Mission: Interplanetary

Thus far, the only humans to walk on the Moon have been US astronauts. But the coming decade may see many more people there—people from several countries and even private corporations. How can we ensure peaceful cooperation between players with different interests? Cady & Andrew talk with NASA’s Chief Economist Alex MacDonald about the future of lunar governance. Also, the Artemis 1 launch, Cady obsesses over donuts, Andrew discovers some weird science, and a gorgeous new Sounds of Space courtesy of the great folks at SYSTEM Sounds. Lastly, check out NASA’s new document: Lunar Landing and Operations Policy Analysis.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Cady Coleman & Andrew Maynard

Twitter

Cady Coleman: @Astro_Cady

Andrew Maynard: @2020science

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

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In a year of so many amazing achievements in space exploration, there may be nothing as inspiring and scientifically significant as the deployment of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The most powerful telescope ever built is allowing scientists to peer into the distant past—billions of years—to help fill gaps in our understanding of the universe and its history. What exactly are we learning from the JWST? NASA’s Amber Straughn, Deputy Project Scientist for the JWST, talks with Cady & Andrew about surprising new discoveries, and what’s still to come from this game-changing new telescope. Also, Cady sees a UFO, Andrew shares a favorite author, and a topical Sounds of Space courtesy of the great folks at SYSTEM Sounds.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Cady Coleman & Andrew Maynard

Twitter

Amber Straughn: @astraughnomer

Cady Coleman: @Astro_Cady

Andrew Maynard: @2020science

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

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The first astronauts squeezed their meals out of a tube. But space food has come a long way since then. What might be on future lunar menus? How do we grow food in microgravity? Short answer: We science the heck out of it. Matt Damon has nothing on this week’s guest. NASA’s Bryan Onate talks with Cady & Andrew about how scientists are developing the future of space food. Also, Cady’s working on a book, Andrew contemplates the future of humanity, and both of them learn a new word from this week’s festive Sounds of Space, courtesy of the great folks at SYSTEM Sounds.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Cady Coleman & Andrew Maynard

Twitter

Cady Coleman: @Astro_Cady

Andrew Maynard: @2020science

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

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Space exploration imagines itself as a secular endeavor with its foundations in science and engineering? But how accurate is this self-image? Religious Studies scholar Mary-Jane Rubenstein talks with guest hosts Tanya Harrison and Joe O’Rourke about the surprising affinities between religion and space exploration. Check out her forthcoming book on the subject! Also, Joe delights in revenge for the dinosaurs, Tanya speculates on a planet of cephalopods, and a tear-jerking new Sounds of Space from the great folks at SYSTEM Sounds.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Tanya Harrison & Joe O’Rourke

Twitter

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

Tanya Harrison: @tanyaofmars

Joe O'Rourke: @GeoJGo

Mary-Jane Rubenstein: @janeforbrains

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You’ve probably worked on teams, collaborating with groups of people to achieve shared goals. And it can be really difficult. Now imagine working with an immense team to do something as difficult as building a successful space mission. Tracy Drain has done it. Repeatedly. She’s the Lead Flight Systems Engineer for NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission, and she talks with Cady and Andrew about what she’s learned about running successful collaborations. Also, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Donnie Darko, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy references, Andrew swoons over Tears for Fears covers and mashups, and a dreamy new Sounds of Space from the great folks at SYSTEM Sounds.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Cady Coleman & Andrew Maynard

Twitter

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

Cady Coleman: @Astro_Cady

Andrew Maynard: @2020science

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It was 1972 the last time humans walked on the Moon. Now, with the Artemis program and other efforts, we’re returning to the lunar surface this decade. But why are we going? And what will we do once we get there? Cady & Andrew talk with former astronaut and best-selling author Chris Hadfield of the Open Lunar Foundation about the near-future of humans on the Moon. Also, Artemis I delays, Andrew worries about robots, and an impactful new Sounds of Space.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Cady Coleman & Andrew Maynard

Twitter

Chris Hadfield: @Cmdr_Hadfield

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

Cady Coleman: @Astro_Cady

Andrew Maynard: @2020science

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There are tens of thousands of pieces of space junk hurtling around our planet at terrifying speeds. This debris—dead satellites, bits of old spacecraft, etc.—pose a real danger to humans who travel to space and to the technologies we use every day here on Earth. Privateer co-founder Moriba Jah talks to Cady & Andrew about addressing this urgent challenge. SPOILER: Empathy is part of the solution. Also, NASA’s DART mission boops an asteroid, Andrew is migrating south, and a new Sounds of Space brought to you by the great folks at SYSTEM Sounds.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Cady Coleman & Andrew Maynard

Twitter

Moriba Jah: @moribajah

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

Cady Coleman: @Astro_Cady

Andrew Maynard: @2020science

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There may be no question more profound than, “Are we alone in the universe?” Certainly, recent years have seen a lot of energy around looking for signs of primitive life on other worlds—Mars, Europa, Enceladus, even Venus. But microbes, even Martian ones, seem like poor company. What of the search for intelligent life? Are we done with that? Was that just an 80s thing, like shoulder pads? Cady and Andrew talk with legendary pioneer in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, Jill Tarter, about the present and future of SETI. Before that, there’s talk of the new Decadal Survey, but not a word about Uranus. Also, hope, coffee, and teenagers at the edge of the universe. Lastly, a heart-y new Sounds of Space from the great folks at SYSTEM Sounds. 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Cady Coleman & Andrew Maynard

Twitter

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

Cady Coleman: @Astro_Cady

Andrew Maynard: @2020science

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As sites for research and potential gateways to the solar system, space stations play a critical role in building positive space futures. But so far, all of these—like Skylab, Mir, the International Space Station (ISS)—were owned and operated by governments. That is changing. In 2021, Blue Origin announced plans to build a private space station: Orbital Reef. What will people do there? How will it be different than previous space stations? Cady and Andrew talk with Blue Origin’s Erika Wagner and Open Lunar’s Jessy Kate Schingler about the future of commercial space platforms. Also, wealthy interns, Cady plays a trick, space underwear, and a new Sounds of Space. 

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Visit our website at missioninterplanetary.com and drop us a line!

Hosts

Cady Coleman & Andrew Maynard

Twitter

Interplanetary Initiative: @II_ASU

Cady Coleman: @Astro_Cady

Andrew Maynard: @2020science

Erika Wagner: @ad_astra2

Jessy Kate Schingler: @jessykate

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