Casual Space

PODCASTS!!! Casual Space Podcast! I love #61 with Bill Nye and #65 with Matthew Dominick Houston, We Have a Podcast – Mission Patches, Episode #130 Houston, We Have a Podcast – Art and Space with Astronaut Nicole Stott #129 Planetary Radio – The Return of Cosmos with Ann Duryan NETFLIX and SHOWS Cosmos: Possible Worlds (On National Geographic) The EXPANSE (On Syfy) Picard (Star Trek) This is on CBS All-Access, but DON'T PAY- right now it's FREE. MUSEUMS Virtual Tours at your local museum, planetarium or observatory- or NATIONAL Museum. Have fun looking at different museums and locations! GO OUTSIDE.. Star Finder app, Sky Watch app Sky Live app and there's many more to choose from Telescopes! Binoculars! Looking up with the naked eyes! International Space Station sighting! MODEL ROCKET Kits available at: Walmart! Old School Videos from our Nation's Favorite Science Guy, BILL NYE! Planets and Moons MASTER CLASS video subscription learning service Chris Hadfield S'MORE MAGAZINE https://www.smoremagazine.com/ LIBRARY and other FREE downloads and educational resources galore! E-learning downloads from your local library. NASA' has an INCREDIBLE "NASA at Home" that I'm LOVING. It's got a little something for everyone. BOOKS Alcohol in Space, by Chris Carberry The Girl Who Named Pluto, by Alice McGinty Here We Are, Notes for Living on Planet Earth, by Oliver Jeffers What If? By Randall Munroe Space 2.0 by Rod Pyle

Irene Woerner is no stranger to start ups (she's built a few) and is a certified space expert; she was the principal investigator on research and ground software on the Pluto missions at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory AND, while at NASA, she led a team of researchers on advanced information systems. Currently, Irene is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of emTRUTH, because she believes in the transformative power of innovative technologies combined with people of excellence to make it happen. Prior to emTRUTH, Irene was a technology consultant to Fortune 500 companies. Beth and Irene finally meet in person at SPACECOM Expo, and share a casual conversation that includes: What emTruth works to provide: technology that self-detects and self-fixes devices and cyber security in the world and in the aerospace industry. How influential a summer camp opportunity (in Hawaii) was for Irene's future and love for science… What it's like to be able to select the people you WANT to work with, and what happens when you love the work you do… and About working at NASA, why playing softball at NASA was so important, and how having the support from your family helps encourage career success "I founded the company on two principals. One, I wanted to do something that I believed in. Two, I wanted to do it with people that I really liked." -Irene Woerner from Casual Space Podcast About Irene Woerner: Irene Woerner, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Irene co-founded emTRUTH, because she believes in the transformative power of innovative technologies combined with people of excellence to make it happen. Prior to emTRUTH, Irene was a technology consultant to Fortune 500 companies. emTRUTH is Irene's second start-up. Irene spent many years at NASA JPL and was responsible for flight and ground software on the Pluto mission. While at JPL, she also led a team of researchers on advanced information systems. About emTruth: https://www.emtruth.com/ Every company is a data company. Cybersecurity, authenticity, traceability and compliance are all important factors for this data. Powered by an innovative blockchain technology stack, emTRUTH provides secure and trusted solutions for enduring value.

Beth sits down with NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick last week at NASA's Johnson Space Center to discuss his work as an Artemis Generation astronaut. At the time of his selection as an Astronaut Candidate in June 2017, Matt was at sea on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, a Naval Aviator, and a department head for Strike Fighter Squadron 115. He has accumulated more than 1,600 flight hours in 28 aircraft models, 400 carrier arrestments, 61 combat missions, and nearly 200 flight test carrier landings (arrested and touch-and-go). Yep, it's impressive. And the conversation Matt and Beth share is just as impressive! Listen to hear highlights that include: Where Matt was and what he was doing when he "got the call" to welcome him to the NASA astronaut corp (Once Matt found out he was selected as an astronaut, Matt called someone incredibly special from the ship and asked her not to tell a soul! Listen to find out who) What cultural impression stayed with Matthew after living in Japan Matt's used to living in many places, but the BUGS of Texas have their own story… How exploring space is like exploring the south pole… Matt's thoughts regarding the NASA Administrator's goal to return to the Moon in2024 This is a unique time at NASA- For the first time in more than four years, NASA began accepting applications Monday for future astronauts. Aspiring Moon to Mars explorers have until 11:59 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 31, to apply. The call for more astronauts comes at a time when the agency is preparing to send the first woman and next man to the Moon with the Artemis program. Exploring the Moon during this decade will help prepare humanity for its next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars. U.S. citizens may submit applications to #BeAnAstronaut at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/561186900 About Becoming a NASA Astronaut: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/an-astronaut-s-guide-to-applying-to-be-an-astronaut https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/news/2015/11/4/so-you-want-to-be-an-astronaut/ About Matthew: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/matthew-dominick/biography Summary: Matthew Dominick was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. He reported for duty in August 2017 and having completed the initial astronaut candidate training is now eligible for a mission assignment. The Colorado native earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of San Diego and a Master of Science degree in in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He graduated from U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He has more than 1,600 hours of flight time in 28 aircraft, 400 carrier-arrested landings, and 61 combat missions. Personal Data:Dominick was born and raised in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He is married to Faith Dominick, and the couple has two daughters. His parents, Donald and Rhonda Dominick, still live in Wheat Ridge. Education:Graduated from D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School in Golden, Colorado. Earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of San Diego with minors in Physics and Mathematics. Earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. Experience:Dominick was commissioned through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) following graduation from the University of San Diego in 2005 and reported to Pensacola, Florida, for flight training. He was designated as a Naval Aviator in 2007 and reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 106, Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, for transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. Following his initial training, Dominick was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 143. He made two deployments to the North Arabian Sea, flying close air support missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While with Strike Fighter Squadron 143, Dominick was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School / U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Co-Operative Program, where he earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School and graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. Designated a developmental test pilot in 2013, Dominick was assigned to the fixed wing carrier suitability flight test department of Air Test Evaluation Squadron 23. There he served as developmental flight test project officer for a variety of carrier suitability test programs, including MAGIC CARPET, Joint Precision Approach & Landing Systems, Infrared Search and Track Pod, and the precision approach and landing certification of aircraft carriers. He flew developmental flight tests in the F/A-18ABCD, F/A-18E/F, and EA-18G. Additionally, he contributed to X-47B, Unmanned Carrier Launched Surveillance and Strike, V-22, T-45, E-2C, C-2A, and F-35C test programs. In 2016, Dominick returned to an operational naval squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron 115, flying F/A-18E Super Hornets in the Forward Deployed Naval Forces stationed in Atsugi, Japan. At the time of his selection as an Astronaut Candidate in June 2017, Dominick was at sea on the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) serving as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, a Naval Aviator, and a department head for Strike Fighter Squadron 115. He has accumulated more than 1,600 flight hours in 28 aircraft models, 400 carrier arrestments, 61 combat missions, and nearly 200 flight test carrier landings (arrested and touch-and-go). NASA Experience:Dominick reported for duty in August 2017 and completed two years of training as an Astronaut Candidate. He is currently awaiting flight assignment. Awards/Honors:2015 Naval Test Wing Atlantic Test Pilot of the Year; Member of the 2015 Department of the Navy Test Team of the Year; Strike Flight Air Medal (three awards); Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal; and Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards) Organizations:Society of Experimental Test Pilots Society of Flight Test Engineers and Tailhook Association.

Norah started photography in high school, from a camera her father gave her. By playing around with her camera and just shooting pictures, she fell in love with photography. Then she went to school to study imaging and photographic technology. After several NASA summer internships and lots of networking, Norah was brought on at NASA Johnson Space Center as a Science Photographer. You can see her talented work, along with her colleagues at www.images.nasa.gov Norah got her first NASA internship at the NASA Langley Research Center, working on videos and interviews for several projects. Discovering the archives at Langley had the most incredible things- flags, scuba gear! Then Norah got a contact at NASA Ames Research Center for her next internship, and learned how to photograph lasers with mirrors and light source. A brave application later to Johnson Space Center for a full-time photographer position landed her the job that allows her to see everything that happens within the entire center! Every day's assignment is different at NASA JSC- you never know what's next, so there's lots of fun to be had and lots to learn. Norah set up a baseball field shoot to test the Artemis space suits' movement capabilities! You can see the baseball shot at www.Images.NASA.gov. "I was taking all of the art classes and I was missing science. I didn't feel challenged the way I wanted to be challenged, so I went to a panel of graduates from all of the photo degrees, and discovered a NASA photographer who talked about his work and the idea of working for NASA was something that got in my brain and that was it for me. I applied to every internship I could!" "My all-time favorite assignment I got to do it train/ camp with the new astronaut class when they did their required geology studies for a week and I got to camp with them and learn, too!...I set up my camera and got to shoot time-lapse photos of the stars every night. They are called star trails. One of the astronauts that came along was Don Pettit, and we got to talk about star trails from the space station that he saw, and the star trails I was shooting from the Earth from the dessert. It was really cool." "There were a lot of qualified candidates to choose from when I applied for my position. I asked the person who hired me what shoot out to select me. He said it was my passion and excitement for NASA that allowed me to be selected." What's next for Norah? Shooting high-speed photography from simulations and tests that need images from some pretty fast photos (think launches, tests and planned explosions)! Some advice from up and coming artists who may want to work for NASA from Norah: "There are so many creative opportunities needed here at NASA, like lighting, audio engineers, videographers, producers, it's not just scientists and engineers. Apply for EVERYTHING, it does not matter if you have all the qualifications. And wherever you are, network. It's what got me here. Always be open to talking to people about what you love."

There's no title big enough to hold the accomplishments and aspirations for Taylor Winkelman. What has this woman NOT done? Just read her bio. Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Legislative Assistant. Veterinarian. Army Sergeant. Advocate for space policy in Washington D.C. In general, Taylor works to make our world a better place for all of us. And, in typical Taylor fashion, why stop with the world? Let's bring the benefits of the UNIVERSE- the many benefits that space exploration brings us - available to all. Taylor will lead the way. About Taylor, in her own words: I am currently working as a consultant for health security and humanitarian outreach issues in the Washington, DC area. I previously served as a Legislative Assistant in the office of Senator Edward J. Markey, primarily working on foreign relations, military and veterans issues, science and space issues, and global health issues. I also contributed to agriculture, animal rights, and veterinary issues within the context of our office's work. I paid particular attention to humanitarian crises, international development, human rights, the outer space treaty, and global health issues such as cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. I spent six years in the Army as a Cryptologic Voice Intercept Operator, leaving as a Sergeant (E5). I led a team of 12 joint service members working a strategic mission, and a squad of 7 soldiers who worked on other missions. I deployed to Baghdad in support of OIF2. Honorably discharged, I attended Augusta State University in Georgia, double majoring in English and Biology. While there, I completed an Honors Thesis in Organic Chemistry under Dr. Thomas Crute, III, studying the synthesis of Persin (a potential breast cancer drug) and derivatives. I volunteered for the humane society and at the local Pediatric Emergency Room, worked as a freelance journalist, a veterinary technician, and an office assistant and tutor for the Chemistry and Physics Department at ASU. In 2011, I interned at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.I graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine's DVM/MPH program, completing my MPH in Public Health Policy in December 2015 and my DVM in May 2016. I completed a summer externship at the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, summer research on Salmonella in backyard chickens in 2012, and an externship with the AVMA-GRD in Washington, DC in 2014. I went to Uganda with Veterinarians Without Borders in 2016, followed by a stint at the mEpi Lab at Massey University.

It seems like Dan Jacobs was made for his role as the International Relations Manager for NASA's Gateway Program and the International Space Station. Within his NASA career, Dan has found a perfect balance between both space and politics, and that's a good thing. As a liaison between the scientists and engineers and non-scientists and the general public – Dan works to interpret ideas, then putting them into technical agreements that benefit 19 countries, 240+ astronauts who have traveled to the International Space Station, and the 2,700+ research investigations that the laboratory has completed since 2000. 10 Fun Facts About CineSpace: This year marks the 5th annual competition for Cinespace and in those 5 years, there's been more than 1,700 films submitted More than 55 countries have submitted from around the world! Two people within the competition have seen every single film! Everyone sees some, and everyone judges them. Richard Linkletter is the celebrity judge (from School of Rock) and helps select the winners. Out of 15 finalists, 9 traveled from around the world to come to the award event! Visitors center will soon be showing the films Anyone can make a film- even Beth! There's no rules about subjects, or topics, or genres, so there's films that are narratives, documentaries, comedies, music videos, abstract films, they just have to meet the 10% quantity of including NASA imagery. Some NASA imagery has never been seen, ever- even by the judges! NASA has created an archive that's open to the public and anyone can now see it, and enjoy it, or use it for this film competition! More information on CineSpace: http://cinespace.org/ CineSpace, a short film competition, is a collaboration between NASA and Houston Cinema Arts Society that offers filmmakers around the world a chance to share their works inspired by, and using, actual NASA imagery About Dan Jacobs: Dan Jacobs has lead, managed, and supported negotiations with NASA's Space Station International Partners. Dan has worked to manage international team members at Johnson Space Center and overseas, reviewing numerous agreements to obtain new spacecraft, barter for Space Station modules, provide astronaut flight opportunities, resolve major disagreements, set new policies, and create science cooperation. The value to the U.S. Government of these agreements totals greater than $9B. As the Executive Liasion to the Greater Houston Partnership, Dan represented NASA/JSC to the City of Houston, the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP, equivalent to Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Center, and International Trade Organization for Houston), the Texas Medical Center, and innovation/entrepreneurial organizations throughout the city. He helped identify and pursue opportunities for partnership with JSC with new innovation organizations in the fields of medical device technologies, life sciences, robotics and automation, advanced manufacturing, software development and internet of things, all in support of NASA's critical technology needs for future missions. Dan has created concept for international short film competition of films that use NASA imagery, resulting in the formation of the CineSpace Film competition. This event was designed together partnership with Houston Cinema Arts Society (HCAS) to develop the competition and to screen finalists and winners at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival and film festivals around the country. Academy Award-nominated director Richard Linklater serves as judge and selects the winners, and in the last 5 years since the film competition began, CineSpace has received almost 1600 films from 60 countries.

Beth shares a Casual Space conversation with the incredible Bill Nye! Together, they enjoy: Sharing the incredible success story of the Planetary Society's Light Sail 2 (a spacecraft that is still sailing on sunbeams), and why it's such a significant and inspiring citizen-science project, and what it could mean for the future for space travel. (Read more about Light Sail 2 right here in the show notes at the link below) Discussing the many ways we can travel to space, but the challenge of getting to space still exists. When Bill Nye travels to space, he's sure to experience THE OVERVIEW EFFECT. How we are working to answer the mission of The Planetary Society- to know the cosmos and our place within it. An optimistic belief that within our lifetimes, we will find evidence of life on Mars! About Bill Nye: Along with serving as CEO of the world's largest independent space interest group, The Planetary Society, Nye is also an internationally renowned and award-winning science educator, television presenter, mechanical engineer, science advocate, and author. He is best known as the host of the PBS children's science show Bill Nye the Science Guy, and for his many subsequent appearances in popular media as a science educator and advocate. After earning a degree in mechanical engineering at Cornell University, Nye spent more than 20 years working as an engineer for the Boeing Corporation, Sundstrand Data Control (now Honeywell), and other engineering firms in the Seattle area. Drawing on his strengths in science and comedy, Nye went on to create, write, produce, and host the Emmy award-winning television show Bill Nye the Science Guy between 1993 and 1998. He continued his work in television with The Eyes of Nye in 2005 and Bill Nye Saves The World in 2017 and 2018. A documentary film about his life's work, Bill Nye: Science Guy, was released in 2017 to critical acclaim. Nye has authored several books, including the New York Times Bestseller Undeniable, Unstoppable, and Everything All at Once. In addition to his many other activities, he travels the world and appears on television on a regular basis, sharing his views on the importance of science and space exploration, and inspiring people of all ages to change the world for the better. Where to find Bill Nye: Planetary.org https://www.planetary.org/about/ Science Rules! Podcast: https://www.billnyepodcast.com/ BONUS LINKS AND NOTES FROM THIS CASUAL SPACE CONVERSATION: About Light Sail 2: https://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/heres-what-we-learned-so-far-ls2.html Learn more about Light Sail 2 from Planetary Radio's Mat Kaplan on EPISODE 58 of Casual Space! http://bethmund.com/2020/01/23/58-mat-kaplan/

You know that teachers are already an intricate and massively important part of helping to educate (STEAM) and inspire student explorers and curious minds! And while some great PAYLOADS have gone from the classroom to space, it soon will be the TEACHERS TURN TO EXPLORE. This opportunity is way overdue, don't you think? Liz Kinnick and her team at the Teachers In Space program agrees. So she's working to provide teachers with extraordinary space science experiences and industry connections. Liz was on an international flight when she read an article from British Airways inviting Liz to "collect your miles and go to space"… and thus the plans began. The Teachers in Space program is a non-for-profit, independent organization, and started as a project of the Space Frontier Foundation, inspired by NASA's Teacher in Space Program. In 2008, the Space Frontier Foundation felt like the space sub-orbital programs that were starting should include teachers to be cheaper, safer, more environmentally friendly and does not quite exist yet- you can't fly as a paid passenger YET. The first call-out was done by the Space Frontier Foundation and they received 1,100 teacher responses- a lot of a time when there we no flights, and the space shuttle program was about to end with the launch of Endeavor. 7 were selected and several teachers are still with the program. Some were even from NASA Educator Astronaut Trainee program. WHAT CAN I DO? Go to www.teachers-in-space.com and donate. OR tell your local school/ science museum/ church camp/ educations that there's a place that can provide them resources for students who are interested in space! More information on Teachers In Space: www.teachers-in-space.com Teachers in Space, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization which stimulates student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by providing their teachers with extraordinary space science experiences and industry connections. Our professional development workshops for STEM teachers include personal and experimental flight opportunities, hands-on work with data sensors and remote device control, opportunities to meet and interact with scientists and developers at NASA and commercial space companies, and unique teaching materials and design contests to take back to the classroom. Teachers In Space, Inc. sparks a transfer of passion for space science and exploration from teachers to their students, preparing and encouraging those students to pursue further education and exciting, rewarding careers in the emerging space industry. www.firefly.com About Liz: Liz Kennick has directed the Teachers in Space (TIS) program since 2011, initially as a project manager for the Space Frontier Foundation (SFF). In 2014 Liz and her management team incorporated TIS as an educational nonprofit organization in the state of New York. A member of SFF's Board from 2009-2013, Liz was previously Vice President of Client Technology at Morgan Stanley with a $2M annual budget for 1700 software users. She holds degrees in Information Systems / Operations Analysis, English, and Education and is certified as a Project Management Professional and as a Network Engineer. Liz is co-founder of NYC's Software Process Improvement Network and has produced Yuri's Night NY, a space-themed party for 200+ guests, annually since 2008, and TEDxMidTownNY, as space-themed speaker series, in 2010-2011. Liz created the Space Frontier Foundation's Business Plan Bootcamp for the 5 finalists in the foundation's 2011 Business Plan Competition, and was a judge at the 2011 SEDS Student Business Plan Competition. She created Escape Guesthouse LLC, a boutique bed and breakfast in Brooklyn, New York in 2006 and sold it in 2013 for 3 times purchase price. She has flown on ZeroG, experienced centrifuge and hypobaric chamber training, scuba dived to 70 feet, and climbed Cotopaxi, Earth's highest extinct volcano. Liz is a frequent speaker on The Space Show, The Invisible World, Rotary Club and TEDx events, and at conferences such as NewSpace, SpaceVision, Project World and the International Space Development Conference (ISDC). Her 2014 TEDx presentation "Gimme Some Space!" can be seen at: http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/Space-adventures-get-real-Eliza BONUS NOTES FROM THE SHOW: Best thing that's happened in the Teacher in Space program lately? Standing in Texas watching Blue Origin launching their payload! (A CubeSat that they've been working on since 2012!) Blue Steel by "Consider the Source" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlkiOYUmzkg

Our nation's space agency has experienced many incredible human feats (landing a human on the moon, walking in space, assembling an International Space Station, etc.) as well as three very public manned missions that resulted in heroes' lives lost. In this episode, Beth and Dean continue the second part of this discussion about NASA's Successes from Failures to include the manned missions; Apollo 1, the Challenger space shuttle, and Columbia STS-107. Beth worked at NASA Johnson Space Center during the Columbia tragedy, and Dean worked at NASA during the loss of Challenger, and share both their unique perspectives from these events, and the changes they watched NASA implement after the extensive accident investigations. At the end of this (at times difficult) conversation, Dean and Beth look at the "planned anomalies" that NASA and commercial space flight companies will experience, working towards future missions' safety and success. This is a difficult time for the NASA "family," the employees, contractors and support teams who remember these tragedies, the astronaut crew's families, and for the nation. On January 30, NASA will honor members of the NASA family who lost their lives while furthering the cause of exploration and discovery, including the crews of Apollo 1 and space shuttles Challenger and Columbia, during the agency's annual Day of Remembrance. Dean served a significant role in the Challenger investigation by flying over the debris field and gather visual imagery data. He recalls the series of events that day, and how helping to serve NASA post-tragedy was a significant extension of working the mission. Beth was a Public Affairs Officer and NASA spokesperson at the Johnson Space Center during the Columbia STS-107 mission. As part of her job, along with the newsroom staff, was to report all activity from the Johnson Space Center to the public in the form of broadcast, writing, or digital media. The Johnson Space Center is the home of human space flight, the NASA location (there are 10 NASA centers throughout the United States) where the astronauts work and train. The astronauts and their families usually live nearby. On that Saturday in February, Beth and the staff assigned to work this particular mission were just as shocked as the rest of the nation when they witnessed the live coverage of the re-entry of the shuttle, and the shuttle's break up after overheating from debris hitting the leading edge of the left wing at launch. Beth shares her memory of the event, along with the national memorial that happened shortly after on the JSC campus from her unique perspective as an employee trying to process the accident with the "NASA family" of employees during the difficult time. While difficult, there are opportunities to learn during times of crisis. At the end of the episode, Beth and Dean discuss a "planned" anomaly from SpaceX that recently took place last week- an abort test that resulted in an explosion of a Falcon 9 booster, and a successful separation and water landing of the Dragon capsule. This test was an unmanned success, and its demonstration of a successful abort away from the booster allows SpaceX to proceed with a crewed capsule test later this year (scheduled as early as next month!). About Apollo 1: https://history.nasa.gov/Apollo204/ About Challenger: https://history.nasa.gov/sts51l.html About Columbia STS-107: https://www.nasa.gov/subject/3308/sts107

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