Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck joins the show to unpack his company’s bold, $4-billion fixed-price plan to bring Martian samples home, why he believes commercial partnerships can unlock new frontiers in planetary science, and his “soft spot” for interplanetary exploration. Then, Richard French — former JPL engineer and now VP of Business & Strategy at Rocket Lab — provides deeper insight into their proposed Mars Sample Return architecture, explaining how a single, vertically integrated team could cut costs and secure mission success. And yes, we get an update on the status of their Venus mission, too.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/can-rocketlab-save-msr

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck joins the show to unpack his company&rsquo;s bold, $4-billion fixed-price plan to bring Martian samples home, why he believes commercial partnerships can unlock new frontiers in planetary science, and his &ldquo;soft spot&rdquo; for interplanetary exploration. Then, Richard French &mdash; former JPL engineer and now VP of Business &amp; Strategy at Rocket Lab &mdash; provides deeper insight into their proposed Mars Sample Return architecture, explaining how a single, vertically integrated team could cut costs and secure mission success. And yes, we get an update on the status of their Venus mission, too.
Discover more at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/can-rocketlab-save-msr">https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/can-rocketlab-save-msr</a>

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our Solar System and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts who are taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye the Science Guy and Bruce Betts as they dive deep into space science and exploration. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you inside the DC beltway where the future of the US space program hangs in the balance. Visit planetary.org/radio for an episode guide and much more.

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our Solar System and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts who are taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye the Science Guy and Bruce Betts as they dive deep into space science and exploration. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you inside the DC beltway where the future of the US space program hangs in the balance. Visit planetary.org/radio for an episode guide and much more.

Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our solar system and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye, the Science Guy, and Bruce Betts, chief scientist for The Planetary Society, as they dive deep into the latest space news. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you inside the DC beltway with Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly to discuss the politics of space exploration in the US and advocacy actions you can take to support the missions that matter. Visit planetary.org/radio for the space trivia contest, an episode guide, and much more.

Planetary Radio brings you the human adventure across our solar system and beyond. We visit each week with the scientists, engineers, leaders, advocates, and astronauts taking us across the final frontier. Regular features raise your space IQ while they put a smile on your face. Join host Sarah Al-Ahmed and Planetary Society colleagues including Bill Nye, the Science Guy, and Bruce Betts, chief scientist for The Planetary Society, as they dive deep into the latest space news. The monthly Space Policy Edition takes you inside the DC beltway with Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly to discuss the politics of space exploration in the US and advocacy actions you can take to support the missions that matter. Visit planetary.org/radio for the space trivia contest, an episode guide, and much more.

Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck outlines a $4B fixed-price plan for Mars Sample Return — and reveals new Venus mission details — before VP Richard French explains how a single, integrated team cuts costs and ensures success.

Space Policy Edition: Mars Sample Return, but at what (fixed) price?

NASA's science missions have transformed our understanding of the Universe, from breathtaking images of deep space to robotic explorers on Mars. But now, a reported 50% cut to NASA's science budget threatens to shut down missions, halt discoveries, and devastate the future of space exploration. This week, Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly from The Planetary Society's space policy team break down the fight ahead, explain why these cuts would be catastrophic, and explain how you can take action before they become part of the official presidential budget request. Then, Science Editor Asa Stahl joins us to discuss the power of grassroots advocacy and Planetary Society members' impact in defending space science over the past 45 years. Plus, Bruce Betts returns for What's Up with a celebration of Lunar PlanetVac and a look ahead to this week's lunar eclipse.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-extinction-level-event-for-nasa-science

NASA's science missions have transformed our understanding of the Universe, from breathtaking images of deep space to robotic explorers on Mars. But now, a reported 50% cut to NASA's science budget threatens to shut down missions, halt discoveries, and devastate the future of space exploration. This week, Casey Dreier and Jack Kiraly from The Planetary Society's space policy team break down the fight ahead, explain why these cuts would be catastrophic, and explain how you can take action before they become part of the official presidential budget request. Then, Science Editor Asa Stahl joins us to discuss the power of grassroots advocacy and Planetary Society members' impact in defending space science over the past 45 years. Plus, Bruce Betts returns for What's Up with a celebration of Lunar PlanetVac and a look ahead to this week's lunar eclipse.
Discover more at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-extinction-level-event-for-nasa-science">https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-extinction-level-event-for-nasa-science</a>

A reported 50% cut to NASA’s science budget threatens to shut down missions, halt new discoveries, and devastate scientific space exploration. This week, we break down the fight ahead with The Planetary Society’s space policy team and explore how grassroots advocacy can help protect the future of space science.

An extinction-level event for NASA science

Philosopher Rebecca Lowe joins us to explore how the ideas of classical liberalism can provide fresh insight into humanity’s activities in space. Our conversation explores the philosophical tensions between individual freedom and societal good, the instrumental and intrinsic value of space activities, and the uniquely accessible nature of space science and exploration. From a novel approach to lunar property rights and the opportunities to support human flourishing, Lowe offers a thought-provoking vision of how philosophical traditions can inform our cosmic ambitions.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/classical-liberalism-in-space

Philosopher Rebecca Lowe joins us to explore how the ideas of classical liberalism can provide fresh insight into humanity&rsquo;s activities in space. Our conversation explores the philosophical tensions between individual freedom and societal good, the instrumental and intrinsic value of space activities, and the uniquely accessible nature of space science and exploration. From a novel approach to lunar property rights and the opportunities to support human flourishing, Lowe offers a thought-provoking vision of how philosophical traditions can inform our cosmic ambitions.
Discover more at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/classical-liberalism-in-space">https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/classical-liberalism-in-space</a>

Can classical liberalism provide fresh insights to guide humanity’s activities in space? Philosopher Rebecca Lowe explains how it can.

Space Policy Edition: Locke, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (in space)

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission has returned pristine samples from asteroid Bennu to Earth, and the early results are remarkable. Sample analysts have confirmed the presence of abundant organic compounds, nitrogen-rich material, and evidence of past liquid water, all key ingredients that could help us understand the role asteroids played in delivering the building blocks of life to Earth. This week, we’re joined by Scott Sandford, co-investigator on OSIRIS-REx and a research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center. He explores the first two sample analysis papers published by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx team. Then, Bruce Betts joins us for What’s Up, where we look back at humanity’s history of sample return missions.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-OSIRIS-REx-sample

NASA&rsquo;s OSIRIS-REx mission has returned pristine samples from asteroid Bennu to Earth, and the early results are remarkable. Sample analysts have confirmed the presence of abundant organic compounds, nitrogen-rich material, and evidence of past liquid water, all key ingredients that could help us understand the role asteroids played in delivering the building blocks of life to Earth. This week, we&rsquo;re joined by Scott Sandford, co-investigator on OSIRIS-REx and a research scientist at NASA&rsquo;s Ames Research Center. He explores the first two sample analysis papers published by NASA&rsquo;s OSIRIS-REx team. Then, Bruce Betts joins us for What&rsquo;s Up, where we look back at humanity&rsquo;s history of sample return missions.
Discover more at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-OSIRIS-REx-sample">https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-OSIRIS-REx-sample</a>

Scott Sandford, co-investigator on OSIRIS-REx and a research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, discusses the first published analyses of the Bennu sample, revealing insights into the early Solar System and the origins of life.

Space Policy Edition: Mars Sample Return, but at what (fixed) price?

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