Small Steps, Giant Leaps

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Small Steps, Giant Leaps audio podcast episodes

  • 33 minutes 38 seconds
    Risk Management at NASA

    Big or small, we all take risks nearly every day. But how does NASA manage it? Dr. Mary Skow, NASA’s first agency risk management officer, explains.


    11 June 2025, 3:27 pm
  • 30 minutes 6 seconds
    NASA's Air Traffic Management-eXploration Project

    NASA’s Air Traffic Management-eXploration Project aims to accommodate the growing demand of traditional and emerging aircraft that share the friendly skies. 

    28 May 2025, 4:33 pm
  • 27 minutes 23 seconds
    The Universe in Living Color with SPHEREx

    NASA's SPHEREx mission will map 450 million galaxies like we’ve never seen before.

    14 May 2025, 4:01 pm
  • 15 minutes 49 seconds
    Episode 152: EZIE Does It

    What can the auroras tell us about our planet’s relationship with the Sun? NASA’s EZIE mission looks into it.


    30 April 2025, 11:08 am
  • 16 minutes 55 seconds
    Episode 151: Designing Missions

    NASA’s design labs are where engineers develop concepts for missions and scientific instruments.

    16 April 2025, 12:46 pm
  • 18 minutes 40 seconds
    Episode 150: Urban Air Taxis

    Flying taxis? NASA is working on it.

    4 April 2025, 12:43 pm
  • 13 minutes 14 seconds
    Episode 149: Spacecraft Thermal Blankets

    Originally a fashion designer, Paula Cain is a NASA thermal blanket technician, working to protect spacecraft from the extremes of space.

    19 March 2025, 2:37 pm
  • 29 minutes 3 seconds
    Episode 148: Celebrating NASA's Engineers

    NASA engineers turn dreams into reality, solving complex challenges to push exploration forward. From landing rovers on Mars to advancing deep space missions, their ingenuity makes it all possible. This episode with Chief Engineer Joe Pellicciotti and Deputy Chief Engineer Katherine Van Hooser celebrates the innovation, dedication, and impact of NASA’s engineering community.

    5 March 2025, 11:16 pm
  • 16 minutes 12 seconds
    Episode 147: NASA Photography - Visual Storytelling

    Ever wondered what it takes to capture NASA’s most breathtaking moments? From rocket launches to behind-the-scenes astronaut training, Bill Ingalls, senior contract photographer for NASA Headquarters has spent decades framing history through his lens. In this episode, we dive into his journey, how he and his team prepare for assignments, and the importance of visual storytelling.

    19 February 2025, 2:50 pm
  • 27 minutes 36 seconds
    Episode 146: Space Medicine: Body and Mind

    What if we could get rid of lengthy waitlists for organ transplants? Well, imagine 3-D printing a kidney from your own stem cells. That would reduce the chances your body rejects it. That’s the sort of groundbreaking medical research astronauts are conducting aboard the International Space Station. Other research includes understanding the stress spaceflight places on not just the body, but also the mind. There’s a plethora of human factors to consider as humanity prepares to embark on deep space missions. What we learn from spaceflight medicine could also transform lives here on Earth. Dr. J.D. Polk, NASA’s chief health and medical officer, tells us what’s on the horizon in space medicine.

    5 February 2025, 6:25 pm
  • 22 minutes 31 seconds
    Small Steps, Giant Leaps - Pam Melroy: Behind the Strategy

    We’re kicking off 2025 with NASA’s deputy administrator Pam Melroy, who wraps up her tenure at NASA this month. As a former astronaut with three space shuttle flights under her belt – including one flight as commander – Pam has made lasting contributions to human spaceflight. She’s also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force as a retired colonel. In her most recent role, Pam helped shape the NASA’s focus on long-term strategies, including Moon to Mars exploration, space sustainability, and a long-term vision for NASA’s future as an organization. Now, as she prepares to pass the torch, Pam joins us to reflect on her NASA career and share insights from her time as a pilot, astronaut, and public servant.

    18 January 2025, 12:58 pm
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