On this episode we speak NASA Astronaut Don Pettit about his Astronaut Origin Story and the 'maker mentality'. Don is preparing for Expedition 71/72 which will launch to the International Space Station aboard a Soyux (MS-26) from Baikonur Cosmodrome later this year. We were grateful for the NASA teams for helping us set up time with Don to chat all-things space. Welcome our first Astronaut to the podcast!

Don Pettit's origin story encapsulates that of a Maker - always wondering if things can be done better and making things to adjust a long the way. From his early days in junkyards, his time as a Rookie Astronaut, and helping create the first off-world patented item (the Zero-G cup), Don has had an amazing career. We discuss what's to come on Expedition 71/72, how "the crew" is the most important aspect of human space travel, and what the future could hold for us in space.

Thank you to Don, Garrett, and the NASA teams for helping us make this happen!

Topics from the episode:

space, astronaut, spacecraft, mission, air conditioning, nasa, fly, invention, love, space station, solar panels, crew, space station, engineering, human beings

We'd love to know your thoughts and questions!

Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com

SOURCES:

https://x.com/astro_Pettit
https://www.nasa.gov/people/donald-r-pettit/
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/don-pettit-nasas-oldest-active-astronaut-is-going-back-to-space/
https://www.instagram.com/astro_pettit/

The 'Topics from the episode' above and the timestamps below for the episode were generated using AI (otter.ai) by processing the audio file.

Timestamps:
00:00 Astronaut origin stories and space exploration with Don Pettit.
04:42 Becoming an astronaut, emphasizing math, science, engineering skills.
09:25 Engineering, space travel, and the importance of teamwork.
13:49 Space station training, upgrades, and longevity.
21:03 Space training, effects of zero gravity, and return to Earth.
26:48 Adapting to extreme environments, invention of a cup for drinking in space
31:19 Teamwork and innovation in space exploration.

--------------------------

Here's to building a fantastic future - and continued progress in Space (and humanity)!

Spread Love, Spread Science
Alex G. Orphanos

We'd like to thank our sponsors:
AG3D Printing

Follow us:
@todayinspacepod on Instagram/Twitter
@todayinspace on TikTok
/TodayInSpacePodcast on Facebook

Support the podcast:

• Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - ag3dprinting.etsy.com
• Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at ag3d-printing.com
• Donate at todayinspace.net

#space #rocket #podcast #people #spacex #moon #science #3dprinting #nasa #tothemoon #spacetravel #spaceexploration #spacecraft #technology #aerospace #spacetechnology #engineer #stem #artemis #lunar #3dprinting #create #astronaut #solarpanel #spacestation

On this episode, we're recapping last weeks Aurora Extravoganza that the internet was a buzz about! We got pictures from folks like you that whole weekend, which was all we needed to survive a weekend of cloud-filled New England nights.

But one thing many curious folks were thinking - what are Auroras? How can we know when the next one is coming? Why do Auroras happen? What impacts do solar weather pose to planets, spacecraft, and humans in space? ALL of these answered on this week's episode.

Thank you to everyone who reached out with questions - and shoutout to Anne Bagg (@theannebagg on X/@annebagg on Instagram) for sending her question about predicting Auroras!

Let us know if you captured the Auroras - we'd love to share your astrophotography! Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com or DM us @todayinspacepod on Instagram & Today In Space podcast page on Facebook.

Topics from the episode:

space, sun, atmosphere, happening, aurora, earth, weather, solar, noaa, particles, mars, sunspot, solar storm, coronal holes, energetic particles, energy, magnetosphere

SOURCES:

• Question from #Veefam @theannebagg on X https://x.com/theannebagg/status/1790576203176591784?s=46&t=CTA3xJCHFoY9hV9qgrj4Jw
• https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-30-minute-forecast
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_objects_at_Lagrange_points
• https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_(spacecraft)
• https://www.space.com/james-webb-space-telescope-jupiter-aurora-images
• https://science.nasa.gov/missions/hubble/saturns-auroras/
• https://www.astronomy.com/science/aurorae-throughout-our-solar-system-and-beyond/

The 'Topics from the episode' above and the timestamps below for the episode were generated using AI (otter.ai) by processing the audio file.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:07 Auroras, solar flares, and space weather prediction.

04:52 Predicting solar storms and their impact on Earth's atmosphere

10:02 Space weather, Mars Atmosphere, and protecting astronauts from radiation.

-----------------

Here's to building a fantastic future - and continued progress in Space (and humanity)!

Spread Love, Spread Science

Alex G. Orphanos

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

• AG3D Printing

Follow us:

@todayinspacepod on Instagram/Twitter
@todayinspace on TikTok
/TodayInSpacePodcast on Facebook

Support the podcast:
• Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - ag3dprinting.etsy.com
• Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at ag3d-printing.com
• Donate at todayinspace.net

#space #rocket #podcast #people #spacex #moon #science #3dprinting #nasa #tothemoon #spacetravel #spaceexploration #solarsystem #spacecraft #technology #vaonis #vespera #hestia #telescope #aerospace #spacetechnology #engineer #stem #artemis #lunar #totalsolareclipse #aurora #auroraborealis #magnetosphere #spaceweather

On this episode, we dive into the Human Factor - which is all about learning about what it is to be a human and how that can help us grow and succeed in life. Because regardless of what we do, we are all human beings - even scientists and engineers. This week, I talk about one of my earliest passions - trading cards! Pokemon, YuGiOh, Dragon Ball, Magic the Gathering - all a MASSIVE part of my childhood and where I found the passion that is behind this podcast. It's an origin story of what made me who I am today...a big ole nerd!

While I was preparing for the Total Solar Eclipse, my trading card game days started to come back to me. I got myself into the VeeFriends Trading card world - an intellectual property created by Gary Vaynerchuck (aka Gary Vee). Right before my trip to Maine I got LAUNCHED into the VeeFriends TCG universe after winning two gift goats! These are some of the rarest cards in the series with only 555 in what I believe is 2.8 million cards in circulation. But the fun didn't stop there - less than two weeks later I was asking GaryVee a question on his 11 hour live stream! So this episode is an attempt to explain a little bit about who I am to anyone who's new, but also a moment for me to grow and learn (once again) that asking questions is important.

Thanks for joining us - let's dive in!

Let us know what YOU think! We'd love to hear from you. Email us at todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com

Topics from the episode:

trading cards, card, garyvee, love, podcast, stargazing, friends, space, veefriends, asking questions, learned, gift, gary vee, pack, online, money

SOURCES:

https://twitter.com/elgr3co/status/1776063412906151993?s=12&t=CTA3xJCHFoY9hV9qgrj4Jw

https://veefriends.com/

https://garyvaynerchuk.com/

The 'Topics from the episode' above and the timestamps below for the episode were generated using AI (otter.ai) by processing the audio file.

Timestamps:

00:00 The Human Factor - Self-doubt and Asking Questions

03:42 Podcasting, a Space Podcast, and learning from Gary Vee

08:03 NFTs, Trading Cards, and Patience - what it means to me

13:39 The impact of Trading Cards on my life, from Childhood to Adulthood

17:19 Space-themed Trading Card and meeting online friends

23:39 TodayinSpace pulling two Gift Goat cards on VeeFriends Cards Fanatics Live

27:53 My question to Gary Vee on his 11-hour live stream | How to start IRL space meetups to grow a community with real people.

-----------------

Here's to building a fantastic future - and continued progress in Space (and humanity)!

Spread Love, Spread Science

Alex G. Orphanos

We'd like to thank our sponsors:

• AG3D Printing
• Magic Mind (magicmind.com use code TODAYINSPACE20 for 20% OFF or up to 56% off subscription)

Follow us:

@todayinspacepod on Instagram/Twitter
@todayinspace on TikTok
/TodayInSpacePodcast on Facebook

Support the podcast:

MAGIC MIND (magicmind.com/learn)
AND use my code: TODAYINSPACE20

More ways to support us:
• Buy a 3D printed gift from our shop - ag3dprinting.etsy.com
• Get a free quote on your next 3D printing project at ag3d-printing.com
• Donate at todayinspace.net

#space #rocket #podcast #spacex #moon #science #3dprinting #nasa #boeing #spacetravel #spaceexploration #spacestation #spacecraft #technology #commercialcrew #boeingstarliner #starliner #iss #aerospace #spacetechnology #engineer #stem #artemis