Today In Space

For the first episode of 2024 (Happy New Year!) we're diving into the Human Factor to talk about Confidence vs. Ego. A perfect topic as we all look to make improvments in our lives with "new year new you" vibes. What keeps you honest and on goal when things get tough? What keeps you from continuing your goals for the 'new you'? It's Confidence! (or is it Ego?). We share our advice on how to navigate that by "checking your Confidence LVLs". To us, confidence can't be a "yes or no" thing, otherwise you end up using Ego to compensate because no one is ever 100% confident. So let's learn to manage risk and build our confidence starting with being honest about what we "actually" know vs. what we actually don't know. And then, going after it and learning! I'm no psychology or behavior expert but I am a human being striving for growth and self-improvement. So we're learning and we hope you join us and share your questions and what you know! We're looking to have actual experts about being a human being on the podcas

On Part TWO of our two-parter episode with Matt Schricker of @Bostronomy - we dig deeper into Astronomy, Astrophotography, and Telescopes. Matt shares his Astronomy on Instagram and TikTok but also has a creative style that we enjoy very much in his content. We also chat about the human experience of stargazing and how even your position on the planet can change your whole outlook on constellations! If you ever wondered about Astronomy and whether you could get into it OR if you ever thought it was too complicated - LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE! Some very down to Earth space-talk with two guys from Boston drinking some cold adult beverages and chatting about life and the "space condundrum". A perfect getaway for the holiday travel (and an escape from the holiday stess).  Please enjoy this episode with Matt Schricker and make sure to follow him @Bostronomy on Instagram and TikTok The credit for this episode's 'Astronomy Pic of the Week' goes to Matt Schricker! Our first guest Astropicture The Pleiades, an Open Clus

On this FIRST of a TWO PART episode, we have Matt Schricker of @Bostronomy on the show for a 'very Boston podcast' where we chat about Astronomy, Music, and Matt's STEM origin story. Matt shares his Astronomy on Instagram and TikTok but also has a creative style that we enjoy very much in his content. We dive into his origin story, being a Dad, his love of music (his band "Fever Dream" plays in Boston regularly), and the more human side of space and science.  If you ever wondered about Astronomy and whether you could get into it OR if you ever thought it was too complicated - LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE! Some very down to Earth space-talk with two guys from Boston drinking some cold adult beverages and chatting about life and the "space condundrum". A perfect getaway for the holiday travel (and an escape from the holiday stess).  We had so much fun space talking, this episode has a whole other episode! Part TWO coming out the week of Christmas so look out for it. In the meantime, enjoy this episode with Matt Schri

Space Debris - a problem that continues to exponentially grow as more and more payloads are sent to Earth orbit every day. Old satellites, or ones without fuel or power, essentially become a giant piece of trash that orbits uncontrolled with the “traffic” of low earth orbit. Now, with companies beginning to be hit with government fines over leaving debris in space - what can be done to prevent or reduce the potential and real space debris? This week, we chat with Paul Warley, CEO of Ascent Solar, a thin-film solar provider, about what makes flexible, lightweight solar PV advantageous when it comes to the growing issue of leaving debris floating in space. These flexible solar panels don’t just reduce collateral debris from an impact, the panels also retain a huge portion of their power produced, losing essentially only the spot of impact for power generation. Paul shares with us: - How thin-film PV’s flexible design helps it stay attached when it comes in contact with floating debris - Why their chemical mak

On this Thanksgiving week episode, we're breaking down Starship's latest test flight - IFT2 and comparing it to the first integrated test flight (a.k.a. IFT1). We think there are four major WINS for SpaceX, NASA, and humanity after IFT2's successful test launch. There is ALOT of work before humans can launch onboard, but IFT1 and IFT2 were only 6 months apart and they had to rebuild the pad. With a great looking launchpad post-launch, we expect LOTS of progress in 2024 for Starship!  This episode is for folks of all levels of space nerdom, whether you're waiting for updates on Starship daily, or just finding out about the world most powerful rocket ever made...there's something for everyone. It's a true historic moment in space history that won't be fully appreciated (even by the most hardcore) for how special this moment is until the future. With a rocket system that has TWICE the thrust of the Saturn V - we're thankful for the balance between NASA & SpaceX (and the FAA) that this rocket is being develop

You may be familiar with some recent news about far-flung interstellar locations, like the Psyche Mission, Mars InSight Mission, and the Juno Mission to Jupiter.  Award-winning planetary scientist Dr. Sabine Stanley has been involved in some of these missions and is the author of the new book from Johns Hopkins Press, What’s Hidden Inside Planets?  Thanks to Dr. Sabine and her team, our listeners can use promo code HPLAN for 30% off What’s Hidden Inside Planets? when you order from Hopkins Press at press.jhu.edu. Link: https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12879/whats-hidden-inside-planets?utm_source=radio_tour&utm_medium=podcast_radio_promo&utm_campaign=f23_stanley_hplan We were lucky enough to have Sabine on the podcast to share all about it for this episode of People of Science. She also shares her non-traditional STEM Origin story that starts in a small mining town in the middle of an impact crater! Available NOW on Spotify, Apple podcasts, Amazon Music, and Youtube! Please like, share, and subscr

On this week's episode, we replicate a pumpkin using 3D scanning and 3D printing in the AG3D lab. While the Replicator in Star Trek is still far away, todays technology has come A LONG WAY since even 10 years ago.  We discuss what we used to bring this pumpkin-stein into life, and I also share some background on how 3D scanning and 3D printing went from an expensive set of tech, to something almost anyone can have in their homes for under $500. Space and 3D printing are also slowly beginning to cross-the-streams, and we discuss things like the 3D printed wrench in the ISS and how we think additive manufacturing is going to help revolutionize how humans live and work in space.  We’re discussing what we can do TODAY with technology that’s certainly the precursor to a a sci-fi future we see in Star Trek. It also brings up the existential question - what IS this 3dprinted pumpkin? Is it real? Is it a copy? Or some kind of spectral capture of a pumpkin, like a digital memory?  We’d love to know what you think

This week we introduce a new segment - THE HUMAN FACTOR! As hard as we might try to forget, scientists and engineers (and anyone) lives inside of a human body. While we might push ourselves mentally, we have a tendency to fuel and treat our bodies like crap. But having a well operating human body will make us all better at whatever we do, even if its not science or engineering. We're taking a journey through wellness, biology, behavior, and more - and this week I'm sharing my almost 10 year wellness journey to start things out. I'm no biology expert (it was actually my worst subject in school, aside from chemisty). So we're learning and we hope you join us and share what you know! We're looking to have actual experts about being a human being on the podcast to share what they know so we can all learn. If you know anyone who's an expert in 'humans' that you'd like to see on the podcast - email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com! SOURCES: https://humanresearchroadmap.nasa.gov/Documents/IRP_Rev-Current.pdf htt

On this week's episode, we recap the PSYCHE mission after launch on October 13th, 2023 onboard a Falcon Heavy Rocket from Kennedy Space Center at LC-39A (side booster's recovered at LZ1 & LZ2). This is the a mission of many firsts, but primarily the 1st mission to an all-metal asteroid for NASA.  We discuss: WHAT is the PSYCHE Mission? WHAT is Asteroid 16 PSYCHE? WHAT is an M-Type Asteroid? HOW will PSYCHE move around in space? WHAT kind of science will PSYCHE do once in orbit at the all-metal asteroid? WHY is the successful Falcon Heavy launch a win for the whole space industry? WHAT new innovative technologies will be tested during the mission? Best of luck to the PSYCHE team on their 6 year journey to the Asteroid located between Mars & Jupiter! A long but fascinating journey to explore the unknown. Let us know what YOU think in the comments or email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com! SOURCES: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia24030-psyches-hall-thruster https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa

On this week's episode, it's all-things Annular Solar Eclipse with the stellar event on Saturday, October 14th, 2023. The path of totality in the US and the "ring of fire" will be visible from Oregon to Texas from 9:13 a.m PDT to 12:03 p.m. CDT (and many other locations in Central & South America) We discuss: WHAT are differences between Annular & Total Solar Eclipses? WHAT is the "Ring of Fire"? WHERE will this be visible from? HOW can you watch the Annular Solar Eclipse? HOW can you safely observe without damaging your eyesight? HOW can you tell you have legit solar eclipse glasses/filters? HOW to make a DIY Pinhole Solar Eclipse viewer HOW we will be using our smart Telescope Vespera to watch the partial Solar Eclipse from Massachusetts Let us know what YOU think in the comments or email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com! SOURCES: Types of Solar Eclipses https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/types/ Find out if your Solar Glasses are safe (NASA) https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14395 History of Solar Ecli

On this week's episode, we are diving into the latest JWST discovery of CO2 on the surface of Europa. We're answering the WHAT before the WHY in this 15 minutes deep dive into James Webb, Europa, and what this discovery means for life in the universe, and especially a potential alien pool of life in our own solar backyard. We discuss: WHAT is James Webb Space Telescope? WHAT is Europa? WHAT did JWST find on Europa? HOW does JWST look for exoplanets? HOW does Europa's icy crust move over the subsurface ocean? WHY would we spend valuable observation time w/ JWST on Europa? WHY is the discovery of CO2 on Europa's surface important? WHY is possible life in our stellar neighborhood is so important? Can't wait for the launch of the Europa Clipper, launching aboard a Falcon Heavy NET October 2024! What timing! Let us know what YOU think in the comments or email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com! SOURCES: https://europa.nasa.gov/resources/174/induced-magnetic-field-from-europas-subsurface-ocean/ https://jwst.nas

On this week's episode, we review the OSIRIS-REx mission and Asteroid Bennu as the sample return is underway on September 24, 2023. This unique robotic space mission will give us data about our early Solar System and what ingredients were around an estimated to be 4.5 billions years ago. This pristine sample is not only a look at the Sol System's genesis, but Bennu is an asteroid with a potentially hazardous orbit with Earth in the next century.  We discuss: WHAT is the OSIRIS-REx Mission? WHAT is Asteroid Bennu? HOW did OSIRIS-REx gather the sample from Bennu's surface? HOW will OSIRIS-REx return the sample to Earth? WHY is OSIRIS-REx important? WHY is Asteroid Bennu important? HOW can we prevent Asteroid Bennu from impacting us in the late 2100s? Best of luck to the recovery teams! Hopefully the Bennu sample returned intact and uncontaminated.  Let us know what YOU think in the comments or email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com! SOURCES: Top 10 things about Asteroid Bennu - NASA https://www.nasa.gov/fe

On this week's episode, we use three of the latest Alien/UFO/UAP events to demonstrate how our science-based approach to the unknown works. In line with what NASA shared at the latest UAP conference, it's about differentiating the extraterrestrial needle from the earth-based haystack. We know there's alot of chaos surrounding these issues but we felt more voices from a science background need to share their pro-aliens-are-possible thoughts. (HUGE kudos to Astro-Alexandra for demonstrating this early on and inspiring me to do this episode). As Carl Sagan has said in the past, Science is not just a mass of knowledge but a way of thinking. So let's talk about that way of thinking about wild stuff like Aliens, UFOs, and UAP! Between two government hearings (USA & Mexico) and the recovery of IM1 particles by Avi Loeb and the Silver Star crew, there's alot to unpack but our approach is only two steps! A simple yet effective measure of how to deal with this information. Clue: It's ALL ABOUT DATA. But it's not ab

Space is the ultimate extreme environment. The extreme temperatures, vacuum of space, and radiation variability can easily cause electronics to stop functioning and fail. In space your microchips can never fail since there’s no replacing it once you’re in orbit. That’s why it’s critical for these chips to be reliable, secure, and able to withstand the harsh environments of space. We are honored to have Dr. Deniz Civay on the podcast, who is the Harsh Environment Battleground Owner of Aerospace and Defense at Global Foundries, a semiconductor company. Deniz shares her #STEM #originstory and we discuss her path from #artist to #Satellites to Battleground owner at Global Foundries! Available NOW on @spotifypodcasts & @applepodcasts - live on #youtube at 3PM ET. Please like, share, and subscribe!  More topics from this episode:

On this episode, we review THREE of the major space events in the past month! We answer WHAT each mission is, WHO is involved, and WHY its important for space & humanity's future. Virgin Galactic's Galactic02 crew broke many records on their trip to the edge of space and back. We explain WHY a mission like this is so important SpaceX launched a crew of four on CREW7 to the ISS. We chat about the crew, and the importance of the US launching its own astronauts, as well as International Crew too. India's ISRO has successfully landed on the moon (4th country to do so) and the 1st to land on the southern pole. We discuss WHY its so important for progress and how the southern pole will be the place of interest in Space Race 2.5! Let us know what you think about this episode - We'd love to know your thoughts and questions! Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com SOURCES: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/chandrayaan-3-isro-live-moon-landing-time-b2397874.html https://press.virgingalactic.com/virgin-galac

On this episode we speak with Tanya of Mars herself! Dr. Tanya Harrison is our guest on "People of Science" this week to share her STEM Origin Story, time working on Mars Orbiter and Rovers, and how Space is full of great opportunities right now! So if you have a passion for STEM or just love Space and want to work in it - this episode is for you. So buckle up and let's dive in! Dr. Tanya Harrison has worked as a scientist and mission operations specialist on multiple NASA missions to Mars, including the Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance rovers, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Bridging the worlds of Mars and Earth, as well as academia and industry, she has worked as the Director of Science for Impact at Planet Labs and the Director of Research for Arizona State University’s NewSpace Initiative. She is currently a Fellow of the University of British Columbia’s Outer Space Institute and the Aurelia Institute.  Let us know what you think about this episode We'd love to know your thoughts and question

On this week's episode, we were honored to speak with Avi Loeb for the second time. We were gratiously invited to his home to record and chat all-things space, IM1, and his latest expedition. Dr. Loeb is the Baird Professor of Science and Institute director at Harvard University and the bestselling author of “Extraterrestrial” and "Interstellar". He explains the origins, hypothesis, and research behind searching for the debris of an interstellar object (IM1) that impacted the atmosphere of Earth over the Pacific Ocean. The speed of this object was detected and confirmed by the US Space Command. Avi and his Expedition crew aboard the all-aluminum 'Silver Star' ship dragged a magnetic sled over the ocean floor in search of 'spherules' or melted droplets from IM1's reentry. The 'spherules' would contain evidence of the materials that make up IM1's surface, and the team recovered some!  This week we share the more curious nature of science with an example of real-life scientific research conducted with a crew, ba

On this episode we are celebrating Independence Day and the reveal of the Sally Ride Monument at the Reagan Library! Here to join us for the podcast is the human who's been building monuments to the greatness of human spaceflight over the past half-decade - Steven C. Barber. He's been the project manager for the Apollo 11 Monument at the Moon Tree Garden at Kennedy Space Center, as well as the Project Manager for the Apollo 13 Monument at Houston Space Center. And now, two Sally Ride monuments (East Coast - Cradle of Aviation / West Coast - Reagan Library). A storyteller at heart, Steven is an Award Winning Director/Producer who is also telling stories through monuments of the space greats and firsts. It was a pleasure to meet Steven and hear about his Origin Story and the path that has now brought him to the space industry. There are so many paths to being a productive member of the space community, and his story like many is one we want to share. Thanks for being our guest for People of Space! Let us know

On this episode, we bring back an old Star Trek influenced segment of the podcast from a few years back: The Personal Log. Remember when Captain Picard (or any of your favorite Captains/Crew) would have a "Personal Log" Entry? Well, this is mine. We discuss human matters, and the mindset & thoughts behind tackling challenges in life. For this Personal log, we dive into some fitness progress I've had and revelation about tackling "the hill" both literally and figuratively. While I challenge the literal hill in my 30's that helped me become an athelete as a kid, I realized that this idea of a "hill" is also apparent in life and anything us humans decide to try and accomplish. It's also a great reminder of what the Space Industry has gone through over the past decade to go from rags (no more Space Shuttle) to riches (More access to space than ever before, including human spacecraft like Dragon). It's no easy challenge, and gravity and the hill's angles are constant. But you can train the hill, and change you

On this episode, we have our Top 3 space news stories from May to mid-June - and they don't disappoint! All the other space articles we've been gathering will be available in the description here. Vast Space is ambitiously shooting for 2025 to launch their Haven-1 space station module into orbit and have a crew of 4 stay for 30 days in orbit. Who is helping them send their space station up? How is the station going to allow for life support? Artemis 2 will have alot of firsts, including the first person of color, the first woman, and first Canadian to orbit the Moon. But it will also be the first to use Lasers to send HD footage back to Earth and improve how much data can be sent thanks to the O2O technology. Saturn's Moon Enceladus is spewing water into space, but recently a paper was published that shows those plumes contain a key ingredient for the building blocks of life. The benefits from the Cassini Spacecraft continue to this day, and the find of phosphorus in the plumes opens our minds to more possib