STP193 - Tracking Stations and Delta Launches - with Dan Kovalchik

Space and Things

English - May 09, 2024 05:00 - 46 minutes - 85.8 MB - ★★★★★ - 40 ratings
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Previous Episode: STP192 - Talking About The Moon and Poetry with Christopher Cokinos

Next Episode: STP194 - Reconnaissance Satellites - Who, What and Why? - with Dwayne Day

Ever wondered what life might be like on a remote part of the world while tracking spacecraft and communicating with them? Ever considered the dangers of being in a blockhouse close to a rocket launch as it explodes? Well our guess this week has some stories for you. We speak to Dan Kovalchik who started working on tracking stations and eventually became the Systems Administrator for the Delta launches, a job he held for 21 years. He has a new book out called ‘Days of Delta Thunder’ so we caught up with him to have a chat.

Dan Kovalchik:

http://www.rangerat.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kovalchik-43311880/

Days of Delta Thunder:

https://www.amazon.com/Days-Delta-Thunder-Dan-Kovalchik-ebook/dp/B0D1SCJ8HN

Delta II Launch Failure: 1997

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTmb3Cqb2qw

Full show notes: https://spaceandthingspodcast.com/podcast/iipr8znurppofdacwh63nc5c87nidh

Show notes include links to all articles mentioned and full details of our guests and links to what caught our eye this week.

Image Credits: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs

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