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Planetary Radio • Jan 03, 2017

A Little Rocket Company Shoots for the Moon

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On This Episode

20170103 Randa Milliron thumbnail

Randa Milliron

CEO for Interorbital Systems

CEO Randa Milliron introduces us to Interorbital Systems, which wants to put your payload in orbit for as little as $8,000. Can they do it? Emily Lakdawalla returns with a preview of 2017’s biggest solar system exploration events. Bill Nye the Science Guy congratulates and thanks outgoing NASA Chief Scientist Ellen Stofan. We’re giving away another beautiful science/science fiction fine art print in this week’s What’s Up segment.

In Randa Milliron’s Interorbital Systems office
In Randa Milliron’s Interorbital Systems office Image: Mat Kaplan
“Space art” in Randa Milliron’s Interorbital Systems office
“Space art” in Randa Milliron’s Interorbital Systems office Image: Mat Kaplan
Mat Kaplan and Randa Milliron at Interorbital Systems
Mat Kaplan and Randa Milliron at Interorbital Systems Image: Mat Kaplan
Interorbital Systems ocean launch diagram
Interorbital Systems ocean launch diagram Image: Interorbital Systems
Flight-ready ULISES 1 tubesat with 1-unit cubesat chassis
Flight-ready ULISES 1 tubesat with 1-unit cubesat chassis Image: Interorbital Systems
IOS CTO Roderick Milliron supervises launch preparations
IOS CTO Roderick Milliron supervises launch preparations Image: Interorbital Systems
Interorbital Systems CPM TV (test vehicle) launch
Interorbital Systems CPM TV (test vehicle) launch Image: Interorbital Systems
Engine test firing
Engine test firing Image: Interorbital Systems
Artist’s concept of IOS Neptune 5 rocket carrying Team SYNERGY MOON’s Google Lunar X PRIZE spacecraft
Artist’s concept of IOS Neptune 5 rocket carrying Team SYNERGY MOON’s Google Lunar X PRIZE spacecraft Image: Bryan Versteeg

Related Links:

This week's prize is “Molten Earth,” a signed print based on a color sketch that artist Rick Sternbach created for the original Cosmos series, and later became a set piece used on Star Trek: The Next Generation. The roughly 8” by 10” print is mounted in an 11” by 14” matte.

"Molten Earth" by Rick Sternbach
"Molten Earth" by Rick Sternbach Image: Rick Sternbach

This week's question:

Which is longer? Jupiter’s year or Planetary Radio’s existence?

To submit your answer:

Complete the contest entry form at http://planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Tuesday, January 10th at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

Among all the women who have flown in space, who did so at the oldest age?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

Who was the earliest born human to reach space? Use the official definition of the threshold of space: 100 kilometers.

Answer:

X-15 pilot Joseph “Joe” Walker, born February 20, 1921, reached higher than 100 kilometers in back-to-back 1963 test flights.