The WeMartians Podcast delves into all aspects of the exploration of Mars, including robotic/human spacecraft and rocket engineering, planetary science, astronomy and other upcoming technology. Our episodes are research-supported and feature topical audio clips and special guests.

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The Space Exploration Podcast

11 – Mad About Manganese (feat. Nina Lanza)

August 23, 2016 00:35:47 34.34 MB Downloads: 0

The Mars Curiosity Rover has an impressive suite of instruments, but none incite as much excitement as ChemCam, a laser/camera combo that vaporizes rocks and analyzes their components. ChemCam is firing more than it ever has before, and Nina Lanza, a staff scientist on its team, is helping make some pretty remarkable discoveries with it. On this episode, Nina tells us about a high concentration of manganese recently uncovered that tells us a lot about Mars’ past, and suggests that it might have been complete with a lot more oxygen than we initially thought. Links Press Release for Nina Lanza’s paper Nina’s Twitter Account ChemCam’s website Video showing ChemCam in action Curiosity’s website Los Alamos National Lab WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

10 – Science meets Engineering on the 2020 Rover (feat. Sarah Milkovich)

August 02, 2016 00:42:58 41.24 MB Downloads: 0

NASA’s next flagship Mars mission will put the generation of their rovers on the surface of Mars. With the working title of Mars2020, the rover will improve upon the Curiosity design that so far has been wildly successful. But putting together a rover, even one with a borrowed design, is not easy. Sarah Milkovich, a Science Systems Engineer with JPL, tells us about the challenges of bridging the gap between science and engineering on a $2 billion rover. Links Mars 2020’s website Sarah’s Twitter JPL Facebook Live event featuring Mars2020 WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

9 – Riding Ions (feat. Joe Cassady)

July 21, 2016 00:38:15 36.72 MB Downloads: 0

Electric vehicles aren’t just taking over our roads – they’re taking over our orbits, too! Solar electric propulsion is a cutting edge technology that allows spacecraft to change velocity up to an order of magnitude more efficiently than traditional chemical rockets. Joe Cassady from Aerojet Rocketdyne and Explore Mars talks with us about how this propulsion works, it’s power requirements, the development status, and how we’ll use it to eventually send cargo to Mars in support of human exploration. Links Aerojet Rocketdyne Explore Mars NASA Press Release on SEP Development Contract Joe debates Robert Zubrin “When should we go to Mars?” at H2M 2016 Joe’s Twitter Account Further info from NASAspaceflight.com on SEP WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

8 – Gullies on Mars (feat. Tanya Harrison)

July 01, 2016 00:33:03 31.73 MB Downloads: 0

Increasingly, Mars is appearing to us as a living, breathing world with dynamic features. One such feature that has captivated planetary scientists around the world is the occurrence of Martian Gullies, channels carved into the surface as if by water, in a world where flowing water is not exactly common. We talk with Tanya Harrison, a planetary scientist and geologist from the University of Western Ontario. She tells us all about gullies on Mars, how they might be formed, and what scientists are doing about it to learn more in the search for life on Mars. Links Tanya’s Twitter Account Tanya’s Website WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

7 – Sitting in a Tin Can (feat. Casey Stedman)

June 10, 2016 00:40:51 39.21 MB Downloads: 0

NASA and other space organizations have used mission analogues to simulate various aspects of space travel since the dawn of the space age. As humanity steps closer to deep space and eventually Mars, new analogues are being developed to represent the new challenges we’ll face. HERA (Human Exploration Research Analogue) is one such mission, and crew member Casey Stedman gives us an inside look at the exciting challenges he faced while stuck inside a habitat for 30 days. Audio Links from the show Charlie Bolden’s Recruitment Video Human Spaceflight Analogues with Joe Neigut and Ronita Cromwell Other links and further info Casey Stedman’s Twitter Account Casey Stedman’s Instagram Casey Stedman’s blog WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

6 – Mars; God of War (feat. Kyle Dally)

May 30, 2016 00:38:16 36.73 MB Downloads: 0

Mars reached opposition (when it, Earth and the Sun form a straight line) on May 22nd. It’s closest approach (today, May 30th) is another important astronomical event. All of these work on a 26-month cycle. Astronomers around the world have their eyes trained on the blood-coloured planet, tracking its retrograde motion, supreme brightness, and near-approach with great interest. We went on site with Kyle Dally of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada to learn about what these events mean, why they are important, and how someone like you or me can get involved with amateur astronomy without spending thousands of dollars on equipment and training. Links The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Membership benefits (for all clubs across Canada) RASC Vancouver Meetup Group American Astronomical Society What telescope should I get? (r/Telescopes impartial beginner’s guide) Astronomy Smartphone App Guide Naked Eye Astronomy Guide WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

5 – Space Habitats and the Story of Bigelow

April 28, 2016 00:39:57 38.34 MB Downloads: 0

Habitation in space will become a very important topic as we venture out into deep space and eventually to Mars. Turning space from a place to travel through to a place to live will be a prime objective of technology development in the near term. In this episode we’ll explore the history of habitation, from the earliest Skylab and Salyut stations to the modular Mir and ISS designs. Then we’ll talk about Bigelow Aerospace, its NASA roots, and the commercial impact on the industry as it sets its sights on Mars. Audio Links from the show: Disney’s Mars and Beyond Gemini 7/6 Remembered Panel NASA Documentary on Skylab News broadcast on launch of Mir Excerpt from STS-79 Post Flight Briefing Excerpt from STS-89 Post Flight Briefing Interview with David Wolf CSA – Water Recycling on the ISS Moonandback Media – People of NewSpace – Robert Bigelow Part 1 Moonandback Media – People of NewSpace – Robert Bigelow Keynote Speech ULA/Bigelow Press Conference CRS-8 Hosted Webcast CRS-8 Capture Highlights NASA Audio provided under Public Domain. All others used under Fair Use. Other Links for further info Bigelow Aerospace Website Steve Pestana – Spacecraft Habitable Volumes, Mission Duration Air&Space Article that inspired Robert Bigelow TransHab Inflation Test Timelapse TransHab Concept Video WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

4 – Citizen Science on Mars (feat. Michael Aye)

April 02, 2016 00:52:19 50.21 MB Downloads: 0

In the fourth episode of the WeMartians podcast, we explore the growing problem in Planetary Science – there’s too much data! With the dawn of the digital age, the volume of data coming back to Earth from planetary missions is increasing exponentially. We’ll talk with Michael Aye, project scientist for Planet Four. Planet Four is a Citizen Science project which lets everyday people participate in planetary science by classifying features on the surface. It helps scientists like Michael get through the massive amounts of imagery from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and lets people like you do science on Mars! Audio Links from the show: Chris Lintott on the Galaxy Zoo Other Links Planet Four Planet Four: Terrains Zooniverse Michael Aye’s Twitter Account The team’s poster from Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2016 WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

3 – Go! Go! Go! Exomars! (feat. Michael Coarezza)

March 28, 2016 00:36:12 34.75 MB Downloads: 0

In the third episode of the WeMartians Podcast, we learn a little bit about the 1877 perihelic opposition of Mars, during which many famous astronomers, Giovanni Schiaparelli included, made crucial discoveries about the Red Planet. Then, we’ll explore how this affects us today and for the launch of ExoMars. To help explain the massive process that goes in to building and launching a spacecraft, we’re joined by Assembly Integration and Test Engineer Michael Coarezza of Thales Alenia. He shares some stories about meeting deadlines, working with the historical Proton rocket, and the importance that international collaboration plays in space exploration today. Audio Links from the show: ExoMars LiveStream Archive ExoMars Launch Footage Michael Coarezza’s Twitter Account (@MichaelCoarezza) Other Links Learn more about historical observations of Mars from the book The Planet Mars: A History of Observation and Discovery, available for free online here. WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

2 – Every Twenty-Six Months

February 04, 2016 00:31:56 30.65 MB Downloads: 0

In the second episode of the WeMartians Podcast, we explore the topic of Launch Windows, answering questions like “why do they happen?”, “when do they happen?”, and “are any windows more important than others?” From there, we’ll talk about Mars’ windows specifically. Then follow along as we explore the two mission profiles in the upcoming launch windows in March – the delayed InSight mission from NASA and the European Space Agency’s ExoMars 2016 mission, including the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Schiaparelli Entry and Landing Demonstrator. Audio links from the show Bruce Banerdt – Von Karman Lecture Series on InSight Scott Hubbard, joint press conference with Planetary Society and Mars Society (courtest of the New Atlantis) Walter Cugno and Alvaro Giménez on ExoMars Giancinto Gianfiglio on ExoMars Thomas Walloschek on ExoMars Loïc Trompet on NOMAD Antonio Gracia Berná on CaSSIS Other links ESA’s ExoMars 2016 Mission Page A Sensitive Search for Methane on Mars NASA audio used under public domain. All others used under fair use policy. WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

1 – The Waxing Interest in Mars

January 19, 2016 00:57:57 55.63 MB Downloads: 0

In this first episode of the WeMartians podcast, we explore the fundamental question facing all space exploration but especially those seeking to travel to Mars – why go? Why spend the money and take the risk on this important endeavour? We’ll hear from industry experts and visionaries as well as my own opinions. Then we explore a 2015 Year in Review, covering topics from NASA’s Evolvable Mars Campaign (using the Orion capsule, Space Launch System rocket, and more) as well as efforts from the private industry including Elon Musk and SpaceX. We’ll talk about pop culture influences like Mars One and The Martian and ultimately show that 2015 was an amazing year for Mars – we want to go, and we’re making real progress to get there! Audio Links from the show: Buzz Aldrin with Euronews Dr. Robert Zubrin at NASA Ames Barack Obama at Kennedy Space Centre Elon Musk with CNN Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1) Elmo on Orion NASA Telecon following Orion Key Decision Point C SLS Solid Rocket Booster Qualification Test NASA Marshall’s SLS Booster Information RS-25 Development Test #7 Space Launch System (SLS) post Critical Design Review NASA Astronaut Recruitment Video with Charlie Bolden Orbcomm-2 Launch and Landing Webcase (courtesy SpaceX) Bas Landorp on DailyMail The cast of The Martian interview ISS crewmembers Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren The cast of The Martian test a prototype Mars rover Matt Damon on the importance of The Martian Jessica Chastain and Tracy Caldwell Dyson on The Martian NASA audio used under public domain. All others used under fair use policy. WeMartians Cover Art Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech WeMartians Theme Song is “RetroFuture” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/