The Space Above Us
JP Burke
A podcast about the history of NASA human spaceflight. New episodes every other Thursday. (ish)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 19, 2023 • 40min
184 - STS-103 - Y2K And I Feel Fine (Hubble Servicing 3A)
The Hubble Space Telescope couldn't wait until the year 2000 for a visit, while the Space Shuttle's computers couldn't handle the year 2000 at all. With the clock ticking, will the crew of STS-103 be able to save the new year for scientists everywhere? Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep184_sts-103 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Nov 1, 2023 • 49min
183 - STS-93 - Sometimes It's Better To Be Lucky Than Smart (Chandra Deploy)
On STS-93 we've got a ton of stuff to do in a mission lasting less than five days. We'll break another glass barrier, we'll put the redundancy of the Space Shuttle Main Engines to the test, and we'll explore the universe in a whole new part of the spectrum. Buckle up, it's a heck of a flight. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep183_sts-93 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Sep 20, 2023 • 41min
182 - STS-96 - Additional Supply Depots Required (ISS Resupply 2A.1)
On the first resupply mission to the ISS we've got tons of stuff to transfer, a disco ball to deploy, and a surprising number of quotations from Dan Barry! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep182_sts-96 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Aug 24, 2023 • 45min
181 - STS-88 - A United Dawn (Zarya and Unity)
The ISS era is upon us! Let's learn about Zarya, the first module of the International Space Station, and bring it a buddy: Unity! With a Russian and an American module flying, the ISS will be born. In this episode we'll wonder why it's too quiet, why the wires are on the outside, and which teams were playing down in South America! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep181_sts-88 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jul 15, 2023 • 40min
180 - STS-95 - Zero-G And I Still Feel Fine (Glenn, SPARTAN, SPACEHAB)
On STS-95 we've got the return of SPARTAN, the return of SPACEHAB, and the return of.. John Glenn! Let's do some science and learn how the 77 year old former astronaut found himself once again whizzing around in orbit. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep180_sts-95 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jun 17, 2023 • 28min
179 - Phase One Done (Shuttle-Mir Retrospective)
We take a look back at the Shuttle-Mir program, including a whirlwind tour of all seven long duration missions and a glimpse into Mir's ultimate fate. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep179_shuttle-mir_retrospective The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
May 27, 2023 • 41min
178 - STS-91 - A Farewell to Mir (Bringing Thomas Home)
On STS-91 we'll try out a new external tank, learn a little physics, and find out what Mir upper management thinks about the state of the space station. Oh, we'll also bring Andy Thomas home and wave farewell to Mir forever. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep178_sts-91 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
May 8, 2023 • 4min
Special Update - Don't Force It
We take a brief break from space to consider some valuable life lessons. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/special_update_02 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Apr 17, 2023 • 38min
177 - STS-90 - Of Mice and Medicine (Neurolab)
On STS-90 we've got a Spacelab full of nervous system experiments, we'll play a little catch, and we'll wonder where NASA got 2000 crickets. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep177_sts-90 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Mar 23, 2023 • 31min
176 - NASA-7 - The Last American (Thomas on Mir)
Andy Thomas is watching Space Shuttle Endeavour fade into the distance and is ready to get to work. His four month stay on Mir would close out the American presence on the Russian space station. We also wonder what that burning smell is, do a bunch of EVAs, and wave farewell to "Ol' Stinky" Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep176_nasa-7 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
