Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.

Orbital Briefing: The Missions, Machines, and People of Spaceflight

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by Ron Walker

15 episodes

Updated Daily

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Podcast Overview

Orbital Briefing explores the history, technology, and future of human spaceflight. From the early days of Mercury and Apollo to the Space Shuttle era and the new generation of spacecraft being developed today, each episode dives into the missions, machines, and people that made space exploration possible. Hosted by Ron Walker, Orbital Briefing brings the stories of spaceflight to life through deep dives into historic missions, the engineers who built them, and the technologies that will carry humanity farther into the cosmos.

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Publishing Since

3/12/2026

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Recent Episodes

May 21, 2026

Voyager Probes: Humanity’s Message to the Stars

In 1977, NASA launched two spacecraft that would change our understanding of the outer solar system forever. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were built to explore Jupiter and Saturn, but Voyager 2 went on to visit Uranus and Neptune, becoming the only spacecraft ever to fly past all four giant planets.In this episode of Orbital Briefing, Ron Walker explores the Voyager probes, their rare planetary alignment, their groundbreaking discoveries, and their journey into interstellar space. We look at the spacecraft architecture, the gravity assists that made the mission possible, the science that transformed distant planets into real worlds, and the Golden Record, humanity’s message to the stars.From Jupiter’s storms and Io’s volcanoes to Saturn’s rings, Uranus’s tilted system, Neptune’s winds, and the Pale Blue Dot, Voyager is more than a NASA mission. It is a story about science, engineering, memory, curiosity, and the hope that something of Earth might endure.This is the story of Voyager 1, Voyager 2, the Golden Record, and humanity’s message to the stars.Topics include: Voyager 1, Voyager 2, NASA, Golden Record, Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, interstellar space, Pale Blue Dot, deep space exploration, and the history of spaceflight.

May 14, 2026

Orion, NASA’s Deep Space Crew Vehicle

In this episode of Orbital Briefing, Ron Walker explores Orion, NASA’s deep space crew vehicle built to carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and into the Artemis era.From its roots in the post-Shuttle years to its role in NASA’s return to the Moon, Orion represents a new chapter in human spaceflight. This episode looks at the spacecraft’s architecture, including the crew module, European Service Module, launch abort system, heat shield, avionics, life support systems, and its critical role in bringing astronauts safely home from lunar missions.We trace Orion’s journey from early development and uncrewed testing to its place at the center of Artemis, examining why this spacecraft matters as a bridge between Apollo, the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, the Moon, and the future of Mars exploration.If you’re interested in NASA, Artemis, Orion, deep space exploration, the Moon, spacecraft design, human spaceflight, Apollo, Shuttle, or the future of crewed missions beyond Earth, this episode is for you.New episodes of Orbital Briefing: The Missions, Machines, and People of Spaceflight release every Thursday.Visit RetroJetStudios.com for spaceflight-inspired merch, podcast updates, and Ron Walker’s book, The American Spaceplane: A Story of Ambition, Risk, and Reinvention.Keep looking up.

May 7, 2026

Christina Koch: Artemis II, the ISS, and NASA’s Return to the Moon

NASA astronaut Christina Koch represents a new era of human spaceflight. From her record-setting 328-day mission aboard the International Space Station to her historic role on Artemis II, Koch’s career connects the hard-earned lessons of long-duration spaceflight with NASA’s return to deep space.In this episode of Orbital Briefing, Ron Walker explores Christina Koch’s journey from engineer and remote field scientist to ISS flight engineer, spacewalker, and Artemis astronaut. We look at how her time in orbit helped prepare NASA for the future of lunar exploration, why her role on Artemis II matters, and how her story reflects the evolution of the modern astronaut.This is not just a biography. It is a look at how the Shuttle era, the International Space Station, and Artemis all connect through one remarkable career.We discuss:Christina Koch’s path to NASA Her 328-day mission aboard the International Space Station The first all-woman spacewalks Why long-duration spaceflight matters for Artemis and Mars Her role on Artemis II How NASA’s astronaut corps has evolved since Apollo Why Koch represents the future of explorationThis episode is sponsored by The American Spaceplane: A Story of Ambition, Risk, and Reinvention, Ron Walker’s book about the Space Shuttle program, available through RetroJet Studios.Visit RetroJetStudios.com for the book, spaceflight merchandise, podcast updates, and more.

15 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is Orbital Briefing: The Missions, Machines, and People of Spaceflight?: Orbital Briefing explores the history, technology, and future of human spaceflight.

From the early days of Mercury and Apollo to the Space Shuttle era and the new generation of spacecraft being developed today, each episode dives into the missions, machines, and people that made space exploration possible.

Hosted by Ron Walker, Orbital Briefing brings the stories of spaceflight to life through deep dives into historic missions, the engineers who built them, and the technologies that will carry humanity farther into the cosmos.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.

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