

Failure To Launch
Failure To Launch Podcast
This is a podcast about all the mistakes, failures, and explosions that made space exploration possible.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 6, 2025 β’ 1h 8min
That Time Buzz Aldrin Decked Bart Sibrel (Astronauts Gone Wild)
πΎπ π'π€ ππ£π ππͺThis week, Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris subject themselves to Moon landing hoaxer Bart Sibrel's second "documentary", Astronauts Gone Wild. Spoiler: there's precious little astronauts going wild and it's bad even as conspiracy propaganda. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus episodes!Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy

May 30, 2025 β’ 13min
*PREVIEW* The Arkbird (Ace Combat 5)
This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.

May 23, 2025 β’ 1h 38min
Soyuz T-10A
Sometimes it's better not to go to space. This week, we're talking to guest and space industry engineer Robin about the story of Soyuz T-10A or "that time the LES flung a Soviet crew to safety 3 seconds before their rocket detonated". Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content!Sources:- Soyuz T-10A: The First Crewed On-Pad Abort, Drew LePage- Russianspaceweb, Anatoly ZakTheme song provided by DJ Danarchy

May 2, 2025 β’ 1h 9min
1980 Plesetsk Disaster
CONTENT WARNINGThis week, Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris are covering the 1980 Plesetsk Cosmodrome explosion, probably the 2nd most lethal accident in space history. Sources:- RussianSpaceWeb, Anatoly ZakTheme song provided by DJ Danarchy

Apr 28, 2025 β’ 15min
*PREVIEW* Marooned (1969)
This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.

Apr 16, 2025 β’ 1h 3min
The 2007 ASAT Test & Space Militarization
Ever since satellites have existed, people have wanted to find ways to kill them. This week, Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris are taking a look at the 2007 Chinese Anti-Satellite Test - the largest debris-creating event in space history - and the larger trend of nations trying to turn Low Earth Orbit into the zero-g Somme. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content!Sources:- Characteristics and Consequences of the Break-up of the Fengyun-1C Spacecraft, NASA- Analysis of the 2007 Chinese ASAT Test and the Impact of its Debris on the Space Environment, T.S. KelsoTheme song provided by DJ Danarchy

Apr 1, 2025 β’ 20min
*PREVIEW* Moon Zero Two (1969)
This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.

Mar 21, 2025 β’ 1h 40min
Part 3: Jack Parsons and Babalon
Heartbreak can be a terrible thing and people work through it in all kinds of ways. Some people drink. Some people attempt to summon an incarnation of Babalon to be their new girlfriend. We're back and we're talking with rocket test engineer Guest Chris about Jack Parsons. In this episode we cover the downfall of Jack Parsons and his ostracization from both the scientific and magical communities. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content!Sources:- Strange Angel, George PendelTheme song provided by DJ Danarchy

Feb 20, 2025 β’ 1h 43min
Part 2: Jack Parsons. Devil Summoner, Rocket Scientist, YA Author
Jack. 210. πΏππππππ πΊπππππππ π»ππππππππ π¬πππππ πΉππππππ. John Whiteside Parsons went by many appellations. In part 2 of our series, we talk to rocket test engineer Chris about how Jack got into Thelema and how he pioneered a frightening amount of modern rocket fuels while chainsmoking. Sources:- Strange Angel, George PendelTheme song provided by DJ Danarchy

Feb 14, 2025 β’ 1h 33min
Part 1: Jack Parsons, The Satanist Rocket Visionary
In a field of weirdos and freaks, Jack Parsons is broadly considered the weirdest freak of all. This week, we're joined by guest and space engineer Chris for our series on the life, accomplishments, and sex life of John Whiteside Parsons. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content!Sign up to the FTL Patreon at any tier and get access to our new Discord community. Sources: - Strange Angel, George Pendel- Jack Parsons, Famous Bi PeopleTheme song provided by DJ Danarchy


