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PODCAST · science

I Need My Space

by Inverse

Outer space doesn’t have to be all uncharted territory and vast unknowns. This weekly show from Inverse, enlists the universe's greatest experts, explorers, and enthusiasts to answer the questions that are worth spacing out over. Hosted by video producer and resident star child, Steve Ward, each episode will launch headfirst into topics of astronomical proportions with an approachable style. When will we realistically get to Mars? How would we build a space colony better than Earth? What will aliens look like? What’s it like to be married to an astronaut? What happens if you jump into a black hole? What’s the core of a gas giant? Tune in to listen every Tuesday. --------- About Inverse Inverse sparks curiosity about the future. We explore the science of anything, innovations that shape tomorrow, and ideas that stretch our minds. Our goal is to motivate the ne

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Episodes

  1. The Moral Ambiguity of Sending Microbes to Space

    Dr. Bill Miller, an evolutionary biologist and expert on the emerging science of the microbiome, chats with Steve about the ramifications of sending microbes into space. Follow ‘I Need My Space’ on Social Media: Twitter: @INeedMySpacePod Instagram: @INeedMySpacePod Find links to Dr. Miller’s…

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  2. The Intergalactic Travel Bureau

    The Intergalactic Travel Bureau This week on 'I Need My Space' we talk to Jana Grcevich, Co-author of "Vacation Guide to the Solar System" about making travel plans in space! Grcevich is also data scientist, has a PhD in astronomy, and is an all around curious person. Check out her book:...

  3. The Nose of NASA

    NASA “Nasalnaut” George Aldrich sits down with Steve to discuss the importance of smell in space. Questions include: What does a NASA chemical specialist do? What is the process of conducting odor tests for NASA? Why must objects be odor tested? What is a NASA-certified nose? What happens when an...

  4. Aloha From "Mars"

    Lynn Levy, host of Gimlet’s ‘The Habitat’, joins Steve and guest host Moiya McTier to talk about the true story of six strangers who were picked to live in a Mars simulation, work together, and have their lives taped. Questions Include: How does one become a fake astronaut? Will there be...

  5. The Astronaut Instagram Star

    Jennifer Levasseur, museum specialist at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, joins Steve to discuss photography in space, astronaut personal artifacts, and the history of space flight. Questions Include: What is it like being a museum curator? Is stuff that has gone to space more...

  6. We Stumbled on Jupiter's 12 New Moons

    Today, astronomers announced the discovery of 12 new moons around Jupiter. Inverse writer Matthew Phelan sat down with the Carnegie Institute’s Scott S. Sheppard who led the team that located the Jovian moons to tell us what this means for our solar systems and why one of the moons is especially...

  7. Curiosity: The Hardest Working Rover

    Author of "The Design and Engineering of Curiosity: How the Mars Rover Performs Its Job" and planetary evangelist and senior editor at The Planetary Society, Emily Lakdawalla, joins Rae and Steve to discuss NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity. Questions Include: What kind of data is the Curiosity rover...

  8. Beyond the Billionaire Space Cowboys

    Rocket scientist and entrepreneur Natalya Bailey joins Steve to discuss the climate of NewSpace. Questions Include: What is NewSpace? Who are the key players besides Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos? How is competition driving the space race? How can a regular person keep up with the space industry? Are...

  9. Correction: First Human on the Moon

    Retired NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison joins Rae to discuss how to diversify the space industry. Questions Include: How does it feel to be an inspiration to women and girls everywhere? Is there a representation issue in NASA? Who are the people who make space flight possible? Why is it important…

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  10. How Do We Not Ruin Space Colonies?

    Rae and Steve are joined by Afrofuturist author Ytasha Womack to discuss the importance of centering humanity as we journey through space. Question Include: How do we not ruin space colonies like we did on Earth? How do we ensure that people on space colonies are happy and healthy? What will...

  11. Leave Mars for the Martians

    Steve sits down with Vanderbilt astronomy professor David Weintraub to discuss the moral ethics surrounding humanity’s trip to Mars. Question Include: Should we go to Mars? When will we get to Mars? Is there life on Mars? How will we impact possible life on Mars? What is panspermia? Are humans...

  12. NASA Digs Up Major Clues About Life on Mars

    There’s organic material on Mars! But just what does that mean? In this mini-episode, astronomer David Weintraub talks to Steve about the importance of the NASA Mars announcements on June 7. We also pull in senior staff writer Peter Hess to contextualize the findings from the two papers. To hear...

  13. Big Dumb Space Questions

    Video game journalist Dan Ryckert joins Rae and Steve to dive into some of his big (and somewhat embarrassing) questions about space. They also chat about the intersection of gaming and space. Questions Include: What’s at the core of a gas giant? Why do some planets have rings? Would I die if I...

  14. Are Aliens Farting on Mars?

    Nuclear physicist and Vice on HBO correspondent Taylor Wilson joins Steve to discuss where we might find extraterrestrial life and how we’ll get there. Questions include: Is humanity alone in the universe? Will finding extraterrestrial life be dangerous? Is there life in our own solar system? Do...

  15. A $15,000,000 Spacesuit

    High fashion fabricator-turned-spacesuit designer Ted Southern joins Rae to explain the ins and outs of making aerospace safety garments. Questions Include: What is going to be the first brand on Mars? How do spacesuits protect people from galactic cosmic rays? How much does it cost to make a...

  16. Cause of Death: Spaghettification

    Theoretical astrophysicist Katie Mack talks black holes, dark matter, and the end of the universe. Questions Include: WTF is dark matter? Why is dark matter invisible? How much dark matter is in a galaxy? Is dark matter a series of really small black holes? Why do black holes spaghettify you? How...

  17. NASA's InSight Launch Live (Bonus)

    NASA launched an InSight Lander on a 7-month trek to Mars on Sunday, and luckily, I Need My Space correspondent Jeremy Bent was on the ground at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to hear the launch. In this bonus episode, we hear from NASA personnel about the mission. Follow I Need My Space...

  18. Space Ain’t the Wild Wild West

    Space Attorney Michael Listner joins Rae to discuss how law applies to the cosmos. Questions Include: How does one become a space lawyer? How does space law apply to everyday people? Who does space belong to? Who will grant Elon Musk the permission to go to Mars? Is a settlement on Mars legal? If...

  19. Let’s Not Contaminate Saturn

    Space journalist Swapna Krishna of Engadget, SyFy Fangrrls, & the Los Angeles Times joins Rae and Steve to answer questions about the spectacular world of space flight. Questions Include: Why do we love shooting stuff into space? Will Starman contaminate Mars? Would you have a space funeral? Is...

  20. Jupiter is the Bouncer of the Solar System

    Astrophysicist Jackie Faherty, of the American Museum of Natural History, joins Rae to answer questions about how and when humanity will find the next habitable world. Questions Include: What is an exoplanet? What is a brown dwarf? What if Venus had a habitable atmosphere? Are there other…

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  21. I Grew an Inch in Space

    Retired NASA astronaut, former NFL wide receiver, and avid dog lover, Leland Melvin joins Rae to talk about food, fitness, and fetch in space. Questions include: What would it be like to play with your dog in space? Can you play sports in microgravity? How does the body physically change in the...

  22. A Midnight Snack in Space

    Former NASA astronaut Jerry Linenger joins Rae to explain what it’s like to call space your home. Questions Include: What is it like to live in space? What is the most beautiful place on Earth?What food cravings do astronauts have? What’s life like after re-entry? How do you exercise on a...

  23. What Do Aliens Really Look Like?

    Astrobiologist Seth Shostak of the Search for Extraterrestrial Life Institute (SETI) joins Rae and Steve to answer astronomical questions about life on other planets. Questions Include: What will aliens look like? Will aliens have pets? Do aliens think about us? How accurate are sci-fi aliens?…

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  24. I Need My Space - Trailer

    Outer space doesn’t have to be all uncharted territory and vast unknowns. I Need My Space, a weekly show from Inverse, enlists experts, explorers, and enthusiasts to answer the questions that are worth spacing out over. Hosted by space editor Rae Paoletta and comedian Steve Ward, each 45-minute...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Outer space doesn’t have to be all uncharted territory and vast unknowns. This weekly show from Inverse, enlists the universe's greatest experts, explorers, and enthusiasts to answer the questions that are worth spacing out over.

Hosted by video producer and resident star child, Steve Ward, each episode will launch headfirst into topics of astronomical proportions with an approachable style. When will we realistically get to Mars? How would we build a space colony better than Earth? What will aliens look like? What’s it like to be married to an astronaut? What happens if you jump into a black hole? What’s the core of a gas giant?

Tune in to listen every Tuesday.

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About Inverse

Inverse sparks curiosity about the future. We explore the science of anything, innovations that shape tomorrow, and ideas that stretch our minds. Our goal is to motivate the ne

HOSTED BY

Inverse

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does I Need My Space have?

I Need My Space currently has 24 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is I Need My Space about?

Outer space doesn’t have to be all uncharted territory and vast unknowns. This weekly show from Inverse, enlists the universe's greatest experts, explorers, and enthusiasts to answer the questions that are worth spacing out over. Hosted by video producer and resident star child, Steve Ward, each...

How often does I Need My Space release new episodes?

I Need My Space has 24 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to I Need My Space?

You can listen to I Need My Space on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts I Need My Space?

I Need My Space is created and hosted by Inverse.
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