By Paul Ring
5
33 ratings
The podcast currently has 25 episodes available.
Episode 024 – Son of Apollo – Christopher Roosa
Episode Summary
Christopher Roosa is a retired colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and a combat veteran. He is also the son of Apollo 14 Command Module pilot Stuart Roosa. In his book “Son of Apollo: The Adventures of a Boy Whose Father Went to the Moon,” He tells the story of his father’s humble beginnings growing up in Oklahoma. From there the elder Roosa became a smoke jumper, fighter pilot and test pilot before being chosen to become an astronaut in 1966. In this episode of The Launch Pad Space Podcast, host Paul Ring talks to Christopher Roosa about his father, and growing up as a Son of Apollo.
Show Notes
Christopher A. Roosa
Stuart Roosa
“Son of Apollo”
Joint Base Langley-Eustis
Edwards Air Force Base
Apollo Program
Saturn V
Apollo 1
Apollo 11
Apollo 13
Apollo 14
The White House
Richard Nixon
Tricia Nixon Cox
Camp David
Ed White
Elvis Presley
Apollo 16
Apollo 17
Alan Shepard
Ed Mitchell
John Young
Space Shuttle
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o Kristina Fontes
o Jimzilla1701
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
Instagram @launchpadspace1
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Links
You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726
Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@launchpadspacepodcast5558
Episode 023 – First Mom – Anna Fisher
Episode Summary
Anna Fisher is one of the first women chosen by NASA to become astronauts. She flew on STS-51A, one of the most technically demanding missions in the Space Shuttle program. She also helped develop the International Space Station and the Orion spacecraft that will return astronauts to the Moon. In this episode of The Launch Pad Space Podcast, host Paul Ring talks to Anna Fisher about her career and her contributions over 40 years to NASA’s human space exploration program.
Show Notes
Anna Fisher
1978 Astronaut Class
Harbor UCLA Medical Center
Space Shuttle
Christopher C. Kraft Jr.
Challenger Disaster
STS-51A
Rick Hauck
Lloyd’s of London
International Space Station (ISS)
Columbia Disaster
Orion
The New Guys
Meredith Bagby
Welcome Patrons
Become a Patron
No new patrons this time around, but please consider helping us out.
And thank you to the generous patrons who have been supporting the podcast!
o Kristina Fontes
o Jimzilla1701
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
Instagram @launchpadspace1
Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast
YouTube @LaunchPadSpacePodcast
Email [email protected]
Links
You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726
Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@launchpadspacepodcast5558
Episode 022 – The New Guys – Meredith Bagby
Episode Summary
Meredith Bagby is the author of an incredible new book, “The New Guys: The Historic Class of Astronauts That Broke Barriers and Changed the Face of Space Travel.” This new release has been the talk of space aficionados, as Bagby tells the story of the first group of Space Shuttle astronauts. She focuses on the first 10 minority astronauts, while telling the story of all 35 “new guys.” In this episode of The Launch Pad Space Podcast, host Paul Ring talks to the author about her investigation into this lightly studied era of spaceflight, and the group of men and women who helped usher the Shuttle program into reality.
Show Notes
Meredith Bagby
The New Guys
1978 Astronaut Class
Challenger Disaster
Teacher in Space Program
Christa McAuliffe
Sally Ride
George Abbey
Anna Fisher
STS-51A
International Space Station (ISS)
The Astronaut’s Wife
Columbia Disaster
Ron McNair
Rhea Seddon
Commercial Crew Program
Artemis Program
Guy Bluford
Challenger Salvage
Ellison Onizuka
Judy Resnick
Shannon Lucid
Kathy Sullivan
Rick Hauck
Steve Hawley
Robert “Hoot” Gibson
Judy Resnick – Tom Brokaw Interview
Welcome Patrons
Become a Patron
No new patrons this time around, but please consider helping us out.
And thank you to the generous patrons who have been supporting the podcast!
o Kristina Fontes
o Jimzilla1701
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
Instagram @launchpadspace1
Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast
YouTube @LaunchPadSpacePodcast
Email [email protected]
Links
You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726
Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@launchpadspacepodcast5558
Episode 21 – The Astronaut’s Wife – Stacey Morgan
Episode Summary
Stacey Morgan may never go into space, but she’s an important as any engineer when it comes to ensuring her husband, NASA Astronaut Drew Morgan, is successful as an astronaut. For the first time, Stacey Morgan, the wife of an active astronaut, has written about her experiences, both good and bad. Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with her about her book “The Astronaut’s Wife: How Launching My Husband into Outer Space Changed the Way I Live on Earth.”
Show Notes
Stacey Morgan’s Website
Drew Morgan at NASA.gov
Drew Morgan at Wikipedia
The Astronaut’s Wife at Amazon.com
The Astronaut Wives Club at Amazon.com
The Astronaut Wives Club TV Show at Amazon Prime
Among the Stars at Disney+
West Point Website
Kwajalein Atoll
Welcome Patrons
Become a Patron
No new patrons this time around, but please consider helping us out.
And thank you to the generous patrons who have been supporting the podcast!
o Kristina Fontes
o Jimzilla1701
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
Instagram @launchpadspace1
Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast
YouTube @LaunchPadSpacePodcast
Email [email protected]
Links
You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726
Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v
Episode SP01 – Space Adventure Boston
Episode Summary
Recently, I got a sneak preview of the new Space Adventure Boston exhibit in Chelsea. It will be in town through February 2023 and will move on to either Chicago or Atlanta once it's done. I spoke with one of the producers, David Rosenfield, as we walked through the exhibit. In this video we talk about some of the amazing artifacts on display. The immersive video portions of the event you’ll have to experience for yourself. I highly recommend visiting if you're in the Boston area. For more tickets and scheduling information, go to www.spaceadventure.us.
Show Notes
Space Adventure Website
The Kansas Cosmosphere Website
Welcome Patrons
Become a Patron
No new patrons this time around, but please consider helping us out.
And thank you to the generous patrons who have been supporting the podcast!
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
Instagram @launchpadspace1
Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast
YouTube @LaunchPadSpacePodcast
Email [email protected]
Links
You can listen to this, or any episode of the podcast by using these links, or searching wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726
Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v
Episode 20 – Space Craze – Margaret A. Weitekamp
Episode Summary
Margaret A. Weitekamp is the Smithsonian’s Space History Department chair and curator of the museum’s Cultural History of Spaceflight Collection. In this episode of the Launch Pad Space Podcast, I talk with her about the intersection of fictional space flight and the real-life adventures of explorers during the space race. Her new book “Space Craze: America’s Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight,” offers a deep dive into a history that aspires to the better angels of our society, while still reflecting the problematic issues including sexism and racism.
Show Notes
Margaret A. Weitekamp Bio at Smithsonian Institution Website
“Space Craze” at Amazon.com
“Right Stuff, Wrong Sex” at Amazon.com
Buck Rogers at Wikipedia
Flash Gordon at Wikipedia
Space Shuttle at Wikipedia
Apollo Program at Wikipedia
Lost in Space (TV Show) at Wikipedia
I Dream of Jeannie (TV Show) at Wikipedia
Han Solo at Wikipedia
Firefly (TV Series) at Wikipedia
Joss Whedon at Wikipedia
Space Patrol (TV Series) at Wikipedia
Star Trek: The Original Series (TV Series) at Wikipedia
Spock at Wikipedia
Hikaru Sulu at Wikipedia
Nichelle Nichols at Wikipedia
Nyota Uhura at Wikipedia
Civil Rights Movement at Wikipedia
Womens Movement at Wikipedia
Gene Roddenberry at Wikipedia
Reruns at Wikipedia
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) at Wikipedia
Babylon 5 (TV Series) at Wikipedia
VHS Recording at Wikipedia
Star Trek: Voyager at Wikipedia
DVR Recording at Wikipedia
G’Kar at Wikipedia
Londo Mollari at Wikipedia
John Sheridan at Wikipedia
Jadzia Dax at Wikipedia
Delenn at Wikipedia
Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) at Wikipedia
The Outcast (TNG Episode) at Wikipedia
Rayguns at Wikipedia
Toys at Wikipedia
Cabbage Patch Kids at Wikipedia
Young Astronauts Program Website
501st Legion Website
Rhode Island Comic Con Website
Doctor Who (TV Series) at Wikipedia
The Fourth Doctor at Wikipedia
Tom Baker at Wikipedia
Emergency! (TV Series) at Wikipedia
Space Shuttle Operator’s Manual (Book) at Amazon.com
Space Shuttle Discovery at Wikipedia
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster at Wikipedia
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster at Wikipedia
Apollo 1 Fire at Wikipedia
Welcome Patrons
No new patrons again this time around, but please consider helping us out. And thank you again to those who have offered your support!
Become a Patron
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
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Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast
Links
You can listen to this episode of the podcast here, and anywhere you get your podcasts.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-launch-pad-space-podcast/id1521502726
Android: https://podcasts.google.com/search/launch%20pad%20space%20podcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1XddmhYfLuXFwMGkpxK33v
Episode 019 – Toilet Training and More – Mary Roach
Episode Summary
This episode features my conversation with one of my favorite authors, science writer Mary Roach, author of six New York Times bestsellers, including her 2010 book “Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the void.” She always finds the fascinating and offbeat details of her subjects and passes them on with a wonderful sense of fun. Her latest project is a new version of her popular space book, called “Packing for Mars for Kids.” We talk about what brought her to write about space exploration, and the complexities of translating her book for a new audience, children.
Show Notes
Mary Roach’s website
”Packing for Mars” at Amazon.com
”Packing for Mars” for Kids at Amazon.com
”Stiff” at Amazon.com
Space Shuttle Toilet Cam video
Astronaut William Thornton at Wikipedia
Apollo 11 Mission Overview at NASA.gov
Challenger – STS-51L at Wikipedia
Columbia – STS-107 at Wikipedia
Monkeys and Apes in Space at Wikipedia
Fecal Collection Bag story on Jalopnik
Gemini VII on Wikipedia
Ham the Chimpanzee at Wikipedia
Enos the Chimpanzee at Wikipedia
Mary Roach on Audible
The Vomit Commit at Space.com
Jeff Bezos at Wikipedia
For All Mankind at AppleTV+
Dr. Jonathan Clark at NASA.gov
Astronaut Laurel Clark at Wikipedia
“Loss of Signal” at The Aerospace Medical Association website
Welcome Patrons
No new patrons again this time around, but please consider helping us out. And thank you again to those who have offered your support!
Become a Patron
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
Instagram @launchpadspace1
Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast
Episode 018 – Space for Change – Lori Garver
Episode Summary
In this episode, Launch Pad host Paul Ring talks to controversial former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver about her new book “Escaping Gravity: My Quest to Transform NASA and Launch a New Space Age.” She gives a look at the inner workings of NASA, talking about the battles she won – like continuing funding to the Commercial Crew Program – and those she lost – spending multi-billions of dollars on the Space Launch System.
Further Reading:
LoriGarver.com
Lori Garver Wikipedia page
Escaping Gravity
Escaping Gravity at Amazon.com
CNASA Commercial Cargo Program (COTS) Wikipedia page
NASA Commercial Crew Program Wikipedia page
NASA Commercial Crew Program page
Elon Musk
Bill Nelson NASA page
Bill Nelson Wikipedia page
Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket
For All Mankind Apple TV+ Show
Sally Ride Wikipedia page
Jodi Balfour Wikipedia page
SpaceX
Blue Origin
Jim Bridenstine Wikipedia page
Sean O’Keefe Wikipedia page
Charlie Bolden Wikipedia page
Jeff Bezos Wikipedia page
Pam Melroy NASA page
Pam Melroy Wikipedia page
Bryan O’Connor Wikipedia page
Mike Coates Wikipedia page
Barack Obama
James Webb Space Telescope
Nichelle Nichols Wikipedia page
Gene Roddenberry Wikipedia page
Star Trek Wikipedia page
Martin Luther King Jr
International Space Station (ISS) NASA page
Fiscal 2023 NASA Budget Estimates
Hydrosat
Sierra Space
Dream Chaser
Brooke Owens Fellowship
Patti Grace Smith Fellowship
Matt Isakiowitz Fellowship Program
Homer Hickam
Bill Clinton
Donald Trump Wikipedia page
Bill Anders Wikipedia page
Apollo 8 Earthrise photo
Welcome Patrons
No new patrons again this time around, but please consider helping us out. And thank you again to those who have offered your support!
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Twitter: @launchpadspace1
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Episode 017 – Frank and Susan – Liisa Jorgensen
Show Notes
In this episode, author Liisa Jorgensen stops by to talk about her book “Far Side of the Moon: Apollo 8 Commander Frank Borman and the Woman Who Gave Him Wings.” She and host Paul Ring discuss the strength of astronaut wives during the 1960s, and the toll it took on their lives and their marriages through the lens of Frank Borman and his wife Susan. Their marriage lasted 71 years, but their love story is timeless.
Further Reading:
Far Side of the Moon website
Far Side of the Moon Spotify playlist
Buy Far Side of the Moon at Amazon
Frank Borman Wikipedia page
Susan Borman obituary
Countdown by Frank Borman
The Astronaut Wives Club Wikipedia page
From the Earth to the Moon Wikipedia page
Gemini VII Wikipedia page
Apollo 8 Wikipedia page
Apollo 1 Wikipedia page
Ed White Wikipedia page
Pat White obituary
Jim Lovell Wikipedia page
Russia to drop out of International Space Station after 2024 (AP Story)
Chasing the Moon
Eastern Air Lines Wikipedia page
Crash of Eastern Flight 401 Wikipedia page
Alcohol Addiction Resources (NIAAA)
Myth Merchant Films
Welcome Patrons
No new patrons again this time around, but please consider helping us out. And thank you again to those who have offered your support!
Become a Patron
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
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Episode 016 – The Sky’s No Limit – Eileen Collins and Jonathan Ward
Episode Summary
In this episode, Launch Pad host Paul Ring talks to retired astronaut Eileen Collins and writer Jonathan Ward, authors of “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission.” They discuss Collins’ career a U.S. Air Force pilot and Space Shuttle commander that is documented in her autobiography.
Show Notes
In this episode, Launch Pad host Paul Ring talks to retired astronaut Eileen Collins and writer Jonathan Ward, authors of “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission.” They discuss Collins’ career a U.S. Air Force pilot and Space Shuttle commander that is documented in her autobiography.
Further Reading:
“Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars”
Eileen Collins
Eileen Collins’ Official Website
Jonathan Ward’s Amazon Author Page
Jonathan Ward’s Official Website
T-38 Talon
A-7 Corsair II
TR-1 (U-2 Variant)
Avro Vulcan
B-70 Valkyrie
B-58 Hustler
1983 Beirut Barracks Bombing
United States Invasion of Granada
Hubble Space Telescope
NASA Astronaut Group 13
Longitudinal Stability
Neil Armstrong
Buzz Aldrin
Michael Collins
Apollo 15
Dick Covey
Carrying the Fire
STS-63
STS-84
STS-93
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
James Webb Space Telescope
Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
STS-114
Sally Ride
Sally Ride Science
Rick Hauck
Elon Musk
Core Rope Memory
Apollo Guidance Computer
Welcome Patrons
No new patrons again this time around, but please consider helping us out. And thank you again to those who have offered your support!
Become a Patron
Follow Us:
Our website: www.launchpadshow.com
Twitter: @launchpadspace1
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Facebook @Launch Pad Space Podcast
The podcast currently has 25 episodes available.