The Space Above Us
JP Burke
A podcast about the history of NASA human spaceflight. New episodes every other Thursday. (ish)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 28, 2022 • 29min
156 - STS-78 - International Space.. Shuttle (LMS)
On this flight we'll be setting new duration records, studying the muscles of the crew, and waking up to some on-theme music. Let's just hope there's enough fuel to make it to orbit! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep156_sts-78 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Apr 9, 2022 • 29min
155 - STS-77 - Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tube Satellite (IAE, PAMS, SPACEHAB)
On STS-77, we've got one of the strangest shuttle payloads I've ever seen, a satellite that's passively stabilized by aerodynamic forces (mostly), a bunch of SPACEHAB experiments, and a blast from the past. Also, here's that deployment video of IAE that I recommend looking up.. wait until you hear about it first! https://youtu.be/adatQ59j6sc?t=1485 Errata: In the outro I mention how I'm not familiar with any passively stabilized spacecraft. This neglects the entire category of spinners, which is kind of their whole point. But I was thinking of "passively stabilized by aerodynamic forces" and just didn't use my words. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep155_sts-77 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Mar 24, 2022 • 1h 22min
154 - Dan Tani Interview - Astronaut Early Career
Astronaut Dan Tani joins us once again and talks about what the astronaut interview process was like, what day to day life was like before being assigned to a mission, wearing the "astronaut suit", what makes a good team, and some sage advice from John Young. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep154_tani2_early_astro The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Mar 10, 2022 • 40min
153 - NASA-2 - M&Ms and Russian Friends (Lucid on Mir)
Shannon Lucid is ready to become the second American to perform a long duration aboard the Russian space station Mir. All she'll need to do is survive Russian language class, memorize a few bolt names, and find her missing shoe. Errata: I said that Usachov was selected as an astronaut, when clearly he was selected as an cosmonaut. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep153_nasa-2 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Feb 19, 2022 • 23min
152 - STS-76 - Mirwalking (MEEP, Lucid to Mir)
On STS-76, the space shuttle will finally shuttle someone to space! Plus the first American EVA outside a space station in 22 years, antics in the SPACEHAB tunnel, and thoughts about 1996 web design. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep152_sts-76 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Feb 6, 2022 • 38min
151 - STS-75 - Tethers in Space are a Snap (TSS-1R)
On STS-75 we'll take another try at the Tethered Satellite System. It didn't work so great on STS-46, but with much of the same crew and a little luck, maybe it will go better. Also on this flight, starting fires in space, and disembodied consciousnesses. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep151_sts-75 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jan 23, 2022 • 30min
150 - Galileo at Jupiter
After checking in with it for years, Galileo has finally arrived at Jupiter. For the 150th episode of The Space Above Us, let's find out what the Galileo orbiter and probe did while they were out there and why it was worth the wait. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep150_galileo The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jan 6, 2022 • 14min
Supplemental 7 - My First Rocket Launch
I'm taking my first break this week! So instead of an episode, I tell the tale of my first rocket launch, what it's like, and what you can do to make yours even better. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep149_sts-72 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Dec 23, 2021 • 36min
149 - STS-72 - Endeavour's Hitchhiker (SFU, OAST-Flyer)
On Endeavour's tenth flight, we're somehow going to deploy one satellite, but pick up two! Plus more EVA development, zero-gravity karate, and a farewell to a frequent flyer. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep149_sts-72 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Dec 9, 2021 • 31min
148 - STS-74 - Putting out the Welcome Mat (Mir Docking Module)
We've docked at Mir before, but moving the Kristall module around is such a hassle. What if we could just make it a little longer so the shuttle could dock with it in its usual location? Also, please don't keep your ice cream next to the blood and urine samples. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep148_sts-74 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
