Pets on Mars with Dr. Jamie Foster

In this Everyday Mars special, Joe explores a question that’s equal parts science and heart: which pets might one day travel with us to Mars?

Last month we looked at dogs and cats, and why they’re unlikely to be early spacefarers. This month we turn to everything else — from goldfish that bred successfully in orbit to quail chicks hatched on Mir, from cockroaches conceived in space to tortoises that circled the Moon. We trace the long history of animal spaceflight and consider what it tells us about companionship, resilience, and wellbeing for future settlers.

To make sense of it all, Joe is joined by Dr. Jamie Foster, Full Professor at the University of Florida’s Department of Microbiology and Cell Science. Dr. Foster has conducted multiple experiments on the Space Shuttle and ISS, studying how microgravity impacts microbes and their animal hosts, and how engineered microbes could help keep astronauts healthy during long missions. She also leads initiatives that connect research, startups, and commercial launch providers to bring the benefits of space biomanufacturing back to Earth.

Together, they explore why pets aren’t just cute companions, but potentially powerful tools for stress relief and mental health during the most extreme journey humanity has ever attempted.

A huge thank you to Dr. Jamie Foster for joining me today and sharing her expertise, to Nick Thorburn for our stellar theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the beautiful graphics, to RDan, Leila, Inka, and Carl for admining the FB group, and to my family for always supporting this mission—even when it means hearing me get excited about sea monkeys on Mars.