Small Steps, Giant Leaps

Small Steps, Giant Leaps

NASA’s technical workforce put boots on the Moon, tire tracks on Mars, and the first reusable spacecraft in orbit around the Earth. Learn what’s next as they build missions that redefine the future with amazing discoveries and remarkable innovations.

Episodes

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 134: The Internet of Animals

July 24, 2024 • 22 mins
The Internet of Animals, a collaborative research project with the U.S. Geological Survey along with several universities and institutions is giving insight into the intersection of animal movement patterns and climate. By combining remote sensing data with wildlife tracking tags, experts can get a better idea of scientific needs to manage conservation at the federal level.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 133: The Science of Space Gardening

July 10, 2024 • 30 mins
In this episode, Dr. Gioia Massa, senior Life Sciences project scientist at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, outlines the systems and processes used for growing vegetables aboard the International Space Station. The technology could one day support astronauts on long-duration missions in deep space. What we learn can benefit agriculture on Earth as well.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 132: Orbital Debris: Reducing Risk with Cost-Effective Strategies

June 26, 2024 • 34 mins
A new NASA report titled "Cost and Benefit Analysis of Mitigating, Tracking, and Remediating Orbital Debris" compares the cost-effectiveness of several strategies that could reduce the risk of collisions between spacecraft, including the space station, and orbital debris. 
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 131: The Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle

June 12, 2024 • 24 mins
In this episode, Jacob Bleacher, NASA’s chief exploration scientist, tells us about the science goals of the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle and how NASA is collaborating with industry to explore more of the Moon’s surface than ever before.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 130: Ingenuity’s Final Flight: Lessons Learned

May 29, 2024 • 28 mins
Teddy Tzanetos shares his project management experiences and lessons learned from leading the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter demonstration mission, the first test of powered, controlled flight on another world.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 129: Accelerating Discoveries with Open Science

May 8, 2024 • 21 mins
In this episode, Dr. Chelle Gentemann, Open Science Program Scientist for the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer, explains NASA’s initiative to make science more collaborative, accessible, and inclusive. Known as Transform to Open Science, or TOPS, the program encourages increased access to research and data.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 128: Engineering Inflatable Structures for Space

April 24, 2024 • 26 mins
How inflatable habitats moved from concept papers to the International Space Station, and what NASA is doing to eventually put one on the Moon.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 127: Chief Program Management Officer

April 3, 2024 • 34 mins
Dave Mitchell brings extensive experience as an engineer and project manager to a new position leading a small team with the broad mandate of improving acquisitions and program and project management across NASA.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 126: Gateway: The Logistics of an Outpost at the Moon

March 20, 2024 • 24 mins
In this episode we’ll focus on Gateway, a small space station NASA is developing to place in orbit at the Moon. We’ll speak with Mark Wiese, who leads the team that will ensure Gateway will receive the cargo, equipment, and supplies it needs to support Artemis astronauts.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 125: Capstone Project: Artemis I Lessons Learned

March 6, 2024 • 27 mins
Janet Karika, who retired recently from NASA after 43 years in the aerospace industry, shares career highlights and her approach to leading the Artemis I Lessons Learned process.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 124: The Game-Changing Potential of In-Space Manufacturing

February 21, 2024 • 24 mins
Dive deep into the world of in-space manufacturing (ISM) with our guest, Zach Courtright, the In-Space Manufacturing Portfolio Manager at NASA. Zach shares his perspectives on cutting-edge advancements and collaborations in the field and the potential of the technology for game-changing impacts on space exploration and resource utilization.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 123: Examining Earth’s Atmosphere with NASA’s PACE Mission

February 7, 2024 • 24 mins
Today, we look at NASA’s PACE mission, which seeks to unravel some of the mysteries of Earth’s atmosphere and the vital role played by aerosols and clouds. Join us as we delve into this fascinating journey with atmospheric scientist Dr. Kirk Knobelspiesse.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 122: Charting New Horizons: Inside NASA's Orion Mission

January 24, 2024 • 23 mins
In this episode, we step behind the scenes of NASA's Orion project to explore the remarkable teamwork, leadership, and communication that drive this groundbreaking endeavor. Join us as we sit down with Stu McClung, the NASA Orion Test lead, to talk about the Orion mission and the human side of space exploration.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 121: The Artemis and Ethics Report Explained

December 13, 2023 • 22 mins
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Zach Pirtle, a policy analyst for NASA’s Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy about NASA’s Artemis and Ethics workshop, which explored the ethical, legal, and societal implications of its Artemis and Moon to Mars missions.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 120: Fueling Innovation: How NASA Shares Knowledge for Progress

November 30, 2023 • 23 mins
In this episode, we sit down with Jim Rostohar, Chief Knowledge Officer for NASA's Johnson Space Center, to explore the vital role of knowledge sharing within the organization.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 119: Rocket Propulsion Test Program

October 18, 2023 • 23 mins
Rocket Propulsion Test Program Manager Christine Powell discusses chemical propulsion testing at NASA’s world-class facilities.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 118: Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative

October 4, 2023 • 19 mins
NASA SpaceTech's Michael LaPointe and John Nelson discuss the Center Innovation Fund and Early Career Initiative.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 117: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 3

September 20, 2023 • 34 mins
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineering Technicians John Hood, Amy Meekham, and Mark Sloan discuss details of their work on the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 116: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 2

September 6, 2023 • 59 mins
NASA Technicians Scott Bartram, Eric Bentley, Maria Salinas, and Phil Steele discuss their hands-on work on a variety of projects and technologies.
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Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 115: NASA Trade and Technical Professionals, Part 1

August 23, 2023 • 32 mins
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Engineering Technicians Jason Nelson, Kyle Whitfield, and Alex Zamora discuss their essential contributions to NASA missions.
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