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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
Europa Clipper
Astrobiology
Artemis Program
James Webb Space Telescope
Spacex
Carl Sagan
Europa
Enceladus
Jupiter
Titan
Planetary Defense
Astronomy
Human Spaceflight
Dava Sobel
Moon

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 weeklyEpisodes1368Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceTechnology

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Artwork for Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Latest Episodes

Every two years, The Planetary Society funds research through our STEP Grants (Science and Technology Empowered by the Public). This year, all three winning projects focus on small bodies in our Solar System, like asteroids and trans-Neptunian object... more

Leroy Chiao was one of the youngest astronauts ever selected. He would spend 229 days in low-Earth orbit, command the International Space Station, and perform three spacewalks. His book, “Dinner with an Astronaut,” chronicles his journey from Chinese... more

YouTube

Japan’s Martian Moons eXploration mission, MMX, is about to set out for Phobos and Deimos, the two small moons of Mars. If all goes well, it will bring the first-ever sample from the Martian system back to Earth. Asa Stahl, public outreach astronomer... more

YouTube

Can you buy science the way you buy a rocket launch? NASA is exploring the idea of “science as a service,” asking industry how commercial companies could provide scientific data and capabilities for Earth science, space weather, and astrophysics. But... 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

Jack Kiraly
Chief of Advocacy at The Planetary Society
The Planetary Society
Episode: Space Policy Edition: What does “science as a service” really mean?
Britney Schmidt
Planetary scientist, astrobiologist, The Planetary Society board member
The Planetary Society
Episode: Space Policy Edition: What does “science as a service” really mean?
Artur Davoyan
Associate Professor at UCLA; NIAC fellow; expert in extreme solar sailing
University of California, Los Angeles
Episode: 2026 NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Symposium: Part 2 — Solar sails and breathing beyond Earth
Jim Bickford
From the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory; NIAC Phase 2 concept Tfiner
Charles Stark Draper Laboratory
Episode: 2026 NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Symposium: Part 2 — Solar sails and breathing beyond Earth
Alvaro Romero-Calvo
Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech; NIAC Phase 2 project Breathing Beyond Earth
Georgia Tech
Episode: 2026 NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Symposium: Part 2 — Solar sails and breathing beyond Earth
Theo St. Francis
Graduate researcher in Alvaro Romero-Calvo's lab; Breathing Beyond Earth collaborator
Georgia Tech
Episode: 2026 NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Symposium: Part 2 — Solar sails and breathing beyond Earth
Jacob Buffo
Planetary Society STEP grant recipient; work on AI for locating signs of life
Planetary Society
Episode: 2026 NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Symposium: Part 2 — Solar sails and breathing beyond Earth
Peter Cabauy
CEO and co-founder of City Labs Incorporated
City Labs Incorporated
Episode: 2026 NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Symposium: Part 1 — Nuclear sensors and cave explorers
Mason Peck
Former NASA chief technologist
City Labs Incorporated
Episode: 2026 NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts Symposium: Part 1 — Nuclear sensors and cave explorers

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
  • Simply spectacular journalism

    Planetary Radio is fascinating, informative, and engaging science journalism at its best. Sarah Al-Ahmed, like her predecessor, delivers in equal parts, enthusiasm, curiosity, and information. Deep gratitude for this contribution to scientific journalism. Keep crushing it, Sarah.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    idinestridi
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States10 months ago
  • Excellent podcast

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I’m they
    Canada10 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
    Canada10 months ago
  • Ripples

    Non-white men? Racist nonsense.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MarkChicagoIL
    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
#102
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#179
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#240
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#67
India/Science
Apple Podcasts
#68
Taiwan/Science
Apple Podcasts
#73
China/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Space Policy Edition: The Long Space Age with Alex MacDonald
Q: What is the central claim about why space investment has persisted beyond the Apollo era?
Investment persists because space programs create costly signals of national capability and commitment, and because a mix of private passion and public funding remains necessary to sustain large, complex projects.
World Space Week and farewell to Swift
Q: What resources are provided to help people run World Space Week events?
The World Space Week Association offers calendars, posters, guides, and coordinate support through partnerships with space agencies and organizations, helping teachers and communities organize NASA- and ESA-backed activities easily across diverse resources and locations.
World Space Week and farewell to Swift
Q: What is World Space Week?
World Space Week is the largest space event on Earth, declared by the UN in 1999, now spanning more than 100 countries with activities in schools, museums, and communities to inspire STEM and space exploration.
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.

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. SpaceTime with Stuart Gary
4. The Supermassive Podcast
5. Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries

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this podcast launched 21 years ago and published 1368 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. Jack Kiraly
2. Britney Schmidt
3. Artur Davoyan
4. Jim Bickford
5. Alvaro Romero-Calvo
6. Theo St. Francis
7. Jacob Buffo
8. Peter Cabauy

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