On STS-97 the Space Shuttle is delivering its heaviest ISS payload yet: the P6 truss. We’ll climb high above the payload bay, consider some strange analogies, and both slack off and tense up. Most of that will make sense once you listen. Also, please note that this episode has a couple of small audio clicks that I wasn’t able to remove. So it’s not your equipment, it’s my audio. Most of you won’t notice but I still wanted to mention something for those who do! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep190_sts-97 The Space Above Us website: https://thespaceabove.us Support the show: https://thespaceabove.us/donate TSAU Patreon: https://patreon.com/thespaceabove.us

After a long wait for the crew (and audience!) STS-92 is finally here. We'll be delivering the heart of the ISS external structure, the Z1 truss, as well as a new docking port, PMA-3. Along the way we'll learn a bit about the folks on the ground who make this all possible, walk through four complicated EVAs, see something no one's seen since 1967, and put our plumber's hats on. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep189_sts-92 https://thespaceabove.us https://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs

On STS-106, we finally get to meet Zvezda, the Russian service module for the International Space Station. We also meet some new faces, decrypt some mission designations, move a bunch of equipment, and perform an EVA that may or may not be a milestone. Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep188_sts-106/ https://thespaceabove.us https://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs

I think we can all agree that social media (and anything approaching it) was a mistake, but sometimes the internet decides to throw you a bone and you meet a NASA flight surgeon on Reddit. After some friendly chatting via email, Dr. Kim Broadwell was gracious enough to speak to me on the podcast. Let’s hear what he has to say! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep187_interview_dr_kim_broadwell/ https://thespaceabove.us https://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs  

On STS-101 we’ve got a slick new cockpit to show off, a pile of launch delays, a ton or two of new equipment and supplies and some floppy disks in the payload bay. Let’s head back to the ISS! Show notes: https://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep186_sts-101/ https://thespaceabove.us https://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs

On STS-99 we’ll be studying the Earth in a whole new dimension, using fancy radar tricks to scan nearly the entire planet in 3D! Close and lock your visors and put on your 3D glasses now! Show notes: http://thespaceabove.us/episodes/ep185_sts-99/ http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

The Hubble Space Telescope couldn't wait until the year 2000 for a visit, while the Space Shuttle's computers couldn't handle the year 2000 at all. With the clock ticking, will the crew of STS-103 be able to save the new year for scientists everywhere? http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-93 we’ve got a ton of stuff to do in a mission lasting less than five days. We’ll break another glass barrier, we’ll put the redundancy of the Space Shuttle Main Engines to the test, and we’ll explore the universe in a whole new part of the spectrum. Buckle up, it’s a heck of a flight. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On the first resupply mission to the ISS we've got tons of stuff to transfer, a disco ball to deploy, and a surprising number of quotations from Dan Barry! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

The ISS era is upon us! Let's learn about Zarya, the first module of the International Space Station, and bring it a buddy: Unity! With a Russian and an American module flying, the ISS will be born. In this episode we'll wonder why it's too quiet, why the wires are on the outside, and which teams were playing down in South America! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-95 we've got the return of SPARTAN, the return of SPACEHAB, and the return of.. John Glenn! Let's do some science and learn how the 77 year old former astronaut found himself once again whizzing around in orbit. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

We take a look back at the Shuttle-Mir program, including a whirlwind tour of all seven long duration missions and a glimpse into Mir's ultimate fate.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-91 we'll try out a new external tank, learn a little physics, and find out what Mir upper management thinks about the state of the space station. Oh, we'll also bring Andy Thomas home and wave farewell to Mir forever. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

We take a brief break from space to consider some valuable life lessons.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-90 we've got a Spacelab full of nervous system experiments, we'll play a little catch, and we'll wonder where NASA got 2000 crickets.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Andy Thomas is watching Space Shuttle Endeavour fade into the distance and is ready to get to work. His four month stay on Mir would close out the American presence on the Russian space station. We also wonder what that burning smell is, do a bunch of EVAs, and wave farewell to "Ol' Stinky"   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Dave Wolf is ready to come home, which is good because Andy Thomas is ready to become the last NASA astronaut to live on Mir. So put on some nice headphones, pull up a chair next to the aquarium window, and relax with some spaceflight history as we kick off 1998! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-87 we've got a bunch of material science in the payload bay, a free-flying satellite, a camera that fell out of Star Wars, and 645,500 friends! We also get to the bottom of a significant mishap. Here's the link to that AERCam video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtmQyAifHj0 http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Dave Wolf's stint on Mir is going pretty smoothly, but when he performs his first EVA we find cause to go on a mini deep dive into the history of the station's airlock. That's definitely not ominous, right? http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

After much back and forth on the ground, it has been decided that Dave Wolf will remain on Mir for his full mission. So what does he do while he's up there? And who's that in the window?? http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Dave Wolf didn't think he was going to Mir for another six months, but when Russia decides Wendy Lawrence is too short, schedules change. Though if Congress has anything to say about it, Wolf might not be going anywhere after all. Also, "MEEP!" http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

It's Kent Rominger's birthday, so what better way to celebrate than launching into space? Along the way we'll send CRISTA-SPAS out for one last adventure, try out a Japanese robot arm, take pictures of comets, and try to avoid Blue Screens of Death. By the way, I did hit a BSOD while editing the episode, but luckily no data was lost! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

The crew, payload, and orbiter of STS-94 all have unfinished business in low earth orbit thanks to a busted fuel cell on STS-83. Let's kick the tires, light the fires, and then light around 200 more fires, but carefully. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Spektr has been sealed off from the rest of Mir and the station's attitude is back under control, but there's still a lot of work left to do. Can the crew regain access to Spektr's solar panels? What happens to laptops left in a vacuum? And who knew that you actually should bring a knife to a space fight! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Mike Foale is replacing Jerry Linenger on Mir for NASA's next long duration mission on the Russian space station. After the raging fire and near-collision by a Progress resupply ship on NASA-4, surely things will settle down for a while on NASA-5.. right? http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

It turns out the NASA-5 episode was taking a little more time than I anticipated, can't imagine why. But since I'll be on vacation next week, I would have had to slip by TWO weeks. Rather than leave you all hanging, I have a story about my second rocket launch, along with a little review of early SpaceX history. Plus a trip to Waffle House! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-84 we'll deliver Mike Foale to Mir, bring Jerry Linenger back to Earth, wonder how much Elektron really weighs, enjoy the music in the base block, and contemplate the mystical powers of a shouting Marine. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs  

The crew of STS-83 is gearing up for a 16 day flight aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. With Spacelab packed full of materials science experiments, everything seemed ready to go.. so why did the flight end up only being four days long? http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-82 we've got another ground-up rendezvous on our hands. But instead of flying to Mir, we'll be visiting our old friend the Hubble Space Telescope. It's been a few years since STS-61 fixed its optical flaw, and it's due for an upgrade! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

We've still got half of Jerry Linenger's mission on Mir to cover, and while there aren't any fires, it's just as action packed! We've got near-misses, secret contraband, and a history-making EVA. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Jerry Linenger's long duration mission on Mir was so jam-packed that I had to break it up into two parts! In Part 1, we'll heed some lessons from John Blaha, learn where to find extra photographic film, and light some candles during dinner. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-81 we'll deliver Jerry Linenger to his new home for the next few months, return John Blaha to Earth, and transfer a few tons of equipment while we're at it. Along the way we'll go for a run, admire a previous crew's DIY fix, and toss some meat and cheese around the Mir base block. Just don't get lost on the way from the orbiter! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

We've seen him fly on STS-59, STS-68, and STS-80.. and now we'll see him on The Space Above Us! Astronaut Tom Jones joins us and answers a bunch of questions ranging from stopwatches, travel strategies, and pranks on John Young. Thanks again to Tom Jones for speaking with me. Go check out his website and buy his excellent books! www.astronauttomjones.com http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

STS-80 is jam packed with everything the shuttle program has to offer, which makes sense since it's the longest flight of the entire program! We've got two free-flying payloads, a troublesome EVA, and a reentry to remember.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

John Blaha is settling in for his four month stay on Mir. Science experiments, clattering fans, limited communications, 14 hour days, and the first ever NASA in-space handover await. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Shannon Lucid has been waiting for her ride home and John Blaha is ready to swap in as America's next long duration spacefarer. We'll also fix our SRBs, try to heat up some metal, and enjoy some barbecue in Atlantis. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On this flight we'll be setting new duration records, studying the muscles of the crew, and waking up to some on-theme music. Let's just hope there's enough fuel to make it to orbit! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-77, we've got one of the strangest shuttle payloads I've ever seen, a satellite that's passively stabilized by aerodynamic forces (mostly), a bunch of SPACEHAB experiments, and a blast from the past. Also, here's that deployment video of IAE that I recommend looking up.. wait until you hear about it first! https://youtu.be/adatQ59j6sc?t=1485 http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs Errata: In the outro I mention how I'm not familiar with any passively stabilized spacecraft. This neglects the entire category of spinners, which is kind of their whole point. But I was thinking of "passively stabilized by aerodynamic forces" and just didn't use my words.

Astronaut Dan Tani joins us once again and talks about what the astronaut interview process was like, what day to day life was like before being assigned to a mission, wearing the "astronaut suit", what makes a good team, and some sage advice from John Young.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Shannon Lucid is ready to become the second American to perform a long duration aboard the Russian space station Mir. All she'll need to do is survive Russian language class, memorize a few bolt names, and find her missing shoe. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs   Errata: I said that Usachov was selected as an astronaut, when clearly he was selected as an astronaut.

On STS-76, the space shuttle will finally shuttle someone to space! Plus the first American EVA outside a space station in 22 years, antics in the SPACEHAB tunnel, and thoughts about 1996 web design. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-75 we'll take another try at the Tethered Satellite System. It didn't work so great on STS-46, but with much of the same crew and a little luck, maybe it will go better. Also on this flight, starting fires in space, and disembodied consciousnesses. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

After checking in with it for years, Galileo has finally arrived at Jupiter. For the 150th episode of The Space Above Us, let's find out what the Galileo orbiter and probe did while they were out there and why it was worth the wait. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

I'm taking my first break this week! So instead of an episode, I tell the tale of my first rocket launch, what it's like, and what you can do to make yours even better.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On Endeavour's tenth flight, we're somehow going to deploy one satellite, but pick up two! Plus more EVA development, zero-gravity karate, and a farewell to a frequent flyer.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

We've docked at Mir before, but moving the Kristall module around is such a hassle. What if we could just make it a little longer so the shuttle could dock with it in its usual location? Also, please don't keep your ice cream next to the blood and urine samples.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Columbia is back from the shop and is sporting some new upgrades, but seems reluctant to leave Earth on its 18th voyage. Once on orbit, we'll do some science, learn why TV is good, and perform some magic tricks!   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Endeavour is back on the launch pad with two payloads to both deploy and retrieve. One of those payloads looks a whole lot like a gigantic frisbee, something that would be sure to get the attention of any dog (or dog crew) nearby.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-70 it's time to complete the TRDSS constellation! Or at least the first generation. We'll also resist putting fish eggs on crackers, buy some decoy owls, and wonder why so many people from Ohio are trying to escape Earth.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Norm Thagard is about to become America's first Cosmonaut. What challenges will he encounter during his four months on the Russian space station Mir? And why are they bringing so much juice?   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

Twenty years after the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, four years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and around a hundred days after the launch of Norm Thagard, it's time to finally see a space shuttle dock with Mir.   http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

ASTRO-1 was a huge success, shining new light (more or less literally) on the universe with its ultraviolet observatory. But that was almost 30 flights ago. It's time for the new and improved ASTRO-2 to see what's out there. We'll also answer that question I'm sure everyone was wondering: which moon is ugliest? http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

After all this talk about the Russian space station Mir, how about we take a close up look for ourselves? A REALLY close look. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs http://patreon.com/TheSpaceAboveUs

On STS-66 we welcome Atlantis back from its long maintenance period, further probe the upper atmosphere, test out a new rendezvous technique, and discover what is perhaps the worst payload name of all time. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs    

No, it's not a glitch in the Matrix, we're flying the same experiment on the same shuttle! Don't worry, we still find plenty to say. Oh, and Jupiter's about to explode, so that's pretty cool. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs

Space Shuttle Discovery is all loaded up with a grab bag of shuttle program favorites. Rendezvous, tech demonstrations, even an untethered EVA! Just be careful for the ghosts in the bathroom.. http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs

Space Shuttle Columbia is flying for the 17th time, carrying the International Microgravity Laboratory 2 payload. With fish, newts, and bubbles, it sounds more like a witch's brew than an advanced research laboratory. But don't let vague descriptions fool you! Also, who can leap long Spacelabs in a single bound? None other than IML Man, of course! http://thespaceabove.us http://twitter.com/SpaceAboveUs   Errata: Around 4:48 I say "[...] sitting behind the Pilot on the middeck [...]" when, of course, the Pilot sits on the flight deck. Got myself all mixed up with MS1/MS3 out of position.

We've got a giant radar in the payload bay, bubbles in the water, and we're ready to learn about somebody's favorite type of lizard. It's time for STS-59!   Errata: Around two minutes into the episode I use the term "frequency" multiple times when "wavelength" is correct. Really, since the wavelength is just the speed of light divided by the frequency if you know one you know the other, but still, I used the wrong term.

Space Shuttle Columbia has been packed full of so many experiments you might think there are two different payloads back there.. and you'd be right! Let's learn about fake-metal dendrites, how to stop the orbiter from glowing, and why the NASA ground crews think Pierre Thuot smells like garbage.

Look out! There's a Russian on the space shuttle! Oh, we invited him? Well alright then.

The Hubble Space Telescope is in trouble. With the future of the orbiting observatory, and perhaps NASA itself, on the line, can the crew of STS-61 save the day?

With STS-61 ready to execute the first servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, let's learn about the overall structure of the observatory, what the flaw with its mirror was, and how that flaw came to be.

Columbia is on the launchpad and we've got a whole bunch of life science to get through. And just when you thought it was safe to drop the word "otolith" from your vocabulary.

We've got a packed flight with an advanced communciation satellite, a new kick stage, the return of SPAS, an EVA and a sassy air traffic controller.

In this episode, rather than hearing me talk about STS-51, we talk to someone who worked on its primary payload: astronaut Dan Tani! We also chat a bit about some government job he had down in Houston.

Space Shuttle Endeavour is here with STS-57, which brings us a little piece of much of what the shuttle program has to offer. Satellite captures, EVAs, technology demonstrations, commercial space stuff, mysterious loud booming noises.. wait, mysterious loud booming noises?

Germany is back together and back in orbit with their second shuttle flight, the D-2 Spacelab mission. I wonder what sort of science they have in store for us? We also wonder who's squeezing the bag under the middeck.

ATLAS is back in the payload bay for round two of the ongoing series of Earth observation missions. And TAGS gets some competition!

TDRS-F needs a ride to orbit, NASA needs more EVA experience, and we all need to figure out what's up with soft x-rays. Good thing Endeavour's on the pad for its third flight!

STS-53 is here and with it we've got a secret satellite, a fictional hot tub, and a space shuttle full of dogs. I promise that sentence will make sense at the end of the episode.

Space Shuttle Columbia has a disco ball, a container full of helium, and some cool glowing lights outside. Are we sure this isn't a party?

What do you get when you mix four frogs, one hundred and eighty hornets, two carp, and a crew of seven astronauts? STS-47, the 50th Space Shuttle mission!

Space Shuttle Atlantis has 20 kilometers of tether in the backseat.. but does it know how to use it?

Columbia is hauling the US Microgravity Laboratory for almost two weeks, and Commander Richards wishes his wife left her cell phone on.

Space Shuttle Endeavour flies for the first time. But if we're going to capture this satellite, we're going to need all hands on deck. Or on payload bay.

Before diving into the next mission, we take a quick detour to introduce a bunch of spacefarers, including one who will fly twenty-five times. We'll also learn a bit about why the next mission was necessary in the first place.

Atlantis is getting ready to fire photon torpedoes at Planet Earth! Well.. sort of.

Space Shuttle Discovery is packed with so much science it's practically bursting at the seams, but don't forget to take some time to look out the window!

For a simple IUS-based deploy mission, I sure found a lot to say about this mission! We've got nuclear bombs, caterpillar men, pranks, and multiple near-collisions in the air and in space.

Discovery has the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite in the payload bay, and it's ready to learn all about the stratosphere and mesosphere! This episode was originally going to have a story about the mission commander trying to ski in space but I ran out of time!

TDRS-E needs a ride to space, John Blaha is in command, and the middeck is full of science experiments.

It seems like this human spaceflight thing might be here to stay, so we better do some life sciences experiments and learn more about the impact of microgravity on the human body. Also, Space Shuttle Columbia carries more jellyfish into space than it ever has before.

Discovery has a payload bay full of multi-spectral instruments and is ready to perform an orbital ballet.

Atlantis has one heavy satellite to deploy, and the EVA crew has to evaluate some strange exercise devices in the payload bay. Sort of.

Columbia has a tricky time getting off the launchpad, but once it does, it performs some fancy astronomy that can only be done in space!

STS-38 seems to be a run of the mill classified mission at first.. until someone discovers something flashing in GEO.

Ulysses has a long journey ahead of it, and it all starts on Space Shuttle Discovery and STS-41!

The Hubble Space Telescope is finally here and it's about to rewrite the textbooks. If we can just get it to clear the payload bay in one piece.

Atlantis has something in its payload bay.. what it could be is anyone's guess!

The Long Duration Exposure Facility has been waiting for its ride home for a while. Let's go catch it before it becomes the Short Duration Exposure to Reentry Conditions Facility.

We end up with a shorter episode thanks to another classified flight. But if you need a sweet new PC, I think Huey can hook you up.

Atlantis is back on the launchpad and has another interplanetary mission in its payload bay! Galileo is headed to Jupiter! Please set aside 110 days to download this episode.

Columbia is back in the flight rotation with a mysterious spacecraft in the payload bay and a mysterious experiment in the middeck!

The Space Above Us has reached 100 episodes! Let's take a break from space, spaceflight history, NASA, Project Mercury, the X-15, Project Gemini, the Apollo Program, Skylab, and the Space Shuttle, and answer some audience questions! That previous sentence definitely wasn't crafted to make the show more discoverable to space nerds.

After nearly ten years, NASA is launching another interplanetary probe! Magellan is headed to Venus and it's catching a ride with Space Shuttle Atlantis

Yes, we went from STS-27 right to STS-29. Discovery is flying again with a TDRS to deploy, some pipes to shake up, and a John Blaha to defend.

This week we've got classified satellites, alarming heat shield damage, and another Mike is out of his seat!

The Space Shuttle is flying again with STS-26! Let's see if we can figure out how to fold some chairs.

We take a quick break from the main narrative to take a look around at a few things that happened during the shuttle's lengthy hiatus.

In this lengthy supplemental, we listen to Allan McDonald's testimony in front of the Rogers Commission on February 25th, 1986. This is a long episode, so just a friendly reminder that supplementals are considered optional!

We conclude our coverage of the Challenger accident by digging into why it was able to happen.

We look at what physically happened on STS-51L and try to answer some questions.

Before we deal with the tragic loss of Space Shuttle Challenger, we take a moment to learn about the remarkable mission that should have been.

Columbia is back after a long stint in the shop, but there seems to be some trouble getting off the launchpad.

Atlantis is back already with a bunch of satellites and an investigation into on-orbit construction of large structures.

In this supplemental we'll listen to the actual mission audio as Apollo 13's oxygen tank explodes. We'll hear mission control discuss stirring the tanks, Gene Kranz quickly mention the LM lifeboat concept, and several famous utterances from spaceflight history.

Spacelab is back with a flight sponsored by West Germany! I apologize in advance to any German-speaking listeners who have to endure my pronunciation.

With the addition of OV-104 Atlantis, the Space Shuttle fleet is complete. To celebrate, let's do another classified mission that we know almost nothing about. Also, The Space Above Us reveals some exciting news!

The crew of STS-51I had an unusual satellite repair mission on the flight plan. They better make sure they're well rested.

Challenger makes history on a one of a kind mission. Who knew turning a rotary dial could be so dramatic?

We've got a lot going on for the fifth flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. Commsats, lasers, something about a star war, and did that guy say he was a prince?

It's been a long wait, well, for some of us, but STS-51B is here! Spacelab is operational and has a whole bunch of science to do. But how are we going to get the monkeys into the payload bay?

We've got a full orbiter for this flight! Seven crew members, two commsats, a bunch of toys, and plenty of duct tape and cardboard.

We're back to our usual schedule! And what better way to return from an unexpected break than a mission about which we know almost nothing? This week, STS-51C: the shuttle's first classified mission.

No new episode this week because I got appendicitis and need to recover from my appendectomy. Sorry! New episode in two weeks. 

STS-41B left some unfinished business in low earth orbit in the form of a couple of stranded communications satellites. On STS-51A, we're gonna go get 'em.

Challenger's back on the launch pad with the biggest crew we've seen yet, but something seems to be wrong with the Ku-band antenna. I hope you're ready for some orbiter attitude gymnastics!

Space Shuttle Discovery joins the cast, and makes a dramatic entrance.

The Solar Maximum Mission is in trouble, and only the crew of STS-41C can save it. Join us for the shuttle's first on-orbit repair of an uncrewed satellite!

STS-41B (wait, what happened to STS-10?) runs into a few bumps in the road, but clears the road for the next mission and comes home with some pretty spiffy photos.

John Young flies for one last time, carrying a payload bay full of science. Wait, does someone hear a sizzling sound coming from the engine compartment?

Challenger hauls the mail on STS-8, before using a giant dumbbell to flex its remote manipulator system muscles.

Sally Ride becomes America's first female astronaut to fly in space, and teaches Challenger how to say 7 for the camera.

Challenger flies for the first time and the TDRSS constellation gets started.

With five days, four crew members, three.. uhh.. engines, two satellites, and one planned EVA, STS-5 is going to be a busy flight!

Ken Mattingly and Hank Hartsfield were apparently born in a barn, because they can't get the door closed!

Jack Lousma and Gordon Fullerton fly Columbia on its third mission, carrying a whole bunch of shuttle-inspecting experiments with them.

Joe Engle and Dick Truly are ready to take Columbia for a ride and usher in the era of reusable spacecraft.

John Young and Bob Crippen strap in and fly Columbia on its first mission. But how will mission control deal with missing tiles on the heat shield?

This week we discuss three of the biggest challenges to getting the space shuttle off the ground: the engines, the computers, and the tiles. Oh, and we meet 54 new friends.

The Space Shuttle would be NASA's first spacecraft to land on a runway. So it's probably a good idea to make sure it's up to the task.

With our tour of the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters complete, it's time to take a look at what they're getting into orbit: the Space Shuttle Orbiter.

Now that the Space Shuttle has been approved, it's time to figure out what the vehicle will actually look like. With that in mind, we take a close look at the two major support players of the STS: the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters.

As Apollo hit its stride, NASA was trying to figure out what it was going to do next. The answer requires a significant amount of historical context, so let's see if we can provide it as we try to answer the question: where did the Space Shuttle come from?

Tom Stafford, Vance Brand, and Deke Slayton (yes, Deke Slayton) take the last Apollo CSM up to meet with some new friends from out of town.

We take a look back at the Skylab program, its fate, its legacy, and how it fits into the broader picture.

Carr, Gibson, and Pogue go the distance and wrap up a remarkable 84 day mission, thus ending the crewed portion of Skylab's life.

Jerry Carr, Ed Gibson, and Bill Pogue have been handed the baton and are ready to start the last leg of the marathon. Skylab 4, the final crew to America's first space station, are GO for launch!

Bean, Garriott, and Lousma still have 50 days left to catch up on their backlog. Let's just hope their two arachnid passengers don't escape!

Alan Bean, Owen Garriott, and Jack Lousma are ready to become Skylab's second crew. But will an attitude control propellant leak cut their stay short?

Conrad, Kerwin and Weitz have arrived at Skylab, but can they get the stricken space station under control?

We meet the crew of Skylab 2, wonder what happened to Skylab 1, and take a look at how NASA scrambled to fix their crippled space station.

We learn about some of the scientific experiments on Skylab, get it to the launchpad, and send it on its way to orbit. Though it seems to be missing a few parts when it gets there..

We get out first look at NASA's first big project after landing on the moon: Skylab. America's first space station is often overlooked, but we'll dig into the reasons that make it so awesome.

We take a look back at the Apollo Program and how we got there. Then I ramble a bit about my take on the impact of the program and talk about where the upcoming episodes will be going.

We explore the fascinating Taurus-Littrow region and bid a sad farewell to the moon.

Gene Cernan, Ron Evans, and Harrison Schmitt kick off the final lunar landing mission of the Apollo Program with a spectacular night launch. But how did they end up with these last three coveted seats?

It's time to go find some volcanic rock and confirm the hypothesis of the formation of the Descartes region. I hope you like orange juice.

John Young, Charlie Duke, and Ken Mattingly are headed to the moon for the second J-mission. Geologists have them on the hunt for volcanic rock, hoping to test their hypothesis on how the lunar highlands were formed.

This week we head to the Hadley-Apennine region to explore the surface with Dave Scott and Jim Irwin. Five EVAs, driving around in the lunar rover, and obstinate drills await us!

Dave Scott and Jim Irwin are headed for Hadley-Apennine, while Al Worden is getting all sorts of science done in lunar orbit. Just what does a Command Module Pilot do, anyway? Find out!

It's been a long way, but we're here.. for the second part of our coverage of Apollo 14! Get your lunar hiking boots on, we're headed for Cone Crater!

Alan Shepard is back in the saddle and headed to the moon with Ed Mitchell and Stu Roosa on Apollo 14. Also I make fun of Ed Mitchell a bunch.

Apollo 13 is in trouble. But with a lot of clever thinking and a bit of luck, we might just be able to get the crew home.

It's time to go for the hat trick and attempt NASA's third landing on the moon. After doing this twice already, everything should be smooth sailing. Right?

This week we'll talk about Mission Control, the room full of experts that helps keep each NASA human spaceflight mission running smoothly. Where did it come from? What is its role in the mission? And just what are all those guys actually doing anyway?

Pete Conrad and Alan Bean head to the surface. There are plenty of science experiments to set up, robots to vandalize, and selfies to.. not take.

Join us as we follow the crew of Apollo 12 into lunar orbit as they prepare to land in the Ocean of Storms. Get your signal conditioning equipment ready because it's going to be a shocking launch!

Listen to some of the actual audio from the Apollo 11 mission. Included is the air to ground audio and flight director loop from the powered descent and landing, as well as about 10 minutes surrounding Armstrong's first step on the surface.

Last time, we successfully landed in the Sea of Tranquility with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. But what did they actually do there? And how did they decide who gets out first?

Columbia and Eagle make the final leg of the journey. It's time to head to the surface.

Don your helmet and gloves, clip into the restraint system, and load up Program 63. It's time to learn how to land on the moon in far more detail than you wanted!

We is down among 'em on this second journey to the moon. Follow the crew as they fly within spitting distance of the lunar surface.

A Gumdrop and a Spider fly into low earth orbit.. no, this isn't the start of a bad joke, it's the start of Apollo 9!

The stage has been set and the time has come. The crew of Apollo 8 are go for TLI. Let's go to the moon!

Apollo 8 was humanity's first time leaving its home planet, and it was just too big to fit into one episode. Join us this week as we learn about the mission's origins, who will be flying it, and how tricky it is to plan a launch window.

Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham get NASA back on track and fly the first crewed mission of the Apollo Program.

We take a somber look at Apollo 1, the first planned flight of the Apollo Program. We honor the crew and try to learn from their sacrifice.

This week we learn about the ungainly beast, and engineering marvel, that is the Apollo Lunar Module.

We've talked about the muscle and brains of Apollo, but this week we talk about the heart of every mission: the Apollo Command and Service Modules.

This week, we discuss the computers and software of the Apollo Program, with a special focus on the memory system of the Apollo Guidance Computer.

This week, we take a look at the boosters and engines that lofted Apollo into orbit.

There's more to getting to the moon than big rockets and zippy spacecraft. This week, we talk about some of the facilities and infrastructure used by NASA in its quest to land humans on the moon.

Where did the Apollo Program come from? How were its broad strokes decided? And why are we going to the Moon in the first place?

We close the curtain on Project Gemini, revisiting the program and its goals. We also take a quick look back at Project Mercury and a look forward to the Apollo Program to put Gemini in the larger context.

Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin close out Project Gemini and tackle the fundamentals of EVA.

Pete Conrad flies Gemini XI to new heights as Dick Gordon works on his space cowboy techniques.

John Young and Mike Collins make it a double on Gemini X!

A special Christmas moment from the crew of Apollo 8.

The Mayor of Pad 19 has an appointment with an angry alligator.

Neil Armstrong and David Scott perform the first ever docking in space and then take the Gemini capsule for a spin.

Frank Borman and Jim Lovell are in space. They've been there for a while and they've got a ways to go. Let's follow them on their incredible 14 day journey into unexplored territory of human spaceflight endurance.

Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford have to try a few times to get off the ground while the crew of Gemini VII is already waiting for them in orbit. Find out why VI-A comes after VII!

Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad may come to regret their slogan of "8 Days or Bust" for the groundbreaking flight of Gemini V.

Project Gemini continues with the flight of Jim McDivitt and Ed White aboard Gemini IV. Learn about spacewalks, orbital rendezvous, and how to open a stuck door in space!

Gus Grissom and John Young kick off Project Gemini and catch a bite to eat along the way.

Project Gemini was America's second major manned spaceflight program and will take this podcast clear into 2017. Come learn the basics about Project Gemini before we launch into detailed looks at each mission.

We follow the X-15 on one more parabolic arc through space and learn more about the pilots who flew it and some of the amazing results of the program.

High above the United States desert, the X-15 becomes America's second manned spacecraft and Joe Walker becomes the 7th American to fly in space.

We revisit Project Mercury while trying to put it into a larger context and examine President Kennedy's decision to send us to the Moon.

Gordon Cooper becomes the first astronaut to spend a full day in space and brings a successful conclusion to Project Mercury.

Wally Schirra and Sigma 7 show us how it's done and pave the way for the one day mission.

Science moves to the forefront and Scott Carpenter moves several hundred miles past the landing zone on Aurora 7.

John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth and has a close call with a potential heat shield problem.

The complete air to ground transmissions of Mercury-Redstone 4: the flight of Liberty Bell 7.

Gus Grissom flies the second and final suborbital flight of Project Mercury.

The complete air to ground transmissions, plus PAO commentary, for the Freedom 7 mission. Thanks to YouTube user lunarmodule5 for the audio. You can find his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/lunarmodule5

Alan Shepard becomes the first American in space as he pilots Freedom 7.

A brief look at the buildup to crewed flights in Project Mercury.

The Space Above Us is a new podcast about the history of NASA human spaceflight.