The Vintage Space

S1 · E1 · Jul 1, 2016

Why Does a Rocket Need to Roll Going Into Orbit? Episode 1

Following launch rockets normally pitch to the east to reach orbit taking advantage of their motion gained for the rotation of the Earth thus saving fuel. But for moon launches the rotation of the Earth is not aligned with the orbit of the moon so the rock rolls to align with the moon's orbit before pitching over.

S1 · E2 · Aug 16, 2017

Only Three People Have Died in Space Episode 2

Despite the myriad of dangers to space flight and the many crewed missions in space over the past sixty years only on mission resulted in fatalities; the crew of three of Soyuz 11 in 1971.

S1 · E3 · May 17, 2018

Eleven Deaf Men Helped NASA Leave Earth Episode 3

Since motion sickness is related to balance and would likely be a major issue in space flight NASA wanted to learn more about how balance works. And since balance originated in the inner ear it makes sense that motion sickness is also triggered in the inner ear. To test this possible correlation NASA recruited several deaf men and tried to give them motion sickness.

S1 · E4 · Sep 14, 2018

Let's Talk About Space Force Episode 4

Amy describe the United States military's (Air Force and Navy) past and present use of space then postulates on the likely goals of a United States Space Force.

S1 · E5 · Jun 13, 2019

How Apollo Astronauts Didn't Get Lost Going to the Moon Episode 5

Rather that relying on mission control for navigation the Apollo spacecraft had on-board navigation. This was the cold war after all and NASA was concerned about Soviet jamming. The navigation system relied on good old dead reckoning adapted for three dimensions.

S1 · E6 · Jan 13, 2021

U-2s over China: Operation Tackle Episode 6

S1 · E7 · Jan 29, 2021

America Spying with the Corona Satellites Episode 7

S1 · E8 · Jan 12, 2022

When a Nuke Nearly Killed the Moon Landing Episode 8

To travel to the moon Apollo astronauts had to pass through the Van Allen radiation belts. NASA scientists eventually concluded that radiation exposure would be minimal with the shielding on the command module. Still, a proposal to purge the radiation with a nuclear explosion was considered. But the 1964 Starfish Prime atmospheric nuclear test actually enriched the radiation in the Van Allen belts.