In this episode of The Astro Ben Podcast, Ben speaks with astronaut and mission assurance expert Dr. John "Danny" Olivas from Intuitive Machines HQ. The conversation centers around the IM-2 Lunar Lander mission, set to land at the Moon’s south pole in early 2025. Danny shares exclusive insights into the technology on board, including NASA’s PRIME-1 drill, Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communications System, and Intuitive Machines’ Micro Nova Hopper.

The discussion also explores the critical role of engineering in lunar infrastructure, the challenges of operating in the Moon’s extreme environment, and Danny’s experiences as a NASA astronaut, including his iconic spacewalks and space shuttle repair missions.

This weeks episode is sponsored by Sky Fi.

Check them out: https://skyfi.com/

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:00 Intro to Episode

00:22 This weeks episode is sponsored by Sky Fi

00:42 Introducing Astronaut Dr. John "Danny" Olivas

01:28 Ben tries streaming for the first time (successfully)

02:04 Intuitive Machines IM-2

04:22 Challenges of landing on the lunar South Pole?

06:41 Micro Nova Hopper

09:19 First cellular network on the moon

11:50 IM-2 fitting in with Artemis

15:08 Engineering Innovations of IM-2

17:47 Spacewalks and lunar exploration

21:28 IM-2 to IM-4

24:05 Humanities relationship with the Moon

27:30 Space experience effecting everyday life

32:35 Words of wisdom

34:55 Wrap Up and Socials

Follow Dr John "Danny" Olivas:

Website: https://uniphigood.com/portfolio_page/john-danny-olivas/

IM-2 Mission Details: https://www.nasa.gov/event/intuitive-machines-clps-flight-im-2/

Intuitive Machines: https://www.intuitivemachines.com/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

In this episode, Ben sits down with Remco Timmermans to explore the dynamic world of space industry marketing and events. They discuss Remco's journey into space, the emotional power of rocket launches, and how space is becoming a true people's industry. The conversation covers the space industry's outlook for 2025, the curation of industry events, the debate between live and virtual events, and the critical role of social media in engaging the public. Remco also shares his predictions for the sector's future.

To celebrate the start of this dynamic year, we invite you to download Remco's exclusive FREE Space Agenda 2025 events poster!

This printable PDF highlights a selection of key events happening around the world—one for each week of the year!

Download your FREE copy now: https://lnkd.in/e5yB5VeU

This weeks episode is sponsored by Sky Fi.

Check them out: https://skyfi.com/

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:16 Bens proposal - thanks to Sky Fi! See the pics of Bens proposal here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DEqMzU4xAV-/?img_index=1

01:10 Remco Timmermans

02:15 New Year

03:44 Remco’s interest in space

13:50 The Power of a Launch!

15:00 A true peoples industry

17:20 Space industry in 2025

19:50 Space Agenda https://www.spaceagenda.com/

22:50 How to decide which events to include in “industry events calendar”

26:44 Live events vs virtual events

34:38 Social Media and Marketing in the space industry.

36:47 Predictions for Space Industry 2025

39:28 Wrap Up and Socials

Follow Remco Timmermans:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/remcotimmermans/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelsinorbit/

X: https://x.com/timmermansr

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

In this episode of the Astro Ben Podcast, we chat with Emily Carney, space historian, journalist, and co-author of the new book Star Bound: A Beginner’s Guide to the American Space Program. OUT JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS (LINK BELOW)

Emily shares her insights on the cultural and societal impact of America’s space exploration journey and why understanding our space history is vital for the next generation. From her iconic Space Hipsters community to her thoughts on mining the Moon and asteroids, Emily brings her trademark wit and wisdom to the conversation. We also touch on the lessons the U.S. space program can teach us about innovation, reactionary progress, and global collaboration. This is a must-listen for space enthusiasts and newcomers alike!

This weeks episode is sponsored by AIDAA.

Check them out: https://www.aidaa.it/

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

01:05 Introducing Emily Carney

01:40 Co-authoring a book!

02:47 Inspiration

05:50 Writing pattern

10:11 Keeping the book culture

12:44 Politics in the US - is Space always a positive?! National Pride!

17:00 Artemis & Cultural Commitments

19:32 Emilys Military background

23:10 Space Hipsters Facebook Group

28:33 Space & Things Podcast

34:10 Dreams for the book!

36:22 Wrap Up and Socials

Connect with Emily Carney:

X: https://x.com/EmilyLCarney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilycarneyspace/

Space Hipsters: https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fgroups%2Fspacehipsters%2F

Pre-order Emilys Book:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Bound-Goldilocks-Everything-Spaceflight/dp/1496241398

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/star-bound-a-beginner-s-guide-to-the-american-space-program-from-goddard-s-rockets-to-goldilocks-planets-and-everything-in-betwe-bruce-mccandless/21091286?ean=9781496241399

Nebraska: https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/nebraska/9781496241399/star-bound/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

In this episode, Ben explores the extraordinary journey of Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne, a trailblazer in the field of aerospace engineering. Camille reflects on her impactful career at NASA, where she led key human spaceflight programs and advanced groundbreaking science missions. She shares insights into her work at Arusha Space, promoting space-based solutions for global sustainability, and her passion for STEM education for young women through The Brightest Stars Foundation.

They discuss her Trinidadian upbringing, her journey to becoming one of the few women of colour in senior leadership at NASA, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in space exploration. This episode is a testament to Camille’s belief in the transformative power of education, the boundless opportunities of space, and her enduring mission to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

This weeks episode is sponsored by AIDAA.

Check them out: https://www.aidaa.it/

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

01:01 AIDAA

01:48 From Trinidad to NASA

05:45 Arriving at NASA for the first time

06:47 No social media

07:36 NASA career

13:26 Space industry is changing

15:24 Arusha Space

17:00 Picking “the dream team”

18:45 Private/Public Partnerships in the US and elsewhere

20:04 Current projects

21:12 Future of space exploration/what inspires Camille!

23:55 Why Space?!

25:41 The Brightest Stars Foundation

29:10 Advice to get into the industry (for non Math/Science students)

31:13 Engaging with non Space fairing nations

34:20 Wrap Up and Socials

Connect with Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne:

Arusha Space

Website: https://arushaspace.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arusha.space/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arushaspace/

Brightest Stars Foundation

Website: https://www.brighteststarsfoundation.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brighteststarsfoundation/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

In this weeks episode, Nicolina Elrick takes us behind the scenes of her extraordinary journey to space with Blue Origin. Nicolina is a multi-faceted leader in both philanthropy and entrepreneurship, and on this weeks episode shares what it’s like to break through the Kármán line and experience the profound awe of space. We explore the pivotal moments of her flight, her reflections on seeing Earth from afar, and her proposal for a future SpaceX philanthropic mission!

This weeks episode is sponsored by AIDAA.

Check them out: https://www.aidaa.it/

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

00:00 Intro to Episode - Nicolina Elrick & shout out to this weeks episode sponsor AIDAA https://www.aidaa.it/

01:26 Met at the IAC (the worlds largest space event)

03:00 Nicolina’s trip to space!

07:52 Nicolina’s successful mission:

08:08 Space relatable

11:25 Renewed sense of purpose

13:03 Nicolina’s bio and unique journey to Space: https://nicolinae.com/

17:30 Grit Diamonds Stars

21:00 The families during launches

23:03 Psychology of preparation for space

24:20 Learnings from crewmates

25:45 Advice to young people

29:25 Whats next on Nicolina’s horizon? SpaceX mission concept

32:25 Wrap up and socials

Connect with Nikolina Elrick:

Website: www.nicolinaE.com

X: https://twitter.com/nicolinaElrick

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealnicolinae/

Other socials/links: https://linktr.ee/astronautnicolina

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/

This episode explores Yanni Barghouty’s work with Cosmic Shielding Corporation (CSC) and their mission to create next-generation radiation shielding solutions for the space industry. Yanni shares his journey from biomedical engineering to space entrepreneurship, discusses the challenges of developing advanced materials for radiation protection, and provides insights into the future of space safety and human spaceflight.

OUTLINE:

Here’s approximate timestamps for the episode.

01:00 What/Why is Cosmic Shielding Corporation/CSC?

07:09 Starting up/Business partner

11:20 Launching/testing

13:25 The ordering process

20:42 Challenges of new technologies and protecting humans

25:00 AI in shielding?

37:33 Challenges of space entrepreneurship

43:10 Open for business

45:35 Wrap up and socials

Connect with Cosmic Shielding Corporation:

Website: https://cosmicshielding.com/

X: https://x.com/cosmicshielding

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cosmic-shielding-corporation/

Stay connected with us!

Use #Astroben across various social media platforms to engage with us!

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@astrobenpodcast

Website: www.astroben.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astrobenpodcast/

X: https://x.com/Gambleonit

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@astrobenpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astrobenpodcast/