Casual Space
Accessible conversations with astronauts, engineers, and space entrepreneurs.
286: Eyes to the Stars with Dr. Steve Hawley, NASA Shuttle Astronaut
In this episode, astronaut Dr. Steve Hawley discusses his new memoir "Eyes to the Stars" and reflects on the legacy of the Space Shuttle, the transition to Orion, and the Artemis II mission. He highlights how Artemis leverages proven shuttle hardware—such as the main engines and external tank—and shares anecdotes about similar technical challenges, like waste‑tank ice, that echo his own shuttle experiences. Hawley also recounts his path from a grade‑school astronomy enthusiast to NASA astronaut, emphasizing the role of hands‑on telescope work and the 1976 opening of astronaut slots to scientists. Finally, he comments on the stunning lunar and Milky Way imagery from Artemis, underscoring the scientific and inspirational impact of current deep‑space exploration.
285: Did the "Project Hail Mary" Film Stick the Landing? | Ft. Dr. Danny Jaques
In this episode of Casual Space, host Beth Mund and guest Dr. Danny Jaques dissect the film adaptation of Andy Weir’s *Project Hail Mary*, comparing it to the novel. They explore how the protagonist Ryland Grace’s internal doubts and scientific...
284: Etched in Crystal: Putting 3,237 Stories Onto a Lunar Rover
In this episode, host Beth Muld talks with Josh Haynes of Uplift Aerospace about the Stories of Space project's milestone of embedding 3,237 student and teacher messages into a 5‑dimensional crystal now attached to Astrolab’s Flip lunar rover. They explain...
283: How Will Project Hail Mary Make the Leap From Book to Silver Screen?
In this episode, host Beth Mund reviews Andy Weir's novel *Project Hail Mary* and speculates on how its three central "characters"—the brilliant but socially awkward Dr. Ryland Grace, the lovable alien Rocky, and the abstract yet pivotal force of time—will...