NASA's InSight mission landed in 2018 and completed its primary mission two years later. From there it pursued an extended mission, gathering as much scientific data as it could before ultimately ending late last year as dust on the solar panels starved it of energy. Dr. Bruce Banerdt, the Principal Investigator for the mission, joins Jake to talk about its legacy and successes, and where we go from here. Follow Bruce Bruce at JPL Follow Jake & WeMartians WeMartians.com Patreon (https://www....
Feb 09, 2023•55 min•Ep. 141
After seven years of exploring the solar system, Jake is ready to move on to new projects. Hear his final thoughts on WeMartians. Stay in Touch Patreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support) WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com) Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup) Twitter (@we_martians) Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit) Off-Nominal YouTube Marsti.me...
Jan 30, 2023•5 min•Ep. 140
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has a storied history of exploration, but if you go back far enough the stories get pretty wild. Its early days feature a gutsy team of rocket engineers blowing up engines in the hills around Pasadena while moonlighting as communists and occultists. This "Suicide Squad" is featured in a new podcast series by MG Lord, and MG joins Jake to talk about it. Follow MG Lord Blood Sweat and Rockets MG's Website Follow Jake & WeMartians WeMartians.com Patreon (https:/...
Jan 29, 2023•42 min•Ep. 139
Last year saw a successful Artemis 1 flight, the launch of multiple lunar robotic missions, and the continued development of the CLPS program. What's ahead for 2023? Will it continue this string of exciting progress in lunar exploration? Friends of the show and space reporters Brendan Byrne and Emilee Speck join Jake to talk it through. Follow Brendan and Emilee Emilee's Twitter (@ EMSpeck) Fox Weather Earth and Space WMFE's Are We There Yet? Follow Jake & WeMartians WeMartians.com Patreon (...
Jan 10, 2023•43 min•Ep. 138
The Artemis I Orion capsule splashed down in the Pacific this week, a triumphant finale to a mission that faced so many challenges getting to launch. With Artemis I behind us, what's ahead for the Artemis program and the road to a lunar landing? Ars Technica journalist Eric Berger joins Jake to talk about the future of the program and the challenges it will face. We Orion, SLS, Starship and Artemis Here’s why NASA’s Artemis I mission is so rare, and so remarkable - Ars Technica After the Artemis...
Dec 13, 2022•35 min•Ep. 137
Juno has been exploring the Jupiter system since 2016, and has taught us a lot about the clouds, the magnetosphere, and the origin of the largest planet in our solar system. Now in its extended mission, it's exploring the Jovian moons in a series of flybys, including a recent pass by Europa. The mission's PI Scott Bolton joins Jake to talk about this flyby, the science results we've gotten, and what's ahead for this intrepid explorer. We talk Juno and Europa First images of Europa Closest images...
Nov 03, 2022•44 min•Ep. 136
Voyagers 1 and 2 have been exploring our solar system for over 45 years now. Despite the age of their instruments and computers and power source, they continue to deliver scientific data and contribute to present day discovery. Dr. Linda Spilker, who worked on Voyager since its launch, joins Jake to talk about its value today and its legacy tomorrow. We talk Voyager 1 and 2 Voyager 1 AACS Anomaly Voyager 45th Anniversary Follow Linda Linda's Twitter (@LindaSpilker) Follow Jake & WeMartians W...
Oct 18, 2022•38 min•Ep. 135
The clouds of Venus have long been a dream of humans to explore, and at last a mission concept called Phantom could be here to do it! But the road ahead for this idea is neither straight nor easy. Paul Byrne joins Jake to talk about how it will help us understand the solar system, and why it might not even get the chance to compete for a spot. We talk Phantom and New Frontiers 5 Twitter Thread about Phantom New Frontiers 5 Community Announcement - Tell NASA what you think Follow Paul Paul's Twit...
Oct 04, 2022•46 min•Ep. 134
NASA's SLS rocket has been in development for over a decade and at last was ready to take off from the Space Coast. But leaks and other technical problems thwarted it on its first attempts. Jake travelled to Florida to see it and reports on how it went, and how weaknesses in the program's architecture don't end at lift off. We talk the Space Launch System 1st Scrub - Space News 2nd Scrub - Space News Years after shuttle, NASA rediscovers the perils of liquid hydrogen - Ars Technica We got a leak...
Sep 19, 2022•32 min•Ep. 133
The Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program (CLPS) began in 2018 with the promise of bootstrapping a new, inexpensive lunar delivery economy; it was to be a pathway for lunar science to the Moon's surface. Since then, a handful of companies have been racing to get the first launches off, but it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Main Engine Cut Off's Anthony Colangelo joins Jake to talk about their progress, and what we should keep an eye on as the first launches approach. We talk Commercial Luna...
Aug 09, 2022•47 min•Ep. 132
Curiosity landed on Mars ten years ago and has been exploring Gale Crater ever since. After achieving its primary mission, it's embarked on a series of extended missions to continue to unravel mysteries in the rocks. Deputy Project Scientist for the mission Abigail Fraeman joins Jake to talk about her favourite moments and to discuss what comes next for the impressive rover. We talk Curiosity and Mars Curiosity Mission Updates Follow Abby and Curiosity Abby’s Twitter (@abbyfrae) Curiosity Missio...
Jul 27, 2022•42 min•Ep. 131
BepiColombo, a joint mission between ESA and JAXA, is on a long meandering journey to Mercury. Last month, it made its 2nd of six flybys of the innermost planet, spiralling its trajectory down to a place where it can enter orbit. Lina Hadid, a space plasma physicist from the Laboratoire de Physique des Plasma in Paris, joins Jake to talk about the flyby campaigns, what science we can do on them, and how we're warming up for the big show. We talk Mercury and BepiColombo Science Opportunities of B...
Jul 12, 2022•37 min•Ep. 130
For two decades, the modern Mars program has been sending spacecraft almost every launch window to Mars, and we have Scott Hubbard to thank for much of that. As the first director of the Mars Program, he instituted much of the paradigm we have today. But with Mars Sample Return on the horizon, Scott joins Jake to talk about how things are changing and what it means for the future. We talk Mars Sample Return and the Mars Program Planetary Science Decadal Survey 2023-2032 The MASWG Report WeMartia...
Jun 28, 2022•46 min•Ep. 129
NASA is headed to the Moon in more ways than one. A coalition of human spaceflight, planetary science, and commercialization advocates stand to make an exciting decade of Lunar exploration. But such a collaboration does not come easy, and there's lot of work to get done before we execute it. Planetary Scientist Brett Denevi joins Jake to talk about the opportunities, the challenges, and the incredible science that awaits. We talk NASA and the Moon Planetary Science Decadal Survey 2023-2032 The E...
Jun 15, 2022•49 min•Ep. 128
Last month, the new Planetary Science Decadal Survey was released and recommended as its top flagship mission a Uranus Orbiter and Probe. It's been 36 years since we last visited the Ice Giant, and now the science community is ready to take a closer look. Dr. Amy Simon from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center joins Jake to talk about the mission, how it works, and why it's so important to understand the Ice Giants. We talk Uranus, Orbiters and Probes Planetary Science Decadal Survey 2023-2032 The...
May 24, 2022•35 min•Ep. 127
Every ten years, the National Academies convenes an extraordinary survey of the planetary science community to produce a recommendation for NASA on what to prioritize in planetary exploration for the next decade. It's a remarkable endeavour to scientifically and democratically determine a consensus on questions, priorities and methods used to explore the planets. Casey Dreier, Chief Advocate of the Planetary Society, joins Jake in an epic two part podcast series to discuss everything the report ...
May 03, 2022•49 min•Ep. 126
Every ten years, the National Academies convenes an extraordinary survey of the planetary science community to produce a recommendation for NASA on what to prioritize in planetary exploration for the next decade. It's a remarkable endeavour to scientifically and democratically determine a consensus on questions, priorities and methods used to explore the planets. Casey Dreier, Chief Advocate of the Planetary Society, joins Jake in an epic two part podcast series to discuss everything the report ...
May 03, 2022•59 min•Ep. 125
New Horizons flew past Pluto in 2015 but work continues on discovering its secrets. One area of study is the activity of so called cryovolcanoes, icy mounds spewing liquidy water and reshaping Pluto's surface. Dr. Kelsi Singer, deputy project scientist for New Horizons, joins Jake to talk about her recent paper on the subject. We talk Pluto, cryovolcanoes and subsurface oceans Kelsi's Paper on Cryovolcanoes New York Times coverage of the paper Follow Kelsi and New Horizons Kelsi's Twitter New Ho...
Apr 19, 2022•36 min•Ep. 124
Rocket Lab is about more than just rockets. With their Photon bus, they can provide an end to end platform service to enable low-cost planetary exploration to multiple destinations. With flights coming up to the Moon, Venus and Mars, they've become an important player in the planetary exploration space. CEO Peter Beck joins Jake to talk about their approach and why it's important. We talk Rockets, Planets, and More Rocket Lab to fly NASA mission CAPSTONE to the Moon Rocket Lab to fly private mis...
Apr 05, 2022•35 min•Ep. 123
Since the last time the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference was held in person, the Venus community went from 0 to 3 missions on the books. Their energy at the conference was electric, and Jake catches up with people working on all three of the missions to find out how they're preparing for this sudden resurgence in study, and how VERITAS, EnVision, and DAVINCI will help us uncover the fascinating mysteries of the 2nd planet. We talk Venus, VERITAS, EnVision and DAVINCI. NASA selects VERITAS ...
Mar 22, 2022•34 min•Ep. 122
China has recently released a white paper outlining the next five years in spaceflight and it includes some interesting plans for the exploration of the planets. From lunar ambitions to Martian ones, Jupiter and beyond, China has big sights set. Andrew Jones returns to the show to talk about these plans and what China hopes to accomplish. We talk Zhurong, Chang'e, and the Chinese National Space Administration First sample attempt fails (August) Follow Andrew Andrew's Twitter Andrew's Author page...
Mar 08, 2022•50 min•Ep. 121
The Perseverance rover has been exploring Mars for over a year now, and in that time it has collected six different rock cores. But these cores did not come easy, and Mars has thrown more than a couple curveballs at the rover operations team during this time. JPL's Avi Okon joins Jake to talk about these challenges, and how the sample caching system has performed throughout the first year. We talk Perseverance, Drills, and Rock Samples First sample attempt fails (August) More on attempt 1 Assess...
Feb 22, 2022•50 min•Ep. 120
NASA's MAVEN spacecraft is about to embark on its 5th extended mission observing the atmosphere of Mars, at a time when the sun's activity reaches a peak. The new PI for the mission, Dr. Shannon Curry, joins Jake to talk about this new mission, why it's so exciting, and how the work MAVEN is doing contributes to the overall exploration of our solar system. We talk MAVEN, Mars, and the Sun MAVEN submits its EM5 review Low-cost Science Mission Concepts for Mars Exploration Follow Shannon MAVEN's T...
Feb 08, 2022•47 min•Ep. 119
In 2006, the IAU voted to define "Planet" in a way that had a profound impact on planetary science, most notably with regards to Pluto. But what is the story behind this decision, and why is it important to the field of exploration? Dr Phil Metzger joins Jake to talk about his new paper covering the very subject, and explains the context behind culture and science's different views on the subject. We talk Pluto, Planets, and Taxonomy Moons are planets: Scientific usefulness versus cultural teleo...
Jan 25, 2022•51 min•Ep. 118
NASA's flagship human spaceflight program Artemis got through a tough 2021 and has a challenging 2022 ahead of it. Space reporters Brendan Byrne and Emilee Speck join Jake to talk about these challenges, and what we're excited to cover in the year to come. We talk Artemis, SLS, Starship, and Astronauts White House endorses Artemis NASA awards SpaceX Human Landing System Contract GAO denies Blue Origin Protest of HLS Award Federal Court dismisses Blue Origin lawsuit for HLS Award SpaceX lands SN1...
Jan 11, 2022•43 min•Ep. 117
Jake talks about the decision to start covering more than just Mars in 2022. Follow Jake & WeMartians WeMartians.com Patreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support) WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com) Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup) Twitter (@we_martians) Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit) Off-Nominal Podcast Marsti.me Marsti.me Learn about time on Mars! See live mission clocks, learn about sols and Mars years and solar longitude, and discover your Martian birthday! Visit Marsti.me , ...
Jan 04, 2022•5 min
In this free episode of Red Planet Review, Jakes keeps you up to date on Perseverance's new sample, Curiosity's holiday break, and the regulatory process for SpaceX big new rocket. Headlines FAA delays Starship Environmental Review Completion Perseverance Update Blog on the Jezero Geology 2021 in Samples - Perseverance Robine with SuperCam rasters New Perseverance Sample Where is Perseverance? Curiosity Update Sols 3333-3343 Sols 3344-3346 Sol 3330 360 panorama Where is Curiosity? Follow Jake &a...
Jan 01, 2022•11 min
Hi there, Martians! The holidays are here and we're on our break until the new year, but I don't want you to be without content! Listen in to some info about two other shows you can check out: Off-Nominal and Red Planet Review. Content Off-Nominal Red Planet Review Follow Jake & WeMartians WeMartians.com Patreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support) WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com) Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup) Twitter (@we_martians) Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit) Off-Nomin...
Dec 14, 2021•5 min
Space is a dangerous and challenging environment for the human body, but we're not completely helpless against it. One way to adapt ourselves to space is to unlock the power of the human gene. Geneticist Dr Chris Mason joins Jake to talk about his book The Next 500 Years where he lays out the science behind gene therapy and how it can help us leave Earth to Mars and beyond. We talk humans, genes and space The Next 500 Years Follow Chris Mason Lab Website Chris's Twitter Follow Jake & WeMarti...
Dec 08, 2021•31 min•Ep. 116
Mars' river valleys are an iconic feature, formed billions of years ago in a different climate. Planetary Scientist Tim Goudge joins Jake to talk about how they were formed, and how one such formation method may have been more important than we once thought. We talk Mars river valley network Tim's Paper Coverage of Tim's Paper Follow Tim UT Planetary Surface Processes Group Tim's Twitter Follow Jake & WeMartians WeMartians.com Patreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support) WeMartians Shop (sho...
Nov 23, 2021•44 min•Ep. 115
