Red Planet Radio

RPR 28: Dr. Antonio Paris, Astrophysicist, Author "Mars: Your Personal 3-D Journey!" Jun 15, 2020

In today's episode we speak with speak with Dr. Antonio Paris! Dr. Paris is the Chief Scientist at the Center for Planetary Science, an Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at St. Petersburg College, FL, and a graduate of the NASA Mars Education Program at the Mars Space Flight Center, Arizona State University

In this interview, Ron and Antonio discuss his passion for Mars, his time studying at the NASA Mars Education program, his recent paper on using the lava tubes of Mars as human habitats, and much, MUCH more!

RPR 27: Dr. Robert Zubrin on his discussion with Elon Musk about colonizing Mars & Starship! May 25, 2020

In this interview, Ron and Robert discuss this week's launch of humans to the ISS, his trip to see the Starship shipyard, his discussion with Elon Musk about Musk's goal to colonize Mars, Zubrin's new book "The Case for Space", the issues with the SLS and Lunar Gateway missions, his recent op-ed on using Starship for the Artemis Moon missions, and more!

RPR 26: Dr. Jim Green, NASA's Chief Scientist Nov 22, 2019

In this interview, Ron and Jim discuss Jim's job as NASA's Chief Scientist, getting back to the moon in 2024, the Lunar Gateway, SLS's recent milestones, what finding life on Mars will mean for humanity, Mars 2020 rover, Curiosity's discovery of Methane, the Mars Sample Return mission, and more!

RPR 25 - Dr. James Rice, Astrogeologist Jul 11, 2019

In this interview, Bill and Jim discuss the Artemis/Moon 2024 program, the future of space exploration, the new space race with commercial and government space agencies, recent methane discoveries by Curiosity, and much more!

RPR 24 - Dr. Michael Chalmer Dunn, 4th Planet Logistics May 13, 2019

In this interview, we discuss Dr. Dunn's work in subterranean habitats on the Moon and Mars, his incredible expeditions around the world , leading the expedition to take Neil Armstrong to the North Pole, working in underground systems to develop the techologies live on other worlds, what those other technologies are (3D printing,etc.), and much more!

RPR 23: Dr. Robert Zubrin on InSight, Moon Direct, & More Dec 17, 2018

In this interview, we discuss Mars InSight's successful landing, Zubrin's Moon Direct plan, his critiques on the Deep Space Gateway, working with SpaceX to get back to the moon, and much more!

RPR 22- Dr. Reut Sorek Abramovich, Davidson Institute, Young Astronaut Academy, D-Mars Analog Ramonaut Aug 28, 2018

In this interview, Ron and Reut discuss astrobiology, her work with the Mars Society in Australia, her creation of the Mars Society Israel Chapter, the growing excitement for space science in Israel, her and her students work as analog Martian/Ramonauts at D-Mars and much more! Check out the interview here and make sure to like and subscribe.

RPR 21 - Dirk Schulze-Makuch, Astrobiologist, Author, "The Cosmic Zoo". Jun 01, 2018

Dirk Schulze-Makuch is a professor for planetary habitability and astrobiology at the Technical University, Berlin, Germany, where he leads the Dry Limit of Life Project, and he's also an adjunct professor at Washington State University and Arizona State University. In this interview, Bill and Dirk discuss his research and how it pertains to possibly finding life on Mars, the search for life beyond the microbial kind, his new book "Cosmic Zoo" and much more. Check out the interview here and make sure to like and subscribe!

RPR 20 - James L Burk, IT Director & Mars VR Lead, The Mars Society May 01, 2018

In today's episode we speak with James L Burk. James is The Mars Society's IT Director and is heading up their newest project, MarsVR!

In this interview, we discuss the Mars Society's new VR project MarsVR, how it differs from the other VR and AR projects out there, the creation of "Crowd Exploration", photogrammetry mapping for photorealistic VR experiences, the science, citizen-science, STEM, & outreach applications for MarsVR, how MDRS fits in (and a little info on what MDRS is for the uninitiated), and much more!

Check out more of James work at MarsVr.IO and MarsSociety.org

Today’s host is Ron Sparkman, Founder of Stardom (FB, Twitter, & IG: @StardomSpace) and co-creator of I Love Mars (FB, Twitter, & IG: @ILoveMarsFans).

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media.

Find out more at: Marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 19 - Dava Newman, Former NASA Deputy Administrator Jan 29, 2018

In today's episode we speak with Dr. Dava Newman. Dr. Newman is the previous NASA Deputy Administrator, a spacesuit innovator, and a professor at MIT.

In this interview, we discuss her 20 years of work on getting humans to Mars, the development of the Journey To Mars program, major upcoming missions like the Mars 2020 Rover and InSight Lander, and some of the major challenges we currently face with surviving on the Red Planet.

Find out more about Dr. Dava Newman at Women.nasa.gov/dava-newman/

Today’s host is Ron Sparkman, Founder of Stardom (FB, Twitter, & IG: @StardomSpace) and co-creator of I Love Mars (FB, Twitter, & IG: @ILoveMarsFans).

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media.

Find out more at: Marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 18 - Dr. Robert Zubrin, President, The Mars Society Nov 30, 2017

In today's episode we speak with Dr. Robert Zubrin. Dr Zubrin is the president of The Mars Society and author of the seminal "The Case for Mars" & "Mars Direct". He is one of the most outspoken voices on getting us to Mars as soon as possible and is often featured in T.V. shows to speak on the subject, such as National Geographic's "MARS" series.

In this interview, Dr Zubrin discusses the latest findings on Mars, the new direction of NASA with the current administration, and Musk's plan for the ITS and Mars exploration.

Find out more about Dr. Zubrin's passion project The Mars Society at MarsSociety.org

Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, Founder of I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media.

Find out more at: Marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 17 - Cassandra Klos, Commander, MDRS Crew 181 Sep 21, 2017

In today's episode we speak with Cassandra Klos (pronounced Klaus). She is a Boston fine art photographer and for the the past three years has been working on a photography project entitled "Mars on Earth". It documents current Mars analog and simulation projects, astronaut training, and space exploration sciences. She served on MDRS Crew 155 as artist-in-residence and crew journalist. She returned to MDRS on Crew 181 as Commander.

Find out more from Cassandra on her artist website at www.cassandraklos.com or her Facebook page: Facebook.com/Cassandraklos/

Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, Founder of I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media.

Find out more at: Marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 16 - Dr. Geronimo Villanueva, Planetary Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Aug 10, 2017

In today's episode we speak with Dr. Geronimo Villanueva from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Via the NASA Website. " Dr. Geronimo Villanueva is a planetary scientist at NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center who specializes in the search for organic molecules on Mars and on icy bodies. He is the leader for Mars studies for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and scientist for the ExoMars 2016 mission. He also serves as Science and Management advisor to several observatories, including Keck, NASA-IRTF and ALMA. His foundational work on small bodies led the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to name minor planet '9724'after Dr. Villanueva, while the American Astronomical Society (AAS) in 2015 honored him with the Urey Prize (young planetary scientist of the year). the possibility that there was life on Mars and if it may have seeded on our planet Earth, the future of humans on Mars and how we can terraform the planet, and much more!"

In this episode we discuss the possibilities of life on Mars, the space missions Dr. Villanueva is working on such as the James Webb Space Telescope & ExoMars, and much more!

Today’s host is Ron Sparkman, Founder of UpportunityU.com and Co-Creator of I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media.

Find out more at: Marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 15 - Dr. Chris McKay, NASA Astrobiologist and Mars Authority Jun 12, 2017

In today's episode we speak with Dr. Chris Mckay from NASA Ames Research Center. Chris is an astrobiologist and space scientist, as well as an authority often sought out to discuss terraforming other planets...and Mars! He's also a popular science communicator that has been prominently featured on popular T.V. shows such as "How The Universe Works" and "The Universe".

In this interview, we discuss the search for life in the Universe, the possibility that there was life on Mars and if it may have seeded on our planet Earth, the future of humans on Mars and how we can terraform the planet, and much more!

Today’s host is Ron Sparkman, Founder of UpportunityU.com and Co-Creator of I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media.

Find out more at: Marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 14 - Alyssa Carson, Future Mars Walker. May 30, 2017

In today's episode we speak with Alyssa Carson. At 16 years old, she is already on her way to being a space traveler, working with Project Possum Citizen Scientist Astronautics program (Advanced POSSUM Academy), as well as being a national speaker and featured in the new Netflix documentary, "The Mars Generation". She talks about what she's accomplished so far, her involvement in the Mars Generation, and more!

Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, and Founder of I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media.

Find out more at: Marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 13 - Deep Space Ecology's Morgan Arena Irons Mar 27, 2017

In today's episode we speak with Morgan Arena Irons, founder of Deep Space Ecology. We discuss her work with environmental sciences, how this led her to developing the Three-Zone Model, and what this will mean for sustaining life on the Red Planet! All that and more on today's show.

Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, and Founder of I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media.

Find out more at: Marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 12 - Spacefarming Authorities, Galactic Farms' Jeff & Melissa Pernell Feb 19, 2017

In today's episode, we speak with Jeff and Melissa Pernell of Galactic Farms. We discuss their passion project of spacefarming, their award-winning team for agriculture in the Mars City Design contest, their work with HI-SEAS to help feed a Martian crew for a year, where they see spacefarming going in the future, and much more!

Today's host is Ron Sparkman, creator of UpportunityU.com and project manager with I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-procuded with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at www.MarsSociety.org and ILoveMars.Info.

RPR 11 – Radiation and Propulsion Expert: Dr. Joseph Parker Jan 18, 2017

Today’s guest is Dr. Joseph Parker. Dr. Parker has a doctorate of medicine from the Mayo Clinic and a Master's of Science in Space Studies. He served in the Marines and became an officer in the US Air Force with the Strategic Air Command, later US Space Command, and had command and control of Minuteman II ICBMs as a Missile Launch Officer. Then he became a doctor and has been in practice for about 15 years in Emergency Medicine.

He has published and presented research in human radiation exposure tolerance regarding colonization of the Moon and Mars, as well as methods of advanced propulsion.

Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, and Founder of I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 10 NASA's “Journey To Mars” Public Affairs Officer, Jim Wilson . Dec 15, 2016

There are many burning questions for NASA's Journey To Mars:

Since the Orion is so small, how will NASA astronauts live comfortably on the way to Mars?

What will they eat and how will they grow food?

And what are the contingency plans if something were to go wrong, a la, “The Martian”?

NASA Public Affairs officer Jim Wilson answered these questions and many more in today's interview. Jim is an authority on all things Journey To Mars and was happy to give us all the up-to-date information on the current status of the mission.

Today’s host is Ron Sparkman, creator of UpportunityU.com and a project manager with I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org, and IloveMars.info

RPR 09 - New Zealand Mars Society Chapter President: Haritina Mogoșanu Dec 06, 2016

New Zealand Mars Society President Haritina Mogosanu is definitely a dreamer. Her fascination with stars has gone back as far as she can remember. As Haritina grew up, her passion for stars grew too, and she learned that many of humankind's greatest stories were linked to the stars in one way or another.

Now, as a starryteller, she uses this passion for space and stars to support science education and space exploration through outreach projects like the KiwiSpace Foundation, Ancient Skies, and the Society of Maori Astronomy.

Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, and Founder of I Love Mars Media.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 08 – Author of Mars Our Future on the Red Planet: Leonard David Oct 25, 2016

Leonard David is an award winning space journalist, reporting on space activities for over 50 years and is author of Mars – Our Future on the Red Planet to be published by National Geographic on October 25, 2016. The book is the companion volume to Mars – a six-part television series from executive producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard to air on the National Geographic Channel in November 2016.

Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, and Founder of I Love Mars Media.

Leonard is co-author with Apollo 11’s Buzz Aldrin of Mission to Mars – My Vision for Space Exploration released in May 2013 and published by the National Geographic Society. A soft cover edition of the book with a new essay was released in May 2015.

Also issued in May 2015 — Space Careers — was co-authored by Leonard and entrepreneur Scott Sacknoff. This book is designed for high school, college, graduate students – and job seekers of all ages. It is an in-depth source for understanding and finding a career in the space and satellite industry.

Leonard is the first recipient of the American Astronautical Society’s (AAS) “Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History” in the category of journalism, to be presented in October 2015 in connection with the 8th AAS Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium held in Huntsville, Alabama.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 07 - Mars City Design Challenge Founder and CEO: Vera Mulyani Oct 11, 2016

Vera Mulyani's multidisciplinary background in master planning in various fields of art; architecture, urban design, filmmaking and storytelling, has made her specialized in conceptual strategy in technology, innovation and business development, which is just perfect for designing a future city on Mars today. Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, and Founder of I Love Mars Media.

Mars City Design's mission is to design the blueprint for sustainable cities on Mars. Mars City Design is a human movement, comprised of not only scientists and engineers, but also, experts from the vast landscape of artistic vocations.

We talked Mars research, art, multidisciplinary collaboration, influences, putting the fun in Mars exploration, growing a business, and more.

More about our guest:

Vera Mulyani's multidisciplinary background in master planning in various fields of art; architecture, urban design, filmmaking and storytelling, has made her specialized in conceptual strategy in technology, innovation and business development. Ms. Mulyani contributes her expertise in applying combining these fields, creating a collaborative competition platform for designing cities for Mars, our next step to settle the Red Planet. Ms. Mulyani is the Master Architect and planner of Mars City Design.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 06 - Elon Musk's Mars Plan Reviewed by Dr. Robert Zubrin Founder of the Mars Society Oct 03, 2016

Dr. Zubrin is an American aerospace engineer and author of The Case for Mars, best known for his advocacy of the manned exploration. Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, and Founder of I Love Mars Media.

Dr. Zubrin discusses:

His take on the Elon Musk’s SpaceX Mars colonization plan

Ways he would improve the mission

Describes Mars Direct and Mars Semi Direct

Talks about the big takeaways from the Mars Society Convention 2016

Talks the next steps for our path to Mars

Dr. Zubrin was the driving force behind Mars Direct, a proposal intended to produce significant reductions in the cost and complexity of such a mission. The key idea was to use the Martian atmosphere to produce oxygen, water, and rocket propellant for the surface stay and return journey. He is the President of the Mars Society and Pioneer Astronautics and Pioneer Energy. He has developed a number of concepts for space propulsion and exploration, and is the author of over 200 technical and non-technical papers and five books.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 05 - Chris Hoftun: Chairman Mars Institute Norway, and Program Manager Space Systems at Zaptec Sep 26, 2016

Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, interviews Chris Hoftun Chairman and co-founder of the Mars Institute Norway, and Program Manager Space Systems at Zaptec where he is currently investigating a new plasma drilling system under development (PLASMARS).

We talked about his trip to Devon Island for a Mars science research trip, learned about plasma drilling for earth, asteroids, Mars and its moons, as well as talked about what it takes to pursue your passion and help realize a greater vision for humanity.

Christopher Hoftun has a Master of Science from the University of Stavanger, Norway. He is the chairman and co-founder of the Mars Institute Norway, after he conducted a study of planetary drilling at the Mars Institute, at NASA Ames Research Center, California, USA. He is also the Program Manager Space Systems at Zaptec, HQ in Stavanger, Norway, and based at NASA Ames Research Center. He is currently investigating a new plasma drilling system under development (PLASMARS) by the Zaptec, Inc company and the European Space Agency (ESA). The plasma- drill that will enable deep subsurface access on asteroids, Mars and its moons for in-situ science investigation sampling and exploration.

Drilling is anticipated to be an important activity in the future exploration of the Moon, Mars, and of small bodies, such as asteroids and the moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos. NASA and ESA have identified subsurface access as a significant science and exploration priority for planetary missions in the near-future, and are pursuing technologies necessary to enable such access. The PLASMARS project ́s purpose is to develop prototypes and field-test robotic plasma drilling technologies for missions to the Moon, asteroids, and Mars in the 2021-2025 time.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 04 - Executive Director of the Mars Society: Lucinda Offer Sep 19, 2016

Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, interviews Lucinda Offer, Executive Director of the Mars Society, who has devoted over 10 years to Humans to Mars advocacy and analog research.

Lucinda has been an extremely effective Executive Director of the Mars Society USA, a role which she held in the past, and now again appointed in 2015. She has devoted over 10 years to Humans to Mars advocacy and analog research. Positions included leading lobbying efforts in DC, PR Director, and Executive Director.

She completed Crew 97 (January 2011) rotation at MDRS as crew roboticist testing NASA/Mars Society tele-operated exploration rover ‘Sandstorm’, as well as four NASA Science expeditions researching Mars analogues to Saudi Arabia (Mars and Titan), Australia (3.5 Bya stromatolites and the Dawn of Life Trail), the Mojave (tardigrades), and New Zealand (geothermal vents). Backgrounds in Geology, Design, and Science Communication.

Lucinda also combines those talents to teach Physical and Earth science concepts using visual communication. She continues her efforts with publishing Mars-oriented educational materials, first published in 2010.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 03 - Physics of SpaceX blogger: Tom Myers Sep 18, 2016

Podcast host John King, interviews Tom Myers, physicist and blogger at The Physics of SpaceX.

We delve into Mars colonisation logistics and future potential technologies.

Subjects discussed today:

Intro to Tom and how he came to start his blog “The Physics of SpaceX”
Why SpaceX only reuses the first stage of the Falcon 9 (Tom explains extrapolating from the rocket equation + other calculations the infeasibility of second stage re-use)
What SpaceX Mars colonisation logistics may look like (BFR + MCT). How the MCT could re-fuel in space.
How “breaking” when arrive at Mars works (high level) using aerobreaking + retropropulsion
Using SpaceX Mars logistics for other organisations (universities, governments) to put things on Mars.
Tom’s background in rocketry - competing in solid fuel rocket building competitions against the USA + French
21m - The complexity of an engineering leap from kerosene based fuels to methane
Fuel options on Mars (Methane or Hydrogen) + tradeoffs between the two
Who might be the first people to go to Mars? SpaceX Engineers / NASA astronauts
Mars collaboration going forward? ESA, JSA, China
Will others be able to copy/compete with SpaceX?
Discussion of Skylon’s single stage to orbit liquid hydrogen concept, how it could bring down the cost of transporting payloads into orbit (in the future), and how extra ‘players’ will increase redundance capacity (should something happen with a BFR etc)
Ion engines and “going the long way around” to Mars, to reach it outside of transfer windows
38m - How ion engines work (vs liquid propellant) (loosely explained)
If ion engines can go 10x faster, how do they break at the other end? Force of air resistance scales with square of speed
42m - Why ion engines won’t work within the Earth’s gravity
SpaceX plans for creating a satellite network to share internet across the world. How it will benefit the world + SpaceX. Including creating communication between Earth + Mars
51m - In situ-resource utilisation. Why we want to go to Mars vs building something in empty space.
Resources available on Mars
Why asteroid mining from Mars is more appealing than from Earth
Feasibility of living underground on Mars - including the speculated empty lava tubes
1hr - Future Mars governance & future independence
Self driving cars on Mars
1hr 10m - How Mars will help drive new innovation - through necessity
1hr 18m - Virtual Reality utilisation on Mars - helping the colony to handle reduced space and movement options.
1hr 23m - Gravity on Mars
1m 28m - Various rationales for going to Mars
1hr 31m - Comparing the discovery of the Americas to Mars exploration

RPR 02 - SpaceX Mission Integrator: Andrew Rader Sep 15, 2016

Bill Hargenrader, bestselling author of the Mars Journey series, hosts Andrew Rader, SpaceX mission integrator with a PhD from MIT in human long duration spaceflight, and holder of the title of Canada’s Greatest Know-it-All.

Andrew runs New Horizon Games which designs tabletop card games, including 'Evolve: The Game of Unnatural Selection', and 'Politics: Bribes, Scandals, Strife, and Strategy'. He has over 15 years of game design experience with Australian Design Group.

Andrew is also an author ('Leaving Earth') and Youtuber with over 4 million views (youtube/AndrewRader). He runs a personal Twitter account (@marsrader), a science account (@weird_sci), and a history account (@weird_hist). Find Andrew on Facebook at Facebook/RaderAndrew.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

RPR 01 - Dr. Robert Zubrin, Founder and President of the Mars Society: The Case for Mars Sep 08, 2016

Today’s host is Bill Hargenrader, Cybersecurity and Innovation Strategist, and Founder of the popular I Love Mars Media. Dr. Zubrin is an American aerospace engineer and author of The Case for Mars, best known for his advocacy of the manned exploration of Mars.

He was the driving force behind Mars Direct, a proposal intended to produce significant reductions in the cost and complexity of such a mission. The key idea was to use the Martian atmosphere to produce oxygen, water, and rocket propellant for the surface stay and return journey. He is the President of the Mars Society and Pioneer Astronautics and Pioneer Energy. He has developed a number of concepts for space propulsion and exploration, and is the author of over 200 technical and non-technical papers and five books.

The show and its contents are presented by The Mars Society and co-produced with I Love Mars Media. Find out more at: www.marssociety.org and www.ILoveMars.info

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