Small Steps, Giant Leaps

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State Hubs: Opening Doors for Technical Students Oct 14, 2026

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NASA, through the Office of STEM Engagement, has launched the State Hubs Initiative, awarding $10.5 million to seven institutions with the goal of getting more students into highly skilled manufacturing jobs in the aerospace industry.

Human Factors: Designing Systems with People in Mind - Part 2 of 2 Sep 30, 2026

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Dr. Cynthia Null, NASA Technical Fellow for Human Factors, discusses the myths of human limitations and how she got involved in the scientific discipline of human factors.

Human Factors: Designing Systems with People in Mind - Part 1 of 2 Sep 16, 2026

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Dr. Cynthia Null, NASA Technical Fellow for Human Factors, discusses how understanding human capabilities and limitations can help engineers reduce risk and design safer, more successful missions from the start.

Passing Down Knowledge Sep 02, 2026

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Heather Koehler, NASA Technical Fellow for Flight Mechanics, explains how knowledge at NASA is passed from person to person, program to program.

The X-59 Goes Supersonic: What's Next? Aug 25, 2026

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NASA’s experimental X-59 airplane went supersonic for the first time on June 5, 2026. What's next for the mission that aims to reopen the skies to quiet commercial supersonic flight?

Life Support Systems: From Space Station to Orion Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station depend on life support systems that provide clean air, drinkable water, and a safe, livable environment. These systems are what make long-duration spaceflight not only possible, but comfortable. Today, some of these space station technologies have been adapted for Artemis – specifically, aboard the Orion crew capsule.

Science Takes a Village (in Alabama) Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Ground teams connect with astronauts aboard the International Space Station to help them carry out research and experiments. Kassandra Stephens, payload communications manager at the Payload Operations Integration Center at Marshall Space Flight Center, works with space station crews to get science done.

Transformative Aeronautics Jul 10, 2026

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A NASA research program collaborates with universities to revolutionize the way we design, build, and operate aircraft. Angela Surgenor, deputy program director of the Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program, explains.

Calibrating Satellite Image Data Jun 26, 2026

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Before scientists can use those satellite imagery for research, the data must be carefully calibrated to ensure measurements are accurate and consistent over time. Julia Barsi, NASA calibration scientist, explains.

Space Nuclear Propulsion Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Space nuclear power and propulsion engineering could play a key role in sending robots and humans to deep space, enabling faster and farther journeys.

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