The Future of Space Exploration: Moon to Mars with Astronomy Expert Dave Eicher

Susan Wise: Welcome to Stars Launch Pod: Space Technology and Research Sciences, brought to you by StarSciences.org, where we connect, collaborate, and accelerate. I’m your host, Susan Wise.

Joining us on the podcast is Dave Eicher. Dave is Editor Emeritus of Astronomy Magazine, where he was on staff for 43 years and served as editor-in-chief for 23 years. He is the author of 26 books on science and history, a member of the boards of the Starmus Festival and Lowell Observatory, and an experienced and active observer of the skies, as well as a communicator of astronomical discoveries and research.

Dave, thank you so much for joining us today.

Dave: Thank you so much for having me today, Susan. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Susan Wise: Well, I was very excited to talk to you. You have a lot of stories, I’m sure—a lot of things to share. Let’s talk a little bit about the space industry. It’s hot right now, a lot of things are happening. What are you doing to help further the space industry for everyone?

Dave: It’s a very important time in space exploration because, of course, we’re on the cusp of heading back to the Moon—and we hope, eventually, on to Mars. We also have a final look back, as some of our friends from the Apollo era are still around. So we’re holding onto that last great era of human space exploration.

At the same time, we’re in the middle of an explosion of data and knowledge about the universe through unmanned missions and telescopes. And now we’re preparing to head back with humans to the Moon and beyond. So it’s a very exciting time.

We’ve covered all of this in Astronomy Magazine for many years, and I’ll also share a bit about some extracurricular projects I’m involved in that promote space exploration.

Susan Wise: Yes, I’d love to hear about that.

Dave: One of the things you mentioned is the Starmus Festival. It’s a European science festival that was created by Garik Israelian, an astronomer in the Canary Islands, along with his friend Brian May—who is also an astronomer and happens to be the lead guitarist of Queen. He has a PhD in astrophysics.

Susan Wise: Wow.

Dave: The festival celebrates science, music, and space. I’ve been privileged to be involved for about 15 years. I’ve also written a couple of books with Brian—he’s a fantastic person.

We’ve had many astronauts attend, including Neil Armstrong in the past, Buzz Aldrin, Walt Cunningham, Charlie Duke, and others. This coming year, we expect guests like Al Worden and Jim Lovell. It’s a big celebration of space exploration.

Susan Wise: What a cool event—bringing those worlds together. When is the next one?

Dave: The next one is happening at the end of this year. It’s sometimes annual, sometimes every couple of years—it’s a huge undertaking. It will be held again in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, just off the northwestern coast of Africa.

It’s a beautiful, volcanic island—very much like Hawaii. The festival has expanded beyond astronomy to include biology, chemistry, physics, and more. We also host large concerts, with artists like Brian May, Peter Gabriel, Rick Wakeman, and Brian Eno.

So it’s a mix of science and music—engaging both the analytical and creative sides of the brain.

Susan Wise: I love this concept. Can anyone attend?

Dave: Yes, absolutely—and if you go, I’ll introduce you to Brian and everyone else. I even host part of the first day! Attendance ranges from about 1,000 to 15,000 people. The goal is to create an environment where attendees can interact with leading figures in science and the arts.

Susan Wise: I love that. It aligns with what we do—connecting and collaborating to accelerate research. I always ask guests about an “aha” moment. Do you have one to share?

Dave: I’ll go way back. When I was a teenager, my father—a chemistry professor—took me to a “star party.” I looked through a telescope and saw Saturn and a distant galaxy.

That moment changed everything. Seeing Saturn’s rings and its orange hue hit me like a lightning bolt. I never looked back. I started a small astronomy publication, which eventually led me to Astronomy Magazine.

We’ve learned an incredible amount about the universe in just the past generation—more than in the century before. It’s an extraordinary time for discovery.

Susan Wise: It really is accelerating quickly. What’s been one of your biggest challenges?

Dave: I once knew Carl Sagan, who encouraged me early on. He used to say that most people live their lives without realizing their place in the cosmos.

We live in the Milky Way galaxy, which contains at least 200–300 billion stars. Our Sun is just one of them. And there are at least 100 billion galaxies in the universe—maybe more.

It makes us feel small, but at the same time, we are made of atoms formed in stars. As Carl said, we are “made of star stuff.”

So while we’re small in scale, it’s remarkable that we exist and can understand the universe.

Susan Wise: That’s beautiful—and perspective-shifting.

Dave: It really is.

Susan Wise: What advice would you give our listeners?

Dave: Take time to look up. We’re busy with life on Earth, but if you pause and consider the cosmos, it’s incredibly inspiring.

We’re preparing to return to the Moon and eventually go to Mars, though Mars will be a difficult journey—radiation exposure alone is a major challenge.

Still, we are on the verge of a new era of exploration, and it’s exciting to be part of it.

Susan Wise: Do you think we’ll reach Mars in our lifetime?

Dave: It’s possible, but it will require resources and global cooperation—which we’re still working toward. Technologically, we could do it, but we’re not quite there yet.

Susan Wise: And now it’s becoming more commercialized too.

Dave: Yes, with companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Private industry will be essential for going beyond the Moon—it’s extremely complex and expensive.

Susan Wise: I’ve heard plans for the Moon are evolving into a longer-term effort.

Dave: That’s right. We may first see Artemis missions orbit the Moon before landing again. Eventually, building a lunar base could be the next step.

Susan Wise: What about challenges like lunar dust?

Dave: That’s a major issue. Astronauts returning to the lunar module were covered in fine dust, which gets everywhere. It’s called regolith—very fine and powdery—and it’s difficult to manage.

Susan Wise: Before we wrap up, anything else you’re working on?

Dave: Yes—there’s an exciting project in New Mexico called the OffWorld Experience. It’s being developed by Pam Price, who helped design the Harry Potter experience at Universal Studios.

They’re building a simulated lunar or Martian environment with rovers that people—especially students—can control remotely. It’s a great educational tool.

Susan Wise: That sounds amazing—and fun!

Dave: It’s not just for kids—everyone can participate. It should be operational later this year.

Susan Wise: You’ll have to come back and tell us more.

Dave: I’d love to.

Susan Wise: Any final passion projects?

Dave: I continue writing books and working with Astronomy Magazine. I also collect historical documents—letters from figures like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

Astronomy lets us look back in time across the universe, while history lets us look back at human experience. Both are forms of time travel.

Susan Wise: I love that. Dave, thank you so much for joining us.

Dave: Thank you, Susan. It’s been a pleasure.

Susan Wise: Be sure to join us where we connect, collaborate, and accelerate. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and subscribe.

Until next time—keep looking up. Thanks, Dave.

Dave: Thank you.