NASA recently announced they’re preparing to send humans to Mars as early as 2035. It’ll be a huge undertaking that will require a big budget and massive collective effort. But Joel Levine is focused more on the small stuff. He’s working with NASA on sterilization methods to prevent the cross-contamination of microbes between Earth and Mars. And: It’s around a 7 month trip to go from Earth to Mars. That’s a long time to be in outer space. And we’re just now learning how it’ll affect the body. Hank Donahue says extended space travel can cause serious bone density loss and other health issues.

Later in the show: Stargazers rejoice! Any day now the night sky will welcome a new star. Justin Mason says it’s a NOVA called the T-Corona Borealis, and when it explodes it’s brightness will rival the North Star. Plus: What’s rubber, a must-have at every birthday party, and can fly to the highest reaches of the atmosphere? Why, balloons of course! Wendy Hinton launches high-altitude balloons with her students to get them hands-on experience outside the classroom.

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