Small Steps, Giant Leaps

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NASA’s technical workforce embodies the spirit of Neil Armstrong’s immortal words from the surface of the Moon, boldly pushing the envelope of human achievement and scientific understanding. APPEL Knowledge Services talks with systems engineers, scientists, project managers and thought leaders about…

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)


    • May 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 393 EPISODES

    4.9 from 50 ratings Listeners of Small Steps, Giant Leaps that love the show mention: nasa, excited.



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    Latest episodes from Small Steps, Giant Leaps

    NASA's Air Traffic Management-eXploration Project

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 30:06


    NASA's Air Traffic Management-eXploration Project aims to accommodate the growing demand of traditional and emerging aircraft that share the friendly skies. 

    project nasa exploration air traffic management
    The Universe in Living Color with SPHEREx

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 27:23


    NASA's SPHEREx mission will map 450 million galaxies like we've never seen before.

    Episode 152: EZIE Does It

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 15:49


    What can the auroras tell us about our planet's relationship with the Sun? NASA's EZIE mission looks into it.

    Episode 151: Designing Missions

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 16:55


    NASA's design labs are where engineers develop concepts for missions and scientific instruments.

    Episode 150: Urban Air Taxis

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 18:40


    Flying taxis? NASA is working on it.

    Episode 149: Spacecraft Thermal Blankets

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 13:14


    Originally a fashion designer, Paula Cain is a NASA thermal blanket technician, working to protect spacecraft from the extremes of space.

    Episode 148: Celebrating NASA's Engineers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 29:03


    NASA engineers turn dreams into reality, solving complex challenges to push exploration forward. From landing rovers on Mars to advancing deep space missions, their ingenuity makes it all possible. This episode with Chief Engineer Joe Pellicciotti and Deputy Chief Engineer Katherine Van Hooser celebrates the innovation, dedication, and impact of NASA's engineering community.

    Episode 147: NASA Photography - Visual Storytelling

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 16:12


    Ever wondered what it takes to capture NASA's most breathtaking moments? From rocket launches to behind-the-scenes astronaut training, Bill Ingalls, senior contract photographer for NASA Headquarters has spent decades framing history through his lens. In this episode, we dive into his journey, how he and his team prepare for assignments, and the importance of visual storytelling.

    Episode 146: Space Medicine: Body and Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 0:02


    What if we could get rid of lengthy waitlists for organ transplants? Well, imagine 3-D printing a kidney from your own stem cells. That would reduce the chances your body rejects it. That's the sort of groundbreaking medical research astronauts are conducting aboard the International Space Station. Other research includes understanding the stress spaceflight places on not just the body, but also the mind. There's a plethora of human factors to consider as humanity prepares to embark on deep space missions. What we learn from spaceflight medicine could also transform lives here on Earth. Dr. J.D. Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, tells us what's on the horizon in space medicine.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps - Pam Melroy: Behind the Strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2025 22:31


    We're kicking off 2025 with NASA's deputy administrator Pam Melroy, who wraps up her tenure at NASA this month. As a former astronaut with three space shuttle flights under her belt – including one flight as commander – Pam has made lasting contributions to human spaceflight. She's also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force as a retired colonel. In her most recent role, Pam helped shape the NASA's focus on long-term strategies, including Moon to Mars exploration, space sustainability, and a long-term vision for NASA's future as an organization. Now, as she prepares to pass the torch, Pam joins us to reflect on her NASA career and share insights from her time as a pilot, astronaut, and public servant.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 144: Mining the Moon with NASA's IPEx Robot

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 28:41


    What does it take to mine the Moon? Engineers behind NASA's ISRU Pilot Excavator, or IPEx are digging into the answers. The robotic excavator is designed to unearth lunar regolith and extract oxygen for fuel. In this episode, Jason Schuler, IPEx principal investigator, and Drew Smith, IPEx lead design engineer, explore the engineering challenges, innovative solutions, and the groundbreaking implications of IPEx for future lunar missions. Plus, they share what helped their idea go from paper to full-on demonstration.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 143: NASA Training Simulators

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 23:32


    Before leaving the ground, astronauts prepare for spaceflight by immersing themselves in life-like training simulators. This is done with the help of NASA's Simulation and Graphics Branch. Branch Chief Michael McFarlane leads a team of experts who use cutting edge technology to create digital environments, tools and visualizations that support nearly every aspect of human spaceflight. In this episode, we discuss how simulations help us better understand how spacecraft behave in space, the role of immersive technology like virtual and augmented reality, and the importance of mentorship.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 142: Europa Clipper: Voyage to a Water World

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 22:33


    Europa Clipper is NASA's first mission dedicated to studying an icy ocean world. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on October 14, 2024, from Kennedy Space Center, the spacecraft is set to arrive at Jupiter in April of 2030 to conduct sweeping flybys of Europa. Europa is one of Jupiter's four large Galilean moons. It's roughly the size of our own moon, but what's most is intriguing is that it may harbor the conditions for life in the massive ocean beneath its frozen surface. What we learn could open up the science floodgates to other ocean worlds across the solar system.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 141: Planetary Defense at NASA

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 22:56


    Ever wondered how NASA monitors asteroids? In our latest episode, we go behind the scenes with Dr. Kelly Fast, NASA's acting planetary defense officer, to discuss efforts to detect, track, and mitigate threats from near-Earth objects, or NEOs. From asteroid early warning systems to a new spacecraft that will find and track NEOs, learn how NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office is at the forefront of keeping Earth safe from cosmic hazards.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 140: Artificial Intelligence at NASA

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 18:58


    NASA has a long history with AI, using it in various applications like autonomous Mars rover navigation and detecting planets in other solar systems. Today, NASA is embracing AI for more members of the workforce, enabling innovation.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 139: NASA's Cosmic Origins Program

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 24:50


    NASA's Cosmic Origins Program seeks to understand the origins of the universe, including the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets. In this episode, Dr. Swara Ravindranath, deputy chief scientist, and Dr. Ron Gamble, a theoretical astrophysicist, discuss their research and the program's goals. They also highlight the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 138: The Sun, Star of Our Cosmic Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 21:34


    The Sun is the ultimate source of life in our solar system, a radiant powerhouse that bathes Earth in the energy necessary for everything from photosynthesis to weather patterns. Its warmth and light sustain us. However, the Sun's influence isn't always benign. Its solar wind—a stream of charged particles—can disrupt our technology, causing communications blackouts and GPS glitches. In this episode, Dr. Joseph Westlake, director of NASA's Heliophysics Division, joins us to shed light on why the Sun is such a critical focus for space research.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 137: The Roman Space Telescope - Uncovering the Dark Universe

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 26:16


    We don't yet know what dark matter is, yet it makes up 85% of all the matter in the universe. The Roman Space Telescope will aim to unravel the mystery. With a field of view 100 times wider than the Hubble Space Telescope's, Roman will study in near-infrared light the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars, making other exoplanet discoveries along the way. The mission is named after Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, NASA's first chief of astronomy and advocate for the development of the Hubble Space Telescope.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 136: Soft Robotics

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 21:47


    Robots inspired by nature? A novel realm of engineering called soft robotics is being studied at NASA's Langley Research Center. Engineers are working to understand how soft robotics could one day support space exploration, including missions to the Moon's surface.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 135: Biofilm - Dealing with the Scum off the Earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 14:34


    Cleaning scum from bathtubs and pipes can be a costly chore. It's even more challenging aboard spacecraft. NASA researchers are looking at ways to keep astronauts from having to deal with fungal or bacterial buildup, known as biofilm.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 134: The Internet of Animals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 22:08


    The Internet of Animals, a collaborative research project with the U.S. Geological Survey along with several universities and institutions is giving insight into the intersection of animal movement patterns and climate. By combining remote sensing data with wildlife tracking tags, experts can get a better idea of scientific needs to manage conservation at the federal level.

    Episode 133: The Science of Space Gardening

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 30:27


    In this episode, Dr. Gioia Massa, senior Life Sciences project scientist at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, outlines the systems and processes used for growing vegetables aboard the International Space Station. The technology could one day support astronauts on long-duration missions in deep space. What we learn can benefit agriculture on Earth as well.

    Episode 132: Orbital Debris: Reducing Risk with Cost-Effective Strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 34:46


    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: Episode 131: The Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 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.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 130: Ingenuity's Final Flight: Lessons Learned

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 28:09


    Teddy Tzanetos shares his project management experiences and lessons learned from leading the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter demonstration mission, the first test of powered, controlled flight on another world.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 129: Accelerating Discoveries with Open Science

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 21:08


    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.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 128: Engineering Inflatable Structures for Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 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.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 127: Chief Program Management Officer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 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.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 126: Gateway: The Logistics of an Outpost at the Moon

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 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.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 125: Capstone Project: Artemis I Lessons Learned

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 27:14


    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.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 124: The Game-Changing Potential of In-Space Manufacturing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 24:47


    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.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 123: Examining Earth's Atmosphere with NASA's PACE Mission

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 24:43


    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.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 122: Charting New Horizons: Inside NASA's Orion Mission

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 23:17


    In this episode, we step behind the scenes of NASA's Orion project to explore the remarkable teamwork, leadership, and communication that drive this groundbreaking endeavor. Join us as we sit down with Stu McClung, the NASA Orion Test lead, to talk about the Orion mission and the human side of space exploration.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 121: Towards a Lunar Code: The Artemis and Ethics Report Explained

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 22:51


    In this episode, we chat with Dr. Zach Pirtle, a policy analyst for NASA's Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy about NASA's Artemis and Ethics workshop, which explored the ethical, legal, and societal implications of its Artemis and Moon to Mars missions.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 120: Fueling Innovation: How NASA Shares Knowledge for Progress

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2023 23:00


    In this episode, we sit down with Jim Rostohar, Chief Knowledge Officer for NASA's Johnson Space Center, to explore the vital role of knowledge sharing within the organization.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 119: Rocket Propulsion Test Program

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023


    Rocket Propulsion Test Program Manager Christine Powell discusses chemical propulsion testing at NASA's world-class facilities.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 119: Rocket Propulsion Test Program

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 23:42


    Rocket Propulsion Test Program Manager Christine Powell discusses chemical propulsion testing at NASA's world-class facilities.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 118: Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 19:46


    NASA SpaceTech's Michael LaPointe and John Nelson discuss the Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 118: Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023


    NASA SpaceTech's Michael LaPointe and John Nelson discuss the Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 117: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023 34:43


    NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineering Technicians John Hood, Amy Meekham, and Mark Sloan discuss details of their work on the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 117: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023


    NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineering Technicians John Hood, Amy Meekham, and Mark Sloan discuss details of their work on the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer.

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 117: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2023


    NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineering Technicians John Hood, Amy Meekham, and Mark Sloan discuss details of their work on the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer.

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