BASILISK is the first esports organization dedicated to promoting science. With some of the best gamers in the world on its team, BASILISK aims to inspire a passion for science among new audiences. Kyle Hill, head of science education and outreach for the team, joined this week’s Planetary Radio to talk about BASILISK’s unique mission and their new partnership with The Planetary Society and Caltech. Pictured: BASILISK team member Serral won the 2025 World Championship in Starcraft II. Image credit: BASILISK.

Sarah Al-Ahmed and Bruce Betts believe you can learn from playing video games. Two of The Planetary Society’s experts will join the PBS SoCal YouTube show “Won’t You Be My Gamer?” for a live-streamed gaming session while answering space science questions. Tune in at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 to watch the live video.

Talking Mars science in Washington, D.C. Last week, The Planetary Society hosted a Mars exploration briefing on Capitol Hill. The discussion covered Mars exploration, how missions coordinate with one another, how NASA works with international partners, and how science itself drives new discoveries. We’re working every day to ensure policy experts understand why Mars exploration and space science deserve continued support.

Meet Dave Doody. In his over 40 years at the Jet Propulsion Lab, this celebrated engineer and designer has been a key contributor to the success of spacecraft, including Voyager, Magellan, and Cassini. He's now part of the Europa Clipper mission that will arrive at Jupiter in 2030. Dave joined a live Q&A in The Planetary Society’s online member community as part of our Planetary People interview series. You can watch a recording of the discussion here.

Next week in the Planetary Society book club: “Space Craze.” On Wednesday, Sept. 3, Margaret Weitekamp, curator at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, will join Planetary Society book club members for a discussion of her book, "Space Craze," which looks at how spaceflight has permeated American culture over the decades. Planetary Society members can join the live virtual Q&A in the member community. Not yet a member? Join today.

Tune into the 2025 NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Symposium. This annual event showcases the ideas supported by NASA’s most forward-thinking program, which funds projects that push the boundaries of space science and technology. Planetary Radio’s Sarah Al-Ahmed will be hosting this year’s NIAC Symposium webcast, which you can watch live Sept. 9-11.