Small Steps, Giant Leaps

Latest Episodes:

Test Like You Fly May 27, 2026

Show notes

The “test like you fly” approach is an engineering philosophy that means testing hardware, software, and flight operations as close to reality as possible. Erika Alvarez, deputy director of NASA's Space Systems Department, explains.

Soft Skills for Tough Missions May 13, 2026

Show notes

So-called “soft skills” like good teamwork and communication can become just as valuable as technical skills to advance exploration.

Tracking Launches: Views from a NASA Pilot Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

NASA pilots play a critical role in launch and recovery operations. Shannon Gregory, chief of flight operations at Kennedy Space Center, shares how his team supports crewed launches from the air, capturing real-time imagery, and staying ready for the unexpected.

How NASA's Pandora Mission Unboxes Distant Worlds Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

Studying planets in other solar systems isn’t easy, especially when their host stars keep stealing the spotlight. NASA’s Pandora mission will cut through the noise, revealing what the atmospheres of these distant worlds are really made of.

Choreographing Astronaut Recovery Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

For any crew returning to Earth from space, the journey home includes a carefully choreographed recovery effort to bring them safely back on dry land after splashing down in the ocean. Christine St. Germain, NASA recovery director for the Commercial Crew Program, tells us about this critical phase of flight.

Dragonfly: Mission to Titan Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

NASA's Dragonfly spacecraft, a rotorcraft the size of a small car, is set to explore Titan, Saturn's largest moon. Rich in organic compounds, Titan offers a rare window into the kinds of chemical conditions that may have existed on Earth long before life began.

Designing the Roadmap to Mars Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

Nujoud Merancy, NASA's deputy associate administrator for the Strategy and Architecture Office, talks about how NASA is developing the roadmap for Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond.

The Many Hats of NASA Engineer Jennifer Lu Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

From her experience working with the Commercial Crew Program, which sends astronauts to the International Space Station aboard commercial spacecraft, to the Artemis missions to the Moon, aerospace engineer Jennifer Lu shares how working with a variety of teams — including circus performers before coming to NASA — has helped her see the bigger picture. 

Bringing Back Supersonic Flight Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Currently, flying faster than the speed of sound over land is prohibited for commercial flights because it creates disruptive sonic booms. NASA's experimental X-59 plane will research how to turn those booms into "sonic thumps," about as loud as a slamming car door. Lead pilot Nils Larson explains how the X-59 could usher in the next era of commercial supersonic flight.

Sailing the Solar System Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

A solar sail uses light particles from the Sun to move through space without needing a single drop of fuel. NASA is demonstrating the lightweight technology that could open doors to low-cost missions to deep space.

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