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 373: DOWNLINK--Chris Carella and Mahadevan Krishnan
Benchmark Space Systems is developing a variety of propulsion technologies, and grouping them together to form hybrid systems.
01:34:43 |
Wed 24 Aug 2022
Episode 372: Failure of a Logic
A quick look forward to Artemis I, a space squall, a domestic retro-retrofit, and a an upper stage failure.
00:41:18 |
Wed 17 Aug 2022
Episode 371: NIMBY
Astra redirects its focus to Rocket 4. Also, Russia spies on a satellite, Russia clarifies its ISS exit timeline, and a possible Chinese spaceplane.
00:41:43 |
Tue 09 Aug 2022
Episode 370: OneViaEutelTelesat
A new Mars Sample Return architecture has been proposed! Also, a multi-orbit merger, bankruptcy for a favorite, data from OSIRIS-REx, an SLS contract.
00:43:30 |
Wed 03 Aug 2022
Episode 369: DOWNLINK--R. Matt Villarreal, Infinite Composites
COPVs are old news. Learn with us about how Infinite Composites is making linerless composite pressure vessels!
01:27:41 |
Wed 27 Jul 2022
Episode 368: We're JWST getting started
It's a test fest for ABL, RFA, Superheavy and Vega C. JWST saw, Rogozin calls "scene," and a new robotic arm at ISS.
00:49:37 |
Tue 19 Jul 2022
Episode 367: Going Ballistic
CAPSTONE comms flickered, but it successfully completed TCM-1A and skipped 1B. Also, a Minotaur exploded, X-37B broke a record, and a Starship update.
00:44:17 |
Wed 13 Jul 2022
Episode 366: From CAPSTONE to Skipping Stone
CAPSTONE's mission to the moon is off with a bang! Also, a Bangor launch complex, a banged-up wind sensor, and two contracts banged out.
00:50:44 |
Tue 05 Jul 2022
Episode 365: 3.4 Leak Units
SLS has completed its WDR campaign! Also, Psyche was delayed, nuclear power contracts, and Starlink/5G interference.
00:57:29 |
Wed 29 Jun 2022
Episode 364: Tissue Paper Pineapple
Lucy's straightening her wings! Also, Star(liner) fliers, Cygnus dodging, and Firefly role changes.
01:02:22 |
Wed 22 Jun 2022
Episode 363: A Surfeit of Hypergols
A Cargo Dragon leaked and Ingenuity's still plugging along. Also, a Korean rocket in Brazil, a NASA rocket in Australia, and a rock in JWST.
00:53:55 |
Wed 15 Jun 2022
Episode 362: Wet Hot American Dress Rehearsal Summer
NASA arranges to rent some space suits. Also, a hibernating helicopter, anticipating color JWST images, and OMG SLS WDR ASAP.
01:07:39 |
Wed 08 Jun 2022
Episode 361: DOWNLINK--Vaya Space
Hybrid rockets have never gone to orbit, and Vaya wants to change that. Learn with us about pyrolysis, plastic propellant, and horizontal 3D printing!
01:30:17 |
Wed 01 Jun 2022
Episode 360: Thrust but Verify
Starliner is back in space! Also, a test fest, Voyager 1's bad telemetry, water in EMUs, InSight's end, and Ingenuity's recovery.
00:48:14 |
Tue 24 May 2022
Episode 359: Venus is for Louvers
Rocket 4.0 is on its way! Also, Ax-1 was busy, Tianzhou-4 installed, a new satellite navigation constellation, and JWST nearly ready to get to work.
01:03:10 |
Wed 18 May 2022
Episode 358: DOWNLINK--Awais Ahmed, PIXXEL
Awais Ahmed and his team are building a "health monitor for the Earth." Learn with us about miniaturizing hyperspectral cameras and how they're used.
01:24:20 |
Wed 11 May 2022
Episode 357: On-Orbit Spare
A wild Richard appears! Ligado's fight for the L-band heats up. Also, OSIRIS-APEx, SOFIA's end, and a Dragon conveyor belt.
00:45:57 |
Tue 03 May 2022
Episode 356: DOWNLINK--Daniel Bock, Morpheus Space
Extremely low mass, high-dV thrusters are like diamonds. Learn with us about liquid metal propellant, porous needles, and pay-as-you-go hardware.
01:37:28 |
Wed 27 Apr 2022
Episode 355: Minecart on the Moon
SLS got rolled back to the VAB, and we look at the Artemis rover RFI. Also, Astranis' gimbal, NTSB's purview, Astra's ion engine, and ULA's big order.
01:04:36 |
Wed 20 Apr 2022
Episode 354: Damp Dress Rehearsal
SLS will do a modified WDR. Spinlaunch picks up angular momentum from NASA. Also, Spaceport Camden, Warpspace, and Astroscale!
01:10:02 |
Wed 13 Apr 2022
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are the property of David Fourman, Ben Etherington, and Dennis Just ([email protected]). This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by eachpod.com.