The Flight Deck

The Museum of Flight
  • 4.7 (43)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Diverse, thought-provoking stories from the world aviation and space exploration. Presented by The Museum of Flight.

  1. The Pop Culture of Space with Dr. Margaret Weitekamp

    10/08/2025

    The Pop Culture of Space with Dr. Margaret Weitekamp

    The idea of living and working in space has acted as inspiration for stories for thousands of years. Dr. Margaret Weitekamp is a curator and chair of the space history department at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. She joins host Sean Mobley to explore the many ways culture draws from the stars. The Museum of Flight is a proud Smithsonian Affiliate. Full shownotes and transcript: https://blog.museumofflight.org/flightdeck/the-pop-culture-of-space Cover image: National Air and Space Museum

    39 min
  2. Space Law & Order with Dr. Saadia Pekkanen

    09/24/2025

    Space Law & Order with Dr. Saadia Pekkanen

    If someone’s murdered on the International Space Station, what happens? Dr. Saadia Pekkanen is the founding director of the Space Law, Data, and Policy Program at the University of Washington, and is one of the global experts on the rules and diplomacy of outer space policy. She joins host Sean Mobley answer a deceptively simple question: as humans extend our reach into outer space, how do we know what rules to follow? Full Shownotes: https://blog.museumofflight.org/flightdeck/space-law-order

    34 min
  3. Are Space Stations Maybe a Bad Idea? with Kelly Weinersmith

    09/17/2025

    Are Space Stations Maybe a Bad Idea? with Kelly Weinersmith

    Yeah, dreaming of a thriving community in space is all fine and dandy. But have we really thought this through? Kelly Weinersmith is a biologist and popular science writer. She co-authored the book A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? with her husband Zach Weinersmith. In this conversation with host Sean Mobley, she brings a critical eye to the concept of space settlements, and wonders if we’re putting the cart before the horse when it comes to long-term habitation on another planet. Full shownotes: https://blog.museumofflight.org/flightdeck/are-space-stations-maybe-a-bad-idea

    42 min
  4. The Science of Mass Effect with Mac Walters

    09/10/2025

    The Science of Mass Effect with Mac Walters

    The Mass Effect series set a new standard for science fiction storytelling. Part of its appeal was a grounding in real science. Mac Walters is the CEO of Worlds Untold, but before founding his own company he was a writer on Mass Effect, a lead writer on Mass Effect 2 and 3, creative director of Mass Effect: Andromeda, and project director for the Mass Effect Legendary Edition. He joined host Sean Mobley and The Museum of Flight's Curator of Spaceflight and Contemporary Aerospace Geoff Nunn for a conversation about the ways science and fiction intersected in Bioware's legendary video game series. Full shownotes: https://blog.museumofflight.org/flightdeck/the-science-of-mass-effect-with-mac-walters Image: Bioware

    52 min
  5. Your Home in Space with Sana Sharma

    08/27/2025

    Your Home in Space with Sana Sharma

    Space is trying to kill you. How can you make it feel like home? Sana Sharma is a co-founder and the Chief Design Officer for the Aurelia Institute, where she focuses on creating habitats in outer space that go beyond basic survival. She joins host Sean Mobley to design a cozy place in outer space. Full Shownotes https://tmof.click/4fPD9m8

    44 min
  6. Space Food! with Vickie Kloeris

    08/22/2025

    Space Food! with Vickie Kloeris

    Sandwiches hit different at zero gravity. While at NASA, Vickie Kloeris managed the food systems for the Space Shuttle and later the International Space Station. She joins host Sean Mobley to chat about the weirdness and wonderfulness of making a menu for astronauts. Full shownotes: https://blog.museumofflight.org/flightdeck/space-food-with-vickie-kloeris

    51 min
  7. Ad Astra With Wendy Lawrence

    12/19/2023

    Ad Astra With Wendy Lawrence

    Wendy Lawrence is a retired NASA astronaut and pilot for the United States Navy. She joined host Sean Mobley for a frank and honest conversation about resilience, finding community, and reflecting on her time in the Navy and at NASA through an LGBTQ+ lens. In Season 3 of The Flight Deck, we’re sharing stories of LGBTQ+ people in aerospace. Full shownotes at www.museumofflight.org/podcast

    1h 1m
  8. 10 LGBTQ+ People In Aerospace You Should Know

    12/12/2023

    10 LGBTQ+ People In Aerospace You Should Know

    LGBTQ+ people have been part of aviation and space science for centuries. Today’s episode is a bit of a departure from our normal format. Special guest Joalda Morancy rejoins host Sean Mobley to spotlight 10 individuals in aerospace past and present who are part of the LGBTQ+ umbrella. This list of 10 people is not meant to be comprehensive. If you were making your own list, who would you include? Let us know! Contact us via email at podcast at museumofflight dot org. We’d love to hear your opinions! In Season 3 of The Flight Deck, we’re sharing stories of LGBTQ+ people in aerospace. Full shownotes at www.museumofflight.org/podcast

    33 min
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4.7
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About

Diverse, thought-provoking stories from the world aviation and space exploration. Presented by The Museum of Flight.

Information

  • Creator
    The Museum of Flight
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Flight Deck