If you’re itching to get away from it all, really get away from it all, have we got some exotic destinations for you. Mars … Jupiter’s moon Europa … asteroids . Tour some enticing worlds that are worlds away, but ripe for exploration.

Also, why private spaceships may be just the ticket for getting yourself into space, unless you want to wait for a space elevator.

And, why one science journalist boasts of an infectious, unabashed, and unbridled enthusiasm for space travel.

Guests:

  • Cynthia Phillips – Planetary geologist, SETI Institute
  • Britney Schmidt – Research scientist, University of Texas, Austin
  • Paul Abell – Planetary geologist, NASA’s Johnson Space Center
  • Richard Hollingham – Science journalist, producer of Space Boffins podcast, living in the U.K.
  • Barry Matsumori – Senior vice president for commercial sales and business development, SpaceX Corporation
  • Peter Swan – Space System Engineer and Vice President, International Space Elevator Consortium

Podcast also available on PocketCasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and RSS.

2026 Webby Award Nominee
for our three part series on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Big Picture Science is an immersive radio show and podcast that reveals the unexpected connections in science.

Our Skeptic Check episodes take a critical look at extraordinary science claims and pseudoscience.

Don’t settle for a science snapshot. Get the big picture. 

Hosted By

Molly Bentley Executive Producer and Co-Host, Big Picture Science  

Seth Shostak Producer and Co-Host, Big Picture Science
Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute

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