Cool Space News with Rod Pyle

Latest Episodes:

Cool Space News - Cassini's Swan Song Sep 14, 2017

Show notes

This week, Cassini's final hours at Saturn! As the end of the mission draws near, we look back at this 20-year exploration of Saturn and its moons, and some of the remarkable discoveries made throughout. The Cassini probe will end its flight early Friday morning, descending into the giant planet's atmosphere starting at about 3:30 am Pacific Time. It's been an incredible journey, with more to come.

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Cool Space News - Tony Cook, Staff Astronomer at Griffith Observatory joins Rod Pyle! Aug 15, 2017

Show notes

The Apocaclypse is here! Tony Cook, staff astronomer at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, joins us to discuss where to go to see the eclipse, how to view it safely, and what to expect. Tony has seen it all and done it all when it comes to astronomy, so this is a must-listen episode if you're planning to see the eclipse on August 21st.

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Cool Space News w/Rod Pyle - Cool Eclipse Viewing Tips! Aug 07, 2017

Show notes

Cool Space News eclipse viewing special! Tips on safe eclipse viewing for you and your family, including the proper sources for safe viewing glasses and devices. For more information go to http://www.pylebooks.com/ and click on "2017 SOLAR ECLIPSE SAFE VIEWING TIPS."

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Cool Space News with Rod Pyle: Return to the Moon! Aug 07, 2017

Show notes

It's been almost 50 years since Apollo 11 landed on the Moon. Why haven't we returned? This week, we look at rejuvenating NASA, partnering with the private sector to reach our goals in space, and why returning to the Moon might be worthwhile.

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Cool Space News with Rod Pyle - Interview with Steve Fentress, Director of the Strasenburgh Planetarium Jul 28, 2017

Show notes

In this episode of Cool Space News, Rod interviews Steve Fentress, Director of the Strasenburgh Planetarium at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, about his new book, Sky to Space. The book us is a delightful introduction to visual backyard astronomy, as well as an overview of basic astronomical principles, that anyone can understand. It is a lovingly crafted volume, written and illustrated in a folksy style that is a trademark of the author. An overview of the 2017 solar eclipse in August is included. This is also an ideal STEM intro to astronomy.

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Cool Space News - Part 2 of Rod's interview with Rob Manning Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

A continuation of my interview with JPL’s Rob Manning. Rob was the Chief Engineer for the Mars Pathfinder mission, the Mars Exploration Rovers, and the Curiosity Mars rover. We pick up our discussion talking about the airbag landing system that was used to land Pathfinder on Mars, a NASA first. Testing was critical, and had to proceed on a tight budget. Rob discusses these challenges, and looks ahead to the Mars 2020 rover and sample return missions.

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Cool Space News - Interview with Rob Manning, Chief Engineer for the Engineering and Science Directorate Jul 06, 2017

Show notes

Part one of Rod's interview with Rob Manning, the Chief Engineer for the Engineering and Science Directorate at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Rob was also the Chief Engineer for the Mars Exploration Rover and Mars Pathfinder missions. This week represents the 20th anniversary of the Pathfinder landing on July 4, 1997.
Rob joins us in a two-part discussion about how the Pathfinder mission came to be, and discusses how some of the challenges were overcome in the unlikeliest--and cheapest--ways you might imagine. It was a mission on a budget that was achieved with ingenuity, passion, and by a few visits to the local Home Depot!

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Cool Space News - The National Space Society and the Space Development Conference Jul 01, 2017

Show notes

This is part two of Rod Pyle's conversation with Dave Dressler.

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Cool Space News - Space for the Rest of Us! Jul 01, 2017

Show notes

This week, Rod talks about the National Space Society and the National Space Development Conference. Part one includes a conversation with Dave Dressler, organizer of the speaker track for the conference.

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Cool Space News - the end of the Cassini mission to Saturn! May 15, 2017

Show notes

Host Rod Pyle keeps us up-to-date on all the coolest space news in his weekly podcast!

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