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.
109 - Remembering Mariner 9 (feat. William K. Hartmann)
Fifty years ago this month, the Mariner 9 mission became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet beyond Earth. It created the first global map of Mars and set the course for Martian exploration for the next five decades. Dr. William K Hartmann was a co-investigator on the mission and wrote the book The New Mars: Discoveries of Mariner 9, and he joins Jake to talk about the impact this mission has, even today.We talk Mariner 9NSSDC Profile for Mariner 9Follow BillBill's Profile at Planetary Science InstituteBill's space-inspired paintingsFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastMarsti.meMarsti.meLearn about time on Mars! See live mission clocks, learn about sols and Mars years and solar longitude, and discover your Martian birthday! Visit Marsti.me, a new site from Jake.Tharsis Planetary ParkCelebrate Mariner 9's 50th anniversary with the Tharsis Planetary Park design at the WeMartians shop today! You can get it in a t-shirt or on a coffee mug.
108 - Space, UAE, and the World (feat. Sarwat Nasir)
The UAE started their space agency in 2014 and have accelerated at a remarkable pace since then, including putting their first orbiter around Mars this year. The work continues with new mission announcements, astronaut selections and more. Dubai-based space journalist Sarwat Nasir joins Jake to report on Expo 2021 and IAC 2021, two back to back space conferences happening in the UAE.We talk UAE, Space and the WorldThe Hope Mission Data PortalUAE and Israel Co-operate on BeresheetSpace is the UAE's most promising sectorUAE to launch asteroid missionFollow SarwatSarwat's Publications at the National NewsSarwat Nasir on Twitter (@SarwatNasir)Sarwat's WebsiteFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastWheels DownPick up your Perseverance Wheels Down design at the WeMartians shop today!
107 - Perseverance in Conjunction (feat. Vivian Sun)
The Perseverance Rover has been operating for over 200 sols already. It's travelled far with the help of the Ingenuity helicopter and is already delivering great science, including acquiring its first rock sample. NASA JPL's Vivian Sun joins Jake to talk about the mission's successes and failures, and what we can expect from it next.We talk Perseverance RoverWith First Martian Samples Packed, Perseverance initiates Remarkable Sample Return CampaignPerseverance Team BlogFollow VivianVivian's WebsiteFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastWheels DownPick up your Perseverance Wheels Down design at the WeMartians shop today!
106 - Sulfate Curious (feat. Ashwin Vasavada)
Curiosity recently celebrated its 9th birthday on Mars and is exploring a new area of Gale Crater rich in sulphates. NASA JPL's Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity's project scientist, joins Jake to talk about this new area, the dramatic landscapes it holds, and what it can tell us about past life on Mars and the history of Mars' climate.We talk Curiosity Rover and the Sulfate-bearing UnitCuriosity enters a new areaFollow AshwinAshwin's profile at JPLFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastImmensely Complex and High RiskOur new design pokes fun at some of the criticism of SpaceX's Starship system. Wear it proudly!
105 - Icy Flows of Arcadia Planitia (feat. Shannon Hibbard)
Arcadia Planitia has attracted a lot of attention because of its potential as a human landing site on Mars. It's hidden water reserves, under the surface, are one of many reasons it may be ideal. Geologist Shannon Hibbard joins Jake to talk about the ice underground, and some of the interesting flows she's found.We talk Ice, Glaciers and Arcadia PlanitiaShannon's Paper on Glaciation in ArcadiaCBC Coverage of Shannon's paperFollow ShannonShannon's WebsiteShannon on Twitter - @shann0nMarsWestern University SpaceFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastImmensely Complex and High RiskOur new design pokes fun at some of the criticism of SpaceX's Starship system. Wear it proudly!
104 - The Gooey Centre of Mars (feat. Simon Stähler)
Over two years ago, NASA's InSight lander touched down on Mars and began listening for mars quakes. Now, scientists have used these data to reveal the interior structure of Mars. ETH Zurich's Simon Stähler joins Jake to talk about these results, how they help us understand Mars, and what we can do with this knowledge as we explore the rest of the solar system.We talk InSight and SEISSeismic detection of the martian core (Stähler et al)Upper mantle structure of Mars from InSight seismic data (Khan et al)Thickness and structure of the martian crust from InSight seismic data (Knapmeyer-Endrun et al)Canadian Company makes Chainmail for MarsCerberus Fossae MarsquakesFollow Simon and InSightInSight - NASASEIS - CNESSimon's WebsiteSimon on Twitter - @exoseismologistFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastTharsis Planetary ParkOur new design celebrates the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Mariner 9 mission, first spacecraft to orbit Mars. Get it on a shirt or a coffee mug today!
103 - Space Lasers on Mars (feat. Nina Lanza)
With the arrival of Perseverance at Jezero Crater, NASA now operates two space laser instruments - ChemCam and SuperCam. Together, they are exploring Mars' past by understanding the chemistry and mineralogy of the rocks. ChemCam's principal investigator Nina Lanza joins Jake to discuss the both instruments, what they're up to, and what we're learning from them.We talk ChemCam and SuperCamChemCam Proposal ImageSuperCam RMI Close-upSounds from SuperCamFollow Nina, ChemCam and SuperCamChemCam - NASASuperCam - NASANina's WebsiteNina on Twitter - @marsninjaFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastTharsis Planetary ParkOur new design celebrates the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Mariner 9 mission, first spacecraft to orbit Mars. Get it on a shirt or a coffee mug today!
102 - Bus Stops to the Moon (feat. Paul Bookout)
The Orion spacecraft isn't the only payload flying on the Artemis 1 launch. NASA's new SLS rocket is also taking 13 secondary payloads to deep space, from science missions to tech demonstrations. Paul Bookout from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center joins Jake to talk about these payloads and how they integrate with the main mission.We talk Artemis 1 SLS secondary payloadsSecondary Payload ListSecondary Payload Fact SeetFollow Paul and SLSLaunching Science and Tech on SLSNASA Cubesat Launch InitiativeFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastTharsis Planetary ParkOur new design celebrates the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Mariner 9 mission, first spacecraft to orbit Mars. Get it on a shirt or a coffee mug today!
101 - SmartSuit (feat. Ana Diaz Artiles)
Today's space suits get the job done, but come with drawbacks that slow astronauts down, cause fatigue and injury, and introduce risks to the mission. Engineer Ana Diaz Artiles joins Jake to talk about her NASA-funded SmartSuit concept, which could solve many of these problems for future astronauts.We talk SmartSuit and space suitsSmartSuit Final Report - NIAC Phase 1Follow Ana & The Bioastronautics LabAna's profile at Texas A&MAna on Twitter (@adartiles)The Bioastronautics and Human Performance LabBHP on TwitterFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastTharsis Planetary ParkOur new design celebrates the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Mariner 9 mission, first spacecraft to orbit Mars. Get it on a shirt or a coffee mug today!
100 - Zhurong Rover on Mars (feat. Andrew Jones)
The Chinese National Space Administration's Tianwen-1 mission made history this month when its Zhurong rover landed safely in Utopia Planitia, Mars. Space journalist Andrew Jones joins Jake to talk about the landing process, the surface operations, and what effect this mission's success will have on space domestically in China and abroad.We talk Tianwen-1 and Zhurong RoverZhurong lands safely in Utopia PlanitiaZhurong rolls onto surfaceFollow AndrewAndrew's Profile at SpaceNewsAndrew's Profile at Space.comAndrew on Twitter (@AJ_FI)Follow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastWeMartians 100 Sale Event!Celebrate our 100th episode! Almost everything is on sale in the WeMartians Shop. Use the code WM100 to get free shipping on all orders of 2+ items. Discounted pricing on Mission Patches, Stickers and Discontinued shirt designs! Event lasts until June 6th, 2021!Join Patreon, get a free Sticker Pack!Join our Patreon at the $5 level or higher before June 6th and get a free Sticker Pack in the mail!Tharsis Planetary ParkOur new design celebrates the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Mariner 9 mission, first spacecraft to orbit Mars. Get it on a shirt or a coffee mug today!
99 - A SpaceX Moon Lander for Artemis (feat. Casey Dreier)
NASA has selected SpaceX's Starship to receive the sole award to take NASA astronauts to the surface of the Moon for the Artemis program. It's a non-traditional choice for NASA, and The Planetary Society's Chief Advocate Casey Dreier joins Jake to talk about what this means going forward for NASA and space exploration.We talk SpaceX Starship and ArtemisCasey's Writeup on the Lander selectionPlanetary Radio's Space Policy Edition on StarshipFollow Casey DreierCasey's Profile at the Planetary SocietyCasey on Twitter (@CaseyDreier)The Space Advocate NewsletterFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastIngenuity First Flight Commemorative Mug now available!Celebrate the first flight of the Mars Helicopter Ingenuity with this commemorative coffee mug, now available in the WeMartians Shop.Sticker Packs now available!Head over to the WeMartians shop and pick up our new Sticker Pack, featuring stickers of WeMartians, Off-Nominal, the JPL Parachute and Perseverance's wheel!
98 - Ingenuity Takes Flight (feat. Teddy Tzanetos)
NASA made history this week as it flew Ingenuity, the Mars Helicopter, for the first time. The small technology demonstrator is the first powered aircraft to fly on another planet. JPL engineer Teddy Tzanetos joins Jake to talk about how it works, how it came together, and what he hopes its success does for space exploration.We talk Ingenuity the Mars HelicopterIngenuity succeeds at first flightIngenuity succeeds at second flightIngenuity succeeds at third flightPotential Science that could be done with a Mars HelicopterMars Helicopter Design ConceptsFollow Teddy TzanetosTeddy's profile at JPLFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastIngenuity First Flight Commemorative Mug now available!Celebrate the first flight of the Mars Helicopter Ingenuity with this commemorative coffee mug, now available in the WeMartians Shop.Sticker Packs now available!Head over to the WeMartians shop and pick up our new Sticker Pack, featuring stickers of WeMartians, Off-Nominal, the JPL Parachute and Perseverance's wheel!
97 - The Future of Mars Exploration (feat. Bruce Jakosky)
As NASA embarks on a journey to return samples from Mars, the Mars Program faces a challenge maintaining a diverse portfolio of spacecraft alongside the cost of its flagship missions. Planetary Scientist and MAVEN Principal Investigator Bruce Jakosky chaired the Mars Architecture Strategy Working Group and was tasked with helping NASA figure out how to solve it. He joins Jake to talk about how we can keep exploring the whole planet while focusing so many resources into samples.We talk Mars Exploration Program at NASAThe MASWG ReportSpaceNews coverage of the MASWG reportFollow Bruce JakosksyBruce's Profile at University of ColoradoFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastIngenuity First Flight Commemorative Mug now available!Celebrate the first flight of the Mars Helicopter Ingenuity with this commemorative coffee mug, now available in the WeMartians Shop.Sticker Packs now available!Head over to the WeMartians shop and pick up our new Sticker Pack, featuring stickers of WeMartians, Off-Nominal, the JPL Parachute and Perseverance's wheel!
96 - LPSC 2021
This year, the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference goes virtual, and Jake reports "live" to catch up on mission updates and science themes. Scientists Sabrina Khan, Alyssa Pascuzzo, and Eva Scheller join Jake to report some interesting results from Mars.We talk Mars Planetary Science2020 LPSC Cancellation2020 Virtual LPSC Podcast Poster Session Part 12020 Virtual LPSC Podcast Poster Session Part 2Sabrina's AbstractAlyssa's AbstractNYT coverage of Eva's StudyEva's PaperFollow Sabrina, Alyssa and EvaSabrina TwitterAlyssa TwitterEva TwitterFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastWeMartians Season 5 Mission Patches Now AvailableCelebrate the arrival of Hope, Tianwen-1 and Perseverance with our Season 5 Mission Patch, featuring art by Beth Kerner. Available on the WeMartians Shop.Sticker Packs now available!Head over to the WeMartians shop and pick up our new Sticker Pack, featuring stickers of WeMartians, Off-Nominal, the JPL Parachute and Perseverance's wheel!
95 - Big Rocket Roundup (feat. Anthony Colangelo)
The next two years could see multiple new heavy lift rockets enter the space world, bringing with them the capability to send bigger and better payloads to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Main Engine Cut Off Podcast host Anthony Colangelo joins Jake to catch us up on the latest developments in SLS, New Glenn, Vulcan and Starship.We talk Big RocketsSLS Green Run CoverageVulcan Pathfinder Arrives at the CapeNew Glenn Delays, Launchpad UpdatesStarship SN10 FlightFollow Anthony and Main Engine Cut OffAnthony TwitterMain Engine Cut Off TwitterMain Engine Cut Off WebsiteFollow Jake & WeMartiansWeMartians.comPatreon (https://www.wemartians.com/support)WeMartians Shop (shop.wemartians.com)Mailing List (https://wemartians.com/signup)Twitter (@we_martians)Jake’s Twitter (@JakeOnOrbit)Off-Nominal PodcastWeMartians Season 5 Mission Patches Now AvailableCelebrate the arrival of Hope, Tianwen-1 and Perseverance with our Season 5 Mission Patch, featuring art by Beth Kerner. Available on the WeMartians Shop.Sticker Packs now available!Head over to the WeMartians shop and pick up our new Sticker Pack, featuring stickers of WeMartians, Off-Nominal, the JPL Parachute and Perseverance's wheel!