Fifty years ago this month, the Mariner 9 mission became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet beyond Earth. It created the first global map of Mars and set the course for Martian exploration for the next five decades. Dr. William K Hartmann was a co-investigator on the mission and wrote the book The New Mars: Discoveries of Mariner 9 , and he joins Jake to talk about the impact this mission has, even today. We talk Mariner 9 NSSDC Profile for Mariner 9 Follow Bill Bill's Profile at Plane...
Nov 09, 2021•55 min•Ep. 114
The UAE started their space agency in 2014 and have accelerated at a remarkable pace since then, including putting their first orbiter around Mars this year. The work continues with new mission announcements, astronaut selections and more. Dubai-based space journalist Sarwat Nasir joins Jake to report on Expo 2021 and IAC 2021, two back to back space conferences happening in the UAE. We talk UAE, Space and the World The Hope Mission Data Portal UAE and Israel Co-operate on Beresheet Space is the...
Oct 26, 2021•34 min•Ep. 113
The Perseverance Rover has been operating for over 200 sols already. It's travelled far with the help of the Ingenuity helicopter and is already delivering great science, including acquiring its first rock sample. NASA JPL's Vivian Sun joins Jake to talk about the mission's successes and failures, and what we can expect from it next. We talk Perseverance Rover With First Martian Samples Packed, Perseverance initiates Remarkable Sample Return Campaign Perseverance Team Blog Follow Vivian Vivian's...
Oct 13, 2021•43 min•Ep. 112
Curiosity recently celebrated its 9th birthday on Mars and is exploring a new area of Gale Crater rich in sulphates. NASA JPL's Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity's project scientist, joins Jake to talk about this new area, the dramatic landscapes it holds, and what it can tell us about past life on Mars and the history of Mars' climate. We talk Curiosity Rover and the Sulfate-bearing Unit Curiosity enters a new area Follow Ashwin Ashwin's profile at JPL Follow Jake & WeMartians WeMartians.com Patre...
Sep 07, 2021•41 min•Ep. 111
Arcadia Planitia has attracted a lot of attention because of its potential as a human landing site on Mars. It's hidden water reserves, under the surface, are one of many reasons it may be ideal. Geologist Shannon Hibbard joins Jake to talk about the ice underground, and some of the interesting flows she's found. We talk Ice, Glaciers and Arcadia Planitia Shannon's Paper on Glaciation in Arcadia CBC Coverage of Shannon's paper Follow Shannon Shannon's Website Shannon on Twitter - @shann0nMars We...
Aug 24, 2021•35 min•Ep. 111
Over two years ago, NASA's InSight lander touched down on Mars and began listening for mars quakes. Now, scientists have used these data to reveal the interior structure of Mars. ETH Zurich's Simon Stähler joins Jake to talk about these results, how they help us understand Mars, and what we can do with this knowledge as we explore the rest of the solar system. We talk InSight and SEIS Seismic detection of the martian core (Stähler et al) Upper mantle structure of Mars from InSight seismic data (...
Aug 03, 2021•41 min•Ep. 110
With the arrival of Perseverance at Jezero Crater, NASA now operates two space laser instruments - ChemCam and SuperCam. Together, they are exploring Mars' past by understanding the chemistry and mineralogy of the rocks. ChemCam's principal investigator Nina Lanza joins Jake to discuss the both instruments, what they're up to, and what we're learning from them. We talk ChemCam and SuperCam ChemCam Proposal Image SuperCam RMI Close-up Sounds from SuperCam Follow Nina, ChemCam and SuperCam ChemCam...
Jul 20, 2021•40 min•Ep. 109
The Orion spacecraft isn't the only payload flying on the Artemis 1 launch. NASA's new SLS rocket is also taking 13 secondary payloads to deep space, from science missions to tech demonstrations. Paul Bookout from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center joins Jake to talk about these payloads and how they integrate with the main mission. We talk Artemis 1 SLS secondary payloads Secondary Payload List Secondary Payload Fact Seet Follow Paul and SLS Launching Science and Tech on SLS NASA Cubesat Launc...
Jun 22, 2021•37 min•Ep. 108
Today's space suits get the job done, but come with drawbacks that slow astronauts down, cause fatigue and injury, and introduce risks to the mission. Engineer Ana Diaz Artiles joins Jake to talk about her NASA-funded SmartSuit concept, which could solve many of these problems for future astronauts. We talk SmartSuit and space suits SmartSuit Final Report - NIAC Phase 1 Follow Ana & The Bioastronautics Lab Ana's profile at Texas A&M Ana on Twitter (@adartiles) The Bioastronautics and Hum...
Jun 08, 2021•41 min•Ep. 107
The Chinese National Space Administration's Tianwen-1 mission made history this month when its Zhurong rover landed safely in Utopia Planitia, Mars. Space journalist Andrew Jones joins Jake to talk about the landing process, the surface operations, and what effect this mission's success will have on space domestically in China and abroad. We talk Tianwen-1 and Zhurong Rover Zhurong lands safely in Utopia Planitia Zhurong rolls onto surface Follow Andrew Andrew's Profile at SpaceNews Andrew's Pro...
May 25, 2021•40 min•Ep. 106
NASA has selected SpaceX's Starship to receive the sole award to take NASA astronauts to the surface of the Moon for the Artemis program. It's a non-traditional choice for NASA, and The Planetary Society's Chief Advocate Casey Dreier joins Jake to talk about what this means going forward for NASA and space exploration. We talk SpaceX Starship and Artemis Casey's Writeup on the Lander selection Planetary Radio's Space Policy Edition on Starship Follow Casey Dreier Casey's Profile at the Planetary...
May 11, 2021•48 min•Ep. 105
NASA made history this week as it flew Ingenuity, the Mars Helicopter, for the first time. The small technology demonstrator is the first powered aircraft to fly on another planet. JPL engineer Teddy Tzanetos joins Jake to talk about how it works, how it came together, and what he hopes its success does for space exploration. We talk Ingenuity the Mars Helicopter Ingenuity succeeds at first flight Ingenuity succeeds at second flight Ingenuity succeeds at third flight Potential Science that could...
Apr 27, 2021•45 min•Ep. 104
As NASA embarks on a journey to return samples from Mars, the Mars Program faces a challenge maintaining a diverse portfolio of spacecraft alongside the cost of its flagship missions. Planetary Scientist and MAVEN Principal Investigator Bruce Jakosky chaired the Mars Architecture Strategy Working Group and was tasked with helping NASA figure out how to solve it. He joins Jake to talk about how we can keep exploring the whole planet while focusing so many resources into samples. We talk Mars Expl...
Apr 20, 2021•40 min•Ep. 103
This year, the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference goes virtual, and Jake reports "live" to catch up on mission updates and science themes. Scientists Sabrina Khan, Alyssa Pascuzzo, and Eva Scheller join Jake to report some interesting results from Mars. We talk Mars Planetary Science 2020 LPSC Cancellation 2020 Virtual LPSC Podcast Poster Session Part 1 2020 Virtual LPSC Podcast Poster Session Part 2 Sabrina's Abstract Alyssa's Abstract NYT coverage of Eva's Study Eva's Paper Follow Sabrina,...
Mar 30, 2021•36 min•Ep. 102
The next two years could see multiple new heavy lift rockets enter the space world, bringing with them the capability to send bigger and better payloads to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Main Engine Cut Off Podcast host Anthony Colangelo joins Jake to catch us up on the latest developments in SLS, New Glenn, Vulcan and Starship. We talk Big Rockets SLS Green Run Coverage Vulcan Pathfinder Arrives at the Cape New Glenn Delays, Launchpad Updates Starship SN10 Flight Follow Anthony and Main Engine Cut ...
Mar 16, 2021•50 min•Ep. 101
NASA landed its 9th successful surface mission and 5th rover on Mars, Perseverance. To place is safely in the treacherous Jezero Crater, Perseverance used two new technologies: Range Trigger and Terrain Relative Navigation. Mars 2020 Guidance, Navigation and Controls Operations Lead Swati Mohan joins Jake to talk about these technologies and how they did their job so well. We talk Perseverance Entry, Descent, and Landing Incredible Perseverance EDL Footage Follow Swati and Mars 2020 Swati Twitte...
Mar 02, 2021•42 min•Ep. 100
We talk the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Landing WeMartians Live Video Stream JPL Raw Feed - Mission Control Audio Only Jezero Crater Mineralogy Map Landing Ellipses at Mars EDL Footage - HD Follow Tanya and our Guests Tanya Twitter (@TanyaOfMars) For All Mankind Book Debarati Twitter (@SpaceWicca) Mike Twitter (@MikeSeibert) Follow Jake & WeMartians WeMartians.com Patreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support) WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com) Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup) ...
Feb 23, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 99
The United Arab Emirates Space Agency became the first Arab nation to send an interplanetary probe to Mars this week. Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, UAE Space Agency Chair and Hope Science Lead Sarah Al Amiri joins Jake to talk about the spacecraft's arrival, what's next, and what it means for the UAE and the world. We talk Mars Hope Hope enters orbit around Mars First image of Mars from Hope Follow Sarah and the UAE Space Agency Mars Hope Twitter UAE Space Agency Twitter Sarah Al Amir...
Feb 16, 2021•32 min•Ep. 98
NASA's Lunar Gateway is an international partnership that plans to put a small station in orbit around the Moon in 2024. Canada, the first country to join the program, will contribute a next-generation robotic arm to facilitate the station's work - Canadarm3. Ken Podwalski, Gateway Program Manager at the Canadian Space Agency, joins Jake to talk about the arm, it's role at Gateway, and Canada's plans for the future in space. We talk Canadarm3 and Gateway Canada becomes first nation to sign on to...
Feb 02, 2021•44 min•Ep. 97
Much like Earth, Mars is a volcanic world and is home to the largest volcanos in the solar system. But it's activity has quieted since its early eras and volcanism on Mars today is quite different than what we have here on Earth. Planetary Vulcanologist Davitia James joins Jake to talk about the similarities and differences of these volcanos, and what else we need to learn about them. We talk volcanos on Mars Recent activity in Cerberus Fossae The Eastern Caribbean Follow Davitia Davitia's Twitt...
Jan 19, 2021•35 min•Ep. 96
Five years ago, WeMartians debuted its first episode. We've learned a lot since then, both in how the space world works, and how podcasts work, too! Space reporters and friends of the show Brendan Byrne and Emilee Speck join Jake to have a bit of a humorous look back at the first podcast and how far everything has come. We talk Five Years of the WeMartians Podcast The First WeMartians Podcast, January 20th, 2016 Follow Brendan and Emilee Emilee Speck's Twitter (@EMSpeck) ClickOrlando.com (Space)...
Jan 05, 2021•44 min•Ep. 95
NASA is getting serious about sending people back to the Moon. And when the Artemis program lands on the surface, there’s a whole world of science to uncover. Renee Weber from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center joins Jake to talk about her new report on what NASA should prioritize when it finally sends astronauts back. We talk Artemis and Lunar Science Moon Trek Artemis Science Definition Team releases report The Report Follow Renee and Artemis Renee’s Twitter (@moonshakes) Profile on Renee at ...
Dec 15, 2020•41 min•Ep. 94
It’s the end of the year, and traditionally around this time we ask for support from you, the listener, as we continue to produce space content on this podcast every month! WeMartians is entirely listener-funded, and as I noted about year ago this month, I’ve begun #GoingPro by making changes in my life in pursuit of creating space content full time. None of that is possible without you! And so as we kick off our December drive to gather support, it’s a great time to showcase one of the perks of...
Dec 05, 2020•21 min•Ep. 93
NASA is building a new outpost at the Moon called the Lunar Gateway. It’s a place for science but also a place to stage lunar activities like landings on the surface. Michael Staab from Northrop Grumman joins us to talk about the core module of Gateway, HALO, and what we can expect from it when it gets there. We talk HALO and Lunar Gateway NASA Awards Northrop Grumman contract for HALO Recent plans for HALO Follow Michael and HALO NASA’s Lunar Gateway site Michael’s Twitter (@AstroStaab) Michael...
Dec 01, 2020•42 min•Ep. 92
As more and more human spaceflight vehicles enter service, and more and more people have access to spaceflight, the need to design vehicles to accommodate different kinds of passengers becomes more and more important. Kavya Manyapu, a spacesuit engineer on Boeing’s Starliner program, joins Jake to talk about equitable design, and the challenges and payoffs of pursuing it. We talk spacesuits and equitable design Boeing Suit unveiling Follow Kavya and Boeing’s Starliner Kavya’s Wikipedia Profile o...
Nov 10, 2020•37 min•Ep. 91
In early 2019, NASA’s Curiosity Rover wrapped up a year-long chapter in its mission exploring Vera Rubin Ridge, an elevated rocky plateau with high iron content. Many months later, we’re starting to see the science results roll in. JPL’s Abigail Fraeman, the Deputy Project Scientist for the mission and campaign leader for the ridge chapter, joins Jake to talk about what we learned about the ridge, and how it surprised us. We talk Vera Rubin Ridge on Mars A view of Vera Rubin Ridge from Curiosity...
Oct 20, 2020•42 min•Ep. 90
The surface of Mars has been a subject of repeated exploration, from both in orbit and in situ. But this exploration is only skin-deep, and a growing community of scientists are calling on NASA to explore the Mars underground. Charity Phillips-Lander joins Jake to talk about this exciting world underground and how she thinks we might have a chance to learn about it with a mission concept called MACIE. We talk Subterranean Exploration of Mars Visions and Voyages – Planetary Decadal Survey, 2013-2...
Oct 06, 2020•38 min•Ep. 89
The annual Humans to Mars summit went virtual this year, and WeMartians stopped by to listen in on the discussions about getting humans to Mars. From life support to surface power, politics, and medicine, the summit covers a wide variety of topics. Guests Shawna Pandya, Robyn Gatens, Michelle Munk, Lee Mason, Marcia Smith and Chris Carberry join Jake to see where we’re at in this long-term plan. Humans to Mars Summit Explore Mars website This year’s Humans to Mars Summit Agenda Follow Explore Ma...
Sep 08, 2020•55 min•Ep. 88
In the first ever WeMartians live video webcast, Jake is joined by co-host Tanya Harrison and special guests Alexandra Pontefract, Nathan Williams, and Phillip Hargrove to experience the launch of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. Mars 2020 Perseverance Video Version of this Webcast NASA successfully launches Mars 2020 Follow our Guests Tanya Harrison Twitter (@TanyaOfMars) Alexandra Pontefract (@astrobio_alex) Phillip Hargrove Twitter (@FlightMastrPhil) Main Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) Follow ...
Aug 04, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 87
It’s the Summer of Mars, and in between the larger space agencies of the United States and China vying to put the next rover on the surface, a small, upstart space agency in the United Arab Emirates is also looking to make their mark. Team members Mohsen Al Awadhi, Hessa Rashid Al Matroushi and Ayesha Al Sharafi from the UAE’s Mars Hope mission join Jake to talk about their successful launch and what they hope this mission will say to the people of the UAE and the world. Mars Hope Mars Hope laun...
Jul 29, 2020•41 min•Ep. 86
