Episoder

  • Episode 024 – Son of Apollo – Christopher Roosa

    Episode Summary

    Christopher Roosa is a retired colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and a combat veteran. He is also the son of Apollo 14 Command Module pilot Stuart Roosa. In his book “Son of Apollo: The Adventures of a Boy Whose Father Went to the Moon,” He tells the story of his father’s humble beginnings growing up in Oklahoma. From there the elder Roosa became a smoke jumper, fighter pilot and test pilot before being chosen to become an astronaut in 1966. In this episode of The Launch Pad Space Podcast, host Paul Ring talks to Christopher Roosa about his father, and growing up as a Son of Apollo.

    Show Notes

    Christopher A. Roosa

    Stuart Roosa

    “Son of Apollo”

    Joint Base Langley-Eustis

    Edwards Air Force Base

    Apollo Program

    Saturn V

    Apollo 1

    Apollo 11

    Apollo 13

    Apollo 14

    The White House

    Richard Nixon

    Tricia Nixon Cox

    Camp David

    Ed White

    Elvis Presley

    Apollo 16

    Apollo 17

    Alan Shepard

    Ed Mitchell

    John Young

    Space Shuttle

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    o Kristina Fontes

    o Jimzilla1701

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    Links

    You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726

    Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@launchpadspacepodcast5558

  • Episode 023 – First Mom – Anna Fisher

    Episode Summary

    Anna Fisher is one of the first women chosen by NASA to become astronauts. She flew on STS-51A, one of the most technically demanding missions in the Space Shuttle program. She also helped develop the International Space Station and the Orion spacecraft that will return astronauts to the Moon. In this episode of The Launch Pad Space Podcast, host Paul Ring talks to Anna Fisher about her career and her contributions over 40 years to NASA’s human space exploration program.

    Show Notes

    Anna Fisher

    1978 Astronaut Class

    Harbor UCLA Medical Center

    Space Shuttle

    Christopher C. Kraft Jr.

    Challenger Disaster

    STS-51A

    Rick Hauck

    Lloyd’s of London

    International Space Station (ISS)

    Columbia Disaster

    Orion

    The New Guys

    Meredith Bagby

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    And thank you to the generous patrons who have been supporting the podcast!

    o Kristina Fontes

    o Jimzilla1701

    Follow Us:

    Our website: www.launchpadshow.com

    Twitter: @launchpadspace1

    Instagram @launchpadspace1

    Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast

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    Email [email protected]

    Links

    You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726

    Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@launchpadspacepodcast5558

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  • Episode 022 – The New Guys – Meredith Bagby

    Episode Summary

    Meredith Bagby is the author of an incredible new book, “The New Guys: The Historic Class of Astronauts That Broke Barriers and Changed the Face of Space Travel.” This new release has been the talk of space aficionados, as Bagby tells the story of the first group of Space Shuttle astronauts. She focuses on the first 10 minority astronauts, while telling the story of all 35 “new guys.” In this episode of The Launch Pad Space Podcast, host Paul Ring talks to the author about her investigation into this lightly studied era of spaceflight, and the group of men and women who helped usher the Shuttle program into reality.

    Show Notes

    Meredith Bagby

    The New Guys

    1978 Astronaut Class

    Challenger Disaster

    Teacher in Space Program

    Christa McAuliffe

    Sally Ride

    George Abbey

    Anna Fisher

    STS-51A

    International Space Station (ISS)

    The Astronaut’s Wife

    Columbia Disaster

    Ron McNair

    Rhea Seddon

    Commercial Crew Program

    Artemis Program

    Guy Bluford

    Challenger Salvage

    Ellison Onizuka

    Judy Resnick

    Shannon Lucid

    Kathy Sullivan

    Rick Hauck

    Steve Hawley

    Robert “Hoot” Gibson

    Judy Resnick – Tom Brokaw Interview

    Welcome Patrons

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    And thank you to the generous patrons who have been supporting the podcast!

    o Kristina Fontes

    o Jimzilla1701

    Follow Us:

    Our website: www.launchpadshow.com

    Twitter: @launchpadspace1

    Instagram @launchpadspace1

    Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast

    YouTube @LaunchPadSpacePodcast

    Email [email protected]

    Links

    You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726

    Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@launchpadspacepodcast5558

  • Episode 21 – The Astronaut’s Wife – Stacey Morgan

    Episode Summary

    Stacey Morgan may never go into space, but she’s an important as any engineer when it comes to ensuring her husband, NASA Astronaut Drew Morgan, is successful as an astronaut. For the first time, Stacey Morgan, the wife of an active astronaut, has written about her experiences, both good and bad. Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with her about her book “The Astronaut’s Wife: How Launching My Husband into Outer Space Changed the Way I Live on Earth.”

    Show Notes

    Stacey Morgan’s Website

    Drew Morgan at NASA.gov

    Drew Morgan at Wikipedia

    The Astronaut’s Wife at Amazon.com

    The Astronaut Wives Club at Amazon.com

    The Astronaut Wives Club TV Show at Amazon Prime

    Among the Stars at Disney+

    West Point Website

    Kwajalein Atoll

    Welcome Patrons

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    And thank you to the generous patrons who have been supporting the podcast!

    o Kristina Fontes

    o Jimzilla1701

    Follow Us:

    Our website: www.launchpadshow.com

    Twitter: @launchpadspace1

    Instagram @launchpadspace1

    Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast

    YouTube @LaunchPadSpacePodcast

    Email [email protected]

    Links

    You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726

    Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v

  • Episode SP01 – Space Adventure Boston

    Episode Summary

    Recently, I got a sneak preview of the new Space Adventure Boston exhibit in Chelsea. It will be in town through February 2023 and will move on to either Chicago or Atlanta once it's done. I spoke with one of the producers, David Rosenfield, as we walked through the exhibit. In this video we talk about some of the amazing artifacts on display. The immersive video portions of the event you’ll have to experience for yourself. I highly recommend visiting if you're in the Boston area. For more tickets and scheduling information, go to www.spaceadventure.us.

    Show Notes

    Space Adventure Website

    The Kansas Cosmosphere Website

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    And thank you to the generous patrons who have been supporting the podcast!

    Kristina Fontes Jimzilla1701

    Follow Us:

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    Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast

    YouTube @LaunchPadSpacePodcast

    Email [email protected]

    Links

    You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726

    Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v

  • Episode 20 – Space Craze – Margaret A. Weitekamp

    Episode Summary

    Margaret A. Weitekamp is the Smithsonian’s Space History Department chair and curator of the museum’s Cultural History of Spaceflight Collection. In this episode of the Launch Pad Space Podcast, I talk with her about the intersection of fictional space flight and the real-life adventures of explorers during the space race. Her new book “Space Craze: America’s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight,” offers a deep dive into a history that aspires to the better angels of our society, while still reflecting the problematic issues including sexism and racism.

    Show Notes

    Margaret A. Weitekamp Bio at Smithsonian Institution Website

    “Space Craze” at Amazon.com

    “Right Stuff, Wrong Sex” at Amazon.com

    Buck Rogers at Wikipedia

    Flash Gordon at Wikipedia

    Space Shuttle at Wikipedia

    Apollo Program at Wikipedia

    Lost in Space (TV Show) at Wikipedia

    I Dream of Jeannie (TV Show) at Wikipedia

    Han Solo at Wikipedia

    Firefly (TV Series) at Wikipedia

    Joss Whedon at Wikipedia

    Space Patrol (TV Series) at Wikipedia

    Star Trek: The Original Series (TV Series) at Wikipedia

    Spock at Wikipedia

    Hikaru Sulu at Wikipedia

    Nichelle Nichols at Wikipedia

    Nyota Uhura at Wikipedia

    Civil Rights Movement at Wikipedia

    Womens Movement at Wikipedia

    Gene Roddenberry at Wikipedia

    Reruns at Wikipedia

    Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) at Wikipedia

    Babylon 5 (TV Series) at Wikipedia

    VHS Recording at Wikipedia

    Star Trek: Voyager at Wikipedia

    DVR Recording at Wikipedia

    Michael Straczynski at Wikipedia

    G’Kar at Wikipedia

    Londo Mollari at Wikipedia

    John Sheridan at Wikipedia

    Jadzia Dax at Wikipedia

    Delenn at Wikipedia

    Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) at Wikipedia

    The Outcast (TNG Episode) at Wikipedia

    Rayguns at Wikipedia

    Toys at Wikipedia

    Cabbage Patch Kids at Wikipedia

    Young Astronauts Program Website

    501st Legion Website

    Rhode Island Comic Con Website

    Doctor Who (TV Series) at Wikipedia

    The Fourth Doctor at Wikipedia

    Tom Baker at Wikipedia

    Emergency! (TV Series) at Wikipedia

    Space Shuttle Operator’s Manual (Book) at Amazon.com

    Space Shuttle Discovery at Wikipedia

    Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster at Wikipedia

    Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster at Wikipedia

    Apollo 1 Fire at Wikipedia

    Welcome Patrons

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    Links

    You can listen to this episode of the podcast here, and anywhere you get your podcasts.

    Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726

    Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v

  • Episode 019 – Toilet Training and More – Mary Roach

    Episode Summary

    This episode features my conversation with one of my favorite authors, science writer Mary Roach, author of six New York Times bestsellers, including her 2010 book “Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the void.” She always finds the fascinating and offbeat details of her subjects and passes them on with a wonderful sense of fun. Her latest project is a new version of her popular space book, called “Packing for Mars for Kids.” We talk about what brought her to write about space exploration, and the complexities of translating her book for a new audience, children.

    Show Notes

    Mary Roach’s website

    ”Packing for Mars” at Amazon.com

    ”Packing for Mars” for Kids at Amazon.com

    ”Stiff” at Amazon.com

    Space Shuttle Toilet Cam video

    Astronaut William Thornton at Wikipedia

    Apollo 11 Mission Overview at NASA.gov

    Challenger – STS-51L at Wikipedia

    Columbia – STS-107 at Wikipedia

    Monkeys and Apes in Space at Wikipedia

    Fecal Collection Bag story on Jalopnik

    Gemini VII on Wikipedia

    Ham the Chimpanzee at Wikipedia

    Enos the Chimpanzee at Wikipedia

    Mary Roach on Audible

    The Vomit Commit at Space.com

    Jeff Bezos at Wikipedia

    For All Mankind at AppleTV+

    Dr. Jonathan Clark at NASA.gov

    Astronaut Laurel Clark at Wikipedia

    “Loss of Signal” at The Aerospace Medical Association website

    Welcome Patrons

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  • Episode 018 – Space for Change – Lori Garver

    Episode Summary

    In this episode, Launch Pad host Paul Ring talks to controversial former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver about her new book “Escaping Gravity: My Quest to Transform NASA and Launch a New Space Age.” She gives a look at the inner workings of NASA, talking about the battles she won – like continuing funding to the Commercial Crew Program – and those she lost – spending multi-billions of dollars on the Space Launch System.

    Further Reading:

    LoriGarver.com

    Lori Garver Wikipedia page

    Escaping Gravity

    Escaping Gravity at Amazon.com

    CNASA Commercial Cargo Program (COTS) Wikipedia page

    NASA Commercial Crew Program Wikipedia page

    NASA Commercial Crew Program page

    Elon Musk

    Bill Nelson NASA page

    Bill Nelson Wikipedia page

    Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket

    For All Mankind Apple TV+ Show

    Sally Ride Wikipedia page

    Jodi Balfour Wikipedia page

    SpaceX

    Blue Origin

    Jim Bridenstine Wikipedia page

    Sean O’Keefe Wikipedia page

    Charlie Bolden Wikipedia page

    Jeff Bezos Wikipedia page

    Pam Melroy NASA page

    Pam Melroy Wikipedia page

    Bryan O’Connor Wikipedia page

    Mike Coates Wikipedia page

    Barack Obama

    James Webb Space Telescope

    Nichelle Nichols Wikipedia page

    Gene Roddenberry Wikipedia page

    Star Trek Wikipedia page

    Martin Luther King Jr

    International Space Station (ISS) NASA page

    Fiscal 2023 NASA Budget Estimates

    Hydrosat

    Sierra Space

    Dream Chaser

    Brooke Owens Fellowship

    Patti Grace Smith Fellowship

    Matt Isakiowitz Fellowship Program

    Homer Hickam

    Bill Clinton

    Donald Trump Wikipedia page

    Bill Anders Wikipedia page

    Apollo 8 Earthrise photo

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  • Episode 017 – Frank and Susan – Liisa Jorgensen

    Show Notes

    In this episode, author Liisa Jorgensen stops by to talk about her book “Far Side of the Moon: Apollo 8 Commander Frank Borman and the Woman Who Gave Him Wings.” She and host Paul Ring discuss the strength of astronaut wives during the 1960s, and the toll it took on their lives and their marriages through the lens of Frank Borman and his wife Susan. Their marriage lasted 71 years, but their love story is timeless.

    Further Reading:

    Far Side of the Moon website

    Far Side of the Moon Spotify playlist

    Buy Far Side of the Moon at Amazon

    Frank Borman Wikipedia page

    Susan Borman obituary

    Countdown by Frank Borman

    The Astronaut Wives Club Wikipedia page

    From the Earth to the Moon Wikipedia page

    Gemini VII Wikipedia page

    Apollo 8 Wikipedia page

    Apollo 1 Wikipedia page

    Ed White Wikipedia page

    Pat White obituary

    Jim Lovell Wikipedia page

    Russia to drop out of International Space Station after 2024 (AP Story)

    Chasing the Moon

    Eastern Air Lines Wikipedia page

    Crash of Eastern Flight 401 Wikipedia page

    Alcohol Addiction Resources (NIAAA)

    Myth Merchant Films

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  • Episode 016 – The Sky’s No Limit – Eileen Collins and Jonathan Ward

    Episode Summary

    In this episode, Launch Pad host Paul Ring talks to retired astronaut Eileen Collins and writer Jonathan Ward, authors of “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission.” They discuss Collins’ career a U.S. Air Force pilot and Space Shuttle commander that is documented in her autobiography.

    Show Notes

    In this episode, Launch Pad host Paul Ring talks to retired astronaut Eileen Collins and writer Jonathan Ward, authors of “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission.” They discuss Collins’ career a U.S. Air Force pilot and Space Shuttle commander that is documented in her autobiography.

    Further Reading:

    “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars”

    Eileen Collins

    Eileen Collins’ Official Website

    Jonathan Ward’s Amazon Author Page

    Jonathan Ward’s Official Website

    T-38 Talon

    A-7 Corsair II

    TR-1 (U-2 Variant)

    Avro Vulcan

    B-70 Valkyrie

    B-58 Hustler

    1983 Beirut Barracks Bombing

    United States Invasion of Granada

    Hubble Space Telescope

    NASA Astronaut Group 13

    Longitudinal Stability

    Neil Armstrong

    Buzz Aldrin

    Michael Collins

    Apollo 15

    Dick Covey

    Carrying the Fire

    STS-63

    STS-84

    STS-93

    Chandra X-Ray Observatory

    James Webb Space Telescope

    Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster

    STS-114

    Sally Ride

    Sally Ride Science

    Rick Hauck

    Elon Musk

    Core Rope Memory

    Apollo Guidance Computer

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  • Episode 015 – In Good Hands – Jennifer Levasseur

    Episode Summary

    In this episode, Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with Jennifer Levasseur a Smithsonian curator with the enviable job of caring for and interpreting the Space Shuttle Discovery. She and Paul talk about the different aspects of her job, how she got there, and their common affection for the grande dame of the orbiter fleet.

    Show Notes

    In this episode, Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with Jennifer Levasseur a Smithsonian curator with the enviable job of caring for and interpreting the Space Shuttle Discovery. She and Paul talk about the different aspects of her job, how she got there, and their common affection for the grande dame of the orbiter fleet.

    Further Reading:

    Jennifer Levasseur’s Staff Page on the Smithsonian website

    Being Discovery’s Curator, by Jennifer Levasseur

    Smithsonian Space Shuttle Discovery Page

    Discovery Orbiter Wikipedia Page

    Through Astronaut Eyes: Photographing Early Human Spaceflight

    STS-131 Wikipedia Page

    STS-131 Launch Video (Taken by Paul Ring)

    Welcome Patrons

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  • Episode 014 – Never Panic Early – Bill Moore

    Episode Summary

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with Bill Moore, co-author of “Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey,” the autobiography of Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise. They discuss how that mantra, “Never panic early, “ played a key role in Haise’s life from his time growing up in Biloxi, Mississippi, to the critical design work he did on the Space Shuttle and the Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests..

    Show Notes

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with Bill Moore, co-author of “Never Panic Early: An Apollo 13 Astronaut’s Journey,” the autobiography of Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise. They discuss how that mantra, “Never panic early, “ played a key role in Haise’s life from his time growing up in Biloxi, Mississippi, to the critical design work he did on the Space Shuttle and the Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests..

    Further Reading:

    Fred Haise’s Wikipedia page

    “Never Panic Early” on Amazon

    “Never Panic Early” at Smithsonian Books

    University of Oklahoma Website

    Infinity Science Center Website

    Northrup Grumman Website

    Kansas Cosmosphere (home of the Apollo 13 CM)

    Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (home of the Space Shuttle Enterprise)

    Apollo 13 Film’s Wikipedia Page

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  • Episode 013 – Impact – Greg Brennecka Episode Summary Launch Pad host Paul Ring goes a little further afield as he discusses comets and meteorites and the universe with Greg Brenneck, a meteoriticist who is a staff scientist and cosmochemist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He is the author of “Impact: How Rocks from Space Let to Life, Culture and Donkey Kong.”

    Show Notes

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring goes a little further afield as he discusses comets and meteorites and the universe with Greg Brenneck, a meteoriticist who is a staff scientist and cosmochemist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He is the author of “Impact: How Rocks from Space Let to Life, Culture and Donkey Kong.”

    Further Reading:

    Greg Brennecka

    Impact: How Rocks from Space Led to Life, Culture, and Donkey Kong

    Meteoritics

    Cosmochemistry

    Theia Impact

    Dinosaur Extinction Impact

    Don’t Look Up

    Search for Dangerous Asteroids

    Palladium

    Donkey Kong

    1996 Mars “Fossil”

    Venus

    Star of Bethlehem

    St. Paul

    Aristotle

    Galileo Galilei

    Ernst Chladni

    Jean-Baptiste Biot

    James Webb Space Telescope

    Hubble Space Telescope

    Pillars of Creation

    Amino Acids

    Exoplanets

    Tunguska

    Chelyabinsk

    Allende

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  • Episode 012 – One Giant Leap – Charles Fishman

    Episode Summary

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Charles Fishman, author of “One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission that Flew Us to the Moon.” In this special, Christmas-sized episode, they will talk the unsung heroes and little-known facts about the Space Race.

    Show Notes

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Charles Fishman, author of “One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission that Flew Us to the Moon.” In this special, Christmas-sized episode, they will talk the unsung heroes and little-known facts about the Space Race.

    Further Reading:

    “One Giant Leap” on Amazon.com

    “When MetroWest went to the Moon” by Paul Ring

    Margaret Hamilton

    Bill Tindall

    President Kennedy Proposes Moon Goal

    Bay of Pigs Invasion

    Yuri Gagarin

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  • Episode 11 – Crewmates – Nicole Stott

    Episode Summary

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with Aquanaut, Astronaut, Artist and Author Nicole Stott to talk about her new book, “Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet – And Our Mission to Protect It.” They talk about how her space missions led to her to discovering a new mission here on Earth.

    Show Notes

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with Aquanaut, Astronaut, Artist and Author Nicole Stott to talk about her new book, “Back to Earth: What Life in Space Taught Me About Our Home Planet – And Our Mission to Protect It.” They talk about how her space missions led to her to discovering a new mission here on Earth.

    Further Reading:

    Nicole Stott’s Homepage

    Nicole Stott’s NASA Biography

    @Astro_Nicole on Twitter

    @astro_nicole on Instagram

    “Back to Earth” on Amazon.com

    “Back to Earth” Website

    Space for Art Foundation Website

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  • Episode 10 – Moon Wheels – Earl Swift

    Episode Summary

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with New York Times Bestselling author Earl Swift, whose latest book, "Across the Airless Wilds: The Lunar Rover and the Triumph of the Final Moon Landings,” is a fascinating deep dive into the design, creation and deployment of the first manned vehicle on another world.

    Show Notes

    Launch Pad host Paul Ring sits down with New York Times Bestselling author Earl Swift, whose latest book, "Across the Airless Wilds: The Lunar Rover and the Triumph of the Final Moon Landings,” is a fascinating deep dive into the design, creation and deployment of the first manned vehicle on another world.

    Further Reading:

    Earl Swift’s Website

    “Across the Airless Wilds” at Amazon.com

    Lunar Roving Vehicle page on Wikipedia

    Lunar Roving Vehicle Documentation page at The Apollo Lunar Surface Journal

    Space Center Houston 50th anniversary page for The Lunar Roving Vehicle

    Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum page on The Lunar Roving Vehicle

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  • Episode 9 – Untethered – Bruce McCandless III

    Episode Summary

    The son of Space Shuttle astronaut Bruce McCandless II sits down with Paul Ring to discuss his new book “Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space.”

    Show Notes

    The son of Space Shuttle astronaut Bruce McCandless II sits down with Paul Ring to discuss his new book “Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space.”

    Further Reading:

    Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the first Untethered Flight in Space

    Bruce McCandless III Amazon author page

    STS-41-B

    Manned Maneuvering Unit

    STS-31

    Hubble Space Telescope

    NASA Tribute to Bruce McCandless II

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  • Episode 8 – Space by the Book – Andrew Chaikin

    Episode Summary

    Award-winning space journalist Andrew Chaikin sits down with host Paul Ring to discuss his love of space exploration, his book “A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts,” and his work on the Viking Mars missions.

    Show Notes

    Award-winning space journalist Andrew Chaikin sits down with host Paul Ring to discuss his love of space exploration, his book “A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts,” and his work on the Viking Mars missions.

    Further Reading:

    A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts Bronson Pinchot Apollo 12 K. Mattingly Buzz Aldrin Ed Mitchell Apollo 15 From the Earth to the Moon To a Rocky Moon The Geology of Mars Faruk El-Baz Lee Silver Air and Space: The National Air and Space Museum Story of Flight Apollo : An Eyewitness Account By Astronaut/Explorer Artist/Moonwalker Alan Bean A Passion for Mars: Intrepid Explorers of the Red Planet Voices from the Moon: Apollo Astronauts Describe Their Lunar Experiences Mission Control, This Is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon The Folio Society The Viking Program Planetary Photojournal Stellarium Solar Walk – iOS, Android Star Walk – iOS, Android

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  • Episode 7 – Son of a Spaceman – Pete Conrad III

    Episode Summary

    Pete Conrad III, son of Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad, is our guest for this episode. He talks with host Paul Ring about the close-up view he had of his father’s aerospace career from Pawtuxet River, Maryland, to the Ocean of Storms and beyond.

    Show Notes

    Pete Conrad III, son of Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad, is our guest for this episode. He talks with host Paul Ring about the close-up view he had of his father’s aerospace career from Pawtuxet River, Maryland, to the Ocean of Storms and beyond.

    Further Reading:

    Pete Conrad, Jr. Wikipedia entry Rocketman: Astronaut Pete Conrad's Incredible Ride to the Moon and Beyond

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  • Episode 6 – Suited for Space - Bill Ayrey

    Episode Summary

    Bill Ayrey, former ILC Dover space suit test engineer and company historian, talks to host Paul Ring about the creation of the space suits that allowed Apollo astronauts to walk and work on the Moon and his new book, “Lunar Outfitters Making the Apollo Space Suit.

    Show Notes

    Bill Ayrey, former ILC Dover space suit test engineer and company historian, talks to host Paul Ring about the creation of the space suits that allowed Apollo astronauts to walk and work on the Moon and his new book, “Lunar Outfitters Making the Apollo Space Suit.

    Further Reading:

    Bill Ayrey page at the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal ILC Dover’s Spacesuit Page Lunar Outfitters: The Making of the Apollo Space Suit

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