Episodes

How does NASA design sturdy rover wheels for Mars? Plus, the challenges of listening to the stars despite Earth’s electronic noise.

Meet the robots that may someday mine the moon. Plus, a geologist searches for signs of life in rocks formed by asteroid impacts.

A look at wildflower sightings across the nation. And seven years after the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, how well has the Gulf recovered?

New weather satellites promise improved forecasting, but what happens if they break in orbit? Scientists hope to send robot repairmen to the rescue. Plus, a mathematical perspective on the beauty of vibrato.

How the president and Congress have been tearing down U.S environmental and climate change policy. Plus, a look at the invisible workers keeping child porn off your social media platforms.

Bee brains are tiny but mighty. We investigate these insects’ cognitive prowess. Plus, could DNA become a mainstream data storage option? And a look at a growing conservation movement among farmers.

As self-driving cars and other A.I. advance, how safe will we be from hacks? Plus, the nearby star with seven Earth-size planets that could hold the conditions for life.

Is there a new battery that can beat lithium ion in electric vehicles? We plug into the world of battery research to find out. Plus, how to squeeze more power out of the electrical grid.

Ever heard of pancake ice, or frazil ice? We explore and celebrate the different icy phenomena at our poles, and also on other worlds. Plus, an update on the lead levels in Flint three years after the water crisis began.

New advances in stem cell research may make it possible to grow human organs in animals. Plus, scientists may have created a new phase of hydrogen that could revolutionize energy. And the challenges of astrobiology — how to look for life, when you’re not sure what the life might look like.