VIDEO - NASA: To The Moon (And Definitely Beyond)
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine during a NASA town hall event at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
On December 14, 1972, as Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan prepared to board the lunar module, he gave one last dispatch from the lunar surface.
“And as I take man’s last steps from the surface, back home, for some time to come, but we believe not too long into the future. I’d like to just list what I believe history will record, that America’s challenge of today has forged man’s destiny of tomorrow. And, as we leave the Moon at Taurus – Littrow, we leave as we came and, God willing, as we shall return, with peace and hope for all mankind.”
And yet, 47 years later, humankind has not set another foot on the lunar surface. But now, NASA’s ready to return, with the Moon to Mars program. NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine joins Ira in this segment to talk about the agency’s ambitions beyond Planet Earth, the role of commercial space companies in getting us there, and why he thinks plant science is “critical” to NASA.
Plus, we want to hear from you! Do you have a question for Jim Bridenstine? Ask away in the comments, or via Twitter or Facebook.
Further Reading
- Read an opinion piece by Jim Bridenstine about the Mars to Moon program.
- Learn more about Bridenstine’s interest in commercial space flight, and his relationship with tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
- Check out NASA’s potential lunar flights in 2019.
- Brush up on Bridenstine’s background as a congressman from Oklahoma.
Segment Guests
Jim Bridenstine
Jim Bridenstine is the administrator of NASA, based in Washington, D.C..
Meet the Producer
About Christopher Intagliata
@ cintagliataChristopher Intagliata is Science Friday’s senior producer. He once served as a prop in an optical illusion and speaks passable Ira Flatowese.