Houston We Have a Podcast

Bill Foster, Ground Controller in Mission Control Houston, talks about how space communication networks work and what they will look like for missions into deep space. HWHAP Episode 26.

Wahab Alshahin, Guidance, Navigation and Control Engineer, talks about what a launch abort system is, how it works, and why it's necessary to send humans to space. HWHAP Episode 25

Lisa Spence, Flight Analogs Project Manager, and Dr. Paul Haugen, HERA Operations Engineer, talk about the space habitat analog here in Texas. They talk about what it's like inside, what crewmembers do on missions, and how to sign up to participate in this study. HWHAP Episode 24.

Scott Tingle, NASA Astronaut, talks about his education in mechanical engineering, his time in the Navy as a test pilot, and his astronaut training before his first mission to the International Space Station in December, 2017. HWHAP Episode 23.

Dr. Natacha Chough, Flight Surgeon, talks about what flight surgeons do and how they work with astronauts to monitor their health during spaceflight. She reveals health concerns that are unique to the space environment. HWHAP Episode 22.

Mike McGlone, NASA Education Specialist, talks about how the different education programs here in Texas influence students to pursue careers in STEM and STEAM fields, including careers here at NASA. HWHAP Episode 21.

Shane Kimbrough, NASA Astronaut, and Dennis Leveson-Gower, Senior Project Scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center, talk about cargo and science going to and from the International Space Station. Houston We Have a Podcast teams up with NASA in Silicon Valley Podcast. HWHAP Episode 20.

Tim Garner, Meteorologist in Charge at the Johnson Space Center, talks about how weather affects human spaceflight, especially for launches, landings, and tests. He also reveals how Hurricane Harvey impacted operations here in Houston. HWHAP Episode 19.

Dr. Doug Archer, Planetary Scientist, talks about Mars: what its made of, what it's like on the surface, and why it's such an intriguing place for humans to visit in the next giant leap. HWHAP Episode 18.

Nujoud Merancy, Mission Planning and Analysis Lead for the Orion spacecraft, talks about what Orion is, how it will work, what kinds of tests are being done, and where in space it will go. HWHAP Episode 17.

Les Padilla, Hardware Manager of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU), talks about spacesuits: how they work, what they're made of, how they've evolved over time, and what they'll look like in the future. HWHAP Episode 16.

In a live recording from space, astronauts Randy "Komrade" Bresnik, Paolo Nespoli, Joe Acaba, and Mark "Sabot" Vande Hei talk about about photography and the view of Earth from the International Space Station. HWHAP Episode 15.

Tim Braithwaite, Liaison Manager for the Canadian Space Agency, talks about robotic arms in space: how they were conceived and developed, how they work today, and how the technology is useful on Earth. HWHAP Episode 14.

Mark Vande Hei, U.S. astronaut, shares stories of his training and tips he learned from fellow astronauts before launching to the International Space Station for the first time on September 12, 2017. HWHAP Episode 13.

Ellen Ochoa, Director of the NASA Johnson Space Center, talks about human space exploration: what we’re doing here in Texas to make it a possibility, how we’re working with commercial and international partners, and what the future has in store for a human presence in space. HWHAP Episode 12.

Mary Lawrence, Flight Director in Mission Control Houston, talks about what it’s like inside Mission Control, what it takes to be a flight controller and flight director, how mission control has evolved, and what it may look like in the future. HWHAP Episode 11.

Joe Acaba, U.S. astronaut, talks about his time in the Marine Corps and Peace Corps, his previous missions to space, and his background as a high school and middle school educator. HWHAP Episode 10.

Dr. Tara Ruttley, Associate Program Scientist for the Space Station, talks about the kinds of scientific research we're doing and learning aboard the orbiting complex. Ruttley discusses why the research is important for us here on the Earth and for sending humans into deep space. HWHAP Episode 9.

Well as you probably know, southeast Texas was just slammed with the furious winds and torrential downpour of Hurricane Harvey. A lot of Houstonians were affected by the storm and the 40+ inches of rain that came with it. Here is a quick update of what has happened here in Houston. We'll be back with a full episode next week.

Glenn Lutz and John Connolly, exploration experts at NASA, chat with Tommy Shaw and Lawrence Gowan from the band Styx about human exploration of the solar system. They discuss the challenges of sending humans into deep space and draw parallels to live music performances. HWHAP Episode 8.

Dr. Mark Matney, Space Debris Scientist and Astronomer, talks about the science and history of eclipses. He also describes the total solar eclipse that will sweep over the U.S. on August 21, 2017, and how to safely view it. HWHAP Episode 7.

Jack "2fish" Fischer, NASA Astronaut, talks about life on the International Space Station... while on board the International Space Station. This podcast was recorded during a live event on Aug 10, 2017. HWHAP Episode 6.

Randy "Komrade" Bresnik talks about what astronauts have to study, know and endure to be successful in space. Bresnik recalls his astronaut training experiences and moments of his previous spaceflight. HWHAP Episode 5.

Dr. Takiyah Sirmons, food scientist, talks about space food: what it is, how its packaged, and what happens to an astronauts palate after living in space for several months. HWHAP Episode 4.

Dr. John Charles, Chief Scientist of the Human Research Program at the NASA Johnson Space Center, talks about what happens to the human body in space. NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough gives a first hand account of landing from space. HWHAP Episode 3.

Anne Roemer, Manager of the Astronaut Selection Office at the NASA Johnson Space Center, talks about the new Astronaut Class of 2017: who they are, what they bring to the table and why these 12 people were chosen out of more than 18,000 applicants. The 2017 class also plays “2 Truths and a Lie.” HWHAP Episode 2.

Dan Huot, Public Affairs Officer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, talks about the International Space Station: what it is, how it works, what it’s made of, and why it’s there. HWHAP Episode 1.

Each week, we have in-depth conversations with astronauts, engineers, scientists, and program leaders on exciting human spaceflight topics. Learn more about the work being done on Earth and in low-Earth orbit that benefits humanity and will help send humans forward to the Moon and on to Mars.