Space and Things

The Crew-6 mission is due to launch on March 2nd, so we thought we’d preview the mission for you.  Crew 6 Fact Sheet: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/crew_6_mission_overview_0.pdf   Full show notes: https://spaceandthingspodcast.com/podcast/stp131-spacex-crew-6-mission-preview Show notes include links to all articles mentioned and full details of our guests and links...

This week we talk about ‘Soviets in Space’ with legendary author Colin Burgess. Of course we also talk about the ‘Outward Odyssey’ book series which he created and edits for the University of Nebraska Press. Colin Burgess isn’t on social media. Outward Odyssey Books: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/series/outward-odyssey-a-peoples-history-of-spaceflight/ Full show notes: https://spaceandthingspo...

We recently asked our Patreon subscribers for some topic suggestions and this one came to us from Dakota Wachter: "Looking back at that brief moment on international Human Unity the evening of 07/20/69, what do y’all think the Artemis landings will do for international culture, peace, and unification? What will Mars? How can we use spaceflight as an avenue for peace across Humanity in the next few...

2023 is a big year for women in space flight with historic anniversaries and landmark announcements coming up, so we want to start to highlight some female Space Flight Pioneers and today we talk about Wally Funk. To do this we’re joined by journalist and broadcaster Sue Nelson who wrote the wonderful book: “Wally Funk’s Race For Space” Sue Nelson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-nelson-...

Dick Gordon is one of our favourite astronauts, so why not take a week to talk about him? Especially where there is a brand new book about him which has just come out by his step-daughter Traci Shoblom: “Apollo’s Creed: Lessons I Learned From My Astronaut Dad” Traci Shoblom: https://www.astronautdad.com/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089350950155 Twitter: https://www....

On February 1st 2003, the crew of the STS107 mission were returning home from space on the Space Shuttle Columbia when tragedy struck. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years. To mark this, we talk to Jonathan Ward, co-author of the brilliant book “Bringing Columbia Home” - the inside story of the disaster and the recovery and how the darkest hours can bring the best out of people. The book won th...

This week we speak to Josh Stotler who runs Oak Creek Guitars and has built some incredible space guitars which we’re going to find out all about. Josh Stotler: https://www.oakcreekguitars.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oak_creek_guitars LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-stotler-a1071690/   Full show notes: https://spaceandthingspodcast.com/podcast/stp125-space-guitars-with...

This week we celebrate the life of Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham, who died on January 3rd, aged 90. To do this we’re joined by our good friend Francis French. Walt Cunningham Obituary: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/apollo-astronaut-walter-cunningham-dies-at-90   Francis French: https://www.francisfrench.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/F_French Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

To celebrate the new year, we take a look at what might be getting us excited in 2023 with the founder and creator of the wonderful website, collectSPACE: Robert Pearlman. collectSPACE:  http://www.collectspace.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/collectSPACE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collectspace Robert Pearlman: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertPearlman   LinkedIn: https://www...

This week we look back at an incredible year in space with the founder and creator of the wonderful website, collectSPACE: Robert Pearlman collectSPACE:  http://www.collectspace.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/collectSPACE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collectspace Robert Pearlman: Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertPearlman   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collectspace/ In...

Following Dave's US trip where he visited a number of air and space museums, we think it's the perfect time to discuss the different between a good and a not so good museum. Full show notes: https://spaceandthingspodcast.com/podcast/stp121-what-makes-a-good-space-museum-high-praise-and-a-big-rant Show notes include links to all articles mentioned and full details of our guests and links to what ca...

We’re deep into the 50th anniversary of Apollo 17, the final moon mission of the Apollo Program, so we decided we wanted to have a discussion about what it all means with Dr. Teasel Muir-Harmony, curator of the Apollo Collection at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. More on Dr Muir-Harmony:  https://airandspace.si.edu/people/staff/teasel-muir-harmony Twitter:  https://twitter...

WIth the 50th anniversary of Apollo 17 in full swing we wanted to talk to Keith Haviland, the producer of a number of amazing space documentaries as a brand new version of The Last Man On The Moon is being released to celebrate the anniversary of the flight. Keith Haviland: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeithHaviland   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-haviland-21584638/   Havil...

This week we take a look at another innovative space company: Spaceflight Inc. - What do they do and why is it important? We find out by speaking to Tony Frego, VP of Mission Management. Tony Frego: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-frego-b108b925/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyfrego Spaceflight Inc: https://spaceflight.com/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpaceflightInc &nb...

This week we're joined again by Max Kaiserman, the founder of Luna Replicas to discuss his recent acquisition of Al Worden's Corvette. We learn about the history of the Astrovettes and why this one is so important. Luna Replicas:  Lunareplicas.com Instagram: instagram.com/lunareplicas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-kaiserman-13a08675/ Project Astrovette Endeavour: https://lunarepli...

This week, we talk about space books with Lois Honeycutt and John Whisenhunt as they have just opened up the 2023 Space Hipster Book Prize for nominations for books released in 2022. It’s a wonderful prize from a wonderful community. Space Hipsters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/176051159106442/ Book Prize Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/HipstersPrize Previous Winners: 2018: Endurance by Sc...

In preparation for the upcoming launch attempt of the Artemis 1 rocket, we wanted to bring you an up close look at what’s been happening at Kennedy Space Center over the summer, so we invited Jean Wright and Ken Kremer from Space Upclose to come and join us and talk to us about what has been going on. Space Upclose: https://www.spaceupclose.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spaceupclose321/...

Another mind blowing week. This week we talk to Dr. Vanessa Farsadaki to find out all about the field of Space Medicine. What is it today and what will it be tomorrow? Dr. Vanessa Farsadaki: https://www.instagram.com/astro_vanessa/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/farsadaki/   Full show notes: https://spaceandthingspodcast.com/podcast/stp114-human-hibernation-and-anti-radiation-pills-the-future-of...

This week we have a truly fascinating conversation with Joel Sercel, CEO of TransAstra Corp in which we find out how space technology is going to become the dominant global industry in the next 20 years and how it will save humanity. TransAstra: https://transastra.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TransAstra_Corp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trans-astronautica-corporation/ Joel Serce...

Sad news this week as we mourn the loss of one of the heroes of early spaceflight. On October 13th, Jim McDivitt passed away aged 93. To help us celebrate his life, we’re joined once again by esteemed space historian and author, Andrew Chaikin. https://www.andrewchaikin.com/ https://twitter.com/andrewchaikin   Jim McDivitt NASA Obituary: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/correction-apollo-as...

This week, Emily and Dave have a chat about things they wish the public knew more about. Do you have a space fact which you get annoyed with people for not knowing? Please get in touch and tell us! We'll read them out during next week's podcast. Image Credits: Emily Carney Space and Things: Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/spaceandthings1 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/spaceandth...

This week, Dave speaks to composer Amanda Lee Falkenberg about her brand new piece of music which is released this week: The Moons Symphony. Find out how to listen and where to purchase your copy: https://www.moons-symphony.com/ Amanda Lee Falkenberg: Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicformoons LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/musichf/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandafilmmusic/ Full...

This week we speak to Dr. Amy Williams from the University of Florida. Dr. Williams has been involved with planning the mission to collect and return rocks from Mars with the Perseverance rover.  NASA's Sample Return Mission: https://mars.nasa.gov/msr/ Dr. Amy Williams: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-williams-436a93143/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lotelab_uf Mars rover team, with...

This week we preview NASA’s DART mission which will reach a critical moment on Monday 26th September.  The Double Asteroid Redirection Test is the first of its kind and aims to change the trajectory of an asteroid by crashing a probe into it. If this works it could become a major planetary defence tool in the future. Planetary Defence At NASA:  https://www.nasa.gov/specials/pdco/index.ht...

Follow the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we decided to take a look at the times when the Queen and our world of space flight crossed paths. And all the latest space flight news. Full show notes: https://spaceandthingspodcast.com/podcast/stp107-when-space-met-queen-elizabeth-ii Show notes include links to all articles mentioned and full details of our guest, plus videos of any launches. Image Credit...