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Artwork for Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

The Planetary Society
NASA
Space Exploration
Planetary Society
Mars
Space Policy
Astrobiology
Europa Clipper
Artemis Program
James Webb Space Telescope
Carl Sagan
Europa
Spacex
Enceladus
Jupiter
Planetary Defense
Astronomy
Human Spaceflight
Dava Sobel
Asteroids
Titan

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our Solar System and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts who are taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye the Science Guy and Bruce Betts as ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1332Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyScience

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Latest Episodes

When Artemis II returned its crew safely to Earth, millions of people found themselves unexpectedly moved. The mission was a test flight, a proof-of-concept, and yet it felt like something far greater than the sum of its parts.

In this episode, Cas... more

YouTube

On April 12th, 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. Sixty-five years later, we celebrated that milestone at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, CA.

We began on the lawn of Griffith Observatory, where host Sarah Al-Ahmed spoke with ... more

YouTube

“Project Hail Mary” is finally in theaters, and the science is just as thrilling as the story. This week on Planetary Radio, Sarah Al-Ahmed and senior communications adviser Mat Kaplan share their first reactions fresh from the theater. Author and pr... more

YouTube

He built a rocket-powered bike when he was a kid. Now he leads the company that has made New Zealand number three among nations that launch big rockets, following the United States and China. Sir Peter Beck joins us for a deeply revealing and enterta... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Rebecca Lowe
Philosophy Senior Fellow at the Mercatus Center, George Mason University
Mercatus Center, George Mason University
Episode: Space Policy Edition: Why humans matter — The philosophy of Artemis II
Frank White
Space philosopher, author
Independent
Episode: Yuri's Night 2026: Celebrating 65 years of human spaceflight
Nadine Nicole
Actress
The Expanse
Episode: Yuri's Night 2026: Celebrating 65 years of human spaceflight
Christopher Huey
Commercial space explorer
Independent
Episode: Yuri's Night 2026: Celebrating 65 years of human spaceflight
Laura Tomlin
CEO of Space for Teachers
Space for Teachers
Episode: Yuri's Night 2026: Celebrating 65 years of human spaceflight
Ron Garan
NASA astronaut
NASA/Space Advocate
Episode: Yuri's Night 2026: Celebrating 65 years of human spaceflight
Caitlin Carpenter
Robotics engineer
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Episode: Yuri's Night 2026: Celebrating 65 years of human spaceflight
David Hernandez
Software engineer
Blue Origin
Episode: Yuri's Night 2026: Celebrating 65 years of human spaceflight
Robert Greene
Research scientist
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Episode: Yuri's Night 2026: Celebrating 65 years of human spaceflight

Hosts

Sarah Al-Ahmed
Host and producer of Planetary Radio, known for raising public awareness about space science and exploration and engaging with various experts in the field.
Matt Kaplan
Senior Communications Advisor for the Planetary Society and former host of Planetary Radio, contributing to science communication and public engagement with space programs.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • Ad Astra for Real

    Planetary Radio is the most hopeful, and the most humane, place on the internet. Every episode gives us a chance to feel connected, included, and welcomed, whoever we may be or wherever we may be coming from. Every episode gives us a chance to experience awe. This is what it means to be one human family, headed inexorably Ad Astra. I am so grateful for the weekly reminder of what we can be when we're at our best and doing great things together <3

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yuhfdfbged
    United States4 months ago
  • Excellent podcast

    Fascinating topics given by enthusiastic hosts. Could listen all day to programs like this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I’m they
    Canada4 months ago
  • So inspiring, well produced!

    I've listened to this podcast and every episode grabs me by the *****. Just bought the Moons book after hearing about it here! Keep up the great production!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    coolfactor
    Canada5 months ago
  • Ripples

    Non-white men? Racist nonsense.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MarkChicagoIL
    United States6 months ago
  • Republicans are raising taxes for middle class and poor

    Casey begs for the listeners to become a member and donate to them on one hand, while he promotes billionaires’ business ventures on another hand.

    Republicans keep raising taxes for regular people, by way of tariffs, and lowering taxes for rich people, by way of the Big Beautiful Bill, making regular people even poorer. But that doesn’t stop this podcast from begging for more donations from regular people. Somehow the rich keep getting richer while the rest of us keep getting screwed.

    This i... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Fatty2820
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is often praised for its educational value and ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and depth of information presented in each episode.
Some listeners have expressed concerns over perceived political biases in content or the focus of discussions.
Many reviews highlight the motivating and inspiring nature of the discussions around space exploration and the prospects for humanity's future in space.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#93
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#110
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#187
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#113
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#215
Germany/Science
Apple Podcasts
#243
France/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Book Club Edition: Founder and CEO Peter Beck on The Launch of Rocket Lab
Q: What lessons came from the Electron near-miss during its first launch, and how did that shape Rocket Lab?
The near-miss underscored that even skilled teams can make critical mistakes; it reinforced the importance of meticulous internal checks and learning from failures to build a culture of reliability and continuous improvement.
Artemis II launches to the Moon
Q: What makes Artemis II a historic step for human spaceflight?
Artemis II represents the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo, with a multinational crew and a modern spacecraft stack, marking a pivotal move toward returning humans to the Moon and establishing long-term exploration.
Artemis II’s AVATAR and a sungrazing comet
Q: What can you tell us about Comet MAPS, its Kreutz lineage, and what observers should expect as it approaches perihelion?
Comet MAPS is a Kreutz sungrazer with a potentially dramatic fate near the Sun. Depending on its survival through perihelion, it could become visible in daylight or with a striking tail, particularly benefiting southern hemisphere observers in the second week of April.
Artemis II’s AVATAR and a sungrazing comet
Q: How does the MAPS program actually work, and what have been some of its key software and hardware innovations?
MAPS uses a pipeline of software to move telescopes, select fields, stack hundreds of images, and compute asteroid vectors. Innovations include synthetic tracking to keep moving objects on a pixel, CMOS cameras for sensitivity, GPU-based processing, and TECO Tracker for orbit confirmation and MPC submissions.
Artemis II’s AVATAR and a sungrazing comet
Q: So what has Avatar meant for NASA's approach to testing human biology in space, and why bone marrow as a model is particularly informative?
Avatar provides a realistic, human-relevant model of how the immune system and hematopoietic tissue respond to deep-space conditions. Bone marrow is extremely radiosensitive and linked to immune function, so studying it through organ chips helps predict health risks and tailor countermeasures for astronauts.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Featuring engaging discussions with scientists, engineers, advocates, and astronauts, this production shines a spotlight on the exploration of our Solar System and beyond. Listeners can expect to explore various astrophysical topics, including the potential for life on other planets, budgetary implications for NASA's missions, and the latest advancements in space technology. This podcast is unique for its blend of scientific rigor and relatable storytelling, making sophisticated subjects accessible and enjoyable for listeners of all backgrounds. With a commitment to generating interest and excitement about space science, it serves as an inspiring platform for those curious about the universe.

The podcast consistently promotes a sense of co... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Universe Today Podcast
2. SpaceTime with Stuart Gary
3. The Supermassive Podcast
4. Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries
5. Astronomy Cast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 20 years ago and published 1332 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Rebecca Lowe
2. Frank White
3. Nadine Nicole
4. Christopher Huey
5. Laura Tomlin
6. Ron Garan
7. Caitlin Carpenter
8. David Hernandez

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