Day: November 25, 2025

A conversation with Lika Guhathakurta, lead program scientist for new initiatives in the Exploration Technology Directorate at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, and Ryan McGranaghan, postdoctoral researcher from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Transcript Host (Abby Tabor):You’re listening to NASA in Silicon Valley, episode 92! This week we have two guests – Lika Guhathakurta and Ryan McGranaghan. They talked to us about how data science is changing heliophysics. That’s the study of our Sun and how it and other stars affect their solar systems. They explain how a new data-rich approach to this research is…

The Moon doesn’t have WiFi; neither does Mars. When future astronauts explore the surfaces of the Moon, Mars, or beyond, they’ll have big challenges communicating with Mission Control back on Earth. Darlene Lim at NASA Ames Research Center has been organizing expeditions on Earth that simulate science operations on other planetary bodies. Her team demonstrates how astronauts, scientists, and mission operations specialists can collaborate on expeditions, despite communication delays and location differences. She also discusses her role on VIPER, a rover that will explore ice deposits on the Moon and drill in shadowed craters colder than Pluto. Jim Green:How…

Transcript: Nina Lanza field recording: Well good morning from a beautiful day in the South Miller Range. You know, I think Antarctica just doesn’t want us to move our tents ever. Because every time we’ve tried to move somewhere, there’ve been some crazy winds and storms. We were all hosed from our camp move in the crazy 30-mile-an-hour winds. So we only worked a half day to get our camp in order and then we just essentially collapsed. Now, we’re planning on spending a whole day outside, looking for more space rocks! [0:32] Narrator: Every year, a small group…

From Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, explore the world of human spaceflight with NASA each week on the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists and engineers who make it possible. On episode 377, Three flight controllers from NASA’s Mission Control Center discuss their roles and how they monitor and maintain a healthy crew aboard the International Space Station. This episode was recorded December 17, 2024. Transcript Nilufar Ramji  (Host) Houston, we have a podcast. Welcome to the official podcast of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Episode 377, Mission…

TRT: 43:53 Sam Dove:When they call us to go do something, that’s what we do. Launch Countdown Sequence: EGS Program Chief Engineer, verify no constraints to launch. EGS Chief Engineer team has no constraints. I copy that. You are clear to launch. Five, four, three, two, one, and lift-off. All clear. Now passing through max q, maximum dynamic pressure. Welcome to space. Joshua Santora (Host): Welcome to the Rocket Ranch. I’m your host, Joshua Santora. When people think of the Kennedy Space Center, rockets are what likely come to mind. But we have more than rocket scientists here on…

NARRATOR In 2005, NASA launched the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to survey the Red Planet. At the time, the camera on board was the largest ever flown on a planetary mission. This allowed the orbiter to identify hazards that could harm landers and rovers. Additionally, the orbiter’s imaging spectrometer searched for water features, prospecting for resources and searching for evidence that water once filled the barren Martian landscape. In addition to its science mission, the spacecraft acted as a communications link, relaying high-resolution science data from rovers on the Red Planet’s surface. This is a common, secondary purpose for Martian…

A rerun of a conversation with Parimal Kopardekar, NASA’s senior technologist for the Air Transportation System at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. Transcript Matthew Buffington (Host):Welcome to the NASA in Silicon Valley podcast, episode 93. Our guest for this special rerun episode is a throwback to episode 41 with Parimal Kopardekar, better known as PK. PK’s NASA’s senior technologist for the Air Transportation System, and principal investigator for Unmanned Aerial Systems Traffic Management, also known as UTM. We discuss his work involving “the first A in NASA”: aeronautics. Back in May 2017, NASA, the FAA, and several…

How do astronauts exercise on the International Space Station? How do they train underwater? Tara Ruttley, associate chief scientist for microgravity research at NASA Headquarters, has worked on a lot of fascinating projects to support the human spaceflight program. She also holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience and discusses how NASA studies the brain health of astronauts. Jim Green:Our astronauts in space need all kinds of help. They need to be healthy. They need to work experiments. We need people on the ground to interact with them to make a mission happen. Tara Ruttley:Being a part of real-life space program…

Transcript: [0:01] Narrator: In regions of the world without light pollution, the nights are enriched with a vast field of stars. They twinkle above in a seemingly infinite multitude. (music) “Twinkle, twinkle, little starHow I wonder what you areUp above the world so highLike a diamond in the sky…” [0:36] Narrator: Amateur and professional astronomers spend their evenings watching the stars and galaxies, as well as planets and asteroids that look like stars because they reflect sunlight. When small asteroid grains travel through our atmosphere, they light up into Nature’s fireworks, bringing out droves of new stargazers to enjoy…