Ep. 711: NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)

NASA works on many missions using tried and true technology, but they also invest in creative ideas that could drive the future of space exploration. It’s called NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts or NIAC.

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Fraser Cain
Universe Today

Dr. Pamela Gay
CosmoQuest

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Ep. 709: Space Weapons

Ep. 709: Space Weapons

Last week we learned that Russia might be planning nuclear weapons to take out satellites in space. What is the current and future possibility of weapons in space and what are the treaties designed to prevent them?

Ep. 707: What Goes Into Sample Return Missions for the Moon and Mars?

Ep. 707: What Goes Into Sample Return Missions for the Moon and Mars?

We’ve sent robots to other worlds, but the amount of science we can deploy to another planet can’t compare with the vast science labs we have on Earth. That’s why more and more missions are for a sample return, bringing pieces of alien worlds back to Earth, were we study them with proper equipment.

Recent Episodes

Ep. 711: NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC)

https://youtube.com/live/Wx0ome_rtUU?feature=share NASA works on many missions using tried and true technology, but they also invest in creative ideas that could drive the future of space exploration. It’s called NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts or NIAC. Download...

Ep. 710: NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Program

https://youtube.com/live/5hfI68JnRfc?feature=share In the olden days, NASA developed its missions using a variety of in-house engineers and external suppliers. As more commercial companies are targeting the Moon, NASA is working with partners to deliver its payloads...

Ep. 709: Space Weapons

https://youtube.com/live/jLdReWGjF5c?feature=share Last week we learned that Russia might be planning nuclear weapons to take out satellites in space. What is the current and future possibility of weapons in space and what are the treaties designed to prevent them?...

Ep. 706: China’s Space Program

https://youtube.com/live/RfV2xMyUoI0?feature=share We’re so familiar with NASA’s exploration efforts in space, but you might be surprised to learn that China launches almost as many rockets as the US. They’ve got their own space exploration program that could soon...

Ep. 705: Water Worlds – Looking for Life Beyond Earth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjmoCuwcMHY Wherever we find liquid water on Earth, we find life, so it makes sense to search for water across the Universe, and hopefully we can find evidence of life. But what about worlds which are completely covered in water, oceans...

Ep. 704: NASA’s Juno Releases New Images

https://youtube.com/live/g05RzSxUHZE?feature=share NASA’s Juno spacecraft has completed dozens of flybys of Jupiter, seeing the planet from many angles and delivering some of the most beautiful images we’ve ever seen of the Jovian world. Now it’s focusing in on Io,...

Ep. 703: Solar Maximum of Doom? Maybe

https://youtube.com/live/olavaQ0F-UY?feature=share Solar cycle 25 is shaping up to be a doozy, with plenty of flares and coronal mass ejections blasting off the Sun. As the solar activity continues to rise, how are things shaping up? Download MP3 | Show Notes |...

Ep. 702: Moonshot 2024 – Go or No Go?

https://www.youtube.com/live/T8AMwefVKWM?si=an7KhTQJgRIXZvTG With Artemis 1 completing its robotic flight around the Moon, we know that the SLS works. Next comes Artemis 2, with a crew of astronauts flying past the Moon. If that’s successful, we could see humans set...

Ep. 701: Space Science We Look Forward to in the Next 700 Episodes

https://youtube.com/live/5xJtddJJpLs?feature=share Last week we looked back at some of the ideas that science has changed its mind about. This, we look forward, into the future, at some of the big ideas that astronomers are making progress in. What space science are...

Ep. 700: Things We Got Wrong

https://youtube.com/live/l1wyLzFEz2Q?feature=share Astronomers talk about all the amazing discoveries they’re making but sometimes, it turns out, they were wrong. After decades and centuries of discoveries, how have they changed their minds? This episode was made...

Ep. 699: Holiday Gift Giving Ideas for Astronomy and Space Fans

https://youtube.com/live/wKbcQk2rDpM?feature=share Just a warning, the holidays are rapidly approaching. It’s time, once again, to think about what to buy all the space nerds on your lists. Here’s what we like. Download MP3 | Show Notes | Transcript Show Notes Coming...

Ep. 698: Insights into the Universe, featuring JWST Results

https://youtu.be/6tYp1u4ZoD4 How the time flies. It’s been over a year since JWST went operational, with other missions joining the fun. What new insights have we gained about the Universe thanks to these powerful new tools? Recorded live during the CosmoQuestX 2023...

Ep. 697 – Mission Roll Call Part 6: Outer Solar System

https://youtu.be/COkfhE2gkFI Finally, we reach the end of our tour through the missions in the Solar System. Out beyond Mars, to Jupiter the Kuiper Belt and Beyond. Recorded live during the CosmoQuestX 2023 Hangout-a-Thon. Download MP3 | Show Notes | Transcript Show...

Ep. 696 – Mission Roll Call Part 5: Science at Mars

https://youtube.com/live/cGPS4kv3QoI?feature=share Another week, another review of space missions in the Solar System. Today we set our sights on the red planet. What are all the active missions at Mars today? Download MP3 | Show Notes | Transcript Show Notes Coming...

Ep. 695 – Mission Roll Call Part 4: Lunar Exploration

https://youtube.com/live/iTA_aUI79do?feature=share Our journey through missions continues, this time we focus on the Moon. There are many nations on the Moon, near the Moon, around the Moon, travelling to the Moon. It’s a lot. We’ll talk about it today. Download MP3 |...

Ep. 694 – Mission Roll Call Part 3: Sun, Mercury, and Venus

https://youtube.com/live/3sTwlc1ELTA?feature=share Our journey through space missions continues. Now we move away from the Earth to the rest of the solar system. What’s out there orbiting, roving and flying on other worlds and in interplanetary space. Today we look...

Ep. 693 – Mission Roll Call Part 2: Looking Outward from Earth

https://youtube.com/live/rTY4ZpODKO4?feature=share Last week, we brought you up to speed on the spacecraft which are helping to study Earth from above. Many of our missions are in Earth orbit but looking outward to study the Universe. Today, we’ll talk about the...

Ep. 692 – Mission Roll Call Part 1: Orbiting Earth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBqnV5KDE9w It’s time for another series. This time we’re going to look at the missions that are currently in place across the Solar System. Today we’ll start with the key missions here on Earth, studying the planet from above and...