Interplanetary Podcast

#326 - Chasing Aliens - Daniel Lavelle

Matt is joined by journalist and Orwell Prize winner Daniel Lavelle, author of Chasing Aliens: Faith and Conspiracy in the UFO Heartlands. Travelling across America’s UFO hotspots, to explore the strange world of UFO culture. The conversation dives into UAPs, government secrecy, the psychology of belief, and why the idea that we might not be alone in the universe continues to captivate millions. NEW BOOK April 30th - Chasing Aliens by Daniel Lavelle

#325 - Artemis II - Dhara Patel

Matt is joined by Dhara Patel from the National Space Centre to explore Artemis II ; the first crewed mission around the Moon in over 50 years. They discuss Europe’s crucial role in the mission, the historic “firsts” represented by the Artemis crew. Matt also takes a quick look at the remarkable engineering heritage behind Orion’s propulsion system including Shuttle-era engines and chemical propellants whose story stretches back to Apollo.

#324 - Space 2025

In this episode, Matt unpacks what it really means when billionaires start shaping national space policy sometimes more directly than governments themselves. We talk about Jared Isaacman’s new NASA leadership tone, the fight over NASA budgets, and why institutions like NCAR suddenly found themselves accused of being “woke” simply for doing climate science. Along the way, we contrast all of that with the quieter, steadier side of exploration: ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and her upcoming Crew-12 mission to the ISS and zoom out... way out ...to two of the most astonishing science stories of the year: an interstellar visitor from another solar system, and a runaway black hole leaving a trail of newborn stars behind it. Who is space really for? the richest voices in the room, or the public that funds the future? And why the answer matters not just for space, but for climate, science, democracy, and what kind of civilisation we want to become.

#323 - Mark Craig - Apollo 1

In episode 323, Matt sits down with filmmaker Mark Craig to talk about his new documentary Apollo 1 the film that revisits the story of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, and the tragedy that reshaped NASA on the road to the Moon. Mark shares what drew him to the project, the moments that surprised him most during research, and why the Apollo 1 story still matters especially for audiences who know Apollo mainly through the later triumphs. APOLLO 1 is a Stopwatch / Haviland Digital 7T1 Films production (c) 2025 Find more about it here. https://www.facebook.com/Apollo1film/

#322 - Ethan Siegel - Grand Cosmic Story

In this episode, Matt opens with forgotten space hero John Bevis’ birthday and a cosmic musing on relativistic dust, black holes, and the unimaginable energies hidden in tiny things. Then astrophysicist and author Ethan Siegel joins the show to discuss his new book, The Grand Cosmic Story, a sweeping journey from the birth of the cosmos to the emergence of life and intelligence. Together they explore the importance of critical thinking, evidence, and scientific honesty in an age when misinformation moves faster than light itself.