Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Kevin Trinh, a researcher at Arizona State University, discusses his research on Europa's formation history and its potential habitability. Topics include the upcoming total solar eclipse, Europa's geophysics and geochemistry, solid materials and internal heat in the solar system, tidal heating and volcanism on Europa, and the potential for life on the moon.

Researchers discuss the JWST's detection of water vapor in a planet-forming disk, providing insights into planet formation. They explore hypotheses on water delivery to rocky planets and the complexity of molecules in planet-forming disks. The importance of considering both gas and dust components in planet formation is discussed, along with the excitement for future discoveries and research.

Many missions are working to understand Mars' past habitability, but could there still be microbial life on the red planet today? This week on Planetary Radio, we discuss the proposed Mars Life Explorer mission with Amy Williams, assistant professor of geology at the University of Florida. Then Bruce Betts, the chief scientist of The Planetary Society, pops in for What's Up and a celebratory conversation about reestablishing contact with the beloved Voyager 2 spacecraft. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-mars-life-explorer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Pace, the prior executive secretary of the National Space Council, discusses why Artemis is of strategic value to U.S. national interests — and why the Moon is unique as a destination to drive global space exploration. Casey also discusses the latest congressional budgets news and what it means for NASA’s Mars Sample Return program. Note: the Space Policy Edition will go on hiatus for two months and return in November 2023. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/lunar-exploration-enduring-national-interestSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They uncover the mystery of lunar volcanism, discussing the peculiarities of lunar volcanic rock formation and the importance of understanding the moon's geothermal gradient. They explore the unique hotspot on the far side of the moon called Compton-Belkovich and its higher concentration of thorium. They also discuss the correlation between microwave brightness temperatures and geothermal heat flux in the lunar hotspot. Moreover, they delve into the presence of a lunar hot spot on the Moon, its temperature, geothermal heat detection, and the possibility of utilizing lunar resources for energy production. Finally, they discuss living in a dense atmospheric condition, encourage listener engagement, and give updates on upcoming space events.

Phosphorus, a key ingredient for life on Earth, has been detected in the ocean of Saturn's moon Enceladus. This discovery marks the first time phosphorus has been found in an ocean off of Earth. Chris Glein, a lead scientist at the Southwest Research Institute, joins Planetary Radio to talk about the discovery and its implications for the search for life. Then Bruce Betts shares what's up in the night sky this week. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-phosphorus-in-enceladus See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caltech's Jay Dickson joins the podcast to discuss the formation of gullies on Mars, focusing on the planet's changing axial tilt and the consequences of Martian climate change. Bruce Betts shares updates on space news and highlights the oldest person to ever travel to space. The podcast also explores the presence of ice on Mars and discusses William Shatner's suborbital flight on Blue Origin.

Get ready for a journey across the rivers of our Solar System in this week's Planetary Radio. Sam Birch, an assistant professor at Brown University, explores what we know about the alluvial rivers of Earth, Mars, and Saturn’s moon Titan. Stay tuned for the What's Up segment with Bruce Betts and the last question in our on-air space trivia contest. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-rivers-of-earth-mars-and-titan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We check in on the congressional budget process for NASA, Mars Sample Return’s spiraling cost growth, and the impending end of the regulatory holiday for human commercial space launch companies. Jack Kiraly, director of government relations for The Planetary Society, joins host Casey Dreier to provide the latest insight and analysis on these issues. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/summer-2023-congressional-statusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's going to take a lot of collaboration to get humans to Mars, but we're up for the challenge. This week on Planetary Radio, Mat Kaplan, senior communications adviser at The Planetary Society, takes us to the 2023 Humans to Mars Summit in Washington, D.C. We'll share his conversation with three NASA Associate Administrators, Nicola Fox, James Free, and James Reuter about the international, commercial, and robotic collaboration it will take to put the first humans on the Red Planet. Then Bruce Betts and Sarah Al-Ahmed share What's Up in the night sky and a chance to win a grab bag of prizes in one of our last space trivia contests. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-humans-to-mars See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.