Liftoff

By Relay FM

What's Liftoff about?

Liftoff is a podcast about space, the universe, and everything. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand the major developments as explained by enthusiastic space fans Stephen Hackett and Jason Snell. Hosted by Jason Snell and Stephen Hackett.

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Liftoff episodes:

12.09.2022
171: Apollo 17
In 1972, the final lunar mission of the Apollo program took place, finally sending a geologist to study the moon up close.
11.18.2022
170: It Flew
In the early morning of November 16, the SLS launched for the very first time.
07.29.2022
169: A Lot of Glory to be Bathed Within
Jason and Stephen pop open the hatch to marvel at the JWST's first images, talk about the SLS and wonder what is going on with Russia and the ISS.
04.20.2022
168: Apollo 16
The second of three J-missions, the crew of Apollo 16 spent nearly three whole days on the surface and completed an EVA on the way home, returning one day earlier than initially planned.
04.19.2022
167: Back in the VAB
The SLS has enjoyed some Florida sunshine but is headed back to the VAB for more work. This time, Stephen and Jason catch up on NASA's new rocket, plus some other news.
12.27.2021
166: JWST and the Future of Liftoff
On this special episode, Stephen and Jason celebrate the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and talk about the future of the podcast.
12.14.2021
165: Forever Expanded in our Hearts
Days away from (hopefully) the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, Stephen and Jason talk about the hype around the mission, as well as the latest with SLS and Starliner.
11.30.2021
164: A Dashcam for a Space Probe
The future of the International Space Station is the topic of a new report, all while the SLS inches closer to its first launch. Also: DART is on its way to a celestial crash and a spacewalk has been delayed...
11.16.2021
163: What Does it Look Like Under the Bus?
Artemis' 2024 lunar landing is officially off the table. Russia has shot one of its own satellites down, leading to emergency procedures being carried out at the ISS. Yeah, not a great week in space.
11.02.2021
162: Mixed-Use Business Park in Space
Ingenuity is flying faster than ever as JWST and SLS inch closer to launch. Then, a look at two different proposed commercial space stations.
10.19.2021
161: Now It’s Very Much Precedented
This week, Jason preps a glass of ice water for Stephen and the two discuss recent Starliner updates, the future of the ISS and Lucy.
10.05.2021
160: Hot Jupiters in Colorado
This week, there's news about cubesats, several commercial space programs and more. Then, a look at what is going on at Blue Origin.
09.21.2021
159: Fun Stuff in Science
NASA has published information about its work with AR, VR and getting sleepy while in a self-driving car. Jason and Stephen talk through the reports, then get into the breaking news of NASA's two new mission directorates.
09.07.2021
158: A Bad Roommate
It's a real roller coaster this week, except for the Astra rocket that went ... sideway off the pad. Other stories include Inspiration4, the James Webb Space Telescope and dual-core stars.
08.24.2021
157: It's in the Slushie Now
Boeing is returning the Starliner capsule to the factory, while Cassini continues to teach us about Saturn from beyond the grave. Then, Stephen and Jason give good and bad news about Artemis.
08.10.2021
156: You're Stealing My Rocks
Jason and Stephen are back, catching up on the news. Topics include SLS flight computers, Starliner's continued struggles, the recent incident at the ISS and a lot more.
07.27.2021
155: Apollo 15
As the first J mission, Apollo 15 marked a new era of broader discovery and scientific work on the lunar surface. David Scott, Alfred M. Worden, James Irwin worked to further our understanding of the moon.
07.16.2021
154:
Jason and Stephen check in on the Hubble's progress to return to normal operation and talk about Russia's upcoming ISS plans. Then, a discussion of billionaires in space and how the Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin missions are changing the...
07.01.2021
153: Hubble Trouble
Jason and Stephen catch up with several commercial space companies before reviewing footage of Zhurong on Mars and talking about the issues currently plaguing the Hubble Space Telescope.
06.15.2021
152: It's Under Our Control, with Dr. Ed Lu
After catching up on a couple of present and future robotic missions, Stephen and Jason talk with former astronaut Dr. Ed Lu about his work at the B612 Foundation, which is focused on protecting Earth from large asteroid strikes.
06.01.2021
151: Off to the Arctic Circle With You
It's budget time, and Stephen is here with the numbers. He and Jason are both excited about the final steps before the JWST launches. That, and a bunch of news updates this fortnight!
05.18.2021
150: Worming It Up
This fortnight, Jason and Stephen catch up on what NASA's new administrator has been saying about the future of the agency, and China's actions in space, both near and far away.
05.06.2021
149: $5,999,999,999.99
There's a new boss at NASA, and he already has a mess to deal with in the contested Human Landing System contract with SpaceX, which is seeing success in Texas with Starship testing. Then, an update on Mars missions and...
04.19.2021
148: Space Suits as a Service
With its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter's first flight compete, NASA has made history, opening the door to missions beyond landers and rovers. Also: what SpaceX's Human Landing System contract means for the SLS and the future of NASA leadership.
04.08.2021
147: Astronaut To Be Named Later
This fortnight, Jason and Stephen discuss traffic management at the International Space Station, upgrades to KSC's ground systems in preparation for SLS and the instruments that will fly with Europa Clipper.
03.23.2021
146: Reverse Origami
The SLS has completed a full-length hot fire test and NASA is on the verge of having a new administrator, all while SpaceX continue to move ahead with its Starship testing.
03.09.2021
145: Sad Mole
March is here, and it brings with it a lot of space news. On Mars, Perseverance is busy with a lot of firsts, even as Insight says goodbye to an old friend. SpaceX keeps churning out test vehicles as the...
02.23.2021
144: Elon Being Elon and the Early Days of SpaceX, with Eric Berger
Jason and Stephen are joined by Eric Berger to discuss his new book *Liftoff,* which covers the origins of SpaceX. Eric is the Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica and the book comes out on March 2.
02.19.2021
143: The Perseverance Landing and "For All Mankind" with Ron Moore
On this bonus episode, Jason and Stephen speak with Ron Moore, co-creator, writer and producer of *For All Mankind.* Topics covered include the challenges writing for a parallel timeline and a bit about episode 1 of the new season after...
02.11.2021
142: Not To Sound Like a Parent, But...
Jason and Stephen are getting back to the news, and talk about Alan Shepard's golf balls, the state of NASA's programs under the Biden administration and what NASA would do if the SLS program were ended. Lastly, they discuss the...
01.26.2021
141: Apollo 14
Less than a year after the disastrous Apollo 13 mission, the program returned to flight when Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa and Edgar Mitchell landed on the moon in February, 1971.
01.12.2021
140: The End of the Year Means Next Year
Jason and Stephen start 2021 by picking some things they are looking forward to in what promises to be a very busy year in space.
12.15.2020
139: Space Omelets
You get a sample return; you get a sample return; you get a sample return! In other news: SN8 had a rough landing, SpaceIL is getting back on the horse and NASA has unveiled more Artemis plans.
12.01.2020
138: A Great Acronym, but it's in Russian
The world is mourning the uncontrolled collapse of the Arecibo observatory, even as China's Chang’e-5 mission is underway to return lunar samples to Earth, which would be a first since the final Apollo mission.
11.17.2020
137: Delicate Dance of Docking
Commercial Crew has gotten official with the launch of Crew-1 over the weekend, the start of a six-month expedition on the International Space Station. That and the possibilities of Jim Bridenstine's future. Oh, and kilonovas!
11.03.2020
136: Don’t Tell the Boss
Zac Hall joins Jason to discuss the post-election future of NASA (and administrator Jim Bridenstine), the 20th anniversary of permanent habitation of the International Space Station, a bunch of moon news, and OSIRIS-REx taking a bite out of Bennu.
10.20.2020
135: Space is Full of Rocks
Stephen comes with good news about InSight's Mole, and Jason says there probably aren't aliens on Venus. Also: OSIRIS-REx is due for a big day and the space industry in China is heating up.
10.06.2020
134: My Response to Existential Terror, with Dr. Katie Mack
Jason and Stephen are joined by Dr. Katie Mack to discuss her book *The End of Everything: (Astrophysically Speaking).*
09.22.2020
133: The World’s Most Expensive WeWork
The recent announcement of phosphine being detected in Venus' atmosphere could have a major effect on future scientific missions, so Jason is excited about space blimps again. Then, Stephen walks through NASA's most recent Artemis roadmap.
09.08.2020
132: In the Shadow of Artemis
In the Utah desert, Northrop Grumman has tested a full-sized SLS SRB, while the future of work in low-Earth orbit is being debated. On Mars, InSight's troubles continue and 17 billion light years-away, two black holes have collided.
08.25.2020
131: Windex for Rockets
It's a busy week on Florida's Space Coast, and supernovas are in the news. Thankfully the two won't cross paths. Neither will Earth and an asteroid the day before Election Day in the United States.
08.11.2020
130: A Salted Almond in Space
Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley have splashed down after their historic mission to the ISS, and SpaceX's finally gotten a Starship test article to hop in Texas and the OSIRIS-REx team is gearing up for their sample return flight.
07.28.2020
129: Dirt in a Soccer Ball
Mars 2020 is set to launch in just a few days, and should be followed by the splashdown of the Commercial Crew Demo-2 mission. Elsewhere, Virgin Galactic has shown off the interior of its space tourism craft, and we remember...
07.14.2020
128: Summer of Mars
There are three missions bound for Mars launching this month, and Jason walks through them each. Then, Stephen gives a NASA budget update and the two get into some space law ... and guidelines.
06.30.2020
127: Wormy Space Coin
This week: black holes doing weird black hole things, a progress report on the SLS and a discussion of how some of NASA's facilities should be renamed.
06.15.2020
126: Astronauts are Really Good at Moving
The crew of Demo-2 are likely working on orbit until August, while here on the ground, COVID-19 is taking its toll on NASA schedules. Also: a conversation about CLPS and Gateway, as well as NASA's new Director of Human Spaceflight,...
06.02.2020
125: A Sparkly Dinosaur
The age of Commercial Crew has arrived, with Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken arriving at the International Space Station safely after riding a Falcon 9 there this weekend. Also: tiny CubeSats can do big things and Tom Cruise may be...
05.19.2020
124: Space Koozie
The Artemis Accords have been unveiled, but will their adoption be hurt by their rollout? Could Starship be more useful as a refueling station than a lander? Jason and Stephen get into these questions and more this fortnight.
05.05.2020
123: Lunar Camper
NASA has unveiled its plans to source a lunar lander for the Artemis program, while Hubble celebrates its 30th anniversary.
04.21.2020
122: Get an Exoplanet; Lose an Exoplanet
May seems to be the Month of Commercial Crew! Also: NASA is working from home, an exoplanet may be no more and a look at a future Mars sample return mission.

What's Liftoff about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Liftoff episodes:

171: Apollo 17

170: It Flew

169: A Lot of Glory to be Bathed Within

168: Apollo 16

167: Back in the VAB

166: JWST and the Future of Liftoff

165: Forever Expanded in our Hearts

164: A Dashcam for a Space Probe

163: What Does it Look Like Under the Bus?

162: Mixed-Use Business Park in Space

161: Now It’s Very Much Precedented

160: Hot Jupiters in Colorado

159: Fun Stuff in Science

158: A Bad Roommate

157: It's in the Slushie Now

156: You're Stealing My Rocks

155: Apollo 15

154:

153: Hubble Trouble

152: It's Under Our Control, with Dr. Ed Lu

151: Off to the Arctic Circle With You

150: Worming It Up

149: $5,999,999,999.99

148: Space Suits as a Service

147: Astronaut To Be Named Later

146: Reverse Origami

145: Sad Mole

144: Elon Being Elon and the Early Days of SpaceX, with Eric Berger

143: The Perseverance Landing and "For All Mankind" with Ron Moore

142: Not To Sound Like a Parent, But...

141: Apollo 14

140: The End of the Year Means Next Year

139: Space Omelets

138: A Great Acronym, but it's in Russian

137: Delicate Dance of Docking

136: Don’t Tell the Boss

135: Space is Full of Rocks

134: My Response to Existential Terror, with Dr. Katie Mack

133: The World’s Most Expensive WeWork

132: In the Shadow of Artemis

131: Windex for Rockets

130: A Salted Almond in Space

129: Dirt in a Soccer Ball

128: Summer of Mars

127: Wormy Space Coin

126: Astronauts are Really Good at Moving

125: A Sparkly Dinosaur

124: Space Koozie

123: Lunar Camper

122: Get an Exoplanet; Lose an Exoplanet