Drilling Into the Future of Space Exploration with Kris Zacny (Honeybee Robotics)

In this episode, Kris Zacny from Honeybee Robotics takes us on a journey into the boldest frontiers of space exploration. We discuss the possibility for the largest hole ever drilled on the Moon with the Blue Ghost Mission 1, planned to happen in under 40 days, and the groundbreaking Prime-1 mission aiming to jackhammer lunar ice a meter below the South Pole's surface. Could Firefly and Intuitive Machines both be landing on the Moon at the same time?

We also explore JAXA’s Phobos mission, set for 2026, where a mere seconds-long operation on the Martian moon could result in the first-ever Mars sample return—an incredible twist in the race for interplanetary exploration.

Kris dives into the Sentinel Mission, focusing on Earth observation to track climate change, including ocean rise, snowpack, and ice thickness. We also hear about the power of AI in accelerating space discoveries and the competitive but highly effective internship programs shaping the future of space innovation.

Finally, Kris shares his dream of drilling 10-20 meters below Mars' surface, his thoughts on NASA’s Viper mission (he’s willing to eat his hat if it doesn’t go to the Moon). This episode is packed with visionary ideas, like the space shotgun, and includes the engineering of cutting-edge space missions.

Don’t miss it!

Honeybee Robotics

Interviews with Flashline Crew 16, featuring participants Tiffany Swarmer and Michael Andrews. Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station on Devon Island—the world’s largest uninhabited island, located 900 miles from the North Pole.

https://fmars.marssociety.org/

In the latest episode of Red Planet Live, host Ashton Zeth interviews Rod Pyle, managing editor of Ad Astra, for an engaging discussion about space exploration.

The conversation spans a variety of exciting topics, including the incoming NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the potential for an orbital commodity exchange, updates on Starship, and much more!

Rod Pyle is a prominent space author, journalist, and historian, known for his significant contributions to space studies and development