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Mat Kaplan loves hosting and producing Planetary Radio. He was just 17 when he got his first job in broadcasting, yet it wasn't until the 2002 premiere of The Society's popular weekly broadcast and podcast series that he combined his twin loves of space and radio. A Planetary Society staff member for more than 15 years, Mat also plans and manages technical support for our Planetfest celebrations and other major events and webcasts.
Outside of The Planetary Society, he hosts a series of live events for Southern California Public Radio called NEXT: People|Science|Tomorrow, and frequently serves as moderator or speaker at space and science gatherings. His extensive background in journalism has ranged from public radio reporter covering the political conventions to movie reviewer for an international magazine. Some may remember him as a correspondent for a pioneering national TV series about personal computers. Mat also enjoyed a 30-year career in higher education that included major television awards and recognition for service to the community. The longtime Long Beach, California resident has two adult daughters raised to be citizens of the solar system.
Mat is available as a moderator or host for conversations about space and science topics. He’s also a passionate speaker about the mission of The Planetary Society, the importance of space exploration and development, and the history of human fascination with Mars, including robotic exploration of the Red Planet.
Follow Mat on Twitter at @planrad
Latest Articles
Mat Kaplan explains his beef with the National Geographic Mars documentary-drama series.
Announcing Planetary Radio Extra: Space Policy Edition (PRE:SPE for short)—a new spinoff of Planetary Radio that will delve into the weeds of space policy and politics.
Mat Kaplan pays a heartfelt tribute to a science fiction icon.
Latest Planetary Radio Appearances
The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft appears to have collected its first sample from asteroid Bennu, while a team led by Jane Greaves has discovered what could be evidence of life in the clouds of Venus.
Creators of an outstanding new collection of poems about spaceflight and exploration join Mat Kaplan to talk about the book as Bill Nye and other notables read selections.
NASA’s planetary protection officer joined Mat Kaplan’s Humans to Mars summit panel for a great conversation about protecting worlds throughout the solar system from what could be devastating contamination.