The Orbital Mechanics Podcast

VASMIR contract extended, space crops and a Walloping big engine.

In our first weekly episode, we have a big announcement! 55 years later, we’re still safely bringing things back from space. Also, a contract extension from NASA, a spaceplane from DARPA, and an impressive recovery from JAXA!

There are lots of consumer products on the space station. In this show, we interview the creators of a brand new one: the Astro Pi! They’ll be sending student-written programs to Station on a small computer. Also, CRS-7 gets explained, SETI picks up a bundle, Intelsat gets grumpy, a solar panel need

Back in the days before we could take digital photos and encrypt them, we had to figure out another way of transmitting home imagery that no one else could see. The Corona program did just that. Also, Commercial astronaut selection, New Horizons, a NASA budget proposal, STEMBox and an evacuation on

Staying put in a particular orbit requires constant adjustments. Let’s talk about some of the basic things you can do to be where you want to be in space. Also an Falcon 9 explosion, the largest commercial launch in history, an impending SpaceX mars announcement, and New Horizons encounters a last-m

Firefly Space Systems wants to build an innovative launch vehicle and send small payloads to orbit for an incredibly low price. We talk to four of their engineers about everything from their aerospike engine to fuel tank construction. Also LDSD could use a third try, Philae needs a cup of coffee, Ne

There are plenty of liquid rocket fuels to choose from, all with pros and cons. We talk about which is best in what situation, and why that choice is more difficult than it might seem. Also, criminal charges, the return of RS-25, LightSail, SpaceX’s internet satellites, and the new Adeline reusabili

We sit down and talk with the other “silent” member of the show, research assistant Steve Pestana. Also, Proton failure, reboost failure, show host failures and ISS orbital parameters.

Arguably the most testing environment a spacecraft can experience is atmospheric reentry. Let’s take a look at historical solutions that allowed us to get humans in space safely back to the ground. Also Progress, New Shepard, SMART reuse, CE20 and the Dragon 2 pad abort

It's our first interview episode! Let's get to know one of our research assistants better. Also: Blue Origin, Vulcan, Barge landings, Rocketlab's Rutherford engine and the completed D2 in-flight abort assembly.