Houston We Have a Podcast Private Astronaut Mission Management
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Jun 6, 2025 Derek Calvert, a Private Astronaut Mission Manager at NASA, and Brian Mitchell, a mission manager at Axiom Space, dive into the evolving landscape of private astronaut missions. They discuss the crucial Axiom Mission 4, exploring the collaborative dance between NASA and Axiom to enhance operational protocols. The duo shares insights into the complexities of mission control, highlighting the importance of teamwork for in-orbit operations. They emphasize how diverse crew backgrounds can drive innovation in space exploration and the logistical challenges ahead for these exciting missions.
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Derek Calvert's Career Path
- Derek Calvert shares how growing up around Huntsville, a space industry epicenter, inspired his NASA career.
- He transitioned from pre-med chemical engineering to mechanical engineering for better aerospace opportunities.
Brian Mitchell's Journey to Axiom
- Brian Mitchell moved from chemical engineering in Texas to NASA flight controller roles.
- He joined Axiom Space to expand human spaceflight operations knowledge with private astronaut missions.
Understanding Private Astronaut Missions
- Private astronaut missions (PAM) are short commercial missions flying certified U.S. vehicles to ISS.
- They cover full human spaceflight operations on a compressed and sometimes smaller scale.