This week we’re talking with Alan Ladwig about his new book “See You in Orbit.” It chronicles the efforts to get regular humans, not just astronauts, into space. You probably heard us talk about those efforts after the Challenger disaster and into the era of commercial space tourism -- but the story of civilians in space starts long before that.

In this bonus interview for Are We There Yet?, Ladwig takes us back to the start…

BONUS INTERVIEW: The History Of Civilian Space

There’s a lot going on up there. Join space reporter Brendan Byrne each week as he explores space exploration. From efforts to launch humans into deep space, to the probes exploring our solar system, "Are We There Yet?" brings you the latest in news from the space beat. Listen to interviews with astronauts, engineers and visionaries as humanity takes its next giant leap exploring our universe.

Science

Space Kids Global is inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts and scientists are preparing to study the hottest planet in our solar system.

Space Kids Global heads to space and a mission to Venus is back on track

Young space enthusiasts are asking an astronaut their burning questions about space exploration.

Curious Space and Starliner’s first crewed mission

Scientists and astronomers are on the search for moons outside our solar system. Meanwhile, NASA and Nikon are working on a new camera designed to withstand our own moon’s environment.

Exomoons and lunar cameras

Space food scientist Vickie Kloeris, speaks about her new book Space Bites, a memoir of her career with NASA preparing food for orbit.

Space bites

Varda Space Industries is working on pharmaceutical research in space that could help produce HIV therapy drugs at a much lower cost.

BONUS INTERVIEW: The History Of Civilian Space

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