Astronomy Cast

484: Transfer Orbits and Gravitational Assists Astronomy Cast 484: Transfer Orbits and Gravitational Assists by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

If you want to get around in the Solar System, you’ll want to take advantage of natural gravitational speed boosts and transfer orbits. Whether you’re heading to the outer Solar System or you want to visit the Sun itself, the planets themselves can help you in your journey.

483: Stopping in Space Astronomy Cast 483: Stopping in Space by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

It’s one thing to get from Earth to space, but sometimes you want to do the opposite. You want to get into orbit or touch down gently on the surface of a planet and explore it. How do spacecraft stop? And what does that even mean when everything is orbiting?

482: Alternative Ways to Space Astronomy Cast 482: Alternative Ways to Space by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

Getting to space is all about rockets, but people are trying to figure out other methods that could carry payloads to orbit and beyond. Railguns, airplanes, tethers and more. Today we’ll talk about alternative methods of spaceflight.

481: Rockets pt. 3 – Going Faster, Higher, Farther after Fairing Separation Astronomy Cast 481: Rockets pt. 3 – Going Faster, Higher, Farther after Fairing Separation by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay

We’ve seen rockets blast off from here on Earth. But that’s only half the story. Rockets have additional stages to push them into trajectories, like transfer orbits and various orbital manouvers. Let’s talk about what happens after the rocket is long gone, beyond our sight.

This was a special Q&A episode Pamela recorded while Fraser was in Iceland.

480: Rockets pt. 2- Multi-stage Boosters Astronomy Cast 480: Rockets pt. 2- Multi-stage Boosters by Fraser Cain & Dr. Pamela Gay