Red Planet Live

🚀 In this episode: Ashton Zeth sits down with Casey Dreier — Chief of Space Policy at The Planetary Society — joins us to dig into why the search for life should be the guiding star of U.S. space policy. Casey breaks down how advocacy actually works in Washington, how NASA’s science budget is hanging in the balance, and what space lovers can do right now to help protect the future of exploration.We cover:🌌 Search for life as policy: Why astrobiology and exploration aren’t just cool science — they are the most enduring driver of public and political support for NASA.⚖️ Politics & NASA leadership: What it means that Jared Isaacman may bring energy and big expectations to the NASA Administrator role, and the real dynamics of confirmation and bipartisan support.🧠 People pleasing and political strategy: How leaders navigate both sides of the aisle — including big personalities and unexpected allies.📉 NASA Science under threat: From proposals to cut nearly half of NASA’s science funding to grassroots advocacy, we talk real numbers and real stakes. The Planetary Society’s Save NASA Science campaign has mobilized hundreds of advocates and worked with dozens of partner organizations to bring space science defenders to Capitol Hill.Planetary Society : https://www.planetary.org/📣 Planetary Society advocacy tools:2025 Planetary Society Impact Report --➡️ 🔗 https://www.planetary.org/about/our-impact/2025-impact-report➡️ 🔗 Save NASA Science Action Hub — https://www.planetary.org/save-nasa-s...➡️ 🔗 NASA Science Spending Tracker (interactive map) — https://dashboards.planetary.org/nasa...➡️ 🔗 Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition — (check ThePlanetary.org for latest episodes & archives)➡️ 🔗 The Space Advocate Newsletter — sign up at https://www.planetary.org/space-advocate📆 DAY OF ACTION APRIL 19th-20th, 2026: In Washington, D.C., an annual advocacy event where space enthusiasts meet with Congress members to push for strong space science funding and exploration, with registration opening with early bird discounts and offering training and organized meetings with lawmakers. 🎙️ Don’t forget — subscribe to Casey’s Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition and sign up for the monthly policy newsletter to stay informed and get involved. Your voice matters in shaping America’s space future!👇 Hit like, comment your biggest takeaway, and subscribe for more space policy insights!

Dr. Robert Zubrin returns to Red Planet Live with major updates from the Mars Society and unfiltered insight into the future of space exploration. In this wide-ranging conversation, Zubrin shares his candid perspective on incoming NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and raises serious concerns about what he describes as an ongoing assault on science—examining the implications for cornerstone missions including Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope, Voyager, and more.The discussion also explores the state of Mars analog research, with updates on Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station, the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), and the newly established HOPE analog station in Ladakh, India. Zubrin closes by previewing the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, returning to USC in Los Angeles.Bold ideas, hard truths, and a relentless focus on the road to Mars. Onto Mars! 🚀

🎙️ Exclusive ESCAPADE Mission Update with Rocket Lab’s Morgan ConnaughtonIn this episode, we sit down with Morgan Connaughton, Rocket Lab’s Vice President of Communications, for a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation about storytelling in spaceflight—and she brought us an EXCLUSIVE update straight from the ESCAPADE mission to Mars.Morgan shares the behind-the-scenes excitement as Rocket Lab successfully completed a brand-new 13-second trajectory correction burn on the Blue spacecraft, with Gold scheduled for December 8. She walks us through how her team plans communications years in advance, and how you can be intimately involved in the success of a mission without ever touching a piece of hardware.We explore Rocket Lab’s famously lean comms team—just seven people creating videos, graphics, mission names, PR, and social content with the same intensity as the engineers designing the rockets. Morgan also talks about the joy and chaos of going public, the challenge of maintaining culture across 3,000+ employees, and the values that guide Rocket Lab’s approach: fierce efficiency and doing the impossible.She reflects on the art of mission storytelling, the importance of visuals in space history (including why the Moon landing broadcast still matters), and the rise of aspiring rocket photographers in New Zealand capturing Electron’s launches.We also dive into fan-favorite topics like:How her team comes up with Rocket Lab’s legendary mission namesThe adrenaline of the helicopter catch attemptESCAPADE’s twin spacecraft, Blue and Gold, and their journey to study Mars’ magnetosphereMorgan’s path is a testament to creating opportunity through passion, vision, and storytelling.This is one of our most inspiring episodes yet—and Rocket Lab’s ESCAPADE exclusive makes it one for the history books.Morgan Connaughton's LinkedIN:https://nz.linkedin.com/in/morgan-connaughton-4a211835Rocket Labhttps://rocketlabcorp.com/Escapadehttps://science.nasa.gov/mission/escapade/

Exploring New Worlds: Dr. Sara Seager on Venus, Exoplanets, and Life Among the CloudsIn this episode of Red Planet Live, MIT astrophysicist Dr. Sara Seager takes us on a breathtaking journey through the frontiers of planetary science—from the acid clouds of Venus to the icy oceans of Enceladus, and even the methane lakes of Titan.Dr. Seager reveals why Venus, often overlooked, is one of the most thrilling destinations for future missions. She discusses the possibility of life within its sulfuric acid clouds, where stable biomolecules could persist despite the harsh chemistry. Her team’s latest findings continue to show a phosphine signal with 4.8-sigma confidence, renewing excitement about potential biological activity in our neighboring planet’s skies.We also explore the power of small but mighty missions, including Rocket Lab’s upcoming Venus probe and Asteria, the CubeSat that proved precision astronomy can thrive on a shoestring budget. Dr. Seager shares her insights on TESS, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which at its peak was discovering up to 100 planet candidates a month—a quiet revolution in the search for other worlds.From Sub-Neptune exoplanets like K2-18b, showing signs of life with dimethyl sulfide in its hydrogen-rich atmosphere, to her visionary idea of Starshade, a large space telescope, Dr. Seager paints a hopeful picture of humanity’s search for life beyond Earth.We also touch on her Seager Equation—a parallel to the Drake Equation—and her book The Smallest Lights in the Universe, which reminds us that discovery is as much about human connection as it is about science.Join us as we uncover why the most “underdog” worlds—and missions—often hold the brightest potential for discovering life in the cosmos.Dr. Sara Seager's Links:https://www.saraseager.com/professionalbiographyVenus :  https://www.morningstarmissions.space/https://www.projectstarshade.com/Sara's memoir The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoirhttps://www.amazon.com/Smallest-Lights-Universe-Memoir/dp/0525576258

🎙 Ashton Zeth sits down with James Burk, Executive Director of the Mars Society, to share updates on the newest analog station HOPE in Ladakh, India (with ISRO as partners), record participation at MDRS, plans for the upcoming 2025 Mars Society Convention at USC, the launch of the new Mars Society Research Journal, and exciting developments from the Mars Technology Institute.🌍 Highlights:Massive participation at MDRS this seasonLaunch of the HOPE Analog in LadakhMars Society Convention 2025 — October 9–11 at USC (don’t miss Rob Manning at the Friday Night Banquet!)Updates from the Mars Technology Institute and new collaborations like Purdue UniversityDiscussing what's next in Mars exploration📅 Preliminary Convention Schedule (subject to change): View Here---Links --Journal of Space Analog Researchhttps://jsar.spaceHOPE analog Announcement:https://www.marssociety.org/news/2025/09/16/indias-first-crewed-mars-analog-launches-with-protoplanet-isro-the-mars-society/The Mars Society Convention 2025https://www.marssocietyconference.orgSponsor the upcoming convention in October: https://www.marssocietyconference.org/sponsorsFour Sponsorship Levels:GoldSilver BronzeLogo Only!Flashline Analog in the Arctichttps://fmars.marssociety.org/

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bhavya Lal, space policy leader, MIT alum, PhD from George Washington University, and recipient of NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal. After serving in senior leadership at NASA, Dr. Lal returned to RAND: School of Policy to continue shaping the conversation on national space strategy.Our discussion spans some of the most urgent issues in space today: the growing orbital debris problem, the need for a shared global dataset, and the tension between America’s resources and ambitions in space. She emphasizes why strategic coherence and bipartisan commitment are essential for credibility and long-term success.We also talk about the power of books to shape perspective, highlighting George R. Stewart’s Earth Abides — a life-changing novel that offers an “anti-history” of collapse and resilience, and what it teaches us about humanity’s fragile place on the cosmic shore.

🚀 Episode: Matt Gjertsen – From the Flightline to SpaceX to StartupsMatt Gjertsen has lived a life that blends military discipline, startup hustle, and a love for space. From early dreams of going to Mars, to serving as an Air Force instructor pilot, to shaping HR and training during SpaceX’s Crew Dragon era — his path has been anything but ordinary.Now, through his own leadership courses and podcast, Matt explores what makes great teams tick — from the grind of late nights at startups to mission-focused endeavors. In this conversation, he shares how his military background gave him unique insights into building high-performing teams, why space still pulls at his heart, and how we can intrigue the world beyond the space bubble.🌌 Expect talk of leadership, resilience, space stations, and the culture that pushes humanity further.🎧 Tune in if you want to know what it takes to lead where it matters most — whether in the cockpit, the boardroom, or orbit.Matt's Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgjertsenhttps://bettereverydaystudios.com/Host / Producer of Leadership Launchpad Podcasthttps://leadershiplaunchpad.captivate.fm/listen

In this episode, space expert Leonard David dives into the evolving landscape of space law on the Moon, highlighting growing conflicts—especially with China—and framing it as the new space race. He shares insights from his unique background working near the historic Atlas rocket and discusses the impact of funding cuts during the Trump administration on space exploration. Leonard also breaks down the latest news about plans to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon and what this means for future lunar missions. Don’t miss this timely conversation on the challenges and ambitions shaping humanity’s next giant leap.

A Stellar Chat with Ad Astra Su, Galactic Gal, and Astro AlexandraJoin us for a captivating journey back to our July 15th episode, featuring an incredible trio of space communicators: Ad Astra Su, Galactic Gal, and Astro Alexandra! This special conversation offered a unique glimpse into the world of an engineer working on lunar payloads at a top aerospace company, exploring the delicate balance of privacy while maintaining a prominent social media presence. Our guests also shared exciting insights into their next big adventures, both on Earth and beyond. Tune in for an inspiring and educational discussion that truly explored the vastness of the universe and the personal journeys within it.Find them on Social Media & the web:https://www.thegalacticgal.comhttps://www.astroalexandra.comhttps://www.instagram.com/adastrasu/?hl=en

Join us for this fascinating episode recorded July 1st, where we sit down with Crew 315 from the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). Our guests —🌟 Dave Laude (Commander)🔧 Michael Andrews (Crew Engineer)🩺 Urban Koi (Health & Safety Officer)🎨 Tim Gagnon (Crew Artist; also a KSC Artist — kscartist.com)— share their personal inspirations and reflections from their two-week analog Mars mission.👨‍🚀 What you'll hear in this episode:🚀 The story behind the 100cameras experiment — a unique photography initiative fostering connection, reflection, and community through images captured during isolation and confinement.👨‍🍳 How the crew bonded over taking turns cooking meals and navigating life in close quarters under Martian simulation.📸 Tim Gagnon’s insights on blending art, science, and space exploration as part of NASA’s creative community.🤝 Tales of teamwork: Helping a stranded van in the Utah desert while maintaining sim integrity.🌱 Urban Koi tells us about receiving NASA funding for her MUSHROOM FORGE initiative.👉 Learn more about Crew 315’s mission:🔗 Final Mission Summary – MDRS Crew 315🔗 Tim Gagnon’s KSC Artist Site🔗 Urban Koi's Instagram

From Pathfinder to Perseverance: A Planetary Scientist’s Journey 🔍 Origin Story: A Spark from the MuseumA childhood visit to the Air and Space Museum sparked a lifelong love of space. Inspired by the Pathfinder mission and an exhibit on the Moon. Declared: “I’m going to discover water on the Moon.” Katie determined: “I want to work on another planet.” From Caltech to JPL, now as acting project scientist for Perserverance. Katie has been working on Perseverance rover, now 4.5 years into the mission.Carries ~40 sample tubes.32 filled, 7 left—final stages of a historic sample collection.Decisions now more deliberate with remaining tubes.Once a lake with rivers, Jezero Crater offers strong evidence for past water.Home to sedimentary rocks, excellent for preserving signs of ancient environments.Special focus on carbonates—formed from surface water + CO₂:Preserve unique environmental signals.Key to understanding Mars’ paleoclimate.Sample with "leopard spots"—dark rims, light interiors.Possible signs of oxidation-reduction reactions.These could hint at the presence of microbial life.And much more ! Tune into this episode to hear more from the Acting Project Scientist for the Perserverance rover at NASA's JPL.

🎙️ New Episode: CEO CJ Jannette of BlackStar Orbital – Building the Future of Personal Space AccessIn this electrifying episode, we sit down with CJ Jannette, CEO of ⁠BlackStar Orbital⁠, live from Los Angeles and fresh off Space Tech Expo in Long Beach. With deep roots in SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy and NASA’s hydraulics systems, CJ is now pioneering a new frontier: making space accessible for everyone.We cover:🚀 His Direct-to-Phase II SBIR win and $1.8M contract 🛰️ A classified payload launching on Axiom-4 📦 The buzz around SpaceBox – a consumer space payload service for wedding rings, business cards, and more 🔬 BlackStar’s focus on microgravity research, thermal protection breakthroughs, and aerogel-carbon fiber structures 🛫 Spaceplanes, subscale X-37s, and why Dream Chasers are the “yachts of space” ⚠️ EpiPens and the danger of toxicity in orbit, and how space certification is becoming essential 📍 Updates from Titusville, FL – home of their latest operations near pads 39A and 39B 🌌 Why he’s excited about Space Force, CLPS 2 (CMPS), and the role of small payloads in making space personal and repeatableIf you're interested in space entrepreneurship, payload innovation, or simply want to know how to send a piece of yourself to space, don’t miss this one.🛰️ Reach out to BlackStar Orbital about SpaceBox missions — new flights are launching soon!BlackStar Orbitalhttps://www.spacedrone.io/Connect with CJ Jannette:https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-jannette-b2304539/

Join us for a powerful 60-minute episode of Red Planet Live featuring trailblazing women in STEM—Janet Ivey, Janeya Griffin, and Amy Imhoff—as we dive into the complex realities of building careers in science, space, and technology.In this episode, we’ll unpack the recent public reaction to Blue Origin’s announcement of an all-women spaceflight crew, and what it reveals about gender dynamics in the space industry. From media backlash to public perception, we’ll explore how this moment fits into the broader narrative of women pushing boundaries in aerospace.Each of our guests brings a unique and inspiring background:🚀 Janet Ivey – celebrated science communicator and founder of Janet’s Planet, inspiring youth through space education.🔬 Janeya Griffin – innovation strategist and founder of The Commercializer, helping bridge the gap between government technology and commercial application and co-founder/CEO of Equity Space Alliance.🌌 Amy Imhoff – STEM advocate, author, and space futurist, known for her work in science fiction and space policy intersections.Together, they’ll share their journeys, accomplishments, and the hard-won lessons learned navigating the male-dominated sectors of STEM and space exploration. We’ll discuss mentorship, representation, systemic barriers, and how each of these women is shaping the future of humanity beyond Earth.https://www.equityspacealliance.com/https://www.amyimhoff.com/https://www.janetsplanet.com/about

In this episode of Red Planet Live, Ashton Zeth interviews Dr. Oleg Demidov of Beyond Earth Ventures, a space-focused VC firm backing cutting-edge startups like Lunar Outpost and Xeno Power. Dr. Demidov shares insights from his own entrepreneurial journey, the growing role of robotics in the space economy, and what it takes to launch and lead a venture capital firm investing in the next generation of off-world innovation. Whether you're a founder, investor, or space enthusiast, this episode offers a front-row seat to the business of space exploration.Contact Dr. Oleg Demidov:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-oleg-demidov-02193414/https://beyondearth.tech/

Life on the ISS with Astronaut Tracy Dyson 🚀 | Red Planet LiveWhat’s it really like to live and work aboard the International Space Station? In this special episode, host Ashton Zeth sits down with veteran astronaut Dr. Tracy Dyson, who shares unforgettable stories from her three space missions—including helping build the ISS and her recent journey alongside Butch and Sunni.We explore the rhythms of daily life in orbit: from drinking coffee in microgravity and squeezing in vital exercise, to performing constant experiments and winding down during “PreSleep.” Tracy also offers meaningful advice on staying curious and persevering through tough times—on or off the planet.We even watch a clip of her floating aboard the ISS during the show and answer thoughtful audience questions. Whether you're a space enthusiast or just ISS-curious, this episode brings humanity and humor to life in orbit.🎧 Hosted by Ashton Zeth. Tune in and get inspired—Tracy brings space down to Earth.__________________NASA - Tracy Dyson

In this compelling episode of Red Planet Live, we sat down with Dr. Luther Beegle, Principal Investigator of the SHERLOC instrument aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover. While we originally set out to explore SHERLOC’s role in detecting organic compounds and signs of past habitability on Mars, our conversation took us even further.We discussed the Allan Hills 84001 (ALH84001) Martian meteorite discovered in Antarctica as an inspiration to Luther's career, discussed key missions across the solar system, and explored why a Mars Sample Return mission is critical before sending humans to the Red Planet. Dr. Beegle also offered behind-the-scenes insights into the challenges of planetary exploration and the innovative technology propelling Mars science into the future.🔴 Tune in for an eye-opening journey into the science, strategy, and wonder of Mars exploration and beyond!

Inside MDRS: The Latest from the Mars Desert Research StationGet an exclusive update from one of the world’s premier Mars analog research facilities — the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). Host Ashton Zeth sits down with three key leaders shaping the future of MDRS: James Burk, Executive Director of The Mars Society; Kay Radzik, Director of Refits; and Sergii Iakymov, MDRS Director.They dive into the latest missions, ongoing upgrades, and how you can support the continued modernization of MDRS through their current crowdfunding campaign.Support the future of Mars exploration: mars-desert-research-station.raisely.com/

Dr. Robert Zubrin joins us to discuss his latest article in The New Atlantis, "The Mars Dream is Back—Here’s How to Make it Actually Happen." In this episode, Zubrin outlines the fastest and most practical path to getting humans to Mars, including the formation of a NASA Tiger Team and the introduction of the Starboat—a Starship-based vehicle designed to serve as a more efficient Mars Ascent Vehicle. He also makes the case for why a Mars mission must become a national goal—one that unites all Americans in support of exploration, innovation, and a bold future beyond Earth. Tune in for an inspiring and strategic conversation on how we can make the dream of Mars a reality.Read the full article by Dr. Robert Zubrin: https://www.thenewatlantis.com/public...

Red Planet Live – Jim Cantrell on SpaceX, Startups, and Lessons from FailureIn this episode of Red Planet Live, we sit down with Jim Cantrell, a space industry veteran, founding member of SpaceX, and CEO of Phantom Space. Jim shares fascinating stories from his time working alongside Elon Musk in the early days of SpaceX, discussing the challenges, near-misses, and how close to failure SpaceX really came.He dives into the valuable lessons failure has taught him over the years, shedding light on the tough realities of space entrepreneurship. Jim also discusses his latest venture, Phantom Space, and its mission to revolutionize space access .This episode is packed with audience Q&A, where Jim answers burning questions about the future of space exploration, the commercial space race, and what it really takes to build a successful space startup.If you're into space, startups, or the raw, unfiltered truth about what it takes to change the world, this is an episode you don’t want to miss! 🚀🔥🔴 Listen now on Red Planet Live!--------https://www.jimcantrell.com/bioPhantom Space

Ashton Zeth interviews Shelli Brunswick, a globally recognized leader in space innovation and former Chief Operating Officer of Space Foundation, shares her insights on leadership and the future of space exploration in the latest episode of Red Planet Live. Shelli also discusses her book, 'What's Space Got to do With it?: Ten Life Lessons for Personal Growth" and future space books under development. She offered invaluable career advice, inspiring listeners with her expertise and passion for advancing opportunities in the space industry.https://shelli-brunswick.com/What's Space Got to Do With It? - by Shelli Brunswick

Drilling Into the Future of Space Exploration with Kris Zacny (Honeybee Robotics) In this episode, Kris Zacny from Honeybee Robotics takes us on a journey into the boldest frontiers of space exploration. We discuss the possibility for the largest hole ever drilled on the Moon with the Blue Ghost Mission 1, planned to happen in under 40 days, and the groundbreaking Prime-1 mission aiming to jackhammer lunar ice a meter below the South Pole's surface. Could Firefly and Intuitive Machines both be landing on the Moon at the same time? We also explore JAXA’s Phobos mission, set for 2026, where a mere seconds-long operation on the Martian moon could result in the first-ever Mars sample return—an incredible twist in the race for interplanetary exploration. Kris dives into the Sentinel Mission, focusing on Earth observation to track climate change, including ocean rise, snowpack, and ice thickness. We also hear about the power of AI in accelerating space discoveries and the competitive but highly effective internship programs shaping the future of space innovation. Finally, Kris shares his dream of drilling 10-20 meters below Mars' surface, his thoughts on NASA’s Viper mission (he’s willing to eat his hat if it doesn’t go to the Moon). This episode is packed with visionary ideas, like the space shotgun, and includes the engineering of cutting-edge space missions. Don’t miss it! Honeybee Robotics

Interviews with Flashline Crew 16, featuring participants Tiffany Swarmer and Michael Andrews. Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island—the world’s largest uninhabited island, located 900 miles from the North Pole. https://fmars.marssociety.org/

In the latest episode of Red Planet Live, host Ashton Zeth interviews Rod Pyle, managing editor of Ad Astra, for an engaging discussion about space exploration. The conversation spans a variety of exciting topics, including the incoming NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the potential for an orbital commodity exchange, updates on Starship, and much more! Rod Pyle is a prominent space author, journalist, and historian, known for his significant contributions to space studies and development

Ashton Zeth interviews Dr. Steven Benner about all things about extant life on Mars. About Dr. Benner Steven Benner, renowned American chemist, has taught at Harvard, ETH Zurich, and the University of Florida. Founder of TWIST, the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, EraGen Biosciences, and Firebird BioMolecular Sciences, Benner's work bridges academia and innovation in molecular science. Ffame -- Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution

Ashton interviews Sergii Iakymov, director of Mars Society's Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah. Sergii also talks about his recent mission at HERA -- NASA's human exploration research analog. https://www.nasa.gov/mission/hera/ https://mdrs.marssociety.org/

Ashton Zeth interviews Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica. Eric Berger, author of the highly acclaimed "Liftoff" and his new book "Reentry", has an insightful conversation about the space industry, SpaceX, and about the future of space travel.

Ashton Zeth interviews speakers from the 2024 Mars Society Convention at the University of Washington in Seattle. Includes interviews with: - Dr. Pete Worden of Breakthrough Initiative - Howard Hu, Orion Program Director at NASA - Anna Wadhwa on microgravity experiments - Bryan Versteeg, space concept artist - Edwin Kite on Martian atmosphere terraforming - Dr. David Caitling Filmed August 8-11 in Seattle Washington at 'The Hub' on the University of Washington's campus during the annual Mars Society Convention. #MarsSociety2024 #MarsExploration #SpaceInnovation

Ashton Zeth and Alan Boyle interview Dr. Robert Zubrin, founder of the Mars Society, about the new Mars Exploration Act. The legislation proposal mandates NASA to put humans on Mars in under 10 years. #MarsExplorationAct #MarsSociety

ChatGPTAshton sits down with Kirsten Whittingham, President of Max Space, to discuss her remarkable career, the groundbreaking inflatable modules being developed at Max Space, and how she stays inspired in a dynamic industry. If you're passionate about learning from trailblazing women in space and want a deeper dive into the future of inflatable space habitats, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! https://getmaxspace.com

Joining this panel are Nicole Willett, Education Director of the Mars Society, and Jen Carver-Hunter from NASA’s Spaceward Bound Utah program. Together, we explore Nicole's Mars Engineering Design competition and Jen's K-12 STEM initiatives, both of which are dedicated to invigorating and inspiring the next generation of students! https://www.marssociety.org/education/intl-mission-to-mars-design-course-competition/ https://www.marssociety.org/news/2023/02/28/teachers-as-learners-the-impact-of-spaceward-bound-utah/

Ashton Zeth, the newly appointed director of the Ambassador Program, interviews our Mars Society Ambassadors. This panel includes James Melton, Nasir Rizwan, Jonathan Nalder, and Emmanuel Kyei Twumasi.

In this episode, we dive into the world of analog space missions with our guest, Michaela Musilova, the former director of HI-SEAS. With a remarkable track record of organizing over 40 Moon and Mars analog missions, she shares her extensive experience and insights. Discover more about HI-SEAS and the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) as we explore their unique contributions to space research. She also discusses her participation in the 2024 Analog Astronaut Conference held at Biosphere 2 in Arizona. Tune in as she recounts her two impactful missions at MDRS, and her journey from leading a satellite launch team to teaching astrobiology and founding a space technology company in Slovakia. https://michaelamusilova.com

Ashton Zeth hosts a senior NASA panel with Nujoud Merancy & Dr. Lindsay Hays about Mars & Moon Exploration. Featured Panelists: Nujoud Merancy, Deputy Associate Administrator, Strategy and Architecture Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center, will discuss technical aspects of exploration architectures, focusing on returning astronauts to the Moon, establishing a lunar presence, and landing humans on Mars. Dr. Lindsay Hays, Lead Scientist Mars Sample Return, Program Scientist in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters, and Deputy Program Scientist for the Astrobiology Program, will discuss the Mars Sample Return Mission and research on exobiology and habitable worlds.

Ashton interviews James Burk, Executive Director of the Mars Society. They talk about the new mission at Flashline Mars Arctic Station, James' mission at MDRS in Utah, and many updates of the Mars Society.

On this month's episode, Ashton hosts a panel with Laura Forczyk & Ling Xin about reporting on space & current state of space exploration. Ling Xin, originally from Beijing and now based in Ohio, is a science journalist known for her coverage of space, astronomy, and physics. With contributions to publications such as the South China Morning Post, Scientific American, Science, Physics World, Nature, and others, she brings complex scientific concepts to life for readers around the world. Laura Forczyk, an experienced space analyst, is a familiar face on various national and global news outlets, including CNN, Bloomberg, New York Times, CNBC, The Guardian, BBC, and Politico. Alongside her media appearances, she brings a wealth of experience as a space scientist, author, coach, and small business owner.

Ashton interviews Dr. Jan Špaček, an astrobiologist and senior research scientist at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution -- about many topics including Mars Sample Return, life on Mars, and life on Venus. Listen in as we explore the thrilling world of Martian exploration and the ongoing quest to discover life beyond Earth. Jan explains that since the Viking missions of the 1970s, NASA hasn't focused on searching for life on Mars; however, his project, ALFA, aims to change that. This episode also discusses possible US competition on Mars, like China’s future mission to probe Mars' subsurface ice. We discuss the critical importance of Mars Sample Return missions before human exploration, the potential for life on Venus, and the intriguing economics of commercial spaceflight versus traditional NASA missions. Tune in to explore the intersections of science, technology, and the big existential questions that drive us to reach for the stars. AlfaMars #MARS #LifeonMars

Ashton Zeth interviews Leonard David, renowned space journalist. Topics range from Curiosity rover, Bill Nelson, potential for a space race, and life on Mars.

Ashton Zeth interviews former NASA astronaut Jose M. Hernandez alongside his son, Dr. Julio Hernandez, a researcher at Purdue University and former Mars analog astronaut.Jose worked at NASA Johnson Space Center from 2001 to 2011, where he served as an astronaut, legislative analyst, branch chief, and materials research engineer. He was on the STS-128 shuttle mission, during which he oversaw the transfer of thousands of pounds of equipment between the shuttle and the International Space Station and helped with robotics operations.More recently, Jose serves as President and CEO of Tierra Luna Engineering, LLC, a California-based engineering consulting firm that focuses on aerospace engineering, non-destructive evaluation, failure analysis, and general engineering services.Last year, Amazon released “A Million Miles Away”, a biopic film about Jose and his inspiring path as a migrant worker from Mexico to an American astronaut. Starring actor Michael Pena, the movie received high acclaim as a “great family movie with messages of determination and perseverance.”Julio is a Characterization and Research Engineer at the Hypersonics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center within the Purdue Applied Research Institute. He obtained his Ph.D. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in July 2023, focusing on self-sensing composite materials and additive manufacturing. In addition, he previously served as a botanist for Crew 245 during his two-week tenure as a Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) analog astronaut in 2021. 

Ashton Zeth interviews astrobiologist Dr. Graham Lau, host of "Ask an Astrobiologist". Dr. Graham Lau also serves as a logistics coordinator for the ⁠University Rover Challenge (URC) ⁠held by the Mars Society and the Communications & Marketing Director for the Blue Marble Institute. Dr. Graham Lau's links:  ⁠Ask An Astrobiologist⁠ ⁠Cosmobiota⁠ ⁠University Rover Challenge⁠ Blue Marble Institute

The Mars Society's live podcast, RedPlanetLive interviews the people instrumental to settling and exploring Mars. In this episode Ashton Zeth interviews the Dr. Shawna Pandya, a scientist-astronaut candidate!

The Mars Society's live podcast, RedPlanetLive interviews the people instrumental to settling and exploring Mars. In this episode, Ashton Zeth interviews the FMARS 15 crew who recently finished a 2-week mission at the Devon Island analog. The crew: Andrew Wheeler Terry Trevino Andy Greco Olivia Drayson Caleb Pool For an even more in-depth look, check out this video with highlights and personal interviews from the crew's extraordinary trip:    • Flashline Mars - Arctic Mission Crew 15  

This month's episode, Ashton Zeth, host of Red Planet Live interviews speakers from the International Mars Society Convention 2023.  Guests include:  Wolfgang Fink, PhD, Keonjian Endowed Chair in Robotics, U. of Arizona Tiffany Morgan, Deputy Director of NASA's Mars Exploration Program Roberto Carlino, Robotics Engineer at NASA Dr. Greg Autry, Director of Space leadership at ASU, Thunderbird School of Management Kai Staats, Director of Research for SAM at Biosphere 2 Roger Gilbertson, Mars Society Ambassador Eric Kristoff, M.S., EVA Link & Mars Society, Chicago Chapter ** Correction **  Dr. Wolfang Fink's title in the show should read, Keonjian Endowed Chair! A special thanks to all our guests.

In this episode Ashton Zeth hosts an interview with Dr. Robert Zubrin, Founder and President of the Mars Society. Dr. Robert Zubrin announces the formation of the Mars Technical Institute and is interviewed by Alan Boyle of GeekWire.

The Mars Society's live podcast, RedPlanetLive interviews the people instrumental to settling and exploring Mars. In this episode Ashton Zeth interviews a panel from the University Rover Challenge 2023. Ashton interviews Kevin Sloan, the director of The University Rover Challenge for the Mars Society.

The Mars Society's live podcast, RedPlanetLive interviews the people instrumental to settling and exploring Mars. In this episode Ashton Zeth interviews Emily Calandrelli, an American science communicator, former MIT engineer, and the host and an executive producer of Xploration Outer Space and Emily's Wonder Lab.

The Mars Society's live podcast, RedPlanetLive interviews the people instrumental to settling and exploring Mars. In this episode Ashton Zeth interviews Marcia Rieke, the Principal Investigator of the NirCam James Webb Space Telescope and Regents Professor of Astronomy at the University of Arizona.

he Mars Society's live podcast, RedPlanetLive interviews the people instrumental to settling and exploring Mars. In this episode Ashton Zeth interviews James Burk, the Executive Director of the Mars Society. James Burk, Executive Director, The Mars Society James Burk is the Executive Director of the Mars Society, which is the largest and most active Mars advocacy group in the world. He has volunteered with the Mars Society for over 25 years and has occupied the role as Executive Director for the past year and a half. James is also a member of the organization's steering committee and served as Director of Information Technology from 2011 through 2022. As part of this, he helped create the group's MarsVR project, a digital twin VR environment of Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah. In addition, James is a veteran analog astronaut, having served on multiple crew missions at MDRS and is currently commanding Crew 261 at the facility until May 13th, so he'll be providing us with a firsthand account of and taking your questions about his recent visit "to Mars" during our May 16th podcast.

On our 4th episode of the Red Planet Live reboot, we will interview Jim Green live with audience Q&A. We invite you to submit your questions to Dr. Green during the podcast. He's ready to answer anything NASA related, having spent 40 years working in senior positions at the agency. James Green, Chief Executive Officer, Space Science Endeavors LLC Jim Green has worked at NASA for 42 years before retiring in December 2022. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Iowa in 1979 and worked at Marshall Space Flight Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA Headquarters. During Jim’s long career at NASA, he has been NASA’s Chief Scientist and was the longest serving director of the Planetary Science Division with the overall programmatic responsibility for the New Horizons spacecraft flyby of Pluto, the Juno spacecraft to Jupiter, and the landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars, just to name a few. Jim has received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for the New Horizons flyby of the Pluto system and NASA’s highest honor, the Distinguish Service Medal. He has written over 125 scientific articles in refereed journals and over 80 technical and popular articles. In 2015, Jim coordinated NASA’s involvement with the film The Martian. In 2017 Asteroid 25913 was renamed Jamesgreen in his honor. RED PLANET LIVE is a monthly live podcast from The Mars Society--Ashton Zeth interviews the people instrumental in exploring and settling Mars. The show will focus on a wide variety of topics, including Mars and space exploration, STEM education, technology, women in science, and much more, with exciting and open discussions involving experts in these respective fields.

The Mars Society's live podcast, RedPlanetLive interviews the people instrumental to settling and exploring Mars. In this episode Ashton Zeth interviews Kristine L Ferrone, the commander of MDRS Crew 269 (Aerospace Corporation) and some crew members about their MDRS mission and more!

The Mars Society's live podcast, RedPlanetLive interviews the people instrumental to settling and exploring Mars. In this episode Ashton Zeth interviews Rick Tumlinson from Earthlight Foundation.