The Space Above Us

Nov 05 2024 202 ep. 28 mins 3.8k
The Space Above Us Podcast artwork

A podcast about the history of NASA human spaceflight. New episodes every other Thursday.

  History  Science
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Supplemental 9 - Where Does the Time Go? (Schedule Update)

Nov 05 2024 5 mins  
It’s been a long time since the last episode of the podcast was posted. What’s going on? Fear not, dear listener, it’s all good news. Well, mostly good news. And really it’s more good for me than for you but– you know what, just give the supplemental a listen. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/s09_where_does_the_time_go The Space Above Us website: https://thes

191 - STS-98 - Destiny Manifest (ISS 5A: Destiny)

Aug 31 2024 58 mins  
On STS-98 it’s time for the ISS crew to meet its Destiny. Oh wait, does everyone make that joke? How about “Destiny is on the manifest”? No, I already used that in the title. OK, let’s go with “humanity’s Destiny is off the planet”. Yeah, that works! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep191_sts-98 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support

190 - STS-97 - Ratcheting Up the Tension (ISS 4A: P6)

Jul 30 2024 47 mins  
On STS-97 the Space Shuttle is delivering its heaviest ISS payload yet: the P6 truss. We’ll climb high above the payload bay, consider some strange analogies, and both slack off and tense up. Most of that will make sense once you listen. Also, please note that this episode has a couple of small audio clicks that I wasn’t able to remove. So it’s not your equipment, it’s my a

189 - STS-92 - Over and Under (Z1 and PMA-3)

Jun 22 2024 61 mins  
After a long wait for the crew (and audience!) STS-92 is finally here. We'll be delivering the heart of the ISS external structure, the Z1 truss, as well as a new docking port, PMA-3. Along the way we'll learn a bit about the folks on the ground who make this all possible, walk through four complicated EVAs, see something no one's seen since 1967, and put our plumber's hats on. Sho

188 - STS-106 - 2A or not 2b (ISS Resupply 2A.2b)

May 05 2024 39 mins  
On STS-106, we finally get to meet Zvezda, the Russian service module for the International Space Station. We also meet some new faces, decrypt some mission designations, move a bunch of equipment, and perform an EVA that may or may not be a milestone. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep188_sts-106 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show:

187 - Interview with former NASA flight surgeon Dr. Kim Broadwell

Apr 14 2024 57 mins  
I think we can all agree that social media (and anything approaching it) was a mistake, but sometimes the internet decides to throw you a bone and you meet a NASA flight surgeon on Reddit. After some friendly chatting via email, Dr. Kim Broadwell was gracious enough to speak to me on the podcast. Let’s hear what he has to say! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep187_

186 - STS-101 - Screens and Stations (ISS Resupply 2A.2a)

Mar 23 2024 34 mins  
On STS-101 we’ve got a slick new cockpit to show off, a pile of launch delays, a ton or two of new equipment and supplies and some floppy disks in the payload bay. Let’s head back to the ISS! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep186_sts-101 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://pat

185 - STS-99 - Here Comes The Boom (SRTM)

Feb 09 2024 46 mins  
On STS-99 we’ll be studying the Earth in a whole new dimension, using fancy radar tricks to scan nearly the entire planet in 3D! Close and lock your visors and put on your 3D glasses now! Show notes: http://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep185_sts-99 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com

184 - STS-103 - Y2K And I Feel Fine (Hubble Servicing 3A)

Dec 18 2023 40 mins  
The Hubble Space Telescope couldn't wait until the year 2000 for a visit, while the Space Shuttle's computers couldn't handle the year 2000 at all. With the clock ticking, will the crew of STS-103 be able to save the new year for scientists everywhere? Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep184_sts-103 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show:

183 - STS-93 - Sometimes It's Better To Be Lucky Than Smart (Chandra Deploy)

Oct 31 2023 49 mins  
On STS-93 we’ve got a ton of stuff to do in a mission lasting less than five days. We’ll break another glass barrier, we’ll put the redundancy of the Space Shuttle Main Engines to the test, and we’ll explore the universe in a whole new part of the spectrum. Buckle up, it’s a heck of a flight. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep183_sts-93 The Space Above Us we