Failure To Launch

If you were a cosmonaut and you knew you were about to die, why wouldn't you announce your last words in a comedy Italian accent? Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris are joined by Jake Rockatansky (@RealRockatansky) of the QAA podcast to talk about the Lost Cosmonaut conspiracy theory, how it has evolved over the decades, and the Italian brothers most responsible for inventing it. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sources: Phantoms of Space, James Oberg http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/trackind/Torre/TorreB.html Related viewing: the dumb conspiracy short film I made everyone watch Music by DJ Danarchy

This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest, join our Patreon at any tier! Big thanks to Kelly for coming on! Check out his stuff at:https://linktr.ee/bornunderpunchs https://patreon.com/bornunderpunchs

The first Romanian in space never set out to be a cosmonaut. He just loved to fly. Today, we're talking about Dumitru Prunariu, his unlikely path to space, and how he ran afoul of Nicolae and Elena Ceausescu, Romania's dictator duo. Support FTL through Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sources: Interkosmos: The Eastern Bloc's Early Space Program, Bert Vis & Colin Burgess Music by DJ Danarchy

The first man to walk on the Moon was nearly spun to death three years before Apollo 11. We're back and talking with space engineer Scott about Gemini 8, the first orbital docking between two spacecraft and how it went horribly wrong. Support FTL through Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sources: - On the Shoulders of Titans: A History of Project Gemini - Gemini 8: The First Docking in Space, Drew LePage Music by DJ Danarchy

This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest, join our Patreon at any tier: https://www.patreon.com/failuretolaunch

This week, we're rejoined by journalist and friend of the show @NSlayton to talk about Soyuz T-15, probably the coolest space mission ever attempted. Read Nicholas' work at Task & Purpose and on his Newsletter! Support FTL through Patreon and unlock bonus content Sources: - Mir Hardware Heritage, NASA - The Story of Space Station Mir, David M Harland - The work of space radio tracker Sven Grahn Music by DJ Danarchy

This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest, join our Patreon at any tier: https://www.patreon.com/failuretolaunch

In September 1980, a fuel leak in a Titan II missile silo came close to turning Damascus, Arkansas, into a crater. This week, we're joined by guest @War_Takes to talk about the atomic spud gun, the folks who fought to prevent it, and how they were punished for their efforts. Support FTL through Patreon and unlock bonus episodes! Sources: - Titan II: A History of a Cold War Missile Program, David Stumpf - Command and Control, Eric Schlosser Music by DJ Danarchy

In order to spy on American satellites and missile tests, the Soviets built the USS Mobile Chernobyl. We're back and joined by Joe and Tom from Lions Led By Donkeys (@lions_by) to talk about the SSV-33 Ural, the world's largest spy ship. Support FTL through Patreon and unlock bonus content! Theme song by DJ Danarchy

This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest, join our patreon at any tier: https://www.patreon.com/failuretolaunch