Small Steps, Giant Leaps

NASA
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps Podcast

NASA’s technical workforce put boots on the Moon, tire tracks on Mars, and the first reusable spacecraft in orbit around the Earth. Learn what’s next as they build missions that redefine the future with amazing discoveries and remarkable innovations.

  1. 18 SEPT

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 138: The Sun, Star of our Cosmic Show

    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.

    22 min

  2. 4 SEPT

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

    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.

    26 min

  3. 21 AUG

    Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 136: Soft Robotics

    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.

    22 min
  4. Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 135: Biofilm - Dealing with the Scum off the Earth

    7 AUG

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

    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.

    15 min

  5. 24 JUL

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

    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.

    22 min

  6. 10 JUL

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

    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.

    30 min

  7. 26 JUN

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

    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.

    35 min

  8. 12 JUN

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

    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.

    25 min
See All (139)

About

NASA’s technical workforce put boots on the Moon, tire tracks on Mars, and the first reusable spacecraft in orbit around the Earth. Learn what’s next as they build missions that redefine the future with amazing discoveries and remarkable innovations.

Information

  • Channel
    NASA
  • Creator
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © NASA/APPEL Knowledge Services
  • Show Website
    Small Steps, Giant Leaps

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