The Space Above Us
JP Burke
A podcast about the history of NASA human spaceflight. New episodes every other Thursday. (ish)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 24, 2022 • 25min
166 - STS-84 - Where Things Are Bright and Sunny (Linenger/Foale Mir Swap)
On STS-84 we'll deliver Mike Foale to Mir, bring Jerry Linenger back to Earth, wonder how much Elektron really weighs, enjoy the music in the base block, and contemplate the mystical powers of a shouting Marine. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep166_sts-84 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Sep 11, 2022 • 26min
165 - STS-83 - Substack Attack (MSL-1)
The crew of STS-83 is gearing up for a 16 day flight aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. With Spacelab packed full of materials science experiments, everything seemed ready to go.. so why did the flight end up only being four days long? Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep165_sts-83 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Aug 27, 2022 • 36min
164 - STS-82 - No Trouble with Hubble (HST Servicing 2)
On STS-82 we've got another ground-up rendezvous on our hands. But instead of flying to Mir, we'll be visiting our old friend the Hubble Space Telescope. It's been a few years since STS-61 fixed its optical flaw, and it's due for an upgrade! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep164_sts-82 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Aug 7, 2022 • 23min
163 - NASA-4 Part 2 - Close Call, Ethylene Glycol, Secret Alcohol (Linenger on Mir)
We've still got half of Jerry Linenger's mission on Mir to cover, and while there aren't any fires, it's just as action packed! We've got near-misses, secret contraband, and a history-making EVA. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep163_nasa-4_pt2 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jul 24, 2022 • 36min
162 - NASA-4 Part 1 - A Candle-Lit Dinner (Linenger on Mir)
Jerry Linenger's long duration mission on Mir was so jam-packed that I had to break it up into two parts! In Part 1, we'll heed some lessons from John Blaha, learn where to find extra photographic film, and light some candles during dinner. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep162_nasa-4_pt1 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jul 8, 2022 • 26min
161 - STS-81 - Space Deli (Blaha/Linenger Mir Swap)
On STS-81 we'll deliver Jerry Linenger to his new home for the next few months, return John Blaha to Earth, and transfer a few tons of equipment while we're at it. Along the way we'll go for a run, admire a previous crew's DIY fix, and toss some meat and cheese around the Mir base block. Just don't get lost on the way from the orbiter! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep161_sts-81 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jun 23, 2022 • 51min
160 - Tom Jones Interview
We've seen him fly on STS-59, STS-68, and STS-80.. and now we'll see him on The Space Above Us! Astronaut Tom Jones joins us and answers a bunch of questions ranging from stopwatches, travel strategies, and pranks on John Young. Thanks again to Tom Jones for speaking with me. Go check out his website and buy his excellent books! www.astronauttomjones.com Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep160_tom-jones-interview The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jun 13, 2022 • 40min
159 - STS-80 - Space Jam (ORFEUS, WSF, EVA)
STS-80 is jam packed with everything the shuttle program has to offer, which makes sense since it's the longest flight of the entire program! We've got two free-flying payloads, a troublesome EVA, and a reentry to remember. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep159_sts-80 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
May 29, 2022 • 36min
158 - NASA-3 - Blaha Blast (Blaha on Mir)
John Blaha is settling in for his four month stay on Mir. Science experiments, clattering fans, limited communications, 14 hour days, and the first ever NASA in-space handover await. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep158_nasa-3 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
May 14, 2022 • 29min
157 - STS-79 - Blaha to Go (Lucid/Blaha Mir Swap)
Shannon Lucid has been waiting for her ride home and John Blaha is ready to swap in as America's next long duration spacefarer. We'll also fix our SRBs, try to heat up some metal, and enjoy some barbecue in Atlantis. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep157_sts-79 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
