Cosmic Radio

Join me as we speak with Jet Propulsion Engineer Eric Rice. Eric is the Mission Operations Manager (MOM) on NASA's SPHEREx Mission. SPHEREx stands for:
Spectro-Photometer for  the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer
That's a mouth-full!
SPHEREx is an infrared space telescope that will collect data on more than 450 million galaxies along with more than 100 million stars in the Milky Way in order to explore the origins of the Universe.

Eric explains how this unique space telescope works and how it was built.

NASA SPHEREx: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/spherex/
Caltech SPHEREx:https://spherex.caltech.edu/
SPHEREx Publications: https://spherex.caltech.edu/page/publications
AWOLNATION: Sail
Le Loup: To the Stars! To the Night!
Metallica: Astronomy

Can you believe Dr. Linda Spilker's first professional job was working for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory?! My first job was working at a vet office cleaning cages. I digress..... Join me as we speak to the world famous Dr. Linda Spilker. As the Lead Planetary Scientist on the CURRENT Voyager Mission (49 year strong!),  she will update us on the twin Voyager's health and status then speak to us about the Cassini Mission and all it's  relevant and important scientific findings. Dr. Spilker is a wealth of knowledge and such a fun and passionate person to sit and listen to. I have seen her on so many space documentaries over the years and when she showed up on the ZOOM call-I literally cried! She is sooooo cool and nice!   You are gong to really love this interview!

LINKS:
 
Dr. Linda Spilker: https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/people/spilker/
NASA Cassini Mission: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/
Cassini images of Saturn: https://science.nasa.gov/missions/cassini/spectacular-eclipses-in-the-saturn-system/
Cassini-The grand Finale Videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBfFSMAK-V0&t=147s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68vxYRAony8
Voyager moving outside the heliopause: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIAZWb9_si4

Checkout some cool images of last month's Total eclipse from France and Spain:

Wanna know the "Ins and Outs" of NASA's Flagship Mission Europa Clipper? Then Join me as we speak to Real Time Flight Systems Engineers David Doody and Isabelle Erickson. Their passion and dedication to this exceptional mission make you want to know everything about Europa Clipper, the Jovian System and the universe for that matter! I learned so much and I hope that you do too!

 
https://www.timeanddate.com/-check times and dates for Solar and Lunar Eclipses in YOUR area!
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/meteors-meteorites/perseids/-NASA's fun facts about the Perseid Meteor Shower
https://spinoff.nasa.gov/-Isabelle talks about this website. All the inventions NASA makes that have madeit to the mainstream!
https://www.nasa.gov/-Everything you need to know about NASA
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/europa-clipper/-NASA's Flagship Misssion to Juiter's moon Europa
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/europa-clipper/spacecraft-instruments-reason/-Europa Clipper's instruments on board
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/dsn-now/-Check out JPL speaking with the Europa Clipper spacecraft and the spacecraft ANSWERING!
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/family-portrait-of-jovian-system/- Jupiter Planet System and All of it's moons (there are many)
https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter/-All about our largest planet Jupiter (thank you Jupiter!)
Music:
Sail-AWOLNATION
Drops of Jupiter-Train
Rocketman-Elton John

Join me as we speak with Dr. Wesley Chambers, a Planetary Scientist, Physicist, and member of the PSI (Plume Surface Interaction) Team for NASA's Artemis Mission.
Dr. Wesley Chambers works out of NASA's Marshall  Space Flight Center where he works as Deputy Principal Investigator for NASA's Plume-Surface Interaction Ground Test and Principal Investigator for Stereo Cameras for PSI Studies vehicle landing effects.

Show Links:
Lunar Surface Images: https://science.nasa.gov/resource/the-moons-surface/
Aretemis 3 Crew Members: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-marches-toward-artemis-iii-mission-in-2027-names-crew-members/
NASA Artemis Mission page: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/artemis/
Artemis Mission Architecture: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-iii/https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/
Songs:
Sail-AWOLNATION
Walking on the moon-Police
Pink Moon- Sea AI songs (original by Nick Drake)

Join me on Cosmic Radio as we learn about Apis mellifera the honey bee and more!  Carson Elmer, the most famous beekeeper in Mendocino County teaches us all about honey bees and the art and skill of beekeeping.  So much to learn!

Learn more about Carson Elmer: https://carsonandbees.com/
The Honey Bee Health Coolilition Handbook: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/
PolliNation Podcast-Thanks for the help!:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pollination-podcast/id1209328985
Two Bees in a Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-bees-in-a-podcast/id1494010558
Chalkbrood: https://beeaware.org.au/archive-pest/chalkbrood/#ad-image-0
Different Apis species:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apis_mellifera_subspecies
Sail-AWOLNATION
Sugar Sugar-The Archies

Join me as we speak with this amazing researcher!
 
She works at the McMurdo Station on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica during the Spring and Summer. The day after she arrives she is at the "coms" helping Artemis 2 Astronauts and astronaut candidates get into the space suits all while she is conducting research on algae that she hopes she can use to produce oxygen, scrub CO2, and grow to eat on future Lunar and Martian habitats. I'm exhausted just thinking about that work week.  But just listening to her speak about all her jobs with such passion and devotion will help you understand that this woman is perfect for al three jobs!
 
Oh, and on her free time, she like working on engines and riding motorcycles.  So cool!

Check out the following links to learn more about Emily and all her scientific work.

Emily Matula: https://www.colorado.edu/aerospace/emily-matula
NASA Emily Matula: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7teT81234TI
NASA Scientific Balloons: https://www.nasa.gov/scientificballoons/
McMurdo Station -Ross Ice Shelf-Antarctica: https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/ail/mcmurdo-station
NASA Spacesuits: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/spacesuits/
The Old Farmers' Almanac: https://www.almanac.com/astronomy
Algae for life habitats: https://science.nasa.gov/biological-physical/algae-could-prove-mvp-for-future-space-missions/
NASA Wallops Balloon Facility: https://www.nasa.gov/wallops/

MUSIC:
Sail- AWOLNATION
No Quarter-Led Zepplin

The excitement builds!!! 
Join me as we learn HOW rockets land on the moon and all the prep-work NASA is doing as we prepare to launch the Artemis 2 program

*****A MANED SPACE MISSION TO THE MOON!!*****

"We are going to the moon, but we are not going alone.." says Dr. Ashley Korzun.  She is right, after you listen to this interview you too will understand that the Artemis Mission is a world-wide mission. 
Dr. Korzun teaches us what PSI is and how we are ready to land on the moon!
GO PSI TEAM!!!
GO NASA!!!
GO USA!!!
GO ARTEMIS!!!

NASA PSI Research- https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20230018215
NASA Artemis 2 Mission-  https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/
Sail Song- AWAOLNATION
Tuff Enuff song- The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Fly me to the Moon song- Frank Sinatra

We all hear about Artificial Intelligence (AI).  Most of us use it in one way or another. 
Cosmic Radio speaks with Professor David Johnson from Mendocino Community College helps us to learn:

What AI is
How to use it
How to protect yourself against some bad players out there trying to get your information.

There is so much to learn!!!
In addition to that we will find out what's up in the March night sky and learn some ancient Greek mythology about Artificial Intelligence!!!!
Sail:AWOLNATION
NASA AI:https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2025/amendment-37-new-opportunity-c-12-foundational-artificial-intelligence-for-the-moon-and-mars/
NASA Artemis Program: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/
NASA Artemis Update: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-adds-mission-to-artemis-lunar-program-updates-architecture/
Daft Punk: Technologic
Radiohead: Paranoid Android

Greeting Space Lovers and welcome back to Cosmic Radio. We have a great show this month.  In the first part of the show we find out "What's up in the February night sky" and learn about the upcoming NASA Artemis II  moon-launch and the return of The United States to the Moon. Then in the second part of the show we celebrate the return of  Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton, the Principal Investigator of NASA's Psyche Mission: A Journey to a Metal World!
Dr. Elkins-Tanton is going to update us on the mission during its "cruise-phase".

Check-out the following links that Dr. Elkins-Tanton mentions during the show:

JPL Psyche Mission:  https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/psyche/
NASA Psyche Mission overview:  https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/mission-overview/

"Mission Ready-How to Build Teams That Perform Under Pressure" Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton Book-https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/lindy-elkins-tanton/mission-ready/9781541706033/

Tater's the Cat:  https://youtu.be/k7B8lYjAOns?si=IGxjhTbJoAaJ6VOS
Ways to Participate-Capstone courses-  https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/ways-to-participate/
Psyche Inspired-  https://psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/get-involved/psyche-inspired/
                              https://epics.engineering.asu.edu/2025/09/nasa-psyche-virtual-reality-inspired-art-and-artists-showcase/
Psyche (Song) by Terry Glaze-  https://youtu.be/Kj66J8fmmzU?si=tU_7Bx0ZtUXvPBNY

Sail (Song) Awolnation

NASA Artemis Mission: 
https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/

Have you ever heard of NASA's new Quesst Mission? We have all the answers right here!  Meet NASA Test Pilot Lils Larson, he is the first to fly NASA's X-59 experimental supersonic plane that is attempting to change the sonic boom out of a supersonic boom and change it to a "sonic thump"! 
NASA Quesst Mission:  https://www.nasa.gov/mission/quesst/
Nils Larson-Ret. USAF Lieutenant Colonel & NASA Test Pilot: https://www.nasa.gov/people/david-nils-larson/
Supersonic Speed: https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/supersonic-flight/
Check out The Artemis Mission-Possibly launching in February 2026!!!-https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/
Sail: AWOLNATION
Highway to the Danger Zone: Kenny Loggins