Are We There Yet? cover

Are We There Yet?

90.7 WMFE

Your weekly podcast journey into the latest news, missions, and stories shaping space exploration.

Your weekly podcast journey into the latest news, missions, and stories shaping space exploration.

Can humans handle a trip to Mars?

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Episódios

Can humans handle a trip to Mars? 03 Nov 2026

Johns Hopkings Researcher Mark Shelhamer explores the challenges that come with sending a human mission to Mars in his new book “Are We Ready for Mars?”.

Spooky Sci-Fi’s and UAPs 27 Oct 2026

A critics favorite science fiction and horror films plus a look at UAPs.

A mission to control space debris and capturing the launch of a new telescope 21 Oct 2026

The company Astroscale is working on a spacecraft that will grab a piece of rocket debris in obit and remove it. Then, for the third installment of Space on Tap, a special “Are We There Yet?’ live event series, we talked about the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

Science on the space station and Maragret Hamilton’s legacy 13 Oct 2026

A resupply mission is on its way to the International Space Station after launching Tuesday. What science is in store for the crew? Plus, a look at Margaret Hamilton’s career at NASA, a woman whose contributions helped land the first astronauts on the moon.

Understanding the galaxy’s evolution and how and Earth amoeba is helping in the search for life elsewhere 07 Oct 2026

Scientists will soon be using NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope to study galaxies, and how the universe became the way it is. Plus, a new discovery could help NASA better understand how life could exist on other planets in extreme environments.

Starship makes it into orbit and searching for habitable worlds 29 Sep 2026

: SpaceX’s massive Starship vehicle went into orbit for the first time. Plus, scientists are on the search for habitable worlds.

Weapons in space and a new podcast on the search for life in the universe, and what happens next 22 Sep 2026

For the first time, the U.S. military has confirmed it has deployed a space weapon in Earth’s orbit. Plus, “When We Find Them” is a new podcast series with Central Florida Public media that explores people have searched for life in our universe.

Tracking El Niño from space and Chandra’s interesting X-ray finding 15 Sep 2026

NASA and the EU’s Sentinel-6 satellites track ocean temperatures and can help predict how storms move and intensify. Plus, a team of researchers have made some recent discoveries from X-ray tails from the Chandra X-Ray observatory.

Summer space news roundup 08 Sep 2026

It’s been a busy summer for space with things like SpaceX's new plans in Louisiana, Blue Origin is repairing its launch pad after an explosion earlier this year, the announcement of a space academy and more.

SpaceX’s expands to Louisiana and NASA tests next moon-suits 02 Sep 2026

SpaceX is looking to expand into Louisiana to build a new launch facility with multiple launch pads for its Starship spacecraft. Then, to walk on the moon, NASA needs new suits. So how do you test them?

Astronaut Mike Fincke retires. Space healthcare readies for next big mission 25 Aug 2026

We hear from NASA astronaut Mike Fincke who is retiring after 30 years. Plus, we’ll speak with UCF’s Dr. Manny Urquieta about the efforts to solve medical problems in space, from low-Earth orbit, the moon and Mars.

A Martian rover’s ‘land-a-versary’ and the ethics of human space exploration 18 Aug 2026

Scientists and engineers are celebrating Curiosity’s 14th landing anniversary on Mars. Plus, we’ll look at the ethics behind human space exploration and how NASA, space agencies and the public view morals and ethics when it comes to human missions to space.

What’s happening in our skies and how NASA will study space mysteries with a new telescope 11 Aug 2026

From meteors streaming across the night sky to a solar eclipse, there’s a lot happening in our skies this week. Plus, a look at how the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope hopes to study cosmic mysteries like dark matter and dark energy.

Rescuing a rescue mission 04 Aug 2026

A mission to save a falling spacecraft is now in need of its own rescue. Katalyst Space’s LINK satellite launched to raise the Swift observatory’s altitude, but now the spacecraft is out of control.

Designing the next moon suit and controversy over SpaceX land 28 Jul 2026

When NASA astronauts return to the moon, they’ll be wearing a new spacesuit from Axiom Space. Plus, SpaceX and the U.S. are facing concerns after a land swap deal in Texas brings up environmental concerns.

NASA chief’s pledge to STEM education and how VR is bringing people to the cosmos 21 Jul 2026

NASA Administrator Jared Issacman is donating $500,000 of his own money to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping STEM college students. Plus, one public exhibit brings space down to Earth.

Life on Mars and the final Space Shuttle mission 14 Jul 2026

For the second installment of Space on Tap, a special “Are We There Yet?” live event series, we asked what scientists and their robotic coworkers are really looking for on Mars. Plus, the crew of the final shuttle mission, STS-135, reunited for the mission’s 15th anniversary.

Starliner’s delay and Rocket Lab’s big buy. The latest on commercial space. 07 Jul 2026

A recent NASA audit says Boeing's Starliner is once again delayed from being certified. Plus, after acquiring the satellite company Iridium, Rocket Lab has its own constellation: 66 satellites and 14 spares.

Arctic upgrades on the ISS and human missions to Mars 30 Jun 2026

NASA’s Quantum Lab is about the size of a mini fridge, but it allows NASA and international partners to study some of the biggest physics principles. By studying these atoms at these freezing temperatures, scientists can better understand how subatomic particles work and behave throughout the universe. Plus, human missions to the Mars could soon be a reality.

Moving data to space and rescuing a falling spacecraft 23 Jun 2026

Data, it runs the world, and now one company is creating data centers in space. Plus, a rescue mission to save the falling Swift Observatory is launching later this month.

SpaceX goes public and a Mars mission goes offline 16 Jun 2026

SpaceX’s launched its initial public offering. It’s a big move for SpaceX, not only to continue to develop some of its current projects like Starship, but it also brings a new wave of people hoping to invest in the company’s future. Plus, NASA lost contact with Maven, a satellite studying Mars. After efforts to contact Maven failed, the space agency officially declared the mission unrecoverable.

Artemis III gets a crew and Florida's push to launch at sea 09 Jun 2026

NASA has named the crew of the Artemis III mission that the agency is calling “one of the most highly complex missions NASA has undertaken.”

Blue Origin's explosion and the ethics of human space exploration 02 Jun 2026

Blue Origin says it expects to fly its New Glenn rocket by the end of this year. That’s after an explosion last week destroyed a rocket and damaged the company’s launch facility at Cape Canaveral.

Starship flies again and the hunt for galactic glue 26 May 2026

NPR's Geoff Brumfiel brings us up to speed on SpaceX's latest Starship test. Plus, the Roman space telescope is closer to launch. What might it find?

Listening to the cosmos and cooking up a space menu 19 May 2026

Some things in the universe we just can’t see through visible light, so instead, astronomers rely on radio waves and radio astronomy. Plus, from trips to the International Space Station to flybys around the moon, there’s a lot that goes into meal prepping for crews that leave the planet, including taste and dietary needs.

The science behind space food and supporting tomorrow’s STEM leaders 12 May 2026

From 10-day moon missions like Artemis II, to months-long stays on the International Space Station, there’s a lot that goes into thinking about what foods to pack for those astronauts. Plus, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, founded by some of the original members of Mercury Seven astronauts, awards merit-based scholarships for STEM education.

Women in space and meal planning for space travel 05 May 2026

Former NASA astronaut Eileen Collins speaks on Christina Koch’s journey to becoming the first woman to fly to the moon. Plus, one professor is cooking space food with his students.

Asteroid mining and space hospitality 28 Apr 2026

From metals to rare elements, there are a lot of materials that can come from mining objects in space.

Could there be life on other worlds? Scientists look to Mars and the asteroid Bennu for that answer 21 Apr 2026

The Curiosity rover on Mars has found possible signs of life on the red planet. Plus, a closer look at samples from the asteroid Bennu surprises scientists.

Artemis Two is back on Earth and a new moonshot is underway 14 Apr 2026

Now that Artemis II is back on Earth, we'll take a look at how educators are inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts. Plus, we'll speak with Veteran NASA astronaut Winston Scott about the mission and take a look at what's ahead for Artemis III.

Artemis II flies by the moon and a look at NASA’s budget proposal 07 Apr 2026

Artemis II successfully flew around our moon, taking thousands of pictures and making observations about our moon for the future of lunar exploration. Plus, we'll take a look at a proposed budget for NASA for the next fiscal year.

Artemis II is a go for launch plus, how NASA is helping tortoises 31 Mar 2026

Artemis II is set to launch from Florida's Kennedy Space Center this week, sending a crew of four on a flyby around the moon. Plus, how NASA satellite data is helping bring tortoises back to one of the Galapagos islands.

Moon science and Curious Space 24 Mar 2026

This is the first event as part of Central Florida Public Medias special Space on Tap event series. We'll speak with UCF scientists about the moon and what's ahead for some lunar missions. Then, Veteran NASA astronaut Winston Scott will answer questions from curious kids and audience members.

Scientists at UCF are making moon dirt for lunar chickpeas 17 Mar 2026

Humans are getting closer to landing on the moon once again, and understanding the environment is crucial as humanity prepares to spend time on the lunar surface. That's why technicians are making artificial moon dirt and why scientists are using that synthetic lunar soil to grow plants.

Martian robots and a new space weather project 10 Mar 2026

The Perseverance and Curiosity Rovers are exploring Mars, looking at things like boxwork formations and using new technology to navigate around the planet. Plus, a new project aims to look at how gravity waves are impacting things like GPS, radio, satellites and more.

A lost lunar mission and space travel impacts on reproduction 03 Mar 2026

NASA has released the anomaly report for the Lunar Trailblazer mission, highlighting what went wrong. Plus, we will look at how scientists are learning about reproduction health from mice.

Detecting plastics from space and how rovers can think for themselves 25 Feb 2026

NASA's EMIT mission uses a spectrometer to detect dusts and minerals from space, and it now can detect plastics from land. Plus, the Mars rovers can move around the red planet and do science, without human help.

The science of Artemis II and a lunar latrine 17 Feb 2026

The science the Artemis crew II will participate in on their flyby around the moon, and the new toilet joining the mission.

Moon science, a deeper look at one of Jupiter’s moons and our own 10 Feb 2026

Europa, one of Jupiter’s icy moons could harbor life, but maybe not in the same way that Earth has life. Plus, we will take a look at radiation on our own moon, and why studying its impacts is important for future missions.

Artemis II on the cover of TIME and Pandora on the hunt for other worlds 03 Feb 2026

The crew of Artemis II is on the latest cover of TIME Magazine. In the issue, editor at large Jeffrey Kluger chronicles the mission. Plus, a new spacecraft is taking a closer look at exoplanets and their atmospheres.

Artemis II, lunar lessons and Canadian contributions 27 Jan 2026

The second Artemis mission is preparing for launch. The Space Launch Systems rocket is now on the launch pad with the Orion spacecraft, waiting to take a crew of four on a flyby around the moon. Plus, for Canada, this will be the first time a one of their astronauts will flyby around the moon.

Artemis II readies for flight and a look at tardigrades, a microscopic marvel 21 Jan 2026

NASA rolled out its Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket, preparing to launch the second Artemis mission. Plus, scientists are studying microscopic organisms called Tardigrades to see how resilient they are when it comes to extreme environments, like space.

NASA’s next budget and the search for habitable worlds 13 Jan 2026

Congress is moving forward with an appropriation that would only cut about 1% of NASA’s current budget. Plus, a look at a mission that will search for signs of life on distant planets.

Space 2026 and a plan to rescue a dying space telescope 06 Jan 2026

It was a busy year for space news last year, and 2026 is shaping up to be another exciting year on the space beat. Plus, NASA and partners are trying to rescue a telescope before it burns up in Earth's atmosphere.

One astronaut's guide for greatness and the prospect of space pirates 30 Dec 2025

Plus, just like pirates roam the seas, the idea of pirates or criminals in space could be more of a reality than science fiction.

Celebrating holidays in space and a new telescope aims to bring a fresh perspective of our galaxy 23 Dec 2025

Astronauts find creative ways to celebrate the holidays in space. Plus, a new telescope will scan our skies for things like exoplanets and dark matter.

A fresh look at the Outer Space Treaty 16 Dec 2025

The Outer Space Treaty was negotiated during the Cold War, as space suddenly became a strategic war frontier. The treaty, signed by over 100 signatories, is the backbone of current space law and polity. Ely Sandler, a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, believes the treaty doesn't keep up with the times.

Starship in Florida, lightning on Mars 09 Dec 2025

Starship will soon be launching from Florida, bringing the giant vehicle to Cape Canaveral. Plus, the Perseverance rover accidental discovered lightning on Mars.

Starliner’s next move and a deep dive into Gemini program 02 Dec 2025

Boeing’s Starliner could fly as early as next year, but without a crew. NASA has revised its original commercial crew contract with Boeing. Plus, the book “Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, The Untold Story,” highlights the idea that the Gemini program was crucial to bringing the Apollo moon landings to fruition.

“Rocket Dreams” chronicles trillion-dollar commercial space race 25 Nov 2025

Washington Post’s Christian Davenport explores how Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are shaping a new commercial space industry