The Summer of Mars is here! Three missions are launching to Mars in the next few weeks from three different space agencies. We’ve got the definitive preview of these missions, from UAE’s Mars Hope, to China’s Tianwen-1, and of course, NASA’s Perseverance Rover. Get caught up on all the facts before you watch the launch! Mars Hope Mars Hope Unveiled in 2015 Hope Probe Introduction TEDx Talk, Omran Sharaf, Project Manager for Mars Hope TEDx Talk, Sarah Amiri, Project Scientist for Mars Hope Lots o...
Jul 02, 2020•51 min•Ep. 85
NASA’s Mars2020 Rover is set to launch this summer on an Atlas V rocket from the United Launch Alliance. But it is no trivial payload, and a lot of work goes into preparing a rocket for this kind of journey. ULA’s CEO Tory Bruno joins Jake to talk about those preparations as they get close to this historic mission. We talk Atlas V and Perseverance Atlas V assembly begins The Mars2020 Website NASA Perseverance Rover Twitter Follow Tory Tory on Twitter (@ToryBruno) ULA’s Website ULA Twitter (@ULAL...
Jun 02, 2020•50 min•Ep. 84
NASA’s Mars2020 Rover is set to launch this summer to kick off an intense series of missions set to bring back a sample from Mars. But retrieving these samples is no small task. The University of Alberta’s Chris Herd, member of the Project Science Group for the mission, joins Jake to discuss Mars samples and all the challenges that go into getting them home. We talk Sample Science for Mars2020 Perseverance Chris named to Project Science Group The Mars2020 Website NASA Perseverance Rover Twitter ...
May 19, 2020•39 min•Ep. 83
The ATLO phase of a planetary mission (Assembly, Test and Launch Operations) is the most intense of any part of its development. Amid a global pandemic, Perseverance’s time at it is even more remarkable. NASA JPL’s Christina Hernandez, a systems engineer on the rover team, joins us to talk about what it’s like getting a flagship mission out the door and to the launch pad. We talk ATLO for Mars2020 Perseverance The Mars2020 Website NASA Perseverance Rover Twitter Follow Christina Christina on Twi...
May 05, 2020•37 min•Ep. 82
For a long time, planetary science missions have been the exclusive domain of space agencies like NASA. But in the 21st century, things are changing, and commercial actors are increasingly involving themselves not just as suppliers to governments, but as mission leaders themselves. Elizabeth Frank from First Mode joins Jake to talk about a new paradigm for planetary science. We talk Government, Industry, and Planetary Science Elizabeth’s rejected LPSC abstract Follow Elizabeth Elizabeth on Twitt...
Apr 21, 2020•49 min•Ep. 81
The annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference is the premier gathering for planetary scientists worldwide. But, like many events, it was cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve covered it every year, and despite viral concerns, this year is no different. We speak with six planetary scientists about the work they were going to present by creating a virtual, simulated audio poster session. Stop step in, grab a drink, and learn about some cool space science. We Mars Planetary...
Apr 02, 2020•45 min•Ep. 80
The annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference is the premier gathering for planetary scientists worldwide. But, like many events, it was cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve covered it every year, and despite viral concerns, this year is no different. We speak with six planetary scientists about the work they were going to present by creating a virtual, simulated audio poster session. Stop step in, grab a drink, and learn about some cool space science. We Mars Planetary...
Mar 31, 2020•52 min•Ep. 79
The ExoMars mission will be Europe’s first Mars rover, and when it drives off the platform on Mars to begin operating, it will do so on chassis and wheels made in Canada. Natalie Panek from MDA joins Jake to talk about the Rosalind Franklin’s mobility system, and how the rover will move around on the Red Planet. We talk Rover Mobility Systems Wheel walking Tests More Wheel Walking! Video shows deployment sequence of wheels and rover (you can also hear the clinking sounds of the metal treads) Fol...
Mar 17, 2020•32 min•Ep. 78
Planetary Protection is the framework by which we protect the worlds we explore from our own environment, and Earth from the worlds we explore. And while it’s purpose is important, its specifics can get out of sync as we learn more about science, technology, and when our priorities for exploration and development of space change. Dr. Wendy Calvin, a member of the Planetary Protection Independent Review Board, joins Jake to talk about her assessment of the current policies and the recommendations...
Feb 25, 2020•45 min•Ep. 77
In December we launched our #GoingPro campaign and you, the listeners, really stepped up! We hit our 200 patron milestone with hours to spare. And that means Jake’s on the hook for an Ask Me Anything podcast! So here it is. Patrons from around the world submitted questions and we’ve asked Anthony Colangelo from Main Engine Cut Off and Off-Nominal to come by and read them. It is a fun filled episode with questions spanning space and non-space areas. Thanks so much for your support in this endeavo...
Feb 04, 2020•48 min•Ep. 76
Dust is ubiquitous on Mars, and the way it moves around can be quite unique. While the global dust storm might be Mars most recognizable dusty weather pattern, the Dust Tower can be equally interesting. Planetary scientist Nick Heavens joins Jake to talk about these massive structures lifting dust into the upper atmosphere and leaking water in to space. We Mars missions, Artemis, and Commercial Crew Nick’s Paper on Martian Dust Towers Follow up by the ExoMars NOMAD Team Follow Nick Nick on Twitt...
Jan 29, 2020•39 min•Ep. 75
We’re in a new decade, and Mars is kicking it off strong with four missions to the Red Planet in July. As we do every year, we’re joined by Brendan Byrne and Emilee Speck to preview the missions as well as everything else ahead of us in 2020. We Mars missions, Artemis, and Commercial Crew Mars 2020 Name the Rover Contest ExoMars 2020 Parachute Progress UAE’s Mars Hope nearly assembled Long March 5 returns to flight Starliner in good shape after shortened flight NASA received $22.6B budget Previo...
Jan 07, 2020•46 min•Ep. 74
Happy Holidays Martians! We’re #GoingPro , and we thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase what you get for becoming a Patron by sharing an episode of Red Planet Review, our weekly news show normally reserved for our $3+ Patreon supporters . To celebrate #GoingPro, we thought we’d end 2019 with a fresh new show that’s available to ALL listeners. If you like what you hear today, consider joining the hundreds of other listeners over at Patreon . With a pledge of $3 or more, you can get a...
Dec 20, 2019•14 min•Ep. 73
In July, ESA plans to launch the 2nd ExoMars mission, a rover called the Rosalind Franklin that will search for signs of life on Mars. It’ll do so with the MOMA instrument. Recently, scientists from ESA and NASA embarked on an expedition to the Pilbara region in Australia to practice identifying biosignatures in rocks to prep them for their eventual interpretation of the data coming back. Teresa Fornaro, co-investigator on the MOMA instrument, joins Jake to talk about the instrument, the mission...
Dec 17, 2019•44 min•Ep. 72
For years, the NASA Curiosity Rover has been quietly sniffing the atmosphere in Gale Crater with its SAM instrument. Today, scientists are finally getting a handle on that vast dataset, and they’re turning up some crazy results, especially an unexplained oxygen spike! Dr. Melissa Trainer from NASA Goddard, lead author on a paper covering the results, joins Jake to talk about this peculiar behaviour. We talk Oxygen, Curiosity, and Atmospheres Melissa’s Paper on Atmospheric Composition (Open Acces...
Dec 03, 2019•44 min•Ep. 71
Next year brings a quartet of missions heading from Earth to Mars, including one from the Chinese National Space Administration. Freelance journalist Andrew Jones, a specialist in Chinese space, joins Jake to talk about the mission, Huoxing-1, and what to expect leading up to China’s first Mars mission. We talk China, Space, and Huoxing-1 Huoxing-1 mission objectives and science payloads YF-77 Test Firing How not to land an orbital rocket booster (SpaceX) China’s Mars Technology is Ready for 202...
Nov 12, 2019•42 min•Ep. 70
The 70th International Astronautical Congress descended on Washington, DC this week, with 6300 delegates from around the world coming together to talk about space technology, policy and more. Jake is on site to report on the happenings, and connected with a range of people on robotic missions and human architectures. Guests include Walter Cugno from Thales Alenia Space, Khaled Ali Al Hashmi from the United Arab Emirates Space Agency, and Gary Napier from Lockheed Martin. We talk ExoMars, Mars Ho...
Oct 30, 2019•33 min•Ep. 69
On September 28th, 2019, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk presented an update to the Starship architecture. To talk about what has changed and what hasn’t, Jake is joined by podcast partner Anthony Colangelo from Main Engine Cut Off in a two part conversation between the two shows. You can listen to part 2 of the conversation on the MECO feed or by clicking here . We talk SpaceX & Starship Starship’s Website SpaceNews coverage of Starship Update Part 2: T-135 Jake Robins on Starship Follow Anthony Colan...
Oct 08, 2019•32 min•Ep. 68
SpaceX has been requesting HiRISE images from an area called Arcadia Planitia as potential landing sites for their Starship vehicle. Dr Ali Bramson, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Lab and expert on the region, joins Jake to talk about what’s going on there and why SpaceX might be interested. We talk SpaceX, Starship, and Arcadia Planitia SpaceX requests landing site candidate images Some textures of Arcadia Planitia An example of “Brain Terrain” Polygona...
Sep 24, 2019•36 min•Ep. 67
We talk the 9th International Mars Conference Tweet thread on Methane from Justin Cowart Content from the MEPAG meeting Content from 9th Mars Presentations Follow Nina Lanza Nina Lanza’s Twitter (@marsninja) Nina back on Episode 11 Follow Jake & WeMartians Website (www.wemartians.com) Patreon (www.patreon.com/wemartians) WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com) Twitter (@we_martians) Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit) Off-Nominal Podcast Most Recent Episode: The Dark Lord The WeMartians Season 3 Mis...
Aug 27, 2019•47 min•Ep. 66
We talk Relativity Space 3D-printed rockets Telesat signs with Relativity Space Relativity signs contract to build launch pad Relativity to build rocket factory at Stennis Follow Jordan Noone and Relativity Relativity Space Website Work for Relativity! Relativity Space Twitter Jordan Noone Twitter Relativity Space Instagram Follow Jake & WeMartians Website (www.wemartians.com) Patreon (www.patreon.com/wemartians) WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com) Twitter (@we_martians) Jake’s Twitter (@J...
Aug 13, 2019•35 min•Ep. 65
We talk the MAVEN mission MAVEN Reveals Speed of Solar Wind Stripping Martian Atmosphere MAVEN atmospheric escape simulation video Follow Gina DiBraccio and MAVEN The MAVEN Mission Page Dr Gina DiBraccio on Instagram Follow Jake & WeMartians Website (www.wemartians.com) Patreon (www.patreon.com/wemartians) WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com) Twitter (@we_martians) Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit) Off-Nominal Podcast Most Recent Episode: Carpet-Bombing Venus The WeMartians Season 3 Mission Pat...
Jul 30, 2019•41 min•Ep. 64
It’s been 50 years since Apollo 11, and while there’s still a lot to celebrate about the whole Apollo era, it also begs the question, “why haven’t we gone back?” Michael Robinson, historian and host of the podcast Time to Eat the Dogs joins Jake to dig in to what motivates people to go to deep space and Mars in an attempt to understand how to make it happen again. We Talk Motivations for People to Explore Mars and Deep Space Planetary Radio Space Policy Edition feat. Roger Launius Time to Eat th...
Jul 16, 2019•43 min•Ep. 63
NASA is sending people back to the Moon, or so they say. A human deep space program is easier said than done. The Planetary Society’s Casey Dreier returns to the show to talk about politics, policy, and balancing skepticism with excitement. We Talk NASA’s Moon Plan, Artemis Mars Wars by Thor Hogan (free pdf) What can we learn from a Failed Return to the Moon? A Crash Program or a Modest Proposal? NASA awards PPE Contract for Gateway A Look at NASA’s Budgets Follow Casey Casey’s Twitter Casey’s P...
Jun 06, 2019•45 min•Ep. 62
Getting data back from our Mars spacecraft requires some pretty robust communications technology. But the infrastructure that rovers like Curiosity relay their images through is aging, and scientists are starting to worry about what would happen if they fail. NASA JPL’s Michael Staab joins Jake to talk about a new idea to reinforce that infrastructure and keep those data flowing back each and every sol. We Talk Mars Communications MAVEN lowers orbit to facilitate communications Follow Michael Mi...
May 07, 2019•43 min•Ep. 61
NASA’s BASALT program (Biologic Analog Science Associated with Lava Terrains) has been working on understand how to do real science on an EVA since 2016. Jake is joined by NASA Astronaut, planetary scientist and program participant Stan Love to learn the challenges imposed by a Red Planet Spacewalk and what kinds of things the agency is trying to overcome them. We Talk Mars, EVAs, and Science Astrobiology Special Issue on BASALT Intro by Stan Love Paper overview by PI Darlene Lim Off-Nominal Pod...
Apr 16, 2019•36 min•Ep. 60
Jake is on-site at the 50th annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference to report on Mars science results and the shift to the Moon. Fifty years from Apollo’s first landing, lunar samples are still having an incredible impact on all planetary science, and as we look to the future, we have so much more to be excited about. Three special guests join Jake to talk about this exciting topic. We Talk Mars and Apollo Lunar Science InSight pauses Mole deployment HP3 Heat Flow Probe results Abstract DL...
Mar 27, 2019•43 min•Ep. 59
Curiosity recently drove down from the Vera Rubin Ridge, its home for the last year and a half, into a new clay-rich area called Glen Torridon. Planetary Scientist Kristen Bennett joins Jake to talk about what this new area is like and what questions we hope to answer in the next chapter of this rover’s mission. We Talk Curiosity and Glen Torridon Curiosity says Farewell to Vera Rubin Ridge 360 view of Vera Rubin Ridge as Curiosity Departs Curiosity Computer troubles Follow Kristen Kristen’s Twi...
Mar 05, 2019•37 min•Ep. 58
WeMartians visits Arizona to attend the 2019 Women in Space Conference, an interdisciplinary event covering science, engineering, and policy with a reimagined, humanized perspective. Jake and guests discuss some of the science as well as the social challenges women and other marginalized groups face as they try to explore space. We talk the Human side of Exploration WISC 2019 Conference Schedule Sex Differences in Body Composition, Physical Activity, and Total Energy Expenditure When in a Challe...
Feb 11, 2019•30 min•Ep. 57
The fourth season of WeMartians has begun, and we bring in our friends and regular guests Brendan Byrne and Emilee Speck to talk about rockets, rovers, and Mars in pop culture. We talk Mars in 2018 and in to the future Sounds of Mars from NASA’s InSight Previous Conversations with Brendan and Emilee Episode 18 – State of Mars 2017 Episode 35 – State of Mars 2018 Off-Nominal Episode 6 (feat. Brendan Byrne) Follow Emilee and Brendan Emilee on Twitter (@EMSpeck) Emilee’s Space Coverage (ClickOrland...
Jan 22, 2019•46 min•Ep. 56
