NASA is developing the Roman Space Telescope to search for exoplanets, create vast maps of the universe, and learn more about dark matter and dark energy. In September 2024, Dr. Lucas Paganini, deputy program executive for the Roman Space Telescope, was a guest on the Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast, discussing the challenges and rewards of keeping a large, high-profile project moving forward. Credit: NASA
Podcast highlights the work of NASA’s technical workforce.
The Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast reached a milestone this month, beginning its seventh year with an episode about NASA’s ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) Pilot Excavator, a groundbreaking robotic system that combines the functions of a bulldozer and a dump truck to efficiently mine and transport lunar regolith—the loose, rocky material on the Moon’s surface—for the extraction of vital resources, such as hydrogen, oxygen, and water ice.
Podcast host Andrés Almeida was joined by Jason Schuler, IPEx project manager and principal investigator and Drew Smith, IPEx lead design engineer, to discuss the robotic excavator, which is designed to unearth lunar regolith and extract oxygen to support astronauts on the Moon and possibly fuel a future mission to Mars.
“…One of the goals of doing excavation is that you can then extract resources from the regolith, that surface material at your destination. And in the case of the Moon, one of those resources is oxygen,” Schuler said. “There’s 40 percent oxygen in the regolith on the surface of the Moon. …If you heat the regolith up, you can break the chemical bonds between the oxygen and the minerals that it’s … bound to, and you can then store that oxygen and use it as propellant for your rocket.”
The Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast album cover.
Credit: NASA APPEL KS
APPEL KS debuted the Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast in December 2018 as a new way to highlight the fascinating work of NASA’s technical workforce. The title echoes the iconic words Neil Armstrong spoke as he became the first human to step onto the surface of the Moon and was chosen to emphasize how small steps by individuals in NASA’s technical workforce contribute to giant leaps forward in knowledge, innovation, science, and exploration. The biweekly podcast features interviews and stories that take listeners inside NASA projects, highlighting lessons learned, best practices, and novel ideas from the teams who are advancing space exploration, aeronautics, and Earth sciences.
“NASA’s talented, dedicated workforce approaches the most complex questions in science with an incredible drive and perseverance, engineering innovative technologies that not only unlock the mysteries of our planet, our solar system, and the universe, but also improve life on Earth,” said Steve Angelillo, Deputy Director of APPEL Knowledge Services.
“The Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast is a success because we share the incredible journeys and achievements of NASA’s technical workforce, celebrating their contributions and inspiring the next generation,” Angelillo said.
Podcast episodes in 2024 covered the broad spectrum of NASA’s efforts to explore space, understand the Universe, advance aeronautics, and improve life on Earth. Guests discussed everything from Artificial Intelligence to Space Gardening, to the Internet of Animals, to Open Science.
Episode 126 focused on Gateway, a small space station NASA is developing to orbit at the Moon. Gateway will support astronauts in establishing a long-term human presence at the Moon. Mark Wiese, the logistics lead for Gateway, explained to listeners the challenges of ensuring the station will be stocked with essential cargo, equipment, and supplies for Artemis astronauts. Gateway will act as a critical staging point for scientific research, technology testing, and lunar surface missions.
Concept image showing Orion approaching the Gateway. Credit: NASA
“So, that’s what we’re setting Gateway up to be—that small lunar outpost that really helps enable us to start thinking about exploring across the entire solar system. From a supply chain [perspective] … the ambition of Artemis was a big challenge,” Wiese said.
In September, Dr. Lucas Paganini joined Almeida to discuss the Roman Space Telescope, which NASA is developing to search for exoplanets, create vast maps of the universe, and learn more about dark matter and dark energy. Little is known about dark matter and dark energy, but they exert significant effects on the Universe and account for the vast majority of all matter and energy.
Paganini, deputy program executive for the telescope, discussed the challenges of keeping a large, high-profile project such as this moving forward.
“…Successful project management on a mission like Roman requires, I think, a blend of technical expertise, science, understanding and strong communication…,” Paganini said. “And it’s very important to define clear milestones, have regular check-ins and a culture of collaboration. I think those are vital, and flexibility is also crucial. Space missions often face unexpected challenges, and the ability to adapt while keeping the team focused on the end goal is key.”
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter is viewed here through the Remote Microscopic Imager (RMI) camera, part of the SuperCam instrument aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover. This image was taken on May 14, 2021, the 82nd Martian day, or sol, of the mission.
Photo Credit: NASA/JPL
In May, Teddy Tzanetos, Project Manager for NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, joined Almeida to discuss the challenges and successes of guiding what was originally designed as a five-flight technology demonstration. The episode highlights the technical and operational lessons learned throughout Ingenuity’s extended mission, including adapting to harsh conditions on Mars.
“I hope that the legacy of Ingenuity does not just stop at a flight log, a set of statistics, scoreboard of flights and kilometers flown and things like that. But I hope—and the team is working very hard to ensure—that Ingenuity’s legacy carries beyond that and has an impact when it comes to the development of future projects,” Tzanetos said.
“For current project managers and future project managers that may be listening, I ask that you are willing to take a look at some of the things that the Ingenuity team was able to accomplish when it comes to taking risks, and trying out new processes…,” he added. “Don’t be afraid to push the envelope. There is value on the other side of that, on the other side of that risk trade. And it could be the value that the team needs to get the job done.”
Almeida said the podcast provides a unique showcase for the inspiring stories of NASA’s technical workforce.
“It’s the people who propel NASA to new heights and Small Steps, Giant Leaps highlights their lives and work,” Almeida said. “As we get closer to landing humans on the Moon once again with Artemis and unraveling more mysteries of the universe, we will continue to highlight the dedication and perseverance of those behind NASA’s missions and discoveries.”
Small Steps, Giant Leaps is one of four agency podcasts covering a wide range of topics including black holes, deep space missions, and in-depth conversations with NASA astronauts, scientists, and engineers. You can find them all at nasa.gov/podcasts. To explore all 144 episodes of Small Steps, Giant Leaps, visit the APPEL KS podcast page, NASA’s podcast page, or your favorite podcast platform.
