260: Alan Smale: Blending Science, History, and Imagination
Casual Space
Award-winning author and astrophysicist Alan Smale joins the podcast to share his unique journey of weaving hard science and historical fiction into gripping alternate-history narratives. From his NASA career studying X-ray astronomy to crafting meticulously researched novels that reimagine space exploration and ancient civilizations, Alan’s storytelling is as rich as the history that inspires it. Alan discusses how his extensive travels and deep scientific knowledge influence his writing, leading to immersive stories like the Clash of Eagles trilogy and the Apollo Rising series. He explores...
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259: Barry Matsumori, CEO of Skydweller Aero, on Perpetual Flight and the Future of Aviation
Casual Space
Barry Matsumori is no stranger to space, but his latest mission takes flight in a whole new way. As CEO of Skydweller Aero, he leads the charge in developing an autonomous, solar-powered aircraft capable of perpetual flight. In this episode, Barry shares how his transition from satellites and rockets to high-altitude aircraft opened new possibilities for Earth observation, communication, and global connectivity. He explains how Skydweller Aero’s innovative aircraft operates in 'near space,' bridging the gap between satellites and traditional aviation while unlocking groundbreaking...
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258: Jay Gallentine: Exploring the Legacy of John Casani
Casual Space
Author and space historian Jay Gallentine embarks on a thrilling mission to capture the untold story of one of NASA’s most influential figures—John Casani. In his latest book, Born to Explore, Jay takes readers on an exhilarating journey through Casani’s remarkable career, from his unexpected entry into aerospace to his pivotal role in some of NASA’s most legendary planetary missions. Casani wasn’t just another project manager—he was a force of nature who refused to accept dead ends, a master of navigating complex challenges, and a mentor who inspired teams to push beyond limits....
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257: Alex Reynolds: Founder & CEO of ATTX
Casual Space
Alex Reynolds, Founder and CEO of ATTX, joins Casual Space to share his inspiring journey from a childhood fascination with flight to leading a company dedicated to democratizing access to space. Growing up in Missouri, Alex's creativity and curiosity were nurtured in a DIY workshop his mom set up in the family attic—an experience that ultimately inspired the name of his company. From building airplanes as a kid to shaping the future of space exploration, Alex's story is one of passion, persistence, and problem-solving. In this episode, Alex reflects on his work at CU Boulder’s Dream...
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256: Herb Baker
Casual Space
Herb 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...
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255: Hank Alewine: Crunching Numbers in the Cosmos
Casual Space
Hank Alewine is the accountant boldly going where no CPA has gone before! A professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Hank isn’t just teaching spreadsheets and balance sheets—he’s pioneering space accounting (yes, that’s a thing). In this episode, Hank chats about his career journey, from studying biology to becoming a CPA, and eventually inventing a course that tackles the financial frontier of the space economy. Hank explores fascinating topics like how future Martian colonies might handle taxes (spoiler: someone will definitely try to tax space transactions) and why lag...
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254: Ronak Dave, NASA Johnson Space Center Flight Director
Casual Space
Ronak Dave is a Flight Director at NASA’s Johnson Space Center who always knew he wanted to work in Human Spaceflight Operations. His journey from a curious engineer to one of NASA’s elite is inspiring. With a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University, his path to NASA was fueled by curiosity, determination, and a little networking ingenuity. From tinkering with appliances in his childhood home to orchestrating critical missions at NASA, Ronak talks about how each experience brought him to work in the space industry. He shares lessons learned...
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253: Dr. Eiman Jahangir’s Journey to Space with Blue Origin
Casual Space
Dr. Eiman Jahangir, a physician, analog astronaut, and lifelong space enthusiast, shares his remarkable journey to becoming an astronaut with Blue Origin’s New Shepard. With two previous NASA astronaut candidacies and years of dedication, Dr. Jahangir’s story is resilient. He is driven by a love for science and space and his unwavering commitment to the dream of exploring beyond Earth. Catch Dr. Jahangir as he shares stories from his recent Blue Origin flight and launches into his experiences with the analog astronaut community, where he honed skills vital for long space missions. He’s...
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252: Anna (Hanna Sav) Harutyunyan: Armenia's First Analog Astronaut and Founder of Rocket Space Academy
Casual Space
Anna (Hanna Sav) Harutyunyan, is an Armenian engineer and robotics student who recently made history as Armenia’s first analog astronaut! In this episode, she joins host Beth Mund on the Casual Space Podcast to share her experiences in analog space missions, her academic journey, and her upcoming projects. Anna’s on a mission to inspire people in Armenia, and around the world, to explore space. As you listen in, you’ll hear how Anna first connected with the analog astronaut community through the Austrian Space Forum, where she supported ground operations before stepping into...
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251: Samantha Christensen: Opening the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center at Lowell Observatory
Casual Space
Samantha Christensen, a long-time team member at Lowell Observatory, shares the exciting news about the grand opening of the Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. As Northern Arizona’s first science center, the 40,000-square-foot facility offers a major upgrade with cutting-edge exhibits, interactive experiences, and an immersive space for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages. Samantha discusses the community’s excitement, especially among educators, and highlights how this new center will serve not only Flagstaff but also underserved communities, including the...
info_outlineAward-winning author and astrophysicist Alan Smale joins the podcast to share his unique journey of weaving hard science and historical fiction into gripping alternate-history narratives. From his NASA career studying X-ray astronomy to crafting meticulously researched novels that reimagine space exploration and ancient civilizations, Alan’s storytelling is as rich as the history that inspires it.
Alan discusses how his extensive travels and deep scientific knowledge influence his writing, leading to immersive stories like the Clash of Eagles trilogy and the Apollo Rising series. He explores the inspiration behind his latest work, highlighting the Apollo program’s alternate path had space exploration continued at full speed beyond the 1970s. With detailed world-building and intense character development, Alan’s books challenge readers to consider how history might have unfolded differently.
Through engaging storytelling, Alan shares insights into the creative process, the importance of critical thinking in science and fiction, and the evolving landscape of space exploration. He also provides a behind-the-scenes look at the editorial process, his approach to writing large-scale narratives, and the personal stories that shape his characters.
About Alan Smale
Alan Smale is a physicist and author known for blending history, science, and fiction into compelling alternate-history novels. With a background in astrophysics at NASA, he brings a unique perspective to his storytelling. His books, including Clash of Eagles and the Apollo Rising series, have been widely acclaimed for their meticulous research and captivating narratives.
Connect with Alan Smale
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Visit AlanSmale.com for updates, books, and upcoming projects.
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Follow Alan on Facebook and X for insights into his writing and space science.
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Apollo Rising: Burning Night, the final book in the trilogy, releases later this year—stay tuned for updates!
This episode is a must-listen for fans of historical fiction, space enthusiasts, and those fascinated by the intersections of science and storytelling.