We see the connections to aviation and space in literally everything. From our favorite movies and the songs in our playlists to the latest news of space exploration and your commercial flight home for the holidays – aerospace is literally everywhere you look. Twice a month our hosts riff on some of the coolest stories of aviation and space history, news, and culture. We promise, whether you’re an AVGeek, wannabe Space Camper, or none of the above, you’ll find not only a connection to your life but you’ll learn something interesting in the process.

In this special episode recorded at SXSW, Emily, Matt, and Nick recount stories of failure and how they’ve inspired a whole lot of success in science and space exploration. From how the failed Concorde led to important scientific research and a better understanding of our world, to how the crew of Apollo 13 overcame malfunction by having simulated every possible scenario, the hosts explore how failure doesn’t always mean catastrophe. And special guest Bobak Ferdowsi from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory discusses how the NASA culture embraces the possibility of failure by testing and planning for every conceivable outcome.

Special thanks to our host, the Aerospace Industries Association!

In this special episode recorded at SXSW, Emily, Matt, and Nick recount stories of failure and how they’ve inspired a whole lot of success in science and space exploration. From how the failed Concorde led to important scientific research and a better understanding of our world, to how the crew of Apollo 13 overcame malfunction by having simulated every possible scenario, the hosts explore how failure doesn’t always mean catastrophe. And special guest Bobak Ferdowsi from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory discusses how the NASA culture embraces the possibility of failure by testing and planning for every conceivable outcome.
Special thanks to our host, the Aerospace Industries Association!

Failure is Always An Option 

AirSpace Live at SXSW

In the 1930s, rocketry was basically a joke among the scientific establishment in the U, but that didn't stop a rag tag group out of Pasadena from trying to build rockets. That group would first be known as The Suicide Squad (for all the dangerous experiments they conducted on campus) and later as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Over its first decade, the JPL story includes funding challenges, communist intrigue, brushes with the occult, building weapons, building engines and ultimately--building rockets. Buckle in, this one's a wild ride.

Thanks to our guests in this episode:

<ul>
<li>Fraser MacDonald, Author, Escape from Earth: A Secret History of the Space Rocket</li>
<li>Erik Conway, JPL Historian</li>
<li>Interview with Frank Malina from the <a href="https://oralhistories.library.caltech.edu/149/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caltech Archives and Special Collections</a></li>
</ul>

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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In the 1930s, rocketry was basically a joke among the scientific establishment in the U, but that didn't stop a rag tag group out of Pasadena from trying to build rockets. That group would first be known as The Suicide Squad (for all the dangerous experiments they conducted on campus) and later as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Over its first decade, the JPL story includes funding challenges, communist intrigue, brushes with the occult, building weapons, building engines and ultimately--building rockets. Buckle in, this one's a wild ride.
Thanks to our guests in this episode:
Fraser MacDonald, Author, Escape from Earth: A Secret History of the Space Rocket


Erik Conway, JPL Historian


Interview with Frank Malina from the Caltech Archives and Special Collections



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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In the 1930s, rocketry was basically a joke among the scientific establishment in America. But that didn't stop a rag tag group out of Pasadena from trying to build rockets. 

The Suicide Squad

AirSpace will be back in two weeks with brand new epsiodes. In the meantime, enjoy this episode from our friends at the podcast, This is Love.

When twin rovers named Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars twenty years ago, they were only supposed to last 90 Martian days. But years passed, they were still alive, and engineers kept taking care of them. “I remember telling myself, ‘Please don’t die, Opportunity. Please don’t die.’”

Find more information <a href="https://thisislovepodcast.com/episode-81-tau-10-8/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">about this episode here. </a>

AirSpace is from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

AirSpace will be back in two weeks with brand new epsiodes. In the meantime, enjoy this episode from our friends at the podcast, This is Love.
When twin rovers named Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars twenty years ago, they were only supposed to last 90 Martian days. But years passed, they were still alive, and engineers kept taking care of them. “I remember telling myself, ‘Please don’t die, Opportunity. Please don’t die.’”
Find more information about this episode here. 
AirSpace is from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

When twin rovers named Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars twenty years ago, they were only supposed to last 90 Martian days.

Bonus! This is Love: Tau = 10.8

While we get Season Nine ready for you, we turned to our friends at Sidedoor to bring you a story of running and running and running and running…in Space! We’ll let them take it from here:

Until the 1970s, women were barred from competing in U.S. marathons because of the belief that the "violent movements" of running would wreak havoc on their reproductive system, "thus defeating a woman’s true purpose in life, i.e., the bringing forth of strong children." Through a series of steps, stumbles—and one epic tackle—running pioneers like Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb and Kathrine Switzer blazed the trail for women marathoners who followed, including Sunita Williams—the first person to run the Boston Marathon in space!

<ul>
<li>Sunita Williams, astronaut</li>
<li>Jennifer Levasseur, curator, <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum</a></li>
<li>Peter Sagal, marathoner; host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!</li>
<li>Bobbi Gibb, first woman to run the Boston Marathon</li>
<li>Kathrine Switzer, first women to officially run the Boston Marathon</li>
</ul>

—

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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

While we get Season Nine ready for you, we turned to our friends at Sidedoor to bring you a story of running and running and running and running…in Space! We’ll let them take it from here:
Until the 1970s, women were barred from competing in U.S. marathons because of the belief that the "violent movements" of running would wreak havoc on their reproductive system, "thus defeating a woman’s true purpose in life, i.e., the bringing forth of strong children." Through a series of steps, stumbles—and one epic tackle—running pioneers like Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb and Kathrine Switzer blazed the trail for women marathoners who followed, including Sunita Williams—the first person to run the Boston Marathon in space!
Sunita Williams, astronaut


Jennifer Levasseur, curator, Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum


Peter Sagal, marathoner; host of NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!


Bobbi Gibb, first woman to run the Boston Marathon


Kathrine Switzer, first women to officially run the Boston Marathon



—
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

While we get Season Nine ready for you, we turned to our friends at Sidedoor to bring you a story of running and running and running and running…in Space! 

Bonus! Space Marathon

You’ll have new AirSpace episodes soon, but since they may have found Amelia Earhart’s plane(!!!) we thought we’d revisit our episode on her and Eleanor Roosevelt’s somewhat unlikely friendship.

On a spring evening in 1933, Amelia Earhart took first lady Eleanor Roosevelt on a joyride. Imagine two women—dressed for dinner at the White House (white gloves and all)—stealing away from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave to pilot and co-pilot a nighttime flight to Baltimore. On this episode of AirSpace, we’re detailing the high-flying friendship of these two women – from their shared background as social workers to their mutual love of flight and advocacy of women’s empowerment and social justice. Amelia and Elanor took the business of being role models seriously, leading by example and using their influence to elevate important societal issues. Talk about an influencer power couple!

Thanks to our guests who helped us contextualize their history and friendship – biographers Allida Black and Susan Butler.

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Did you know we have a monthly newsletter? <a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Get on the list!</a>

You’ll have new AirSpace episodes soon, but since they may have found Amelia Earhart’s plane(!!!) we thought we’d revisit our episode on her and Eleanor Roosevelt’s somewhat unlikely friendship.
On a spring evening in 1933, Amelia Earhart took first lady Eleanor Roosevelt on a joyride. Imagine two women—dressed for dinner at the White House (white gloves and all)—stealing away from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave to pilot and co-pilot a nighttime flight to Baltimore. On this episode of AirSpace, we’re detailing the high-flying friendship of these two women – from their shared background as social workers to their mutual love of flight and advocacy of women’s empowerment and social justice. Amelia and Elanor took the business of being role models seriously, leading by example and using their influence to elevate important societal issues. Talk about an influencer power couple!
Thanks to our guests who helped us contextualize their history and friendship – biographers Allida Black and Susan Butler.
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.
Did you know we have a monthly newsletter? Get on the list!

On a spring evening in 1933, Amelia Earhart took first lady Eleanor Roosevelt on a joyride. 

AirSpace Revisited - With a Little Help From My Friends

As we look forward to the upcoming total solar eclipse over North America, AirSpace is looking back in time to a much much older eclipse. In 1142 a total solar eclipse with much the same path as the one coming up April 8. It was also the sign in the sky the Seneca needed to join the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a representative democracy that would govern six tribes below Lakes Erie and Ontario. Before a 1997 journal article, Western Historians insisted the eclipse that decided the Seneca happened much later in the 15th or 16th century. We talk to one of the authors of the paper about the tradition, evidence, and astronomy behind the more accurate date.

Thanks to our guest in this episode:

<ul>
<li>Dr. Barbara Alice Mann, Professor Emerita-University of Toledo</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

As we look forward to the upcoming total solar eclipse over North America, AirSpace is looking back in time to a much much older eclipse. In 1142 a total solar eclipse with much the same path as the one coming up April 8. It was also the sign in the sky the Seneca needed to join the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a representative democracy that would govern six tribes below Lakes Erie and Ontario. Before a 1997 journal article, Western Historians insisted the eclipse that decided the Seneca happened much later in the 15th or 16th century. We talk to one of the authors of the paper about the tradition, evidence, and astronomy behind the more accurate date.
Thanks to our guest in this episode:
Dr. Barbara Alice Mann, Professor Emerita-University of Toledo
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

As we look forward to the total solar eclipse, we're looking back at an older eclipse that marked the start of democracy in what would be the USA.

When the Sun Went Out

Did you know that it takes the Earth 365-ish days to orbit the sun? It’s that ‘ish’ that makes February 29 a thing every four years. We talk to one of the Museum’s astronomy educators to get the low down on Leap Day.

Thanks to Astronomy Educator Shauna Brandt Edson for joining Emily for this episode.

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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Did you know that it takes the Earth 365-ish days to orbit the sun? It’s that ‘ish’ that makes February 29 a thing every four years. We talk to one of the Museum’s astronomy educators to get the low down on Leap Day.
Thanks to Astronomy Educator Shauna Brandt Edson for joining Emily for this episode.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Did you know that it takes the Earth 365-ish days to orbit the sun?

Leap Day Bonus: Accounting for the Ish

Afrofuturism is a cultural movement that explores the possibilities of Black futures and pasts and presents through art, literature, music, film and pop culture. And a lot of Afrofuturism has a lot of space in it. Today we're talking about Afrofuturist space and Afronauts and walking through the Afrofuturism exhibit by our friends at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Thanks to our guests in this episode:

Dr. Kevin Strait, Curator National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tim Fielder, Author and Artists Matty’s Rocket

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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Afrofuturism is a cultural movement that explores the possibilities of Black futures and pasts and presents through art, literature, music, film and pop culture. And a lot of Afrofuturism has a lot of space in it. Today we're talking about Afrofuturist space and Afronauts and walking through the Afrofuturism exhibit by our friends at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Thanks to our guests in this episode:
Dr. Kevin Strait, Curator National Museum of African American History and Culture
Tim Fielder, Author and Artists Matty’s Rocket
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Afrofuturism is a cultural movement that explores the possibilities of Black futures through art, literature, music, film and pop culture. And a lot of Afrofuturism has a lot of space in it. 

Liberation through Exploration

Hollywood is in love with airports and airplanes and we are too! How many rom-coms can you name where the meet cute, the almost meet, the epic chase or the long distance relationships happens thanks to a terminal or twist of fate seat assignment? We can name at least six. And if we missed your favorite, drop us a comment on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/airspacepod/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/AirSpacePod" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>!

Thanks to our guest in this episode:

Scott Meslow, Author From Hollywood with Love: The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of the Romantic Comedy

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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Hollywood is in love with airports and airplanes and we are too! How many rom-coms can you name where the meet cute, the almost meet, the epic chase or the long distance relationships happens thanks to a terminal or twist of fate seat assignment? We can name at least six. And if we missed your favorite, drop us a comment on Instagram or Twitter!
Thanks to our guest in this episode:
Scott Meslow, Author From Hollywood with Love: The Rise and Fall and Rise Again of the Romantic Comedy
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Hollywood is in love with airports and airplanes and we are too

Love at First Flight

From when it started in 1981, MTV used an iconic neon scribbled astronaut as its channel ID for years. And even today the award you get when you win a VMA is a statuette of an Apollo era astronaut, but why is MTV obsessed with the Moonman? And why do we have <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/award-statue-mtv-video-music-awards-flown/nasm_A20080038000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">two of </a>those <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/award-statue-mtv-video-music-awards-blank/nasm_A20080039000" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">statuettes</a> in our collection? We're digging into the history of cable's giant leap, today on AirSpace

Thanks to our guest in this episode:

Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, National Air and Space Museum Space History Chair

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

From when it started in 1981, MTV used an iconic neon scribbled astronaut as its channel ID for years. And even today the award you get when you win a VMA is a statuette of an Apollo era astronaut, but why is MTV obsessed with the Moonman? And why do we have two of those statuettes in our collection? We're digging into the history of cable's giant leap, today on AirSpace
Thanks to our guest in this episode:
Dr. Margaret Weitekamp, National Air and Space Museum Space History Chair
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

From when it started in 1981, MTV used an iconic neon scribbled astronaut as it's channel ID for years

Video Killed the Radio Star

Hurricanes are a fact of life in the Caribbean but in 2017, the season was so bad that it changed everything for the people of Puerto Rico. Only two weeks after another major hurricane, Maria barreled into the island bringing more than 200 mile per hour winds, rain and flooding. In the aftermath, the Coast Guard with their helicopters are crucial to search and rescue, aid drops and surveying damage. We spoke to two Coast Guard members, as well as one of our own colleagues, about what the hurricane was like, and what happened after.

We’re joined by Vanessa Parés, Digitization Coordinator NASM

Thanks to our guests for this episode:

<ul>
<li>Captain Ed Aponte, U.S. Coast Guard</li>
<li>Avionics Technician First Class Mari DeLong, U.S. Coast Guard</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Hurricanes are a fact of life in the Caribbean but in 2017, the season was so bad that it changed everything for the people of Puerto Rico. Only two weeks after another major hurricane, Maria barreled into the island bringing more than 200 mile per hour winds, rain and flooding. In the aftermath, the Coast Guard with their helicopters are crucial to search and rescue, aid drops and surveying damage. We spoke to two Coast Guard members, as well as one of our own colleagues, about what the hurricane was like, and what happened after.
We’re joined by Vanessa Parés, Digitization Coordinator NASM
Thanks to our guests for this episode:
Captain Ed Aponte, U.S. Coast Guard


Avionics Technician First Class Mari DeLong, U.S. Coast Guard



Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Hurricanes are a fact of life in the Caribbean but in 2017, the season was so bad that it changed everything for the people of Puerto Rico.

Eye from Above

In January 1942 a B-314 flying boat operated by Pan American World Airways landed in New York after making arguably the first around the world flight by a commercial airliner. But when they set out from San Francisco in 1941, they never intended to hold that record. Trapped in the Pacific by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Captain Bob Ford and his crew were forced to return home flying west. It took them more than a month and several tight spots to get their important aircraft back to the U.S. 

Thanks to our guest in this episode:

Ed Dover, former Pan Am Radio Operator and Author of The Long Way Home: A Journey into History with Captain Robert Ford

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In January 1942 a B-314 flying boat operated by Pan American World Airways landed in New York after making arguably the first around the world flight by a commercial airliner. But when they set out from San Francisco in 1941, they never intended to hold that record. Trapped in the Pacific by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Captain Bob Ford and his crew were forced to return home flying west. It took them more than a month and several tight spots to get their important aircraft back to the U.S. 
Thanks to our guest in this episode:
Ed Dover, former Pan Am Radio Operator and Author of The Long Way Home: A Journey into History with Captain Robert Ford
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In January 1942 a B-314 flying boat operated by Pan American World Airways landed in New York after making arguably the first around the world flight by a commercial airliner.

31,500 Miles

In a lot of political and financial circles space exploration is often talked about in terms of human space exploration VERSUS robotic space travel. But most scientists and engineers who work on space missions think this question is better answered with a yes, and. We're diving into the pros, cons and uses of both human and robotic space exploration today on AirSpace.

We’re joined by Dr Erica Jawin, Postdoctoral Research Geologist at NASM’s Center for Planetary Studies

Thanks to our guests for this episode:

<ul>
<li>Dr Brett Denevi, Geology Lead Artemis III, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab</li>
<li>Bobak Ferdowsi, Systems Engineer on Robotic Space Missions</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In a lot of political and financial circles space exploration is often talked about in terms of human space exploration VERSUS robotic space travel. But most scientists and engineers who work on space missions think this question is better answered with a yes, and. We're diving into the pros, cons and uses of both human and robotic space exploration today on AirSpace.
We’re joined by Dr Erica Jawin, Postdoctoral Research Geologist at NASM’s Center for Planetary Studies
Thanks to our guests for this episode:
Dr Brett Denevi, Geology Lead Artemis III, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab


Bobak Ferdowsi, Systems Engineer on Robotic Space Missions



Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In a lot of political and financial circles space exploration is often talked about in terms of human space exploration VERSUS robotic space travel. But most scientists and engineers who work on space missions think this question is better answered with a yes, and. 

These Are the Droids We're Working With

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:

<ul>
<li>Kathleen Wright, Director of Production Operation at Macy’s Parade Studios</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

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.

It's 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.

Don't Rain on my Parade

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 <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/people/staff/emily-margolis" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Emily A. Margolis</a>, Curator of Contemporary Spaceflight.

Thanks to our guests on this episode:

<ul>
<li>Major Nick Barwikowski, Commander, Army SERE School</li>
<li>Chief Warrant Officer, Retired Mike Christanson, Head Instructor, Army SERE School</li>
<li>Grant Cates, Senior Project Manager at The Aerospace Corporation</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> 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.

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.

You're on Your Own, Kid

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:

<ul>
<li>Michael Lombardi, Boeing Historian </li>
</ul>

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> 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.

When the Boeing 747 first came out it revolutionized the already revolutionary Jet Age, we're looking back on the more than 50 year history of the original Jumbo Jet.

End of an Air-a

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 <a href="https://europa.nasa.gov/message-in-a-bottle/sign-on/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"message in a bottle" etched with your names </a>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:

<ul>
<li>Dr. Bob Pappalardo, JPL, Project Scientist-Europa Clipper</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> 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.

Europa Clipper is soon to be on its was to the outer solar system to study one of Jupiter's most interesting moons.

Vast and Beckoning Seas

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:

<ul>
<li>Tony Carp, Museum Specialist, National Air and Space Museum</li>
<li>Hannah O’Toole, Exhibit Designer, National Air and Space Museum</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> 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.

AirSpace is looking up! We're exploring how we hang really big, priceless artifacts from the ceiling in the museum. 

Dancing on the Ceiling

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.)

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> 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.

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.

AirSpace Revisited - It's a Barbie World and We're All Living in It

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:

<ul>
<li>Dr Michelle Martinez, Instructor of Film and Media Studies Arizona State University</li>
<li>Dr Genevieve Carpio, Professor of Chicano/a Studies UCLA</li>
<li>Daniel José Older, Author and Story Architect</li>
</ul>

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.

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.

In the past several years an explosion of Star Wars movies, shows, and books have brought more diversity into the universe than ever before.

AeroEspacial: Making Space Bustelo

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, administrado por el Museo Nacional del Latino Estadounidense de la Smithsonian.

AirSpace es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de 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, administrado por el Museo Nacional del Latino Estadounidense de la Smithsonian.
AirSpace es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de Olay.

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.

AeroEspacial: Haciendo Bustelo Espacial

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:

<ul>
<li>Dr. Catherine Sue Ramírez, profesora y catedrática de Estudios Latinoamericanos y Latinos en la Universidad de California, Santa Cruz</li>
<li><a href="https://beatrizcortez.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beatriz Cortez</a>, artista multimedia</li>
<li><a href="https://www.clarissatossin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clarissa Tossin</a>, artista multimedia</li>
</ul>

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, administrado por el Museo Nacional del Latino Estadounidense de la Smithsonian.

AirSpace es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de Olay.

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 federal del Fondo de Iniciativas Latinas, administrado por el Museo Nacional del Latino Estadounidense de la Smithsonian.
AirSpace es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de Olay.

Los artistas con frecuencia utilizan sus medios para contar historias, enviar mensajes o imaginar futuros distintos de nuestro presente.

AeroEspacial: El Dorado de Posibilidades

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:

<ul>
<li>Dr Catherine Sue Ramirez, Professor and chair of Latin American and Latino Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz</li>
<li><a href="https://beatrizcortez.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beatriz Cortez</a>, multimedia artist</li>
<li><a href="https://www.clarissatossin.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Clarissa Tossin</a>, multimedia artist</li>
</ul>

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.

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 possible by the generous support of Olay.

Artists frequently use their mediums to tell stories, send messages, or imagine futures unlike our present.

AeroEspacial: El Dorado of Possibilities

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:

<ul>
<li>Dr. Edgard G. Rivera-Valentín, planetary scientist</li>
<li>Dr. Christopher Salter, retired radio astronomer</li>
<li>Dr. Tapasi Ghosh, retired radio astronomer</li>
<li>Pia Salter-Ghosh, “child of the observatory”</li>
<li>Olga Figeroa Miranda, current director of Arecibo Observatory</li>
</ul>

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.

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, administered by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino.
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In 2020, a devastating cable break led to the end of one of the most iconic radio telescopes in the world. 

AeroEspacial: From Puerto Rico with Love

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 gente latina centradas en la aviación y el espacio. Este proyecto recibió apoyo federal del Fondo de Iniciativas Latinas, administrado por el Museo Nacional del Latino Estadounidense de la Smithsonian.

AirSpace es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de Olay.

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 gente latina centradas en la aviación y el espacio. Este proyecto recibió apoyo federal del Fondo de Iniciativas Latinas, administrado por el Museo Nacional del Latino Estadounidense de la Smithsonian.
AirSpace es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de Olay.

En 2020, una devastadora rotura de cable significó el final de uno de los radiotelescopios más icónicos del mundo.

AeroEspacial: Desde Puerto Rico con Amor

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:

<ul>
<li>Dr. Victor Triay, author, professor of history at Middlesex Community College</li>
<li>Dr. Carlos Eire, Professor of History and Religious Studies at Yale University</li>
</ul>

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.

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.

In the early 1960s, more than 14,000 unaccompanied children left Cuba and their families behind, fleeing the Castro regime. 

AeroEspacial: The Second Star to the Right 

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:

<ul>
<li>Dr. Victor Triay, autor, profesor de Historia en el Middlesex Community College</li>
<li>Dr. Carlos Eire, profesor de Historia y Ciencias de la Religión en la Universidad de Yale</li>
</ul>

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, administrado por el Museo Nacional del Latino Estadounidense de Smithsonian.

AirSpace es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de Olay.

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 recibió apoyo federal del Fondo de Iniciativas Latinas, administrado por el Museo Nacional del Latino Estadounidense de Smithsonian.
AirSpace es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de Olay.

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.

AeroEspacial: La Segunda Estrella a la Derecha

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.

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.

Coming soon to this podcast feed AeroEspacial, a second limited series from the creators of AirSpace! ¡Próximamente en el podcast AeroEspacial, una segunda serie limitada de los creadores de AirSpace! 

Presenting/Presentación: AeroEspacial

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.

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.

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.

Revisited - Sisters of the Moon

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, <a href="https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/wright-brothers?utm_source=si.edu&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=sidedoor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Orville Wright made history</a> when he flew over 800 feet across a blustery beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The <a href="https://www.si.edu/object/3d/1903-wright-flyer:d8c62e5e-4ebc-11ea-b77f-2e728ce88125" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">airplane he flew</a> 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.

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.

It took pride, deceit, and a giant catapult to set off the feud between the Wright brothers and the Smithsonian.

Bonus! Wronging the Wrights

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.)

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

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.

It's a Barbie World and We're All Living In It

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.

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> 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.

From Dante to Matt Damon, Percival Lowell to Perseverance, humans have long wondered about, studied, and eventually explored our closest planetary neighbor, Mars.

Mars!

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.

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> 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.

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.

One Small Stop in Ohio

Imagine this: It’s 1936 and you’re taking a luxurious three day flight from Germany to the United States in the Hindenburg. But instead of landing in New Jersey as expected, you dock to the top of the tallest building in the world: the Empire State Building. This didn’t actual happen — turns out that’s a logistical and safety impossibility — but that didn’t stop the builders of the Empire State Building from using the potential of a mooring mast to advertise the building. After all, they had to really stick it to the Chrysler Building. Matt and Emily are joined by the Museum’s lighter-than-air flight curator to talk about airships, Zeppelins, mooring masts, and, a first for us, architecture!

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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Imagine this: It’s 1936 and you’re taking a luxurious three day flight from Germany to the United States in the Hindenburg. But instead of landing in New Jersey as expected, you dock to the top of the tallest building in the world: the Empire State Building. This didn’t actual happen — turns out that’s a logistical and safety impossibility — but that didn’t stop the builders of the Empire State Building from using the potential of a mooring mast to advertise the building. After all, they had to really stick it to the Chrysler Building. Matt and Emily are joined by the Museum’s lighter-than-air flight curator to talk about airships, Zeppelins, mooring masts, and, a first for us, architecture!
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Imagine this: It’s 1936 and you’re taking a luxurious three day flight from Germany to the United States in the Hindenburg. But instead of landing in New Jersey as expected, you dock to the top of the tallest building in the world: the Empire State Building.

By Land, By Sea, By Dirigible

Welcome to Animal Air! We invite all passengers to waddle, trot, sashay or mince aboard the aircraft as we prepare for takeoff. Make sure all tails and tail feathers are out of the aisle and remain inside the aircraft at all times.

A duck in a hot air balloon. A cat in an airship. A lion cub in an airplane. Our animal companions have been up in human created aircraft even longer that we have. Since these stories do great on social media, we brought in our social media manager to help us tell five stories of animals taking flight.

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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Welcome to Animal Air! We invite all passengers to waddle, trot, sashay or mince aboard the aircraft as we prepare for takeoff. Make sure all tails and tail feathers are out of the aisle and remain inside the aircraft at all times.
A duck in a hot air balloon. A cat in an airship. A lion cub in an airplane. Our animal companions have been up in human created aircraft even longer that we have. Since these stories do great on social media, we brought in our social media manager to help us tell five stories of animals taking flight.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

A duck in a hot air balloon. A cat in an airship. A lion cub in an airplane. Stories of animals in flight.

Flying Circus 

Thanks to GPS, ecologists today can track thousands of animals all the time with tracking devices that can be smaller than a quarter. But in 1970 there was just a weather satellite, a 23 pound collar, and an elk named Monique. Between spooky elk herds, inconsistent darts, a rowdy press gaggle, angry letters, an upside-down collar, and a couple of upsetting deaths, Monique’s tracking didn’t exactly go off without a hitch. Back then scientists really didn’t know where animals went, and tracking them on the ground, even with radio, was arduous and provided incomplete data. So even if it wasn’t perfect Monique’s tracking was a huge breakthrough.

Today, ecologists like the ones at Smithsonian’s <a href="https://s.si.edu/3kEYmr7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Movement of Life Initiative</a> and the <a href="https://s.si.edu/3KRYuOr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ICARUS project</a> track animals from pole to pole and from the tops of mountains to deep under the sea. Insights from these trackers help with habitat conservation and breeding but might also be able to predict the next pandemic. On this episode of AirSpace, we talk to some of the scientists who use space to track animals here on Earth.

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Thanks to GPS, ecologists today can track thousands of animals all the time with tracking devices that can be smaller than a quarter. But in 1970 there was just a weather satellite, a 23 pound collar, and an elk named Monique. Between spooky elk herds, inconsistent darts, a rowdy press gaggle, angry letters, an upside-down collar, and a couple of upsetting deaths, Monique’s tracking didn’t exactly go off without a hitch. Back then scientists really didn’t know where animals went, and tracking them on the ground, even with radio, was arduous and provided incomplete data. So even if it wasn’t perfect Monique’s tracking was a huge breakthrough.
Today, ecologists like the ones at Smithsonian’s Movement of Life Initiative and the ICARUS project track animals from pole to pole and from the tops of mountains to deep under the sea. Insights from these trackers help with habitat conservation and breeding but might also be able to predict the next pandemic. On this episode of AirSpace, we talk to some of the scientists who use space to track animals here on Earth.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Today thanks to GPS ecologist can track thousands of animals all the time with tracking devices smaller than a quarter. But in 1970 there was just a weather satellite, a 23 pound collar, and an elk named Monique.

Satellite Hart

The Juno spacecraft currently orbiting Jupiter almost didn’t have a camera, and boy would that have been a shame. Any time you launch something into space, weight is money. And when Juno was proposed and funded, a visible light camera wasn’t really needed to meet the mission’s science goals. But, thanks to the insistence of adamant Juno team members, Juno got JunoCam. And we’re so glad it did. On this episode of AirSpace, we unpack how JunoCam has contributed to science and completely changed the way we view this beautiful gas giant.

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AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

The Juno spacecraft currently orbiting Jupiter almost didn’t have a camera, and boy would that have been a shame. Any time you launch something into space, weight is money. And when Juno was proposed and funded, a visible light camera wasn’t really needed to meet the mission’s science goals. But, thanks to the insistence of adamant Juno team members, Juno got JunoCam. And we’re so glad it did. On this episode of AirSpace, we unpack how JunoCam has contributed to science and completely changed the way we view this beautiful gas giant.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

The Juno spacecraft currently orbiting Jupiter almost didn’t have a camera, and boy would that have been a shame.

Drops From Jupiter

In the fifties and sixties to get hired as a stewardess put you in a club that was akin to being a movie star. Around this time, a highly qualified woman, top of her training class, beautiful and poised, didn't understand why she wasn't being hired, until an instructor told her it was because she was Black. The lawsuit that followed opened the door to Black women being hired as stewardesses, but the result was less of a floodgate and more of a trickle. By the mid-1960s, most US airlines had hired their first Black flight attendant, but these women continued to face discrimination and their representation in the industry hardly mirrored the overall population. On today’s episode, we explore the history of Black women flight attendants by hearing directly from some of the first to serve.

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In the fifties and sixties to get hired as a stewardess put you in a club that was akin to being a movie star. Around this time, a highly qualified woman, top of her training class, beautiful and poised, didn't understand why she wasn't being hired, until an instructor told her it was because she was Black. The lawsuit that followed opened the door to Black women being hired as stewardesses, but the result was less of a floodgate and more of a trickle. By the mid-1960s, most US airlines had hired their first Black flight attendant, but these women continued to face discrimination and their representation in the industry hardly mirrored the overall population. On today’s episode, we explore the history of Black women flight attendants by hearing directly from some of the first to serve.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In the fifties and sixties to get hired as a stewardess put you in a club that was akin to being a movie star. 

It Takes More Than One

The pigeon – ubiquitous bird, oft city-dweller, and… war hero? You might even consider the humble pigeon to be the first military aviator. Before radio, homing pigeons were one of the most reliable forms of communications for sailors at sea and troops in trenches. The American use of these feathered aviators really took off during World War I when trench warfare made it dangerous for human runners to deliver messages from the front line. And these birds were not only integral to communications, some even rose to the level of heroism. On today’s episode, Emily and Matt take you through the history of this often overlooked military asset and tell the story of one hero bird, Cher Ami.

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

The pigeon – ubiquitous bird, oft city-dweller, and… war hero? You might even consider the humble pigeon to be the first military aviator. Before radio, homing pigeons were one of the most reliable forms of communications for sailors at sea and troops in trenches. The American use of these feathered aviators really took off during World War I when trench warfare made it dangerous for human runners to deliver messages from the front line. And these birds were not only integral to communications, some even rose to the level of heroism. On today’s episode, Emily and Matt take you through the history of this often overlooked military asset and tell the story of one hero bird, Cher Ami.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

The pigeon – ubiquitous bird, oft city-dweller, and… war hero?

Pigeons Are Pilots Too

We’ve all seen the breathtaking Hubble and JWST images of our universe, but have you ever wondered how these pictures are made? If you were to travel to the “Cosmic Cliffs” of the Carina Nebula or the “Pillars of Creation” of the Eagle Nebula, your eyes wouldn’t see the beautiful colors and patterns displayed in these popular images. But, that doesn’t make these pictures any less real.  In today’s episode we explain how image processors take invisible (to us) light and data from space telescopes and translate it into something that's better than what our naked eyes can see. And we discuss how these images are made even more accessible through detailed alt-text, 3D printing, and sonification.

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

We’ve all seen the breathtaking Hubble and JWST images of our universe, but have you ever wondered how these pictures are made? If you were to travel to the “Cosmic Cliffs” of the Carina Nebula or the “Pillars of Creation” of the Eagle Nebula, your eyes wouldn’t see the beautiful colors and patterns displayed in these popular images. But, that doesn’t make these pictures any less real.  In today’s episode we explain how image processors take invisible (to us) light and data from space telescopes and translate it into something that's better than what our naked eyes can see. And we discuss how these images are made even more accessible through detailed alt-text, 3D printing, and sonification.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

We’ve all seen the breathtaking Hubble and JWST images of our universe, but have you ever wondered how these pictures are made?

A Picture's Worth 1000 Words 

At the turn of the 20th century, astronomy got a serious glow-up. An influx of money and scientific advancements led to building bigger, better telescopes at newly-founded observatories across the country. Astronomers could see farther than ever before, and this led to a debate about exactly what they were seeing. Were these nebulous, fuzzy-looking discs in the sky part of the Milky Way? How big is our universe? On today’s episode, we’re telling the story of how the work of many astronomers contributed to a complete redesign of how big we know our universe to be and what we think it looks like.

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

At the turn of the 20th century, astronomy got a serious glow-up. An influx of money and scientific advancements led to building bigger, better telescopes at newly-founded observatories across the country. Astronomers could see farther than ever before, and this led to a debate about exactly what they were seeing. Were these nebulous, fuzzy-looking discs in the sky part of the Milky Way? How big is our universe? On today’s episode, we’re telling the story of how the work of many astronomers contributed to a complete redesign of how big we know our universe to be and what we think it looks like.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

At the turn of the 20th century, astronomy got a serious glow-up. 

Across the Universe

Welcome to Season 7 of AirSpace! We’re kicking off with an episode that really gets to the core of what AirSpace is all about – drilling down to unpack scientifically questionable movies we love... or at least love to hate. At its crust, this episode’s pick has all the makings of an epic disaster flick — an all-star cast (hello, Stanley Tucci), an epic Space Shuttle scene, and a fictional element called “unobtainium.” But trust us – despite a lot of questionable science, The Core isn’t the pits. In fact, it’s one of Emily’s favorite movies! Join us, as we journey to the center of the Earth.

<a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here</a> for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Welcome to Season 7 of AirSpace! We’re kicking off with an episode that really gets to the core of what AirSpace is all about – drilling down to unpack scientifically questionable movies we love... or at least love to hate. At its crust, this episode’s pick has all the makings of an epic disaster flick — an all-star cast (hello, Stanley Tucci), an epic Space Shuttle scene, and a fictional element called “unobtainium.” But trust us – despite a lot of questionable science, The Core isn’t the pits. In fact, it’s one of Emily’s favorite movies! Join us, as we journey to the center of the Earth.
Sign up here for the monthly AirSpace newsletter!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

We’re kicking off this season with an episode that really gets to the CORE of what AirSpace is all about.

The Core

Season 7 of AirSpace will be in your feeds starting December 8th!

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Season 7 of AirSpace will be in your feeds starting December 8th!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Season 7 of AirSpace coming soon!

Now preparing for takeoff...

Just two more weeks until a brand new season of AirSpace! But today, we’re excited to bring you a special bonus drop from our friends at the National Portrait Gallery’s podcast PORTRAITS.

George Takei went boldly where no man had gone before when he broke racial stereotypes to play Mr. Sulu on Star Trek. But he's also lent his celebrity to a stack of social causes. George traces his activism to a single, searing injustice-- his internment, along with thousands of other Japanese-Americans, during WWII. He was five years old.

Look for more episodes of PORTRAITS wherever you get your podcasts!

Just two more weeks until a brand new season of AirSpace! But today, we’re excited to bring you a special bonus drop from our friends at the National Portrait Gallery’s podcast PORTRAITS.
George Takei went boldly where no man had gone before when he broke racial stereotypes to play Mr. Sulu on Star Trek. But he's also lent his celebrity to a stack of social causes. George traces his activism to a single, searing injustice-- his internment, along with thousands of other Japanese-Americans, during WWII. He was five years old.
Look for more episodes of PORTRAITS wherever you get your podcasts!

A special bonus from our friends at PORTRAITS!

Bonus! Live Long and Protest

Season 7 of AirSpace is just around the corner, but today we have a special bonus drop from our friends at the Sidedoor podcast! You’ve likely seen recent awe-inspiring images from the James Webb Space Telescope, but this episode focuses on its predecessor: the Hubble Space Telescope. Sidedoor explores how America's first large space telescope went from a "billion-dollar blunder" to one of history's most important scientific instruments. Look for more episodes of Sidedoor wherever you get your podcasts!

Season 7 of AirSpace is just around the corner, but today we have a special bonus drop from our friends at the Sidedoor podcast! You’ve likely seen recent awe-inspiring images from the James Webb Space Telescope, but this episode focuses on its predecessor: the Hubble Space Telescope. Sidedoor explores how America's first large space telescope went from a "billion-dollar blunder" to one of history's most important scientific instruments. Look for more episodes of Sidedoor wherever you get your podcasts!

How America's first large space telescope went from a "billion-dollar blunder" to one of history's most important scientific instruments.

Bonus! Hubble Trouble

Picture this: it’s Halloween eve, 1938, and you’re gathered with your family around the radio to listen to the evening programs. All of a sudden, the broadcast is interrupted by a breaking news bulletin. First, a report of explosions on Mars, then news of a meteorite landing in New Jersey, and suddenly a correspondent is attacked live on air by a Martian heat ray!

Obvious spoiler: there was no Martian attack that night. But there was a radio play — a performance of Orson Welles’ adaptation of “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells. If you’ve heard of this production before, it’s likely due to the widespread panic it supposedly caused — radio listeners running out of their homes, jamming the interstates, and tying up the phone lines all in a frenzy about what they presumed to be a real Martian attack on Earth. But… is that really what happened? Learn what really went down on today’s episode of AirSpace!

Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? <a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here!</a>

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Picture this: it’s Halloween eve, 1938, and you’re gathered with your family around the radio to listen to the evening programs. All of a sudden, the broadcast is interrupted by a breaking news bulletin. First, a report of explosions on Mars, then news of a meteorite landing in New Jersey, and suddenly a correspondent is attacked live on air by a Martian heat ray!
Obvious spoiler: there was no Martian attack that night. But there was a radio play — a performance of Orson Welles’ adaptation of “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells. If you’ve heard of this production before, it’s likely due to the widespread panic it supposedly caused — radio listeners running out of their homes, jamming the interstates, and tying up the phone lines all in a frenzy about what they presumed to be a real Martian attack on Earth. But… is that really what happened? Learn what really went down on today’s episode of AirSpace!
Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? Sign up here!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

 It’s Halloween eve, 1938, and you're listening to the radio when you hear a breaking news bulletin that there's been a Martian attack!... On New Jersey?

If the World Was Ending

On October 4, 1957 the Soviet Union successfully launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik. This early Space Race milestone sparked a lot of reaction – it was unsettling for some, but for others it inspired an interest in rocketry and brought many scientists into the space industry. One of those people was Homer Hickam, a high schooler in a small West Virginia mining town who would go on to work for NASA, write a memoir, and inspire a movie. On today’s episode we unpack that film – October Sky. If you went to high school in the last 20 years, there’s a chance you saw it in a chemistry or physics class. But, turns out, that wasn’t the case for Matt, Emily, or Nick! It’s rare for these three to unpack a space movie after all seeing it for the very first time. Tune in to hear their initial impressions, what was mispronounced, and what could have been better!

Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? <a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here!</a>

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

On October 4, 1957 the Soviet Union successfully launched the first artificial Earth satellite, Sputnik. This early Space Race milestone sparked a lot of reaction – it was unsettling for some, but for others it inspired an interest in rocketry and brought many scientists into the space industry. One of those people was Homer Hickam, a high schooler in a small West Virginia mining town who would go on to work for NASA, write a memoir, and inspire a movie. On today’s episode we unpack that film – October Sky. If you went to high school in the last 20 years, there’s a chance you saw it in a chemistry or physics class. But, turns out, that wasn’t the case for Matt, Emily, or Nick! It’s rare for these three to unpack a space movie after all seeing it for the very first time. Tune in to hear their initial impressions, what was mispronounced, and what could have been better!
Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? Sign up here!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

It’s rare for our hosts to unpack a space movie after all seeing it for the very first time. 

October Sky

You can’t fly really fast without a big boom. In 1964 continual sonic booms spelled a tremendous headache for the residents of Oklahoma City. For six months the US Air Force flew an airplane at supersonic speeds over the annoyed midwestern metropolis, often multiple times a day, in a series of tests called Project Bongo. The tests were part of the United States’ research into developing supersonic transport (civilian passenger aircraft that go faster than the speed of sound). Huge spoiler – things did NOT go well. Think: damages, lawsuits, and a general disturbance of the peace. Ultimately, Project Bongo was one of the reasons the US never developed supersonic transport like Britain and France’s Concorde. The story of how and why the tests happened is a wild ride, and we’re breaking it down for you today on AirSpace.

Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? <a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here!</a>

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

You can’t fly really fast without a big boom. In 1964 continual sonic booms spelled a tremendous headache for the residents of Oklahoma City. For six months the US Air Force flew an airplane at supersonic speeds over the annoyed midwestern metropolis, often multiple times a day, in a series of tests called Project Bongo. The tests were part of the United States’ research into developing supersonic transport (civilian passenger aircraft that go faster than the speed of sound). Huge spoiler – things did NOT go well. Think: damages, lawsuits, and a general disturbance of the peace. Ultimately, Project Bongo was one of the reasons the US never developed supersonic transport like Britain and France’s Concorde. The story of how and why the tests happened is a wild ride, and we’re breaking it down for you today on AirSpace.
Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? Sign up here!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

You can’t fly really fast without a big boom. 

Boom Clap

Sleeping in space goes back almost as far as there have been people in space (specifically, a cosmonaut who caught some shuteye in 1961). Astronauts have slept in capsules, shuttles, space stations, and even on the Moon. Sleep is an important part of an astronaut’s health, particularly for longer duration missions. But from noisy crewmates to spaceship sounds and even the sheer excitement of it all, sleeping in space hasn’t always been easy. To find out what it’s really like we speak with former astronaut Mike Massimino who relates his shuttle sleeping experience to a big slumber party.  We’re catching Zs in zero-G, today on AirSpace.

Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? <a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here!</a>

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Sleeping in space goes back almost as far as there have been people in space (specifically, a cosmonaut who caught some shuteye in 1961). Astronauts have slept in capsules, shuttles, space stations, and even on the Moon. Sleep is an important part of an astronaut’s health, particularly for longer duration missions. But from noisy crewmates to spaceship sounds and even the sheer excitement of it all, sleeping in space hasn’t always been easy. To find out what it’s really like we speak with former astronaut Mike Massimino who relates his shuttle sleeping experience to a big slumber party.  We’re catching Zs in zero-G, today on AirSpace.
Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? Sign up here!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Catching Zs in zero-G.

How Do You Sleep?

In 1971 an Apollo 14 astronaut took about 500 tree seeds into orbit around the Moon. When he got back, those seeds were distributed, germinated, and planted all around the United States. And then… they were mostly forgotten about, even by NASA. That is, until the mid-1990s when a teacher at a Girl Scout camp in Indiana wondered what was up with this “Moon Tree” at her local camp. On this episode, we speak with the NASA planetary scientist who received her question, and as a result, started a database to track down the Moon Tree locations. Today, there are 67 known, living, first generation Moon Trees all over the United States – maybe even in your town!

AND JUST THIS WEEK NASA announced more tree seeds will fly with the Artemis 1 mission, continuing the Moon Tree legacy started in the Apollo era. We’re giving lunar Johnny Appleseed vibes, this week on AirSpace.

Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? <a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here!</a>

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In 1971 an Apollo 14 astronaut took about 500 tree seeds into orbit around the Moon. When he got back, those seeds were distributed, germinated, and planted all around the United States. And then… they were mostly forgotten about, even by NASA. That is, until the mid-1990s when a teacher at a Girl Scout camp in Indiana wondered what was up with this “Moon Tree” at her local camp. On this episode, we speak with the NASA planetary scientist who received her question, and as a result, started a database to track down the Moon Tree locations. Today, there are 67 known, living, first generation Moon Trees all over the United States – maybe even in your town!
AND JUST THIS WEEK NASA announced more tree seeds will fly with the Artemis 1 mission, continuing the Moon Tree legacy started in the Apollo era. We’re giving lunar Johnny Appleseed vibes, this week on AirSpace.
Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? Sign up here!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

In 1971 an Apollo 14 astronaut took about 500 tree seeds into orbit around the Moon.

Let It Grow

Skywriting is something you might witness at the beach, or a sporting event, or an outdoor concert. A popular form of aerial advertising and even the occasional marriage proposal, skywritten messages can have a BIG impact (and with letters approximately 1500 feet tall… we mean that quite literally).  But maybe you didn’t know that it originated with the military and dates wayyy back to the early days of aviation in 1910. This episode will be your exhaustive look into everything you’d want to know about skywriting – how it works, who does it, the most popular examples, and even its code of conduct. And to learn all about it, we speak to a skywriting pilot whose family has been in the business since nearly the beginning.

Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? <a href="https://mailchi.mp/si/pv19rtra9m" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up here!</a>

AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

Skywriting is something you might witness at the beach, or a sporting event, or an outdoor concert. A popular form of aerial advertising and even the occasional marriage proposal, skywritten messages can have a BIG impact (and with letters approximately 1500 feet tall… we mean that quite literally).  But maybe you didn’t know that it originated with the military and dates wayyy back to the early days of aviation in 1910. This episode will be your exhaustive look into everything you’d want to know about skywriting – how it works, who does it, the most popular examples, and even its code of conduct. And to learn all about it, we speak to a skywriting pilot whose family has been in the business since nearly the beginning.
Did you know AirSpace has a monthly newsletter? Sign up here!
AirSpace is made possible by the generous support of Olay.

A popular form of aerial advertising and even the occasional marriage proposal, skywritten messages can have a BIG impact (and with letters approximately 1500 feet tall… we mean that quite literally). 