Ad Astra

This week, Jack and Newton speak with Casey Dreier, Director of Space Policy for the Planetary Society, about why we want to go to Mars and why the future of the Mars Exploration Program is in jeopardy. Space warfare remains a hot topic in Washington, while the smallsat boom continues to, well, boom around the world. SpaceX announces a November launch date for Falcon Heavy, and the guys are getting ready for an eclipse.   Links: Join the Planetary Society!!!   Listener Submitted Topic Robert Brockmeijer asks: Why do people think it would be easier to colonize Mars than to fix Earth? Casey Dreier’s Mars Op-Ed Mars In Retrograde White Paper The National Academies are meeting at the end of August to discuss the future of NASA’s planetary science programs     Latest from Washington Space War starts to become a clearer strategy   Space News Highlight of the Week SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy is launching in November     International News Lithuanian company receives 3.2M Euros to commercialize its propulsion system   La