Casual Space

Show Notes for Lance Bush In the aftermath of the Challenger accident, the crew's families came together, firmly committed to the belief that they must carry on the spirit of their loved ones by continuing the Challenger crew's educational mission. Their efforts resulted in the creation of Challenger Center for Space Science Education. Challenger Centers use space-themed simulated learning and role-playing strategies to help students bring their classroom studies to life and cultivate skills needed for future success, such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication and teamwork. A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) education organization, Challenger Center reaches hundreds of thousands of students, and tens of thousands of teachers every year. In his own words, Challenger Center CEO Lance Bush explains what a Challenger Center is, and how each center provides inspiration, in memory and in celebration of the Challenger crew, to students all over the world. With over 40 Challenger Centers throughout the United States and in 4 countries around the world, more than 5 million students have been encouraged and inspired to pursue STEM careers. Students who attend range from pre-K up to adult, but focus mainly on middle school students. When a student attends a center, they have to work together as a team and as individuals to "overcome anomalies" during their "missions" in order to achieve success… Alumni often write to the centers sharing their professional STEM career success based on their experiences that began at a Challenger Center. Some alumni are part of the biggest space companies in the US including Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, and NASA, and they pay it back- even as young professionals- come back to volunteer at their local Challenger Centers to impact future generations. Christa McAuliffe's lesson plans (Teacher in Space Mission) were recently flown on board the International Space Station, where NASA Astronauts Ricky Arnold and Joe Acaba completed her lessons, filmed them and are now currently available to download and implement for any classroom! https://www.challenger.org/challenger_lessons/christas-lost-lessons/ Key Takeaways: You never know where inspiration can be found for young students, who may be the next people on the Moon and Mars. The impact of the Challenger crew; Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judy Resnik, Dick Scobee, Ronald McNair, Michael Smith and Ellison Onizuka continues through the work of the Challenger Center. Classroom Adventures take the mission experience from the Challenger Centers and bring them directly into the classroom, and will be available in 2020! https://www.challenger.org/what-we-do/#classroomAdventures "I think I have one of the best jobs in the world, all because we (the Challenger Center team and staff) get to see the mission fly, and experience seeing the students come out of a mission high-fiving, then hearing teachers say they're much more motivated and engaged in the related STEM topics presented in the classroom as a result" -Lance Bush, Challenger Center CEO About The Challenger Center(s): About Challenger Center As a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, Challenger Center provides more than 260,000 students annually with experiential education programs that engage students in hands-on learning opportunities. These programs, delivered in Challenger Learning Centers and classrooms, increase engagement in STEM subjects and inspire students to pursue careers in these important fields. Challenger Center was created by the Challenger families to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51-L. Casual Space Show BONUS Links & Resources: Website: Challenger.org Facebook: @ChallengerCtr Twitter: @ChallengerCtr Christa's Lessons: Challenger.org/christa STEM Resources: Challenger.org/stem-resources

Brian is an experienced test engineer in our nation's space and defense industry. He's worked to test and improve space suits, parachutes, and F-14's. Which makes Brian pretty damn cool. Beth and Brian enjoyed talking: Star Wars talk & who is the best villain (Emperor) Brian remembers the theater he saw Star Wars in. Working in air traffic control software in Dallas, working on F-16 program at Lockheed Martin (just like his grandmother). His grandmother also worked at Lockheed Martin, and could name cars on the road as well as planes in the sky. Worked flight controls for Orion program at NASA and then moved into flight integration and test, and working the software side and vehicle testing The opportunity to see either a test of the project you've been working on, or seeing shuttle launch live is an easy decision to make…. Beth and Brian discuss what a good day is in the world of testing spacecraft… Close does count when you get within 500 feet to landing on the moon, in our opinion. Brian explains why simply changing out spacesuits, or getting a new one for a spacewalk is complicated… Key Takeaways: Testing is a critical and necessary part of preparing for a mission to space, and even crashing into the surface of Mars can be a test result we can study and learn from Life support systems for spacesuits are pretty basic, and yet so complicated. Just like the life support systems in your home, you want everything to work for you (waste, air, water) at the touch of a button, so you can focus on other things. Spacesuits were designed and built decades ago, and we're still using them today. Testing and designing the new spacesuits is a fun and exciting part of Brian's job that we will get to see the results of in the next few years! Doing an EVA (Extracurricular Vehicle Activity=spacewalk). "All the talk about going to the south pole (of the moon) in a few years...the people at the forefront of building another lunar EMU are US, at the Johnson Space Center! It's great!" -Brian Neuman "A suit is really a little spaceship." About Brian Neumann: On paper, Brian is a Avionics Integration Systems Engineer for the Portable Life Support Systems. This means he works on NASA's spacesuits! Like most talented engineers, Brian's work is varied and extends to numerous cool projects. He's an experienced test engineer with a demonstrated history of working in the Defense & Space industry. Skilled in Integration and Test, Systems Engineering, and Flight Test.

Dr. Roden brings his Texas tales to share: His assessment whether or not Beth could be medically qualified for space flight Why increased exercise helps space travel How growing up on a west Texas ranch allowed him to become the perfect medic for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia How he works to support "rock star" NASA astronaut Christina Koch's 11-month mission on the International Space Station Key Takeaways: Every astronaut can call their physician directly on the phone if needed- and every astronaut gets space sick (the space "funnies"). Getting the astronauts back home and with their family is the main priority once they return from space The twin study results may predict one's (human) ability to travel to Mars or farther **Internships within the space industry are available NOW- go find one! "If I can do it, anybody can do it. To go from cowboy to NASA flight surgeon- just don't give up! I failed multiple times! It was not an easy road. When opportunities arise, take advantage of them!" NASA Flight Surgeon Dr. Sean Roden Show Notes Bonus Links: Dr. Sean Roden's Bio on Texas Flying Doctors https://www.texasflyingdoctors.com/biography/ About Dr. Sean Roden: Dr. Roden is a unique physician who cares about his patients' overall health. Dr. Roden is a world-renowned physician who has provided health care to many unique individuals, with adventurous lifestyles and done so in austere locations. Best known for his work as a NASA flight surgeon, he helped support and train many astronauts for both short and long duration missions to the NASA International Space Station. Early in his career, he worked with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Northern Territory Rural Health Department. He was selected as the expeditionary physician for the Admunson –Scott South Pole station for the austral summer of 2012-2013.He returned to UTMB/Wyle laboratories as a flight surgeon in 2013. He supported expedition 42 as deputy flight surgeon then was selected to be a NASA flight surgeon in clinical medical operations in 2015.

In this episode, Brian shares with Beth How his father took him to air shows, space museums and started the foundation of an influence in air and space exploration. Then Star Wars came out and changed everything. What it was like to work with Marvel and DC Comics right out of college! What it would look like if all the planets in the Star Wars universe had their own luggage tags!? Brian's favorite ride at Disney ever (it's NOT Space Mountain)... Key Takeaways: Brian's art is inspired by travel posters, mission patches, and even NASA-based projects along with conversations he shares with Star Wars, Disney & aerospace fans that results in a multi-dimensional perspective reflected within his work. "The story that compels [me] is that sense of exploration, that sense of what could be..what's just beyond our grasp, and I'd like to think that other people are inspired by that as well. I like to pay homage to Gemini, Apollo and the space shuttle missions that look back into the past, too. Many of the innovations we enjoy now were from those previous programs. If anything I do inspires anyone to go into the spaceflight or aviation field, that could be the best compliment that could ever be paid to my artwork." "My job as an illustrator is to fill in between the lines, which in Star Wars means to fill in the stories that happen between the stories we've already seen. The what-if's. The things that happen off film. That's what I enjoy dreaming up, and (I believe) we can all enjoy the shared secret." -Brian Miller SHOW NOTE BONUS LINKS! Brian Miller's Art can be found at Oktopolis.com CASUAL SPACE LISTENERS can use the discount code BLASTOFF20 to save 20% off all Space Exploration artwork*. *Thanks, Brian! Learn About Disney's Role in the Space Race: https://io9.gizmodo.com/how-walt-disney-helped-promote-the-space-race-to-americ-1834585175 About Brian Miller Brian Miller is the creator behind Oktopolis. Best known for his pop culture propaganda artwork Brian currently illustrates artwork for Star Wars, Doctor Who, The X-Files, Rick & Morty, Archer, and GI Joe as well as other popular characters from comics, film, television, and video games. Brian's illustrations can be found featured at major events like Star Wars Celebration, Epcot's International Festival of the Arts, San Diego Comic-Con International, and Disney's D23 Expo. Brian has also illustrated cover art for publishers like Disney, IDW, & Titan UK for graphic novels & comics. Brian's love of spacecraft has lead to the launch of his Space Exploration series of posters inspired by NASA and historic space missions. Brian's fondness for adventure travel is reflected in his new International Parks Poster series where exotic destinations are reimagined in the style of vintage parks and travel posters.

Nick and Beth talk space specifics in this episode, including: Nick's fascinating job working on composite structures- inner stage and the fearing (nose cone) and payload attachment structures How quality control plays such a major part of the rocket creation process, and how much is hand made! Nick's interpretations on the culture of SpaceX, and how new ideas are tested & encouraged Key Takeaways: SpaceX works to make us become a multi-planet species, so ideas, rockets and most things need to be big. The process of developing with engineers and technicians at SpaceX has allowed anyone with the experience to take the instructions & implement them... you don't necessarily have to be the most accredited What's next for SpaceX and Nick's future?! "We want to make a giant rocket that will get us to Mars, and become a multi-planet species." SpaceX Engineer Nick Hansen SHOW NOTES & Bonus Links! About SpaceX: https://www.spacex.com/about SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket: https://www.spacex.com/falcon-heavy SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket: https://www.spacex.com/falcon9 What's inside the fearing of a SpaceX Rocket? THIS IS ONE OF BETH's MOST FAVORITE VIDEOS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0FZIwabctw The Case for Mars (according to SpaceX): https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=18&v=Ndpxuf-uJHE

Professor Kristen Thompson and Loras College student Audrey Miller share with Beth: Why there was a need to improve the Hientkamp Planetarium at Loras College How a select group of honors students raised funding for a new projector Why the planetarium is an important part of both the college and the community How a man traveled all the way from Israel on the coldest day of the year to install the new projector Key Takeaways: Never judge a planetarium by it's outside appearance… people are astonished when they come inside! The story of the stars can be told through history, different cultures, and from different perspectives Planetariums & observatories can be found everywhere- you don't have to go far to be inspired! "[From the outside] you see such a different shape, and then you step inside and you feel like you're in a TARDIS and there's no limit to where we can go! We can visit Saturn, we can stand under the rings and look up at the rings. You can watch a sunset on Mars, we can go anywhere in the galaxy we have data for, and with the dome, we have our own IMAX theater!" Loras College Professor Kristen Thompson SHOW NOTE BONUS LINKS! Facebook page for the Loras College Planetarium: Heitkamp Planetarium at Loras College Loras College Magazine feature article about the planetarium and project: https://www.loras.edu/news/a-stellar-honors-project/ About the NASA National Space Grant and Fellowship Project:https://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/national/spacegrant/home/index.html About Kristen Thompson and Audrey Miller: Audrey Miller is a senior in the Loras College honors program, and looks forward to studying astrochemistry or astrophysics in grad school soon! Kristen Thompson, Ph.D is the Associate Professor of Engineering at Loras College. Dr. Thompson earner her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin Madison where she studied Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV). Before attending graduate school she worked at IBM as a Manufacturing Engineer processing printed circuit boards. She earned her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and is originally from the far west suburbs of Chicago. Her research interests continue to lie within the field of virology. We all think she should rename a popular physics class "Powerful Ideas for Physical Science" to "Physics for Poets."

In this episode, Beth and Chad geek out about: Impressions from the Star Wars Celebration event in Chicago- what it IS and what it was like to be among the 70,00+ attendees Chad shares an amazing story of how storm trooper fans in costume made it into a real Star Wars production Collectibles! Art! Costumes! Comics! Tattoos? AND What Star Wars tattoo Chad would get.. Presentations! Panel and breakout discussions! Chad shares highlights from the artists, producers, and creators who gave behind-the scenes perspectives! Find out who Beth selects when she goes out with her "girls" from the galaxy STAR WARS EPISODE 9: The Rise of Skywalker PREVIEW! We weigh in on the FIRST time the trailer was ever released LIVE Key Takeaways: What's the secret to a 40+ year success? Star Wars is a timeless narrative for everyone. Everyone can relate to a Star Wars character. May the force be with you! "Everyone who sees Star Wars sees something of themselves within the story." Beth SHOW NOTE BONUS LINKS https://www.starwarscelebration.com All things official Star Wars: https://www.starwars.com/ Star Wars YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/starwars Star Wars KIDS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/starwarskids My favorite Star Wars podcast, "Collider Jedi Council" https://www.podcastone.com/collider-jedi-council and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLBBpy2HHCU&list=PLayt6616lBcnqEWU6U0D8I95SUiqVU3DR About Beth and Chad: Beth & Chad have seen every Star Wars movie in addition to several animated series and select comics. They never really lived, however, until they attended the Star Wars Celebration. If you were to visit Beth and Chad on December 20, 2019…don't. They will be in the theater. Watching Episode 9. Maybe the next day, too.

In this episode, Beth and Stuart laugh about: The stories from his family that helped inspire him to write "hard sci-fi" Why going to the moon was really expensive and incredible How writing allows you to learn about people and about yourself Key Takeaways: Becoming an award-winning sci-fi writer didn't happen overnight, but when it happened… wow! Science can't answer everything, but reality is the standard "All stories are about people. I look for what fits my technical knowledge, but mostly I look for characters." "Anybody who can't take rejection, should not be in a creative field." "As a science fiction author, my primary goal in a story is to reveal the reader, and learn something about yourself." About C. Stuart Hardwick: Stuart Hardwick is a winner of the prestigious Writers of the Future contest and the Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award. His work regularly appears in Analog Science Fiction & Fact, as well as Galaxy's Edge, Forbes.com and Mental Floss, among others. A southerner from South Dakota, Stuart grew up creating radio dramas and animated shorts before moving on to robots and ill-conceived flying machines. He's worked with the creators of the video game Doom, married an aquanaut, and trained his dog to pull a sled. Stuart studied writing at U.C. Berkeley, lives in Houston, and has been known to wear a cape. For more information and a free signed e-sampler, visit www.cStuartHardwick.com.

In this episode, Beth and Stu discuss: The differences between the retired Space Shuttle and NASA's (new) Orion spacecraft* What it was like to work as an engineer for the B52 bomber, the NASA shuttle program, and now NASA Orion program How a horrible commute turned into a 30+ successful NASA career Key Takeaways: NASA's work with international and commercial partners has played a large role in building this new vehicle Returning to the moon is a process with a lot of moving parts Every (Orion) launch is an opportunity to learn "So we're building this new thing, with new capability, and at the same time, we're figuring out new ways to do it differently, and do it better. And it keeps (you) coming back." About Mr. McClung: Since 2006, Mr. McClung has worked at NASA Johnson Space Center in the Orion Crew/Service Module Office. He is currently the Chief of Staff in the Program Planning and Control Office Mr. McClung recently completed his 1 year assignment to NASA Headquarters as the Orion Program executive, representing the Orion Program to internal and external stakeholders. Prior to that assignment, he served as the Functional Area Manager for Mechanical and Pyrotechnic systems and lead for Orion Production and Assembly. a focusing on engineering and supply chain management. Mr. McClung spent seven months in 2010 at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans as the Orion Ground Test Article vehicle manager. He also served as the Orion Production Operations Deputy Manager for Exploration Flight Test -1 for nine months at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida... Mr. McClung joined NASA in 1989 in the Orbiter Project Office at Johnson Space Center. He served as project manager through 2005 for orbiter hardware upgrades and safety improvements, including the orbiter docking system, external airlock, and the main landing gear. In 1992, Mr. McClung spent one year at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. where he served as the space shuttle orbiter liaison in the Office of Space Flight About Orion: NASA's Orion spacecraft is built to take humans farther than they've ever gone before. Orion will serve as the exploration vehicle that will carry the crew to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel, and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities. Orion will launch on NASA's new heavy-lift rocket, the Space Launch System. Social Media Accounts Orion on the NASA Website: www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/orion Facebook: www. facebook.com/NASAOrion Twitter: @NASA_Orion Instagram: www.instagram.com/explorenasa https://www.nasa.gov/centers/ johnson/home/orion_mcclung_ profile.html

In this episode, Beth and Stephanie discuss: Helping the astronauts communicate (and educate) through social media What happened when Stephanie gets a phone call direct from the International Space Station What responsibilities come with the title, "Social Media Coordinator for the Astronaut Office" How NASA found Stephanie Key Takeaways: Posts that have the most engagement are the most human. Astronaut words are their own "Follow your arrow. If it's something you're interested in, keep following that passion. It just takes the right opportunity." "Sometimes, I have to take a minute to absorb what the astronauts are sending to us." — Stephanie Fernandez About Stephanie Fernandez: Stephanie serves as the Astronaut Office Social Media Coordinator for NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. After graduating from the University of Houston in 2017, and after completing her internship with NASA, Stephanie was hired full time in February in 2018. As social media coordinator, Stephanie helps provide proxy posting for on-orbit crew, serves as an account manager for NASA astronauts on social media, and works closely with NASA headquarters, legal office, imagery groups, and the public affairs office. Social Media Accounts Active astronauts - https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/active NASA Astronauts Twitter: https://twitter.com/NASA_Astronauts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NASAAstronauts/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nasaastronauts/ 'Best Of' on social media + great stories behind the projects: Komrade's Fidget Spinner in Space video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82t9Tk9dUHs Komrade's Go-Pro Spacewalk footage - https://www.facebook.com/AstroKomrade/videos/372427559845072/ ISS 20th Anniversary: Astronaut memories - https://www.facebook.com/ISS/videos/582395498860290/ 2Fish's Pudding in space video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYV4gl558xc Ricky's Earth shot of Indonesia - https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg8zE55FZ1X/ About Beth Mund: Beth's love for space started as a Space Camp attendee at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where she would return years later as an instructor. After grad school, Beth worked as a journalist, a technical writer for Motorola, and then went on to serve as a Public Affairs Officer for the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. In addition, Beth worked to support the International Space Station program as a communication specialist. In Chicago, Beth worked as a corporate communication advisor to Fortune 50 companies including Allstate and United Airlines. She's worked as a college instructor, a political advisor, and public relations manager for her hometown city. Beth recently founded Stellar Communications, LLC and travels the country as a keynote speaker- inspiring audiences with her lessons learned from our nation's space program. She's the host of the Casual Space Podcast, and a self-proclaimed space geek. Connect with Beth Mund: Email: askbeth@casualspacepodcast.com Website: bethmund.com/casualspace Facebook: @Casual Space Podcast