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.
NASA's Charlie Bolden Visits Earth Missions at JPL
08/19/2013 | 28:50
Guests
- Charles Bolden, Administrator, NASA
- Charles Elachi, Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Two missions are coming together in a high bay clean room at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. SMAP and ISS RapidScat went on display for a visit by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. Mat Kaplan and Emily Lakdawalla provide special coverage.
JPL and England Wave at Saturn
07/22/2013 | 28:50
Guests
- Scott Edgington, Deputy Project Scientist, Cassini
- Earl Maize, Program Manager, Cassini Mission
Hundreds came out on the JPL mall on Friday, July 19th to salute the Cassini spacecraft as it captured a rare image of Earth from the outer solar system. Among them were the mission Deputy Project Scientist, Scott Edgington, and the Cassini Program Manager, Earl Maize.
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.
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.
Approaching Pluto, and Learning About Uwingu From Alan Stern
11/26/2012 | 28:50
Guests
- Alan Stern, New Horizons Principal Investigator, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern returns with a Pluto mission update. He also introduces us to Uwingu.
Curiosity Finds a Martian Stream Bed and Endeavour Flies Home
10/01/2012 | 28:50
Guests
- Emily Lakdawalla, Senior Editor and Planetary Evangelist, The Planetary Society
- Bill Nye, Chief Executive Officer
Emily Lakdawalla reports on Curiosity's discovery of an ancient stream bed, and Endeavour flies over the California plant where it was built.
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