PodcastsScienceSmall Steps, Giant Leaps

Small Steps, Giant Leaps

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Small Steps, Giant Leaps
Latest episode

174 episodes

  • Small Steps, Giant Leaps

    Calibrating Satellite Image Data

    26/06/2026 | 19 mins.
    Before scientists can use those satellite imagery for research, the data must be carefully calibrated to ensure measurements are accurate and consistent over time. Julia Barsi, NASA calibration scientist, explains.
  • Small Steps, Giant Leaps

    Space Nuclear Propulsion

    15/06/2026 | 22 mins.
    Space nuclear power and propulsion engineering could play a key role in sending robots and humans to deep space, enabling faster and farther journeys.
  • Small Steps, Giant Leaps

    Test Like You Fly

    27/05/2026 | 23 mins.
    The “test like you fly” approach is an engineering philosophy that means testing hardware, software, and flight operations as close to reality as possible. Erika Alvarez, deputy director of NASA's Space Systems Department, explains.
  • Small Steps, Giant Leaps

    Soft Skills for Tough Missions

    13/05/2026 | 16 mins.
    So-called “soft skills” like good teamwork and communication can become just as valuable as technical skills to advance exploration.
  • Small Steps, Giant Leaps

    Tracking Launches: Views from a NASA Pilot

    29/04/2026 | 17 mins.
    NASA pilots play a critical role in launch and recovery operations. Shannon Gregory, chief of flight operations at Kennedy Space Center, shares how his team supports crewed launches from the air, capturing real-time imagery, and staying ready for the unexpected.
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About Small Steps, Giant Leaps
NASA’s technical workforce put boots on the Moon, tire tracks on Mars, and the first reusable spacecraft in orbit around the Earth. Learn what’s next as they build missions that redefine the future with amazing discoveries and remarkable innovations.
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