Since the beginning of the space program, we’ve always expected astronauts to be fully abled athletic overachievers who are one-part science-geek, two-parts triathlete – a mix the writer Tom Wolfe famously called “the right stuff.”
But what if, this whole time, we’ve had it all wrong?
In this episode, reporter Andrew Leland joins a blind linguistics professo ... Show More
Jan 2019
An astronaut's story of curiosity, perspective and change | Leland Melvin
What job is best for a young man who's been a tennis ace, a cross-country traveler, a chemistry nerd and an NFL draftee? How about ... astronaut? Leland Melvin tells the story of the challenges he's accepted and the opportunities he's seized -- and how they led him to the Interna ... Show More
13m 13s
Apr 2023
Cosmic Queries – Building Space Civilizations with Ariel Ekblaw
<p>When will we create a livable habitat in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Matt Kirshen explore the possibilities of tessellated space structures, artificial gravity, and other challenges with Founder of MIT Space Exploration Initiative, Ariel Ekblaw.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patron ... Show More
50m 23s
Aug 2024
Engineering Humans for Deep Space with Ronke Olabisi
<p>What happens to the human body in deep space? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore tissue engineering, Wolverine & Deadpool’s healing style, and the science to help humans adapt to long-term space travel with biomedical engineer Ronke Olabisi.</p><p>NOTE: ... Show More
50m 38s