Graphic showing thousands of yellow dots around Earth. The dots represent orbital debris.

EPISODE 132: ORBITAL DEBRIS: REDUCING RISK WITH COST-EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES

A new NASA report titled “Cost and Benefit Analysis of Mitigating, Tracking, and Remediating Orbital Debris” compares the cost-effectiveness of several strategies that could reduce the risk of collisions between spacecraft, including the space station, and orbital debris.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps

Tap into the experiences of NASA’s technical workforce as they develop missions to explore distant worlds—from the Moon to Mars, from Titan to Psyche. Learn how they advance technology to make aviation on Earth faster, quieter and more fuel efficient. Each biweekly episode celebrates program and project managers, engineers, scientists and thought leaders working on multiple fronts to advance aeronautics and space exploration in a bold new era of discovery. New episodes are released bi-weekly on Wednesdays.

Have a suggestion for a future episode?

An artist’s concept design of NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle. Two astronauts ride aboard this imagined version. Its lights are on. Credit: NASA

EPISODE 131: THE ARTEMIS LUNAR TERRAIN VEHICLE

Jun 12, 2024 | Transcript | 24:31

In this episode, Jacob Bleacher, NASA's chief exploration scientist, tells us about the science goals of the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle and how NASA is collaborating with industry to explore more of the Moon's surface than ever before. Read More

Ingenuity sits on Mars. It resembles a small box with four landing legs and rotors on top. The terrain is brownish-red with scattered pebbles and rocks.

EPISODE 130: INGENUITY’S FINAL FLIGHT: LESSONS LEARNED

May 29, 2024 | Transcript | 28:09

In this episode, Teddy Tzanetos, project manager for the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, tells us about what we’re still learning from Ingenuity’s final flight and how risk management can be used for opportunities. Read More

EPISODE 129: ACCELERATING DISCOVERIES WITH OPEN SCIENCE

May 08, 2024 | Transcript | 21:07

In this episode, Dr. Chelle Gentemann, Open Science Program Scientist for the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer, explains NASA’s initiative to make science more collaborative, accessible, and inclusive. Known as Transform to Open Science, or TOPS, the program encourages increased access to research and data. Read More

NASA has been discussing potential partnership opportunities with Bigelow for its inflatable habitat technologies as part of NASA's goal to develop innovative technologies to ensure that the U.S. remains competitive in future space endeavors. Photo Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

EPISODE 128: ENGINEERING INFLATABLE STRUCTURES FOR SPACE

Apr 24, 2024 | Transcript | 26:09

How inflatable habitats moved from concept papers to the International Space Station, and what NASA is doing to eventually put one on the Moon. Read More

Left to right: Tiffany Smith NASA Chief Knowledge Officer, Charles Hunt from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Akosua A. Taylor CPMO support (detail), Adrienne Ross CPMO Executive Assistant, Ellen Stigberg CPMO support, Justin Hornback CPMO support (detail), Kevin Gilligan CPMO support, and Chief Program Management Officer (CPMO) Dave Mitchell. Not Pictured: Tracy Osborne OCE support, Mary Skow OSMA support. Credit: NASA

EPISODE 127: CHIEF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Apr 03, 2024 | Transcript | 34:55

Dave Mitchell brings extensive experience as an engineer and project manager to a new position leading a small team with the broad mandate of improving acquisitions and program and project management across NASA. Read More

EPISODE 126: GATEWAY: THE LOGISTICS OF AN OUTPOST AT THE MOON

Mar 20, 2024 | Transcript | 24:07

In this episode we’ll focus on Gateway, a small space station NASA is developing to place in orbit at the Moon. We’ll speak with Mark Wiese, who leads the team that will ensure Gateway will receive the cargo, equipment, and supplies it needs to support Artemis astronauts. Read More

Artemis I artist's concept - returning home. Credit: NASA/Liam Yanulis

EPISODE 125: CAPSTONE PROJECT: ARTEMIS I LESSONS LEARNED

Mar 06, 2024 | Transcript | 27:13

Janet Karika, who retired recently from NASA after 43 years in the aerospace industry, shares career highlights and her approach to leading the Artemis I Lessons Learned process. Read More

Seen here at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and developed with the same 6061-RAM2 aluminum material used under the RAMFIRE project (Reactive Additive Manufacturing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution), is a vacuum jacket manufacturing demonstrator tank. The component, made for cryogenic fluid application, is designed with a series of integral cooling channels that have a wall thickness of about 0.06 inches. Photo Credit: NASA

EPISODE 124: THE GAME-CHANGING POTENTIAL OF IN-SPACE MANUFACTURING

Feb 21, 2024 | Transcript | 24:46

Dive deep into the world of in-space manufacturing (ISM) with our guest, Zach Courtright, the In-Space Manufacturing Portfolio Manager at NASA. Zach shares his perspectives on cutting-edge advancements and collaborations in the field and the potential of the technology for game-changing impacts on space exploration and resource utilization. Read More

Aerospace Engineer, Daniel Senai, inspects the completed Ocean Color Instrument Solar Calibration Assembly (SCA) Life Test Unit mechanism. Credit: Henry, Dennis (Denny)

EPISODE 123: EXAMINING EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE WITH NASA’S PACE MISSION

Feb 07, 2024 | Transcript | 24:42

Today, we look at NASA’s PACE mission, which seeks to unravel some of the mysteries of Earth’s atmosphere and the vital role played by aerosols and clouds. Join us as we delve into this fascinating journey with atmospheric scientist Dr. Kirk Knobelspiesse. Read More

INSIGHT

Subscribe to INSIGHT