The Space Above Us
JP Burke
A podcast about the history of NASA human spaceflight. New episodes every other Thursday. (ish)
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 8, 2021 • 35min
137 - STS-65 - The Flight of IML-Man (IML-2)
Space Shuttle Columbia is flying for the 17th time, carrying the International Microgravity Laboratory 2 payload. With fish, newts, and bubbles, it sounds more like a witch's brew than an advanced research laboratory. But don't let vague descriptions fool you! Also, who can leap long Spacelabs in a single bound? None other than IML Man, of course! Errata: Around 4:48 I say "[...] sitting behind the Pilot on the middeck [...]" when, of course, the Pilot sits on the flight deck. Got myself all mixed up with MS1/MS3 out of position. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep137_sts-65 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jun 24, 2021 • 31min
136 - STS-59 - Vaya con Dios (SRL-1)
We've got a giant radar in the payload bay, bubbles in the water, and we're ready to learn about somebody's favorite type of lizard. It's time for STS-59! Errata: Around two minutes into the episode I use the term "frequency" multiple times when "wavelength" is correct. Really, since the wavelength is just the speed of light divided by the frequency if you know one you know the other, but still, I used the wrong term. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep136_sts-59 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Jun 10, 2021 • 29min
135 - STS-62 - Two for One Special (USMP-2)
Space Shuttle Columbia has been packed full of so many experiments you might think there are two different payloads back there.. and you'd be right! Let's learn about fake-metal dendrites, how to stop the orbiter from glowing, and why the NASA ground crews think Pierre Thuot smells like garbage. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep135_sts-62 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
May 27, 2021 • 29min
STS-60 - A New Partnership (WSF, SPACEHAB, Shuttle-Mir)
Look out! There's a Russian on the space shuttle! Oh, we invited him? Well alright then. On STS-60 we're going to push some atoms out of the way, begin the partnership that would lead to the ISS, and wonder what it takes to get a Coke in Russia. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep134_sts-60 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
May 13, 2021 • 42min
133 - STS-61 - Closing the Door on Spherical Aberration (HST Servicing 1)
The Hubble Space Telescope is in trouble. With the future of the orbiting observatory, and perhaps NASA itself, on the line, can the crew of STS-61 save the day? Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep133_sts-61 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Apr 29, 2021 • 42min
132 - 1.3 Millimeters (Hubble Mirror Flaw)
With STS-61 ready to execute the first servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, let's learn about the overall structure of the observatory, what the flaw with its mirror was, and how that flaw came to be. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep132_hubble_mirror_flaw The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Apr 15, 2021 • 34min
131 - STS-58 - Madame La Guillotine (SLS-2)
Columbia is on the launchpad and we've got a whole bunch of life science to get through. And just when you thought it was safe to drop the word "otolith" from your vocabulary. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep131_sts-58 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Apr 1, 2021 • 40min
130 - STS-51 - TOSsing ACTS (TOS/ACTS, ORFEUS-SPAS)
We've got a packed flight with an advanced communications satellite, a new kick stage, the return of SPAS, an EVA and a sassy air traffic controller. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep130_sts-51 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us
Mar 18, 2021 • 1h 20min
129 - Astronaut Dan Tani interview
In this episode, rather than hearing me talk about STS-51, we talk to someone who worked on its primary payload: astronaut Dan Tani! We also chat a bit about some government job he had down in Houston.
Mar 4, 2021 • 32min
128 - STS-57
Space Shuttle Endeavour is here with STS-57, which brings us a little piece of much of what the shuttle program has to offer. Satellite captures, EVAs, technology demonstrations, commercial space stuff, mysterious loud booming noises.. wait, mysterious loud booming noises?
