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Matt interviews ESA astronaut John McFall: Paralympian, surgeon and the first astronaut with a Paralympic medal to be cleared for a long-duration space mission. They talk astronaut training, the science and engineering of making spaceflight accessible, and what John’s journey could mean for the future of human spaceflight. Plus, Matt and Leddra talk eclipses, why totality is quite unlike anything else, and their trip to Mallorca to witness the spectacular total solar eclipse of August 2026

In this episode, Matt chat with Rob Coppinger about the his new book on British spaceplanes HOTOL and Skylon. Matt is also joined by Leddra as they share their experiences of the Smithsonian Starstruck Immersive Experience in London and sample some classic astronaut ice cream. https://amzn.eu/d/04jUkGHP https://linktr.ee/interplanetary

In this episode of The Interplanetary Podcast, I'm joined by ay new co-host, singer-songwriter Leddra Chapman, as we tackle one of the most mind-bending ideas in all of science: special relativity. From the speed of light and the nature of causality to time dilation, the ether, and Einstein's revolutionary insight into space and time, we follow the story that changed our understanding of reality. And, as always, I can't resist ending with a slightly outrageous thought experiment of my own.

Former NASA food scientist Ryan Dowdy PhD joins Matt to explore how Artemis program is reshaping the future of human nutrition, from feeding astronauts on the ISS to the Moon and beyond to powering first responders here on Earth.

As Artemis II returns humans from around the Moon, Matt is joined by astrophysicist Emma Chapman who makes the case for exploring the universe without going anywhere by listening to the cosmos through radio waves.

Matt is joined by journalist and Orwell Prize winner Daniel Lavelle, author of Chasing Aliens: Faith and Conspiracy in the UFO Heartlands. Travelling across America’s UFO hotspots, to explore the strange world of UFO culture. The conversation dives into UAPs, government secrecy, the psychology of belief, and why the idea that we might not be alone in the universe continues to captivate millions. NEW BOOK April 30th - Chasing Aliens by Daniel Lavelle

Matt is joined by Dhara Patel from the National Space Centre to explore Artemis II ; the first crewed mission around the Moon in over 50 years. They discuss Europe’s crucial role in the mission, the historic “firsts” represented by the Artemis crew. Matt also takes a quick look at the remarkable engineering heritage behind Orion’s propulsion system including Shuttle-era engines and chemical propellants whose story stretches back to Apollo.

In this episode, Matt unpacks what it really means when billionaires start shaping national space policy sometimes more directly than governments themselves. We talk about Jared Isaacman’s new NASA leadership tone, the fight over NASA budgets, and why institutions like NCAR suddenly found themselves accused of being “woke” simply for doing climate science. Along the way, we contrast all of that with the quieter, steadier side of exploration: ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and her upcoming Crew-12 mission to the ISS and zoom out... way out ...to two of the most astonishing science stories of the year: an interstellar visitor from another solar system, and a runaway black hole leaving a trail of newborn stars behind it. Who is space really for? the richest voices in the room, or the public that funds the future? And why the answer matters not just for space, but for climate, science, democracy, and what kind of civilisation we want to become.

In episode 323, Matt sits down with filmmaker Mark Craig to talk about his new documentary Apollo 1 the film that revisits the story of Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, and the tragedy that reshaped NASA on the road to the Moon. Mark shares what drew him to the project, the moments that surprised him most during research, and why the Apollo 1 story still matters especially for audiences who know Apollo mainly through the later triumphs. APOLLO 1 is a Stopwatch / Haviland Digital 7T1 Films production (c) 2025 Find more about it here. https://www.facebook.com/Apollo1film/

In this episode, Matt opens with forgotten space hero John Bevis’ birthday and a cosmic musing on relativistic dust, black holes, and the unimaginable energies hidden in tiny things. Then astrophysicist and author Ethan Siegel joins the show to discuss his new book, The Grand Cosmic Story, a sweeping journey from the birth of the cosmos to the emergence of life and intelligence. Together they explore the importance of critical thinking, evidence, and scientific honesty in an age when misinformation moves faster than light itself.

In this episode, Matt is joined by acclaimed science writer Brian Clegg to explore the dazzling world of the multiverse. Brian unpacks the science and speculation behind one of physics’ most mind-bending ideas. Together, they discuss why the multiverse has captivated scientists and storytellers alike, the fine line between science and philosophy, and what it all means for our place in the cosmos. Brian Clegg is expanding our minds and what’s possible in his upcoming title The Multiverse: When One Universe Isn’t Enough (23rd October 2025).

Andy Saunders joins Matt to talk about his new book Gemini and Mercury Remastered. We dig into the forgotten missions that paved the way for Apollo, the astonishing images he’s restored from NASA’s archives, and the human dramas behind them from blown hatches to dangerous spacewalks.

Matt and Jamie dive headfirst into the cosmic foam to explore the Bubble Universe, the mind-bending idea that our universe might be just one of countless “bubbles” in a vast multiverse. From the physics of cosmic inflation and the mysteries of the cosmic microwave background, to the philosophical head-scratchers of infinite realities, they mix hard science, playful analogies, and a touch of pop culture chaos.

Matt welcomes Dr. Saralyn Mark, a world-renowned leader in women's health, space medicine, and innovation in gender-specific design. Dr. Mark is an endocrinologist, geriatrician, and former Senior Policy Advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. She’s advised organizations such as NASA and the Department of Health and Human Services, and is the founder of iGIANT, a groundbreaking nonprofit accelerating gender-specific innovation across sectors, from health to space exploration. Dr. Mark is also the author of the fascinating book, Stellar Medicine: A Journey Through the Universe of Women’s Health, and today we’ll be exploring how insights from space can transform human health here on Earth, the importance of gender in space exploration, and much more. www.linktr.ee/Interplanetary Hosts: Matt Russell Music: Matt Russell / Iam7

Matt welcomes Roman Chiporukha, co-founder and CEO of SpaceVIP, the concierge service that books everything from zero-g airplane jaunts to orbital stays aboard the ISS. Episode 317 invites you to imagine your next vacation above the Kármán line—and weigh whether the price tag is worth the view. Strap in for a conversation that spans luxury, logistics, and the future of off-world adventure