
Off-Nominal
Two friends, two beers, and a casual conversation about space. Landing monthly in your podcast feed.
Latest episodes

Jan 24, 2025 • 1h 3min
182 - Firmly Against Night Launches (with Stephen Clark)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Stephen Clark, space reporter at Ars Technica, to talk about Starship Flight 7, New Glenn Flight 1, and let’s be real, probably space policy.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 182 - Firmly Against Night Launches (with Stephen Clark) - YouTubeStarship’s Seventh Flight Test - SpaceX - LaunchesSpaceX Catches Booster 14 but loses Ship 33 on Ascent - NASASpaceFlight.comFire destroys Starship on its seventh test flight, raining debris from space - Ars TechnicaHere’s what NASA would like to see SpaceX accomplish with Starship this year - Ars TechnicaThe US military is now talking openly about going on the attack in space - Ars TechnicaFollow StephenAuthor: Stephen Clark - Ars TechnicaStephen Clark (@StephenClark1) / XFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@offnom@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@meco@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo@jawns.club) - jawns.club 🐘Off-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Jan 17, 2025 • 1h 2min
181 - Down-Suggest (with Swapna Krishna)
Jake and Anthony are joined by Swapna Krishna to talk about the Mars Sample Return non-update…since they only gave it about 5 minutes of last week’s show. And hey, there are some big rockets on launch pads right now.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 181 - Down-Suggest (with Swapna Krishna) - YouTubeNew Glenn Mission NG-1 | Blue OriginNew Glenn reaches orbit on first launch - SpaceNewsMars Sample Return: Will NASA’s ambitious mission ever happen? - YouTubeWill Mars Sample Return ever happen?NASA isn't fixing the heat shield on Artemis II - YouTubeWhat will billionaire Jared Isaacman do as NASA Administrator? - YouTubeNASA to Explore Two Landing Options for Returning Samples from Mars - NASANASA to study two alternative architectures for Mars Sample Return - SpaceNewsMars Sample Return | Rocket LabFollow SwapnaAd Astra - YouTubeAd AstraSwapna Krishna (@skrishna) • Instagram photos and videosFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@offnom@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@meco@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo@jawns.club) - jawns.club 🐘Off-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 2min
180 - Murgers Back on the Menu
Jake and Anthony take a look back at their 2024 predictions, make a few for 2025, and check in on Mars Sample Return announcements.TopicsOff-Nominal - YouTubeEpisode 180 - Murgers Back on the Menu - YouTubeLaunches, moon landings and more: Here's the top spaceflight missions to watch in 2025 | SpaceNASA to Explore Two Landing Options for Returning Samples from Mars - NASANASA to study two alternative architectures for Mars Sample Return - SpaceNewsFollow Off-NominalSubscribe to the show! - Off-NominalSupport the show, join the DiscordOff-Nominal (@offnom) / TwitterOff-Nominal (@offnom@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow JakeWeMartians Podcast - Follow Humanity's Journey to MarsWeMartians Podcast (@We_Martians) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit) | TwitterJake Robins (@JakeOnOrbit@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceFollow AnthonyMain Engine Cut OffMain Engine Cut Off (@WeHaveMECO) | TwitterMain Engine Cut Off (@meco@spacey.space) - Spacey SpaceAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo) | TwitterAnthony Colangelo (@acolangelo@jawns.club) - jawns.club 🐘Off-Nominal MerchandiseOff-Nominal Logo TeeWeMartians Shop | MECO Shop

Dec 20, 2024 • 1h 4min
179 - Not Supposed to Poof (Presenting the 2024 Off-Nominees with Loren Grush)
Loren Grush, a Bloomberg reporter and space news specialist, joins the hosts to unveil the 2024 Off-Nominees. They explore whimsical stories from the year, including quirky lunar missions and unexpected media crazes. The conversation dives into chaotic rocket launches and reflects on the influence of billionaires in space ventures. With a mix of humor and absurdity, they share nostalgic anecdotes and engage in playful debates about the quirks and challenges of space exploration, making it a delightful listen for space enthusiasts.

Dec 12, 2024 • 60min
178 - Weirdest Midlife Crisis (with Tim Fernholz)
Tim Fernholz, a journalist and author focused on space policy, joins for a lively discussion. He breaks down the intriguing nomination of billionaire Jared Isaacman as NASA's administrator and explores how his corporate background could reshape the agency. The talk delves into the complex interplay between government and private space ventures, especially under the Biden administration. Finally, the conversation wraps up with a humorous look at the year's weirdest space stories, revealing the quirky side of space exploration.

Dec 6, 2024 • 1h
177 - Sudafed and Rockstars (with Matt Gialich)
Matt Gialich, Founder and CEO of AstroForge, dives into the exciting yet challenging world of asteroid mining. He discusses the innovative potential of extracting platinum and the humorous side of incorporating advertising in a space venture. The conversation also covers the technical hurdles of long-term missions and the ethical implications of space resources. Gialich emphasizes the need for regulatory frameworks and the societal impact of this new industry, making for a captivating exploration of the future of space exploration.

Nov 22, 2024 • 1h 3min
176 - Cosplaying the Shuttle (with Adrian Beil)
Adrian Beil, a member of NASASpaceFlight.com, shares his spaceflight expertise as he chats about recent developments in SpaceX's Starship Flight 6. The conversation dives into spacecraft landing trajectories and the challenges of engine relights in zero gravity. They engage in humorous banter about space launches and the perplexing love for banana imagery. Beil also sheds light on the technical hurdles in Starship's development and teases future innovations like asteroid mining, promising more thought-provoking discussions ahead.

Nov 15, 2024 • 60min
175 - Hijinks on the Moon
Join the hosts as they dive into the hilarious world of space nostalgia, focusing on the comedic moments of Apollo 12 and the chaotic Skylab missions. They explore quirky personal tales, creative brewing projects, and lighten the mood with whimsical space logistics comparisons. Speculative discussions also touch on alternate histories of space exploration and the absurdity of conspiracy theories surrounding Mars. With wit and charm, they reflect on the past while eagerly anticipating future missions!

Nov 8, 2024 • 60min
174 - Burning Bridges Together (with Eric Berger)
In this lively discussion, Eric Berger, Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica and author of "Reentry," delves into the intersection of politics and space exploration. He offers insights on how the potential return of Trump might reshape space policy and Musk's growing political influence. The conversation touches on NASA's evolving relationship with private ventures and the challenges posed by competing satellite operators. With a mix of humor and keen analysis, Berger and his hosts navigate the complexities of future space missions and regulations.

Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 1min
173 - A Bigger Diaper (with Scott “Kidd” Poteet)
Scott “Kidd” Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former Thunderbird pilot, shares thrilling insights from his mission as the pilot of Polaris Dawn. He delves into the emotional experience of spacewalks and breathtaking views of Earth, including magical moments like the Northern Lights. The discussion touches on the evolution of spacesuit technology, emphasizing collaboration for safety. Kidd also highlights the importance of inspiring future generations through educational outreach, blending humor with profound reflections on cosmic experiences.
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