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This Is Rocket Science

This Is Rocket Science

By Justin J. Chang, Sanya Gupta, Tina Liu

Run by the Columbia Space Initiative and hosted by Justin J. Chang, Sanya Gupta, and Tina Liu "This is Rocket Science" explores all things space-related. New episodes released every other week on Monday! Previously hosted by David Tibbits and Henry Manelski, we continue the show for its fourth season. We hope you enjoy it.
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Episode #006: Interview with Astronaut Mike Massimino!

This Is Rocket ScienceDec 04, 2018

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25:46
Episode #027 Post Eclipse
Apr 16, 202422:41
Episode #026 - Eclipse

Episode #026 - Eclipse

Hello Science Fans! This is Rocket Science and we are back with another episode on.....eclipses! On April 8th we are set to witness a solar spectacle, a total solar eclipse! Join us as we dive into the world of eclipses and in particular how and where to watch the eclipse on the 8th. Cheers!

Apr 02, 202426:58
Episode #025 - Sci Fi & Dune 2

Episode #025 - Sci Fi & Dune 2

Hey Guys, welcome back to another installment of This is Rocket Science. Today the crew attempts to unravel the new Dune Series directed by Denis Villeneuve. Please be aware this episode may contain some spoilers! Enjoy!

Mar 18, 202430:44
Episode #024 - Space News

Episode #024 - Space News

Welcome back to another episode of This is Rocket Science, today the crew explores space news and Intuitive Machine Odysseus' lunar landing!


P.S. any "financial advice" heard on this podcast is not formal financial advice and should always be taken with a grain a salt.

Mar 18, 202420:55
Episode #023 - Space Conspiracy

Episode #023 - Space Conspiracy

The Gang is back! Join us as we explore space conspiracies, from the moon landing to UFO abductions. Do we manage to debunk these theories? Listen in to find out!

Mar 07, 202434:11
Episode #022 - Pulsar Timing Array

Episode #022 - Pulsar Timing Array

Reupload: Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! This is Rocket Science is back with another one and in this episode, we explore Pulsar Timing Arrays and the implications of the directional wave background!

Mar 03, 202430:07
Episode #021: Three-Body Problem

Episode #021: Three-Body Problem

Reupload: Hello! This is Rocket Science is back with a brand new season along with our new co-host, Tina Liu! Join us as Tina navigates Sanya and Justin through a thought experiment about the Three-Body Problem.

Mar 03, 202429:59
Episode #20: The Video Episode

Episode #20: The Video Episode

Follow the TRS crew as we force random pedestrians to answer questions about space!

May 06, 202312:37
Episode #019: The Big Bang, Incomprehensible Quantities, and Stargazing

Episode #019: The Big Bang, Incomprehensible Quantities, and Stargazing

In this episode, we take a deep dive into astrophysics: the beginning and end of the universe, the age of the Earth, and how to wrap your head around the concept of a billion years. Plus: stargazing with Sanya! (this is an official plug for the Columbia Astronomy Club)

Apr 08, 202301:00:40
Episode #018: Science Fiction Triple Feature

Episode #018: Science Fiction Triple Feature

Today we've brought our favorite sci-fi movies to the table: Interstellar, The Martian, and Arrival. In this episode we pick apart what science fiction can tell us about humanity, religion, love, and our place in the universe.

Mar 31, 202301:00:13
Episode #017: Mineral Rights in Space, Orbital Trash, and Ancient Astronomy

Episode #017: Mineral Rights in Space, Orbital Trash, and Ancient Astronomy

An aerospace engineer, an astrophysicist, and an ex-law-student-turned-data-scientist take us through a fascinating discussion about space mining, space garbage, and space science. You came to hear about space, right? Join us for this first episode of the all-new Season 4! Music used is Space Jazz by Kevin MacLeod.

Mar 24, 202356:59
Episode #016: Terraforming Mars and the Challenges of Space Mining

Episode #016: Terraforming Mars and the Challenges of Space Mining

In this episode we discuss what terraforming mars would look like and the difficulties of space mining. We also talk with the audience about the movie Ad Astra and the different Hollywood representations of the final frontier. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Oct 06, 201929:11
Episode #015: Interview with Chad Anderson, the CEO of Space Angels

Episode #015: Interview with Chad Anderson, the CEO of Space Angels

In this episode, the first episode of Season 3, I ask Chad Anderson, the CEO of Space Angels, questions about investing in the space market, the defense industry, and Elon Musk. 

Sep 27, 201940:42
Episode #014: Behind the Scenes (Season 2 Finale!)

Episode #014: Behind the Scenes (Season 2 Finale!)

For our Season #2 Finale we wanted to give the listeners a chance to hear about the behind the scenes work we do to produce and publish our podcast (it was during finals and we just didn't want to write a script so we did this instead). We hope you enjoy the episode! 

Jun 07, 201910:52
Episode #013: The Black Hole Image and Questions from Prospective Students

Episode #013: The Black Hole Image and Questions from Prospective Students

Episode 13! In this episode we talk about the recently taken image of a black hole, Sagittarius A*, and take some questions from a group of prospective students visiting Columbia University. Hope you enjoy the episode!

May 25, 201928:51
Episode #012: the History of Space Exploration (Part 2)

Episode #012: the History of Space Exploration (Part 2)

In this episode we discuss the history of space exploration with a focus on the Apollo Program. We take some questions from the audience and look at some memes (as per usual). We hope you enjoy the episode!

Apr 17, 201939:48
Episode #011: Questions from Reddit and the History of Space Exploration

Episode #011: Questions from Reddit and the History of Space Exploration

Episode 11! In this essay we take questions from reddit on antimatter and talk about the history of Space Exploration! Editing note: In lieu of the 1 kHz bleep tone (for foul language) we are using the line "Houston we have a problem."

Apr 05, 201929:23
Episode #010: Russia, SpaceX and Elon's Tweets

Episode #010: Russia, SpaceX and Elon's Tweets

Episode 10! In this episode we discussed Russia's beef with SpaceX's new rocket engine, Elon's tweets and other miscellaneous space stuff. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Mar 08, 201931:13
Episode #009: From Interstellar to the Martian - Space in Science Fiction

Episode #009: From Interstellar to the Martian - Space in Science Fiction

Episode 9! In this episode we discuss the science behind some of our favorite movies: Interstellar, the Martian and Star Wars. We take a lot of audience questions and talk about memes (the usual). We hope you enjoy the episode!
Feb 17, 201932:54
Episode #008: Crazy Rocket Concepts and the Space Shuttle program (Season II Premiere)

Episode #008: Crazy Rocket Concepts and the Space Shuttle program (Season II Premiere)

Episode VIII! In this episode we talk about some of the craziest ideas in rocketry, discuss developments in the Chinese space program and the legacy of the Space Shuttle program. We hope you enjoy the episode.


Editing note: We have replaced the 1 kHz tone (used for the suppression of foul language) with the line "Houston we have a problem." We think it's pretty hilarious.

Feb 01, 201932:03
Episode #007: Interview with Dr. David Helfand, Dark Energy and Dark Matter (Season Finale!)

Episode #007: Interview with Dr. David Helfand, Dark Energy and Dark Matter (Season Finale!)

Episode VII! In this episode, we talk about dark energy and dark matter with Dr. David Helfand.

Dr. Helfand is a professor of Astronomy at Columbia University whose research interests include X-ray surveys and neutron stars. This is also our season finale! We hope you enjoy the episode.
Dec 16, 201859:13
Episode #006: Interview with Astronaut Mike Massimino!

Episode #006: Interview with Astronaut Mike Massimino!

Episode VI! In this episode, we were graced with the presence of former NASA Astronaut, Columbia Engineering Professor and living legend Dr. Mike Massimino. We had a fun conversation about how to become an astronaut, what life is like for an astronaut, and a little bit about the future of space exploration
Dec 04, 201825:46
Episode #005: Interview with Dr. David Kipping

Episode #005: Interview with Dr. David Kipping

Episode V! This episode features an interview with Dr. David Kipping. He is a leader in the field of exoplanet research and a professor of Astronomy at Columbia University. We start by introducing some terms and vocabulary related to his research and then get right in the interview. We hope you enjoy it!
Nov 27, 201832:39
Episode #004: Asteroids and Space Mining

Episode #004: Asteroids and Space Mining

Episode IV! In this episode we discuss Asteroids, Space mining and, of course, Elon Musk (praise be). We were happy to be joined by the biggest live audience to date. We hope you enjoy the episode!

Music Attributions in chronological order
- Chill Day by Lakey Inspired
- Laidback by Fascinating Earthbound Objects
Nov 18, 201842:48
Episode #003: Simulation Theory and Gravitational Waves

Episode #003: Simulation Theory and Gravitational Waves

In this episode we discuss a couple topics with the tendency to blow our minds: the concept of a simulation and gravitational waves. We hope you enjoy it.

Music Attributions in chronological order
- Chill Day by Lakey Inspired (https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day)
- Laidback by Fascinating Earthbound Objects (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/fascinating_earthbound_objects/simultaneous_eon/fascinating_earthbound_objects-04-laidback)
Nov 13, 201833:02
Episode #002: Colonization, the Space Force and Black Holes

Episode #002: Colonization, the Space Force and Black Holes

Episode II! In this episode we try discussing the colonization of space but the audience quickly gets us off track. There are bad puns and stale memes - we hope you enjoy it.

Music Attributions in chronological order
- Chill Day by Lakey Inspired (https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/chill-day)
- Laidback by Fascinating Earthbound Objects (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/fascinating_earthbound_objects/simultaneous_eon/fascinating_earthbound_objects-04-laidback)
Nov 05, 201829:31
Episode #001: Megastructures and Alien Life

Episode #001: Megastructures and Alien Life

Episode I! Hopefully this podcast will not be a bitter disappointment, unlike another infamous and ill-fated Episode I. In this episode we discuss aliens, megastructures, space elevators and take some questions from our "live studio audience." 

Oct 21, 201827:47