Innovation Now
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Short-form stories highlighting space-related research and emerging technologies.
Recent Posts
Podcast•Feb 4, 2026•1 min
The Crawler
In this brief 1‑minute‑30‑second episode, the host explains the engineering marvel of the massive crawler‑transporter that moves an eleven‑million‑pound rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building to a launch pad over four miles away. The discussion highlights the crawler’s massive weight, its hydraulic steering system, and the precision required to keep the rocket upright during the slow journey. Listeners learn how the vehicle’s low ground pressure and synchronized wheels enable it to traverse delicate launch‑pad infrastructure safely.
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 30, 2026•1 min
Testing Robotics in Space
The future of in-space robotics relies on testing operations in space.
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 29, 2026•1 min
Tissue Engineering
The winners from NASA’s Vascular Tissue Challenge are taking their Earth-based research to space.
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 28, 2026•1 min
First Flight
The episode chronicles NASA's historic first flight of the X‑59 Quiet Supersonic Transport, detailing the years of design, development, and testing that led to its October launch. It explains how the aircraft's innovative shape and engine technology aim to dramatically...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 27, 2026•1 min
Protecting Human Health
NASA researchers monitor the atmospheric movement of pollutants to help protect human health.
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 26, 2026•1 min
Prioritizing Shortfalls
In this brief 1‑minute, 30‑second episode, NASA discusses how it is leveraging the rapid growth of the U.S. space economy to shape its own technology investment strategy. The agency highlights the importance of identifying and prioritizing “shortfalls” – capability gaps...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 23, 2026•1 min
Molecular Oxygen
In this episode, the host explores NASA's innovative approach to extracting molecular oxygen from lunar regolith by separating it from solid metals embedded in moon dust and rock. The discussion covers the underlying chemical processes, the engineering challenges of scaling...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 21, 2026•1 min
Mysteries of Molten Metal
In this episode, researchers discuss groundbreaking experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station that explore the behavior of supercooled molten metal oxides in microgravity. They explain how eliminating Earth's gravity allows the metal to solidify without convection, revealing previously hidden...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 20, 2026•1 min
NASA Delivered
The episode reviews NASA’s landmark achievements in 2025, spanning breakthroughs in aeronautics, deep‑space exploration, and planetary science. Highlights include the successful test of the X‑57 electric aircraft, the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, and the Perseverance rover’s new sample‑return mission milestones....
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 19, 2026•1 min
Deorbiting Trash
The episode explores the growing problem of orbital debris and how Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft are being repurposed to deorbit trash from the International Space Station. It explains the mechanics of Cygnus’s re‑entry burn, the types of waste it can...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 15, 2026•1 min
Spirit of Innovation
From astronaut gloves to space food, NASA Centennial Challenges looks to the public for solutions.
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 14, 2026•1 min
Trapped in the Lunar Dust
The episode explores the MSOLO mission’s plan to land on the Moon and analyze lunar regolith for traces of helium-3, a potential clean‑energy fuel. It explains how helium-3 could be trapped in the fine dust and why detecting it is...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 13, 2026•1 min
A Slice of Space
The episode explains how the Europa Clipper mission uses a tiny segment of starfield imagery to pinpoint its trajectory and navigation in deep space. It details the technical process of star tracking, why a small slice is sufficient, and the...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 12, 2026•1 min
Laser Beam Power
In this brief episode, researchers from Purdue University discuss their innovative project to harness laser beams for power generation by directing them at a lightweight, origami-inspired sail. They explain how the sail's foldable design maximizes surface area while remaining compact...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 9, 2026•1 min
SPLICing the Way
The episode explores NASA's latest autonomous lunar landing technologies, focusing on the SPLICE system that integrates advanced sensors, AI navigation, and precision thrusters to enable safe, unmanned Moon landings. Hosts discuss how these innovations reduce risk, accelerate mission timelines, and...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 8, 2026•1 min
Public Ingenuity
NASA is looking for solvers who can recycle waste into usable products.
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Jan 6, 2026•1 min
Indoor Air
The episode explores how winter’s closed windows lead to stale indoor air and introduces a NASA spinoff technology that identifies houseplants capable of improving air quality. Listeners learn which specific plants are most effective at filtering pollutants and how to...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Dec 31, 2025•1 min
Celebrating Midnight
Astronauts on the International Space Station will pass midnight sixteen times on New Year’s Eve.
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Dec 19, 2025•1 min
As Only Humans Can
The episode explores how Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) data is being used to equip astronauts with rapid visual analysis tools for an upcoming lunar flyby, enabling them to make split‑second geological inferences that only human intuition can provide. It highlights...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Dec 16, 2025•1 min
A Holiday Prank
The episode recounts how the Gemini VI crew, after their October mission was canceled, pivoted to a December launch aimed at achieving the historic first rendezvous with Gemini VII. It details the technical challenges of coordinating two spacecraft in orbit...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Dec 15, 2025•1 min
Inside a Mars Habitat
The episode explores analog missions that simulate living on Mars, focusing on how researchers test life-support systems, crew psychology, and health protocols to keep astronauts fit for deep-space travel. Experts discuss the challenges of isolation, radiation protection, and sustainable resource...
By Innovation Now
Podcast•Dec 11, 2025•0 min
LunaRecycle
The episode explores waste management challenges for long-duration space missions, using the Artemis program’s four‑astronaut crew as a case study that could produce over 4,000 pounds of trash annually. It examines current strategies—compactification, recycling, and limited incineration—and discusses emerging technologies...
By Innovation Now