Accessibility links
David Kestenbaum David Kestenbaum is a science correspondent for NPR. His job allows him to combine his extensive background in physics with his love of broadcast journalism.
David Kestenbaum
Stories By

David Kestenbaum

Science

The Rush to Patent the Atomic Bomb

The Manhattan Project to build an atomic bomb was one of the U.S. government's biggest secrets. At the same time, its scientists and engineers were furiously filing patent applications, which held the potential to reveal exquisite details about the bomb.

The Rush to Patent the Atomic Bomb

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/89127786/89176888" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Homeland Security Tests Response to Cyber Attack

A major government security exercise intended to find out what would happen in the event of an international cyber attack. Hackers simulated attacks on both the telephone network and the Internet. Although the government invited the media to observe the drill, it didn't reveal too much about how it would handle such a situation.

Homeland Security Tests Response to Cyber Attack

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/88732691/88732647" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Space

Cassini to Capture Clues from Saturn's Icy Moon

The Cassini spacecraft is on track Wednesday to skim past Saturn's moon, Enceladus, right through the plume of an "ice geyser" that is throwing material out into space and may be fed by an underground ocean. Scientists say Enceladus is the sort of place that theoretically could support some form of life.

Cassini to Capture Clues from Saturn's Icy Moon

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/88154046/88153999" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Space

Candidates' Views Differ on Space Exploration

Advocates of NASA's plan to return to the moon are concerned that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said he will raid NASA's budget to fund education. While the issue of space exploration hasn't gotten much attention this campaign season, it is a topic on which the candidates do differ.

Candidates' Views Differ on Space Exploration

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/87829747/87829734" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Space

Navy Set to Shoot Down Failing Spy Satellite

Now that space shuttle Atlantis has safely returned to Earth, the Pentagon plans to shoot down a failing spy satellite as early as Wednesday night. The Navy will launch a missile in an attempt to destroy the satellite before it crashes to Earth.

Navy Set to Shoot Down Failing Spy Satellite

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/19211087/19210436" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Adaptation

Mottainai Grandma Reminds Japan, 'Don't Waste'

Balancing a Western lifestyle of high-tech needs with an ancient conservationist attitude is becoming increasingly difficult for Japan. But as the country struggles to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitments, a children's book is urging the Japanese to recall their penny-wise roots.

Mottainai Grandma Reminds Japan, 'Don't Waste'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14054262/15090862" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Memorable Moments 2007

Japan Trades In Suits, Cuts Carbon Emission

In an effort to meet a Kyoto Protocol pledge, Japan managed to cut about 1.4 million tons of CO2 emissions last year. The nation reduced summer air-conditioning use, overturning a decades-old "suit and tie" tradition along the way.

Japan Trades In Suits, Cuts Carbon Emission

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14024250/14886839" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Adaptation

In Japan, Going Solar Costly Despite Market Surge

Although Japanese solar energy companies have begun to turn profits, household consumers are still wary of taking the expensive plunge of purchasing solar panels as government assistance dwindles.

In Japan, Going Solar Costly Despite Market Surge

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14031247/14869636" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Solutions

Japan Wrestles with Kyoto Accord Promises

The Japanese government says it will meet its Kyoto target, but a steady rise in commercial construction, transportation use and lifestyle changes are steering the rate of carbon emissions in the wrong direction.

Japan Wrestles with Kyoto Accord Promises

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14087783/14853888" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Solutions

Researchers Seek to Recreate Fusion Power

In southern France researchers are working on an idea for producing essentially limitless power without greenhouse gases. They're building a massive machine that will recreate what usually only happens in stars or the sun — fusion. That's where two atoms become one, and release energy.

Researchers Seek to Recreate Fusion Power

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/13746131/13743401" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Technology

Making a Mark with Rockets and Roadsters

Self-made entrepreneur Elon Musk thinks outside the box when trying to make smart investments. Venturing into the world of $100,000 electric sports cars and rocket orbiters, Musk puts a different spin on the art of saving the world.

Making a Mark with Rockets and Roadsters

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12484430/12596731" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

World

Leak at Japan Nuclear Plant Went Undetected

After Monday's powerful earthquake in Japan, radioactive material leaked from a nuclear plant, undetected for days — even as the utility company assured the public that there was no danger.

Leak at Japan Nuclear Plant Went Undetected

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/12103640/12103641" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Science Out Of The Box

Atomic Tune-Up: How the Body Rejuvenates Itself

For most people, a makeover means losing weight and getting new clothes, hairstyle and makeup. But the body does its own extreme makeover each year, regularly replacing 98 percent of its atoms. The atomic makeover prompts a more philosophical question: Are people still themselves if their atoms are always new?

Atomic Tune-Up: How the Body Rejuvenates Itself

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/11893583/11959271" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

'Dirty Bomb' Sting Finds a Hole in Security

Undercover investigators obtained a license to buy enough radioactive material to build a "dirty bomb," amid little scrutiny from federal regulators, according to a government report obtained Wednesday. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the license to a fake company in just 28 days, with only a cursory review, the Government Accountability Office says.

Hear NPR's David Kestenbaum

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/11926676/11926677" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Space

Will Mars Rover Survive the Crater of Doom?

NASA's Mars rover "Opportunity" is scheduled to begin descending a rocky slope into the Red Planet's massive Victoria Crater. This latest trek carries real risk for the long-lived robotic explorer, but it's expected to provide valuable science.

Will Mars Rover Survive the Crater of Doom?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/11523349/11523350" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript