The Kerbal Space Program is currently used as an educational tool to teach about spacecraft and mission design. But as Dr. Schmitt tells us, it should be used as a method for designing whole mission architectures. For years, Schmitt has relied on KSP and its realism mods to design and simulate missions, including those that will take astronauts back to the Moon! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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In Earth's orbit, there are millions of debris objects that pose a collision risk for satellites and space stations. If left unchecked, the situation could lead to a cascading effect known as Kessler Syndrome. While space agencies worldwide track and monitor objects in orbit to prevent collisions, strategies for active debris removal are needed and many are being researched. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com

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Guest | Dr. Moriba Jah, Professor, The University of Texas at Austin [@UTAustin]

On Twitter | https://x.com/moribajah

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahniverse/

On Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/moribajah

Website | https://www.moriba.com/

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine  👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

Moriba Jah is a Professor of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at The University of Texas at Austin. He's also a major advocate for the "stewardship" of Earth and space. Through his world traveling and extensive experience with NASA, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and academia, he has earned a wide following as a champion for the sustainable use of space.

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Resources

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

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Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine  👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is the most complex and powerful space observatory ever deployed. What it has discovered since it commenced operations has been nothing short of groundbreaking! However, many of these discoveries were unexpected and confounded astronomers. But this is the purpose of Webb, which is designed to investigate the biggest questions we have about the nature of the Universe.

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Resources

Webb Space Telescope - Home: https://webbtelescope.org/home

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Guest | Keith Cowing, Creator / Editor, NASA Watch and Astrobiology.com

On Twitter | https://x.com/keithcowing

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-cowing-9b94076/

On Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/keith.cowing

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine  👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

Keith Cowing has been one of NASA's most vocal critics for decades. Together, we discussed what the future may hold for NASA and its ambitious exploration programs. In the end, hope and fear are the only way to describe the mood at NASA as it faces an uncertain future.

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Resources

NASA Watch: https://nasawatch.com/

Astrobiology.com: https://astrobiology.com/

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Guest | Keith Cowing, Editor, NASA Watch

On Twitter | https://x.com/keithcowing

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-cowing-9b94076/

On Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/keith.cowing

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine  👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

Keith Cowing, a former NASA scientist and the creator of NASAWatch, has been a part of the space sector for decades. He's also one of NASA's most vocal critics. We sat down to discuss the current state of affairs at NASA, which has become chaotic thanks to the shakeup caused by the current U.S. administration

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Resources

NASA Watch: https://nasawatch.com/

Astrobiology.com: https://astrobiology.com/

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

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Guest | Dr. Will Grundy, Astronomer, Lowell Observatory

Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine  👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

Dr. Will Grundy, an astronomer and planetary scientist with the Lowell Observatory and a member of the New Horizons team, has been studying Pluto his entire professional life. Together, we sat down to discuss matters of planetary science, the Great Planet Debate, and the importance of icy bodies in the outer Solar System.

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Resources

Lowell Observatory: https://lowell.edu/

I Heart Pluto Festival 2025: https://iheartpluto.org/

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

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Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine  👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

Stations in space that allow for long-duration stays and a permanent human presence throughout the Solar System are a time-honored concept. The concept achieved fruition by the late 20th century. In the not-too-distant future, we may be seeing rotating wheels and cylinders in space that can accommodate the "Great Migration" of people to space.

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Resources

Space Station 20th: Historical Origins of ISS (NASA): https://www.nasa.gov/history/space-station-20th-historical-origins-of-iss/

The First Space Stations (National Air and Space Museum): https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/first-space-stations

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

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Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine  👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

Wormholes, portals in spacetime that allow for faster-than-light travel, are a staple of science fiction. But what does the science say about them? In truth, scientists have been exploring the idea for over a century and there is some basis for their existence. Whether or not we'll ever be able to use them, however, is still up for debate.

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Resources

What are Wormholes?: https://www.space.com/20881-wormholes.html

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

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Host | Matthew S Williams

On ITSPmagazine  👉 https://itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/matthew-s-williams

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Episode Notes

Red dwarf stars are the most common in the Universe, and are pretty good at forming rocky planets in their habitable zones (HZs). This includes Proxima b (the closest exoplanet to our Solar System). But red dwarfs are known for being temperamental and prone to flares. As a result, the debate continues as to whether or not planets orbiting these stars could support life.

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Resources

Could Earth Life Survive on a Red Dwarf Planet? - Universe Today: https://www.universetoday.com/166157/could-earth-life-survive-on-a-red-dwarf-planet/

Red Dwarf Stars Might Be Able to Hold Onto Their Atmospheres After All - Universe Today: https://www.universetoday.com/169037/red-dwarf-stars-might-be-able-to-hold-onto-their-atmospheres-after-all/

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For more podcast Stories from Space with Matthew S Williams, visit: https://itspmagazine.com/stories-from-space-podcast

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