140 million miles away never felt closer.

Stories from the edge of possibility, from the people preparing to call Mars home.

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Dr. Anika Mehlis

What happens when the hardest part of Mars isn’t the technology, but the people?

Analog astronaut and AMADEE-24 commander Dr. Anika Mehlis joins us to explore leadership under pressure, delayed communication, crew psychology, reentry after extreme missions, and why her wonderfully unconventional “mosaic career” may be exactly the kind of background humanity needs on Mars.

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From dreamers to doers, here are their stories.

Podcast Episodes
Dr. Pacifica Sommers | USA
Dr. Pacifica Sommers | USA

Biologist and Mars analog astronaut Dr. Pacifica Sommers discusses Antarctica, the Mars Desert Research Station, NASA astronaut selection, exploration, and preparing humanity for life on Mars.

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Dr. Banu Cole | USA
Dr. Banu Cole | USA

Cancer biologist, helicopter pilot, and analog astronaut Dr. Banu Cole discusses MENA-00-WR, NASA HERA, Mars simulations, human performance, and preparing humanity for life on Mars.

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Dr. Dirk Raiser | Germany
Dr. Dirk Raiser | Germany

Physicist and Razzor Tech founder Dr. Dirk Raiser discusses analog astronaut missions, spacesuit design, commercial astronaut training, family, and his path toward space.

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Dr. Anil Menon | USA
Dr. Anil Menon | USA

NASA astronaut Dr. Anil Menon joins Aspiring Martians for a special bonus episode on fatherhood, family, ISS training, and what future Mars explorers can learn about raising children while reaching for the stars.

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Imagining a life on Mars, one everyday moment at a time.

Podcast Episodes
Inside The Habitat: NASA Analogs with Dr. Grace Douglas & Dr. Brandon Vessey
Inside The Habitat: NASA Analogs with Dr. Grace Douglas & Dr. Brandon Vessey

Go inside NASA’s CHAPEA and HERA analog missions to discover how the agency is preparing astronauts for long-duration life on the Moon and Mars. Plus, a bonus section at the end dedicated to the new and upcoming MMEA mission.

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Art on Mars with Nicole Stott
Art on Mars with Nicole Stott

What will art look like on Mars? Former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott explores painting in space, creativity, mental health, and why future Martians will need artists.

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Inside The Habitat: Habitat Marte with Dr. Julio Rezende
Inside The Habitat: Habitat Marte with Dr. Julio Rezende

Explore Habitat Marte with founder Dr. Julio Rezende. Discover Brazil's Mars analog station, sustainable living, astronaut training, and its role in the World's Biggest Analog mission.

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Fertility on Mars with Dr. Shawna Pandya
Fertility on Mars with Dr. Shawna Pandya

Can humans have babies on Mars? Dr. Shawna Pandya returns to the podcast to explore fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, radiation, ethics, and humanity’s future as a multi-planetary species.

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Transmissions

Featured
This Was Never an Edge Case. Period.
This Was Never an Edge Case. Period.

What space systems still need to learn about menstruation.

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Featured
What We Become on Mars
What We Become on Mars

A review of Becoming Martian, with insights from our conversation with author Scott Solomon.

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The Uncertainty of Pregnancy Beyond Earth
The Uncertainty of Pregnancy Beyond Earth

IVF, loss, and the quiet work of building families beyond Earth with Kellie Gerardi

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When Faith Leaves Earth
When Faith Leaves Earth

How Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity adapt when humanity moves beyond its home planet.

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Pressurized Suits, Pressurized Minds
Pressurized Suits, Pressurized Minds

What decades of extreme-work research say about Mars.

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Meet the Host

Follow along with our host, Joe Sweeney, as he dives into the minds of those who dream of life on Mars, from pioneers to tourists, exploring the challenges and hopes of humanity's next great adventure.

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