A Tiny Explorer Called Twinkle

A small but talented UK team is building Twinkle, a small spacecraft with a big mission—exploring the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars. Emily Lakdawalla has posted her annual review of children’s books about space. Listen to win a signed copy of Randall Munroe’s “Thinking Big.” Bill Nye talks about good news for would-be asteroid miners, while Bruce Betts and Mat Kaplan ponder first words on Mars in What’s Up.

Related Links:

• Twinkle – A British Space Mission to Explore Faraway Worlds
• Emily’s 2015 Review of Children’s Books About Space
• Randall Munroe’s “Thing Explainer”
• 2016 Year In Space Desk and Wall Calendars

This week's prizes are a lovely Planetary Radio t-shirt and a set of 2016 Year In Space Desk and Wall Calendars.

This week's question:

What was the seventh moon discovered in our solar system? (After our Moon, the four Galilean moons, and Titan?)

To submit your answer:

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

Last week's question:

What was the only time a launch escape system was fired with a crew aboard while the rocket was still on the pad?

Answer:

The answer will be revealed next week.

Question from the week before:

What were Pete Conrad’s first words spoken as he stepped out of the Lunar Module onto the surface of the Moon?

Answer:

When Apollo 12’s Pete Conrad stepped on the footpad of the Lunar Module he said, “Whoopee! Man, that may have been a small one for Neil, but that’s a long one for me!” And when he stepped from the footpad to the lunar surface he added, “Oooh! Is that soft and queasy!”