#37 The Science Behind Planning Space Missions

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Rachana Agrawal (Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur) about the early stages of space exploration — where missions are imagined, analysed, and designed long before launch. We discuss what goes into planning planetary missions, including renewed interest in Venus, and then turn to her journey into aerospace, from IIT Bombay […] The post #37 The Science Behind Planning Space Missions appeared first on Kanal K.

In this episode, we explore how astronomers observe the Milky Way using radio telescopes. A new large-scale radio map of our galaxy reveals structures that are hidden in visible light, including star-forming regions, supernova remnants, and large-scale magnetic features.We discuss how radio telescopes work, why resolution matters, and what this new map tells us about […] The post #36 Mapping the Milky Way in Radio appeared first on Kanal K.

This episode features Prof. Renu Malhotra, the planetary scientist whose pioneering work on Pluto’s orbit and planetary migration transformed the understanding of the Solar System. A main-belt asteroid, Asteroid 6698 Malhotra, is named in her honour. The conversation covers orbital resonances, Jupiter’s influence in the solar system, asteroid impacts, exoplanets, the uniqueness of Earth, and […] The post #35 Pluto, Planets, and Resonances: A Conversation with Prof. Renu Malhotra appeared first on Kanal K.

When we think of dust, we usually imagine something to wipe off our tables. But in space, dust is far more than a nuisance—it is the very building block of stars, planets, and maybe even life itself. In this episode, Prof. Hiroaki Katsuragi from Osaka University joins us to explore the fascinating world of cosmic […] The post #34 How Dust Shapes the Universe appeared first on Kanal K.

Volcanoes aren’t just found on Earth—they erupt across the solar system in the most unexpected ways! From fiery lava fountains on Jupiter’s moon Io to icy geysers on Saturn’s Enceladus, these cosmic volcanoes tell us amazing stories about distant worlds. In this episode, we explore how and why volcanoes erupt beyond Earth—and what they reveal […] The post #33 Volcanoes in the Solar System appeared first on Kanal K.

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Ana Heras, Project Scientist for the European Space Agency’s PLATO mission. PLATO is a space telescope designed to find Earth-like planets around distant stars and help us understand which of them might be habitable. Dr. Heras shares how the mission works, what makes it special, and what it […] The post #32 Searching for New Earths with Dr. Ana Heras appeared first on Kanal K.

Exoplanet science has come a long way, but we are still searching for a true Earth twin. In this episode, we explore what’s changed in the past year, from JWST’s atmospheric breakthroughs to the rise of super-Earths, and set the stage for ESA’s PLATO mission—a bold step toward finding habitable worlds around Sun-like stars.Stay tuned […] The post #31 The New Exoplanet Era appeared first on Kanal K.

In this episode, I talk with Professor Herbert Huppert, renowned geophysicist and Fellow of the Royal Society. We explore his journey from growing up in Sydney to becoming a leading figure in applying fluid mechanics to Earth sciences. It’s a relaxed conversation about his life, career, and the ideas that shaped his scientific path. Podcast […] The post #30 From Sydney to Cambridge: The Journey of Prof. Herbert Huppert appeared first on Kanal K.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, as she takes us through the remarkable legacy of IIA—from its historic foundations to its pivotal role in shaping Indian astronomy. Dr. Subramaniam sheds light on India’s growing presence in global space science through landmark missions […] The post #29 Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics. appeared first on Kanal K.

With thousands of inactive satellites, rocket fragments, and other debris orbiting Earth, space debris has become a growing challenge for space missions. How does it impact satellites and future exploration? What are the latest advancements in debris removal? In this episode, we sit down with Professor Arun K. Misra, a leading expert in satellite dynamics, […] The post #28 Understanding Space Debris with Prof. Arun K. Misra appeared first on Kanal K.