Small Steps, Giant Leaps

Episode 146: Space Medicine: Body and Mind Feb 05, 2025

What if we could get rid of lengthy waitlists for organ transplants? Well, imagine 3-D printing a kidney from your own stem cells. That would reduce the chances your body rejects it. That’s the sort of groundbreaking medical research astronauts are conducting aboard the International Space Station. Other research includes understanding the stress spaceflight places on not just the body, but also the mind. There’s a plethora of human factors to consider as humanity prepares to embark on deep space missions. What we learn from spaceflight medicine could also transform lives here on Earth. Dr. J.D. Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, tells us what’s on the horizon in space medicine.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps - Pam Melroy: Behind the Strategy Jan 18, 2025

We’re kicking off 2025 with NASA’s deputy administrator Pam Melroy, who wraps up her tenure at NASA this month. As a former astronaut with three space shuttle flights under her belt – including one flight as commander – Pam has made lasting contributions to human spaceflight. She’s also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force as a retired colonel. In her most recent role, Pam helped shape the NASA’s focus on long-term strategies, including Moon to Mars exploration, space sustainability, and a long-term vision for NASA’s future as an organization. Now, as she prepares to pass the torch, Pam joins us to reflect on her NASA career and share insights from her time as a pilot, astronaut, and public servant.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 144: Mining the Moon with NASA’s IPEx Robot Dec 11, 2024

What does it take to mine the Moon? Engineers behind NASA's ISRU Pilot Excavator, or IPEx are digging into the answers. The robotic excavator is designed to unearth lunar regolith and extract oxygen for fuel. In this episode, Jason Schuler, IPEx principal investigator, and Drew Smith, IPEx lead design engineer, explore the engineering challenges, innovative solutions, and the groundbreaking implications of IPEx for future lunar missions. Plus, they share what helped their idea go from paper to full-on demonstration.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 143: NASA Training Simulators Nov 27, 2024

Before leaving the ground, astronauts prepare for spaceflight by immersing themselves in life-like training simulators. This is done with the help of NASA’s Simulation and Graphics Branch. Branch Chief Michael McFarlane leads a team of experts who use cutting edge technology to create digital environments, tools and visualizations that support nearly every aspect of human spaceflight. In this episode, we discuss how simulations help us better understand how spacecraft behave in space, the role of immersive technology like virtual and augmented reality, and the importance of mentorship.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 142: Europa Clipper: Voyage to a Water World Nov 13, 2024

Europa Clipper is NASA’s first mission dedicated to studying an icy ocean world. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on October 14, 2024, from Kennedy Space Center, the spacecraft is set to arrive at Jupiter in April of 2030 to conduct sweeping flybys of Europa. Europa is one of Jupiter’s four large Galilean moons. It’s roughly the size of our own moon, but what’s most is intriguing is that it may harbor the conditions for life in the massive ocean beneath its frozen surface. What we learn could open up the science floodgates to other ocean worlds across the solar system.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 141: Planetary Defense at NASA Oct 30, 2024

Ever wondered how NASA monitors asteroids? In our latest episode, we go behind the scenes with Dr. Kelly Fast, NASA’s acting planetary defense officer, to discuss efforts to detect, track, and mitigate threats from near-Earth objects, or NEOs. From asteroid early warning systems to a new spacecraft that will find and track NEOs, learn how NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office is at the forefront of keeping Earth safe from cosmic hazards.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 140: Artificial Intelligence at NASA Oct 16, 2024

NASA has a long history with AI, using it in various applications like autonomous Mars rover navigation and detecting planets in other solar systems. Today, NASA is embracing AI for more members of the workforce, enabling innovation.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 139: NASA's Cosmic Origins Program Oct 02, 2024

NASA’s Cosmic Origins Program seeks to understand the origins of the universe, including the formation and evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets. In this episode, Dr. Swara Ravindranath, deputy chief scientist, and Dr. Ron Gamble, a theoretical astrophysicist, discuss their research and the program's goals. They also highlight the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 138: The Sun, Star of Our Cosmic Show Sep 18, 2024

The Sun is the ultimate source of life in our solar system, a radiant powerhouse that bathes Earth in the energy necessary for everything from photosynthesis to weather patterns. Its warmth and light sustain us. However, the Sun’s influence isn't always benign. Its solar wind—a stream of charged particles—can disrupt our technology, causing communications blackouts and GPS glitches. In this episode, Dr. Joseph Westlake, director of NASA’s Heliophysics Division, joins us to shed light on why the Sun is such a critical focus for space research.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 137: The Roman Space Telescope - Uncovering the Dark Universe Sep 04, 2024

We don’t yet know what dark matter is, yet it makes up 85% of all the matter in the universe. The Roman Space Telescope will aim to unravel the mystery. With a field of view 100 times wider than the Hubble Space Telescope’s, Roman will study in near-infrared light the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars, making other exoplanet discoveries along the way. The mission is named after Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief of astronomy and advocate for the development of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 136: Soft Robotics Aug 21, 2024

Robots inspired by nature? A novel realm of engineering called soft robotics is being studied at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Engineers are working to understand how soft robotics could one day support space exploration, including missions to the Moon’s surface.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 135: Biofilm - Dealing with the Scum off the Earth Aug 07, 2024

Cleaning scum from bathtubs and pipes can be a costly chore. It’s even more challenging aboard spacecraft. NASA researchers are looking at ways to keep astronauts from having to deal with fungal or bacterial buildup, known as biofilm.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 134: The Internet of Animals Jul 24, 2024

The Internet of Animals, a collaborative research project with the U.S. Geological Survey along with several universities and institutions is giving insight into the intersection of animal movement patterns and climate. By combining remote sensing data with wildlife tracking tags, experts can get a better idea of scientific needs to manage conservation at the federal level.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 133: The Science of Space Gardening Jul 10, 2024

In this episode, Dr. Gioia Massa, senior Life Sciences project scientist at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, outlines the systems and processes used for growing vegetables aboard the International Space Station. The technology could one day support astronauts on long-duration missions in deep space. What we learn can benefit agriculture on Earth as well.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 132: Orbital Debris: Reducing Risk with Cost-Effective Strategies Jun 26, 2024

A new NASA report titled "Cost and Benefit Analysis of Mitigating, Tracking, and Remediating Orbital Debris" compares the cost-effectiveness of several strategies that could reduce the risk of collisions between spacecraft, including the space station, and orbital debris.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 131: The Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle Jun 12, 2024

In this episode, Jacob Bleacher, NASA’s chief exploration scientist, tells us about the science goals of the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle and how NASA is collaborating with industry to explore more of the Moon’s surface than ever before.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 130: Ingenuity’s Final Flight: Lessons Learned May 29, 2024

Teddy Tzanetos shares his project management experiences and lessons learned from leading the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter demonstration mission, the first test of powered, controlled flight on another world.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 129: Accelerating Discoveries with Open Science May 08, 2024

In this episode, Dr. Chelle Gentemann, Open Science Program Scientist for the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer, explains NASA’s initiative to make science more collaborative, accessible, and inclusive. Known as Transform to Open Science, or TOPS, the program encourages increased access to research and data.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 128: Engineering Inflatable Structures for Space Apr 24, 2024

How inflatable habitats moved from concept papers to the International Space Station, and what NASA is doing to eventually put one on the Moon.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 127: Chief Program Management Officer Apr 03, 2024

Dave Mitchell brings extensive experience as an engineer and project manager to a new position leading a small team with the broad mandate of improving acquisitions and program and project management across NASA.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 126: Gateway: The Logistics of an Outpost at the Moon Mar 20, 2024

In this episode we’ll focus on Gateway, a small space station NASA is developing to place in orbit at the Moon. We’ll speak with Mark Wiese, who leads the team that will ensure Gateway will receive the cargo, equipment, and supplies it needs to support Artemis astronauts.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 125: Capstone Project: Artemis I Lessons Learned Mar 06, 2024

Janet Karika, who retired recently from NASA after 43 years in the aerospace industry, shares career highlights and her approach to leading the Artemis I Lessons Learned process.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 124: The Game-Changing Potential of In-Space Manufacturing Feb 21, 2024

Dive deep into the world of in-space manufacturing (ISM) with our guest, Zach Courtright, the In-Space Manufacturing Portfolio Manager at NASA. Zach shares his perspectives on cutting-edge advancements and collaborations in the field and the potential of the technology for game-changing impacts on space exploration and resource utilization.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 123: Examining Earth’s Atmosphere with NASA’s PACE Mission Feb 07, 2024

Today, we look at NASA’s PACE mission, which seeks to unravel some of the mysteries of Earth’s atmosphere and the vital role played by aerosols and clouds. Join us as we delve into this fascinating journey with atmospheric scientist Dr. Kirk Knobelspiesse.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 122: Charting New Horizons: Inside NASA's Orion Mission Jan 24, 2024

In this episode, we step behind the scenes of NASA's Orion project to explore the remarkable teamwork, leadership, and communication that drive this groundbreaking endeavor. Join us as we sit down with Stu McClung, the NASA Orion Test lead, to talk about the Orion mission and the human side of space exploration.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 121: The Artemis and Ethics Report Explained Dec 13, 2023

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Zach Pirtle, a policy analyst for NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy about NASA’s Artemis and Ethics workshop, which explored the ethical, legal, and societal implications of its Artemis and Moon to Mars missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 120: Fueling Innovation: How NASA Shares Knowledge for Progress Nov 30, 2023

In this episode, we sit down with Jim Rostohar, Chief Knowledge Officer for NASA's Johnson Space Center, to explore the vital role of knowledge sharing within the organization.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 119: Rocket Propulsion Test Program Oct 18, 2023

Rocket Propulsion Test Program Manager Christine Powell discusses chemical propulsion testing at NASA’s world-class facilities.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 118: Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative Oct 04, 2023

NASA SpaceTech's Michael LaPointe and John Nelson discuss the Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 117: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 3 Sep 20, 2023

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineering Technicians John Hood, Amy Meekham, and Mark Sloan discuss details of their work on the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 116: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 2 Sep 06, 2023

NASA Technicians Scott Bartram, Eric Bentley, Maria Salinas, and Phil Steele discuss their hands-on work on a variety of projects and technologies.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 115: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 1 Aug 23, 2023

NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Engineering Technicians Jason Nelson, Kyle Whitfield, and Alex Zamora discuss their essential contributions to NASA missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 114: Last Stop Before Retirement Aug 09, 2023

NASA Langley Research Center Retired Chief Scientist Dennis Bushnell discusses highlights of his 60-year NASA career and the future of the agency.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 113: OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Preparation Jul 26, 2023

OSIRIS-REx Mission Systems Engineer Ron Mink discusses preparation for the return of the United States' first asteroid sample from space to Earth.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 112: TechLeap Nighttime Precision Landing Challenge Jul 12, 2023

NASA TechLeap Nighttime Precision Landing Challenge Manager Greg Peters discusses the lunar landing challenge.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 111: Flight Opportunities Jun 28, 2023

NASA Flight Opportunities Program Manager Danielle McCulloch discusses rapid demonstration of technologies and capabilities for NASA missions and commercial spaceflight.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 110: APPEL Knowledge Services Jun 14, 2023

NASA Chief Knowledge Officer and APPEL Knowledge Services Director Tiffany Smith discusses knowledge sharing and learning and development.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 109: NASA Engineering and Safety Center May 31, 2023

NASA Engineering and Safety Center Director Tim Wilson discusses the NESC's contributions to NASA mission success.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 108: Underwater Training for Astronauts May 17, 2023

NASA Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory Critical Systems Engineer Jim Sarafin discusses training astronauts for spacewalks.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 107: Perovskite Solar Cells May 03, 2023

NASA Research Electrical Engineer Lyndsey McMillon-Brown discusses development of perovskite solar cell technology for Moon and Mars exploration.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 106: Surface Water and Ocean Topography Apr 19, 2023

Surface Water and Ocean Topography Project Manager Parag Vaze discusses the first global survey of Earth's surface water.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 105: Samples from Mars Apr 05, 2023

Mars Sample Return Deputy Lead Scientist Lindsay Hays discusses plans to bring the first samples of Mars material to Earth.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 104: Workplace Safety Culture Mar 22, 2023

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and Associate Administrator Bob Cabana discuss the importance of a strong safety culture.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 103: Legacy of Inspiration Mar 08, 2023

NASA Human Spaceflight Historian Jennifer Ross-Nazzal discusses how careers for women have changed over the past 50 years as the workforce has become more diverse.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 102: Legacy of Connection Feb 22, 2023

NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Rob Grant discusses the agency’s Black History Month theme: Building a Legacy of Achievement, Connection, and Knowledge.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 101: Artemis Missions Feb 08, 2023

Artemis Mission Manager Mike Sarafin discusses Artemis I and NASA's increasingly complex Moon to Mars missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 100: NASA’s Extraordinary Workforce Jan 25, 2023

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy discusses NASA's positive impact on humanity—and the people who make it happen.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 99: Webb Space Telescope’s First Year Dec 14, 2022

NASA James Webb Space Telescope Mission Systems Engineer Mike Menzel discusses highlights of the observatory's first year in space.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 98: Voyager Nov 30, 2022

Voyager Project Manager Suzanne Dodd discusses NASA's longest-operating mission and the only spacecraft to explore interstellar space.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 97: Mars InSight Nov 17, 2022

NASA InSight Mars Lander Principal Investigator Bruce Banerdt discusses the first mission dedicated to studying the deep interior of Mars.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 96: Airworthiness Nov 02, 2022

NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Chief Engineer CJ Bixby discusses what it takes to achieve airworthiness.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 95: Developmental Assignments Oct 19, 2022

NASA's Nick Jedrich and Andrew Maynard discuss the benefits of developmental assignments.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 94: Mars Sample Return Oct 05, 2022

Mars Sample Return Scientists Lindsay Hays and Meenakshi Wadhwa discuss the mission to return samples from the surface of Mars to Earth.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 93: Circuit Theory Application to Animal Movement Sep 21, 2022

The Nature Conservancy's Kim Hall discusses the use of NASA Earth observation data to map animal movement and patterns.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 92: Evolved Structures Sep 07, 2022

NASA Research Engineer Ryan McClelland discusses digital engineering technologies that are transforming classical engineering tasks and processes.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 91: OSAM-1 Aug 24, 2022

OSAM-1 Lead Systems Engineer Wendy Morgenstern discusses NASA's On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 mission to robotically refuel a satellite that wasn't designed to be serviced.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 90, Effects of Space Radiation Aug 10, 2022

NASA Space Radiation Element Scientist Robin Elgart discusses research aimed at reducing radiation health risks.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 89, The Big Dig Jul 27, 2022

Boston University Assistant Professor Virginia Greiman discusses enduring lessons from the largest, most technically challenging highway project in U.S. history.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 88, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Flight Jul 13, 2022

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Chief Pilot Håvard Grip discusses the rotorcraft's history-making flights on the Red Planet.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 87, NuSTAR Jun 29, 2022

NuSTAR Principal Investigator Fiona Harrison discusses NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 86, Astrobiology Research Coordination Networks Jun 15, 2022

NASA Astrobiology Program Senior Scientist Mary Voytek discusses Research Coordination Networks.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 85, Moon to Mars Habitation Jun 01, 2022

NASA's Tiffany Nickens discusses habitats being developed for living on the lunar surface and traveling to Mars.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 84, NASA’s Role in Weather Research May 18, 2022

NASA's Edward Kim and NOAA's Pam Sullivan discuss NASA's role in weather research.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 83, NASA’s Role in Climate Research May 04, 2022

NASA Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor Kate Calvin discusses the agency's role in climate research.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 82, NASA’s Role in Agriculture Apr 20, 2022

NASA Water Resources and Agriculture Program Manager Brad Doorn discusses how NASA tools and data help solve big problems on Earth.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 81, Engineering Best Practices 4 Apr 06, 2022

NASA Johnson Space Center Engineering Director Julie Kramer White discusses the skills required to be a top-notch engineer.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 80, Engineering Best Practices 3 Mar 22, 2022

NASA Space Launch System Chief Engineer John Blevins discusses the rigorous engineering of the world's most powerful rocket.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 79, Engineering Best Practices 2 Mar 09, 2022

NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Chief Engineer Steve Hirshorn discusses what it takes to be a successful chief engineer.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 78, Engineering Best Practices 1 Feb 23, 2022

NASA Chief Engineer Ralph Roe discusses engineering best practices.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 77, VERITAS Feb 09, 2022

NASA's John Brophy discusses the VERITAS mission to Venus.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 76, DAVINCI Jan 26, 2022

NASA's Mike Sekerak discusses the DAVINCI mission to Venus.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 75, Artemis Progress Dec 15, 2021

NASA's Kristin Morgan discusses 2021 progress and what's ahead for the Artemis Program in 2022.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 74, Solar Sails Dec 01, 2021

NASA's Les Johnson discusses solar sail propulsion and the upcoming Near-Earth Asteroid Scout and Solar Cruiser missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 73, James Webb Space Telescope Nov 17, 2021

James Webb Space Telescope Program Director Greg Robinson discusses NASA's largest and most powerful space science telescope ever constructed.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 72, Dawn Mission Nov 03, 2021

NASA's Marc Rayman discusses the legacy of the Dawn mission to the two most massive bodies in the main asteroid belt.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 71, Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment Oct 20, 2021

Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment Principal Investigator Mike Hecht discusses the MOXIE technology demonstration that's generating oxygen on the Red Planet.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 70, Lucy Mission Oct 06, 2021

Lucy Deputy Project Systems Engineer Mike Sekerak discusses the first space mission to study Jupiter's Trojan asteroid swarms.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 69, Parker Solar Probe Sep 22, 2021

Parker Solar Probe Mission Scientist Adam Szabo discusses NASA's journey to the Sun.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 68, Lessons Learned Information System Sep 08, 2021

NASA Lessons Learned Program Manager Michael Bell discusses the agency's Lessons Learned Information System.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 67, Quiet Supersonic Mission Aug 25, 2021

NASA Low Boom Flight Demonstrator Deputy Project Manager Cathy Bahm discusses the X-59 quiet supersonic research mission.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 66, Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Aug 11, 2021

NASA Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Project Manager Keith Wichman discusses mapping problems and solutions to transform aviation.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 65, NASA Intern Experiences Jul 28, 2021

NASA Intern Nick Syracuse discusses his virtual internship experiences.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 64, Space Communications and Navigation Jul 14, 2021

NASA Space Communications and Navigation Chief Engineer Neil Mallik discusses how SCaN keeps the universe connected.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 63, OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Mission Jun 30, 2021

OSIRIS-REx Principal Investigator Dante Lauretta discusses the NASA mission to near-Earth asteroid Bennu.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 62, Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Jun 16, 2021

NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Principal Investigator Dave Israel discusses the dynamic power of laser communications technologies.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 61, Transforming Assessment of Unsteady Aerodynamics Jun 02, 2021

NASA's Nettie Roozeboom discusses a new state-of-the-art technique to measure unsteady aerodynamics using pressure-sensitive paint.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 60, Dragonfly May 19, 2021

Dragonfly Principal Investigator Zibi Turtle discusses NASA's planned rotorcraft-lander mission to Titan.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 59, Spacecraft Window Design May 05, 2021

NASA Spacecraft Window Design Expert Lynda Estes discusses the evolution of windows that give humans a unique view into space.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 58, SOFIA Airborne Observatory Apr 21, 2021

SOFIA Project Scientist Naseem Rangwala discusses the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 57, Shuttle Program Closeout Complexities Apr 07, 2021

NASA's Johnny Nguyen discusses insight gained through closeout of the Space Shuttle Program.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 56, Model-based Systems Engineering Mar 24, 2021

NASA's Terry Hill and Jessica Knizhnik discuss the agency's transition to model-based systems engineering.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 55, Psyche Mission Mar 10, 2021

Psyche Mission Co-investigator Ben Weiss discusses the mission to a unique metal asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 54, Astrophysics Pioneers Program Feb 24, 2021

NASA Astrophysicist and Pioneers Program Lead Scientist Michael Garcia discusses the new program’s first mission concepts selected for further development.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 53, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Feb 10, 2021

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Chief Engineer Bob Balaram discusses the first experimental aircraft flight on another planet.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 52, Mars Perseverance Rover Science Jan 26, 2021

Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Deputy Project Scientist Katie Stack Morgan discusses science objectives of NASA’s first astrobiology-focused mission to the Red Planet.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 51, Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign Jan 13, 2021

NASA Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign Deputy Lead Shivanjli Sharma discusses the "third revolution" in aviation.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 50, Futuristic Space Technologies Dec 09, 2020

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program Executive Jason Derleth discusses visionary concepts that could transform future space missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 49, NEEMO Case Study Deconstructed Nov 24, 2020

NASA’s Bill Todd and Joyce Abbey and retired Astronaut Nicole Stott discuss NEEMO and a new case study they developed about the unique undersea analog.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 48, Mars Landing Retropropulsion Simulation Nov 11, 2020

NASA's Michelle Munk, Ashley Korzun and Eric Nielsen discuss the impact of state-of-the-art computing on future NASA missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 47, ISS 20 – Space Station Complexity Oct 28, 2020

International Space Station Flight Director Royce Renfrew discusses the complexity of the orbiting laboratory as NASA counts up to 20 years of continuous human presence in space.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 46, ISS 20 - Living in Space Oct 13, 2020

American Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson discusses 20 years of continuous human presence on the International Space Station.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 45, Digital Transformation Sep 28, 2020

NASA Digital Transformation Officer Jill Marlowe discusses the agency’s digital transformation strategy and approach.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 44, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite Sep 13, 2020

NASA Deputy Director of Astrophysics Jeff Volosin discusses the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 43, White Sands Test Facility Sep 02, 2020

White Sands Test Facility Manager Bob Cort discusses the history and capabilities of the NASA facility.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 42, Game Changing Development Program Aug 19, 2020

NASA Game Changing Development Program Executive Niki Werkheiser discusses advancement of space technologies that could lead to new approaches for future space missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 41, Technical Storytelling, Part Two Aug 05, 2020

NASA’s Jon Olansen, Jenny Devolites and Ben Asher share technical stories and discuss storytelling technique with Storytelling Strategist Johel Brown-Grant.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 40, Technical Storytelling, Part One Jul 22, 2020

Storytelling Strategist Johel Brown-Grant with the U.S. State Department discusses organizational benefits of technical storytelling.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 39, Plum Brook Station Jul 08, 2020

Plum Brook Station Director David Stringer discusses world-unique test facilities at the NASA station in Ohio.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 38, Human Factors Jun 24, 2020

NASA Armstrong Operations Engineering Branch Chief Kate McMurtry discusses the value of understanding the impact of human factors on mission performance.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 37, NASA Safety Center Jun 10, 2020

NASA Safety Center Director Harmony Myers discusses resources to help achieve technical excellence in safety and mission assurance.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 36, Crowdsourcing Innovation May 27, 2020

NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation Deputy Manager Steve Rader discusses driving innovation through crowdsourcing and the gig economy.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 35, Launch America May 13, 2020

NASA Commercial Crew Program Chief Engineers Steve Sullivan, Chris Lupo and Deborah Crane discuss the new approach for launching American astronauts to space.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 34, Science in the 2020s Apr 29, 2020

NASA Scientist Michelle Thaller discusses anticipated discoveries and exciting missions planned during this decade.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 33, Young Innovators Apr 15, 2020

Kenny Harris, a NASA engineer named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 Class of 2020, discusses his experiences as a young professional.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 32, Europa Clipper Mar 30, 2020

Europa Clipper Project System Engineer Jennifer Dooley discusses NASA’s outer planets flagship mission.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 31, Commercial Lunar Payload Service Mar 18, 2020

Steve Clarke, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, discusses commercial payload delivery services to the Moon.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 30, VIPER Lunar Rover Mar 04, 2020

VIPER Project Manager Dan Andrews discusses the lunar rover’s upcoming mission to look for water ice on the Moon.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 29, Centennial Challenges Feb 19, 2020

Monsi Roman, NASA Centennial Challenges Program Manager, discusses the agency’s flagship prizes and competition program.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 28: Interdisciplinary Interactions Feb 04, 2020

Anna McGowan, NASA’s Senior Engineer for Complex Systems Design, discusses the impact of interdisciplinary interactions on mission success.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 27, Megatrends for Engineering Systems Jan 22, 2020

Anna McGowan, NASA’s Senior Engineer for Complex Systems Design, discusses engineering trends and the impact of rapid technology changes.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 26, NASA IV&V Jan 08, 2020

NASA Independent Verification and Validation Program Director Greg Blaney discusses the impact of IV&V on high-profile NASA missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 25, NASA Technology Transfer Dec 11, 2019

NASA Technology Transfer Program Executive Dan Lockney discusses the transfer of innovative space and aeronautics technologies for practical, terrestrial applications.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 24, TechPort Nov 26, 2019

NASA TechPort’s Patrick Murphy and Ryan Miller discuss how technologists and innovators can use the tool to exchange ideas for groundbreaking solutions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 23, Swamp Works Nov 13, 2019

NASA Swamp Works Senior Technologist Rob Mueller discusses technologies being developed for missions to the Moon and Mars.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 22, Reflections on Columbia Oct 29, 2019

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Chief Knowledge Officer Ed Rogers discusses the complex human elements involved in disasters such as the Space Shuttle Columbia accident.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 21, NASA Human Research Program Oct 15, 2019

NASA Human Research Program Director Bill Paloski discusses methods and technologies to support safe, productive human space travel to the Moon and Mars.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 20, Exploration Spacesuit Design Oct 02, 2019

NASA Exploration EVA System Development Lead Jesse Buffington discusses spacesuit design for spacewalks on the Moon and Mars.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 19, Magic Inside the Orion Spacesuit Sep 18, 2019

Orion Spacesuit Engineer Kirstyn Johnson discusses the internal systems of the Orion spacesuit.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 18, Orion Spacesuit Design Sep 04, 2019

Orion Crew Survival Systems Project Manager Dustin Gohmert discusses Orion spacesuit design.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 17, Astronaut Training Aug 20, 2019

NASA Astronaut Candidate Woody Hoburg discusses his experiences as the 2017 NASA Astronaut Class approaches the two-year mark of extensive training for space travel.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 16, Ocean-Atmosphere Understanding Aug 07, 2019

Kathleen McIntyre, PACE Deputy Project Manager, discusses NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 15, 20 Years of Chandra Discoveries Jul 24, 2019

Chandra X-ray Observatory Project Manager Helen Cole and Project Scientist Martin Weisskopf discuss 20 years of exploring the extreme universe.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 14, Apollo Lunar Landing Training Jul 10, 2019

Lisa Jones, NASA Landing and Impact Research Facility Manager, discusses the facility where the Apollo astronauts trained for the lunar landing.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 13, Apollo Legacies and Lessons Learned Jun 25, 2019

Award-winning journalist, space historian and author Andrew Chaikin discusses the Apollo Program, almost 50 years after the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 12, Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Jun 12, 2019

Brent Cobleigh, NASA Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project Manager, discusses new technologies that could transform air travel.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 11, Commercial Crew May 28, 2019

Jon Cowart, a veteran space engineer, discusses NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and progress toward launching astronauts from American soil.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 10, Concurrent Engineering May 15, 2019

The European Space Agency’s Torsten Bieler discusses how ESA uses concurrent engineering.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 9, Mars Opportunity Rover Mission Apr 30, 2019

Abigail Fraeman, deputy project scientist on the Mars Exploration Rover mission, discusses the Opportunity rover mission.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 8, Engineering NASA’s Science Missions Apr 16, 2019

Joe Gasbarre, NASA Science Mission Directorate Chief Engineer, discusses the engineering side of science missions.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 7, Space Shuttle Columbia National Tour Apr 03, 2019

Mike Ciannilli, the agency’s manager of the Apollo, Challenger, Columbia Lessons Learned Program, previews the Space Shuttle Columbia National Tour.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 6, Artificial Intelligence Mar 20, 2019

Brian Thomas, Agency Data Scientist at NASA Headquarters, discusses artificial intelligence.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 5, Big Data Mar 06, 2019

John Sprague, Deputy Chief Information Officer for Technology, Data and Innovation at NASA Headquarters, discusses big data.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 4, APPEL Knowledge Services Overview Feb 20, 2019

Roger Forsgren, NASA Chief Knowledge Officer and APPEL Knowledge Services Director, discusses the integration of training and knowledge sharing activities.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 3, Unleashing Innovation Feb 07, 2019

David Miranda, innovation point of contact for the Exploration Ground Systems Program’s Operations Division, offers tips for unleashing innovation.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 2, Decision Velocity Dec 19, 2018

An Exploration Ground Systems Program division chief, Jeremy Parsons, discusses practical ways to make quality decisions faster.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 1, Orion Spacecraft Dec 11, 2018

Orion Program Manager Mark Kirasich discusses the challenges and opportunities of managing America’s next-generation spacecraft.

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 0, Preview Dec 04, 2018

APPEL Knowledge Services presents a preview of the new Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast.

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