffs Martian Air/Shuttle Endeavour Opens to the World
11/05/2012 | 30:58
Scientists have revealed the first data gathered by Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory Rover, about the Martian atmosphere, while Space Shuttle Endeavour has opened to the public.
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