Airspace

Today is a very special day, parade day of course! The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a holiday staple for almost 100 years, and the balloons have been a part of it for nearly as long. We got the download on these helium-filled works of art that aren't all that different from the hot-air cousins. Thanks to our guest on this episode: Kathleen Wright, Director of Production Operation at Macy’s Parade Studios Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Space is dangerous. And as long as we've been sending people into space, we've also been thinking about what we can do to make sure they're prepared for it, and make sure they will come home again. The main way that manifests is in training astronauts before they go up, and contingency planning on how to rescue them if something goes awry. We’re joined by Dr. Emily A. Margolis, Curator of Contemporary Spaceflight. Thanks to our guests on this episode: Major Nick Barwikowski, Commander, Army SERE School Chief Warrant Officer, Retired Mike Christanson, Head Instructor, Army SERE School Grant Cates, Senior Project Manager at The Aerospace Corporation Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

When the Boeing 747 first came out it revolutionized the already revolutionary Jet Age. Able to carry more than twice as many passengers as it's predecessors, the 747 was initally designed for cargo. Boeing thought it would be quickly outstripped by the U.S.'s SST. But when the 'American Concorde' was scrapped in favor of breathable air and no sonic booms over major cities (see our episode Boom, Clap for deets), the 747 became the plane of choice for high passenger load routes. Now that Boeing's retired her, we're looking back on the more than 50 year history of the original Jumbo Jet. Thanks to our guest on this episode: Michael Lombardi, Boeing Historian Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Europa Clipper is soon to be on its was to the outer solar system to study one of Jupiter's most interesting moons. In addition to the really awesome science it will do ('sniffing' gases with a mass spectrometer to find out what they're made of?!? How cool is that??), the spacecraft will carry a "message in a bottle" etched with your names and a poem by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón. Icy moons, science, and poetry, all our favorite things! Thanks to our guest on this episode: Dr. Bob Pappalardo, JPL, Project Scientist-Europa Clipper Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

AirSpace is looking up! (We know, we know, we're usually looking up what with the air and the space-ness of our podcast) But today we're exploring how we hang really big, priceless artifacts from the ceiling in the museum. We asked two friends whose jobs are to do just that to talk to us about just what it takes to put airliners, spacecraft, X-wings and more up on the ceiling. Thanks to our guests on this episode: Tony Carp, Museum Specialist, National Air and Space Museum Hannah O’Toole, Exhibit Designer, National Air and Space Museum Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

We’re extending our Hot Barbie Summer by looking back on this gem from season seven. When Barbie first became an astronaut in 1965, she was more than a decade ahead of NASA sending a woman to space. Since then, there have been several versions of astronaut Barbie — from a spangly 80s doll to one who had a jumpsuit just like the one they give you at Space Camp. Today, astronaut Barbie actually went to the International Space Station! And she's joined by a collection of dolls that represent actual people who really contributed to space science like Sally Ride and Katherine Johnson. We're talking about all those versions of Barbie today on AirSpace. (Follow along with pictures of all of these dolls on our Instagram.) Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

From the moment it hit theaters in 1977, Star Wars has been adopted and adapted by many groups. In the past several years an explosion of Star Wars movies, shows, and books have brought more diversity into the universe than ever before. In these recent releases, Latino actors and storylines have taken center stage. We're jumping in to the past and present of Latino representation in the Star Wars universe. Thanks to our guests on this episode: Dr Michelle Martinez, Instructor of Film and Media Studies Arizona State University Dr Genevieve Carpio, Professor of Chicano/a Studies UCLA Daniel José Older, Author and Story Architect AeroEspacial is a four-part series from AirSpace that presents stories of Latino history, culture, and people at the heart of aviation and space. This limited series received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino. AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Desde que llegó a los cines en 1977, la Guerra de las galaxias ha sido adoptada y adaptada por muchos grupos. En los últimos años, una explosión de películas, series y libros de la Guerra de las galaxias ha aportado más diversidad que nunca al universo. En estos lanzamientos recientes, los actores y las historias latinas han tomado protagonismo. En este episodio de AeroEspacial, nos adentramos en el pasado y el presente de la representación latina en el universo de la Guerra de las galaxias. Gracias a nuestros invitados en este episodio:  • Dra. Michelle Martínez, Profesora de Estudios de Cine y Medios de Comunicación en la Universidad Estatal de Arizona • Dra. Genevieve Carpio, Profesora de Estudios Chicanos de la UCLA •Daniel José Older, autor y arquitecto de historias AeroEspacial es una serie de cuatro partes, de AirSpace, que presenta relatos de la historia, cultura y gente latina centradas en la aviación y el espacio. Este proyecto recibió apoyo federal del Fondo de Iniciativas Latinas, administra

Artists frequently use their mediums to tell stories, send messages, or imagine futures unlike our present. For Latino Futurist artists, drawing on the past is key to creating futures that connect heritage, experience, and indigeneity to the present and future in constantly circling time. In a society that imagines the past as ancient history, these artists are challenging what and who art is for. We explore this genre of art with artists and art commentators. Thanks to our guests on this episode: Dr Catherine Sue Ramirez, Professor and chair of Latin American and Latino Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz Beatriz Cortez, multimedia artist Clarissa Tossin, multimedia artist AeroEspacial is a four-part series from AirSpace that presents stories of Latino history, culture, and people at the heart of aviation and space. This limited series received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino. AirSpace is made pos

Los artistas con frecuencia utilizan sus medios para contar historias, enviar mensajes o imaginar futuros distintos de nuestro presente. Para los artistas futuristas latinos, recurrir al pasado es clave para crear futuros que conecten el legado, la experiencia y la indigenidad con el presente y el futuro en un constante círculo temporal. En una sociedad que imagina el pasado como historia antigua, estos artistas desafían lo que es el arte y para quién es el arte. En este episodio de AeroEspacial, exploramos este género artístico con artistas y comentaristas de arte. Le agradecemos a nuestros invitados en este episodio: Dr. Catherine Sue Ramírez, profesora y catedrática de Estudios Latinoamericanos y Latinos en la Universidad de California, Santa Cruz Beatriz Cortez, artista multimedia Clarissa Tossin, artista multimedia AeroEspacial es una serie de cuatro partes, de AirSpace, que presenta relatos de la historia, cultura y gente latina centradas en la aviación y el espacio. Este proyecto recibió apoyo fed

In 2020, a devastating cable break led to the end of one of the most iconic radio telescopes in the world. It starred in movies, kept us safe from asteroids, and listened for extra-terrestrial life. The science done at Arecibo Observatory was (and continues to be incredibly important), and having the observatory in Puerto Rico is a point of pride for locals. We take a look at the history, science, and social importance of Arecibo, and talk about what the observatory’s next chapter may look like. Thanks to our guests on this episode: Dr. Edgard G. Rivera-Valentín, planetary scientist Dr. Christopher Salter, retired radio astronomer Dr. Tapasi Ghosh, retired radio astronomer Pia Salter-Ghosh, “child of the observatory” Olga Figeroa Miranda, current director of Arecibo Observatory AeroEspacial is a four-part series from AirSpace that presents stories of Latino history, culture, and people at the heart of aviation and space. This limited series received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, admin

En 2020, una devastadora rotura de cable significó el final de uno de los radiotelescopios más icónicos del mundo. Protagonizó películas, nos protegió de los asteroides y escuchó en busca de vida extraterrestre. La ciencia hecha en el Observatorio de Arecibo fue y continúa siendo increíblemente importante, y tener el Observatorio en Puerto Rico es un motivo de orgullo para los locales. En el primer episodio de AeroEspacial, le damos un vistazo a la historia, ciencia e importancia social de Arecibo, y hablamos sobre cuál puede ser el próximo capítulo del observatorio. Gracias a nuestros invitados de este episodio: -       Dr. Edgard G. Rivera-Valentín, científico planetario -       Dr. Christopher Salter, radioastrónomo retirado -       Dr. Tapasi Ghosh, radioastrónomo retirado -       Pia Salter-Ghosh, «hija del observatorio» -       Olga Figeroa Miranda, directora actual del Observatorio de Arecibo AeroEspacial es una serie de cuatro partes, de AirSpace, que presenta relatos de la historia, cultura y

Se necesita un poco de fe, confianza y una exención de visa. A principio de los sesenta, más de 14,000 niños sin acompañante dejaron Cuba y a sus familias, huyendo del régimen castrista. Estos niños vinieron a los Estados Unidos con exenciones de visa del Gobierno de Estados Unidos en el marco de uno de los programas para refugiados patrocinados por el Estado más grandes en la historia de Estados Unidos. También fueron los primeros refugiados en llegar, en gran parte, en avión. En este episodio de AeroEspacial, contamos algunas de las historias de la Operación Pedro Pan e investigamos las fuerzas que la hicieron única. Gracias a nuestros invitados de este episodio: Dr. Victor Triay, autor, profesor de Historia en el Middlesex Community College Dr. Carlos Eire, profesor de Historia y Ciencias de la Religión en la Universidad de Yale AeroEspacial es una serie de cuatro partes, de AirSpace, que presenta relatos de la historia, cultura y gente latina centradas en la aviación y el espacio. Este proyecto recib

It takes a little faith, trust, and a visa waiver. In the early 1960s, more than 14,000 unaccompanied children left Cuba and their families behind, fleeing the Castro regime. These children came to the United States on visa waivers from the U.S. government in one of the largest state-sponsored refugee programs in American history. They were also the first refugees to come largely by plane. In this episode of AeroEspacial, we tell some of the stories of Operation Pedro Pan and dig into the forces that made it unique. Thanks to our guests on this episode: Dr. Victor Triay, author, professor of history at Middlesex Community College Dr. Carlos Eire, Professor of History and Religious Studies at Yale University This limited series received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the National Museum of the American Latino. AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Coming soon to this podcast feed AeroEspacial, a second limited series from the creators of AirSpace! Published in both English and Spanish, this four-part series presents stories of Latino history, culture, and people at the heart of aviation and space. ¡Próximamente en el podcast AeroEspacial, una segunda serie limitada de los creadores de AirSpace! Publicada en inglés y en español, esta serie de cuatro partes presenta historias de la aviación y el espacio que se desarrollan en el mundo Latino.

We’re gearing up for Season 8 and we have a special project in the works that you’ll hear sooner but today we’re looking back to one of our favorite Season Six episodes, a topic you may have heard about in the news more recently. It’s been nearly 50 years (!) since humans last walked on the Moon.  But NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions will soon return astronauts to the lunar surface. Artemis isn’t just about going back – it’s about science! So to answer all of our burning questions about what Artemis astronauts will do, where they will go, and what makes this all different from Apollo, we spoke to the Artemis science lead, Dr. Sarah Noble.

Season seven is over but don’t despair! We have some fun new things headed your way soon. In the meantime, we borrowed this episode from our friends at Smithsonian’s Sidedoor to tide you all over. It took pride, deceit, and a giant catapult to set off the feud between the Wright brothers and the Smithsonian. On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright made history when he flew over 800 feet across a blustery beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The airplane he flew that day is now a centerpiece of the National Air and Space Museum’s collection. This is the story of how it nearly wasn’t.

When Barbie first became an astronaut in 1965, she was more than a decade ahead of NASA sending a woman to space. Since then, there have been several versions of astronaut Barbie — from a spangly 80s doll to one who had a jumpsuit just like the one they give you at Space Camp. Today, astronaut Barbie actually went to the International Space Station! And she's joined by a collection of dolls that represent actual people who really contributed to space science like Sally Ride and Katherine Johnson. We're talking about all those versions of Barbie today on AirSpace. (Follow along with pictures of all of these dolls on our Instagram.) Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

From Dante to Matt Damon, Percival Lowell to Perseverance, humans have long wondered about, studied, and eventually explored our closest planetary neighbor, Mars. In celebration of Matt's new book "For the Love of Mars: A Human History of the Red Planet," we're taking you through how humans have shown Mars in stories, movies, and art through the centuries. Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In 1969, nearly 600 million people tuned in to watch the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Four of these rapt viewers were a family of Indian immigrants in Delaware. Four months later that family was driving through Ohio and decided to stop and knock on Neil Armstrong’s parent's door — because why not? This story, as told in the short film One Small Visit, has been making the rounds at film festivals and screenings around the world. Matt and Emily talk to the woman whose family knocked on that door and her friend who turned it into a film. Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.