Living and Working on Mars—A Conversation at the International Space Development Conference

Planetary Radio visits the 33rd ISDC to talk with three explorers who’ve set their sights on the Red Planet: MD and space medicine researcher Susan Jewell, Meteorite Man Geoff Notkin, and Mars Program Formulation Office Manager at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Charles Whetsel. Emily unveils a new image tool that lets you turn a clean Mars Rover into a very dirty one. Bill Nye contrasts a warming attitude toward planetary exploration with the growing chill between the US and Russia. Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan give away a littleBits Space Kit—modular electronics fun created with NASA.

Related Links:

• International Space Development Conference
• International Space Surgery Consortium
• Charles Whetsel
• Geoff Notkin at Aerolite Meteorites
• Dust on, dust off: Before-and-after comparisons of rover decks on Mars
• littleBits The Space Kit

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This week's question:

What is the third largest galaxy in the Local Group?

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Last week's question:

Who was the only Apollo astronaut who also became a U.S. Senator?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

Measured across the Earth’s surface (not including the vertical distance), how far did Alan Shepard travel in Freedom 7?

Answer:

Alan Shepard traveled about 302 statute miles or 485 kilometers downrange in Freedom 7, which was more than double the altitude he reached.