New beginnings for exploration of our solar system and beyond this week on

planetary radio.

Welcome to Public Radio's travel show that takes you to the final frontier.

I'm Matt Kaplan of the Planetary Society. Dr. Lewis Friedman joins us once again,

but there's a difference this time. Lou has retired as Executive Director of the Planetary

Society,

a job he held for 30 years,

right from the time he, Bruce Murray, and Carl Sagan

founded the organization.

As you'll hear in a few minutes,

Lou is not looking back, not when there is such a bright future to look forward to.

Bill Nye, the new executive director, will report on his recent visit to JPL, where the next Mars rover was on display.

Bruce Betts will tell us what to look for in the night sky when he joins me for

what's up. You'll also learn how you can be the next person to deliver a random space fact.

Emily Lachawala has been busy with the Planetary Society blog.

Let's start with a piece about opportunity.

Is it smooth sailing now to that crater called Endeavor?

Well, I wouldn't say smooth sailing too soon because of course Mars always has surprises

to throw at us, but it's certainly looking much better for

opportunities future driving you know she takes these drive direction panoramas at the

end of every driving saw that look ahead toward the terrain that she's going to be

driving into.

...