How to make a Mars rover smarter this week on planetary radio. Radio. Hi everyone, welcome to Public Radio's travel show that takes you to the final

frontier.

I'm at Kaplan of the Planetary Society. Mars Exploration Rover

Opportunity may be showing her age after six years on the Red Planet, but she's

sharper than ever. We'll talk with JPL's Daniel Gaines

about opportunity's new decision-making capability.

Are there active volcanoes on Venus?

New evidence says yes, according to Emily Lochuwala.

Bill Nye, the Science and Planetary Guy, salutes 30 years of Planetary Society leadership by Lou

Friedman and Bruce Betts will help me celebrate Yuri's night with a new space trivia contest.

As we put together this week's show, STS 131 astronauts had just completed a second spacealk, installing a new ammonia tank on the exterior

of the International Space Station. A stock bolt caused some delay, but the time will be made up

on the third and last EVA of the mission.

While Space Shuttle Discovery circled the planet, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden unveiled

new program assignments for the agency's 10 centers. The goals fit within the

budget recently proposed by the Obama administration. The next shuttle

mission is barely a month away. The scheduled May 14 launch is the last scheduled for

Atlantis before it is retired. Here's a program note. We still have plenty of room

for you at Planetary Radio Live.

Reserve your free seed in Pasadena for the April 30 event

by searching for Planetary Radio at brownpaper tickets.com.

We've got a link and more information at planetary.org

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