Failure To Launch

Failure To Launch Podcast

This is a podcast about all the mistakes, failures, and explosions that made space exploration possible.

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122 episodes
Updated Wednesday
Explicit

Episodes122

Newest first

Jul 10, 2025 · 1 hr 45 min
*UNLOCKED* Stalker (1979)
This is an unlocked patreon bonus episode. If you want to hear more content like this, consider supporting FTL on Patreon. For this bonus, we've got Chris, Other Chris, and returning guest Nicholas Slayton getting Tarkovsky-pilled again and talking about the 1979 classic Stalker.
Jun 28, 2025 · 1 hr 53 min
Nasser's Missile Program and Operation Damocles (w. Devon)
In 1962, President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt (or the UAR) showed the world his newest toys: a set of tiny, dinky missiles that could carry 60 kilos of explosives apiece. Needless to say, the head of the Israeli Mossad flipped out and ordered a campaign of assassinations on the German scientists who'd built them. This week, we're talking to Devon from the Kill James Bond podcast about Operation Damocles: a story of dumb rockets and dumber spies. Listen to Devon's work on: Kill James Bond, Well There's Your Problem, and 10K Posts! Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sources: - Reflections on Egypt, the Middle East, and History, Khaled Fahmy - Nasser and the Missile Age in the Middle East, Owen Sirrs Theme song by DJ Danarchy
Jun 6, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
That Time Buzz Aldrin Decked Bart Sibrel (Astronauts Gone Wild)
𝔾𝕠𝕕'𝕤 𝕀𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕪 This week, Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris subject themselves to Moon landing hoaxer Bart Sibrel's second "documentary", Astronauts Gone Wild. Spoiler: there's precious little astronauts going wild and it's bad even as conspiracy propaganda. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus episodes! Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
May 30, 2025 · 12 min
*PREVIEW* The Arkbird (Ace Combat 5)
This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.
May 23, 2025 · 1 hr 37 min
Soyuz T-10A
Sometimes it's better not to go to space. This week, we're talking to guest and space industry engineer Robin about the story of Soyuz T-10A or "that time the LES flung a Soviet crew to safety 3 seconds before their rocket detonated". Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sources: - Soyuz T-10A: The First Crewed On-Pad Abort, Drew LePage - Russianspaceweb, Anatoly Zak Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
May 2, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
1980 Plesetsk Disaster
CONTENT WARNING This week, Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris are covering the 1980 Plesetsk Cosmodrome explosion, probably the 2nd most lethal accident in space history. Sources: - RussianSpaceWeb, Anatoly Zak Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
Apr 28, 2025 · 15 min
*PREVIEW* Marooned (1969)
This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.
Apr 16, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
The 2007 ASAT Test & Space Militarization
Ever since satellites have existed, people have wanted to find ways to kill them. This week, Quinn, Chris, and Other Chris are taking a look at the 2007 Chinese Anti-Satellite Test - the largest debris-creating event in space history - and the larger trend of nations trying to turn Low Earth Orbit into the zero-g Somme. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sources: - Characteristics and Consequences of the Break-up of the Fengyun-1C Spacecraft, NASA - Analysis of the 2007 Chinese ASAT Test and the Impact of its Debris on the Space Environment, T.S. Kelso Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
Apr 1, 2025 · 20 min
*PREVIEW* Moon Zero Two (1969)
This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.
Mar 21, 2025 · 1 hr 40 min
Part 3: Jack Parsons and Babalon
Heartbreak can be a terrible thing and people work through it in all kinds of ways. Some people drink. Some people attempt to summon an incarnation of Babalon to be their new girlfriend. We're back and we're talking with rocket test engineer Guest Chris about Jack Parsons. In this episode we cover the downfall of Jack Parsons and his ostracization from both the scientific and magical communities. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sources: - Strange Angel, George Pendel Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
Feb 20, 2025 · 1 hr 43 min
Part 2: Jack Parsons. Devil Summoner, Rocket Scientist, YA Author
Jack. 210. 𝕿𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖒𝖆 𝕺𝖇𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖚𝖒 𝕻𝖗𝖔𝖈𝖊𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖔 𝕬𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖘 𝕹𝖚𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖆𝖊. John Whiteside Parsons went by many appellations. In part 2 of our series, we talk to rocket test engineer Chris about how Jack got into Thelema and how he pioneered a frightening amount of modern rocket fuels while chainsmoking. Sources: - Strange Angel, George Pendel Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
Feb 14, 2025 · 1 hr 33 min
Part 1: Jack Parsons, The Satanist Rocket Visionary
In a field of weirdos and freaks, Jack Parsons is broadly considered the weirdest freak of all. This week, we're joined by guest and space engineer Chris for our series on the life, accomplishments, and sex life of John Whiteside Parsons. Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sign up to the FTL Patreon at any tier and get access to our new Discord community. Sources: - Strange Angel, George Pendel - Jack Parsons, Famous Bi People Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
Feb 3, 2025 · 1 hr 42 min
Toyohiro Akiyama & Glavkosmos (w. Josh Boerman)
In the late 80s, the Soviet Union attempted to dominate the commercial launch market. Their principal success was launching the most miserable salaryman into orbit. Today, we're joined by Josh from The Worst of All Possible Worlds podcast to talk about Glavkosmos, the Soviet private space program. Find Josh and Worst Of All Possible Worlds here Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Source: - Soyuz TM-11, Spacefacts.de - Soviet Efforts To Enter the Launch-Services Market, CIA - Akiyama Toyohiro: The Japanese Astronaut Who Hated Space, Unseen Japan Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy.
Jan 16, 2025 · 1 hr 15 min
Part 2: Nikolai Kibalchich, the Rocket Pioneer Who Blew up the Tsar
𝙸'𝚟𝚎 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚒𝚐𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚏𝚕𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚎. This week, we're back talking to Kelly from Canuck Is A Slur to finish up our series on Nikolai Kibalchich, the rocket visionary who blew up Tsar Alexander II. Follow Canuck Is A Slur here! Support FTL on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Source: - Nikolai Ivanovich Kibalchich: Terrorist Rocket Pioneer, Lee B Croft Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy.
Jan 3, 2025 · 1 hr 36 min
Part 1: Nikolai Kibalchich, the Rocket Pioneer Who Blew up the Tsar
A travelling clown, a socialist revolutionary, an assassin, an edgelord. Today, we talked to Kelly from Canuck is a Slur about the strange life of one of the first men to theorize manned rockets and also blew up Tsar Alexander II, Emperor of Russia. Come back for Part 2, where we cover the assassination and how he factors into space history. Follow Canuck is a Slur here! Support Failure To Launch on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Source: - Nikolai Ivanovich Kibalchich: Terrorist Rocket Pioneer, Lee B Croft Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy.
Dec 19, 2024 · 14 min
*PREVIEW* Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964)
This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest of the episode and unlock more bonus content, consider supporting Failure To Launch on Patreon.
Dec 13, 2024 · 1 hr 39 min
The DLR and the Art of Satellite Operations (w. Jake)
A communications satellite is a bundle of computers (all made by different people) the size of a minivan. Coordinating all these systems to work together, send info to Earth, and accept new commands is nightmarish. This week, we're joined by Jake, a software engineer at the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) to learn a little bit about spacecraft operations. Follow along with Jake's slides Support Failure To Launch on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
Dec 8, 2024 · 1 hr 26 min
Andree's Arctic Balloon Expedition (w. Joe Kassabian)
Expedition Packing List. Food: 200 lb / Sledge: 150 lb / Science Equipment: 50 lb / Bear Meat: 12,000 lb. Today, Quinn and Chris are joined by Joe Kassabian, host of the Lions Led By Donkeys podcast to talk about a Victorian aerospace disaster: S A Andrée's attempt to reach the North Pole by balloon. Follow Joe here! Support Failure To Launch on Patreon and unlock bonus content! Sources: - The Ice Balloon: S. A. Andrée and the Heroic Age of Arctic Exploration, Alec Wilkinson Theme song provided by DJ Danarchy
Nov 20, 2024 · 13 min
*PREVIEW* Stalker (1979) w. Nicholas Slayton
This is a preview of a bonus episode. To hear the rest, join our Patreon at any tier!
Nov 14, 2024 · 1 hr 57 min
*UNLOCKED* Solaris (1972)
This is an unlocked patreon bonus episode. If you want to hear more content like this, consider supporting FTL on Patreon. This month, we're mixing things up and achieving a first for this show by reviewing an actually good space movie, Tarkovsky's 1972 classic Solaris, itself based off Stanislaw Lem's novel of the same name. A big thanks to returning guest Nicholas Slayton for bringing his Tarkovsky expertise to the episode! And for informing us of all the crappy Solaris movies (1968 & 2002) we can inflict on you at a later date.

Failure To Launch

Episodes122

UNLOCKED Stalker (1979)

Nasser's Missile Program and Operation Damocles (w. Devon)

That Time Buzz Aldrin Decked Bart Sibrel (Astronauts Gone Wild)

PREVIEW The Arkbird (Ace Combat 5)

Soyuz T-10A

1980 Plesetsk Disaster

PREVIEW Marooned (1969)

The 2007 ASAT Test & Space Militarization

PREVIEW Moon Zero Two (1969)

Part 3: Jack Parsons and Babalon

Part 2: Jack Parsons. Devil Summoner, Rocket Scientist, YA Author

Part 1: Jack Parsons, The Satanist Rocket Visionary

Toyohiro Akiyama & Glavkosmos (w. Josh Boerman)

Part 2: Nikolai Kibalchich, the Rocket Pioneer Who Blew up the Tsar

Part 1: Nikolai Kibalchich, the Rocket Pioneer Who Blew up the Tsar

PREVIEW Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964)

The DLR and the Art of Satellite Operations (w. Jake)

Andree's Arctic Balloon Expedition (w. Joe Kassabian)

PREVIEW Stalker (1979) w. Nicholas Slayton

UNLOCKED Solaris (1972)

Failure To Launch

*UNLOCKED* Stalker (1979)

Nasser's Missile Program and Operation Damocles (w. Devon)

That Time Buzz Aldrin Decked Bart Sibrel (Astronauts Gone Wild)

*PREVIEW* The Arkbird (Ace Combat 5)

Soyuz T-10A

1980 Plesetsk Disaster

*PREVIEW* Marooned (1969)

The 2007 ASAT Test & Space Militarization

*PREVIEW* Moon Zero Two (1969)

Part 3: Jack Parsons and Babalon

Part 2: Jack Parsons. Devil Summoner, Rocket Scientist, YA Author

Part 1: Jack Parsons, The Satanist Rocket Visionary

Toyohiro Akiyama & Glavkosmos (w. Josh Boerman)

Part 2: Nikolai Kibalchich, the Rocket Pioneer Who Blew up the Tsar

Part 1: Nikolai Kibalchich, the Rocket Pioneer Who Blew up the Tsar

*PREVIEW* Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964)

The DLR and the Art of Satellite Operations (w. Jake)

Andree's Arctic Balloon Expedition (w. Joe Kassabian)

*PREVIEW* Stalker (1979) w. Nicholas Slayton

*UNLOCKED* Solaris (1972)

UNLOCKED Stalker (1979)

PREVIEW The Arkbird (Ace Combat 5)

PREVIEW Marooned (1969)

PREVIEW Moon Zero Two (1969)

PREVIEW Santa Claus Conquers The Martians (1964)

PREVIEW Stalker (1979) w. Nicholas Slayton

UNLOCKED Solaris (1972)