The politics, policy, and history behind space exploration. The politics, policy, and history behind space exploration. casey.dreier@planetary.org (Casey Dreier) https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition The Planetary Society advocacy@planetary.org The Planetary Society 2025 The Planetary Society Your essential source for in-depth discussions and unique insights into the politics, policies, and systems that enable space exploration. Hosted by Casey Dreier, the Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society. en-us false https://planetary.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/images/society/radio/planetary-radio-space-policy-edition-large-logo.jpg https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition China’s growing space science ambitions full If the United States is indeed in a space race with China, why are we abandoning space science programs across the Solar System? This question, posed by guest Maxwell Zhu in a recent op-ed co-authored by The Planetary Society’s chief of space policy, reveals the current myopia around human spaceflight and the missing focus on a growing and ambitious new entrant into space science in the 21st century. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/maxwell-zhu-on-chinas-space-science-ambitions Fri, 03 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 48:52 Does the rise of Elon mean the fall of NASA? full Atlantic writer Franklin Foer joins the show to discuss how NASA enabled the rise of Elon Musk, and, in doing so, sowed the seeds of its own decline. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/franklin-foer-on-nasas-decline Fri, 05 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 60:32 Is this the moment for in-space nuclear power? full Dr. Bhavya Lal argues that the 2020s are a decisive decade for in-space nuclear power. Without nuclear, humans may never be more than visitors on Mars or the Moon. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/bhavya-lal-space-nuclear-power Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 70:22 Are Democrats falling behind on space policy? full Our guest, Mary Guenther, argues that the Democratic Party is ceding leadership in space policy, and how linking space to jobs, supply chains, and climate could help refocus the party’s relationship with the Cosmos. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/democratic-space-policies Fri, 04 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 59:57 NASA’s 2026 budget full Alicia Brown from the Commercial Space Federation and Brittany Webster from the American Geophysical Union join the show to discuss NASA’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/fy2026-nasa-budget-discussion Fri, 27 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 67:51 What does NASA need with an economist? full Former NASA chief economist Akhil Rao explains why NASA needs economic expertise to navigate the complex — and often misunderstood — market forces that will determine the success or failure of its private partnerships. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-economy-akhil-rao Fri, 06 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 75:51 How NASA remembers—and forgets full No one person knows how to build a spaceship. What happens to NASA’s collective knowledge when thousands of employees lose their jobs? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/spe-janet-vertesi-on-threats-to-nasas-group-brain Fri, 02 May 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 78:43 Lies, damned lies, and space data full The space sector is data-rich but insight-poor. Jack Kuhr of Payload talks about how he turns raw numbers into real narratives. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/lies-and-space-data Fri, 04 Apr 2025 07:30:00 -0700 false 69:34 Locke, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (in space) full Can classical liberalism provide fresh insights to guide humanity’s activities in space? Philosopher Rebecca Lowe explains how it can. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/classical-liberalism-in-space Fri, 07 Mar 2025 07:30:00 -0800 false 77:33 Mars Sample Return, but at what (fixed) price? full Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck outlines a $4B fixed-price plan for Mars Sample Return — and reveals new Venus mission details — before VP Richard French explains how a single, integrated team cuts costs and ensures success. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/can-rocketlab-save-msr Fri, 07 Feb 2025 07:30:00 -0800 false 80:21 The Challenges of Change at NASA full Marcia Smith, founder of Space Policy Online, joins the show to discuss the motivations and risks of pursuing change at NASA - and how much change can ultimately happen with Congress holding the purse strings. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/change-and-continuity-at-nasa-with-marcia-smith Fri, 03 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0800 false 68:17 The Myth of Presidential Leadership full We revisit a classic book on the limits of presidential power in setting the nation’s space agenda and explore how the increasingly powerful executive branch might be rewriting those expectations. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/myth-of-presidential-leadership Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0800 false 47:04 NASA at a Crossroads full Norm Augustine, the distinguished aerospace industry veteran behind numerous influential studies, joins the show to discuss NASA at a Crossroads, the new report that raises alarm bells for NASA’s workforce, infrastructure, and technology capabilities. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/spe-nasa-at-a-crossroads Fri, 01 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0700 false 56:12 The space policies of a Harris Administration full Space expert Lori Garver joins the show to explore Kamala Harris’ space policy priorities, the major issues facing NASA in the next four years, and Garver’s thoughts on the evolution of Elon Musk and NASA’s increasing reliance on the commercial space industry. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/harris-admin-space-policy-preview Fri, 04 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0700 false 58:25 The Space Policy of a Second Trump Administration full Dr. Greg Autry, who served on Trump’s NASA transition team in 2016 and was nominated for the position of NASA CFO in 2020, joins the show to discuss the space policy issues facing a potential second Trump administration in 2025. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-issues-second-trump-term Fri, 06 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0700 false 59:04 Do we need a philosophy of space exploration? full Policy expert G. Ryan Faith argues for importance of communal engagement with our values and goals in space exploration. While easy answers may elude us, a careful and considered approach to this effort can help avoid common pitfalls and dead ends and ensure that future generations continue to explore space. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/spe-philosophy-of-space-exploration-ryan-faith Fri, 02 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0700 false 68:21 NASA and the American South full Every major NASA center built after the agency’s inception is located in the American South. Why? Dr. Brian Odom, NASA’s chief historian, joins the show to discuss the cultural, political, and historical implications of NASA’s expansion into the South. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/spe-nasa-and-the-american-south Fri, 05 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0700 false 58:26 Is Human Spaceflight a Religion? full Holy texts and salvation ideology. Saints and martyrs. True believers and apostates. This isn’t a religion — this is human spaceflight, argues Roger Launius, the former Chief Historian of NASA. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/spe-human-spaceflight-as-religion Fri, 07 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0700 false 69:58 The power of the lunar sublime full Should policymakers spend more time looking - really looking - at the Moon? Chris Cokinos thinks so. He’s the author of a new book, Still As Bright, which explores the evolving role of the Moon in our culture, our history, and our dreams of spaceflight. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/the-moon-still-as-bright-chris-cokinos Fri, 03 May 2024 08:00:00 -0700 false 75:43 Real and Acceptable Reasons for Space Exploration full Former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin discusses his claim that there is a tension between the so-called Real reasons that motivate spaceflight and the prosaic, Acceptable reasons used to justify space exploration within the public sphere. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/mike-griffin-real-and-acceptable-reasons-for-spaceflight Fri, 05 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0700 false 53:45 The ahistorical era of commercial lunar exploration full Science historian Dr. Matt Shindell joins the show to discuss the unique era of commercial lunar exploration, and how planetary exploration has evolved and can continue to evolve on and around the Moon. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/ahistorical-era-of-clps Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0800 false 65:45 Space isn’t black — it’s grey full Space policy expert Laura Delgado López joins the show to break down the new paper, “Clearing the Fog: The Grey Zones of Space Governance” by Jessica West and Jordan Miller. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/grey-zones-in-space-governance Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0800 false 80:48 India’s growing space ambitions full UK-based space writer Gurbir Singh, author of the book The Indian Space Programme: India’s Incredible Journey from the Third World towards the First, joins the show to help us understand India’s growing ambitions and capabilities in space. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/india-growing-space-ambitions Fri, 05 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0800 false 63:49 Was the Space Shuttle a policy failure? full Though the Space Shuttle program lasted 30 years and built the ISS, it fell short of NASA's goals for cost, reusability, and reliability. Can a program be both a worldly success and a policy failure? In this Space Policy Edition, we dissect a classic space policy paper and debate its relevance today. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-shuttle-policy-failure Fri, 01 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0800 false 59:28 What went wrong with Mars Sample Return full NASA's Mars Sample Return mission is both a top priority and seriously troubled. Independent review board chair Orlando Figueroa joins us to talk about the challenges and what must be done. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/spe-what-went-wrong-with-msr Fri, 03 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0700 false 88:33 Why lunar exploration must be of enduring national interest full 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. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/lunar-exploration-enduring-national-interest Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0700 false 73:58 What’s Going on with: Congress, MSR, and FAA Reauthorization? full 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. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/summer-2023-congressional-status Fri, 07 Jul 2023 08:00:00 -0700 false 56:48 The policy implications of active SETI full Would meeting an extraterrestrial civilization be good or bad for humanity? Astronomer Dr. Jacob Haqq Misra argues that knowing the outcome in advance is fundamentally impossible. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2023-spe-policy-implications-of-active-seti Fri, 02 Jun 2023 08:00:00 -0700 false 77:26 SpaceX's Starship vs. the environment, with Eric Roesch full Eric Roesch, an environmental policy expert, joins Planetary Radio to discuss SpaceX's Starship, environmental regulations' role in commercial space travel, and responsible space exploration. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-spacexs-starship-vs-the-environment-with-eric-roesch Fri, 05 May 2023 08:00:00 -0700 false 80:18 The motives behind NASA's billions — Jean Toal Eisen on how Congress funds the final frontier full Jean Toal Eisen, former senior staff on the Senate Appropriations Committee, joins the show to reveal the decision-making process, priorities, and motivations of those who control the U.S. space program's funding. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/how-congress-funds-the-final-frontier Fri, 07 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0700 false 57:50 The Tricky Ethics of Space Settlement full Dr. Erika Nesvold, astrophysicist and author of the new book Off-Earth: Ethical Questions and Quandaries for Living in Outer Space explores the ethical challenges facing our species as it dips its toe into living beyond our home planet. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/the-tricky-ethics-of-space-settlement Fri, 03 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0800 false 71:28 The White House's Matt Daniels on the U.S.'s New Cislunar Strategy full Dr. Matt Daniels of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy joins the show to discuss the White House’s new cislunar space strategy, its ambitions, and implications for the future of lunar exploration and development. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/us-new-cislunar-strategy Fri, 03 Feb 2023 08:00:00 -0800 false 77:10 JPL Director wants "every brain" to have the chance to work in space exploration full Jet Propulsion Laboratory Director Laurie Leshin wants to give every brain in the country the opportunity to work in space exploration. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/jpl-director-work-in-space-exploration Fri, 06 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0800 false 63:22 NASA's Economic Impact with Alex MacDonald and Joshua Drucker full What is NASA’s return on investment? NASA chief economist Alex MacDonald and University of Illinois Chicago professor Joshua Drucker provide revealing answers from a new economic impact report. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/nasa-economic-impact-macdonald-drucker Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:00:00 -0800 false 73:38 What the Congressional Midterms Mean for Space Science full Bethany Johns of the American Astronomical Society talks with Planetary Society Chief Advocate Casey Dreier about how changes in Washington after the midterm elections may affect support for science. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/bethany-johns-midterms Fri, 11 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0800 false 58:16 Space Policy Edition Bonus: Q&A with Casey Dreier and Bill Nye full A special Space Policy Edition featuring a recent policy and advocacy webcast that gave Planetary Society members the opportunity to query Chief Advocate Casey Dreier and Society CEO Bill Nye. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/special-20221128-policy-webcast Fri, 04 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0700 false 98:56 The Geopolitics of a Successful SETI Detection full How will nations react if (when?) humanity detects the presence of an alien intelligence or civilization? That’s the topic Planetary Society Chief Advocate Casey Dreier takes up with his guest, astrophysicist Jason Wright. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/geopolitical-seti-jason-wright Fri, 07 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0700 false 62:43 Mike Gold on Crafting the Artemis Accords full Former NASA Associate Administrator Mike Gold shepherded the Artemis Accords, a set of bilateral agreements for collaboration in human space exploration. Casey Dreier spoke with him in Florida as we awaited the launch of Artemis 1. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/artemis-accords-mike-gold Fri, 02 Sep 2022 08:00:00 -0700 false 1:03:40 Lori Garver on Bringing Change to NASA full Former NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver returns for a deep conversation with Casey Dreier about her fight to turn the agency toward commercial partnerships and away from the expensive Constellation program. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/lori-garver-bringing-change-to-nasa Fri, 05 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0700 false 73:13 Pathfinder and the Birth of the Discovery Program full Space exploration historian Michael Neufeld traces the fascinating history of one of NASA’s most successful programs of planetary exploration. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/michael-neufeld-discovery-program Fri, 01 Jul 2022 08:00:00 -0700 false 1:15:35 Inside the Planetary Science Decadal Survey Process with Bethany Ehlmann full Professor Bethany Ehlmann served on the steering committee for the new planetary science and astrobiology decadal survey that will steer future exploration of the solar system. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/bethany-ehlmann-decadal-survey Fri, 03 Jun 2022 08:00:00 -0700 false 54:11 How Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Has Changed Space, with Mariel Borowitz full International space policy and sustainability expert Mariel Borowitz explores with Casey Dreier how the war in Ukraine reaches beyond Earth in ways that are chilling and surprising. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/mariel-borowitz-ukraine-invasion-space Fri, 06 May 2022 08:00:00 -0700 false 1:11:47 NASA's 2023 Budget Request full A healthy $26 billion has been proposed for NASA next year, but there are at least a couple of troubling factors we’ll discuss as Congress begins its review. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/nasa-budget-request-brendan-curry Fri, 08 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0700 false 1:05:52 Why are outer planets missions so expensive? full Casey talks with experts about the 50th anniversary of the Pioneer 10 launch toward Jupiter and beyond, and why most outer planets missions since then have been so costly. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/pioneer-10-and-11-bolton-wolverton Fri, 04 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0800 false 1:27:36 JWST and the politics of mega-science (with Robert Smith) full Science historian Robert Smith describes how NASA's new flagship space observatory came to be. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/robert-smith-jwst-big-science Fri, 04 Feb 2022 08:00:00 -0800 false 1:20:44 What We're Watching in 2022 full Planetary Society chief of D.C. operations Brendan Curry returns for a look ahead at what to expect in 2022. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2022-preview-curry-dreier Fri, 07 Jan 2022 08:00:00 -0800 false 1:03:52 Astronomy goes big, with Heidi Hammel full Veteran astronomer Heidi Hammel discusses how the new astrophysics decadal survey lays the groundwork for decades of exciting science. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/heidi-hammel-astrophysics-decadal Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:00:00 -0800 false 1:17:48 We're entering a new era of planetary defense (with Lindley Johnson) full The head of NASA’s planetary defense program discusses how the DART mission represents a new era for defending our planet from dangerous asteroids. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/lindley-johnson-dart-planetary-defense Fri, 05 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0700 false 1:11:36 NASA's Congressional Logjam full Brendan Curry, The Planetary Society’s chief of Washington operations, helps us untangle the fast-changing and complex machinations underway in the US capitol. What does it mean for NASA? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/brendan-curry-fall-dc-update Fri, 01 Oct 2021 09:00:00 -0700 false 57:42 The cultural rituals of space advocacy, with Linda Billings full Space outreach expert and social scientist Linda Billings talks with host Casey Dreier about the language space advocates use to share their message. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/linda-billings-space-advocacy-culture Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0700 false 86:13 Mars via the Nuclear Option full NASA’s Bhavya Lal returns to explain the challenges and big advantages of nuclear propulsion in space. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0804-2021-spe-bhavya-lal-nuclear-propulsion Fri, 06 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0700 false 70:29 The Pentagon's UFO Report, Featuring Sarah Scoles full The Pentagon has released its assessment of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. Casey Dreier and science journalist Sarah Scoles talk about what’s behind the renewed interest in UFOs and Sarah’s book, They Are Already Here. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0702-2021-spe-sarah-scoles-pentagon-ufo-report Fri, 02 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0700 false 1:18:10 NASA's 2022 Budget Request Says "Yes" full The White House’s proposed 2022 NASA budget is almost entirely great news, as is the announcement that two complementary orbiters will explore Venus. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0604-2021-spe-venus-missions-biden-budget-request Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0700 false 50:33 How Starship at the Moon Brings NASA Closer to Mars full NASA chose SpaceX’s Starship as the sole winner of its human lunar lander development contract in a move that may also take us closer to Mars. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0507-2021-spe-bill-nelson-spacex-lunar-lander Fri, 07 May 2021 08:00:00 -0700 false 53:32 Biden Names His NASA Administrator full It looks like former senator Bill Nelson will be NASA’s next administrator. Casey Dreier and Mat Kaplan talk about his nomination and other developments in Washington D.C., including The Planetary Society’s very successful Day of Action. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0402-2021-spe-day-of-action-bill-nelson-nomination Fri, 02 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0700 false 58:40 SpaceX's Early, Desperate Days (with Eric Berger) full Elon Musk’s SpaceX nearly failed 15 years ago as it struggled to launch its first rocket. Eric Berger has written about this challenging early era and how it helped create today’s successful, innovative company. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0305-2021-spe-eric-berger Fri, 05 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0800 false 1:01:16 The Big Picture on U.S. Science Funding full Matt Hourihan of the American Association for the Advancement of Science joins Casey Dreier for a deep dive into the U.S. government’s funding of science research and development. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0205-2021-spe-matt-hourihan Fri, 05 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0800 false 1:18:30 A Mob at the U.S. Capitol full Casey Dreier and our special guest, former National Space Council chief of staff Jared Zambrano-Stout, consider the troubling events at the U.S. Capitol in this special episode. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0115-2021-spe-jared-zambrano-stout Fri, 15 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0800 false 1:00:49 Operation Moonglow and the Global Impact of Apollo full Space historian Teasel Muir-Harmony argues in her fascinating new book that the Apollo lunar program was promoted as a triumph of, not for, all mankind. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/1202-2020-spe-teasel-muir-harmony Fri, 04 Dec 2020 11:00:00 -0800 false 1:09:30 NASA's Post-Election Landscape full With the United States election over, Casey Dreier and Mat Kaplan welcome back Planetary Society Chief of D.C. Operations Brendan Curry for a review of what may be in store for the U.S. space program. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/1002-2020-spe-brendan-curry-election-review Fri, 13 Nov 2020 11:00:00 -0800 false 56:53 Divining Biden's Space Policy with Jeff Foust full Where would a Biden Administration take US space policy and NASA? Casey Dreier and space journalist Jeff Foust synthesize a best guess based on the available evidence. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/1002-2020-spe-jeff-foust Fri, 02 Oct 2020 11:00:00 -0700 false 53:25 The Moon-to-Mars Strategy, with Dr. Scott Pace full The National Space Council’s Scott Pace talks with Casey Dreier about the current administration’s sweeping new strategy that integrates all elements of space development and exploration. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0911-2020-spe-scott-pace Fri, 11 Sep 2020 11:00:00 -0700 false 51:41 Why the SLS is a National Asset, and Why That Matters full The Coalition for Deep Space Exploration’s Mary Lynne Dittmar talks with Casey Dreier about how and why spacefaring nations prioritize funding for space development and exploration. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/0807-2020-spe-mary-lynne-dittmar Fri, 07 Aug 2020 11:00:00 -0700 false 1:31:29 A Trillion-Dollar Space Economy? full How big is the space economy, and how big might it grow? Space policy expert Dr. Bhavya Lal brings the numbers down to Earth in a great conversation with Casey Dreier. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-51 Fri, 03 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:04:05 NASA’s Gamble Pays Off full The safe arrival of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon at the International Space Station is a huge success for NASA and policymakers who gambled years ago on the value of commercial partnerships for the agency. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-50 Fri, 05 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:17:25 Our Moral Obligation to Explore Space full Philosopher James Schwartz shares his thoughts about the ethics of space exploration, commercialization, and settlement. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-49 Fri, 01 May 2020 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:11:17 Our Equinox Space Policy Briefing full Join The Planetary Society’s policy team, including Bill Nye, for highlights of a members-only live briefing that shared our analysis of how the coronavirus pandemic may affect space exploration. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-48 Fri, 03 Apr 2020 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:06:37 NASA's 2021 Budget Request Brings Billions full NASA’s fiscal year 2021 budget request contains lots of good news along with a few disappointments. How will Congress weigh in? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-47 Fri, 06 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0800 false 1:06:41 Is the Moon a Stepping-Stone or a Cornerstone for Mars? (with Laura Seward Forczyk) full Casey and his guest discuss a bill working its way through the US House of Representatives that challenges the Artemis plan adopted by NASA for human exploration of the Moon and Mars. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-46 Fri, 07 Feb 2020 00:00:00 -0800 false 1:13:28 Houston, We Have a Space Force (with Brian Weeden) full Legislation signed by President Trump in December formally established the 6th branch of the U.S. armed services, the first such expansion in 72 years. What exactly will the new Space Force do? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-45 Fri, 10 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0800 false 1:08:10 The Biggest Policy Moments of the Decade (with Marcia Smith) full As the 2010s come to a close, Marcia Smith, the founder of Space Policy Online, rejoins the show to explore the most significant and impactful space policy decisions of the 2010s. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-44 Fri, 06 Dec 2019 00:00:00 -0800 false 1:37:01 How a Report Can Move Mountains full How can a simple report—just words on a page—lead to creation of a spacecraft? We explore how a 2019 report on the need for a dedicated, space-based telescope to find threatening near-Earth asteroids motivated NASA to pursue that very mission. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-43 Fri, 01 Nov 2019 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:30:27 Happy Fiscal New Year! full October 1st kicked off federal fiscal year 2020—a day that should also have kicked off a new budget for NASA. But Congress has not funded the space agency yet, instead passing a temporary stopgap measure to keep the government open until November 21st. Brendan Curry, The Planetary Society's Chief of D.C. Operations, joins the show to discuss the latest political developments in Washington, good news for planetary defense, and how the funding delay could spell trouble for the space agency's 2024 lunar goal. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-42 Fri, 11 Oct 2019 00:00:00 -0700 false 56:35 Why Apollo Ended (with John Logsdon) full As NASA struggles to return humans to the Moon by 2024, it's worth asking: why did it stop in the first place? Space historian John Logsdon joins the show to discuss the politics behind the decision to abandon the Moon in 1972. Casey and Mat also discuss the proposal to offer a $2 billion prize for sending humans back to the Moon and establishing a base there, and why that's not good public policy. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-41 Fri, 06 Sep 2019 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:09:14 The Home Front During Apollo (with Emily Margolis) full Did the public support Project Apollo? Dr. Emily Margolis joins the show to explore the domestic politics and cultural impact of the space age throughout the 1960s. Despite the success of the lunar landings, there was more opposition to Apollo than we generally remember. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-40 Fri, 02 Aug 2019 00:00:00 -0700 false 83:25 Why Apollo Happened (with Roger Launius) full Space historian Dr. Roger Launius joins the show to explain why Apollo happened the way it did, how a moonshot briefly became a solution to a national security problem, and why it is unlikely to happen again. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-39 Fri, 05 Jul 2019 00:00:00 -0700 false 2:03:54 The Soviet Moonshot (with Asif Siddiqi) full The U.S. won the space race in July of 1969 with the success of Apollo 11. But was the Soviet Union even racing? How close were they to beating the United States to the Moon? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-38 Fri, 07 Jun 2019 00:00:00 -0700 false 2:03:54 Lessons From the Moonshot That Never Was (with Mark Albrecht) full Thirty years ago, Dr. Mark Albrecht led the National Space Council when President George H.W. Bush announced the Space Exploration Initiative, an ambitious effort to send humans to the Moon and then on to Mars. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-37 Fri, 03 May 2019 00:00:00 -0700 false 89:20 T-minus Five Years and Counting full Can NASA return astronauts to the Moon by 2024? Vice President Mike Pence shocked the space community by announcing this ambitious new goal just weeks after the Trump Administration proposed a half-billion dollar cut to the space agency. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-36 Fri, 05 Apr 2019 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:01:17 When a (Space) Cowboy Came to Washington full Historian John Logsdon discusses his new book, Ronald Reagan and the Space Frontier It explores the legacy of the 40th president’s major space policy decisions. We look at four major topics: early efforts at commercializing space, the survival crisis for planetary exploration, the Space Shuttle, and the decision to build the space station. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-35 Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0800 false 89:57 Should the U.S. be in a space race with China? full China's space program notched an impressive "first" last month when its Chang'e 4 spacecraft landed on the far side of the Moon. The U.S. space program, in contrast, was in the midst of an extended shutdown. Some observers expect China's growing space capability and lunar ambitions to trigger a new space race. Not Dr. Roger Handberg, Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Florida. He discusses how the current geopolitical situation differs from the Cold War standoff between two superpowers, and how we shouldn't expect dollars to flow back to the U.S. space program as a consequence of China's space successes. Cooperation, or even friendly competition, is a much more likely outcome than a new space race. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-34 Fri, 01 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0800 false 66:01 Shutdown full In a government shutdown seemingly without end, we bring you two stories from individuals directly impacted by the crisis. NASA scientist and union representative Lee Stone discusses the missed paychecks, loss of science, and lasting negative consequences to the public sector scientific workforce. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-33 Fri, 18 Jan 2019 00:00:00 -0800 false 58:54 Canada's Uncertain Future in Space (with Kate Howells) full Canada was the third country in history to launch a satellite into space, but now lags in its space ambitions, capability, and spending. What happened? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-32 Fri, 07 Dec 2018 00:00:00 -0800 false 67:56 After the Midterms—Looking Ahead with Marcia Smith full The counting continues as we publish this month’s special episode, with a handful of seats in the US Senate and House still up for grabs. But with the Democratic takeover of the House assured, and several longtime space advocates turned out, change is certainly coming. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-31 Fri, 16 Nov 2018 00:00:00 -0800 false 50:08 How NASA Came to Be full Happy 60th, NASA. In celebration of the space agency’s birthday, we do the audio equivalent of pulling out NASA’s baby book and explore its origin story. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-30 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:09:26 Did NASA Ace its Midterms? With Special Guest Louise Prockter full We talk with planetary scientist and Lunar and Planetary Institute Director Louise Prockter, who co-led creation of a new report evaluating the performance of NASA's planetary science division. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-29 Fri, 07 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:25:07 Destination…Mars? Contradictions and Principles full The Senate just held a hearing on NASA's efforts to send humans to...Mars? A week later, the same committee advanced legislation to extend the life of the International Space Station to 2030, six years beyond the current end-date and two years beyond the current hardware safety ratings. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-28 Fri, 03 Aug 2018 00:00:00 -0700 false 60:02 Space Force! With Special Guest Brian Weeden full President Trump recently ordered the creation of Space Force—but what does that mean? What are the implications for militarization of space? National security expert Dr. Brian Weeden joins the show to explain the announcement. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-27 Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:46:33 Space Policy Directive 2—This Time it's Commercial full President Trump just signed a new space policy directive targeting the regulations surrounding commercial spaceflight. Casey Dreier, Jason Callahan, and Mat Kaplan dive into the implications of the new directive and what it means for the relationship between government and space. They also break down all of the good news in the House's new funding bill for NASA, and highlight NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine's turnaround on climate change. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-26 Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:11:49 A Commercial Future for the Space Station? full After announcing it intends to divest from the International Space Station in 2025, NASA quietly released a new report on its transition plans, laying out a series of principles that will set the future of U.S. astronauts in low-Earth orbit. Can a private entity really take over the space station? Where did this idea come from anyway? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-25 Fri, 04 May 2018 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:03:03 Lori Garver on what a NASA Administrator (and Deputy) actually does full Lori Garver, former Deputy Administrator of NASA, talks with Casey about what the Deputy and Administrator jobs are like day-to-day, how decisions actually get made at the top, and why the current lack of confirmed leadership hurts the space agency. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-24 Fri, 06 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:17:07 Space Policy Edition #23 - Blitzing Congress: Planetary Society volunteers visit Capitol Hill full Society members from 21 states descended on the U.S. capitol for a https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-23-blitzing-congress Fri, 02 Mar 2018 00:00:00 -0800 false 35:33 Space Policy Edition Special: The 2019 President’s Budget Request Unveiled full As promised, Casey Dreier and Jason Callahan are back with a special review of the just-released FY 2019 President’s Budget Request (PBR) for NASA. It contains good news, bad news and odd news. What is likely to stand? What will Congress ignore, going its own way? NASA’s new lunar ambitions, Mars Sample Return, WFIRST and more hang in the balance. Let the debate begin. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-22-budget-special Sat, 17 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0800 false 53:12 Space Policy Edition #21: Bill Nye and the State of the Union full Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye attended the State of the Union address on January 30th, he also spent the day meeting with sixteen different members of Congress to promote science on Capitol Hill. In this special abbreviated show, Casey Dreier and Mat Kaplan welcome their colleague Matt Renninger, who joined Bill on Capitol Hill, to discuss the goals of The Planetary Society and the reasons why it was important for Bill to attend. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-21 Fri, 02 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0800 false 30:28 Space Policy Edition #20: Looking back on the year in space policy. Also, your questions! full It’s the space policy guys’ turn to look back at a year that saw great achievements in space. Were they matched by events in Washington DC? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-20 Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0800 false 63:48 Space Policy Edition #19: When did the private space age begin? Much earlier than you think. full Elon Musk. Jeff Bezos. Richard Branson. These are the names we tend to associate with the current era of private space exploration. But what about John Quincy Adams, James Lick, or Charles Yerkes? Space economist and historian Dr. Alex MacDonald joins us to discuss his book, https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-19 Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0800 false 1:32:58 Space Policy Edition #18: Jim Bridenstine vs. the Senate and First Meeting of the National Space Council full The likely next Administrator of NASA, Jim Bridenstine, appeared before a somewhat skeptical Senate committee to defend his nomination. Casey and Jason recap the hearing and assess Congressman Bridenstine’s chance of moving forward. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-18 Fri, 03 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0700 false 59:45 Space Policy Edition #17: The 75th Anniversary of the Rocket Age, with Dr. Michael Neufeld full Fifteen years before Sputnik, on a bright 1942 afternoon in northern Germany, a thundering machine of metal and fire pierced the sky, ultimately touching the edge of space for the first time in history. It opened a new era of opportunity and terror with rocket technology. Dr. Michael Neufeld joins us discuss the significance of this test and how it happened. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-17 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 00:00:00 -0700 false 90:19 Space Policy Edition #16: NASA's Flagship Missions: Are They Worth It? full The multi-billion dollar, multi-decade Cassini mission is about to end. A new report tries to answer an important question: are flagship science missions like Cassini worth the effort and expense? And how can NASA maximize the value of these endeavours? Dr. Ralph McNutt, co-chair of the National Academies study, reviews the report’s recommendations. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-16 Fri, 01 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:26:01 Space Policy Edition #15 – Congressman Rick Larsen, Could Russia Exit the ISS? full New U.S. sanctions against Russia have reignited speculation that global politics could undermine cooperation in the International Space Station. Could Russia cut off rides for US astronauts to the ISS? Later, Casey Dreier joins Spark Science host Dr. Regina Barber Degraaff for a conversation with U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen, Democratic representative of Washington state’s 2nd District. We also check in on NASA's 2018 budget, which is currently moving through the Senate. Did they provide funding for a new Mars orbiter? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-15 Fri, 04 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:23:07 Space Policy Edition #14 – Ice Giants and Ocean Worlds Beckon full A new report builds the case for long overdue returns to Uranus and Neptune, while another proposal calls for exploration of the many bodies in our solar system that hide vast water oceans. Jason Callahan, Casey Dreier and Mat Kaplan dive into the troubled waters that determine which planetary science missions will get the limited funds available. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-14 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:04:40 Space Policy Edition #13 – The 2018 Budget Proposal and Is Mars Exploration in Retrograde? full The Trump Administration released its proposed FY2018 budget just days ago. Casey Dreier, Jason Callahan and Mat Kaplan dive deep into what this controversial plan means for NASA and how it has been received by Congress. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-13 Fri, 02 Jun 2017 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:10:28 Space Policy Edition #12 – Is Space Policy Stagnant? With Special Guest Marcia Smith full Moon or Mars? Should NASA depend on private companies? What’s the goal of human spaceflight? These questions were debated three decades ago, yet are just as relevant today. Does that mean space policy is stagnant? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-12 Fri, 05 May 2017 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:27:25 Space Policy Edition #11 – Big Science and a Skinny Budget full Whether it’s discovering gravity waves, curing cancer or building a space station, the biggest science challenges increasingly require investments that are beyond what private industry can afford and collaborations that include many nations. Casey, Jason and Mat look at the history of big science and the outlook for future efforts. The team also reviews the 2018 budget proposed for NASA by the Trump Administration, and shares other space policy news from Washington. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-11 Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:19:06 Space Policy Edition #10 - Special Guest Laura Delgado Lopez, SpaceX to the Moon, looming budget cuts full Laura Delgado Lopez from the Harris Corporation joins us to talk about the growing number of countries getting into the space business, particularly in Latin America. Casey, Jason, and Mat also take stock of SpaceX's plans to send humans around the Moon in 2018, and how the newly-announced Trump budget cuts could hurt NASA. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-10 Fri, 03 Mar 2017 00:00:00 -0800 false 1:19:25 Space Policy Edition #9: Congress Plots New Space Legislation Amid Trump's Tumultuous First Two Weeks full It’s still too early to say where the Trump Administration will take NASA, but there are a few hints. Congress is not waiting. Casey, Jason and Mat review a draft of the space agency’s authorization bill and a separate act that asks NASA to lay out its plans for humans to reach Mars. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-09 Mon, 06 Feb 2017 00:00:00 -0800 false 48:33 Space Policy Edition #8 - A Transition "Trumpdate", 2016 in Review, and Answering Your Questions full After an opening update on the presidential transition, Casey, Jason and Mat share their nominees for the biggest space exploration events of 2016. Then they take on fascinating questions submitted by listeners. You’ll also hear the surprising early announcement of NASA’s next Discovery missions. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-08 Thu, 05 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0800 false 1:19:19 Space Policy Edition #7 - The Trump Administration: What Can We Expect for Space? full The SPE team reviews the outlook for human spaceflight, planetary science, Earth observation and much more under the upcoming Trump administration. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-07 Thu, 01 Dec 2016 00:00:00 -0800 false 1:01:51 Space Policy Edition #6: Election 2016! Where Do Clinton and Trump Stand on Space? full Just in time for election day in the USA, we take stock of the major candidates' space policies (as far as they go), comparing statements and policy op-eds put out by both campaigns. We also look at the broader implications and challenges of the coming Presidential transition for NASA. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-06 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:02:15 Space Policy Edition #5: The U.S. Senate takes on the politics of Mars full We take a deep dive into new space legislation working its way through the US Senate. It embraces Mars and NASA's big rocket. But Elon Musk and SpaceX just announced an ambitious new plan to colonize Mars. Does this upset the political establishment? Or will they find a cold reception in the halls of Congress? Also, where does science fit into the politics of space? https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/1007-space-policy-edition-05-us-senate-and-the-politics-of-mars Fri, 07 Oct 2016 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:03:18 Space Policy Edition #4: Near Earth Asteroids—Why we go, how we find them, and maybe mine them full In honor of OSIRIS-REx—NASA’s newest asteroid mission—we explore the policy and history of near-Earth Objects: why NASA explores them, how the government plans to find and defending the planet, and the how policy can keep up with ambitious plans to mine asteroids. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-4-near-earth-asteroids Fri, 02 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:04:18 Space Policy Edition #3: Plutonium-238, Europa via SLS, Cost of the Next Mars Rover Rises full In our third episode, we debate the risks and rewards of tying the future of a Europa mission to the fate of NASA's massive Space Launch System rocket. Also, NASA just announced that the next Mars rover will cost $2.4 billion—$900 million more than initially thought. But the mission is not considered over budget. Why not? Lastly, the U.S. just generated 50 grams of Plutonium-238, the largest amount in nearly thirty years. We celebrate the successful effort to create this critically important, though highly toxic, power source for deep space spacecraft. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/august-2016-space-policy-edition-sls-europa-cost-of-next-mars-rover-return-of-plutonium-238 Fri, 05 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:03:06 Space Policy Edition #2: Why Juno? Why Jupiter? Why Now? full This month Jason Callahan, Casey Dreier and Mat Kaplan ask whether the Moon vs. Mars human destination debate makes sense, highlight a new report on the science potential of CubeSats by the National Academies, and explain how a thrilling planetary science mission like Juno gets a thumbs up from NASA. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-02 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:09:14 Space Policy Edition #1: How We Got Here: Human Spaceflight at the End of the Obama Era full In the premiere of this new monthly series we briefly examine the latest move by the House of Representatives in the game of NASA's budget and then discuss what Lockheed Martin's new https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-policy-edition-01 Fri, 03 Jun 2016 00:00:00 -0700 false 1:08:00