Libsyn Directory

Inside the National Air and Space Museum with Margaret Weitekamp

AMSEcast

Release Date: 05/28/2025

AMSE Science Report with Simon Cordrey

AMSEcast

Author Simon Cordrey discusses the early days of the railroad and how that changed America.

AMSE Science Report with Jay Feldman

AMSEcast

Author Jay Feldman and Alan Lowe, Director of the AMSE Foundation discuss his book, When the Mississippi Ran Backwards.

Planetary Defense 101 with Dr. Robin Andrews

AMSEcast

Alan Lowe is joined in this episode of AMSEcast by Dr. Robin Andrews, volcanologist, science journalist, and author of How to Kill an Asteroid. Dr. Andrews explores how modern planetary defense blends cutting-edge detection networks, such as NASA’s NEO Surveyor, with active deflection efforts like the DART mission, which successfully shifted an asteroid’s orbit. He also delves into theoretical approaches, including gravity tractors and even nuclear options as last-resort strategies. While comets remain a tougher, faster-moving threat, advances in technology continue to make catastrophic...

AMSE Science Report with Author Michele Gelfand

AMSEcast

Michele J. Gelfand is the John H. Scully Professor of Cross-Cultural Management Professor of Organizational Behavior and Psychology at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Her book, RULE MAKERS, RULE BREAKERS: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World takes readers on a journey through a variety of human cultures, exploring unique a multi-faceted glimpse into the world around us and ourselves.

Invention and Exploration at the Smithsonian Institution

AMSEcast

Host Alan Lowe continues AMSEcast’s exploration of 250 years of American innovation with Smithsonian experts Harold Wallace Jr., Dr. Eric Hintz, and Tim Pula. Together, they trace invention from Benjamin Franklin’s experiments to modern breakthroughs, highlighting the Smithsonian’s exhibitions, collections, and hands-on learning at Spark!Lab. The discussion spans collaboration with the Library of Congress, the role of failure in creativity, and how patents shape (but don’t define) innovation. The guests also reflect on nuclear technology’s history and social impact, and share how...

Exploring the Human Microbiome with Dr. Bob Hettich

AMSEcast

Dr. Robert Hettich is a pioneer in bioanalytical mass spectrometry. In this episode of AMSEcast, he describes how microbiomes form, vary across the body, and influence digestion, immunity, and overall health. Dr. Hettich also explains metaproteomics, the study of microbial proteins, to reveal how microbes function beyond their genes as well as their applications from human health to environmental cleanup and bioenergy. Inspired by his daughter’s experience with Crohn’s, Robert Hettich is especially focused on microbiomes’ links to inflammatory and neurological diseases, including...

One Woman's Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science author on AMSE Science Report

AMSEcast

Dr. Colwell shares her insight on the progression of women in science through the years. Framed by her own experiences we learn about her incredible work.

The History of the American Railroad with Albert Churella

AMSEcast

Railroads have shaped America’s growth, technology, and daily life for nearly two centuries. In this episode of AMSEcast, Alan talks with Dr. Albert Churella of Kennesaw State University about how innovations such as the automatic knuckle coupler, Westinghouse’s air brake, and the move from steam to diesel transformed safety and efficiency. Dr. Churella explains how signaling, centralized traffic control, and GPS-based Positive Train Control modernized operations. While U.S. passenger service lags Europe, its freight rail system leads the world in ton-miles, fuel efficiency, and low...

AMSE Science Report with Marc Wortman

AMSEcast

AMSE Science Report with Richard Ellis

AMSEcast

Author Richard Ellis speaks about his latest book The Quest for the Cosmic Dawn. A breakdown of the earliest moments of our celestial cosmic soup.

More Episodes

Alan Lowe speaks with Dr. Margaret Weitekamp of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum about its transformation ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. They explore how new exhibits, immersive storytelling, and iconic artifacts like the Wright Flyer, Space Shuttle Discovery, and Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit bring aviation and space history to life. Weitekamp discusses the museum’s role as both a public institution and research center, preserving innovations from early flight to modern space exploration. She also reflects on international collaboration, private sector contributions, and how triumph and tragedy alike shape our understanding of humanity’s journey beyond Earth.

Guest Bio

Dr. Margaret Weitekamp is the curator and department chair of the space history department at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. She holds a BA from the University of Pittsburgh and earned her MA and PhD in history from Cornell University. A former Mellon Fellow in the humanities, she also served as the American Historical Association’s NASA Aerospace History Fellow at NASA Headquarters. Since joining the museum in 2004, she has led major curatorial efforts and became department chair in 2019. Dr. Weitekamp is a widely published author, including Space Craze and Spaceships: An Illustrated History of the Real and the Imagined.

Show Highlights

(2:09) The goals of the renovation and when it’s going to be completed
(6:28) The Udvar-Hazy Center
(8:09) What Margaret Weitekamp does at the National Air and Space Museum
(10:49) Key moments of American flight innovation documented at the museum
(18:50) Artifacts on display that tell the story of American innovation in getting to the moon
(22:12) The space shuttle’s impact on our understanding of Earth and space
(25:58) How the museum communicates with NASA about adding to their collection
(29:32) The role of international competition versus collaboration in forwarding innovation
(32:48) The private sector’s role in space innovation and how the museum interacts with it
(34:57) How satellites are used and what American innovations have contributed to them
(38:35) The way the Air and Space Museum teaches about unmanned missions like Voyager
(41:13) What we’ve learned from past mistakes, such as the Challenger explosion
(44:59) What’s made the biggest impression on Margaret since she’s been at the museum
(47:11) What we should keep in mind when looking at the next 250 years of space innovation
(49:51) How to follow what’s going on at the National Air and Space Museum

Links Referenced

Spaceships: An Illustrated History of the Real and the Imagined: https://www.amazon.com/Spaceships-2nd-Illustrated-History-Imagined/dp/1588347265/
Space Craze, America’s Enduring Fascination With Real and Imagined Space Flight: https://www.amazon.com/Space-Craze-Americas-Fascination-Spaceflight/dp/1588347257
National Air and Space Museum: https://airandspace.si.edu

TOPICS