Gravity Assist

Latest Episodes:

Season 5, Episode 12: Diving Into NASA History Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

In honor of National Intern Day, Gravity Assist features Felicia Ragucci, an undergraduate at Dartmouth College who recently completed an internship with NASA’s History Office and the Office of the Chief Scientist. During her time at NASA, Felicia researched the history of the Neutral Buoyancy Simulator, an underwater training facility where astron

Season 5, Episode 11: Onward to Venus, with Lori Glaze Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

NASA is sending two missions to Venus this decade and participating in a European Space Agency mission there, too. Lori Glaze, director of planetary science at NASA, discusses these missions and why she’s so excited about what we’re about to learn.

Season 5, Episode 10: A Chance to Fly on Mars, with MiMi Aung Jul 09, 2021

Show notes

The idea for NASA’s Mars Ingenuity helicopter began at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory with a team of dedicated engineers who believed in something seemingly impossible. MiMi Aung served as the project manager on the helicopter, which has now achieved nine flights on Mars.

Season 5, Episode 9: This Asteroid Is Metal Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

Scientists will soon have the opportunity to visit a unique object in the asteroid belt called Psyche, which may be the exposed metallic core of a planetary body that stopped growing before it became a big planet like Earth. Dr. Lindy Elkins-Tanton explains.

Season 5, Episode 8: Let’s Talk About Climate Change Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

What’s the difference between climate and weather? How does NASA monitor changing sea levels, melting glaciers, and other effects of climate change? Gavin Schmidt, NASA’s acting senior climate advisor, explains how rising temperatures lead to many complex changes both in the oceans and on land.

Season 5, Episode 7: From Space Camp to Mission Control Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

How do astronauts exercise on the International Space Station? How do they train underwater? Tara Ruttley, associate chief scientist for microgravity research at NASA Headquarters, has worked on a lot of fascinating projects to support the human spaceflight program.

Season 5, Episode 6: Before You Launch: Practice, Practice, Practice Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

When future astronauts explore the surfaces of the Moon, Mars, or beyond, they’ll have big challenges communicating with Mission Control back on Earth.

Season 5, Episode 5:Listening to the Universe, with Kim Arcand May 21, 2021

Show notes

NASA spacecraft deliver stunning visual imagery of the cosmos, but we can also experience that data by turning it into sound.

Season 5, Episode 4: Always an Astronaut, with Ken Bowersox May 14, 2021

Show notes

In some ways, spaceflight changes you forever,” says Ken Bowersox. Since he was 7 years old, Ken knew he wanted to become an astronaut. In his astronaut career, he participated in many exciting missions, including an extended stay on the International Space Station.

Season 5, Episode 3: Breaking Barriers, with Dana Bolles Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

Dana Bolles has worked in many exciting areas of NASA including assuring the safety of experiments and spacecraft going to space, managing environmental programs, and thinking about the possibility of life beyond Earth.

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