In December of 2022, the announcement of a successful fusion ignition reaction that produced more energy than went into the reaction broke headlines. Fusion has been a dream power source for decades, but has remained elusive to produce here on Earth. With this experiment at the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, humanity has taken a big leap forward in this quest. 

Learn from Dr. Annie Kritcher, who designed the conditions for this successful experiment, how the breakthrough was achieved. Can you imagine trying to refine the shape of an implosion? Or harnessing the power of 192 enormous laser beams? Why is fusion important to the future of humanity, and what drives Dr. Kritcher to work on this enormous puzzle? Learn more in this episode of Infinite Wonder!

Infinite Wonder is hosted by Renae Kerrigan, curator of science and planetarium director at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, Illinois, USA. As a leading official of the only museum of art, science, history, and achievement in the nation, Renae has a unique, multidisciplinary perspective she uses to explore leadership with people who are involved in all sorts of scientific discoveries in this marvelous world we all share.

Would you like a little more wonder in your week? Sign up for a free weekly space and science newsletter from Renae here: https://peoriariverfrontmuseum.activehosted.com/f/1425

Scott Altman, former NASA astronaut, retired US Navy Captain, accomplished test pilot, and now the President of the Space Operating Group for ASRC Federal is our guest in the first episode of Infinite Wonder.  Altman discusses how his team is building the Orion capsules used in NASA's Artemis missions, taking us back to the Moon in this decade. If you wanted to be a pilot, and learned you were too tall for the Air Force's requirements, what would you do? Learn how Altman overcame this and other challenges in this conversation with host Renae Kerrigan.

Infinite Wonder is hosted by Renae Kerrigan, curator of science and planetarium director at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Peoria, Illinois, USA. As a leading official of the only museum of art, science, history, and achievement in the nation, Renae has a unique, multidisciplinary perspective she uses to explore leadership with people who are involved in all sorts of scientific discoveries in this marvelous world we all share.

Would you like a little more wonder in your week? Sign up for a free weekly space and science newsletter from Renae here: https://peoriariverfrontmuseum.activehosted.com/f/1425