Aspiring Martians

What does it mean to dream of Mars while surrounded by the beauty of Earth? In this episode of Aspiring Martians, I sit down with Victor Roman, a former Mars One candidate who now works as a journalist and science consultant with the Peruvian Geological Service. He’s also a beloved science communicator on Noticias Robotitus, where he brings the mysteries of space to life for Spanish-speaking audiences.

Victor recently appeared in Corona’s short documentary “Before Mars”, where he and three other former Mars One applicants were invited to a secluded, stunning island to answer a single, powerful question: if given access to the untouched beauty of Earth, would you still want to leave it all behind? We talk about what first inspired his application to Mars One and how his vision for humanity’s future still includes a red horizon. We also cover vodka shots, a little hidden gem known as Machu Pichu, landslides, being just a little crazy to want to live on Mars, risking your body for science, insults & death threats, and toddlers & teenagers. It’s a conversation about place, purpose, and the quiet pull of distant planets.

Noticias Robotitus Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ROBOTITUS

A huge thank you to Victor Roman for joining me today, to Nick Thorburn for our fantastic theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the brilliant graphics, and to my family for their never-ending support—even when I get a little too excited about Martian geology.

When we picture life on Mars, we usually think of high-tech habitats and bulky spacesuits—but what about what future settlers will wear underneath all that gear? In this special Everyday Mars episode of Aspiring Martians, I sit down with Dr. Karl Aspelund, Associate Professor, researcher on the 100 Year Starship Project, and lifelong design-thinker, to explore the future of fashion for Martian pioneers.

We dive into the practical and philosophical sides of Martian clothing: how sustainability, comfort, identity, and even celebration will shape what people wear on the Red Planet. We also have some fun speculating about what the fashion trends on Mars might be, greenwashing, flying your freak flag in a monochrome world, the magic of wool, Martian underwear emergencies, and yes, renting the habitat’s celebratory clown costume. From deep-space pragmatism to future colony traditions, it’s a conversation about how the things we wear can connect us—to ourselves, to each other, and to a whole new world.

A huge thank you to Dr. Karl Aspelund for sharing his insights today, to Nick Thorburn for our amazing theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, and to my family for supporting this Mars journey every step of the way.

It’s Earth Day—a time to reflect on the planet we call home, but also the perfect moment to dream about where we might go next. In this episode of Aspiring Martians, I sit down with Richard Hicks, a former Mars One applicant who was encouraged to apply for a one-way mission to Mars by his college professor. What started as a spark of curiosity in a classroom turned into something more meaningful: a connection to a global community of people who dared to imagine life on another world.

We talk about the legacy of Earth’s earliest explorers, how those same instincts shape our vision for Martian pioneers, and what it means to take that first step—no matter how unlikely it may seem. From supervolcanoes to student laptops, this is a short, reflective episode about courage, community, and the importance of dreaming big, even when the odds feel cosmic.

A big thank you to Richard Hicks for joining me on today’s episode, to Nick Thorburn for our fantastic theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, and to my family for supporting my endless fascination with Mars—even when it gets a little fiery.

If you think planetary science is all lab coats and data sheets, Bharti Sharma is here to prove it’s also about curiosity, creativity, and a really strong desire to explore strange, dusty places. Bharti is a geologist, analog astronaut, startup founder, and active member of Women in Space South Asia. She’s worked across India in everything from palaeoclimatology to planetary mapping and recently completed a mission at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah as part of Crew 292 – Mangalyatri. Her goal? To become a scientist-astronaut and help build a future where diverse voices shape life beyond Earth.

In this episode, we dig into the value of Mars analog missions, the challenges of doing field science in a helmet, and the very real heartbreak of not being able to lick a rock. We also talk about subterranean alien inspiration, geotourism, and why building a global network of role models is just as important as scientific training. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to chase your Martian dream with a rock hammer in one hand and a vision for community in the other, this one’s for you.

Mega shout out to Bharti for being on this week's episode, to Nick Thoburn for the jamming theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the epic graphics, and to my family for putting up with non stop Martian "fun" facts.

The red sands of the Gobi Desert might be thousands of miles from NASA, but they may be one of the best places on Earth to prepare for life on Mars. This week on Aspiring Martians, I spoke with Enkhtuvshin Doyodkhuu, project manager of Mars-V, a visionary initiative in Mongolia that combines a Mars simulation habitat, an international science and innovation center, and a satellite city that blends research, tourism, and futuristic thinking. The idea? Build a place where future astronauts, scientists, and curious minds can train and test for the real deal, all while experiencing the beauty and extremity of a landscape that feels more Martian than Earth bound.

We talked about the unpredictability of Mars simulations (hint: if something can go wrong, it probably will), how those moments are exactly what makes them invaluable for future mission planning, and how to stay resilient in the face of skepticism. Dono also shared his big-picture visions for Mongolia's role in the future of space exploration and why the Gobi's windswept plains might just shape the next generation of Martian pioneers.

A big thank you to Dono for today's incredible conversation, to Nick Thorburn for our theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the stunning graphics, and to my family for their constant support.

At one point, the idea of sending humans to Mars felt like something only governments and science fiction authors could pull off. But then came Mars One—a bold and controversial mission concept that didn’t just imagine a future on the Red Planet, it invited people to be part of it. This week, I speak with the man behind that idea: Bas Lansdorp, founder of Mars One and one of the most recognizable figures in the modern Mars movement.

Bas shares what first ignited his fascination with space, how Mars One evolved from concept to global media phenomenon, and the challenges that came with trying to make the impossible seem possible. We also dig into what caught him off guard, what he wishes he’d done differently, and what role he still hopes to play in humanity’s journey to Mars. Whether you were a Mars One hopeful or just someone who watched from the sidelines, this conversation offers a thoughtful, candid look at one of the most fascinating space efforts of the 21st century.

Huge thank you to Bas Lansdorp for being on today's episode, to Nick Thorburn for the incredible theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the stellar graphics, and to my family for all the support.

How do you stay connected when you’re millions of miles from Earth and every message takes 20 minutes to arrive? In this episode of Aspiring Martians, we close out Women’s History Month with Dr. Kelly Haston, the commander of NASA’s CHAPEA 1 mission—a full year inside a Mars simulation habitat. Alongside her crew of three, Kelly helped test the realities of long-term Martian living, including one of the most overlooked challenges: communication.

Kelly shares her journey from growing up in Canada to earning her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences, and what it was like to step into a year of isolation with a small crew, cut off from the immediacy of Earth-bound contact. We dive into what it’s like to maintain emotional connections with loved ones when messages are text based, asynchronous, or even infrequent—and how even instructions from mission control can feel sometimes feel disconnected.

Our conversation covered a lot of ground! Applying to a Mars sim from your couch, garage salamanders, cat picture of the week, taking smells for granted, NASA needlepoint, whether partners belong on Mars missions, and why a good support system makes all the difference. It’s a funny, thoughtful, and deeply human look at what it really means to stay connected—across planets.

Huge thank you to Dr. Kelly Haston for taking the time to talk to me for this episode. Also a big thanks to Nick Thorburn for the out of this world theme music, to Elina Cecilia Giglio for the stellar graphics, and to my family for supporting all of this day in and day out.

Growing food on Mars is one of the biggest challenges future settlers will face, but Cynthia Montanez is already working on solutions. As we continue celebrating Women’s History Month, this episode highlights Cynthia’s work as an Astrobiology student at the Florida Institute of Technology and a two-time analog astronaut at the Mars Desert Research Station. Her research focuses on turning Martian regolith into viable soil for plant growth, a crucial step toward sustainable living on the Red Planet. From apple picking in upstate New York to studying botany and soil science, Cynthia’s passion for plants has shaped her path toward space exploration. With hands-on experience in regolith remediation and vermicompost studies, she is determined to help make farming on Mars a reality.

In this episode, we discuss her journey into astrobiology, why cacti might be the best plants for Mars, and how food can impact morale in space. We also commiserate over dehydrated meals, talk about the joy of a fresh salad, and even dive into plant pot arts and crafts. Cynthia’s story is a perfect example of someone leading the charge in space science and why growing food on another planet is about much more than just survival.

A big thanks to Cynthia for being on today’s episode, to Nick Thorburn for our fantastic theme music, to my family for supporting my endless Mars fascination.

As we continue honoring Women’s History Month, this episode of Aspiring Martians features Anastasia Stepanova, an analog astronaut, journalist, and scientist whose work bridges exploration, media, and human endurance. With experience in long-duration isolation experiments—including four months at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) and 240 days in a Moscow isolation experiment—Anastasia has firsthand knowledge of the mental and physical challenges of spaceflight. She has trained with Roscosmos, co-authored a book about life in extreme environments, and uses storytelling to connect space science with the public.

In this episode, we discuss giving yourself to science, pursuing space exploration in the post-Soviet era, the power of storytelling, and how to stay motivated in the toughest conditions. We also get into the realities of isolation, from unexpected challenges like peeing in front of strangers to keeping yourself busy through exercise. There's even a real life Martian pack rat named Jerry! Join us for a fascinating conversation about pushing human limits and preparing for life beyond Earth.

Special thanks to Anastasia for her incredible work, dedication, and endurance in the name of space exploration, to Nick Thorburn for the epic theme music, and to my family for supporting my Mars fascination!

March is Women’s History Month—a time to honor the pioneers who have shaped space exploration and the future Martians who will follow in their footsteps. This week, Aspiring Martians kicks off a month-long celebration of women in space with Laura González Llamazares, an aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, and advocate for the next generation of female space explorers. Laura is part of Hypatia Mars, a female-led initiative dedicated to advancing Martian research, promoting space exploration, and fostering scientific vocations. Named after Hypatia of Alexandria, the first known female scientist in history, the initiative stands as a symbol of female leadership and the acknowledgment women in science have long deserved.

Laura’s career spans thermal analysis, space manufacturing, and rocket engine 3D printing, and she has worked on ESA science missions ATHENA and PLATO. She is the Co-Founder of Radian Systems, simplifying thermal analysis for space, and a mentor for young women in STEM. In this episode, she and Joe discuss the importance of role models in space, 3D printing rocket engines, what happens when you do your homework early as a kid, keeping busy on Mars, and inspiring the next generation of space pioneers.

A huge thank you to Laura for the insight and time, to Nick Thorburn for our theme music and to my family for their unwavering support in making Aspiring Martians a reality. Your encouragement, creativity, and belief in this project help fuel the dream of a future among the stars. And of course, thank you to all the listeners—your curiosity and passion for space make this journey worth taking.