Blue Friedman on the flexible path to Mars this week on planetary Radio. Radio. Hi everyone, welcome to Public Radio's travel show that takes you to the Final

Frontier.

I'm Matt Kaplan of the Planetary Society. The Augustine

report appeared a few days ago and space policymakers have talked about little else

since. We'll get one view of the Commission's findings from the Planetary Society's Executive Director

as Dr. Friedman returns to the Planrad microphone.

A program note, we've decided to delay airing our conversation with Carl Sagan's wife and longtime collaborator Andrian until next week when we'll be able to share some big news with you.

But there's much more to look forward to in this edition of our show.

Bill Nye is intrigued by a just discovered ribbon of energy out at the edge of our solar system,

while Emily Lachowala says a puzzling formation on Saturn isn't really so odd.

We'll finish up when astronomer Bruce Betts guides us around the solar system once again.

That'll be a new edition of What's Up with a great new prize for

this week's space trivia contest.

Six five four three two one.

Ignition, liftoff of Ares 1X, testing concepts for the future of new rocket design.

Only the first stage of the Ares 1X was the real thing, but the roughly three-minute sub-orbital test on October 28th was the first real launch in the Constellation program.

NASA's current plan to take Americans back to the moon and beyond.

Lou Friedman will have more to say about the apparently very successful trial run in a couple of minutes.

There's more news at planetary.org including a detailed update on spirit and opportunity

the Mars Exploration Rovers along with Emily's Planetary Society blog.

I'll be right back with Lou Friedman. Here's Bill.

Hey, Bill Nye, the Planetary Guy here, vice president of planetary society.

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