Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Twenty years ago, NASA’s Genesis spacecraft returned to Earth carrying precious samples of the solar wind, only to crash-land in the Utah desert. But that wasn’t the end of the mission. Amy Jurewicz, Assistant Research Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University and former project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the Genesis team, takes us inside the mission’s highs and lows, from its Apollo-inspired origins to its contributions to cosmochemistry and space weather. We discuss what this mission taught us about future sample returns, spacecraft protection, and long-term human spaceflight beyond Earth’s magnetosphere. Then Bruce Betts, Planetary Society chief scientist, joins for What’s Up and a look back at the history of sample returns. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-genesisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From IV drips to rocket ships, Hayley Arceneaux has been on a journey. She joins Planetary Radio to discuss her memoir “Wild Ride” and her newly released kid's book “Astronaut Hayley's Brave Adventure,” which tell the story of how her experiences with childhood cancer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital set the stage for her journey to space aboard SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission. Then, Planetary Society Chief Scientist, Bruce Betts, talks about the g-forces experienced during astronaut training in What's Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-astronaut-hayleys-brave-adventureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Howells, a public education specialist at the Planetary Society and an asteroid science expert, discusses the potential threat posed by Near-Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4, which has just a 1% chance of collision with Earth. Finn Burridge, a science communicator from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, shares insights on the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, emphasizing the artistry and innovation in astrophotography. They also explore NASA's evolving landscape under the new administration, highlighting funding challenges and the importance of public advocacy for space initiatives.

Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab, shares insights into his company's ambitious $4-billion plan to retrieve Martian samples, emphasizing the transformative potential of commercial partnerships in planetary science. Richard French, a former JPL engineer, discusses the proposed architecture for the Mars Sample Return mission, highlighting how a unified team can enhance efficiency and reduce costs. They also touch on the status of Rocket Lab's Venus mission, exploring the evolving landscape of space exploration and the crucial role of innovative contracts.

How did Pluto meet its largest moon, Charon? Many have speculated that Charon formed in an impact, but traditional models of planetary formation have struggled to explain many of the quirks of this system. This week, Adeene Denton, a research scientist at the University of Arizona, shares her team's new paper that suggests a "kiss-and-capture" may solve this mystery. Then Bruce Betts, The Planetary Society's chief scientist, discusses contact binaries in our Solar System and shares a new Random Space Fact in What's Up. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-pluto-kiss-and-captureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Planetary Radio, we celebrate the enduring legacy of Ed Stone, the longtime project scientist for NASA’s Voyager mission and former director of JPL. Mat Kaplan, senior communications advisor at The Planetary Society, takes us to the unveiling of the Dr. Edward Stone Voyager Exploration Trail at JPL, where we hear from past and present JPL leaders, Voyager mission team members, and Ed Stone’s family. Plus, we kick off the episode with the much-anticipated launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and wrap up with What’s Up, as Bruce Betts explores the rare planetary configuration that made Voyager’s Grand Tour possible. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-ed-stone-trailSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we discuss how to examine the science behind our favorite TV shows and movies with the co-hosts of the "Does It Fly?" podcast, Hakeem Oluseyi and Tamara Krinsky. Produced by Roddenberry Entertainment, "Does It Fly?" takes an expert approach to breaking down the science of popular media, from lightsabers to Dune's stillsuits. Hakeem brings his astrophysics expertise, while Tamara provides her media industry insights as they join Planetary Radio to explore where science and fiction intersect. Stick around for What's Up with Bruce Betts and this week's Random Space Fact. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-does-it-fly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we revisit one of the most remarkable exoplanet discoveries of 2024 with the help of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST detected signs of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of K2-18 b. Knicole Colón, the deputy project scientist for exoplanet science for JWST, explains how this discovery could reshape our search for life beyond Earth and teach us more about the enigmatic class of exoplanets known as sub-Neptunes. Stick around for What's Up with Bruce Betts, the chief scientist of The Planetary Society. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-jwst-new-lead-in-search-for-life  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we celebrate a remarkable milestone as Emily Calandrelli, also known as “the Space Gal,” becomes the 100th woman to venture into space. Emily shares her experiences on the Blue Origin voyage, what she took to space, and how motherhood influenced her reaction to seeing Earth from space. Then Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts joins for What's Up and a list of fun things to do in zero-g. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-100th-woman-in-space  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does change happen within NASA, and what prevents it? Marcia Smith, founder of Space Policy Online, joins the show to discuss the opportunities and pitfalls faced by incoming presidential administrations and how NASA has—and hasn’t—changed over the decades. Will Artemis be reimagined? Will public-private partnerships introduce more risk than reward? And is change even the right default attitude to take? Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/change-and-continuity-at-nasa-with-marcia-smith  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.