Red Planet Live

Inside MDRS: The Latest from the Mars Desert Research Station

Get 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 Failure

In 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!

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https://www.jimcantrell.com/bio

Phantom 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.