

Off-Nominal
Jake Robins, Anthony Colangelo
Two friends, two beers, and a casual conversation about space. Landing monthly in your podcast feed.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 16, 2026 ⢠60min
261 - I am the LEO Economy (with Eric Berger)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica, to talk about the latest Starliner situation, LEO beyond Dragon, and NASAâs commercial LEO policy.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 261 - I am the LEO Economy (with Eric Berger) - YouTubeNASA issues long-awaited call to industry for private space stations - Ars TechnicaNASA has a Dragon dilemma, and there appear to be no good answers - Ars TechnicaBoeing "incredibly excited" to serve as nation's only astronaut transportation - Ars TechnicaEric Berger on X: "The next spacecraft to land humans on the Moon will be:" / XThe Commercial LEO Roast During IgnitionFollow EricAuthor: Eric Berger - Ars TechnicaEric Berger (@SciGuySpace) / XReentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age | West Houston's Neighborhood BookshopFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@[email protected]) - jawns.club đOff-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Oct 9, 2026 ⢠1h 2min
260 - Launching on Thursday (with Scott Edwards)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Scott Edwards, Director and Executive Producer of To the Black, a documentary chronicling Fireflyâs journey from bankruptcy to almost bankruptcy again to international drama to orbit and all the moments in between.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 260 - Launching on Thursday (with Scott Edwards) - YouTubeTo the Black â MovieFirefly co-founder Markusic to step down as CEO - SpaceNewsFeds who forced Ukrainian investor to sell rocket company backtrack years later - Ars TechnicaFollow ScottAustin Video Production - Merit ProductionsFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@[email protected]) - jawns.club đOff-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Oct 2, 2026 ⢠1h 1min
259 - Overhead (with Chris Kemp)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Astra founder and CEO Chris Kemp to talk about the companyâs road back from the brink, Rocket 4, and why he still sees a path for it today.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 259 - Overhead (with Chris Kemp) - YouTubeAstra Rocket 4.0 | Private Space Launch CompanyAstra is Poised to Rewrite the 'Commercial' Rocket Equation with its 2027 Rocket 4 Launch - The DebriefAstra Launches NASA's ELaNa 41 Mission - YouTubeFollow ChrisChris Kemp (@Kemp) / XFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@[email protected]) - jawns.club đOff-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Sep 25, 2026 ⢠1h 9min
258 - Not a Space Guy (with Daniel Drew)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Daniel Drew of the University of HawaiĘťi to talk about SPARK, his concept for exploring Titanâs caves with aerobots powered by solid-state atmospheric ion thrusters. Seriously.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 258 - Not a Space Guy (with Daniel Drew) - YouTubeSPARKThis Crazy Robot Could Explore the CAVES of Titan [NIAC 2026] - YouTubeHuygens's descent to Titan's surface - YouTubeOryctes rhinoceros - WikipediaSpotted lanternfly - WikipediaSpotted Lanternfly Alert | Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaHereâs Why You Should Kill Spotted Lanternflies - The New York TimesFollow DanDaniel S. Drew - University of HawaiiThe Drew Research LabFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@[email protected]) - jawns.club đOff-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Sep 18, 2026 ⢠1h 1min
257 - Can You Fix Our RV? (with Nick Cialdella)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Nick Cialdella, CTO of Varda Space Industries, to talk about manufacturing pharmaceuticals in space, the reentry technology that brings them back to Earth, Vardaâs hypersonic testbed, and the business case for making things in orbit.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 257 - Can You Fix Our RV? (with Nick Cialdella) - YouTubeSpace born, Earth bound ⢠Varda Space IndustriesVarda Space Storefront: Hawaiian ShirtThe Definitive Winnebago Man - YouTube (âŚlanguage warning)Winnebago Man | Full Documentary Movie | Jack Rebney - YouTube (âŚalso language warning)Could this be the moment that drug manufacturing takes off in orbit? - Ars TechnicaFollow NickNicholas Cialdella | LinkedInFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@[email protected]) - jawns.club đOff-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Sep 11, 2026 ⢠1h 2min
256 - The Ellis Number
Jake and Anthony talk about Blue Origin building the Mars Telecommunications Network, Stoke splashing the cash and talking up Nova Block 2, and Anthony has a weird theory about Jared Isaacman.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 256 - The Ellis Number - YouTubeNASA selects Blue Origin for Mars communications orbiter - SpaceNewsStoke Space Raises $1 Billion to Accelerate Fully Reusable Launch | Stoke SpaceNova Block 2 | Stoke SpaceWith another huge infusion of cash, Stoke Space goes even bigger - Ars TechnicaTrump White House just tossed a grenade into international space relations - Ars TechnicaGerman company becomes first in Europe to launch fully commercial orbital rocket - Ars TechnicaThe Exploration Company (TEC) secures $450 million in the largest-ever Series C by a European space companyEurope may finally have found a space entrepreneur who is meeting the moment - Ars TechnicaNASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on X: â@NASAWatch Few thoughts in response: 1) NASA has not given up on LEO. Within weeks of being on the job, I publicly addressed the Starliner situation and the role NASA played in it, and we have since taken a very active role with Boeing in implementing the investigation recommendations andâŚâFetterman Has a Surprise Cameo at Trumpâs Convention - The New York TimesNASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on X: âNASA is heading to the @NFL. @NASA operates a fleet of aircraft for astronaut training and cutting-edge high-speed and high-altitude research. In celebration of Americaâs 250th birthday, to showcase our technology and inspire the next generation, we are taking some of thoseâŚâFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@[email protected]) - jawns.club đOff-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Sep 4, 2026 ⢠1h 4min
255 - Sorry, Reno (with Matt Gjertsen)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Matt Gjertsen, Founder of BUILT, to talk about his book, Minimum Viable Manager: Three Essential Skills for Leading Technical Teams That Solve Big Problems, the recovery of Starship at Christmas Island, and Starbase Louisiana.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 255 - Sorry, Reno (with Matt Gjertsen) - YouTubeAmazon.com: Minimum Viable Manager: Three Essential Skills for Leading Technical Teams That Solve Big Problems: 9781774587270: Gjertsen, Matt: BooksAgainst all odds, SpaceX finally tugs Starship into port after 24 days at sea - Ars TechnicaPhotos by SpaceX (@SpaceX) / XSpaceX intends to invest up to $100 billion in massive Louisiana spaceport - Ars TechnicaUS12234039B2 - Repeating ground track orbits for a reusable launch vehicle - Google PatentsFollow MattBuilt LeadersEasily listen to Leadership Launchpad â Team Development, & Performance Improvement for Aerospace & Technology Managers in your podcast app of choiceEasily listen to A VC, a Headhunter, and a Trainer Walk into a Bar in your podcast app of choiceFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@[email protected]) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@[email protected]) - jawns.club đOff-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Aug 27, 2026 ⢠1h 1min
254 - An Advocate of Crazy (with Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, Former Associate Administrator of NASAâs Science Mission Directorate and leader of ETH Zurich Space, to talk about the state of science missions at NASA.
Topics
Off-Nominal - YouTube
Episode 254 - An Advocate of Crazy (with Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen) - YouTube
QuantumScape Co-Founder and CTO Sells His Trust's Entire Stake in the Company for $76,465 | The Motley Fool
NASA Awards More Moon Base Science, Previews New Opportunities - NASA
The Cost of a PROMISE | The Planetary Society
Has NASA already found life on Mars? | Scientific American
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope - NASA Science
Follow Thomas
Thomas Zurbuchen
Thomas Zurbuchen (@Dr_ThomasZ) / X
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WeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to Mars
WeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | Twitter
Jake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | Twitter
Jake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey Space
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Main Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | Twitter
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Aug 20, 2026 ⢠1h 2min
253 - Dome is Your Strategy
Itâs time for actual stock tips. Jake and Anthony draft competing $100,000 space portfolios and lock them in for a year.
Topics
Off-Nominal - YouTube
253 - Dome is Your Strategy - YouTube
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Subscribe to the show! - Off-Nominal
Support the show, join the Discord
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Off-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey Space
Follow Jake
WeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to Mars
WeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | Twitter
Jake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | Twitter
Jake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey Space
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Main Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | Twitter
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Aug 13, 2026 ⢠1h 4min
252 - Paying Now and Later (with Eric Berger and Joe Barnard)
Anthony is joined by Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica, and Joe Barnard to talk about crewed spaceflight in the 2030s, what options exist if and when Dragon stops flying, and what we should do about it.
Topics
Off-Nominal - YouTube
Episode 252 - Paying Now and Later (with Eric Berger and Joe Barnard) - YouTube
A "disaster waiting to happen"? Industry officials worry about Crew Dragon availability. - Ars Technica
Actually, Starliner might fly into space this year - Ars Technica
SpaceX eyes tower catch for next Starship after auspicious end to 13th flight - Ars Technica
SpaceX on X: âView of Starship in space from a Starlink V3 satellite on Flight 13. This composite is made of imagery from four separate cameras on a single satellite. Six of the satellites were equipped with cameras to scan Starshipâs heat shield and transmit imagery down to operatorsâŚâ
I Built a Gyroscope Stabilized Rocket Camera with GPS - YouTube
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Author: Eric Berger - Ars Technica
Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) / X
Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age | West Houston's Neighborhood Bookshop
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BPS.space - YouTube
Joe Barnard (@joebarnard) / Twitter
BPS.Space
I made my rocket nosecone too pointy - YouTube
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Off-Nominal (@[email protected]) - Spacey Space
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WeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to Mars
WeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | Twitter
Jake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | Twitter
Jake Robins (@[email protected]) - Spacey Space
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Main Engine Cut Off
Main Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | Twitter
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