If you think planetary science is all lab coats and data sheets, Bharti Sharma is here to prove it’s also about curiosity, creativity, and a really strong desire to explore strange, dusty places. Bharti is a geologist, analog astronaut, startup founder, and active member of Women in Space South Asia. She’s worked across India in everything from palaeoclimatology to planetary mapping and recently completed a mission at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah as part of Crew 292 – Mangalyatri. Her goal? To become a scientist-astronaut and help build a future where diverse voices shape life beyond Earth.

In this episode, we dig into the value of Mars analog missions, the challenges of doing field science in a helmet, and the very real heartbreak of not being able to lick a rock. We also talk about subterranean alien inspiration, geotourism, and why building a global network of role models is just as important as scientific training. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to chase your Martian dream with a rock hammer in one hand and a vision for community in the other, this one’s for you.

Mega shout out to Bharti for being on this week's episode, to Nick Thoburn for the jamming theme music, to Ceci Giglio for the epic graphics, and to my family for putting up with non stop Martian ”fun” facts.