Your Space Journey

We interview Bob Balaram, Chief Engineer of the Mars Helicopter INGENUITY project at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in this episode to discuss this first-ever helicopter designed to fly on Mars. The Mars Helicopter, Ingenuity, is a technology demonstration to test powered flight on another world for the first time. It hitched a ride on the NASA Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021 and is now taking its first flights.About Bob Balaram, Chief Engineer, JPLBob Balaram is Chief Engineer; a Principal Member of Staff at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. He received his Ph.D. in Computer & Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1985 where his doctoral thesis addressed the control of highly non-linear systems. He has been at JPL ever since and works in the area of Entry, Descent and Landing (EDL), Modeling & Simulation, Telerobotics Technology, and Mobility Concept Development.Currently Bob is researching precision landing method

In this episode we first briefly recap the successful launch of SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavor, with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley. Then we dive into our conversation with Dave Eicher to talk all about Galaxies! Dave Eicher is one of the most widely recognized astronomy enthusiasts in the world. He has been with Astronomy magazine for 34 years, beginning as an assistant editor and working through associate, senior, and managing positions. He has been the magazine’s chief editor since 2002. Dave joins us today to discuss his latest book, Galaxies: Inside the Universe’s Star Cities. About Dave EicherA native of Oxford, Ohio, Dave grew up around Miami University, where his father was a professor of organic chemistry. Rather than turning to chemistry, however, Dave was attracted to the stars as a 14-year-old when he spotted Saturn through a small telescope at a star party. Comet West really turned him on to observing, and Dave soon went far beyond to explore clusters, nebulae, and galaxies from his dar

For the first time since 2011, astronauts are set to once again launch from U.S. soil aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon. The Demo-2 mission is set to launch from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 4:33 pm EDT Wednesday, May 27, 2020 (with a backup launch date of May 30th). Veteran astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will be on this mission to the International Space Station.In this episode we present our Zoom meeting with NASA Social Alumni Danielle Spinola, Jason Fields, Jordan Eichenblatt, Jeremy Miller and Chuck Fields, where we discussed this historic mission, shared concerns, expressed excitement and the amazing journey of America's human spaceflight program. NASA Launch America: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/dm2/Commercial Crew Program: http://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrewAbout our panelists:• Jason Fields https://www.fmofm.com/• Danielle Spinola of Tupelo Honey Teas https://www.tupelohoneyteas.com/• Jeremy Miller https://www.jeremyrossmiller.com/• Jordan Eichenblatt of Hifive Creati

Eli Naffah is Chief of NASA's Space Communications and Spectrum Management Office.  In this interview, conducted onsite at NASA's Glenn Research Center, Eli discusses NASA's new Communications Services Program (CSP).NASA has long been a leader in space communications services, but the agency is now looking to U.S. industry to develop healthy commercially-provided satellite communications (SATCOM) capabilities, using radio frequency and optical systems, for near-Earth operations. The agency will continue to develop technologies and systems for deep space exploration, but for missions in low-Earth orbit, like those to the International Space Station, NASA believes using commercial SATCOM will help drive market innovation, improve efficiencies for NASA, and reduce costs for all providers and users. In the first step toward using these next-gen communications systems, NASA has established the Communications Services Program (CSP), which aims to better understand the current capabilities and the fea

In this episode we welcome Tory Bruno, the president & CEO of United Launch Alliance. Tory joins us by phone to discuss how his interest in model rockets at the age of nine years old let to him pursuing a career in aerospace engineering, beginning at Lockheed Martin until he joined ULA in 2014. Tory discusses how ULA has achieved an incredible (and unsurpassed) 100% mission success rate, as well as the development of the new Vulcan Centaur rocket, which is set to launch in 2021 on its first mission with sending a lander to the Moon!About Tory BrunoSalvatore T. “Tory” Bruno is the president and chief executive officer for United Launch Alliance (ULA). In this role, Tory serves as the principal strategic leader of the organization and oversees all business management and operations. ULA is the nation’s most experienced space launch company with more than 137 successful consecutive launches since 2006 and a 100% mission success rate. About ULA's Vulcan CentaurULA is transforming the future of space laun

Sylvia France is the President of OrbitsEdge, Inc., a startup company on Florida’s Space Coast that helps companies collect and process huge amounts of data in space. This amazing company is working to create robust data centers in space--above the cloud, helping to reduce bottlenecks in data processing. Commercializing space needs more than launch capabilities and satellite communications. Today’s satellites are not designed to handle the huge amounts of space-born data. An in-orbit data infrastructure is necessary to drive growth and space commercialization.  OrbitsEdge’s core mission is to provide the missing piece, an in-orbit virtualized data infrastructure at the edge of space, that’s agile and adapts to new demands turning data into actionable insights. In the last decade, especially the last few years, low-cost reusable rocket technology has completely disrupted the projections of space industrialization. Getting satellites into space is getting cheaper and easier every day.  For cloud computing on Ea

Backstage with Martha Davis of The Motels! In this episode we go backstage with Martha Davis & The Motels before her Valentine’s Day concert where she talks about performing (and her nunchi philosophy for reading the crowd), her upcoming SPACE-themed two-album set called “Escape From Planet Earth”.Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Interview with astronaut Fred Haise, the lunar module pilot of Apollo 13!50 years ago the world witnessed the amazing story of Apollo 13, launched on April 11, 1970. Two days into the mission, an explosion in one of the oxygen tanks prevented the three astronauts, Commander Jim Lovell, Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise, from landing on the Moon. The entire world awaited the safe return of the crew for four days, as the three astronauts used the Lunar Module Aquarius as a lifeboat until successfully splashing down in the South Pacific on April 17, 1970.In this episode, astronaut Fred Haise joins us by phone to discuss his amazing career, where he also served as backup for Apollo 8, Apollo 11 and Apollo 16 (and slated to be Flight Commander for the later cancelled Apollo 19). Fred also was heavily involved in the space shuttle program and successfully landed the space shuttle Enterprise for the very first time. In this interview Fred also describes his thoughts leading up to hi

NASA has just selected a new mission to study how the Sun generates and releases giant space weather storms into space. The new mission is called SunRISE, which stands for Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment. This mission will ultimately help protect astronauts traveling to the Moon and Mars by providing better information on how the Sun’s radiation affects the space environment they must travel through.The principal investigator of SunRISE, Dr. Justin Kasper, joins us to discuss this incredible mission. Justin is also a professor of Space Science & Engineering for the University of Michigan, where he designs sensors for spacecraft that explore extreme environments in space from the surface of the Sun to the outer edges of the solar system. SunRISE is an array of six CubeSats operating as one very large radio telescope. NASA has awarded $62.6 million to design, build and launch SunRISE by no earlier than July 1, 2023.NASA chose SunRISE in August 2017 as one of two Mission of Opportunity proposals to

Captain Scott Kelly is a veteran of four space flights, he commanded three expeditions to the International Space Station, and he’s spent 520 days living in space, including 340 consecutive days, the single longest space mission by an American astronaut. However, recently astronaut Christina Koch spend 328 days in space, just shy of Scott’s record by 12 days, but Christina did set the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.  Since Scott’s return to Earth he’s released his memoir entitled “Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery” and also “Infinite Wonder: An Astronaut’s photographs from a year in space.” In this interview Scott joins us by phone to discuss his amazing experience and his inspiration for achieving goals that are literally out of this world.For more information about Astronaut Scott Kelly, visit https://www.scottkelly.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/StationCDRKellyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stationcdrkelly/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StationCDRKelly/ T

How a child looking up to the stars in Switzerland became a NASA science leaderIn this interview we go onsite at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen. As NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, Zurbuchen is tasked with helping us answer some of humanity’s biggest questions: Where did we come from? Are we alone? How does the universe work? Dr. Zurbuchen is well versed in the practice of asking difficult questions that help us seek interconnected answers leading to real world impacts.Zurbuchen is an award-winning astrophysicist, with honors including receiving the National Science and Technology Council Presidential Early Career for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) Award in 2004 and three NASA Group Achievement awards.Since day one at NASA’s Headquarters in Washington, DC, Zurbuchen has focused on inspiring learners of all ages and fostering an inclusive team of science leaders. Encouraging people to dive deeper and earn the fu

In this episode we feature Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, a French American astrobiologist specializing in planetary science. She has been a Principal Investigator (PI) at the SETI Institute since 1998 and is also the Director of the Carl Sagan Center for Research. She leads projects in planetary science and astrobiology, develops science exploration strategies for Mars, Titan, and the Outer Solar System icy moons, and designs robotic field experiments. Nathalie has received several NASA & other research awards. Her work is featured in the US and international media, including the Discovery Channel, NOVA, National Geographic, Scientific American, Ted talks, and much more. For this interview I spoke with Nathalie just before her most recent research trip to the Andes, where she explores high altitude lakes where environmental conditions are analogous to early Mars. During the interview she describes her amazing work in astrobiology plus her incredible story of how she first met Carl Sagan while she was a student wor

In this episode we speak with Tim Alatorre, the Senior Design Architect of the Von Braun Space Station, an incredible new space hotel underway by the Gateway Foundation. The Gateway Foundation was formed to build the first spaceport, with a three-part plan to develop a robust space construction industry, the first artificial gravity space station, and finally The Gateway—a destination hotel in space with amenities including luxurious suites, restaurant, lounge and unique gymnasium. For more information, visit https://www.gatewayspaceport.com/Thanks to our special guest, Richard Gunther from The Digital Media Zone, for sharing his space journey (https://www.thedigitalmediazone.com/). Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

In this episode we welcome Christian Patouraux, the CEO of Kacific, a next-generation broadband satellite operator. SpaceX just launched Kacific1 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket (JCSAT18-Kacific1) on December 16, 2019.  Kacific1 is a next-generation geostationary satellite that will stream high-speed, low-cost, ultra-reliable broadband to rural and suburban areas of the Pacific and South East Asia.  Kacific1 will connect previously unserved or under-served populations with affordable, high-speed broadband for healthcare, education, government services, businesses, and disaster relief. Its services will stimulate economic growth and provide greater access to the internet.BONUS: At the end of this episode we feature launch photos from our remote camera 500 feet away from the pad and iPhone video from just over 2 miles away--PLUS high quality sound!Interview recorded January 1, 2020 (Indianapolis, IN USA & Singapore)For more information, visit https://www.kacific.comThanks to our special guest, Dean Regas, astronom

In this episode we go behind the scenes of Boeing’s Starliner CST-100 Orbital Flight Test. As you may know, this was a milestone launch for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Boeing had previously conducted a successful pad abort test for Starliner in early November 2019. This orbital flight test, on December 20, 2019, was successful in that it launched and returned safely two days later; however the Starliner spacecraft, now named Calypso, was not able to dock with the International Space Station as planned. Over the next few minutes in this program we’re going to discuss our experience behind the scenes of this monumental mission as attendees of the NASA Social Program. I’ve invited my new friend Jason Fields (of "Florida is Sinking" podcast), who also attended, to discuss this incredible experience. Part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, the uncrewed Orbital Flight Test (OFT) was the first launch of the CST-100 Starliner. The goals of the OFT mission were to demonstrate on-orbit operation of all sy

Dr. Robert Zubrin is president of Pioneer Astronautics and also president of The Mars Society.  He’s also the author of many critically acclaimed books, including “Mars Direct”, “How to Live on Mars” and “Entering Space”. He has appeared on major media including CNN, BBC, the Discovery Channel, & NPR.  In this interview Dr. Zubrin joins us to discuss his latest book, “The Case for Space: How the revolution in spaceflight opens up a future of limitless possibility".For more information visit MarsSociety.orgThanks to Jeff Ayers of Death Wish Coffee Company & Fueled by Death Cast (http://deathwishcoffee.com/deathcast) for sharing his space journey!Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREEDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Brian May is a founding member of Queen, a world-renowned guitarist, songwriter, producer and performer, also a Doctor of Astrophysics, 3-D stereoscopic photographic authority and a passionate advocate and campaigner for animal rights. In our latest episode Brian discusses his passions in music, space & photography, including his song New Horizons (created for the spacecraft which flew by Pluto, Arrokoth, and now deep into the Kuiper belt) and his book Mission Moon 3D.This interview was conducted via phone with Brian in the United Kingdom on December 20, 2018 and in-person during Brian's visit to APL in Maryland, U.S. for the Arrokoth flyby on New Year's Day 2019. For more info, visit BrianMay.comSpecial thanks to Molly Kearns of NASA Glenn Research Center for sharing her space journey.Music: Cylinder Eight (http://chriszabriskie.com/cylinders/) by Chris Zabriskie (http://chriszabriskie.com/); licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Buz

In this episode we interview Peter Beck, the founder and chief executive of Rocket Lab. Since founding the business in 2006, Peter has grown Rocket Lab to become a globally recognized industry leader in space and a billion-dollar company employing world-class engineers and technicians.Peter established Rocket Lab’s Electron orbital launch program in 2013. Peter also oversaw the development of the world’s first and only private orbital launch range, located on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula. He played a crucial role in establishing international treaties and legislation to enable orbital launch capability from New Zealand. That capability was realized in January 2018 with Rocket Lab’s first orbital launch of the Electron rocket.This interview was recorded (audio only) with Peter from his New Zealand company headquarters, when the 41st mission "Running Out of Fingers" was on the launch pad. For more information about Rocket Lab, visit https://www.rocketlabusa.comSpecial thanks to Philip Shane of W

In this episode, we feature my interview with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, conducted from his office at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. in early November 2019. In this interview we discuss his incredible space journey, as well as the current and future missions of NASA, including plans to return humans to the Moon, then later to Mars.James Frederick “Jim” Bridenstine was nominated by President Donald Trump, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and sworn in as NASA’s 13th administrator on April 23, 2018.Bridenstine was elected in 2012 to represent Oklahoma’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served on the Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee.Bridenstine’s career in federal service began in the U.S. Navy, flying the E-2C Hawkeye off the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. It was there that he flew combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and accrued most of his 1,900 flight hours and 333 carrier-arrested landings. He later moved

LAUNCHING NOVEMBER 14, 2019: Your Space Journey, a new series that will venture into the future of space exploration and the incredible leaders who are taking us there. Our amazing guests will include Queen guitarist & astrophysicist Brian May, NASA Associate Administrator Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, The Mars Society’s Founder & President Dr. Robert Zubrin, SETI...