SpaceX Builds a Big Falcon Rocket

A mostly SpaceX episode as the ambitious company provides updated details regarding its huge new rocket and introduces its first astronauts. Mat Kaplan shares more from the company’s headquarters, while Planetary Society Digital Editor explains and explores the BFR. Jason also celebrates the successful landing of two asteroid “rovers” from Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft. And we’ll tell you What’s Up in the night sky as we offer another space trivia contest.

• Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft successfully drops rovers on asteroid Ryugu
• NASA names crews and dates for first U.S. commercial missions
• If you come at the Space Launch System, you best not miss
• First Private Passenger on SpaceX Lunar BFR Mission
• Elon Musk of SpaceX on a 2009 Episode of Planetary Radio
• Launch and Lunch with Bill Nye—Campaign Ends September 27, 2018!

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.

This week's question:

How many times was the Delta II rocket launched, including successes, failures and partial successes?

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, October 3rd at 8am Pacific Time. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Last week's question:

What is the tallest mountain on Ceres?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the September 12 space trivia contest question:

Time again to play Where in the Solar System? Where in the solar system is a crater named Math? (Sadly, unrelated to Mathew Kaplan.)

Answer:

A crater called Math is on Jupiter’s moon Europa.