58: Falcon Heavy Launch Highlights and Light Sail 2 review with Planetary Society's Mat Kaplan

Beth and Mat enjoyed sharing their Falcon Heavy Launch experience AND..

• Why this launch was the MOST spectacular folks have ever seen
• What Light Sail 2 is, and why it's such a significant and inspiring citizen-science project, and what it could mean for the future for space travel
• How Mat has ALWAYS been inspired by space exploration and joined the National Space Society at a very young age
• What it's like working with the talented team of experts at the Planetary Society, including his "boss" Bill Nye the science guy!
• How hosting Planetary Radio allows Mat to tell the story of space exploration and showcase the narrative of the people who work to explore and document everything going on within space.

About Mat:

Mat Kaplan loves hosting and producing Planetary Radio. He was just 17 when he got his first job in broadcasting, yet it wasn't until the 2002 premiere of The Society's popular weekly broadcast and podcast series that he combined his twin loves of space and radio. A Planetary Society staff member for more than 15 years, Mat also plans and manages technical support for our Planetfest celebrations and other major events and webcasts. Outside of The Planetary Society, he hosts a series of live events for Southern California Public Radio called NEXT: People|Science|Tomorrow, and frequently serves as moderator or speaker at space and science gatherings. His extensive background in journalism has ranged from public radio reporter covering the political conventions to movie reviewer for an international magazine. Some may remember him as a correspondent for a pioneering national TV series about personal computers. Mat also enjoyed a 30-year career in higher education that included major television awards and recognition for service to the community. The longtime Long Beach, California resident has two adult daughters raised to be citizens of the solar system. Mat is available as a moderator or host for conversations about space and science topics. He's also a passionate speaker about the mission of The Planetary Society, the importance of space exploration and development, and the history of human fascination with Mars, including robotic exploration of the Red Planet.

Where to find Mat Kaplan:

Planetary.org

Follow Mat on Twitter at @planrad

BONUS LINKS AND NOTES FROM THIS CASUAL SPACE CONVERSATION:

This is the rocket image Beth and Mat reference from the launch YOU CAN'T MISS: #rocketnebula

This is the what's what about NASA's recent announcement to move forward with the Dragonfly Mission: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasas-dragonfly-will-fly-around-titan-looking-for-origins-signs-of-life