Ep 137. Larry Visits NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Larry King, the iconic interviewer, hosts the 137th episode of Season 4 of the show Larry King Now. In this episode, Larry takes his viewers to the headquarters of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) located in Pasadena, California. Larry and his team are given a tour of the facility by the scientists and engineers who work there.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is responsible for developing and operating robotic spacecraft that explore our solar system and beyond. The lab has a long history of sending probes to other planets, asteroids, and comets. They have played pivotal roles in many landmark missions, including the Mars rovers, Voyager 1 and 2, Galileo, Cassini, and Juno.

Larry begins his tour at the Von Karman Auditorium, where he interviews Dr. Charles Elachi, the former director of JPL. Dr. Elachi talks about his career at JPL and the importance of space exploration. He discusses the innovations and advancements in technology that have taken place at JPL over the years.

Larry then proceeds to the Spacecraft Assembly Facility, where he talks to the engineers who work on designing and building spacecraft. He learns about the unique challenges of building a spacecraft that can survive the harsh conditions in space. The engineers explain how they test and simulate different scenarios to ensure the spacecraft's success.

Next, Larry visits the Mars Yard, a simulated environment that mimics the surface of Mars. Here, he talks to the engineers who operate the Mars rovers and learns about the challenges they face when operating the rovers from millions of miles away. He even has the opportunity to control a rover himself and drive it around the simulated Mars environment.

Finally, Larry visits the Deep Space Communications Complex, where he learns about the crucial role that communication plays in space missions. The complex houses giant antennas that allow NASA to communicate with spacecraft throughout the solar system. The engineers show Larry how they track and monitor the spacecraft and explain the techniques they use to communicate with them.

Throughout the episode, Larry expresses his awe and admiration for the work being done at JPL. He asks thoughtful questions and engages in thoughtful conversations with the scientists and engineers he interviews.

This episode of Larry King Now offers a fascinating look into the world of space exploration. It showcases the remarkable work being done at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the dedication of the scientists and engineers who work there. With Larry's engaging interviews and insightful questions, viewers are sure to walk away with a newfound appreciation for the incredible feats of human achievement happening every day at JPL.