Small Steps, Giant Leaps
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.
Wed, April 16, 2025
Episode 151: Designing Missions
NASA’s design labs are where engineers develop concepts for missions and scientific instruments.
Fri, April 04, 2025
Episode 150: Urban Air Taxis
Flying taxis? NASA is working on it.
Wed, March 19, 2025
Spacecraft Thermal Blankets
Originally a fashion designer, Paula Cain is a NASA thermal blanket technician, working to protect spacecraft from the extremes of space.
Wed, March 05, 2025
Celebrating NASA's Engineers
NASA engineers turn dreams into reality, solving complex challenges to push exploration forward. From landing rovers on Mars to advancing deep space missions, their ingenuity makes it all possible. This episode with Chief Engineer Joe Pellicciotti and Deputy Chief Engineer Katherine Van Hooser celebrates the innovation, dedication, and impact of NASA’s engineering community.
Wed, February 19, 2025
NASA Photography - Visual Storytelling
Ever wondered what it takes to capture NASA’s most breathtaking moments? From rocket launches to behind-the-scenes astronaut training, Bill Ingalls, senior contract photographer for NASA Headquarters has spent decades framing history through his lens. In this episode, we dive into his journey, how he and his team prepare for assignments, and the importance of visual storytelling.
Wed, February 05, 2025
Space Medicine: Body and Mind
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.
Sat, January 18, 2025
Pam Melroy: Behind the Strategy
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.
Wed, December 11, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 144: Mining the Moon with NASA’s IPEx Robot
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.
Wed, November 27, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 143: NASA Training Simulators
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.
Wed, November 13, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 142: Europa Clipper: Voyage to a Water World
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.
Wed, October 30, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 141: Planetary Defense at NASA
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.
Wed, October 16, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 140: Artificial Intelligence at NASA
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.
Wed, October 02, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 139: NASA's Cosmic Origins Program
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.
Wed, September 18, 2024
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.
Wed, September 04, 2024
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.
Wed, August 21, 2024
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.
Wed, August 07, 2024
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.
Wed, July 24, 2024
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.
Wed, July 10, 2024
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.
Wed, June 26, 2024
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.
Wed, June 12, 2024
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.
Wed, May 29, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 130: Ingenuity’s Final Flight: Lessons Learned
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.
Wed, May 08, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 129: Accelerating Discoveries with Open Science
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.
Wed, April 24, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 128: Engineering Inflatable Structures for Space
How inflatable habitats moved from concept papers to the International Space Station, and what NASA is doing to eventually put one on the Moon.
Wed, April 03, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 127: Chief Program Management Officer
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.
Wed, March 20, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 126: Gateway: The Logistics of an Outpost at the Moon
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.
Wed, March 06, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 125: Capstone Project: Artemis I Lessons Learned
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.
Wed, February 21, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 124: The Game-Changing Potential of In-Space Manufacturing
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.
Wed, February 07, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 123: Examining Earth’s Atmosphere with NASA’s PACE Mission
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.
Wed, January 24, 2024
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 122: Charting New Horizons: Inside NASA's Orion Mission
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.
Wed, December 13, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 121: The Artemis and Ethics Report Explained
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.
Thu, November 30, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 120: Fueling Innovation: How NASA Shares Knowledge for Progress
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.
Wed, October 18, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 119: Rocket Propulsion Test Program
Rocket Propulsion Test Program Manager Christine Powell discusses chemical propulsion testing at NASA’s world-class facilities.
Wed, October 04, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 118: Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative
NASA SpaceTech's Michael LaPointe and John Nelson discuss the Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative.
Wed, September 20, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 117: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 3
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.
Wed, September 06, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 116: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 2
NASA Technicians Scott Bartram, Eric Bentley, Maria Salinas, and Phil Steele discuss their hands-on work on a variety of projects and technologies.
Wed, August 23, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 115: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 1
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Engineering Technicians Jason Nelson, Kyle Whitfield, and Alex Zamora discuss their essential contributions to NASA missions.
Wed, August 09, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 114: Last Stop Before Retirement
NASA Langley Research Center Retired Chief Scientist Dennis Bushnell discusses highlights of his 60-year NASA career and the future of the agency.
Wed, July 26, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 113: OSIRIS-REx Sample Return Preparation
OSIRIS-REx Mission Systems Engineer Ron Mink discusses preparation for the return of the United States' first asteroid sample from space to Earth.
Wed, July 12, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 112: TechLeap Nighttime Precision Landing Challenge
NASA TechLeap Nighttime Precision Landing Challenge Manager Greg Peters discusses the lunar landing challenge.
Wed, June 28, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 111: Flight Opportunities
NASA Flight Opportunities Program Manager Danielle McCulloch discusses rapid demonstration of technologies and capabilities for NASA missions and commercial spaceflight.
Wed, June 14, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 110: APPEL Knowledge Services
NASA Chief Knowledge Officer and APPEL Knowledge Services Director Tiffany Smith discusses knowledge sharing and learning and development.
Wed, May 31, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 109: NASA Engineering and Safety Center
NASA Engineering and Safety Center Director Tim Wilson discusses the NESC's contributions to NASA mission success.
Wed, May 17, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 108: Underwater Training for Astronauts
NASA Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory Critical Systems Engineer Jim Sarafin discusses training astronauts for spacewalks.
Wed, May 03, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 107: Perovskite Solar Cells
NASA Research Electrical Engineer Lyndsey McMillon-Brown discusses development of perovskite solar cell technology for Moon and Mars exploration.
Wed, April 19, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 106: Surface Water and Ocean Topography
Surface Water and Ocean Topography Project Manager Parag Vaze discusses the first global survey of Earth's surface water.
Wed, April 05, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 105: Samples from Mars
Mars Sample Return Deputy Lead Scientist Lindsay Hays discusses plans to bring the first samples of Mars material to Earth.
Wed, March 22, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 104: Workplace Safety Culture
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and Associate Administrator Bob Cabana discuss the importance of a strong safety culture.
Wed, March 08, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 103: Legacy of Inspiration
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.
Wed, February 22, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 102: Legacy of Connection
NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Rob Grant discusses the agency’s Black History Month theme: Building a Legacy of Achievement, Connection, and Knowledge.
Wed, February 08, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 101: Artemis Missions
Artemis Mission Manager Mike Sarafin discusses Artemis I and NASA's increasingly complex Moon to Mars missions.
Wed, January 25, 2023
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 100: NASA’s Extraordinary Workforce
NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy discusses NASA's positive impact on humanity—and the people who make it happen.
Wed, December 14, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 99: Webb Space Telescope’s First Year
NASA James Webb Space Telescope Mission Systems Engineer Mike Menzel discusses highlights of the observatory's first year in space.
Wed, November 30, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 98: Voyager
Voyager Project Manager Suzanne Dodd discusses NASA's longest-operating mission and the only spacecraft to explore interstellar space.
Thu, November 17, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 97: Mars InSight
NASA InSight Mars Lander Principal Investigator Bruce Banerdt discusses the first mission dedicated to studying the deep interior of Mars.
Wed, November 02, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 96: Airworthiness
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Chief Engineer CJ Bixby discusses what it takes to achieve airworthiness.
Wed, October 19, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 95: Developmental Assignments
NASA's Nick Jedrich and Andrew Maynard discuss the benefits of developmental assignments.
Wed, October 05, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 94: Mars Sample Return
Mars Sample Return Scientists Lindsay Hays and Meenakshi Wadhwa discuss the mission to return samples from the surface of Mars to Earth.
Wed, September 21, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 93: Circuit Theory Application to Animal Movement
The Nature Conservancy's Kim Hall discusses the use of NASA Earth observation data to map animal movement and patterns.
Wed, September 07, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 92: Evolved Structures
NASA Research Engineer Ryan McClelland discusses digital engineering technologies that are transforming classical engineering tasks and processes.
Wed, August 24, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 91: OSAM-1
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.
Wed, August 10, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 90, Effects of Space Radiation
NASA Space Radiation Element Scientist Robin Elgart discusses research aimed at reducing radiation health risks.
Wed, July 27, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 89, The Big Dig
Boston University Assistant Professor Virginia Greiman discusses enduring lessons from the largest, most technically challenging highway project in U.S. history.
Wed, July 13, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 88, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Flight
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Chief Pilot Håvard Grip discusses the rotorcraft's history-making flights on the Red Planet.
Wed, June 29, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 87, NuSTAR
NuSTAR Principal Investigator Fiona Harrison discusses NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array.
Wed, June 15, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 86, Astrobiology Research Coordination Networks
NASA Astrobiology Program Senior Scientist Mary Voytek discusses Research Coordination Networks.
Wed, June 01, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 85, Moon to Mars Habitation
NASA's Tiffany Nickens discusses habitats being developed for living on the lunar surface and traveling to Mars.
Wed, May 18, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 84, NASA’s Role in Weather Research
NASA's Edward Kim and NOAA's Pam Sullivan discuss NASA's role in weather research.
Wed, May 04, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 83, NASA’s Role in Climate Research
NASA Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor Kate Calvin discusses the agency's role in climate research.
Wed, April 20, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 82, NASA’s Role in Agriculture
NASA Water Resources and Agriculture Program Manager Brad Doorn discusses how NASA tools and data help solve big problems on Earth.
Wed, April 06, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 81, Engineering Best Practices 4
NASA Johnson Space Center Engineering Director Julie Kramer White discusses the skills required to be a top-notch engineer.
Tue, March 22, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 80, Engineering Best Practices 3
NASA Space Launch System Chief Engineer John Blevins discusses the rigorous engineering of the world's most powerful rocket.
Wed, March 09, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 79, Engineering Best Practices 2
NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate Chief Engineer Steve Hirshorn discusses what it takes to be a successful chief engineer.
Wed, February 23, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 78, Engineering Best Practices 1
NASA Chief Engineer Ralph Roe discusses engineering best practices.
Wed, February 09, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 77, VERITAS
NASA's John Brophy discusses the VERITAS mission to Venus.
Wed, January 26, 2022
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 76, DAVINCI
NASA's Mike Sekerak discusses the DAVINCI mission to Venus.
Wed, December 15, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 75, Artemis Progress
NASA's Kristin Morgan discusses 2021 progress and what's ahead for the Artemis Program in 2022.
Wed, December 01, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 74, Solar Sails
NASA's Les Johnson discusses solar sail propulsion and the upcoming Near-Earth Asteroid Scout and Solar Cruiser missions.
Wed, November 17, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 73, James Webb Space Telescope
James Webb Space Telescope Program Director Greg Robinson discusses NASA's largest and most powerful space science telescope ever constructed.
Wed, November 03, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 72, Dawn Mission
NASA's Marc Rayman discusses the legacy of the Dawn mission to the two most massive bodies in the main asteroid belt.
Wed, October 20, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 71, Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment
Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment Principal Investigator Mike Hecht discusses the MOXIE technology demonstration that's generating oxygen on the Red Planet.
Wed, October 06, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 70, Lucy Mission
Lucy Deputy Project Systems Engineer Mike Sekerak discusses the first space mission to study Jupiter's Trojan asteroid swarms.
Wed, September 22, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 69, Parker Solar Probe
Parker Solar Probe Mission Scientist Adam Szabo discusses NASA's journey to the Sun.
Wed, September 08, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 68, Lessons Learned Information System
NASA Lessons Learned Program Manager Michael Bell discusses the agency's Lessons Learned Information System.
Wed, August 25, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 67, Quiet Supersonic Mission
NASA Low Boom Flight Demonstrator Deputy Project Manager Cathy Bahm discusses the X-59 quiet supersonic research mission.
Wed, August 11, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 66, Convergent Aeronautics Solutions
NASA Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Project Manager Keith Wichman discusses mapping problems and solutions to transform aviation.
Wed, July 28, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 65, NASA Intern Experiences
NASA Intern Nick Syracuse discusses his virtual internship experiences.
Wed, July 14, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 64, Space Communications and Navigation
NASA Space Communications and Navigation Chief Engineer Neil Mallik discusses how SCaN keeps the universe connected.
Wed, June 30, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 63, OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Mission
OSIRIS-REx Principal Investigator Dante Lauretta discusses the NASA mission to near-Earth asteroid Bennu.
Wed, June 16, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 62, Laser Communications Relay Demonstration
NASA's Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Principal Investigator Dave Israel discusses the dynamic power of laser communications technologies.
Wed, June 02, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 61, Transforming Assessment of Unsteady Aerodynamics
NASA's Nettie Roozeboom discusses a new state-of-the-art technique to measure unsteady aerodynamics using pressure-sensitive paint.
Wed, May 19, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 60, Dragonfly
Dragonfly Principal Investigator Zibi Turtle discusses NASA's planned rotorcraft-lander mission to Titan.
Wed, May 05, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 59, Spacecraft Window Design
NASA Spacecraft Window Design Expert Lynda Estes discusses the evolution of windows that give humans a unique view into space.
Wed, April 21, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 58, SOFIA Airborne Observatory
SOFIA Project Scientist Naseem Rangwala discusses the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy.
Wed, April 07, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 57, Shuttle Program Closeout Complexities
NASA's Johnny Nguyen discusses insight gained through closeout of the Space Shuttle Program.
Wed, March 24, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 56, Model-based Systems Engineering
NASA's Terry Hill and Jessica Knizhnik discuss the agency's transition to model-based systems engineering.
Wed, March 10, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 55, Psyche Mission
Psyche Mission Co-investigator Ben Weiss discusses the mission to a unique metal asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
Wed, February 24, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 54, Astrophysics Pioneers Program
NASA Astrophysicist and Pioneers Program Lead Scientist Michael Garcia discusses the new program’s first mission concepts selected for further development.
Wed, February 10, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 53, Ingenuity Mars Helicopter
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Chief Engineer Bob Balaram discusses the first experimental aircraft flight on another planet.
Tue, January 26, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 52, Mars Perseverance Rover Science
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Deputy Project Scientist Katie Stack Morgan discusses science objectives of NASA’s first astrobiology-focused mission to the Red Planet.
Wed, January 13, 2021
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 51, Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign
NASA Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign Deputy Lead Shivanjli Sharma discusses the "third revolution" in aviation.
Wed, December 09, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 50, Futuristic Space Technologies
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program Executive Jason Derleth discusses visionary concepts that could transform future space missions.
Tue, November 24, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 49, NEEMO Case Study Deconstructed
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.
Wed, November 11, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 48, Mars Landing Retropropulsion Simulation
NASA's Michelle Munk, Ashley Korzun and Eric Nielsen discuss the impact of state-of-the-art computing on future NASA missions.
Wed, October 28, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 47, ISS 20 – Space Station Complexity
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.
Tue, October 13, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 46, ISS 20 - Living in Space
American Astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson discusses 20 years of continuous human presence on the International Space Station.
Mon, September 28, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 45, Digital Transformation
NASA Digital Transformation Officer Jill Marlowe discusses the agency’s digital transformation strategy and approach.
Sun, September 13, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 44, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite
NASA Deputy Director of Astrophysics Jeff Volosin discusses the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission.
Wed, September 02, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 43, White Sands Test Facility
White Sands Test Facility Manager Bob Cort discusses the history and capabilities of the NASA facility.
Wed, August 19, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 42, Game Changing Development Program
NASA Game Changing Development Program Executive Niki Werkheiser discusses advancement of space technologies that could lead to new approaches for future space missions.
Wed, August 05, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 41, Technical Storytelling, Part Two
NASA’s Jon Olansen, Jenny Devolites and Ben Asher share technical stories and discuss storytelling technique with Storytelling Strategist Johel Brown-Grant.
Wed, July 22, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 40, Technical Storytelling, Part One
Storytelling Strategist Johel Brown-Grant with the U.S. State Department discusses organizational benefits of technical storytelling.
Wed, July 08, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 39, Plum Brook Station
Plum Brook Station Director David Stringer discusses world-unique test facilities at the NASA station in Ohio.
Wed, June 24, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 38, Human Factors
NASA Armstrong Operations Engineering Branch Chief Kate McMurtry discusses the value of understanding the impact of human factors on mission performance.
Wed, June 10, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 37, NASA Safety Center
NASA Safety Center Director Harmony Myers discusses resources to help achieve technical excellence in safety and mission assurance.
Wed, May 27, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 36, Crowdsourcing Innovation
NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation Deputy Manager Steve Rader discusses driving innovation through crowdsourcing and the gig economy.
Wed, May 13, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 35, Launch America
NASA Commercial Crew Program Chief Engineers Steve Sullivan, Chris Lupo and Deborah Crane discuss the new approach for launching American astronauts to space.
Wed, April 29, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 34, Science in the 2020s
NASA Scientist Michelle Thaller discusses anticipated discoveries and exciting missions planned during this decade.
Wed, April 15, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 33, Young Innovators
Kenny Harris, a NASA engineer named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 Class of 2020, discusses his experiences as a young professional.
Mon, March 30, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 32, Europa Clipper
Europa Clipper Project System Engineer Jennifer Dooley discusses NASA’s outer planets flagship mission.
Wed, March 18, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 31, Commercial Lunar Payload Service
Steve Clarke, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, discusses commercial payload delivery services to the Moon.
Wed, March 04, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 30, VIPER Lunar Rover
VIPER Project Manager Dan Andrews discusses the lunar rover’s upcoming mission to look for water ice on the Moon.
Wed, February 19, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 29, Centennial Challenges
Monsi Roman, NASA Centennial Challenges Program Manager, discusses the agency’s flagship prizes and competition program.
Tue, February 04, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 28: Interdisciplinary Interactions
Anna McGowan, NASA’s Senior Engineer for Complex Systems Design, discusses the impact of interdisciplinary interactions on mission success.
Wed, January 22, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 27, Megatrends for Engineering Systems
Anna McGowan, NASA’s Senior Engineer for Complex Systems Design, discusses engineering trends and the impact of rapid technology changes.
Wed, January 08, 2020
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 26, NASA IV&V
NASA Independent Verification and Validation Program Director Greg Blaney discusses the impact of IV&V on high-profile NASA missions.
Wed, December 11, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 25, NASA Technology Transfer
NASA Technology Transfer Program Executive Dan Lockney discusses the transfer of innovative space and aeronautics technologies for practical, terrestrial applications.
Tue, November 26, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 24, TechPort
NASA TechPort’s Patrick Murphy and Ryan Miller discuss how technologists and innovators can use the tool to exchange ideas for groundbreaking solutions.
Wed, November 13, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 23, Swamp Works
NASA Swamp Works Senior Technologist Rob Mueller discusses technologies being developed for missions to the Moon and Mars.
Tue, October 29, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 22, Reflections on Columbia
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.
Tue, October 15, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 21, NASA Human Research Program
NASA Human Research Program Director Bill Paloski discusses methods and technologies to support safe, productive human space travel to the Moon and Mars.
Wed, October 02, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 20, Exploration Spacesuit Design
NASA Exploration EVA System Development Lead Jesse Buffington discusses spacesuit design for spacewalks on the Moon and Mars.
Wed, September 18, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 19, Magic Inside the Orion Spacesuit
Orion Spacesuit Engineer Kirstyn Johnson discusses the internal systems of the Orion spacesuit.
Wed, September 04, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 18, Orion Spacesuit Design
Orion Crew Survival Systems Project Manager Dustin Gohmert discusses Orion spacesuit design.
Tue, August 20, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 17, Astronaut Training
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.
Wed, August 07, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 16, Ocean-Atmosphere Understanding
Kathleen McIntyre, PACE Deputy Project Manager, discusses NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission.
Wed, July 24, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 15, 20 Years of Chandra Discoveries
Chandra X-ray Observatory Project Manager Helen Cole and Project Scientist Martin Weisskopf discuss 20 years of exploring the extreme universe.
Wed, July 10, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 14, Apollo Lunar Landing Training
Lisa Jones, NASA Landing and Impact Research Facility Manager, discusses the facility where the Apollo astronauts trained for the lunar landing.
Tue, June 25, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 13, Apollo Legacies and Lessons Learned
Award-winning journalist, space historian and author Andrew Chaikin discusses the Apollo Program, almost 50 years after the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Wed, June 12, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 12, Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities
Brent Cobleigh, NASA Flight Demonstrations and Capabilities Project Manager, discusses new technologies that could transform air travel.
Tue, May 28, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 11, Commercial Crew
Jon Cowart, a veteran space engineer, discusses NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and progress toward launching astronauts from American soil.
Wed, May 15, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 10, Concurrent Engineering
The European Space Agency’s Torsten Bieler discusses how ESA uses concurrent engineering.
Tue, April 30, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 9, Mars Opportunity Rover Mission
Abigail Fraeman, deputy project scientist on the Mars Exploration Rover mission, discusses the Opportunity rover mission.
Tue, April 16, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 8, Engineering NASA’s Science Missions
Joe Gasbarre, NASA Science Mission Directorate Chief Engineer, discusses the engineering side of science missions.
Wed, April 03, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 7, Space Shuttle Columbia National Tour
Mike Ciannilli, the agency’s manager of the Apollo, Challenger, Columbia Lessons Learned Program, previews the Space Shuttle Columbia National Tour.
Wed, March 20, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 6, Artificial Intelligence
Brian Thomas, Agency Data Scientist at NASA Headquarters, discusses artificial intelligence.
Wed, March 06, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 5, Big Data
John Sprague, Deputy Chief Information Officer for Technology, Data and Innovation at NASA Headquarters, discusses big data.
Wed, February 20, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 4, APPEL Knowledge Services Overview
Roger Forsgren, NASA Chief Knowledge Officer and APPEL Knowledge Services Director, discusses the integration of training and knowledge sharing activities.
Thu, February 07, 2019
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 3, Unleashing Innovation
David Miranda, innovation point of contact for the Exploration Ground Systems Program’s Operations Division, offers tips for unleashing innovation.
Wed, December 19, 2018
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 2, Decision Velocity
An Exploration Ground Systems Program division chief, Jeremy Parsons, discusses practical ways to make quality decisions faster.
Tue, December 11, 2018
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 1, Orion Spacecraft
Orion Program Manager Mark Kirasich discusses the challenges and opportunities of managing America’s next-generation spacecraft.
Tue, December 04, 2018
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 0, Preview
APPEL Knowledge Services presents a preview of the new Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast.
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