Looking Back, Looking Forward: Beginning a New Year In Space

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: Planetary Radio’s year-end episode looks back at 2012’s major space achievements and ahead to 2013’s missions, while emphasizing the Planetary Society’s core missions: advocacy, education, and projects. Bill Nye frames space exploration as a source of inspiration and innovation; Emily Lakdawalla previews key missions; Casey Dreyer explains the severe NASA planetary-science budget fight; and Bruce Betts reviews Society projects, asteroid defense, LightSail, and astronomy highlights.

Main Topics: Year-end reflection on 2012’s space achievements: The show opens by celebrating major milestones from the year: Curiosity’s Mars landing, Messenger at Mercury, Dawn at Vesta, SpaceX cargo flights, and growing exoplanet discoveries, presenting 2012 as a strong year for exploration and science. Planetary Society mission: advocacy, education, and projects: Bill Nye explains the Society’s founding purpose and current role in building public support, educating audiences, and funding/leading projects that advance planetary science and exploration. 2013 mission outlook across the solar system: Emily Lakdawalla previews upcoming missions including LADEE, MAVEN, India’s Mars mission, Juno’s Earth flyby, and Cassini’s continued Saturn observations, with emphasis on scientific goals and public interest. NASA planetary science budget and advocacy fight: Casey Dreyer describes the 20% proposed cut to NASA’s Planetary Science Division, the continuing resolution stalemate, and the effort to restore funding to 2012 levels through coordinated advocacy. Planetary Society projects and planetary defense: Bruce Betts reviews Society-supported projects including the Pioneer anomaly analysis, near-Earth asteroid tracking, laser-based deflection research, LightSail progress, SETI upgrades, and exoplanet searches. Public engagement and community-building around space: Across interviews, the speakers stress that space exploration energizes the public, inspires STEM innovation, and deserves sustained support because it benefits society broadly.

Key Arguments: Space exploration deserves sustained public and government support because it inspires people and drives technological innovation. The Planetary Society’s advocacy matters because NASA planetary science was threatened by a severe budget cut and needed restoration. A 2012-level planetary-science budget would enable major science returns, including Mars sample return, Europa exploration, and a healthy cadence of Discovery missions. Upcoming missions in 2013 and beyond are scientifically valuable but require continued support for launch, operations, and relay infrastructure. The Society’s projects help advance both knowledge and readiness: asteroid tracking, deflection research, LightSail, and SETI all contribute to long-term exploration goals. Public excitement around missions like Curiosity can be leveraged to maintain support for deep-space exploration and future missions to Jupiter and Pluto.

Data Points: Proposed cut to NASA Planetary Science Division: about 20% / about $300 million - Casey Dreyer describes the February budget proposal Restoration target: 2012 levels = $1.5 billion per year - Advocacy goal for NASA planetary science funding Discovery mission cadence goal: every 36 months - What could be supported with restored funding Upcoming missions in 2013: 3 launching, 1 returning - Emily Lakdawalla on the year ahead Mars rover mission timing: 2020 - NASA’s proposed Curiosity-like rover discussed by Casey Dreyer Juno Earth flyby date: October - Gravity assist before Jupiter arrival in July 2016 Juno arrival at Jupiter: July 2016 - Emily Lakdawalla on mission timeline Pioneer anomaly recovery effort: 20 years - Plutonium-238 production had been absent for about two decades before restarting Near-Earth asteroid flyby: February 15, 2013 - Asteroid 2012 DA14 pass discovered by a Planetary Society-supported group Meteor shower peak: 40 meteors per hour - Bruce Betts on the Quadrantids Planet Fest attendance: 2,000 to 3,000 people - Event celebrating Curiosity’s landing Launch count in 2013: 3 launches and 1 return - Emily Lakdawalla’s mission preview

Pivotal Quotes: "We want to foster a community of people who support space exploration." — Bill Nye: Bill explains the Planetary Society’s mission and why advocacy matters "2012 was a really rough year for planetary science." — Casey Dreyer: He summarizes the budget crisis facing NASA planetary science "Everybody, when they stop and think about it, would like to find out whether or not there's life on the oceans of other worlds like Europa and Enceladus." — Bill Nye: Bill argues for the universal appeal and importance of exploration

Implications: Listeners are left with a clear sense that planetary exploration is advancing, but its pace depends on sustained funding, advocacy, and public enthusiasm. The episode positions 2013 as a pivotal year for missions and policy decisions that will shape future science.