Astro Ben Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Join us in this episode as Dan Hart shares his incredible journey from childhood curiosity to leading transformative space ventures. Discover the lessons learned from rocket failures, the evolving industry landscape, and the future of space exploration.

• Dan's early fascination with space and engineering sparked by tinkering with toys and curiosity
• How a cold call to NASA's astronaut corps set him on a space career path
• The transition from NASA and defense projects to leading Virgin Orbit
• Lessons from Virgin Orbit's successes and setbacks, including the Cornwall launch failure
• The shift from government-led to private industry-driven space missions
• Insights into the future of space industry: commercialization, international cooperation, and scientific discovery
• Dan's perspective on air launch systems and their niche applications
• His current focus on space science advocacy, emerging technologies, and mentorship

00:00 - Welcome and Dan Hart's journey into space exploration
01:07 - Inquisitiveness and early influences in space and engineering
02:23 - Cold calling NASA and beginning in the space shuttle program
03:44 - Industry's role in iconic space vehicles and innovations
05:28 - Shifts in space program management and private sector empowerment
06:56 - Scientific discoveries and the pursuit of life beyond Earth
08:13 - Early career at McDonnell Douglas and experience during Challenger
10:00 - Transition to missile defense and satellite systems
12:08 - Virgin Orbit inception, COVID challenges, and early launch attempts
14:02 - The Cornwall launch failure and lessons learned
17:01 - UK launch ventures and regulatory hurdles
18:58 - Market shifts towards national security and satellite launching
22:23 - Reflection on Virgin Orbit's setbacks and industry lessons
24:26 - The resilience of space startups and the importance of perseverance
28:21 - Future of air launch technology and niche applications
32:17 - Dan's current work on space science, policy, and emerging tech
36:39 - Final thoughts and advice for aspiring space entrepreneurs

• Virgin Orbit
• Dan Hart - LinkedIn
• National Academy of Sciences
• Atlantic Council
• James Webb Space Telescope
• Hubble Space Telescope

• LinkedIn
• Twitter/X

• Dan emphasizes the importance of resilience, teamwork, and embracing failure as essential parts of space innovation.
• Discussions highlight the evolving landscape from government-led projects to vibrant private industry participation.
• Insightful perspectives on policy, regulation, and international collaboration shape the future of space exploration.

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

In Episode 117 of The Astro Ben Podcast, Ben sits down with Mamta Patel Nagaraja, former Associate Chief Scientist for Exploration and Applied Research at NASA, who recently left the agency amid its office closures in February 2025. Mamta reflects on her career leading biomedical and physical sciences for the ISS, Artemis, and commercial space missions, while sharing candid insights on NASA's challenges and opportunities in 2025. From streamlining science communication to navigating a toxic work environment, her story is one of resilience and reinvention. Now a free agent in STEM, Mamta discusses her future plans and offers some advice to the new NASA administration.

OUTLINE:

Here's approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:00 Intro to Mamta Patal Nagaraja

00:57 Mamta's passion for Space

03:20 Working for NASA

06:12 How to/can you quantify "is a mission worth it?"

08:30 NASA cuts and how it was done - the timing of Manta's departure from NASA

12:15 Jared Isaacmans involvement?

15:00 What is NASA's mission?

17:45 How to predict/predict other committed programs?

22:17 Space science communication

24:52 Whats next post NASA?

27:54 Mamta's advice to new leadership at NASA

33:49 Whats next for Mamta?

36:57 Wrap Ups and Socials

Follow Mamta on Social:

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@mamta02

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mamta2002

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamtapatelnagaraja/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

In this episode, Ben explores the extraordinary journey of Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne, a trailblazer in the field of aerospace engineering. Camille reflects on her impactful career at NASA, where she led key human spaceflight programs and advanced groundbreaking science missions. She shares insights into her work at Arusha Space, promoting space-based solutions for global sustainability, and her passion for STEM education for young women through The Brightest Stars Foundation.

They discuss her Trinidadian upbringing, her journey to becoming one of the few women of colour in senior leadership at NASA, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in space exploration. This episode is a testament to Camille's belief in the transformative power of education, the boundless opportunities of space, and her enduring mission to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

This weeks episode is sponsored by AIDAA.

Check them out: https://www.aidaa.it/

OUTLINE:

Here's approximate timestamps for the episode.

01:01 AIDAA

01:48 From Trinidad to NASA

05:45 Arriving at NASA for the first time

06:47 No social media

07:36 NASA career

13:26 Space industry is changing

15:24 Arusha Space

17:00 Picking "the dream team"

18:45 Private/Public Partnerships in the US and elsewhere

20:04 Current projects

21:12 Future of space exploration/what inspires Camille!

23:55 Why Space?!

25:41 The Brightest Stars Foundation

29:10 Advice to get into the industry (for non Math/Science students)

31:13 Engaging with non Space fairing nations

34:20 Wrap Up and Socials

Connect with Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne:

Arusha Space

Website: https://arushaspace.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arusha.space/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arushaspace/

Brightest Stars Foundation

Website: https://www.brighteststarsfoundation.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighteststarsfoundation/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

In Episode 19, Ben sits down with CEO and founder of Kubos, a cloud-based mission control platform for satellite operations. Kubos' software enables operators to work smoothly using the same tools and processes during both development and operations. From mission design and onboard software to hardware testing and mission operations in the cloud, the system is designed to take care of every aspect of a satellite's flight software.

Hear how Kubos' platform is changing and constantly improving space satellites, what it's like being the leader of a successful space industry start-up and hear Tylers predictions for the future of satellite and space tech.

00:18 Welcome back – introduction to Kubos

01:01 Tyler Browder welcome to the Astro Ben Podcast

02:02 Ben asks for a geography lesson on American states

03:24 Texas becoming new space centre?

05:15 What is Kubos and why Portland?

07:18 Kubos explained in lamens terms

08:35 Apollo 13

09:31 Has remote working made Kubos' journey to market easier?

11:31 Who are Kubos' clients?

14:10 Major Tom

15:15 How has Kubos effected how satellites talk to each other?

17:15 Using data to predict satellites future movements

18:03 Kubos team

18:55 Entrepreneur's journey – highs and lows?

20:48 Reaction from investors – was it difficult?

23:30 The future is in the cloud? Where is Kubos going?

25:30 How important is security?

26:56 Where does Tyler see the space industry going?

29:22 Final word – Tyler

30:00 Quick wrap and Kubos

Social Media

Website: https://www.kubos.com/

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/kubos-corporation/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kubostech

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

"I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth." These words, spoken by President John F. Kennedy in May 1961, changed the lives of twelve Americans who walked on the moon. The Wonder of it All focuses on the Apollo astronauts; Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Edgar Mitchell, John Young, Charles Duke, Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt, as they reflect on the training, the tragedies, being on the moon and the impact of space travel. They became heroes to a nation, fulfilled their dream of setting foot on another world, and forever changed the way we see ourselves.

In this episode of Astro Ben Podcast, Ben sits down with film director Jeffrey Roth. Jeff makes TV shows like "How I Met Your Mother," but is currently re-releasing his hit documentary "The Wonder of It All," which focuses on the rarely-told human side of the men behind the Apollo missions through thoughtful and candid accounts from seven moonwalkers.

00:17 Seconds – Introduction to Jeffrey Roth

00:49 The Wonder of it All documentary

02:34 introducing Jeffrey Roth

02:51 Spacefest

04:57 Space is changing – celebrating original moonwalkers

05:34 What is the Wonder of it All? How did you decide to do it?

10:35 Were the Apollo 11 astronauts disproportionately focused on?

14:41 How did you decide who to interview?

16:38 Favorite part about the process of filming

19:00 Similarities between Apollo astronauts

23:28 Which moonwalker did Jeff found the most interesting?

25:12 Any regrets on what you could have asked them?

29:50 What space documentary would do next?

31:41 President in Waiting documentary

33:50 Jeff's hopes for re-releasing The Wonder of it All?

36:00 Jeff's final thoughts on Space

37:00 Bens wrap up

37:50 How to view the documentary?

39:00 Competition to win a copy of the documentary

Social Media

https://www.thewonderofitallfilm.com/

In the US, the film can be streamed on the following platforms....iTunes, Google Play, Microsoft, Fandango and Vudu. Check website for any new updates. 

The remastered DVD and Blu-ray is available for purchase through the website which can be shipped worldwide.

The DVD has the exclusive bonus features including a voice over commentary track with Apollo 16's John Young & Charlie Duke, plus a voice over track with Apollo 14's Edgar Mitchell

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewonderofitallfilm

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

Dan Klopp works for ILC Dover, the company that has manufactured every EVA spacesuit for NASA the last 50+ years (making them the only company in the world to have protected humans on the moon). In addition to designing and manufacturing spacesuits for NASA (and by extension ESA, JAXA, and CSA), they also design and manufacture landing systems for spacecraft (there are currently 4 sets of landing airbags sitting on the surface of Mars designed and manufactured by engineers at ILC Dover), and they design prototype inflatable space habitats (for use in low Earth orbit, Deep Space Gateway, and on the lunar surface).

00:17 introduction to Dan Klopp

01:22 bringing on Dan (not in a space suit)

02:36 Dan introduces ILC Dover and doesn't take offence to the fact Ben hasn't heard of them

04:30 Why was ILC NASA's best kept secret?

06:40 Space is becoming commercial.

07:05 What makes a space suit? Virgin Galactic suits

08:10 SpaceX suits

10:34 What is a EVA spacewalk?

12:30 what are the 5 things we need in a spacesuit to keep humans alive?

18:55 Ben asks 'if you had a crack in a spacesuit helmet, could you fix it with gaffer tape.

21:15 How EVA spacesuits have been adapted over the years to be more bespoke to different astronauts of different genders/body types.

23:18 small gap in audio

29:15 How will the spacesuits change as we go back to the Moon and on Mars?

31:43 ILC are aiming to protect the first Martian!

32:43 Any other applications for spacesuits?

34:45 robotic application within the suits?

37:15 watch spacewalks!

41:34 Ben wraps up

43:34 ILC Dover's social media

Social Media

https://www.ilcdover.com/

Instagram: @ilcdover.astrospace

Twitter: @ILCDover

Facebook: @ILC Dover

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

Camille is an aerospace engineer turned business strategist in the space industry, developing cutting edge technologies for the future of space. She is also an avid science communicator and public speaker working to make space accessible to all.

In this week's episode, I hear from 'The Galactic Gal' about what it takes to be a space influencer!

00:17 Intro to this weeks episode - The Galactic Gal

02:01 bringing on Camille

02:40 Inception of Galactic Gal (GG)

04:10 Lockheed Martin - starting a job remotely

06:10 how did you make decision to start GG?

08:02 Space influencer roles, how many are there?

11:16 how would you start a career as a space influencer?

13:36 What is the long term aims of GG?

16:10 How can kids be encouraged to study STEM subjects?

22:00 Zero Gravity corporation - what is it?

27:17 what is space VIP

33:32 final word from the GG - has to mention Venue

35:00 Ben's wrap up and GG's socials

Social Media

www.thegalacticgal.com

www.facebook.com/TheGalacticGal

Twitter: @TheGalacticGal

Instagram: @thegalacticgal

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

Charles "Charlie" Camarda is an American engineer and NASA astronaut who flew into space aboard the Space Shuttle mission STS-114. He served as Senior Advisor for Engineering Development at NASA Langley Research Center and was a Senior Advisor for Innovation in the office of Chief Engineer at Johnson Space Center.

In this episode, Charlie talks about the importance of high performing teams to solve complex challenges and we find out if Charlie really is afraid of heights (and enclosed spaces)!

*Unfortunately the audio quality is not as good as we would like on this episode (and we're sorry), we are working on improving it!*

00:20 Intro to episode – it's astronaut time!

01:40 Welcome Charlie

02:20 How travel restrictions have effected the last year?

03:24 Charlie's story

06:15 Finding your passions & the power of internships

08:20 Ben waffles on for a bit

09:05 How confident was Charlie in astronaut application

11:30 What did Charlie's daughter say when daddy said he wanted to be an astronaut?

13:06 Claustrophobia AND afraid of heights?

14:55 What kept Charlie going through hard times

17:00 What was it like on the Shuttle?

19:43 Launch time – what's actually involved?

24:00 docking with the ISS

25:40 An EVA first

26:41 Did Charlie manage to sleep in space?

27:10 How did going to space change your perspective?

31:15 Importance of diversity in space industry

34:50 Would Charlie go to space again?

36:45 What was the landing really like?

38:50 The power of teams!

39:30 Outro

41:05 The intro music – Shout out to Clauss!

You can download the track here

https://cremeorganization.bandcamp.com/album/transit-creme-12-99

Social Media

www.charliecamarda.com

Twitter @charliecamarda

Instagram @astrocharliecamarda

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

Christina Korp is the former manager of the Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. In recent years she has been COO & CMO of Aldrin Family Foundation. A veteran of the mainstream entertainment and media industry, she used her experience to develop and execute global marketing campaigns, brands and activations. She co-produced the Emmy-nominated and Webby-winning "Buzz Aldrin's Cycling Pathways to Mars" VR Experience with 8i and TIME LIFE VR.

Christina now works with other astronauts to keep the space inspiration going. These include former NASA astronauts Apollo 16 Moon Walker Charlie Duke, ISS astronaut Nicole Stott and Shuttle Commander Greg Johnson. In this episode we hear what it was like to be the "fly on the wall" in Buzz's life and how Christina is committed to bringing the Apollo-era perspective to generation Artemis!

00:17 Intro to episode – who is Christina Korp?

02:45 Bringing on Christina

03:44 How Christina found herself in a room with Buzz Aldrin and Barack Obama.

06:06 Ben meeting Buzz

07:48 What was it like working for Buzz?

11:40 What does Buzz think about private companies accessing space?

16:13 How has Christina's view of space changed?

20:44 Challenges with raising profile of Artemis

25:30 Making rockstars around astronauts

28:35 What would Christina change about the US educational system?

33:26 What Christina learnt from Buzz

37:32 Interested in Zero G flights? check out www.allforabetterworld.com

38:28 Outro/Socials

Social Media

@Xtina_Korp

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!

In the 13th episode of the Astro Ben Podcast, Ben chats to Tom DeLonge about how he went from fronting Blink 182 for 15 years, to starting Angels & Airwaves and specifically, his huge obsession with UFO's. Ben and Tom discuss Tom's "To The Stars Academy of Arts And Science" and their mission to empower new scientific discoveries and communicate forward thinking ideas. In this episode, Ben and Tom discussed the possibility of alien life, touching on subjects like "does Tom believe Bob Lazar?", to what Tom thinks the US government really know about UFO's.

00:17 Welcome to Episode 13 – Tom DeLonge

01:03 Toms lifelong obsession with UFO's

01:24 Bringing on Tom – where does Tom live?

02:23 Mutual obsession with space

03:14 Was there a moment where Tom first questioned are we alone in the universe?

04:24 How did Tom first get into rock music?

07:15 Was your passion for UFO's part of the reason for leaving Blink 182?

14:24 New album for Angels & Airwaves – about UFO's? https://www.angelsandairwaves.com/

18:20 STEAM not STEM

19:27 Where are the UFO's? Upcoming Pentagon announcement speculation!

23:30 To The Stars Academy https://home.tothestarsacademy.com/

25:50 How did Tom build his team for To The Stars?

29:15 Removing the stigma for UFO's?

30:15 Bob Lazar

35:00 Evidence for UFO's

39:00 The power of storytelling – are we being observed here on Earth by an extra-terrestrial civilisation?

42:00 Into The Stars – analysing mysterious material

45:38 Angels & Airwaves album launch in Space! (Via www.sentintospace.com)

47:52 Inspiring people to live and work in Space!

48:50 Would Tom ever go to Space?

52:22 Bens wrap up

53:06 Angels & Airwaves album coming out

Social Media

Twitter & Instagram: @tomdelonge

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

Website (coming soon): www.astroben.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gambleonit?lang=en

Please subscribe and rate - Ad Astra!