Astro Ben Podcast

Tara Foster is an eager adventurer, a risk-taker, and an advocate of STEM. Tara has no problem talking to strangers on a bus, hiking through mosquito infested jungles, or driving eleven hours for a rocket launch. She's an Australian-American TV producer and social media reporter in Space!

In Episode 12, we hear how Tara got into the space industry and why she loves it so much! Tara has covered some of the biggest Space industry events over the years including: #Sentinel2Go, #CYGNSS, #OrbitalATK, #ULA, #SpaceX, #ExoMARS, #SpaceUpIE, #SpaceUpISU #Sentinel5P, #SSP17 and #IAC2017. A true connector, with a genuine obsession with Space!

00:17 Introduction to episode 12

02:19 This week's guest – Tara Foster

03:56 Bringing on Tara

04:29 Ben & Tara met at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide Australia

05:49 How Tara got involved in the space industry (by chance)

06:48 Taraaustralis – what is it? (and how do you say it)

07:45 What has Tara been up to?

09:07 Space documentaries

13:31 NASA Space social

16:16 What a launch is really like

18:09 What is the 'sci comm subculture'?

22:00 Tara's background – what would be the dream gig?

26:23 Tara's love of travel – where would your ideal trip be? (Expect a cheesy answer)

30:43 Hopes and aspirations for the space industry

33:53 Wrap up and Tara's social media – follow her!

Social Media

Website: https://taraustralis.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/intent/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Ftaraustralis.com%2F&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&screen_name=Taraustralis&tw_p=followbutton

Mentions

Astro Ben Space Podcast Astronaut Media Spacedocs documentaries tv Adelaide Australia time travellers guide galaxy NASA social media Blog Travel International Astronautical Congress IAC Twitter SpaceX social Mission Science Communication Educator ESA Collaboration Rocket Launch Astronaut STEM IAC Europe Travel Influence Reporter

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

SPACE HERO is a global casting show searching for the next generation of space explorers. The winning candidate of Space Hero will be launched into Earth's orbit and live aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for up to 10 days on a Private Astronaut Mission. It will be the biggest prize ever to be given away on a TV show – a $55m ticket to the ISS!

In Episode 11, we hear from co-founder of Space Hero, Deborah Sass, who admits to not knowing what the ISS was a few years ago, to now building a global company to get a 'normal' person there in 2023!

00:17 Intro to episode/summary of last weeks episode

01:31 What is Space Hero?

02:14 Introducing Deborah

02:46 Why Deborah lives on Ibiza

04:10 How Deborah got from traditional media to Space Hero

06:00 Ben cries about having his phone stolen

06:40 How Deborah meet CO-founder Thomas?

07:57 What is the ISS?

10:42 Ben is slightly jealous of Space Hero's concept

11:05 So what is Space Hero?

11:43 What will the competition involve?

13:06 Is Space Hero like X-Factor? Do people vote?

14:06 Deborah's analogy - chubby guy from Carphone Warehouse that wants to be an opera singer

15:15 Is diversity and inclusion a factor in the competition?

19:00 What if all the extremely well qualified people apply?

21:40 What is Space Hero really and where is it going to be streamed?

23:23 Why is Space Hero head quarters in London?

23:51 What is going to be the biggest challenge in getting Space Hero going?

26:34 Compared to Inspiration 4 and how big could 'space based' reality shows be?

28:30 How high are the barriers and what are Space Hero Insiders?

30:34 Anything new to announce?

31:50 Thanks Deborah!

32:13 Wrap Up

Social Media

Website: https://www.spacehero.org/

Twitter: https://www.spacehero.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacehero/?viewAsMember=true

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spaceheromedia/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/space_hero_media/

Mentions

Space Diversity Education Satellites Astronomy space exploration NASA career interplanetary Earth SpaceX Science Rockets Science Education Diversity Inclusivity Engineer Masters Space Rocket Science Space Educator School students astronaut astronauts exploration equity postgrad postgraduate Inspiration Apollo Mission Neil Armstrong Blue Origin teacher astroben hero spacehero tv competition spacetravel comp television ISS ESA

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

In the 10th episode of the Astro Ben Podcast, we hear from Mike Mongo, author of The Astronaut Instruction Manual, host of Mike Mongo's Astronaut Adventures, and director of The Humannaires Initiative, a partnership with United Launch Alliance. As Mike Mongo, Astronaut Teacher, he fosters enthusiasm and supports the training of students for tomorrow's jobs in space. "Tomorrow's jobs are in space," says Mr Mongo.

"Giving students today permission to imagine themselves living, working, and playing in space tomorrow is essential. We solve all the challenges we face on earth–health, energy, sustainability, equity, even the illusion of scarcity–by solving for space." In the summer of 2021, he is staging Mike Mongo's Astronaut Job Camp virtual summer camp at Shetland Space Centre, the UK's first vertical launch facility, in Unst, Scotland.

(Apologies for slight technical problems - improvements coming!)

0:18 Intro

01:06 Last week on The Astro Ben Podcast – Kevin J De Bruin

02:41 Introducing Mike Mongo

03:50 Mike comes on

05:51 Why are Mikes glasses on upside down?

10:54 What Mike does for a living? Educator/Author?

11:50 Inspiration 4 – Dr. Sian Proctor

14:48 Loretta Whiteside's Space Kind

16:40 Alyssa Carlson – future youngest astronaut in space?

18:40 Mike Mongo's Astronaut Job Camp virtual summer camp at Shetland Space Centre, the UK's first vertical launch facility, in Unst, Scotland.

22:57 UK Space Agency

23:30 How to attend Mike Mongo's job camp https://www.astronautjobcamp.com/

25:37 Artemis Generation

31:00 Why Mike would trade the moon?

35:00 Cosmic perspective

36:10 Would Mike go to space?

37:40 Thanks to Mike for coming on the podcast

39:00 Mikes socials

Social Media

Twitter: @MikeMongo

Instagram: @mikemongoastronautteacher

Facebook/Youtube: @MikeMongoAstronautTeacher

Mentions

Space Diversity Education Satellites Astronomy space exploration running rockets LEO NASA career interplanetary Earth SpaceX Science Near-Earth Rockets Science Education Public speaking JPL Mars Robotic Diversity Inclusivity Engineer Masters Space Rocket Science Space Educator Rockets Rocketry NASA School students astronaut astronauts exploration dr proctor JEDI justice equity postgrad postgraduate Purdue Inspiration Thunderbird jets SpaceKind Apollo Mission Neil Armstrong Blue Origin teacher ULA Shetland Scotland UK Space Lockheed Martin Conservationauthor United Launch Alliance Launch Facility

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

For episode 9 of the Astro Ben Podcast, we welcome Kevin J. DeBruin. Kevin is a former NASA Rocket Scientist , presenter, TEDx speaker, author, and educates about space at events around the globe.

Kevin is also known as "Fit Rocket Scientist" as he is an American Ninja Warrior, certified personal trainer and former bodybuilder. Hear Kevin 's fascinating insights into education and why he believes it should be mandatory in school to learn about our place in the cosmos!

0:17 Intro

0:26 Last week on The Astro Ben Podcast – Moriba

01:06 Bens doing 'alright' (no more information given)

01:16 SGAC

02:08 SGx – TEDx style event information coming soon

02:19 Introduction to Kevin

03:36 Bringing on Kevin – opening question about Lego!

05:00 Background to Kevin – road to Nasa and Beyond…

07:46 Theme of resilience to achieve your goals

09:34 How iconic space films can help give you cosmic perspective.

10:14 Space Education!

12:34 Space Camps – capturing that curiosity

16:50 Diversity in space industry – impact space camps?

18:00 Takeover Tuesday – what/why and how?

24:24 SpaceX making space flight routine again

24:45 Fit Rocket Scientist – American Ninja Warrior

27:24 Kevin's hopes and predictions for future of space industry (and timeline)

32:30 A national elementary space curriculum

35:26 Ben wraps up until next time – Ad Astra!

Social Media

Twitter: @rocketdebruin

Instagram: @kevinjdebruin

Mentions

Space Diversity Education Satellites Astronomy space exploration Georgia Tech running rockets space junk debris space junk NASA career interplanetary air force Earth SpaceX Science Near-Earth Rockets Science Education Public speaking JPL Mars Juno Cassini Saturn Instagram Robotic Diversity Inclusivity Engineer Masters Space Rocket Science Space Educator Rockets Rocketry NASA Spacecamp LA California JanetsPlanet American Ninja Warrior Bodybuilder Education School

For episode 8 of the Astro Ben Podcast, we welcome Moriba Jah. Moriba is a space scientist and space engineer known for his contributions to orbit determination, space attitude awareness, and space traffic monitoring. He is currently an associate professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Texas.

Hear Moriba's fascinating insights into space environmentalism and how we should accept that "near-Earth" space will never be clean. Ben asks a question Moriba has never been asked (but has another technical problem too!). Thought provoking discussion about the difference between diversity and inclusivity and how we shouldn't worship astronauts!

0:17 Intro

0:57 Last week on The Astro Ben Podcast

02:14 Background to Moriba Jah and Ben attempts to explain space junk (badly)

04:50 Moriba joins Ben

05:12 The importance of running (on Earth)

06:16 What is a normal week for Moriba

07:28 Space environmentalism

09:38 Did the Apollo program consider the future of space junk?

10:25 Similarities to ocean plastic – is it too late?

11:48 Ben has technical issue! (Embarrassing – blame Sky internet)

12:28 Attention to traditional ecological knowledge.

15:00 What happened with Chinese rocket crash?

17:33 Where Moriba got his passion for public speaking for?

19:20 Diversity in space industry

22:08 Hopes and dreams for space industry (great answer!)

24:10 Thanks Moriba!

24:44 Ben attempts to summarize.

25:30 Outro/wrap up – Moriba's socials!

26:50 Thanks again Moriba – see you next time!

27:08 Next weeks guest

Social Media

Twitter + Instagram: @moribajah

Mentions

Space Diversity Education Satellites Astronomy London Student Candidate space exploration Payloads running rockets space junk debris spacejunk LEO china Chinese rocket dynamics NASA career interplanetary air force Mars Earth Ecological Alaska Environment SpaceX Starlink Flash Gordon Science Fiction Near-Earth Rockets Science Education Public speaking Haiti Diversity Inclusivity TedX Talk Inspire

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

For episode 7 of The Astro Ben Podcast: Diversity in the Space Industry, we welcome Professor Chris Welch. Chris is Professor of Astronautics and Space Engineering at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France, where he is Head of the Space Payloads Laboratory and Director of Masters Programs. Although technically a physicist-turned-engineer, Chris sees himself more as a 'spaceist', interested in all aspects of space. Take a listen to hear about Chris's career from being one of the final twenty candidates for the 1991 UK-USSR Juno mission to the Mir space station, to getting a poem on the International Space Station!

0:18 Intro

1:05 Last week on The Astro Ben Podcast

1:50 Broader podcast aims

3.18 Background to Chris Welch

4.23 Welcoming Chris

5.21 Chris blames Neil Armstrong for passion for space

10.38 Chris's poem on the International Space Station

14.05 How Diversity has been a focal point on space societies and federations over the years.

21.38 How much of a factor is diversity in making space exploration successful?

27.00 Take for granted the ability to study STEM.

28.08 The quota question – international space university.

29.53 Magic wand for space industry – what would you do?

32.34 Would Chris go to space?

33.40 Thanks Chris!

34.00 Outro/wrap up – Chris's socials!

Social Media

Twitter + Instagram: @ProfChrisWelch

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrChrisWelch

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-chris-welch-6855121/

Mentions

Space Diversity Education Neil Armstrong Telescope Cosmology ISU Space University ISS Satellites Astronomy PHD London Strasberg Student Candidate Juno Mission Space propulsion system orbit mechanics space exploration Payloads British Interplanetary Society BIS Stars Planets IAF Space Hero STEM education professor exploration international space station

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

For episode 6 of The Astro Ben Podcast: Diversity in the Space Industry we welcome special guest Dr. Sheila Kanani, British astronomer, Space Comedian and the Education, Outreach and Diversity Officer at the Royal Astronomical Society. Take a listen to hear what Dr. Sheila Kanani has to say about being a woman in the space industry and inspiring young people to pursue careers in space!

0:20 Last week on The Astro Ben Podcast

1:15 Yuri's Night

2:20 This week's guest: Dr. Sheila Kanani

3:25 Follow Sheila on Twitter

4:30 Welcome Dr. Sheila Kanari

4:50 Saturn!

6:20 Life as an Education, Outreach and Diversity Officer at the Royal Astronomical Society

8:45 Dr. Kanani's background

10:25 Diversity work for the R.A.S.

12:10 LGBTQ+ physical sciences center

13:50 Challenges in University as a woman, microaggressions & mansplaining

17:50 How to Be an Astronaut Book & diversity's influence

23:20 Advice to people who want to have careers in the Space industry

27:00 Astronomy & telescopes & programming

29:45 Cosmic Perspective

30:09 Dr. Sheila Kanani's predictions for the future of the Space industry

31:38 Space Exploration

32:57 What does it mean to be a Space Comedian?

36:35 Recap of episode 6

38:20 Engage with Astro Ben Podcast on social media

Social Media

Twitter: @saturnsheila

Instagram: @royalastrosoc

Mentions

Yuri's Night

BBC One

STEM Sisters

How to Be an Astronaut

UKSEDS

Space General Advisory Council

Space X

NASA

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us

Please subscribe and rate us!

On this week's episode of The Astro Ben Podcast: Diversity in the Space Industry Ben welcomes special guest Loretta Whitesides, a public speaker, co-creator of Yuri's Night, and an author on space exploration. Loretta and Ben dive into her career as well as what being a woman in the space industry is really like.

0:55 Last week with Athena Brensberger

2:05 Today's guest: Loretta Whitesides

4:30 Welcome Loretta & Crew 1 mission launch

7:15 Space launches

8:00 Loretta's career

10:20 Space Mind Training

11:18 James Cameron Expedition- Aliens of the Deep documentary

12:25 Doctor Dijanna Figueroa

13:35 Virgin Galactic Space Tourism

14:20 What is Yuri's Night? How did Loretta create it?

16:30 Diverse Yuri's Night events

18:45 Getting people to study STEM & Space

22:20 Any setbacks you've seen others have in the space industry because of diversity?

23:10 Struggles of women in the space industry

26:15 Loretta's predictions for the future of space

26:45 First woman on the moon

28:35 The New Right Stuff

32:45 What it will be like to be in Space

34:00 Recap of episode 5

34:55 Follow Loretta on social media

35:00 Inspiration 4 competition for ticket to Space

36:15 See you next week! Don't forget to subscribe & follow us on social media!

Social Media

Instagram: @allspacekind

Twitter: @LorettaWhtsides

Mentions

Yuri's night

George T. Whitesides

Virgin Galactic

Aliens of the Deep

James Cameron

NASA

Space X

Dijanna Figueroa

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us

Please subscribe and rate us!

For episode 4 of The Astro Ben Podcast, we welcome Athena Brensberger, Astronomer, Space Influencer, and model. Athena and Ben talk about space communication in the media, ensuring equity for young STEM and space enthusiasts, and diversity among the space industry!

0:30 Intro/Mars

2:12 Recap of last week

3:00 Search for new astronauts

5:30 This week's guest: Athena Brensberger

6:09 Space Influencers

7:35 Meet Athena!

8:30 IS Espresso Machine

9:00 Who is Athena & how did she get to where she is now?

11:20 Science communication with social media

14:00 Diversity in Space & in Athena's career

16:30 Diverse Space Communicators

21:10 Keeping Space relevant in the media

23:10 Why Space & Science?

26:00 Encouraging young kids to study STEM subjects

29:50 Equity of Opportunity for kids of all backgrounds to pursue STEM or Space related careers

33:20 Constellation Satellites, Night Sky & Accessibility

36:45 Studying protoplanetary disks & becoming an astronomer

39:33 What does Space mean to Athena?

41:25 What Instagram accounts to follow to stay informed on Space news & diversity in Space

44:00 Wrap up & next week

Social Media

Instagram: @AstroAthens

Twitter: @AstroAthens

Astroathens.com

Mentions

European Space Agency

STEM

Science Education

Astro Athens

Social Media

Tik Tok

Astro Physics

Starlink

Protoplanetary Disks

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us

Please subscribe and rate us!

This week we welcome special guest Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Director General of the European Space Agency, to discuss how diversity has played a role in his life and how diversity will be the future of space!

0:35 Intro/Guest Johann-Dietrich Wörner ("Jan")

1:50 What is the European Space Agency?

2:45 ESA recruiting European astronauts

3:40 Diversity & Inclusivity in ESA letter

6:15 Welcome Jan Wörner

8:25 Background & how diversity has been part of that journey

10:10 Moving to Japan & gaining perspective on diversity

11:04 President of Technische Universität Darmstadt

13:50 Political diversity in ESA

15:55 Meeting Jan Wörner

17:00 Being an educator

19:20 Jan's personal opinion of diversity in the space industry

20:12 Diversity is an asset

22:00 Women in Space

24:10 Encouraging young people to pursue STEM

29:50 Predictions for the future of Space

32:00 What diversity could look like when we get to Mars

33:20 What would you change about the space industry?

35:10 What does Space meet to you?

37:45 Find Jan on social media

38:27 Recap

Social Media

Twitter: @janwoerner

Facebook: @ESAJanWoerner

Mentions

European Space Agency

Elon Musk

Jan Wörner

Space General Advisory Council

Diversity

Education

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us

Please subscribe and rate us!