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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 Earth. Learn what’s next as they build missions that redefine the future with amazing discoveries and remarkable innovations.

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Episode 173May 13, 2026

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 173: Soft Skills for Tough Missions

So-called “soft skills” like good teamwork and communication can become just as valuable as technical skills to advance exploration.

Episode 172Apr 29, 2026

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 172: Tracking Launches: Views from a NASA Pilot

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 missions from the air, capturing real-time imagery, and staying ready for the unexpected.

Episode 171Apr 16, 2026

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 171: How NASA's Pandora Mission Unboxes Distant Worlds

Studying planets in other solar systems isn’t easy, especially when their host stars keep stealing the spotlight. NASA’s Pandora mission will cut through the noise, revealing what the atmospheres of these distant worlds are really made of.

Episode 170Mar 18, 2026

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 170: Choreographing Astronaut Recovery

For any crew returning to Earth from space, the journey home includes a carefully choreographed recovery effort to bring them safely back on dry land after splashing down in the ocean. Christine St. Germain, NASA recovery director for the Commercial Crew Program, tells us about this critical phase of flight.