Ep 9. Charles Bolden/NASA

StarTalk is a science-based talk show hosted by renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. The show combines scientific knowledge with humor and pop culture references to make science accessible to everyone. In season 1, episode 9, Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with retired Marine Corps Major General and former NASA Administrator Charles Bolden to discuss all things NASA.

Charles Bolden has had an impressive career as a pilot, astronaut, and NASA administrator. In this episode, he and Neil deGrasse Tyson discuss what it was like to be an astronaut and the importance of space exploration. They delve into the history of NASA and its role in space exploration as well as how NASA is working to include people from all backgrounds in space exploration.

The episode starts with Neil deGrasse Tyson giving a brief overview of Charles Bolden's career as an astronaut and the NASA Administrator. Neil deGrasse Tyson then proceeds to ask Bolden about his experience as an astronaut and what it was like to be part of the STS-61C mission, where he was one of the crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Bolden describes the experience as "amazing" and explains how he was blown away by the view of Earth from space. He goes on to talk about the training required to become an astronaut and the importance of teamwork.

The conversation then shifts towards NASA as an agency. Bolden explains how NASA has evolved over the years and how it is constantly adapting to new challenges. They discuss the future of NASA and Bolden explains how NASA is planning to send humans to Mars in the upcoming years. He talks about the challenges involved in sending humans to Mars and the specific technology required to achieve this feat.

Bolden also discusses how NASA is working towards making space exploration more inclusive. He talks about the importance of diversity in space exploration and the initiatives taken by NASA to increase diversity among its workforce. Bolden explains how NASA is reaching out to historically underrepresented groups and providing them with opportunities to be part of NASA's mission.

The conversation then shifts towards space exploration beyond our solar system. Bolden talks about the possibility of finding extraterrestrial life and the role of NASA in discovering it. He explains how NASA is working towards developing new technologies that can help us in the search for life beyond our planet.

Overall, this episode of StarTalk provides a fascinating insight into the world of NASA and space exploration. The conversation between Neil deGrasse Tyson and Charles Bolden is engaging and informative, covering a wide range of topics in an accessible and relatable manner. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in space exploration and the future of humanity in space.