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Lab Life Podcast
Supersonic flight. GPS. Space food. Big developments come out of the Air Force Research Laboratory. The Lab Life Podcast brings you behind the scenes with the Air Force and Space Force scientists, engineers and professionals who are developing tomorrow’s technology, today.
Each month your podcast hosts, Michele Miller and Kenneth McNulty, speak to new guests about life in the lab.
SUCCESS STORIES
Lab Life – Episode 77: Chatting with Einstein
Dr. Alex Alaniz joins the podcast to discuss the buzz around Chat GPT, the creation of his own Albert Einstein chatbot and his thoughts on artificial intelligence and wargaming.
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Episode 76: Excuse Our French: Materials Science Goes International
We dive back to a conversation with Dr. Craig Przybyla, a recent AFRL Inspire Speaker, to discuss the Engineering Scientist Exchange Program, why ceramics are a hot topic in aerospace and his work in our AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate.
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Episode 75: When in Rome: Innovate
Ms. Karen Roth joins the podcast to discuss open innovation, community partnerships and her role as Chief Engineer of the AFRL Information Directorate in Rome, New York.
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Episode 74: Hot Topics in Ceramics
Dr. Lisa Rueschhoff and Dr. Matthew Dickerson from AFRL’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate discuss the power of polymers, high temperature ceramics and the impact materials research has on our everyday lives.
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Episode 73: A “Tripp” through Aerospace Physiology
Dr. Lloyd Tripp discusses aerospace physiology and his work within AFRL’s 711th Human Performance Wing. Listen as we navigate through Dr. Tripp’s fascinating 45 year career, including work with AFRL’s Research Altitude Chambers and the only human rated centrifuge owned by the Department of Defense.
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Episode 72: Trek to AFOSR
Colonel Janelle Jackson, Director and Detachment 14 Commander of the Air Force Office Scientific Research (AFOSR), joins the podcast to discuss AFOSR’s worldwide operations and the engineers, actors and family members who inspired her education and career.
Read More › Episode 71: Launching into 2023
Join us as we launch into 2023 with Major General Heather Pringle, AFRL Commander. We discuss prior year successes, current priorities, Department of the Air Force Vanguards, Digital Thread and more in this episode.
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Episode 70: Collaborate to Innovate
Dr. Dan Berrigan and Dr. Lauren Ferguson join the podcast to discuss digital transformation, AFRL’s Google pilot initiative and the mantra “collaborate to innovate.”
Read More › Episode 69: Nondestructive Evaluation
Dr. John Welter of AFRL’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate joins the podcast to discuss nondestructive evaluation of aircraft and more.
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Episode 68: Fit to Live
Listen in to hear Lt Col Razvi and Capt Cochell discuss rugby and their “Fit to Live” approach to wellness on Ep. 68 of Lab Life!
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Episode 67: Novel Ideas in Materials Science
Learn more about Dr. Tulsi’s work with nanoelectronics, quantum, neuromorphic computing and more, alongside her incredible work within our Women in Science and Engineering literary group – LitWISE.
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Episode 66: Hack-A-Sat
This episode of Lab Life is covering the exciting world of hackers, satellites and the space they both inhabit – Hack-A-Sat.
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Episode 65: Rocketing Through History
“Take off” into another exciting episode of Lab Life with our own Nils Sedano, covering everything from current and past rocket related tests at AFRL’s Liquid Engines Branch.
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Episode 64: Crime Fiction, Executive Direction and Classical Music
Mr. Timothy Sakulich, the Executive Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory, joins the podcast to discuss problem solving, the art of subtraction and what makes Scandinavian crime fiction so captivating.
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Episode 63: Illumination Photonics & Plasmonics
Dr. Monica Allen, a principal research electronics engineer with the Air Force Research Laboratory, enlightens listeners on the world of photonics and plasmonics.
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Episode 62: To 5G and Beyond
Dr. Leonard Lightfoot discusses 5G, microelectronics and his receiving of the 2022 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) in STEM for Professional Achievement.
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Episode 61: Launching into 2022
Join us as we launch into 2022 discussing space, digital transformation, COVID-19 and more with AFRL Commander Major General Heather Pringle!
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Episode 60: Adaptive Training
Dr. Leah Rowe joins the podcast for a special double feature diving into her career as a research psychologist and her work in our Entrepreneurial Opportunities Program.
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Episode 59: Microelectronics on Stage
Dr. Emily Heckman discusses discovering galaxies, astrophysics, printed electronics and the power of theater.
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Episode 58: Autonomous Research Revolution
Dr. Alexis Lewis of the National Science Foundation, Dr. Benji Maruyama of the Air Force Research Laboratory, and Dr. Eric Stach of the University of Pennsylvania join the podcast to discuss autonomous research and how open-source software can enable scientists to expedite research.
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Episode 57: AFWERX, SpaceWERX and Innovators
Col. Nathan Diller, AFWERX Director, joins the podcast to discuss how the AFWERX and SpaceWERX missions are crucial to forming the Air Force and Space Force of tomorrow.
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Episode 56: Martian Milestones and Satellite Propellants
Ms. Corinne Sedano, an AFRL Group Lead for Chemical Propulsion – Flight Programs, joins the podcast to discuss her work at NASA, satellite propulsion and AFRL’s Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic (ASCENT) green propellant.
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Episode 55: Twister, Sharknado & International Research
Dr. Brad Barrett joins the podcast to discuss meteorology, storm chasing and his work as a program officer at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research’s Southern Office of Aerospace Research and Development (SOARD) in Santiago, Chile.
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Episode 54: Materials Detective
Mr. John Henry Williams joins the podcast to discuss bunker busters, discovery downtime and what it takes to become a materials detective. Check out Mr. Williams’ AFRL Inspire Talk in 2021:
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Episode 53: September 11th | A Call to Serve
Dr. Stacy Manni, an International Program Officer for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, joins the podcast from Santiago, Chile. Dr. Manni reflects on her experiences on September 11, 2001 and how it changed her career trajectory in the fields of chemistry and scientific diplomacy.
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Episode 52: Lightsabers, Lasers and Space Force
Dr. Kelly Hammett joins the podcast to discuss lightsabers, directed energy and the United States Space Force.
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Lab Bite: GPS 101
Dr. Joanna Hinks joins us for our first “Lab Bite” to explain how GPS works.
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Episode 51: Need for Speed
Dr. Michael Gregg, AFRL Aerospace Systems Director, joins the podcast to discuss hypersonics, rotating detonation engines and cars.
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Episode 50: Modern-Day Galileo
Dr. Robert Fugate discusses his astounding career in physics, astrophotography and how he gained the title “Father of Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics.”
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Episode 49: Asteroids, Astronomy & Adaptive Optics
Dr. Jack Drummond discusses moons orbiting asteroids, adaptive optics and why astronomy is known as the queen of the sciences.
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Episode 48: Analytical Chemistry and Electric Propulsion
Dr. Kamran Ghiassi, an AFRL senior research chemist and team lead, discusses satellite propulsion, STEM outreach and teamwork.
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Episode 47: Alternative Navigation & Nanoparticles
Dr. Kathleen Dipple, an AFRL alternative navigation research scientist, joins the Lab Life podcast to discuss the power of gold nanoparticles, alternative navigation techniques and how important it is to find a supportive community in the workplace.
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EPISODE 46: A Satellite Named Carl
AFRL Space Vehicles experts Christina Straight and Evelyn Kent join the podcast to discuss satellite operations, risk posturing and the Air Force Test Pilot School’s inaugural Space Test Fundamentals Course.
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EPISODE 45: Beyond Antarctica | Test Pilots & Space
Major Michael Nayak, now with the Air Force Test Center, returns to the podcast to discuss being a test pilot, risk posturing and how the culture around space testing is beginning to change.
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Episode 44: Space Environmentalism | Dr. Moriba Jah LAB LIFE
Dr. Moriba Jah, a University of Texas at Austin professor, AFRL Fellow and TED Fellow joins the podcast to discuss space environmentalism, space junk, the future of space tracking and Hogwarts houses.
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Episode 43: AFWISE: Air Force Women in Science and Engineering
Dr. Shanee Pacley and Dr. Candice Hatcher-Solis discuss their careers, the Air Force Women in Science and Engineering (AFWISE) resource group, and inspiring women in STEM.
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Episode 42: Brain 101 and Beyond
Dr. Candice Hatcher-Solis, a research biological scientist, gives listeners a “Brain 101” with a focus on how memory works. She also discusses her research to advance the field of neuroscience, specifically in the area of brain stimulation.
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Episode 41: Microbes, Coffee Beans and Biotechnology
Dr. Rajesh Naik and Dr. Justin Gallivan discuss AFRL’s Biotechnology Challenge, microbes and how to make the perfect cup of coffee.
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Episode 40: Hollywood, Stealth and Small Businesses
Ms. Anissa Lumpkin discusses Hollywood takes on military technology, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, as well as a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) initiative.
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Episode 39: Who Leads the Unicorns?
Air Force Research Laboratory Commander Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle discusses the power of the scientific method, AFRL unicorns, Space Force Guardians, and more.
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Episode 38: DSTL, Wind Tunnels and COVID-19 Safety
Leslie Flocken joins us on the podcast to discuss the fascinating wind tunnel work she does with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in the UK and the research her team’s done to promote safety in the workplace during COVID-19.
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Episode 36: The 4-1-1 on Quantum, N.Y. and Tomato Pie
Dr. Michael Hayduk, Deputy Director of AFRL’s Information Directorate, joins us to discuss the amazing work at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate, the city of Rome, NY, and of course, tomato pie!
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Episode 35: Building STEM Education, Brick-by-Brick
Dan Andrews is the K – 12 Science, Techonology, Engineering and Mathematics, aka STEM, Team Lead for Wright Patterson Air Force Base’s Education Outreach Program. He joins us to discuss what his work entails, robotics competitions and how important LEGOs are to STEM Education.
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Episode 34: Space Force, Tortoises and Steve Carell
Dr. Shawn Phillips joins us to discuss just what really goes down at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rocket Propulsion Division on Edwards Air Force Base, and he wants you to know it’s definitely not alien-related.
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Episode 33: Connecting Sensors and Shooters
Major Camdon Cady and Dr. David Deprospero discuss getting the right information to the right decision maker at the right time.
Read More › Episode 32: Chiefs Talk Resiliency, Online Gaming and Books
Pre-pandemic we spoke to four Air Force Chief Master Sergeants – CMSgt Stanley Cadell, CMSgt Ian Eishen, CMSgt David Wade and CMSgt Paul Barbee – about staying resilient during tough times and the everyday grind.
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Episode 31: What’s a Vanguard?
We dive beyond the cool names to learn more about Golden Horde, Skyborg and Navigation Technology Satellite – 3 (NTS-3).
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Episode 30: Epidemiology, Stats, and Inclusivity
Gen Cook, an AFRL biostatistics expert and trained epidemiologist, reflects on watching science unfold in real time during a global pandemic.
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Episode 29: Strategic Napping, Injury Prevention and Data
Lindsay Bukalew, an AFRL exercise physiologist, discusses how a data-centered approach to injury prevention on the Operational Support Teams is improving Airmen Readiness.
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Episode 28: Getting Smart About Intellectual Property
Researchers need to know more than just the science. Maj. Gen. Timothy Kelly, Mobilization Assistant to the Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and Sabra Tomb, JD talk protecting inventions, licensing and data rights.
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Episode 27: Sonic Booms & Service Dogs
Kristen Sims, an AFRL Rocket Propulsion Division project liaison, shares how her service dog Magnus helps accomplish the mission at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
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Episode 26: Materials, Mentoring & Marine Biology
Dr. Timothy Bunning discusses his new role as AFRL’s Chief Technology Officer, mentorship, and the inspirational Jacques Cousteau.
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Episode 25: Gut Biomes, Synthetic Biology and SHARK!
Dr. Rajesh Naik, Chief Scientist of AFRL’s 711th Human Performance Wing discusses synthetic biology, human-machine teaming and more.
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Episode 24: AFRL Student Opportunities (Part 2)
In this episode, we speak with Jake Helinski who hypes his time in the Premier College Intern Program (PCIP) and his AFRL journey in the Palace Acquire (PAQ) program.
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Episode 23: AFRL Student Opportunities (Part 1)
In this episode of Lab Life, we speak with Sabra Tomb who discusses opera in anechoic chambers, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Internship and the Pathways Program.
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Episode 22: Glowsticks, small business and the warfighter
From developing tactical glow sticks to improving search and rescue kits, Army veteran and entrepreneur Nick Ripplinger shares how he partnered with the Air Force Research Laboratory to light the way for the warfighter.
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Episode 21: Flu, Pandemic and Novel Viruses
In this episode, Dr. Fries and Dr. Sjoberg explain the science behind novel viruses and discuss how the United States School of Aerospace Medicine monitors influenza, providing the Centers for Disease Control with critical data for the development of the flu vaccine.
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Episode 20: Leadership by example
Darrell Phillipson’s life has taken him from active duty Air Force service to a stint in financial planning, moonlighting as a literary mascot and now to his role as vice director at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing.
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Episode 19: Man on the Moon – Astronaut Harrison “Jack” Schmitt
Astronaut, geologist, and the most recent living man to have walked on the moon, Dr. Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, joins us today to speak on the Apollo 17 mission, geology and the future of space travel.
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Episode 18: Keeping the fight “unfair”
On this episode of The Lab Life podcast, the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Alex Gracia and Capt. Josh Lee talk about networked weapons, guidance systems and what their teams are doing to keep the fight ‘unfair’.
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Episode 17: Quantum
Are you ready to dive into a world so small, it has its own field of study? Air Force Research Laboratory 1st Lt. Kaitlin Poole joins the podcast from Rome, NY to shed some light on the wonderfully intriguing world of quantum networking.
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Episode 16: Confined Spaces
Dr. James Christensen, an Advanced Development Project Lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory, found a way to not only get inside of an aircraft’s wing, but he managed to have a C-130 wing delivered to his cubicle, too! Listen in on that and more on this episode of The Lab Life podcast!
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Episode 15: LIVE from the 2019 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber conference
In this episode of the Lab Life podcast, we come to you LIVE from the 2019 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber conference.
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Episode 14: Crampons, Mountains and Oxygen Deprivation – A Mountain Laboratory
In this episode of the Lab Life podcast, we talk to Kevin Schmidt, a mountain climbing researcher looking into how oxygen deprivation effects your cognitive functions at altitude.
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Episode 13: Junior Force, Major Impact | Brittany Fouts, Biomedical Engineer
Brittany Fouts is a Biomedical Engineer who oversees major projects that keep Airmen safe in the skies above. Learn more about how this junior researcher is making a major impact for our Air Force on this episode of the Lab Life podcast.
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Episode 12: Life as an ‘intra-preneur’ | Ryan Helbach
In his episode of the Lab Life podcast, Air Force Research Laboratory Chief Intrepreneur, Ryan Helbach talks about his unique job title and how to achieve your job related dreams!
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Episode 11: Digital Hangar
In this episode of the Lab Life podcast, Dr. Rick Graves explores the world of digital engineering where aircraft are “zeros” and “ones”.
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Episode 10: Air Force impacts to Apollo 11
In this episode of Lab Life, Air Force Research Laboratory historian Kevin Rusnak helps separate fact from fiction as he explains all of the behind-the-scenes work the Air Force did to help get man on the moon.
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Episode 9: Maj. Gen. William Cooley, AFRL Commander
This episode of the Lab Life podcast features Maj. Gen. William “Bill” Cooley, Air Force Research Laboratory commander, who speaks about his career as a technologist and several areas of interest to AFRL, including biology, human genetics, materials science, high energy laser systems, GPS, space vehicles and more.
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Episode 8: Fear the Robot?!
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Joe Lyons, an industrial organizational psychologist at the Air Force Research Laboratory about human-machine interaction, trust and whether robots will take over the world.
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Episode 7: AFRL Inspire – The Origin Story
On this episode of the podcast, Dr. Dan Berrigan, a digital manufacturing research team lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory returns to the podcast to talk about the origins of AFRL Inspire, a one-day, TED Talk-like event that showcases the inspiring work of AFRL researchers in a live, dynamic environment.
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Episode 6: Robots and Rambo
On this episode of the podcast, Dr. Dan Berrigan, a digital manufacturing research team lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory joins hosts, Michele Miller and Kenneth McNulty, to talk digital manufacturing, teaching robots and Star Trek.
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Episode 5: AFRL Inspire
Caylee Dymond, an Air Force Research Laboratory researcher focused on personnel recovery, joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming “AFRL Inspire,” a one-day TED Talk-like event that showcases the inspiring work of AFRL researchers.
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Episode 4: Supercomputers, Anthrax and Flight Testing
We chat with John Hoffman an Information Security Manager at the AFRL, whose jobs is to keep Department of Defense supercomputers safe.
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Episode 3: Livetweeting History
Senior AFRL Historian Kevin Rusnak joins the podcast to talk about aliens, tweets and the beginning of Air Force Engineering.
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Episode 2: Antarctic Windsurfing
Capt Michael Nayak discusses space situational awareness research, kitesurfing at the South Pole and test pilot school.
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Episode 1: It’s Rocket Science
Dr. Kerianne Hobbs joins our first podcast episode to talk rocket science, Martian sunsets and the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).
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