Podcast appearances and mentions of sandra magnus

Retired astronaut Colonel Doug Hurley takes center stage alongside Sandy Winnefeld and former colleague Dr. Sandra Magnus, marking the monumental 40th episode of The Adrenaline Zone podcast. Together, they embark on an enthralling voyage, tracing Col. Hurley's awe-inspiring journey from upstate New York to the vast expanse of space. As a recipient of the esteemed Congressional Space Medal of Honor, Col. Hurley paints a vivid and personal portrait of his spaceflight experiences, unraveling the captivating challenges, triumphs, and rewards that shaped his remarkable career. With our hosts, he delves into the rigorous training program that hones the skills and fortitude required of an astronaut, from mastering orbital mechanics to honing public speaking and photography skills. Recounting the exhilarating moments of launch and landing, he shares his unique insights on flying the space shuttle, commanding the first crewed commercial orbital spacecraft for SpaceX, and the cultural differences that exist between NASA and SpaceX. He also emphasizes the profound impact visual documentation has on scientific research and the exploration of the cosmos, and shares his thoughts on the future of manned spaceflight. Filled with personal anecdotes and unique perspectives, today's 40th installment of The Adrenaline Zone podcast offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the wonders of space exploration that will leave you with a profound appreciation for the wonders of the universe and the heroic individuals who help us all learn more about it. The Finer Details of this Episode: Col. Hurley's journey to becoming an astronaut The rigorous training program and diverse skill set required for astronauts The importance of capturing imagery during the fly around of the International Space Station Flying the space shuttle and maneuvering in space Personal anecdotes and insights from Col. Hurley's spaceflight experiences The differences between the Space Shuttle and Crewed SpaceX missions Challenges and lessons learned during the development of the Crewed SpaceX mission The adaptation process and experiences during a two-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS) The reentry and landing procedures of Dragon spacecraft Lunar exploration as a means to prepare for future human missions to Mars Quotes: "You can do anything else, but just don't hit the space station." "You're hand flying it. The shuttle had the capability built in for it to land automatically, but there was never a lot of confidence in the system." "It's kind of like going supersonic at 20,000 feet. Isn't that exciting?” "I think it would be fair to say that the culture of SpaceX in 2015, 2016 probably was not a lot different than NASA during the '60s as we were doing the Apollo program. You had a bunch of incredibly talented, smart, but very young, relatively inexperienced space people, but working on a common goal and almost with fanaticism, frankly." "If we think as humanity we want to go to Mars and put people on Mars… we've got to run it all like a dress rehearsal on the Moon because then we're only two days away, not six months away from getting something to the crew." Links: The Adrenaline Zone Homepage The Adrenaline Zone on Instagram The Adrenaline Zone on Twitter The Adrenaline Zone on TikTok Col. Doug Hurley

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus are joined by Dr. Ralph Harvey of the Antarctic Search for Meteorites Program, and Dr. Fraser Goff, Volcanology and Geothermal Systems Expert.   Between them, Dr. Harvey and Dr. Fraser have seen some of the most dangerous places on the planet, albeit in very different ways. While Dr. Harvey spends weeks on end patrolling the desolate Antarctic landscape in search of Martian meteorites, Dr. Fraser takes expeditions into the mouths of active volcanoes, where molten rock and poisonous gasses from beneath the Earth's crust pose substantial dangers.   Although they face significantly different risks, their approaches to managing those risks are remarkably similar. Both men rely on a combination of well-crafted procedures, careful planning, proper equipment, and a trained team to help mitigate potential dangers. They've had their fair share of close calls, but each brush with danger is a chance to learn, and to go into the next venture better prepared.   These contrasting tales of fire and ice demonstrate some of the universal principles of risk management. No matter the situation, planning and preparedness are foundational to maintaining safety.   Dr. Ralph Harvey Schmidt Ocean Institute Dr. Fraser Goff Sandra Magnus Sandra Magnus - Twitter   This episode is sponsored by Dunkin'  If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus are joined by Diana Trujillo, JPL Flight Director for the Mars Perseverance Rover.   Diana was born in Colombia and her journey to becoming the flight director for the Perseverance mission involved quite a bit of her own perseverance. She started school while still speaking very little English, but her intelligence was immediately apparent, and her commitment to her studies catapulted her to a degree in aerospace engineering.   STEM careers have been, like so many industries, historically dominated by men. Pursuing a leadership role at NASA as an ethnic minority woman would have seemed a fruitless endeavor to many in Diana's shoes, but her determination to accomplish difficult tasks knows no bounds. Diana now seeks to be a role model who can inspire others to pursue their own passions.   With no English and just $300 in her pocket, Diana risked it all to pursue an education and career in engineering, but her own perseverance allowed her to rise to the occasion and become an inspiration to women and girls all over the world.    Diana Trujillo Diana Trujillo - Twitter NASA NASA - LinkedIn Sandra Magnus Sandra Magnus - Twitter   This episode is sponsored by Dunkin'  If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus are joined by Victor Vescovo, Undersea Explorer, Investor, and Former Naval Officer.    Victor has tackled risk in just about every form, putting his life on the line in the military, and risking huge financial losses as a private equity investor. His latest endeavor, and the one he's most excited about, is his journey to the bottom of the ocean.   Time after time, Victor has traveled miles down into the ocean, with just a titanium shell and glass between him and pitch-black ocean depths. Every square inch of water presses against his vessel with thousands of pounds of force, and light is incapable of reaching thousands of meters down below the surface.   Taking on such a hostile environment requires careful planning, and with proper safety procedures in place and a well-engineered submersible, the risk of something going wrong is well mitigated. With good preparation, diving to the bottom of the ocean can be less dangerous than mountain climbing, another passion of Victor's.    Sometimes extreme environments pose more mental risk than physical danger.   Victor Vescovo Victor Vescovo -  LinkedIn Victor Vescovo - Twitter Caladan Oceanic Sandra Magnus Sandra Magnus - Twitter   If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus are joined by Alejandro Villanueva, Professional Football Player and former Army Ranger.   Many young men dream of the opportunity to play in the NFL, and spend their whole lives training to become a professional athlete. For Alejandro, a career in football was an unexpected means to achieving a very different dream: earning his MBA.   After graduating from West Point, becoming an Army Ranger, and completing several tours in Afghanistan, Alejandro still had his sights set on higher education, but he needed a way to pay for schooling. Rather than taking out loans or spending years putting money away, he decided to give life as an NFL offensive tackle a try.   What started as a plan to play for just one year and earn enough money for business school became a seven-year-long career. He played for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens; and in that seven-year period, Alejandro did in fact earn an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.   Alejandro's ambition was matched only by his courage to pursue his ambitions at all costs. Reward only comes to those willing to risk it all for success.   Alejandro Villanueva Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers (LinkedIn) NFL NFL (LinkedIn) US Army US Army (LinkedIn) Sandra Magnus Sandra Magnus (Twitter)   This episode is sponsored by Dunkin'. If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus are joined by gang member “Blanco”, one of the leaders of an innovative project to reduce inner city gun violence in Wilmington, NC.   Blanco grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, in a neighborhood that didn't offer much in the way of economic opportunity. Like many of his peers, Blanco saw gang initiation as the most viable path towards community, safety, and opportunity. He became involved with a gang by the time he was a teenager.   One day, out of the blue, Blanco got a phone call from a man looking to start a brewery. He wanted to employ Blanco, as well as several members of rival gangs. The risks running through Blanco's mind were numerous. Could this be a police setup? Was he going to be arrested? Even if this was legitimate, was it really safe to work side by side with members of rival organizations?   Despite the obvious risk, Blanco accepted the offer. Through his work at TRU Colors, Blanco is opening new opportunities for success for future generations—giving them a better chance for success than was previously possible in disenfranchised communities.   Blanco TRUColors TRUColors - LinkedIn TRUColors - Instagram Sandra Magnus Sandra Magnus - Twitter   This episode is sponsored by Dunkin'. If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus are joined by Tim McGraw, prolific actor and country music star, to talk about some of the emotional risks associated with being a performing artist.   Early in his life, Tim had visions of pursuing professional sports, and even joining the military. His love for music eventually won out, however, and he dropped out of college to move to Nashville to try and make it as a songwriter.   Tim's performances can be nerve-wracking for him, putting his most vulnerable side on display for thousands of fans, night after night. The reward, though, is immeasurable. The magic that ensues when Tim and the crowd are locked in is worth the risk. It compels him to give his all for each and every show.    That dedication also extends to his acting career, where Tim is constantly giving his all for the sake of a good performance. Allowing their emotional vulnerability to be captured on camera might be a deterrence for some, but Tim's commitment to his art makes these emotional risks well worth the effort.    Tim McGraw Tim McGraw 1883 Sandra Magnus   This episode is sponsored by ZOA Energy. If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation. Be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus are joined by Sarah Thomas, an NFL official who became the first woman to officiate in a Super Bowl. She shares her story of breaking the gender barrier in a male-dominated industry, and the many risks that entailed.   Like many officials, Sarah was herself an athlete. She began playing softball and basketball when she was very young, and even went to college on a basketball scholarship. Upon graduation, she began playing basketball in a recreational men's basketball league but was subsequently expelled from the league for being a woman.   It was the first time Sarah had stopped playing sports in over 20 years. In search of something to fill her athletics-shaped hole, she accompanied her brother to a local football officials' meeting one evening. That meeting would set her on a path that would lead her all the way to the Super Bowl.   Sarah's journey was not without hardship. Being the first woman in her field, Sarah had made herself vulnerable and endured plenty of uncomfortable situations on her way to going where no woman had gone before.    Moving towards this glass ceiling was risky, but Sarah shattered it with all the confidence in the world.   Sarah Thomas NFL 360 Total Rehab Keppler Speakers Sandra Magnus   This episode is sponsored by ZOA Energy. If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus are joined by Captain Brian C. Kesselring, Commanding Officer and Flight Leader of the Blue Angels.   Brian has been passionate about flying since he was six years old, flipping through aviation magazines in his hometown of Fargo, North Dakota. He started cultivating that passion early, working night jobs to pay for flight school in college and eventually logging over 4,000 hours of flight time before joining the Blue Angels.   The airshows Brian leads are a masterclass in synergy and teamwork. Brian's talent and experience as a pilot are just one piece of a puzzle that involves his fellow Blue Angels and their robust ground crew. Individual talent is not enough. To pull off the complex maneuvers demanded of him, Brian's individual skill must dissolve into the combined efforts of his team.    In this sense, managing the risks of these spectacular airshows involves not just personal responsibility but trust and dependence on the whole team. To this end, Brian demands constant communication and rigorous practice from his fellow pilots.   With mutual trust and respect for their peers' talents, the Blue Angels create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.   Brian C. Kesselring Blue Angels Blue Angels - Twitter Blue Angels - LinkedIn US Navy  Sandra Magnus Sandra Magnus - Twitter   This episode is sponsored by ZOA Energy. If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus welcome Josef Newgarden, IndyCar driver and two-time IndyCar Series Champion. They discuss some of the ways Josef's training has helped him develop better instincts in high-risk situations.   Josef began racing competitively at the relatively young age of 13. His dad would take him on trips to Indianapolis to compete in go-kart races, and it was here that he developed his love for competitive driving.    Josef attributes much of his success as an IndyCar driver to the training and coaching he sought early in his career. While it taught him many of the basics that make driving an IndyCar unique, it offered him something much more valuable as well. Years of practice and focused training have allowed Josef to develop the instincts necessary to compete at such a high level. These instincts bypass his conscious thought, letting him react to split-second scenarios faster than he should be able to.   His instincts are an essential tool in mitigating many of the risks of driving a racecar at breakneck speeds every week. They are not a product of chance, but of Josef's discipline and dedication to his training.    Josef Newgarden Twitter - @josefnewgarden LinkedIn - Josef Newgarden Racing Team Penske LinkedIn - Team Penske  LinkedIn - Sandra Magnus   This episode is sponsored by ZOA Energy. If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.  

On this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hosts James “Sandy” Winnefeld and Sandra Magnus speak with Brad Snyder, former EOD Officer and US Paralympian, about responding to the consequences that sometimes accompany risk.   Brad is certainly no stranger to risk. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 2006, he became an EOD Officer in Afghanistan, often responsible for defusing notoriously dangerous IEDs. Even careful planning and extensive risk-mitigation tactics can't guarantee safety, and Brad was injured by an IED explosion in 2011, which left him blind.   Such a catastrophic injury would lead most people to seek a more stable and comfortable lifestyle. Brad responded by tackling this newfound challenge head-on. He continued to confront risk, albeit in a different form.   Having already proven himself a capable swimmer at the Naval Academy, Brad began representing the USA as a Paralympic athlete. He has since garnered over a half-dozen medals, most of them gold, at multiple Paralympics.   Brad's journey testifies both to the dangers that many risks pose and to the rewards that come from persevering through their adversity.  - Brad Snyder - https://www.bradsnyder.us/ - Brad Snyder - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradsnyderusa/ - US Paralympics - https://www.teamusa.org/Tokyo-2020-Paralympic-Games - US Paralympics - https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-states-olympic-and-paralympic-committee/ - US Navy - https://www.navy.mil/ - Sandra Magnus - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-magnus-70754a16/   This episode is sponsored by ZOA Energy. If you enjoyed this episode of The Adrenaline Zone, hit the subscribe button so you never miss another thrilling conversation, and be sure to leave a review to help get the word out to fellow adrenaline junkies.

Just two days to NaPodPoMo (national podcast post month) Today is Create A Great Funeral Day. Follow the link and check out the five great reference books. Born on this day in 1964 in Belleville, Illinois, American engineer and NASA astronaut, Sandra Magnus. Today's word is thermionic. Thermionic is an adjective that means, relating to, using, or being the emission of charged particles (such as electrons) by an incandescent material.

Very few people understand the realities of space like former NASA Astronaut Dr. Sandra Magnus. After all, she spent more than 150 days — nearly half a year of her life — living in space. Her perspective on what is and isn't possible with space and satellite technology is uniquely grounded in experience.  Dr. Magnus is optimistic about the future of human spaceflight and satellite communications, but that excitement comes with some concern about the challenges we face in our rapid development of commercial space. She believes that we have the talent and capability in the private sector to solve these challenges, but that we need government leadership and guidance to ensure that space truly benefits all. In this episode, Dr. Magnus talks to On Orbit host Jeffrey Hill about her new role on BridgeComm's advisory board and her interest in the company's optical wireless satellite technology and its mission to form the backbone of interconnected networks. She also talks about her work as an advisor to Virgin Galactic, her views on space tourism, and her memories of the Space Shuttle and how it compares to modern launch vehicles. She also expresses her opinion about how global and collaborative Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and space debris removal capabilities are both necessary and possible.

From corned beef to Space Shuttles, lots of history this week. Since I recorded this episode, Colorado is now under a shelter in place order. We are doing our best here in Loveland. Stay same everyone! I have launched something new. As many of you know, I've always had and will always make sure this podcast is free. I have launched a Patreon account that will help me cover hosting expenses, software, and more. I realize we are entering some uncertain times and that things are going to get tight for a lot of people. However, if you can, I'd love if you could consider supporting the podcast by chipping in any amount you can. Thank you! Check out the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/TheSpaceShot Let me know if you have any questions, email me at john@thespaceshot.com. You can also call 720-772-7988 if you'd like to ask a question for the show. Send questions, ideas, or comments, and I will be sure to respond to you! Thanks for reaching out! Do me a favor and leave a review for the podcast if you enjoy listening each day. Screenshot your review and send it to @johnmulnix or john@thespaceshot.com and I will send you a Space Shot sticker and a thank you! You can send me questions and connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, by clicking one of the links below. Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/TheSpaceShot) Facebook (https://m.facebook.com/thespaceshot/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/johnmulnix/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/johnmulnix) Episode Links: Gemini 3- NASA (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/history/gemini3.html) Contraband Corned Beef (http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-032315a-gemini3-corned-beef-sandwich.html) Mir Reentry (https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Mir_FAQs_-_About_the_re-entry) Mir Deorbit Animation- NASA (https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4225/multimedia/deorbit.htm) For more, check out The Space Shot Episodes- 19, 44, 46, 285. Mir Taco Bell Target (https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-mar-20-fi-40045-story.html) Tortillas In Space (https://nasa.tumblr.com/post/167770900329/lets-talk-about-foodin-space) Sandra Magnus' Journal- Food and Cooking in Space (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition18/journal_sandra_magnus_6.html) Falcon 1 Launch 1- Matthew Travis YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldXKf2AEacg) STS-45 Post Flight Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqyD-hHx2OU) List of Explorer Missions (https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/multi/explorer.html) NASA's Explorers Program (https://explorers.gsfc.nasa.gov/) San Marco- D/L (https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1988-026A) Italy in Space- ESA (https://www.esa.int/esapub/hsr/HSR_30.pdf) Jim Lovell (https://www.nasa.gov/subject/10957/jim-lovell) Explorer 3 (https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/explorer-3/) Mariner 7 (https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mariner-7/) Saturn Test Flights- NASA (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/Saturn_Test_Flights.html) There is a lot of good content here for parents that are teaching their kids at home. Please check this out! Women's History Month- NASA Resources (https://www.nasa.gov/subject/13464/womens-history-month) One month free for a limited time! CBS All Access- Star Trek: Picard (https://www.cbs.com/all-access/?cbscidmt=picard&gclsrc=aw.ds&&ref=__iv_p_1_g_70455610937_w_kwd-808518561292_h_9028904_ii__d_c_v__n_g_c_426890933944_l__t__e__r__vi__&ftag=AAM-00-10ahg8a&vndid=google$null$null$star%20trek%20picard%20cbs%20all%20access&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6_vzBRCIARIsAOs54z5KMwTeSnxDF68WELOMu6BbeLAF5rJBOhtdJd_0_Cav1WUvTtsb0hUaAjM-EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&_ivgu=0404fd4d-b2b6-44a7-974c-f7349200dd54)

In this episode from 2017, Brian Cox and Robin Ince transport the cage to the Starmus Festival in Trondheim, Norway, for an extraordinary gathering of astronauts. They are joined on stage by NASA astronauts Sandra Magnus and Terry Virts, ESA astronaut Claude Nicollier, and Apollo 16's Charlie Duke, one of the last people to have walked on the moon. They talk about their personal journeys to fulfill their long-held dreams, and literally reach for the stars. They hear from Charlie Duke about the extraordinary Apollo missions he was part of, including his role as Capsule Communicator for the very first moon landing, before taking his own first steps on the lunar surface as part of Apollo 16. They explore the different experience of astronauts from Charlie's era, and those who now become residents of space, spending months and months aboard the International Space Station, and the challenges each mission brings. And Claude Nicollier describes his epic spacewalk to repair the Hubble Telescope. Producer: Alexandra Feachem.

On the verge of a new era in space exploration, Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), AstroPlanetview’s Sandra Magnus and Director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Ellen Stofan examine the factors shaping U.S. space policy and governance.

Please leave a review on iTunes; it takes just a minute to do that. If you've got the Podcasts App on an iPhone, just search "Space Shot" then, depending on your iOS version, scroll down until you see "Tap to Rate" :) Thanks! Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, just click the links below. Facebook (https://m.facebook.com/thespaceshot/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/johnmulnix/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/johnmulnix) Episode Links: Out of This World Thanksgiving (https://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/livinginspace/Space_Thanksgiving.html) Sandra Magnus' Journal Food and Cooking in Space (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition18/journal_sandra_magnus_6.html) Taste in Space- YouTube Video (https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/trainlikeanastronaut/activities/taste_in_space.html) Thanksgiving…in Space (https://nasa.tumblr.com/post/153606235139/thanksgivingin-space) Thanksgiving in Space Means Turkey, Work and Football for Astronauts (https://www.space.com/38886-astronaut-thanksgiving-in-space-2017.html) STS-44 Mission Page (https://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-44/mission-sts-44.html)

Astronaut Special Brian Cox and Robin Ince transport the cage to Trondheim Norway, host of this year's Starmus Festival, for an extraordinary gathering of astronauts. They are joined on stage by NASA astronauts Sandra Magnus and Terry Virts, ESA astronaut Claude Nicollier, and Apollo 16's Charlie Duke, one of the last people to have walked on the moon. They talk about their personal journeys to fulfill their long-held dreams, and literally reach for the stars. They hear from Charlie Duke about the extraordinary Apollo missions he was part of, including his role as Capsule Communicator for the very first moon landing, before taking his own first steps on the lunar surface as part of Apollo 16. They explore the different experience of astronauts from Charlie's era, and those who now become residents of space, spending months and months aboard the International Space Station, and the challenges each mission brings. And Claude Nicollier describes his epic spacewalk to repair the Hubble Telescope. Producer: Alexandra Feachem.

"What Particles Remain to be Discovered?" Brian Cox and Robin Ince return for a new series of the hugely popular, multi-award winning science/comedy show. Over the series a variety of scientists and comedy science enthusiasts will take to the stage to discuss everything from the glory of insects to whether free will is just an illusion. They'll be joined by the usual eclectic selection of guests over the series, including comedian Sara Pascoe, Dane Baptiste, Katy Brand and Eric Idle, as well as astronauts Sandra Magnus and Apollo astronaut and moon walker Charlie Duke, for a space traveller special. The first show will see Python legend and Monkey Cage theme tune creator Eric Idle take to the stage alongside physicists Jonathan Butterworth and Catherine Heymans to ask "what particles remain to be discovered?" . They'll be looking at life beyond the Higgs Boson and asking whether a new, as yet undetected particle could answer arguably the greatest question in physics and finally uncover the mysterious unknown elements that make up the 95% of our Universe that are known as Dark Matter and Dark Energy.

Sandra Magnus is a US astronaut with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and is now the executive director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Sandra always wanted to become an astronaut and has had a lifelong passion for science and exploring how the world works. On the space station she says that every day is about trouble-shooting, and sometimes it doesn't seem very organised, there is a lost and found plastic bag, "I always thought that was rather amusing because that means there were things on the station that were missing parts". Samantha Cristoforetti made history when she became the first person to make an espresso in space. "We got to try the first freshly brewed espresso coffee in space" she says proudly. Born in Milan and raised in the province of Trentino in Itlay, Samantha speaks four languages including Russian. She has a second degree in aeronautical sciences and a masters in mechanical engineering. She is a captain in the Italian air force, a qualified jet-fighter pilot and has been an astronaut with the European Space Agency since 2009, the first Italian woman to take the role. (Photo: Sandra Magnus: NASA, Samantha Cristoforetti: ESA-S. Corvaja)