Liftoff
302 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 131 ratingsLiftoff is a podcast about space, the universe, and everything. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand the major developments as explained by enthusiastic space fans Stephen Hackett and Jason Snell. Hosted by Jason Snell and Stephen Hackett.
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Episodes
171: Apollo 17
December 09, 2022 19:30 - 37 minutes - 52.3 MBIn 1972, the final lunar mission of the Apollo program took place, finally sending a geologist to study the moon up close.
170: It Flew
November 18, 2022 00:00 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBIn the early morning of November 16, the SLS launched for the very first time.
169: A Lot of Glory to be Bathed Within
July 29, 2022 20:30 - 38 minutes - 54 MBJason and Stephen pop open the hatch to marvel at the JWST's first images, talk about the SLS and wonder what is going on with Russia and the ISS.
168: Apollo 16
April 20, 2022 14:30 - 36 minutes - 51 MBIn April 1972, the crew of Apollo 16 spent 71 hours on the surface of the moon after a series of technical glitches put their landing in jeopardy. The second of three J-missions, the crew spent nearly three whole days on the surface and completed an EVA on the way home, returning one day earlier than initially planned.
167: Back in the VAB
April 19, 2022 23:30 - 30 minutes - 42.7 MBThe SLS has enjoyed some Florida sunshine but is headed back to the VAB for more work. This time, Stephen and Jason catch up on NASA's new rocket, plus some other news.
166: JWST and the Future of Liftoff
December 27, 2021 21:30 - 26 minutes - 37.5 MBOn this special episode, Stephen and Jason celebrate the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and talk about the future of the podcast. The short version is that we will no longer be publishing every other week. Moving forward, we'll be recording special episodes as major news warrants.
165: Forever Expanded in our Hearts
December 14, 2021 21:00 - 37 minutes - 52.5 MBDays away from (hopefully) the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, Stephen and Jason talk about the hype around the mission, as well as the latest with SLS and Starliner.
164: A Dashcam for a Space Probe
November 30, 2021 19:45 - 38 minutes - 54.4 MBThe future of the International Space Station is the topic of a new report, all while the SLS inches closer to its first launch. Also: DART is on its way to a celestial crash and a spacewalk has been delayed thanks to debris from the recent Russian ASAT test.
163: What Does it Look Like Under the Bus?
November 16, 2021 19:45 - 40 minutes - 56.5 MBArtemis' 2024 lunar landing is officially off the table. Russia has shot one of its own satellites down, leading to emergency procedures being carried out at the ISS. Yeah, not a great week in space.
162: Mixed-Use Business Park in Space
November 02, 2021 21:30 - 40 minutes - 57.1 MBIngenuity is flying faster than ever as JWST and SLS inch closer to launch. Then, a look at two different proposed commercial space stations.
161: Now It’s Very Much Precedented
October 19, 2021 21:00 - 39 minutes - 54.4 MBThis week, Jason preps a glass of ice water for Stephen and the two discuss recent Starliner updates, the future of the ISS and Lucy.
160: Hot Jupiters in Colorado
October 05, 2021 19:15 - 54 minutes - 75.6 MBThis week, there's news about cubesats, several commercial space programs and more. Then, a look at what is going on at Blue Origin.
159: Fun Stuff in Science
September 21, 2021 19:00 - 43 minutes - 60.5 MBNASA has published information about its work with AR, VR and getting sleepy while in a self-driving car. Jason and Stephen talk through the reports, then get into the breaking news of NASA's two new mission directorates.
158: A Bad Roommate
September 07, 2021 22:45 - 44 minutes - 62.8 MBIt's a real roller coaster this week, except for the Astra rocket that went ... sideway off the pad. Other stories include Inspiration4, the James Webb Space Telescope and dual-core stars.
157: It's in the Slushie Now
August 24, 2021 19:30 - 45 minutes - 63.9 MBBoeing is returning the Starliner capsule to the factory, while Cassini continues to teach us about Saturn from beyond the grave. Then, Stephen and Jason give good and bad news about Artemis.
156: You're Stealing My Rocks
August 10, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 89.1 MBJason and Stephen are back, catching up on the news. Topics include SLS flight computers, Starliner's continued struggles, the recent incident at the ISS and a lot more.
155: Apollo 15
July 27, 2021 23:15 - 1 hour - 88.2 MBAs the first J mission, Apollo 15 marked a new era of broader discovery and scientific work on the lunar surface. David Scott, Alfred M. Worden, James Irwin worked to further our understanding of the moon, and were the center of a bit of a scandal after splashdown.
154: 💼 🚀 💰 💸
July 16, 2021 21:30 - 44 minutes - 62.1 MBJason and Stephen check in on the Hubble's progress to return to normal operation and talk about Russia's upcoming ISS plans. Then, a discussion of billionaires in space and how the Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin missions are changing the world of space travel.
153: Hubble Trouble
July 01, 2021 21:30 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBJason and Stephen catch up with several commercial space companies before reviewing footage of Zhurong on Mars and talking about the issues currently plaguing the Hubble Space Telescope.
152: It's Under Our Control, with Dr. Ed Lu
June 15, 2021 21:30 - 42 minutes - 59 MBAfter catching up on a couple of present and future robotic missions, Stephen and Jason talk with former astronaut Dr. Ed Lu about his work at the B612 Foundation, which is focused on protecting Earth from large asteroid strikes.
151: Off to the Arctic Circle With You
June 01, 2021 19:30 - 42 minutes - 59.2 MBIt's budget time, and Stephen is here with the numbers. He and Jason are both excited about the final steps before the JWST launches. That, and a bunch of news updates this fortnight!
150: Worming It Up
May 18, 2021 19:00 - 40 minutes - 56 MBThis fortnight, Jason and Stephen catch up on what NASA's new administrator has been saying about the future of the agency, and China's actions in space, both near and far away.
149: $5,999,999,999.99
May 06, 2021 19:15 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBThere's a new boss at NASA, and he already has a mess to deal with in the contested Human Landing System contract with SpaceX, which is seeing success in Texas with Starship testing. Then, an update on Mars missions and a goodbye to Michael Collins.
148: Space Suits as a Service
April 19, 2021 19:45 - 48 minutes - 45.3 MBWith its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter's first flight compete, NASA has made history, opening the door to missions beyond landers and rovers. Also: what SpaceX's Human Landing System contract means for the SLS and the future of NASA leadership.
147: Astronaut To Be Named Later
April 08, 2021 21:15 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBThis fortnight, Jason and Stephen discuss traffic management at the International Space Station, upgrades to KSC's ground systems in preparation for SLS and the instruments that will fly with Europa Clipper.
146: Reverse Origami
March 23, 2021 19:15 - 57 minutes - 53.7 MBThe SLS has completed a full-length hot fire test and NASA is on the verge of having a new administrator, all while SpaceX continue to move ahead with its Starship testing.
145: Sad Mole
March 09, 2021 19:45 - 41 minutes - 39 MBMarch is here, and it brings with it a lot of space news. On Mars, Perseverance is busy with a lot of firsts, even as Insight says goodbye to an old friend. In Texas, SpaceX keeps churning out test vehicles as the SLS program readies for a second hot fire test. Elsewhere, China and Russia join forces to build a lunar space station.
144: Elon Being Elon and the Early Days of SpaceX, with Eric Berger
February 23, 2021 20:30 - 52 minutes - 49.4 MBJason and Stephen are joined by Eric Berger to discuss his new book *Liftoff,* which covers the origins of SpaceX. Eric is the Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica and the book comes out on March 2. The guys also discussed the landing of Perseverance, the Starship test flights and who may be the next NASA Administrator.
143: The Perseverance Landing and "For All Mankind" with Ron Moore
February 19, 2021 02:30 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBOn this bonus episode, Jason and Stephen speak with Ron Moore, co-creator, writer and producer of *For All Mankind.* Topics covered include the challenges writing for a parallel timeline and a bit about episode 1 of the new season after a spoiler warning is given.
142: Not To Sound Like a Parent, But...
February 11, 2021 22:00 - 55 minutes - 51.5 MBJason and Stephen are getting back to the news, and talk about Alan Shepard's golf balls, the state of NASA's programs under the Biden administration and what NASA would do if the SLS program were ended. Lastly, they discuss the upcoming Inspiration4 mission.
141: Apollo 14
January 26, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBLess than a year after the disastrous Apollo 13 mission, the program returned to flight when Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa and Edgar Mitchell landed on the moon in February, 1971.
140: The End of the Year Means Next Year
January 12, 2021 20:15 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBJason and Stephen start 2021 by picking some things they are looking forward to in what promises to be a very busy year in space.
139: Space Omelets
December 15, 2020 20:45 - 50 minutes - 47.2 MBYou get a sample return; you get a sample return; you get a sample return! In other news: SN8 had a rough landing, SpaceIL is getting back on the horse and NASA has unveiled more Artemis plans.
138: A Great Acronym, but it's in Russian
December 01, 2020 20:45 - 33 minutes - 31.4 MBThe world is mourning the uncontrolled collapse of the Arecibo observatory, even as China's Chang’e-5 mission is underway to return lunar samples to Earth, which would be a first since the final Apollo mission. Also: an update on the SLS and Orion and a look at what's going on at Roscosmos.
137: Delicate Dance of Docking
November 17, 2020 19:45 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBCommercial Crew has gotten official with the launch of Crew-1 over the weekend, the start of a six-month expedition on the International Space Station. That and the possibilities of Jim Bridenstine's future. Oh, and kilonovas!
136: Don’t Tell the Boss
November 03, 2020 19:45 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBZac Hall from Space Explored and 9to5Mac joins Jason to discuss the post-election future of NASA (and administrator Jim Bridenstine), the 20th anniversary of the permanent habitation of the International Space Station, a bunch of news about the moon, and OSIRIS-REx taking a bite out of Bennu.
135: Space is Full of Rocks
October 20, 2020 18:45 - 36 minutes - 34.3 MBStephen comes with good news about InSight's Mole, and Jason says there probably aren't aliens on Venus. Also: OSIRIS-REx is due for a big day and the space industry in China is heating up.
134: My Response to Existential Terror, with Dr. Katie Mack
October 06, 2020 19:30 - 45 minutes - 42 MBJason and Stephen are joined by Dr. Katie Mack to discuss her book *The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking).*
133: The World’s Most Expensive WeWork
September 22, 2020 21:00 - 1 hour - 56.5 MBThe recent announcement of phosphine being detected in Venus' atmosphere could have a major effect on future scientific missions, so Jason is excited about space blimps again. Then, Stephen walks through NASA's most recent Artemis roadmap, and the guys discuss what the future of the program could look like if the White House changes hands next year.
132: In the Shadow of Artemis
September 08, 2020 19:00 - 50 minutes - 47.3 MBIn the Utah desert, Northrop Grumman has tested a full-sized SLS SRB, while the future of work in low-Earth orbit is being debated. On Mars, InSight's troubles continue and 17 billion light years-away, two black holes have collided.
131: Windex for Rockets
August 25, 2020 18:45 - 45 minutes - 42 MBIt's a busy week on Florida's Space Coast, and supernovas are in the news. Thankfully the two won't cross paths. Neither will Earth and an asteroid the day before Election Day in the United States.
130: A Salted Almond in Space
August 11, 2020 20:30 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBBob Behnken and Doug Hurley have splashed down after their historic mission to the ISS, and SpaceX's finally gotten a Starship test article to hop in Texas and the OSIRIS-REx team is gearing up for their sample return flight. Also: Ceres' bright spots, government contracts and an update on the SLS.
Liftoff 129: Dirt in a Soccer Ball
July 28, 2020 19:15 - 38 minutes - 35.8 MBMars 2020 is set to launch in just a few days, and should be followed by the splashdown of the Commercial Crew Demo-2 mission. Elsewhere, Virgin Galactic has shown off the interior of its space tourism craft, and we remember Rene Carpenter.
129: Dirt in a Soccer Ball
July 28, 2020 19:15 - 38 minutes - 35.8 MBMars 2020 is set to launch in just a few days, and should be followed by the splashdown of the Commercial Crew Demo-2 mission. Elsewhere, Virgin Galactic has shown off the interior of its space tourism craft, and we remember Rene Carpenter.
Liftoff 128: Summer of Mars
July 14, 2020 20:15 - 52 minutes - 48.9 MBThere are three missions bound for Mars launching this month, and Jason walks through them each. Then, Stephen gives a NASA budget update and the two get into some space law ... and guidelines.
128: Summer of Mars
July 14, 2020 20:15 - 52 minutes - 48.9 MBThere are three missions bound for Mars launching this month, and Jason walks through them each. Then, Stephen gives a NASA budget update and the two get into some space law ... and guidelines.
127: Wormy Space Coin
June 30, 2020 20:45 - 46 minutes - 43.5 MBThis week: black holes doing weird black hole things, a progress report on the SLS and a discussion of how some of NASA's facilities should be renamed.
Liftoff 127: Wormy Space Coin
June 30, 2020 20:45 - 46 minutes - 43.5 MBThis week: black holes doing weird black hole things, a progress report on the SLS and a discussion of how some of NASA's facilities should be renamed.
126: Astronauts are Really Good at Moving
June 15, 2020 17:00 - 40 minutes - 37.7 MBThe crew of Demo-2 are likely working on orbit until August, while here on the ground, COVID-19 is taking its toll on NASA schedules. Also: a conversation about CLPS and Gateway, as well as NASA's new Director of Human Spaceflight, Kathy Lueders.
Liftoff 126: Astronauts are Really Good at Moving
June 15, 2020 17:00 - 40 minutes - 37.7 MBThe crew of Demo-2 are likely working on orbit until August, while here on the ground, COVID-19 is taking its toll on NASA schedules. Also: a conversation about CLPS and Gateway, as well as NASA's new Director of Human Spaceflight, Kathy Lueders.