171: Apollo 17
In 1972, the final lunar mission of the Apollo program took place, finally sending a geologist to study the moon up close.
Dec 09, 2022•38 min•Ep. 171
Liftoff
Liftoff was a podcast about space, the universe, and everything. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand the major developments as explained by enthusiastic space fans Stephen Hackett and Jason Snell. Hosted by Jason Snell and Stephen Hackett.
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Episodes
170: It Flew
In the early morning of November 16, the SLS launched for the very first time.
Nov 18, 2022•31 min•Ep. 170
169: A Lot of Glory to be Bathed Within
Jason and Stephen pop open the hatch to marvel at the JWST's first images, talk about the SLS and wonder what is going on with Russia and the ISS.
Jul 29, 2022•39 min•Ep. 169
168: Apollo 16
In April 1972, the crew of Apollo 16 spent 71 hours on the surface of the moon after a series of technical glitches put their landing in jeopardy. The second of three J-missions, the crew spent nearly three whole days on the surface and completed an EVA on the way home, returning one day earlier than initially planned.
Apr 20, 2022•37 min•Ep. 168
167: Back in the VAB
The SLS has enjoyed some Florida sunshine but is headed back to the VAB for more work. This time, Stephen and Jason catch up on NASA's new rocket, plus some other news.
Apr 19, 2022•30 min•Ep. 167
166: JWST and the Future of Liftoff
On this special episode, Stephen and Jason celebrate the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope and talk about the future of the podcast. The short version is that we will no longer be publishing every other week. Moving forward, we'll be recording special episodes as major news warrants.
Dec 27, 2021•27 min•Ep. 166
165: Forever Expanded in our Hearts
Days away from (hopefully) the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, Stephen and Jason talk about the hype around the mission, as well as the latest with SLS and Starliner.
Dec 14, 2021•38 min•Ep. 165
164: A Dashcam for a Space Probe
The future of the International Space Station is the topic of a new report, all while the SLS inches closer to its first launch. Also: DART is on its way to a celestial crash and a spacewalk has been delayed thanks to debris from the recent Russian ASAT test.
Nov 30, 2021•39 min•Ep. 164
163: What Does it Look Like Under the Bus?
Artemis' 2024 lunar landing is officially off the table. Russia has shot one of its own satellites down, leading to emergency procedures being carried out at the ISS. Yeah, not a great week in space.
Nov 16, 2021•41 min•Ep. 163
162: Mixed-Use Business Park in Space
Ingenuity is flying faster than ever as JWST and SLS inch closer to launch. Then, a look at two different proposed commercial space stations.
Nov 02, 2021•41 min•Ep. 162
161: Now It’s Very Much Precedented
This week, Jason preps a glass of ice water for Stephen and the two discuss recent Starliner updates, the future of the ISS and Lucy.
Oct 19, 2021•39 min•Ep. 161
160: Hot Jupiters in Colorado
This week, there's news about cubesats, several commercial space programs and more. Then, a look at what is going on at Blue Origin.
Oct 05, 2021•54 min•Ep. 160
159: Fun Stuff in Science
NASA has published information about its work with AR, VR and getting sleepy while in a self-driving car. Jason and Stephen talk through the reports, then get into the breaking news of NASA's two new mission directorates.
Sep 21, 2021•44 min•Ep. 159
158: A Bad Roommate
It's a real roller coaster this week, except for the Astra rocket that went ... sideway off the pad. Other stories include Inspiration4, the James Webb Space Telescope and dual-core stars.
Sep 07, 2021•45 min•Ep. 158
157: It's in the Slushie Now
Boeing is returning the Starliner capsule to the factory, while Cassini continues to teach us about Saturn from beyond the grave. Then, Stephen and Jason give good and bad news about Artemis.
Aug 24, 2021•46 min•Ep. 157
156: You're Stealing My Rocks
Jason and Stephen are back, catching up on the news. Topics include SLS flight computers, Starliner's continued struggles, the recent incident at the ISS and a lot more.
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 156
155: Apollo 15
As the first J mission, Apollo 15 marked a new era of broader discovery and scientific work on the lunar surface. David Scott, Alfred M. Worden, James Irwin worked to further our understanding of the moon, and were the center of a bit of a scandal after splashdown.
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 155
154: 💼 🚀 💰 💸
Jason and Stephen check in on the Hubble's progress to return to normal operation and talk about Russia's upcoming ISS plans. Then, a discussion of billionaires in space and how the Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin missions are changing the world of space travel.
Jul 16, 2021•45 min•Ep. 154
153: Hubble Trouble
Jason and Stephen catch up with several commercial space companies before reviewing footage of Zhurong on Mars and talking about the issues currently plaguing the Hubble Space Telescope.
Jul 01, 2021•36 min•Ep. 153
152: It's Under Our Control, with Dr. Ed Lu
After catching up on a couple of present and future robotic missions, Stephen and Jason talk with former astronaut Dr. Ed Lu about his work at the B612 Foundation, which is focused on protecting Earth from large asteroid strikes.
Jun 15, 2021•42 min•Ep. 152
151: Off to the Arctic Circle With You
It's budget time, and Stephen is here with the numbers. He and Jason are both excited about the final steps before the JWST launches. That, and a bunch of news updates this fortnight!
Jun 01, 2021•43 min•Ep. 151
150: Worming It Up
This fortnight, Jason and Stephen catch up on what NASA's new administrator has been saying about the future of the agency, and China's actions in space, both near and far away.
May 18, 2021•40 min•Ep. 150
149: $5,999,999,999.99
There's a new boss at NASA, and he already has a mess to deal with in the contested Human Landing System contract with SpaceX, which is seeing success in Texas with Starship testing. Then, an update on Mars missions and a goodbye to Michael Collins.
May 06, 2021•50 min•Ep. 149
148: Space Suits as a Service
With its Ingenuity Mars Helicopter's first flight compete, NASA has made history, opening the door to missions beyond landers and rovers. Also: what SpaceX's Human Landing System contract means for the SLS and the future of NASA leadership.
Apr 19, 2021•49 min•Ep. 148
147: Astronaut To Be Named Later
This fortnight, Jason and Stephen discuss traffic management at the International Space Station, upgrades to KSC's ground systems in preparation for SLS and the instruments that will fly with Europa Clipper.
Apr 08, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 147
146: Reverse Origami
The SLS has completed a full-length hot fire test and NASA is on the verge of having a new administrator, all while SpaceX continue to move ahead with its Starship testing.
Mar 23, 2021•58 min•Ep. 146
145: Sad Mole
March is here, and it brings with it a lot of space news. On Mars, Perseverance is busy with a lot of firsts, even as Insight says goodbye to an old friend. In Texas, SpaceX keeps churning out test vehicles as the SLS program readies for a second hot fire test. Elsewhere, China and Russia join forces to build a lunar space station.
Mar 09, 2021•42 min•Ep. 145
144: Elon Being Elon and the Early Days of SpaceX, with Eric Berger
Jason and Stephen are joined by Eric Berger to discuss his new book *Liftoff,* which covers the origins of SpaceX. Eric is the Senior Space Editor at Ars Technica and the book comes out on March 2. The guys also discussed the landing of Perseverance, the Starship test flights and who may be the next NASA Administrator.
Feb 23, 2021•53 min•Ep. 144
143: The Perseverance Landing and "For All Mankind" with Ron Moore
On this bonus episode, Jason and Stephen speak with Ron Moore, co-creator, writer and producer of *For All Mankind.* Topics covered include the challenges writing for a parallel timeline and a bit about episode 1 of the new season after a spoiler warning is given.
Feb 19, 2021•52 min•Ep. 143
142: Not To Sound Like a Parent, But...
Jason and Stephen are getting back to the news, and talk about Alan Shepard's golf balls, the state of NASA's programs under the Biden administration and what NASA would do if the SLS program were ended. Lastly, they discuss the upcoming Inspiration4 mission.
Feb 11, 2021•55 min•Ep. 142
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