logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
21m 46s

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 136: S...

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
About this episode
Robots inspired by nature? A novel realm of engineering called soft robotics is being studied at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Engineers are working to understand how soft robotics could one day support space exploration, including missions to the Moon’s surface. 
Up next
Yesterday
Fighting Wildland Fires with Drones
Fighting wildland fires by air at night is especially hazardous. NASA’s ACERO Project aims to make firefighting safer, day or night, with drones and smarter airspace management. 
11m 19s
Jun 25
A New Era of X-ray Astronomy with IXPE
IXPE, or the Infrared X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, is NASA’s first space telescope dedicated to studying X-ray polarization from extreme objects like black holes and quasars. 
26m 32s
Jun 11
Risk Management at NASA
Big or small, we all take risks nearly every day. But how does NASA manage it? Dr. Mary Skow, NASA’s first agency risk management officer, explains. 
33m 38s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Bot battles and space dreams
As humanity aims to explore new frontiers in space, the need for good roboticists has never been greater. Robotics leagues and competitions offer a gateway into the field, connecting aspiring engineers with a vibrant community where enthusiasts can learn to accomplish their space ... Show More
57m 46s
Feb 2024
Space Exploration
2024 is an exciting year for lunar exploration. For Inside Science this week Marnie Chesterton investigates the planned missions to the Moon over the next twelve months. It’s been more than fifty years since the last manned mission to the Moon was completed. But that’s about to c ... Show More
28m 45s
Mar 2025
An extinction-level event for NASA science
NASA's science missions have transformed our understanding of the Universe, from breathtaking images of deep space to robotic explorers on Mars. But now, a reported 50% cut to NASA's science budget threatens to shut down missions, halt discoveries, and devastate the future of spa ... Show More
1h 7m
Apr 24
Awesome Astronomy - NASA's Going Nuclear!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCqg3NIwbHE Hosted by Ralph Wilkins. From Feb 3, 2023. Nuclear powered rockets are about to become a reality opening up space travel for humanity. Ever since the dawn of nuclear weapons and reactors, advanced militaries and space agencies have drea ... Show More
9m 15s
Mar 2025
The Other Moonshot: The untold stories of Apollo’s Black engineers in Los Angeles
The Apollo program put humans on the Moon, but behind that historic achievement were engineers whose stories have gone largely untold. In this episode, “LA Made: The Other Moonshot” host Joanne Higgins joins Planetary Radio to share the powerful history of Charlie Cheatham, Nate ... Show More
58m 55s
Sep 2024
Cheap Astronomy - Dear CA Ep. 110: Robots And Us
Robots are doing it for themselves. Dear Cheap Astronomy – What kind of robots will we send to other star systems? This questions assumes any interstellar travel from Earth will be undertaken by robots rather than us, This is a reasonable proposition given that going to the neare ... Show More
14m 42s
Nov 2024
What does the U.S. election mean for NASA?
  Presidential elections in the United States don’t just shape the country’s future — they set the course for space exploration. This week, Casey Dreier, the chief of space policy at The Planetary Society, analyzes what the incoming Trump administration could mean for NASA’s fund ... Show More
59m 41s
Apr 2024
Rust in the Cosmos Part 2: testing software in space (Ep. 255)
In this episode of "Rust in the Cosmos" we delve into the challenge of testing software for... ehm ... space How can Rust help? Let's find out ;)   Sponsors Arctic Wolf Learn what the new year holds for ransomware as a service, Active Directory, artificial intelligence and more w ... Show More
32m 50s
Oct 2024
#465: Fred's New Frontier, Artemis Landing Zones & Ryugu's Revealing Secrets
Space Nuts #464 Join Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson in an engaging episode of Space Nuts as they explore significant developments in the world of astronomy and Space exploration. From Fred Watson Watson's career transition to groundbreaking lunar missions, this episode ... Show More
32m 49s