Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chairman of the Planetary Society Board of Directors and Director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York City, kicked off the show's XM debut with a lively interview about the future of space exploration, the new NASA Administrator nominee, and other topics.

"How appropriate that satellite technology will allow us a much greater reach with our space exploration show," said Planetary Society Director of Projects Bruce Betts. "We hope the show will excite many more people about space."

The only half-hour public radio program in the United States devoted solely to space exploration, Planetary Radio's weekly program serves up a rich mix of guests - like Buzz Aldrin, Ray Bradbury, Mars expert Steve Squyres, and Bill Nye the Science Guy - and lighthearted trivia.

In addition to airing on XM, Planetary Radio is carried by National Public Radio's Public Radio Satellite System and an ever growing group of independent radio stations, and can be heard on the Society's site, where a worldwide audience enjoys the show.

Hosted by longtime public radio host Mat Kaplan, each episode of Planetary Radio offers an in-depth conversation with a scientist, engineer, project manager, astronaut or author on the quest for knowledge about our universe.

Other regular segments include "What's Up!" - a humorous chat with planetary scientist Bruce Betts about current night sky information and planetary missions; "Random Space Facts"; and a weekly space trivia contest.

"Questions and Answers" with Emily Lakdawalla offers listeners the chance to get their questions about space answered on the air.

Special shows have offered in-depth coverage of the Cassini mission to Saturn and SpaceShipOne's winning the X Prize.

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