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  • “Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

Planetary Radio • Aug 29, 2018

Space, Rockets, and a Senatorial Encounter in Huntsville, Alabama

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On This Episode

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Doug Jones

The Honorable Doug Jones, Senator for Alabama

Pat Ammons

Director of Communications for US Space and Rocket Center

Don Thomas

Retired NASA astronaut

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Alex McCool

Retired Manager of the Space Shuttle Projects Office at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Bruce betts portrait hq library

Bruce Betts

Chief Scientist / LightSail Program Manager for The Planetary Society

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Mat Kaplan

Senior Communications Adviser and former Host of Planetary Radio for The Planetary Society

Host Mat Kaplan begins a two-episode visit to Huntsville and the Marshall Space Flight Center, recorded this week at the US Space and Rocket Center with astronaut Don Thomas, 94-year-old Apollo engineer Alex McCool, and Alabama Senator Doug Jones.  Bruce Betts sets us on a search for the nearest black hole in this week’s What’s Up space trivia contest.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama Image: USSRC
Space Transportation System (Space Shuttle) test article at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Space Transportation System (Space Shuttle) test article at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Image: Mat Kaplan / The Planetary Society
MSFC Space Shuttle Projects Office Alex McCool with Mat Kaplan
MSFC Space Shuttle Projects Office Alex McCool with Mat Kaplan Retired Apollo propulsion engineer and manager of the MSFC Space Shuttle Projects Office Alex McCool with Mat Kaplan under the Saturn V rocket.Image: Mat Kaplan / The Planetary Society
The Saturn V moon rocket on display inside the U.S. Space and Rocket Center
The Saturn V moon rocket on display inside the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Image: Mat Kaplan / The Planetary Society
Teachers doing science projects in a space station simulator at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center
Teachers doing science projects in a space station simulator at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Image: Mat Kaplan / The Planetary Society
The Honorable Senator Doug Jones of Alabama with Planetary Radio host Mat Kaplan
The Honorable Senator Doug Jones of Alabama with Planetary Radio host Mat Kaplan Image: Mat Kaplan / The Planetary Society

This Week’s Prizes:
A svelte Planetary Radio t-shirt from the Planetary Society Chop Shop store and a 200-point iTelescope.net astronomy account.

iTelescope.net
iTelescope.net

This week's question:

What is the closest black hole to Earth that we know of?

To submit your answer:

Complete the contest entry form at http://planetary.org/radiocontest or write to us at [email protected] no later than Wednesday, September 5th at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

Who is the Spitzer Space Telescope named after? (And don’t tell us, “a guy named Spitzer.”)

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Answer to the August 15 space trivia contest question:

The Parker Solar Probe will flyby Venus seven times as it eases into its final orbit that passes close to the Sun.