287: Drive Me to the Moon with Chris Lockett of Castrol
Casual Space
What keeps a Mars rover running after 14 years on another planet? What fixed a juddering solar array on the International Space Station? And what tiny robot — small enough to hold in your hand — recently hitched a ride to the lunar South Pole? The answer to all three: Castrol. And this week, Beth sits down with Chris Lockett, Global Technology Director at Castrol, to pull back the curtain on one of space exploration's most quietly essential partners. Chris brings nearly 30 years of experience with BP and Castrol, working across the UK, China, Japan, South Africa, and beyond. His...
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286: Eyes to the Stars with Dr. Steve Hawley, NASA Shuttle Astronaut
Casual Space
What does it take to go from studying the universe… to flying through it? On this episode of Casual Space, Beth welcomes Dr. Steven A. Hawley—NASA astronaut, space shuttle veteran, and author of his new book, Eyes to the Stars, A Memoir for the Space Shuttle Generation. Listen to enjoy the remarkable journey of a young astronomer from Kansas who never expected to become an astronaut—and what happened when he said “yes” anyway. Steve shares the quiet but powerful decisions that shaped his career: staying open to opportunity, embracing uncertainty, and trusting preparation when timing...
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285: Did the "Project Hail Mary" Film Stick the Landing? / ft. Dr. Danny Jaques
Casual Space
An earlier version of this episode got corrupted on export, so the audio cut out part of the way into the episode. That has been fixed in this version. Apologies for the inconvenience! - Dr. Danny Jaques, a 36-year veteran science educator, Space Camp Hall of Famer, and founder of Danny's Rocket Ranch, joins Beth for a review of the Project Hail Mary film adaptation. A lifelong educator who has taken nearly 600 students to Space Camp and spent decades bringing science to life in the classroom, Danny brings a perspective to this conversation that you simply cannot get anywhere else. Beth and...
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284: Etched in Crystal: Putting 3,237 Stories Onto a Lunar Rover
Casual Space
Josh Hanes, whose work at Uplift Aerospace focuses on expanding access to space through student-centered education and immersive experiences, returns to the show with major updates on what's happened since STORIES of Space submitted its community database at the end of 2025. https://www.upliftaerospace.com Beth and Josh celebrate two landmark achievements: the successful laser engraving the story database from STORIES of Space into a 5D crystal along with over 3,000 messages from students, teachers, and community storytellers around the world, an extraordinary archival medium capable of...
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283: How Will Project Hail Mary Make the Leap from Book to Silver Screen?
Casual Space
Have you read “Project Hail Mary,” by Andy Weir? No spoilers in this episode, as Beth reviews three of the main characters, and wonders how they will make the leap from page to the silver screen.
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282: Five STORIES Going to the Moon
Casual Space
The deadline for submitting stories to the Moon on MISSION 06 with STORIES of Space has been extended to December 28! In this episode, Beth selects & shares five recently submitted stories that will be sent to the Moon. Hundreds more will be sent to the moon along with these inspiring stories. Will yours be one of them? You have until December 28 to submit your story at About STORIES of Space Stories of Space is a non-for-profit organization that collects personal narratives about space, and sends them into space. MISSION 06 will take stories to the lunar surface,...
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281: STORIES of Space is Going to the Moon with Uplift Aerospace
Casual Space
This week on Casual Space, Beth is joined by two extraordinary guests: Josh Hanes, CEO of Uplift Aerospace and Dr. Sian Proctor, astronaut, artist, educator, and founder of Space2Inspire to share an announcement that’s truly out of this world. Josh, whose background spans physics, advanced propulsion concepts, and aerospace leadership with a mission to expand access to space for all through innovative education and immersive experiences, explains how Uplift’s journey has grown from astronaut training to student-centered lunar missions. Dr. Proctor, best known as the first African-American...
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280: The View from the Launch Pad: Steve Matier on Building Canada’s Spaceport
Casual Space
This week on Casual Space, Beth welcomes back a very special guest: Stephen Matier, President & CEO of Maritime Launch Services, to celebrate Canada’s history-making commercial suborbital launch completed at the end of November. Fresh from the launch pad in Canso, Nova Scotia, Beth and Steve sit down to reflect on the extraordinary milestone for Canada’s growing space sector and share the personal, behind-the-scenes stories that made the mission unforgettable. You can both listen AND watch this conversation on YouTube, where Beth shares exclusive launch-day footage,...
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279: The Everyday Adventure That Changes Everything with Jessica DeAngelo
Casual Space
This week on the Casual Space Podcast, I’m joined by my friend, adventurer, and all-around visionary Jessica DeAngelo — founder of Hike to Become®, author of the international bestseller The Wild Advantage, and the leader behind a movement that encourages us to step outside (literally) to find the clarity, creativity, and calm we keep trying to chase indoors. Jessica works with leaders from companies like Amazon, Nike, and Uber to help them break out of the boardroom mindset and reconnect with the part of themselves that already knows the answer. Her 31-day outdoor awareness challenge and...
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278: From Spacewalks to Service: Astronaut Mike Foreman on a Career of Service and Exploration
Casual Space
What does life after space look like for an astronaut? For Mike Foreman, it looks like community, connection, and continuing to serve — just a little closer to Earth. Mike is a retired NASA astronaut, a U.S. Navy veteran, and the current Mayor of Friendswood, Texas. Over the course of two Space Shuttle missions — STS-123 and STS-129 — Mike logged more than 637 hours in space and completed five spacewalks (that’s over 32 hours working outside the spacecraft!) helping to deliver and assemble parts of the International...
info_outlineHerb Baker, NASA veteran and author of From Apollo to Artemis: Stories From My 50 Years With NASA, takes us back to a time where growing up near NASA meant working near the “Manned Spacecraft Center,” and running films to the TV station for Apollo missions. Herb took what started as a “fun job” into an unforgettable 42-year career working on the Shuttle, Space Station, and Orion programs. Herb grew up surrounded by astronauts’ families, watched history happen right in his backyard, and even got to see his mom play a key role in saving Skylab—a story that will absolutely make you smile.
Herb’s adventures working for NASA are pretty incredible—like riding in a helicopter flown by a Vietnam vet to deliver news footage, running around Mission Control like he owned the place, and learning that astronauts’ biggest fear isn’t danger... it’s letting their teammates down. You’ll hear just how much NASA’s mission and people have meant to him.
Herb’s stories bring NASA’s history to life in a way that feels personal, real, and so inspiring. If you’ve ever looked up at the stars and dreamed big, this one’s for you.
Guest Bio:
Herb Baker retired from NASA in 2017 after 42 years of service. He spent most of his career at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), supporting the Space Shuttle, Space Station, and Orion Programs. Herb also worked at the Kennedy Space Center and NASA Headquarters. His final position was Manager of the Operations Support Office at JSC, where he oversaw support for Mission Control, astronaut operations, and NASA’s aircraft operations. Today, Herb serves as an Officer on the Board of Directors for the NASA Alumni League-JSC and dedicates his time to promoting STEM education through organizations like the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and Space Center Houston. He is a frequent speaker on human spaceflight and the author of From Apollo to Artemis: Stories From My 50 Years With NASA.
Connect with Herb:
Want a signed copy of From Apollo to Artemis? Head to herbbaker.space. You can also find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Check his website for updates on upcoming book signings and events.
If you enjoyed this episode and would like to share, I’d love to hear it!
YOU CAN HELP US SEND STORIES TO SPACE! Please visit our GoFundMe campaign and help send more stories to space! https://gofund.me/62f1ff87
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*Remember!!! You can send your story to space TODAY! The window for STORIES of Space Mission 03 is NOW OPEN! Send your story, for free, to www.storiesofspace.com
Also, to help support sending stories about space to space. Visit our 2025 GoFundMe Campaign at this link: https://gofund.me/0638ee0e