STARS Launch Pod

From pioneering stem cell therapies to inspiring young minds with space-borne spiders and butterflies, this episode uncovers the magic of life science in orbit. Learn how microgravity research on the ISS is advancing healthcare, improving cancer treatments, and shaping the future of human spaceflight.

Discover how Valparaiso University is launching the next generation of space engineers. Professor Dan White shares how students build real satellites, join a global open-source ground station network, and turn childhood dreams into hands-on space exploration.

Dive into our conversation with space architect Dallas Bienhoff as he reveals how lunar resources, reusable landers, and next-gen technologies are paving the way for sustainable life on the Moon—and our journey to Mars.

Join Dr. Gabrielle Caswell, founder of Spaceport Australia, as she shares how humans can thrive beyond Earth. Discover bio-regenerative habitats, sustainable space systems, and the science of adapting our biology for life on Mars, the Moon, and beyond.

Explore the magic of STEM education with Janet Ivey, the powerhouse behind Janet’s Planet. Her stories, wisdom, and humor ignite a sense of possibility in learners of all ages. This episode is a joyful reminder that the universe is waiting for you to explore it.

Join host Susan Wise as she chats with Adam Kall, Chief Strategy Officer at Kall Morris Incorporated, about revolutionizing in-space logistics and tackling the growing challenge of orbital debris. Discover how his startup’s octopus-inspired spacecraft could change the future of satellite operations — and open the door to building the next generation of space infrastructure.

From radio waves to rocket launches—Chris Leslie’s journey is out of this world. Once a Houston radio guy, Chris became a NASA mission controller for the International Space Station, helped launch the Constellation Program,trained astronauts, worked with Axiom Space, and now shapes the future in NASA’s Moon to Mars Program Office. In  this episode, Chris shares behind-the-scenes stories of mission control, lessons from high-stakes moments, and how a simple gold watch sparked a lifelong passion for time and exploration.

Discover how the Canaveral Council of Technical Societies (CCTS) is shaping the future of space innovation through collaboration, STEM outreach, and industry-leading events like Space Congress. A must-read for anyone looking to break into or level up in the space industry.

Join host Susan Wise on Stars LaunchPod as she speaks with Dr. Marshall Porterfield, Purdue University professor and NASA researcher, about how his team is preparing to grow plants on the Moon through the groundbreaking LEAF experiment aboard Artemis III. Discover how space biology, biosensors, and mitochondrial research are shaping the future of sustainable space exploration, food production beyond Earth, and precision medicine inspired by NASA’s GeneLab and Twins Study.

Discover how a passionate seventh grader is already presenting at national space conferences, building CubeSats, researching AI, and shaping the future of space exploration. Meet Lucas Lowery—the young innovator proving the next generation is ready for liftoff.

Shorter- At just 12, Lucas Lowery is building satellites, speaking at space conferences, and preparing for Mars. This rising star is the future of aerospace.