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Latest Episodes:

Inflatable Thermal Protection May 27, 2021

Show notes

To land astronauts on Mars, NASA is working on an inflatable heat shield that would take up less space in a rocket than a rigid heat shield.

Sensors for the Open Sea May 26, 2021

Show notes

While other NASA sensors can be used to monitor a vessel’s structural health, this sensor is a natural fit for monitoring engine rooms on ships at sea.

Ice in the Engine May 25, 2021

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As melted ice crystals refreeze, ice accumulates inside an airplane’s engine core.

Unusual Weather May 24, 2021

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Mount Tambora ejected so much ash and so many aerosols into the atmosphere that the sky darkened and the Sun was blocked from view.

TESS May 21, 2021

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TESS has observed the outburst of a comet, several exploding stars, and watched as a black hole in a distant galaxy shredded a Sun-like star.

Developing Technologies May 20, 2021

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Swarms of CubeSats could work together to give us a big picture understanding of the places we dream about exploring.

Station Backbone May 19, 2021

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While the science underway on station keeps improving our future, its unique truss structure ensures that the thousands of research investigations can actually be done.

Space Farming May 18, 2021

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The Space Crop Production Lab at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is a web of research labs equipped with plant growth chambers of all sizes designed to simulate conditions on the International Space Station.

Printing Habitats May 17, 2021

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NASA is developing technologies to build structures on planetary surfaces using in-situ resources.

Astronaut Menu May 14, 2021

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NASA is looking for creative solutions to menu boredom for astronauts on long duration missions.