Red Planet Live

The Mars Society - Red Planet Live

A raw, off-the-cuff look into all things Mars. We will talk with planetary scientists, STEM field experts, commercial space representatives, and space advocates who all have a deep passion for Mars.

Ashton Zeth is the new host of our 60-minute video broadcast on behalf of the Mars Society and will lead and moderate tantalizing discussions with our virtual guests as we delve into the questions and work being done in order to make the human exploration and settlement of the Red Planet a reality.

For more information about the Mars Society, visit www.MarsSociety.org

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21 episodes
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Avg 59 min
English

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Thursday · 51 min
Pacific NW Moon-Mars Analog Station Announcement
James Burk & Dr. Brown of South Seattle College join Red Planet Live to discuss new partnership agreement to build a Moon-Mars analog station in the Seattle area at South Seattle College.Joydeep Harza, who leads a federal program at South Seattle College advancing technology, R&D, and prototyping capabilities, and Ferdinand Orbino, Workforce Instruction Dean, join Red Planet Live to discuss workforce development opportunities at the college. Together, they’ll explore how hands-on technical education, emerging technologies, industry partnerships, and the new analog station can help prepare students for careers in aerospace, robotics, engineering, and other high-tech fields.https://southseattle.edu/https://marstechnology.institute/
August 18 · 1 hr
Dex Hunter-Torricke
Dex Hunter-Torricke joined Red Planet Live to discuss SpaceX, Mars, AI, and how world-changing technology stories shape the future.Dex cautions our audience with the possibilities of AI on our future economy and the over-arching effects on humanity's quality of life. Dex is leading the charge on regulating AI for equitable outcomes for the entire world through his work with Center for Tomorrow.https://www.centerfortomorrow.com/ https://dexhuntertorricke.com/
July 10 · 39 min
Mars Technology Institute Update & Pitches
Red Planet Live returns with host Ashton Zeth for a pre-recorded episode featuring companies of the Mars Technology Institute (MTI). James Burk, Director and co-founder of MTI, introduces the three space startup companies; Unleashed Robotics, Dynamik Orbits, and Space DIRT. 1. Quinn Morley, CEO & Co-founder of Unleashed Robotics, https://www.unleashedrobotics.com2. Shaun Riddell, CEO of Space DIRThttps://spacedirt.ca3. Julien Villa-Massone, Dynamik Orbits https://www.dynamikorbits.comSpecial announcement from Nicole Willett, Director of Mars Society Education program for the 5th Annual Mission to Mars Engineering Design Competition. https://education.marssociety.org/com...For questions, please contact education@marssociety.org-------Mars Societymarssociety.orgTo join or find out more information on the Mars Technology Institute (MTI), please visit:https://marstechnology.institute/
January 26 · 1 hr 4 min
Casey Dreier
🚀 In this episode: Ashton Zeth sits down with Casey Dreier — Chief of Space Policy at The Planetary Society — joins us to dig into why the search for life should be the guiding star of U.S. space policy. Casey breaks down how advocacy actually works in Washington, how NASA’s science budget is hanging in the balance, and what space lovers can do right now to help protect the future of exploration.We cover:🌌 Search for life as policy: Why astrobiology and exploration aren’t just cool science — they are the most enduring driver of public and political support for NASA.⚖️ Politics & NASA leadership: What it means that Jared Isaacman may bring energy and big expectations to the NASA Administrator role, and the real dynamics of confirmation and bipartisan support.🧠 People pleasing and political strategy: How leaders navigate both sides of the aisle — including big personalities and unexpected allies.📉 NASA Science under threat: From proposals to cut nearly half of NASA’s science funding to grassroots advocacy, we talk real numbers and real stakes. The Planetary Society’s Save NASA Science campaign has mobilized hundreds of advocates and worked with dozens of partner organizations to bring space science defenders to Capitol Hill.Planetary Society : https://www.planetary.org/📣 Planetary Society advocacy tools: 2025 Planetary Society Impact Report -- ➡️ 🔗 https://www.planetary.org/about/our-impact/2025-impact-report➡️ 🔗 Save NASA Science Action Hub — https://www.planetary.org/save-nasa-s...➡️ 🔗 NASA Science Spending Tracker (interactive map) — https://dashboards.planetary.org/nasa...➡️ 🔗 Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition — (check ThePlanetary.org for latest episodes & archives)➡️ 🔗 The Space Advocate Newsletter — sign up at https://www.planetary.org/space-advocate📆 DAY OF ACTION APRIL 19th-20th, 2026: In Washington, D.C., an annual advocacy event where space enthusiasts meet with Congress members to push for strong space science funding and exploration, with registration opening with early bird discounts and offering training and organized meetings with lawmakers. 🎙️ Don’t forget — subscribe to Casey’s Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition and sign up for the monthly policy newsletter to stay informed and get involved. Your voice matters in shaping America’s space future!👇 Hit like, comment your biggest takeaway, and subscribe for more space policy insights!
January 6 · 59 min
Dr. Robert Zubrin #4
Dr. Robert Zubrin returns to Red Planet Live with major updates from the Mars Society and unfiltered insight into the future of space exploration. In this wide-ranging conversation, Zubrin shares his candid perspective on incoming NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and raises serious concerns about what he describes as an ongoing assault on science—examining the implications for cornerstone missions including Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope, Voyager, and more. The discussion also explores the state of Mars analog research, with updates on Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station, the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), and the newly established HOPE analog station in Ladakh, India. Zubrin closes by previewing the 2026 International Mars Society Convention, returning to USC in Los Angeles. Bold ideas, hard truths, and a relentless focus on the road to Mars. Onto Mars! 🚀
Dec 9, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Morgan Connaughton , VP of Marketing & Comms at Rocket Lab
🎙️ Exclusive ESCAPADE Mission Update with Rocket Lab’s Morgan Connaughton In this episode, we sit down with Morgan Connaughton, Rocket Lab’s Vice President of Communications, for a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation about storytelling in spaceflight—and she brought us an EXCLUSIVE update straight from the ESCAPADE mission to Mars. Morgan shares the behind-the-scenes excitement as Rocket Lab successfully completed a brand-new 13-second trajectory correction burn on the Blue spacecraft, with Gold scheduled for December 8. She walks us through how her team plans communications years in advance, and how you can be intimately involved in the success of a mission without ever touching a piece of hardware. We explore Rocket Lab’s famously lean comms team—just seven people creating videos, graphics, mission names, PR, and social content with the same intensity as the engineers designing the rockets. Morgan also talks about the joy and chaos of going public, the challenge of maintaining culture across 3,000+ employees, and the values that guide Rocket Lab’s approach: fierce efficiency and doing the impossible. She reflects on the art of mission storytelling, the importance of visuals in space history (including why the Moon landing broadcast still matters), and the rise of aspiring rocket photographers in New Zealand capturing Electron’s launches. We also dive into fan-favorite topics like: How her team comes up with Rocket Lab’s legendary mission names The adrenaline of the helicopter catch attempt ESCAPADE’s twin spacecraft, Blue and Gold, and their journey to study Mars’ magnetosphere Morgan’s path is a testament to creating opportunity through passion, vision, and storytelling. This is one of our most inspiring episodes yet—and Rocket Lab’s ESCAPADE exclusive makes it one for the history books. Morgan Connaughton's LinkedIN: https://nz.linkedin.com/in/morgan-connaughton-4a211835 Rocket Lab https://rocketlabcorp.com/ Escapade https://science.nasa.gov/mission/escapade/
Nov 9, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Dr. Sara Seager
Exploring New Worlds: Dr. Sara Seager on Venus, Exoplanets, and Life Among the Clouds In this episode of Red Planet Live, MIT astrophysicist Dr. Sara Seager takes us on a breathtaking journey through the frontiers of planetary science—from the acid clouds of Venus to the icy oceans of Enceladus, and even the methane lakes of Titan. Dr. Seager reveals why Venus, often overlooked, is one of the most thrilling destinations for future missions. She discusses the possibility of life within its sulfuric acid clouds, where stable biomolecules could persist despite the harsh chemistry. Her team’s latest findings continue to show a phosphine signal with 4.8-sigma confidence, renewing excitement about potential biological activity in our neighboring planet’s skies. We also explore the power of small but mighty missions, including Rocket Lab’s upcoming Venus probe and Asteria, the CubeSat that proved precision astronomy can thrive on a shoestring budget. Dr. Seager shares her insights on TESS, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which at its peak was discovering up to 100 planet candidates a month—a quiet revolution in the search for other worlds. From Sub-Neptune exoplanets like K2-18b, showing signs of life with dimethyl sulfide in its hydrogen-rich atmosphere, to her visionary idea of Starshade, a large space telescope, Dr. Seager paints a hopeful picture of humanity’s search for life beyond Earth. We also touch on her Seager Equation—a parallel to the Drake Equation—and her book The Smallest Lights in the Universe, which reminds us that discovery is as much about human connection as it is about science. Join us as we uncover why the most “underdog” worlds—and missions—often hold the brightest potential for discovering life in the cosmos. Dr. Sara Seager's Links: https://www.saraseager.com/professionalbiography Venus : https://www.morningstarmissions.space/ https://www.projectstarshade.com/ Sara's memoir The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir https://www.amazon.com/Smallest-Lights-Universe-Memoir/dp/0525576258
Sep 18, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
James Burk, Executive Director of the Mars Society
🎙 Ashton Zeth sits down with James Burk, Executive Director of the Mars Society, to share updates on the newest analog station HOPE in Ladakh, India (with ISRO as partners), record participation at MDRS, plans for the upcoming 2025 Mars Society Convention at USC, the launch of the new Mars Society Research Journal, and exciting developments from the Mars Technology Institute. 🌍 Highlights: Massive participation at MDRS this season Launch of the HOPE Analog in Ladakh Mars Society Convention 2025 — October 9–11 at USC (don’t miss Rob Manning at the Friday Night Banquet!) Updates from the Mars Technology Institute and new collaborations like Purdue University Discussing what's next in Mars exploration 📅 Preliminary Convention Schedule (subject to change): View Here ---Links -- Journal of Space Analog Research https://jsar.space HOPE analog Announcement: https://www.marssociety.org/news/2025/09/16/indias-first-crewed-mars-analog-launches-with-protoplanet-isro-the-mars-society/ The Mars Society Convention 2025 https://www.marssocietyconference.org Sponsor the upcoming convention in October: https://www.marssocietyconference.org/sponsors Four Sponsorship Levels: Gold Silver Bronze Logo Only! Flashline Analog in the Arctic https://fmars.marssociety.org/
Sep 6, 2025 · 1 hr
Dr. Bhavya Lal
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bhavya Lal, space policy leader, MIT alum, PhD from George Washington University, and recipient of NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal. After serving in senior leadership at NASA, Dr. Lal returned to RAND: School of Policy to continue shaping the conversation on national space strategy. Our discussion spans some of the most urgent issues in space today: the growing orbital debris problem, the need for a shared global dataset, and the tension between America’s resources and ambitions in space. She emphasizes why strategic coherence and bipartisan commitment are essential for credibility and long-term success. We also talk about the power of books to shape perspective, highlighting George R. Stewart’s Earth Abides — a life-changing novel that offers an “anti-history” of collapse and resilience, and what it teaches us about humanity’s fragile place on the cosmic shore.
Aug 22, 2025 · 1 hr
Matt Gjertsen
🚀 Episode: Matt Gjertsen – From the Flightline to SpaceX to Startups Matt Gjertsen has lived a life that blends military discipline, startup hustle, and a love for space. From early dreams of going to Mars, to serving as an Air Force instructor pilot, to shaping HR and training during SpaceX’s Crew Dragon era — his path has been anything but ordinary. Now, through his own leadership courses and podcast, Matt explores what makes great teams tick — from the grind of late nights at startups to mission-focused endeavors. In this conversation, he shares how his military background gave him unique insights into building high-performing teams, why space still pulls at his heart, and how we can intrigue the world beyond the space bubble. 🌌 Expect talk of leadership, resilience, space stations, and the culture that pushes humanity further. 🎧 Tune in if you want to know what it takes to lead where it matters most — whether in the cockpit, the boardroom, or orbit. Matt's Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewgjertsen https://bettereverydaystudios.com/ Host / Producer of Leadership Launchpad Podcast https://leadershiplaunchpad.captivate.fm/listen
Aug 17, 2025 · 50 min
Leonard David
In this episode, space expert Leonard David dives into the evolving landscape of space law on the Moon, highlighting growing conflicts—especially with China—and framing it as the new space race. He shares insights from his unique background working near the historic Atlas rocket and discusses the impact of funding cuts during the Trump administration on space exploration. Leonard also breaks down the latest news about plans to deploy a nuclear reactor on the Moon and what this means for future lunar missions. Don’t miss this timely conversation on the challenges and ambitions shaping humanity’s next giant leap.
Jul 22, 2025 · 1 hr
Space Communicators Panel
A Stellar Chat with Ad Astra Su, Galactic Gal, and Astro Alexandra Join us for a captivating journey back to our July 15th episode, featuring an incredible trio of space communicators: Ad Astra Su, Galactic Gal, and Astro Alexandra! This special conversation offered a unique glimpse into the world of an engineer working on lunar payloads at a top aerospace company, exploring the delicate balance of privacy while maintaining a prominent social media presence. Our guests also shared exciting insights into their next big adventures, both on Earth and beyond. Tune in for an inspiring and educational discussion that truly explored the vastness of the universe and the personal journeys within it. Find them on Social Media & the web: https://www.thegalacticgal.com https://www.astroalexandra.com https://www.instagram.com/adastrasu/?hl=en
Jul 7, 2025 · 1 hr
MDRS Crew 315
Join us for this fascinating episode recorded July 1st, where we sit down with Crew 315 from the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). Our guests — 🌟 Dave Laude (Commander) 🔧 Michael Andrews (Crew Engineer) 🩺 Urban Koi (Health & Safety Officer) 🎨 Tim Gagnon (Crew Artist; also a KSC Artist — kscartist.com) — share their personal inspirations and reflections from their two-week analog Mars mission. 👨‍🚀 What you'll hear in this episode: 🚀 The story behind the 100cameras experiment — a unique photography initiative fostering connection, reflection, and community through images captured during isolation and confinement. 👨‍🍳 How the crew bonded over taking turns cooking meals and navigating life in close quarters under Martian simulation. 📸 Tim Gagnon’s insights on blending art, science, and space exploration as part of NASA’s creative community. 🤝 Tales of teamwork: Helping a stranded van in the Utah desert while maintaining sim integrity. 🌱 Urban Koi tells us about receiving NASA funding for her MUSHROOM FORGE initiative. 👉 Learn more about Crew 315’s mission: 🔗 Final Mission Summary – MDRS Crew 315 🔗 Tim Gagnon’s KSC Artist Site 🔗 Urban Koi's Instagram
Jun 24, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
JPL's Dr. Katie Stack Morgan
From Pathfinder to Perseverance: A Planetary Scientist’s Journey 🔍 Origin Story: A Spark from the Museum A childhood visit to the Air and Space Museum sparked a lifelong love of space. Inspired by the Pathfinder mission and an exhibit on the Moon. Declared: “I’m going to discover water on the Moon.” Katie determined: “I want to work on another planet.” From Caltech to JPL, now as acting project scientist for Perserverance. Katie has been working on Perseverance rover, now 4.5 years into the mission. Carries ~40 sample tubes. 32 filled, 7 left—final stages of a historic sample collection. Decisions now more deliberate with remaining tubes. Once a lake with rivers, Jezero Crater offers strong evidence for past water. Home to sedimentary rocks, excellent for preserving signs of ancient environments. Special focus on carbonates—formed from surface water + CO₂: Preserve unique environmental signals. Key to understanding Mars’ paleoclimate. Sample with "leopard spots"—dark rims, light interiors. Possible signs of oxidation-reduction reactions. These could hint at the presence of microbial life. And much more ! Tune into this episode to hear more from the Acting Project Scientist for the Perserverance rover at NASA's JPL.
Jun 10, 2025 · 1 hr
CEO CJ Jannette of BlackStar Orbital
🎙️ New Episode: CEO CJ Jannette of BlackStar Orbital – Building the Future of Personal Space Access In this electrifying episode, we sit down with CJ Jannette, CEO of ⁠BlackStar Orbital⁠, live from Los Angeles and fresh off Space Tech Expo in Long Beach. With deep roots in SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy and NASA’s hydraulics systems, CJ is now pioneering a new frontier: making space accessible for everyone. We cover: 🚀 His Direct-to-Phase II SBIR win and $1.8M contract 🛰️ A classified payload launching on Axiom-4 📦 The buzz around SpaceBox – a consumer space payload service for wedding rings, business cards, and more 🔬 BlackStar’s focus on microgravity research, thermal protection breakthroughs, and aerogel-carbon fiber structures 🛫 Spaceplanes, subscale X-37s, and why Dream Chasers are the “yachts of space” ⚠️ EpiPens and the danger of toxicity in orbit, and how space certification is becoming essential 📍 Updates from Titusville, FL – home of their latest operations near pads 39A and 39B 🌌 Why he’s excited about Space Force, CLPS 2 (CMPS), and the role of small payloads in making space personal and repeatable If you're interested in space entrepreneurship, payload innovation, or simply want to know how to send a piece of yourself to space, don’t miss this one. 🛰️ Reach out to BlackStar Orbital about SpaceBox missions — new flights are launching soon! BlackStar Orbital https://www.spacedrone.io/ Connect with CJ Jannette: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-jannette-b2304539/
May 25, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
Women in Stem Panel
Join us for a powerful 60-minute episode of Red Planet Live featuring trailblazing women in STEM—Janet Ivey, Janeya Griffin, and Amy Imhoff—as we dive into the complex realities of building careers in science, space, and technology. In this episode, we’ll unpack the recent public reaction to Blue Origin’s announcement of an all-women spaceflight crew, and what it reveals about gender dynamics in the space industry. From media backlash to public perception, we’ll explore how this moment fits into the broader narrative of women pushing boundaries in aerospace. Each of our guests brings a unique and inspiring background: 🚀 Janet Ivey – celebrated science communicator and founder of Janet’s Planet, inspiring youth through space education. 🔬 Janeya Griffin – innovation strategist and founder of The Commercializer, helping bridge the gap between government technology and commercial application and co-founder/CEO of Equity Space Alliance. 🌌 Amy Imhoff – STEM advocate, author, and space futurist, known for her work in science fiction and space policy intersections. Together, they’ll share their journeys, accomplishments, and the hard-won lessons learned navigating the male-dominated sectors of STEM and space exploration. We’ll discuss mentorship, representation, systemic barriers, and how each of these women is shaping the future of humanity beyond Earth. https://www.equityspacealliance.com/ https://www.amyimhoff.com/ https://www.janetsplanet.com/about
May 9, 2025 · 59 min
Dr. Oleg Demidov
In this episode of Red Planet Live, Ashton Zeth interviews Dr. Oleg Demidov of Beyond Earth Ventures, a space-focused VC firm backing cutting-edge startups like Lunar Outpost and Xeno Power. Dr. Demidov shares insights from his own entrepreneurial journey, the growing role of robotics in the space economy, and what it takes to launch and lead a venture capital firm investing in the next generation of off-world innovation. Whether you're a founder, investor, or space enthusiast, this episode offers a front-row seat to the business of space exploration. Contact Dr. Oleg Demidov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-oleg-demidov-02193414/ https://beyondearth.tech/
Apr 17, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
NASA Astronaut Dr. Tracy Dyson
Life on the ISS with Astronaut Tracy Dyson 🚀 | Red Planet Live What’s it really like to live and work aboard the International Space Station? In this special episode, host Ashton Zeth sits down with veteran astronaut Dr. Tracy Dyson, who shares unforgettable stories from her three space missions—including helping build the ISS and her recent journey alongside Butch and Sunni. We explore the rhythms of daily life in orbit: from drinking coffee in microgravity and squeezing in vital exercise, to performing constant experiments and winding down during “PreSleep.” Tracy also offers meaningful advice on staying curious and persevering through tough times—on or off the planet. We even watch a clip of her floating aboard the ISS during the show and answer thoughtful audience questions. Whether you're a space enthusiast or just ISS-curious, this episode brings humanity and humor to life in orbit. 🎧 Hosted by Ashton Zeth. Tune in and get inspired—Tracy brings space down to Earth. __________________ NASA - Tracy Dyson
Apr 5, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Luther Beegle, PhD
In this compelling episode of Red Planet Live, we sat down with Dr. Luther Beegle, Principal Investigator of the SHERLOC instrument aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover. While we originally set out to explore SHERLOC’s role in detecting organic compounds and signs of past habitability on Mars, our conversation took us even further. We discussed the Allan Hills 84001 (ALH84001) Martian meteorite discovered in Antarctica as an inspiration to Luther's career, discussed key missions across the solar system, and explored why a Mars Sample Return mission is critical before sending humans to the Red Planet. Dr. Beegle also offered behind-the-scenes insights into the challenges of planetary exploration and the innovative technology propelling Mars science into the future. 🔴 Tune in for an eye-opening journey into the science, strategy, and wonder of Mars exploration and beyond!
Mar 25, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Mars Desert Research Station Update
Inside MDRS: The Latest from the Mars Desert Research Station Get an exclusive update from one of the world’s premier Mars analog research facilities — the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS). Host Ashton Zeth sits down with three key leaders shaping the future of MDRS: James Burk, Executive Director of The Mars Society; Kay Radzik, Director of Refits; and Sergii Iakymov, MDRS Director. They dive into the latest missions, ongoing upgrades, and how you can support the continued modernization of MDRS through their current crowdfunding campaign. Support the future of Mars exploration: mars-desert-research-station.raisely.com/

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