Typically heard without formal introduction, StarDate is a self-contained science news feature interwoven with routine radio programming.

With the support of Harlan James Smith, McDonald Observatory's director, and after securing funding from the National Science Foundation, Byrd changed the name to Star Date (invoking the term "stardate" used in the opening monologue of the 1960s television series Star Trek) and began the series' national distribution in 1979.

[1] The niche broadcasting position of StarDate has always been its quick but relaxed, diary-like delivery which allows it to be interspersed with regular programming.

Beginning in 1991, StarDate was produced by Damond Benningfield and hosted by Sandy Wood, a San Antonio radio personality who was one of the first female disc jockeys in the southwestern United States.

[1] After Wood's retirement on July 16, 2019,[5] the host position was assumed by Billy Henry, an Austin-based musician and educator.