Liftoff was a podcast about space, the universe, and everything. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand the major developments as explained by enthusiastic space fans Stephen Hackett and Jason Snell.

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#111: Escape of the Mole

November 5th, 2019 · 54 minutes

Commercial Crew continues to grind forward, while InSight struggles to dig on Mars. Then, some SLS upper stage news, reflections on the Galileo probe and a spoiler-free review of "For All Mankind."

#110: A Consensual Hallucination

October 22nd, 2019 · 53 minutes

Insight is back up and running, and the ISS has hosted the first all-female spacewalk. Back here on Earth, NASA is making purchases for Artemis, even as Congress threatens the agency's 2024 plans.

#109: An SLS in the Garage

October 8th, 2019 · 49 minutes

This fortnight: NASA works to get its InSight lander digging again, while the SLS program moves forward with training using a replica core stage and some have suggested Planet 9 may not be a planet at all.

#108: Hungry for Artemis Details

September 24th, 2019 · 52 minutes

This week, Stephen and Jason discuss a recent exoplanet discovery, NASA's ordering of additional Orion capsules and what Jim Bridenstine can do to ensure ARTEMIS is a success, even beyond his tenure.

#107: Build a Lunar Zipline

September 9th, 2019 · 38 minutes

The Chandrayaan-2 lander seems to have met its end on the lunar surface as SpaceX inches forward with its Raptor testing program. Then, NASA's plans for commercial lunar landers and how the agency prepares Kennedy for hurricanes.

#106: One Robot Closet

August 27th, 2019 · 66 minutes

The first SLS is taking shape, as are Starhopper and Europa Clipper. Stephen struggles with a name and then Jason introduces a new segment.

#105: Hallowed Ground

August 13th, 2019 · 63 minutes

Stephen and Jason report in after their field trip to Space Center Houston and Johnson Space Center, which included seeing several spacecraft and visiting the restored Apollo Mission Control room.

#104: A Beautiful Rocket Butterfly

July 31st, 2019 · 58 minutes

As 2024 gets closer and closer, NASA is hard at work on SLS and Orion, but is also partnering with several companies to move several projects forward in parallel. Stephen and Jason then mark the passing of NASA's first Flight Director, Chris Kraft.

#103: Apollo 11

July 16th, 2019 · 37 minutes

The work of the crew of Apollo 11 have inspired people for five decades, their legacy continues to shine on today. In this episode, Stephen and Jason discuss three aspects of the mission that aren't as well known.

#102: Important Business Meetings

July 5th, 2019 · 47 minutes

Orion and the Mobile Launch Platform are making progress, InSight's struggles continue and NASA is sending a 8-rotor drone to Saturn's moon Titan.