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The Space Above Us

A podcast about the history of NASA human spaceflight. New episodes every other Thursday.
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Now displaying: 2019
Dec 26, 2019

This week we've got classified satellites, alarming heat shield damage, and another Mike is out of his seat!

Dec 12, 2019

The Space Shuttle is flying again with STS-26! Let's see if we can figure out how to fold some chairs.

Nov 28, 2019

We take a quick break from the main narrative to take a look around at a few things that happened during the shuttle's lengthy hiatus.

Nov 25, 2019

In this lengthy supplemental, we listen to Allan McDonald's testimony in front of the Rogers Commission on February 25th, 1986. This is a long episode, so just a friendly reminder that supplementals are considered optional!

Nov 14, 2019

We conclude our coverage of the Challenger accident by digging into why it was able to happen.

Oct 31, 2019

We look at what physically happened on STS-51L and try to answer some questions.

Oct 17, 2019

Before we deal with the tragic loss of Space Shuttle Challenger, we take a moment to learn about the remarkable mission that should have been.

Oct 3, 2019

Columbia is back after a long stint in the shop, but there seems to be some trouble getting off the launchpad.

Sep 19, 2019

Atlantis is back already with a bunch of satellites and an investigation into on-orbit construction of large structures.

Sep 8, 2019

In this supplemental we'll listen to the actual mission audio as Apollo 13's oxygen tank explodes. We'll hear mission control discuss stirring the tanks, Gene Kranz quickly mention the LM lifeboat concept, and several famous utterances from spaceflight history.

Sep 5, 2019

Spacelab is back with a flight sponsored by West Germany! I apologize in advance to any German-speaking listeners who have to endure my pronunciation.

Aug 22, 2019

With the addition of OV-104 Atlantis, the Space Shuttle fleet is complete. To celebrate, let's do another classified mission that we know almost nothing about. Also, The Space Above Us reveals some exciting news!

Aug 8, 2019

The crew of STS-51I had an unusual satellite repair mission on the flight plan. They better make sure they're well rested.

Jul 25, 2019

Challenger makes history on a one of a kind mission. Who knew turning a rotary dial could be so dramatic?

Jul 11, 2019

We've got a lot going on for the fifth flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. Commsats, lasers, something about a star war, and did that guy say he was a prince?

Jun 27, 2019

It's been a long wait, well, for some of us, but STS-51B is here! Spacelab is operational and has a whole bunch of science to do. But how are we going to get the monkeys into the payload bay?

Jun 13, 2019

We've got a full orbiter for this flight! Seven crew members, two commsats, a bunch of toys, and plenty of duct tape and cardboard.

May 30, 2019

We're back to our usual schedule! And what better way to return from an unexpected break than a mission about which we know almost nothing? This week, STS-51C: the shuttle's first classified mission.

May 16, 2019

No new episode this week because I got appendicitis and need to recover from my appendectomy. Sorry! New episode in two weeks. 

May 2, 2019

STS-41B left some unfinished business in low earth orbit in the form of a couple of stranded communications satellites. On STS-51A, we're gonna go get 'em.

Apr 18, 2019

Challenger's back on the launch pad with the biggest crew we've seen yet, but something seems to be wrong with the Ku-band antenna. I hope you're ready for some orbiter attitude gymnastics!

Apr 4, 2019

Space Shuttle Discovery joins the cast, and makes a dramatic entrance.

Mar 21, 2019

The Solar Maximum Mission is in trouble, and only the crew of STS-41C can save it. Join us for the shuttle's first on-orbit repair of an uncrewed satellite!

Mar 7, 2019

STS-41B (wait, what happened to STS-10?) runs into a few bumps in the road, but clears the road for the next mission and comes home with some pretty spiffy photos.

Feb 21, 2019

John Young flies for one last time, carrying a payload bay full of science. Wait, does someone hear a sizzling sound coming from the engine compartment?

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