195: Dr. Kirby Runyon, Space Explorer, Planetary Geologist, Zero Gravity Coach and Tour Guide
Want to learn more about the rocky and icy worlds in the solar system? Dr. Kirby Runyon can serve as your guide- from earth or from space!
Kirby can remember being fascinated with space since he was three years old! His parents brought him to a space museum, and soon after gave him a telescope for Christmas, securing a passion for space exploration that continues today. Dr. Kirby is a space explorer, planetary geologist, zero gravity coach, and space tourism tour guide!
You’re going to want to check our Dr. Kirby’s planetary experience consulting company, Planex here: https://planex.space/
His research is in geomorphology and stratigraphy using remote sensing and laboratory experiments, and uses reduced gravity parabolic flights for studying the geology and dynamics of impact crater ejecta emplacement. You can learn more here: https://psi.edu/about/staffpage/krunyon Dr. Kirby is fascinated with astronaut-enabled science on and near the Moon. In addition to these awesome fields of study, Dr. Kirby takes astronauts-in-training (private astronauts and anyone who wants to know how New Mexico’s geological landscape relates to space) and explains how New Mexico’s most enchanting geologic landscapes give astronauts even more appreciation of their spaceflight experience.
In the past year, Kirby has led Virgin Galactic ticket holders on two educational expeditions as a professional planetary geologist, and now he’s opening the same opportunity to all Casual Space Podcast listeners as well! Want to learn more? Check out these photos from his recent expedition to Aden volcanic crater, Kilbourne steam-explosion crater, and White Sands National Park with future astronauts here: https://planex.space/astronaut-geology
Did you love this episode? Please let me know! Review the podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or any other platform you’re listening to the show! And you can always share your thoughts about this episode on social media too!
https://www.facebook.com/CasualSpacePodcast/
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Oh, and catch MORE of Dr. Kirby talking about his work and love of space in these other podcasts:
https://www.thespaceshow.com/guest/dr.-kirby-runyon
and
https://daretoexplore.fireside.fm/26
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