Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

• The Other Moonshot: The untold stories of Apollo’s Black engineers in Los Angeles

  The Apollo program put humans on the Moon, but behind that historic achievement were engineers whose stories have gone largely untold. In this episode, “LA Made: The Other Moonshot” host Joanne Higgins joins Planetary Radio to share the powerful history of Charlie Cheatham, Nate LeVert, and Shelby Jacobs, three Black engineers in Los Angeles who helped make Apollo possible while navigating racism and exclusion. We discuss how their technical brilliance shaped the space program, why their stories were left out of the history books, and how telling them now can help create a more equitable space community for the future. Plus, Casey Dreier checks in from Washington, D.C., during The Planetary Society’s Day of Action, where advocates from across the U.S. gathered to support NASA science. And in What’s Up, Bruce Betts and Sarah explore the Apollo-era technologies still in use today. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-the-other-moonshotSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• The Mars Innovation Workshop

  We take you inside the Mars Innovation Workshop, hosted at the SETI Institute’s headquarters and produced by Explore Mars. Planetary Society Senior Communications Advisor Mat Kaplan shares highlights from the event, exploring how cross-disciplinary collaboration is shaping the future of Mars exploration and creating solutions for challenges here on Earth. Meanwhile, major changes are happening at NASA. In a move that has raised concerns in the space community, NASA leadership has dissolved key advisory offices, including the Office of the Chief Scientist and the Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy. Jack Kiraly, our director of government relations, explains what these cuts mean for the agency’s future and why space advocates should be paying attention. Then Bruce Betts shares his favorite Mars innovations and a new Random Space Fact, in this week’s What’s Up! Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-mars-innovation-workshopSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• An extinction-level event for NASA science

  NASA's science missions have transformed our understanding of the Universe, from breathtaking images of deep space to robotic explorers on Mars. But now, a reported 50% cut to NASA's science budget threatens to shut down missions, halt discoveries, and devastate the future of space exploration. This week, Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly from The Planetary Society's space policy team break down the fight ahead, explain why these cuts would be catastrophic, and explain how you can take action before they become part of the official presidential budget request. Then, Science Editor Asa Stahl joins us to discuss the power of grassroots advocacy and Planetary Society members' impact in defending space science over the past 45 years. Plus, Bruce Betts returns for What's Up with a celebration of Lunar PlanetVac and a look ahead to this week's lunar eclipse. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-extinction-level-event-for-nasa-scienceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Space Policy Edition: Locke, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (in space)

  Philosopher Rebecca Lowe joins us to explore how the ideas of classical liberalism can provide fresh insight into humanity’s activities in space. Our conversation explores the philosophical tensions between individual freedom and societal good, the instrumental and intrinsic value of space activities, and the uniquely accessible nature of space science and exploration. From a novel approach to lunar property rights and the opportunities to support human flourishing, Lowe offers a thought-provoking vision of how philosophical traditions can inform our cosmic ambitions. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/classical-liberalism-in-spaceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Breaking down Bennu: OSIRIS-REx finds life’s building blocks in asteroid sample

  NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has returned pristine samples from asteroid Bennu to Earth, and the early results are remarkable. Sample analysts have confirmed the presence of abundant organic compounds, nitrogen-rich material, and evidence of past liquid water, all key ingredients that could help us understand the role asteroids played in delivering the building blocks of life to Earth. This week, we’re joined by Scott Sandford, co-investigator on OSIRIS-REx and a research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center. He explores the first two sample analysis papers published by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx team. Then, Bruce Betts joins us for What’s Up, where we look back at humanity’s history of sample return missions. Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-OSIRIS-REx-sampleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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