TOI-270 d is revealing secrets about the most common type of planet in our galaxy, sub-Neptunes. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by planetary geochemist Chris Glein from the Southwest Research Insitute to discuss his team’s new analysis of its atmosphere, using data from JWST and insights from Earth analogs. Then, The Planetary Society’s Director of Government Relations, Jack Kiraly, breaks down the historic budget cuts proposed for NASA in the U.S. President’s “skinny” budget request, including a 47% reduction to its science program funding. We close out with Bruce Betts and What’s Up.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-toi-270-d

TOI-270 d is revealing secrets about the most common type of planet in our galaxy, sub-Neptunes. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by planetary geochemist Chris Glein from the Southwest Research Insitute to discuss his team&rsquo;s new analysis of its atmosphere, using data from JWST and insights from Earth analogs. Then, The Planetary Society&rsquo;s Director of Government Relations, Jack Kiraly, breaks down the historic budget cuts proposed for NASA in the U.S. President&rsquo;s &ldquo;skinny&rdquo; budget request, including a 47% reduction to its science program funding. We close out with Bruce Betts and What&rsquo;s Up.
Discover more at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-toi-270-d">https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-toi-270-d</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.

Explore the atmosphere of TOI-270 d with planetary geochemist Chris Glein as he unravels the secrets of this distant sub-Neptune using JWST data and geochemical modeling.

 TOI-270 d: Unveiling the secrets of a sub-Neptune

Former NASA Chief Economist Akhil Rao explains why NASA needs economic expertise to navigate the complex—and often misunderstood—market forces that will determine the success or failure of its private partnerships. As NASA relies ever more on commercial companies to enable its own exploration efforts, it is imperative, Rao believes, to provide clear-eyed perspectives that highlight the challenges and solutions required to reach success. And why NASA puts itself at risk for pursuing faith-based program investments after dissolving the strategy and economics team at the agency a few months ago.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-economy-akhil-rao

Former NASA Chief Economist Akhil Rao explains why NASA needs economic expertise to navigate the complex&mdash;and often misunderstood&mdash;market forces that will determine the success or failure of its private partnerships. As NASA relies ever more on commercial companies to enable its own exploration efforts, it is imperative, Rao believes, to provide clear-eyed perspectives that highlight the challenges and solutions required to reach success. And why NASA puts itself at risk for pursuing faith-based program investments after dissolving the strategy and economics team at the agency a few months ago.
Discover more at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-economy-akhil-rao">https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/space-economy-akhil-rao</a>

Former NASA Chief Economist Akhil Rao explains why NASA needs economic expertise to navigate the complex—and often misunderstood—market forces that will determine the success or failure of its private partnerships.

Space Policy Edition: What does NASA need with an economist?

The White House has released its Fiscal Year 2026 congressional budget justification for NASA, and the implications are staggering. If enacted, this proposal would slash NASA’s science program funding by nearly half, cancel dozens of active and upcoming missions, and reduce the agency’s workforce by one-third. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Jack Kiraly, The Planetary Society’s director of government relations, to examine what’s in the nearly 500-page document, what it means for the future of space science and exploration, and how advocates can still act to save NASA science.

Then, in What’s Up, Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts shares insights on China’s newly launched asteroid sample return mission, Tianwen-2. The spacecraft will rendezvous with near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, offering new scientific opportunities amidst a moment of global uncertainty in space exploration.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-FY-2026-budget-proposal

The White House has released its Fiscal Year 2026 congressional budget justification for NASA, and the implications are staggering. If enacted, this proposal would slash NASA&rsquo;s science program funding by nearly half, cancel dozens of active and upcoming missions, and reduce the agency&rsquo;s workforce by one-third. Sarah Al-Ahmed is joined by Jack Kiraly, The Planetary Society&rsquo;s director of government relations, to examine what&rsquo;s in the nearly 500-page document, what it means for the future of space science and exploration, and how advocates can still act to save NASA science.
Then, in What&rsquo;s Up, Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts shares insights on China&rsquo;s newly launched asteroid sample return mission, Tianwen-2. The spacecraft will rendezvous with near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, offering new scientific opportunities amidst a moment of global uncertainty in space exploration.
Discover more at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-FY-2026-budget-proposal">https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-FY-2026-budget-proposal</a>

The Fiscal Year 2026 congressional budget justification for NASA could mark the beginning of a dark age for NASA science. We examine what’s at stake and how you can help advocate for NASA’s future.

The dark age of NASA science? Analyzing the FY 2026 budget proposal

Volcanoes aren’t just an earthly phenomenon. They’re found all across the Solar System. In this compilation episode of Planetary Radio, we explore volcanic and geothermal activity on planets, moons, and distant dwarf planets. You’ll hear from Rosaly Lopes, Nick Schneider, Rae Paoletta, Robbie Herrick, Scott Hensley, and Christopher Glein as they share insights into everything from lava flows on Venus and eruptions on Io to the mysterious heat signatures of icy bodies like Eris and Makemake. This journey spans over 20 years of Planetary Radio, featuring interviews hosted by both current host Sarah Al-Ahmed and founding host Mat Kaplan. 

Then, our Chief Scientist, Dr. Bruce Betts, returns for What’s Up and shares new findings from NASA’s Juno mission, which recently completed close passes by Jupiter’s volcanic moon, Io.

Discover more at: https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-volcanic-worlds

Volcanoes aren&rsquo;t just an earthly phenomenon. They&rsquo;re found all across the Solar System. In this compilation episode of Planetary Radio, we explore volcanic and geothermal activity on planets, moons, and distant dwarf planets. You&rsquo;ll hear from Rosaly Lopes, Nick Schneider, Rae Paoletta, Robbie Herrick, Scott Hensley, and Christopher Glein as they share insights into everything from lava flows on Venus and eruptions on Io to the mysterious heat signatures of icy bodies like Eris and Makemake. This journey spans over 20 years of Planetary Radio, featuring interviews hosted by both current host Sarah Al-Ahmed and founding host Mat Kaplan.&nbsp;
Then, our Chief Scientist, Dr. Bruce Betts, returns for What&rsquo;s Up and shares new findings from NASA&rsquo;s Juno mission, which recently completed close passes by Jupiter&rsquo;s volcanic moon, Io.
Discover more at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-volcanic-worlds">https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/2025-volcanic-worlds</a>

Explore volcanoes across the solar system, from lava flows on Venus to icy eruptions on Enceladus and methane activity on Eris, with highlights from past Planetary Radio interviews. Plus, Bruce Betts shares new Juno insights from Jupiter’s moon Io.

TOI-270 d: Unveiling the secrets of a sub-Neptune

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