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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
Titan
Human Spaceflight
Dava Sobel
Asteroids

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 weeklyEpisodes1353Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceTechnology

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Latest Episodes

On August 12th, 2026, the Moon’s shadow will sweep across Iceland, Greenland, and Spain, bringing the first total solar eclipse visible from Europe since 1999. And because this eclipse happens near sunset, it promises to be one of the most visually s... more

YouTube

The White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy recently released "Science: A New Golden Age", a sweeping report that calls for a fundamental reimagining of how the United States funds and conducts science. Explicitly modeled on Vannevar Bu... more

YouTube

For the first time, scientists have confirmed an atmosphere on a rocky exoplanet in the habitable zone of another star. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Collin Cherubim, NASA Hubble Fellow at the University of Chicago, to discuss his team's detection of h... more

YouTube

On Friday, April 13, 2029, asteroid Apophis will pass closer to Earth than our geostationary satellites. While NASA, ESA, and JAXA are all sending missions, a team of students at the University of Maryland is building their own spacecraft to join the... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

David Mann
Bioacoustics researcher, CEO of Haikubox
Haikubox
Episode: Total solar eclipse 2026: Astrophotography and birdsong
Zach Pirtle
Deputy Director for the Consortium of Science, Policy and Outcomes at Arizona State University (formerly at NASA)
Arizona State University / Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes
Episode: Space Policy Edition: “Science: A New Golden Age” - Reimagining U.S. science policy
Jack Kiraly
Chief of Advocacy at the Planetary Society
Planetary Society
Episode: Space Policy Edition: “Science: A New Golden Age” - Reimagining U.S. science policy
Collin Cherubim
NASA Hubble Fellow at University of Chicago, lead author on helium-detected atmosphere paper
University of Chicago / NASA Hubble Fellowship
Episode: LHS 1140b: The first atmosphere detected on a rocky habitable-zone exoplanet
Adrienne Rudolph
Student principal investigator for Terp Raptor
University of Maryland, Terp Raptor team
Episode: TERP RAPTOR: A student-built mission to asteroid Apophis
Elena Wu
Lead project manager for Terp Raptor
University of Maryland
Episode: TERP RAPTOR: A student-built mission to asteroid Apophis
Tyler Autrey
Mechanical structure and material lead
Terp Raptor team, University of Maryland
Episode: TERP RAPTOR: A student-built mission to asteroid Apophis
Xander Williams
Propulsion lead
Terp Raptor team, University of Maryland
Episode: TERP RAPTOR: A student-built mission to asteroid Apophis
Tiffany Kataria
Research scientist focusing on atmospheric dynamics and chemistry
NASA JPL
Episode: Hot Jupiters: The ‘Roasted Planet’ and the wrong-way hotspot

Hosts

Sarah Al-Ahmed
Host of Planetary Radio, Planetary Society
Casey Dreier
Host of Space Policy Edition on Planetary Radio

Reviews

4.8 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 States7 months ago
  • Excellent podcast

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I’m they
    Canada8 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
    Canada8 months ago
  • Ripples

    Non-white men? Racist nonsense.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MarkChicagoIL
    United States10 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

A few listeners wish for more traditional news briefings or space-news segments.
Listeners praise the show for clear, enthusiastic discussions of space science and policy.
Fans appreciate accessible explanations of complex topics and the breadth of guests.
Many admire the host's preparation and interview craft; production quality is consistently high.
Some criticism centers on perceived political bias or audio issues in certain episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#106
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#92
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#204
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#62
New Zealand/Science
Apple Podcasts
#96
Indonesia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#117
United Arab Emirates/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Space Policy Edition: “Science: A New Golden Age” - Reimagining U.S. science policy
Q: From a NASA space science perspective, how might the proposals play out in practice?
There is cautious optimism about broader experimentation in funding mechanisms and institution models, but concerns about delays, budget cuts, and whether space science will be prioritized amid wider policy shifts persist. Implementation would require careful alignment with NASA's mission priorities and budget realities.
Space Policy Edition: “Science: A New Golden Age” - Reimagining U.S. science policy
Q: What stood out to you about the report's mythology and its potential to lastingly influence how science is done?
The panel notes that the report foregrounds a non-linear, meta-science approach and shifts away from a purely linear model. It could influence governance, funding diversification, and improved management, but its lasting impact depends on actual implementation, funding levels, and cross-agency alignment.
Space Policy Edition: “Science: A New Golden Age” - Reimagining U.S. science policy
Q: Zach, can you give just a quick rundown of what this report is trying to do and the context it's coming out of?
The OSTP report positions itself as a modernization of science policy, drawing on historical lessons from Vannevar Bush while advocating for faster funding, less bureaucracy, broader institutional roles, and the use of AI. It aims to redefine how science is funded and managed across the government, though critics worry about its feasibility given current budget pressures and interagency frictions.
Total solar eclipse 2026: Astrophotography and birdsong
Q: What beginner setup would you recommend for eclipse photography?
Prioritize visual experience first; for those photographing, use a long focal length, an aperture around F8, manual focus set to infinity, and brace for HDR bracketing with a stable tripod and intervalometer.
Total solar eclipse 2026: Astrophotography and birdsong
Q: What is your plan for coming up in August on the 12th?
The plan depends on weather; primary and other locations were ruled out due to safety considerations, so the host is evaluating alternative sites and preparing equipment while hoping for clear skies.

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?

A science-forward program that blends space exploration, planetary science, and space policy with a steady mix of expert guests and engineers. Episodes commonly cover exoplanet atmospheres, planetary missions, eclipse photography and citizen science, plus ongoing policy debates shaping NASA and commercial space activity. A recurring strength is translating complex research into accessible storytelling, often paired with practical takeaways for listeners interested in space engineering, astronomy, and policy. Notable traits include hands-on engineering and mission planning discussions (e.g., CubeSats and rotorcraft), in-depth policy analysis, and enthusiastic, well-prepared interviewing that frequently ties science to real-world programs and... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

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

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this podcast launched 21 years ago and published 1353 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. David Mann
2. Zach Pirtle
3. Jack Kiraly
4. Collin Cherubim
5. Adrienne Rudolph
6. Elena Wu
7. Tyler Autrey
8. Xander Williams

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