The Orbital Mechanics Podcast
Every week we cover the latest spaceflight news, discuss past, current and future exploration efforts, and take a look at upcoming events. Tune in to hear about how humans get to space, how they stay in space and how unmanned craft reach farther and farther into the universe around us.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 55 minutes
- Episodes
- 302
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
Episode 510.2: Abort Abort Abort
We have decided to sunset the “main show.” We’re going to record next week, July, Sunday, the 6th. We thought about calling this our final episode, but that doesn’t feel quite right. We record at 9 a…
Mon 30 Jun 2025
Episode 510.1: Hold hold hold
Weird, short episode here, but it still feels weird to not start the show by saying “and I’m Ben.”
So, we’ve had a personal emergency here on the crew. All three of us are fine, and we will let you …
Tue 10 Jun 2025
Episode 510: Leakspin
Recap on Starship’s ninth flight and the vehicle’s future. Also, the end of Xodiac and a test of another Chinese reusable booster.
00:49:06 |
Wed 04 Jun 2025
Episode 509: Hungry Hopping Hippos
Update on Rocket Lab’s Neutron. Also, China announced Venus sample return mission and an expansion to Tiangong.
00:58:43 |
Wed 14 May 2025
Episode 508: North of Antarctica
Firefly has a nozzle issue. Also, a Lunar Trailblazer alternate mission, and an ISS debris avoidance.
00:36:39 |
Wed 07 May 2025
Episode 507: Prolate Marshmallow
Sierra Space shoots bullets, while Atmos' PHOENIX-1 hits the wrong ocean. Also, an update on Kosmos 482's upcoming fiery destruction.
00:44:10 |
Wed 30 Apr 2025
Episode 506: ISS at Risk
ISS is entering the riskiest part of its life. It's time for EngineFest 2025! Also, an explosion in Utah and a seat barter agreement.
00:44:16 |
Wed 23 Apr 2025
Episode 505: Confirming Isaacman
A lunar rover prototype sitting on red carpet. It has lots of blue LEDs lighting up the shadows, and white LED strips lining almost every edge. The overall effect is very Transformers.
00:48:33 |
Wed 16 Apr 2025
Episode 504: Mark Soyuzworth
NASA puts out a call for more Private Astronaut Missions. Also, Fram2, and a SpinLaunch payload.
00:38:00 |
Wed 09 Apr 2025
Episode 503: DOWNLINK -- Joseph Marlin
Joseph Marlin was the Deputy Chief Engineer for Blue Ghost's first mission. Learn with us about flying to, and landing on, the moon!
01:21:46 |
Wed 02 Apr 2025
Episode 502: Still Sticking
Starliner is facing down a fourth test flight before entering service. Also, a Starlab milestone.
00:48:11 |
Wed 26 Mar 2025
Episode 501: MSR China
China invited foreign scientists to propose payloads to fly on their sample return mission, Tianwen-3. Also: Russian sat movements and X-37B returns.
00:43:17 |
Wed 19 Mar 2025
Episode 500: Quincentennial
IM-2 made it to the surface, then things went sideways. Also, Voyager loses two instruments, and F9 loses a leg.
00:55:45 |
Wed 12 Mar 2025
Episode 499: Wicked Shimmy
Starship's last flight broke up due to resonant vibration. Also, two IM-2 issues, two Aussie space events, and two-enty million for Xona.
00:40:30 |
Wed 05 Mar 2025
Episode 498: Decimation
Stoke Space revealed their updated second stage design! Also, Long's first March 8A and Germany funds off-shore launches.
00:40:39 |
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Episode 497: Frustrating Frustum
Mars Sample Return still needs an MAV design. Also, a new Starbase pad, a new airlock contractor, and a new Vast schedule.
01:16:34 |
Wed 12 Feb 2025
Episode 496: Next-Gen Corner Cube
Firefly has got some neat stuff onboard! Also, Starliner's investigation and Astroforge's target.
01:02:07 |
Wed 05 Feb 2025
Episode 495: NICER than orange slices
We take a look at the clever EVA tools used to do the first space telescope repair since Hubble. Also, Space Rider and a Chinese hopper.
01:00:49 |
Wed 29 Jan 2025
Episode 494: Debris Cross-Range
Starship had a success and a dramatic failure. Also, ISRO gets docked, and RFA gets licensed.
Wed 22 Jan 2025
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