Science Friday: Archives By Topic: Spaceflight

SciFri Radio: Spaceflight

SciFri Radio: Higher-Res Eye In The Sky
If all goes according to plan, next week a rocket will launch carrying a commercial imaging satellite capable of making out details on Earth just...

SciFri Radio: Planetary Science Update
Mars has water ice in its soil -- and could Mercury be shrinking? In this segment, we'll get the latest from around the solar system, checking in...

SciFri Radio: Mars Update
In this segment, we'll talk with the head of the Mars Phoenix mission and get an update on Mars research.

SciFri Radio: Countdown to Mars
The latest mission to Mars, Mars Phoenix, is scheduled to touch down on the Red Planet this coming Sunday. We'll talk about the mission and what...

SciFri Radio: Turmoil in Planetary Exploration?
NASA's science chief, Alan Stern, announced his resignation this week. The announcement came the same week as threatened budget cuts to the popular...

SciFri Radio: See You from The Dark Side of the Moon
NASA has given the go-ahead to researchers to begin planning an array of radio telecopes on the far side of the moon.

SciFri Radio: Orbiting Carbon Observatory
NASA plans to launch an orbiting satellite observatory to map the carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.

SciFri Radio: A Return to Mercury After 33 Years
Scientists are reviewing data from a flyby of the planet Mercury earlier this week.

SciFri Radio: von Braun
In this segment, Ira talks with space historian Michael Neufeld, author of a new biography of rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun.

SciFri Radio: Chinese Moon Mission Launch
This week, China launched Chang'e One, a robotic lunar orbiter. Does the launch mean the start of a new global space race?

view more radio programs related to Spaceflight

Particles of Science

Free the River

SciFri guest Ivor van Heerden says that perhaps the best thing we can do to protect coastal Louisiana against hurricanes is to let the river run wild. Listen to van Heerden. This allows new wetlands to be created, which can reduce wave energy significantly.

Vaccine Safety

Wary of vaccinations? SciFri guest, Paul Offit, says vaccines are probably more rigorously tested than anything else we consume. Listen to Dr. Offit.

Itsy Bitsy Spacecraft

SciFri guest Aaron Rowe explains the advantages of smaller spacecraft: Listen. Find out about a new development in the micro craft design--a material that can change color depending on whether the craft is in sun or shadow to reflect or absorb light. Listen to Rowe.

This Just In: Cattail Fuel

Ethanol isn't all about corn. SciFri guest David Blume suggests fuel from cattails. Listen here. They also clean the water and grow like weeds. Learn more.