Are We There Yet?
225 episodes — Page 5 of 5
Six years of science: NASA's Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen reflects on his tenure as the agency's science cheif
For the past six years, Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen has led NASA’s science division. From the deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope to landing a robot on Mars, Dr. Z has been at the helm for some of NASA’s most complex and critical science missions. At the end of this year, he’s leaving the agency.
The science of averting disasters. From asteroid impacts to severe storms due to climate change, NASA is on the case
As Florida prepares for Hurricane Ian, NASA is hoping to deflect another natural disaster -- an asteroid.
From the moon to Mars: A look at an intriguing finding on Mars and NASA's plans for deep space exploration
How will NASA's lunar missions help get humans to Mars? And a look at an intriguing finding by NASA's newest Martian explorer in the search for signs of ancient life on Mars.
Failure to launch: A look at the delays and possible fixes to NASA's Artemis I mission
Two attempts to launch NASA’s new moon rocket SLS and deep space capsule Orion have been waived off -- facing a handful of issues including a hydrogen leak. Now, engineers are working on fixing the issues for an attempt as soon as the end of this month as NASA faces pressure to get this long-delayed and over-budget rocket to the moon.
NASA is heading back to the moon. These kids have some important questions
NASA is heading back to the moon and some of our youngest listeners have some really important questions about the future of exploration.
NASA's next moon program Artemis takes flight next week. What sets this program apart from the Apollo missions?
A historian discusses how NASA's new moon missions differ from the Apollo flights of the 1960s and 70s. Plus, a look at the criticism of the Artemis program and why it's worth the cost.
Curiosity's decade of discovery on Mars
A look back at Curiosity's decade of exploring Mars and what's ahead for the red planet rover. Plus, the Space Coast braces for at least 100,000 spectators as NASA launches Artemis I.
Space law -- it's complicated.
As more countries and companies leave the planet, governing space is getting increasingly more complicated.
James Webb Space Telescope zooms in on other worlds & Planetary Radio's Mat Kaplan reflects on 20 years of hosting
How can the James Webb Space Telescope help us spot other Earth-like worlds? Plus, a conversation with Planetary Radio's Mat Kaplan about his two decades hosting the show.
Commercial space goes deep
Commercial companies are setting ambitious goals and heading into deep space.
Oh the things we can see, thanks to JWST
It’s been a week since the first James Webb Space Telescope images captivated scientists and the general public alike.
The big reveal: NASA drops stunning first images from James Webb Space Telescope
They’re here. The first images from the James Webb Space Telescope are out, revealing thousands of ancient galaxies, nebulae, and a close-up look at a planet outside our own solar system.
'Escaping Gravity': A conversation with NASA's former deputy administrator Lori Garver
Lori Garver served as NASA deputy administrator, its second in command, during the Obama administration. It was a tumultuous time for the agency. The Space Shuttle was retiring, Obama canceled NASA’s costly Constellation program, and the agency was at odds with Congress on how to move NASA forward. Garver was there for all of those conversations and takes a critical look back at what happened during her time at NASA in a new memoir.
Protecting our planet for potential asteroid strikes
Thursday marks World Asteroid Day, a U.N.-sanctioned campaign to raise awareness of the scientific opportunities, and planetary threats, posed by asteroids. So we’re taking this week’s episode to explore asteroids.
From a new space station to supply chain solutions, a check in with commercial space
From filling the gap left by a retiring International Space Station to a possible solution to a unique supply chain issue, commercial space leaders weigh in on the future of the industry.
More moon science: Researchers explore lunar magma domes and growing plants on the moon
A team of researchers received approval for a $35 million dollar mission to the moon. The group will explore an uncharted portion of the moon, which scientists say was formed by magma below the surface.
For NASA's new moon-bound astronauts, it's time for some new suits
NASA needs new space suits. The agency wants to put people back on the moon in the 2020s, and to do it safely, it needs brand new space suits for use on the lunar surface. NASA is working with two private companies to design, develop and build the new suits -- at a price of up to $3.5 billion.
MegaCon, MegaRocket. The science of going back to the moon
From MegaCon Orlando -- the science of NASA’s next moon missions.
The power of parachutes
What’s it like plummeting from space and landing…alive? We'll talk with Inspiration4 astronaut Chris Sembroski about the power of parachutes and how the technology helped get him back on the planet.
Starliner's redo, part two. Plus, the story of Susan Borman, Apollo 8 commander's wife
Boeing’s Starliner is set for yet another test mission, a critical step before NASA lets its astronauts fly to space in it. So what’s at stake for Boeing? And why is having two providers so important for NASA?
What's at the center of our galaxy?
At the center of our galaxy lies a supermassive black hole. It’s a region of space where gravity is so strong nothing can escape it, not even light. While the name supermassive might make it seem like these things are easy to spot -- they’re really not.
A new chapter in commercial space & how Elon's Twitter buy might impact SpaceX
With the first all-private space mission in the books, what's ahead for the commercial space economy? Plus, a look at the impacts to SpaceX after found Elon Musk announced plans to buy Twitter.
The case for Uranus: Outlining the next decade of discovery
Every 10 years, the National Academies submits a report, outlining what it thinks NASA should focus on when it comes to planetary science efforts. Uranus came out the big winner.
Catching up with NASA's administrator & keeping an eye on the planet's health
It’s a busy week for space news. The first all-private crew is set to depart the space station after spending more than a week on board, a new crew of NASA astronauts is set to launch to the station this weekend, and the agency’s next mega moon rocket experienced some troubles during a test at its launch pad, prompting more delays. We’ll speak with NASA administrator Bill Nelson about these stories