ScienceAstronomy

The Space Madness Podcast

spacemadness

A series of personal conversations about how we explore the universe and our place in it.

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28 episodes
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Avg 41 min
English

Episodes 28

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#73
Monday · 39 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 74: Extreme Caving on the Earth and Moon
In this episode we dive into the captivating world of cave exploration with Gilly Elor, a physicist and explorer from Stone Aerospace. Gilly’s projects not only push the boundaries of technological innovation but also take us to the most remote and challenging environments on Earth. Next up she extends this spirit of exploration to the moon with her new NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts project, LUX.
#72
September 28 · 42 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 73: Air Breathing VLEO Satellites
In this episode, Brandon Williamson discusses his innovative work on Vaxon Space, exploring the challenges and opportunities of VERY low Earth orbit propulsion, space environment sensing, and the future of satellite technology. We discuss the fascinating and dynamic environment at very low altitudes and how that creates novel challenges and opportunities for propulsion and long term operation. Of particular interest is how much the earth's atmosphere varies in density and even altitude in this region, and how we are ready to start operating spacecraft there. Brandon and I also connect over how each of our space careers were inspired by our grandfathers, which is a nice touch I really appreciate.
#71
September 21 · 31 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 72: Leadership Highlights
After 70 episodes we have heard a lot of stories of leadership ranging from changing one's personal situations, to national leadership on Mars exploration. In this episode we highlight familiar and emerging themes of leadership from a wide variety of space exploration journeys.
#70
September 14 · 31 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 71: From Middle Eastern History, to Music, to Cyber, to JPL!
I'm always happy to share unconventional journeys to space exploration, and this story goes hard! Julian Ragland shares his unconventional journey from Middle Eastern history to cybersecurity at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, highlighting the intersection of space assets and cybersecurity, and exploring future opportunities in aerospace and intelligence.
#69
September 7 · 39 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 70: Future Leader Spotlight on Ref Bari
Today's episode spotlights Ref Bari, a Brown University physics student who I think is a future leader to watch. He's already quite a leader at the university level, having herded the necessary cats to develop and submit a NIAC proposal! This is tough enough from a NASA center where these things happen routinely, but Ref made it happen as a student at a University where advanced space mission concepts are not an everyday thing. We talk about how he achieved that, navigating various team, institutional, and schedule challenges. Keep an eye on this guy!
#68
August 31 · 33 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 69: ROBOPHYSICS
In this episode, Dan Goldman explores the fascinating intersection of physics, biology, and robotics, revealing how principles from natural systems inform the design of robots for complex environments, including space exploration and agriculture. We talk about cockroaches, reptiles, sand dunes and pest control and how each of those things have lessons to offer future space robots.
#67
August 24 · 48 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 68: The Universe from Dial-up to Today
See what I did there? In this episode, Universe Today founder Fraser Cain shares his journey into space journalism, his approach to engaging audiences, and his thoughts on the future of science communication in the age of AI. We explore how curiosity drives storytelling and the importance of maintaining human voice in content creation.
#66
August 17 · 43 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 67: The Strangeness of Space Exploration
Jack Mills has a unique approach to journalism, inspired by authors like J.G. Ballard and William Gibson. His work delves into the strangeness of our world, exploring different pathways and futures. With a background in music and a knack for speculative storytelling, he combines the realms of literature, culture, and the cosmos. His father, a crime reporter, instilled in him a curiosity about human motivations and the forces that propel society forward. Today we discuss his new publication, Space Junk, and the intersection of space exploration and youth culture. You can find his publication here: https://yearzero.com/products/space-junk
#65
August 3 · 38 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 65: The DOD Manned Spaceflight Engineer Program
In this episode, Jeff hosts Jim Armor and Jess Sponable to explore the history and lessons of the DoD Payload Specialist Program, its connection with the space shuttle, and its implications for future space endeavors. They share insights on the program's development, challenges, and legacy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manned_Spaceflight_Engineer_Program
#64
July 27 · 38 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 64: The Secure World Foundation
Victoria Samson, Chief Director of Space Security and Stability at the Secure World Foundation, shares insights on space sustainability, space security, and international cooperation. Discover how privately funded nonprofit organizations influence space policy and the future of space security.
#63
July 20 · 38 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 63: Boring Bots on Mars and Advanced Concept Entrepreneurship
In this episode, quest Quinn Morely and host Jeff Nosanov talk mostly about the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program and how it led to both of our aerospace entrepreneurship. Quinn's Mars "Borebot" project led to terrestrial applications in mining and resource exploration. We talk about this curious dynamic, seen repeatedly in the history of space exploration, wherein ambitious far-reaching space ideas result in near-term applications all around us.
#62
July 13 · 39 min
Space Madness Episode 62: The Chief Engineer of NASA Science
In this episode, Nicholas Jedrich shares his 40-year journey through NASA, from his early days in space shuttle operations to his role as chief engineer of the Science Mission Directorate. Discover insights into space mission management, the importance of team dynamics, and lessons learned from iconic missions like Hubble and Challenger.
#61
July 6 · 50 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 61: The Spaceport Company
In this episode we talk with Tom Marotta, CEO of The Spaceport Company. His journey to founding the Spaceport Company is both fascinating and unconventional. With a background in business and urban planning, he initially worked as a commercial real estate agent before transitioning to city planning. He then worked for the United States foreign service. His diverse experiences laid a solid foundation for understanding the intricate interplay between infrastructure and space operations, leading to his founding and leadership of TSC.
#60
June 29 · 53 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 60: Exploring the Frontiers of Physics
Explore the fascinating intersection of topological physics, string theory, and the nature of reality with Jenny Nielsen Ph.d. candidate at the University of Kansas. Discover how advanced mathematical models and intuitive insights are shaping the future of physics research. In this episode, Jenny Lorraine Nielsen explores the fascinating intersections of physics, metaphysics, and advanced theories of space-time, including torsion, vacuum energy, and complex time. She discusses how these concepts could revolutionize our understanding of the universe and potential future technologies.
#59
June 22 · 42 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 59: Space Architecture and the Technological Sublime
I find myself drawn to space architecture as a podcast topic because 1. it takes as a given that humans will live and work in space, 2. requires challenging so many daily assumptions and 3. has so many interesting entrace pathways. Speaking to space architects feels like talking to a 3rd century fisherman about modern cruise ships, or to 12th century cathedral builder about skyscrapers. The field of space architecture is not just about creating structures; it's about reimagining how we live and work in an environment vastly different from our own. Jeffrey Montes’ insights remind us that as we venture into the cosmos, innovative design will be key to ensuring human survival and comfort in space. The journey is just beginning, and the possibilities are as limitless as the universe itself.
#58
June 15 · 45 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 58: Fifty Years at JPL
Discover Jim Erickson's 50-year journey at JPL from Voyager to Perseverence, and the lessons learned from a life spent pioneering space exploration. Jim's journey to JPL began in college when he was looking for a summer job to help pay for his education. A fortuitous connection through his father led him to apply for a position at JPL. After impressing the team with his resume and a bit of luck, Jim found himself working on the Voyager mission right out of college. This pivotal moment set the stage for a lifelong career in space exploration. It's a great joy for me to speak with him, as very little is more interesting professionally than the insights, secrets, and stories of those who spent their lives advancing the frontiers of space exploration.
#57
June 8 · 41 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 57: Satellite Racing; the First Sport in Space!
The idea of racing in space may seem like a sci-fi fantasy, but it’s rooted in humanity's longstanding love for competition. From racing cars to horses, we have always sought to push the limits of speed. However, while other forms of transportation have seen organized competitions shortly after their invention, space has lagged behind. The average time from technological invention to the first organized race for cars and planes is around 11 years, whereas space has remained dormant for over 60 years. In this post, we explore the innovative idea of satellite racing, its historical context, and the potential it holds for the future of sports.
#56
June 1 · 42 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 56: Virtual AI Data Centers in Space
In the rapidly evolving landscape of satellite technology, one question looms large: How can we optimize the vast resources of satellites to create more efficient networking solutions? In this episode, we explore insights from Rama Afullo, the founder and CEO of Satlyt, who is pioneering a unique approach to treating satellite networking as a shared resource. With a background in mechanical engineering and experience at industry giants like Tesla, Google, and SpaceX, Afullo shares his vision for a future where satellites operate as nodes in a virtual AI data center in space.
#55
May 25 · 44 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 55: The Dawn of Space Art
In this episode of the Space Madness podcast, host Jeff Nosanov welcomes fine artist Samuel Stubblefield, the founder of Off Earth, to discuss a captivating topic: space art. In a world increasingly fascinated by the cosmos, this conversation delves into what space art means today, the historical context, and the exciting possibilities for the future.
#54
May 18 · 44 min
Space Madness Podcast Episode 54: Dr. Kelvin Long and Interstellar Travel
In this in-depth interview, space physicist Kelvin Long shares his journey from childhood fascination with space to pioneering advanced propulsion technologies. Discover insights on fusion energy, interstellar travel, and the future of space exploration, including UK and US initiatives.

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