Mike Mullane

Kathy Sullivan, a former NASA astronaut and the first American woman to perform a spacewalk, and Mike Mullane, a retired astronaut who flew on three Shuttle missions, discuss a transformative era in NASA's history. They highlight how social changes prompted the recruitment of women and minorities into the astronaut corps. The guests share personal experiences from their groundbreaking journeys, exploring the challenges and excitement of navigating a diverse and revolutionary new atmosphere in space exploration, which emphasized collaboration over traditional pilot roles.

Mike Mullane, a former Space Shuttle astronaut, shares heartfelt insights about the Challenger disaster and the ensuing soul-searching within NASA. He reflects on the emotional farewells astronauts experience with their families, emphasizing the risks of their missions. Mullane discusses the legacy of tragedy, the technical and safety reforms that followed, and the resilience of the shuttle team. He also highlights the significance of the STS-26 mission, symbolizing a renewed commitment to human spaceflight and the quest for safety in the wake of loss.