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Small Steps, Giant Leaps

NASA’s technical workforce put boots on the Moon, tire tracks on Mars, and the first reusable spacecraft in orbit around Earth. Learn what’s next as they build missions that redefine the future with amazing discoveries and remarkable innovations.

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Season 166Jan 21, 2026

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 166: Bringing Back Supersonic Flight

Currently, flying faster than the speed of sound over land is prohibited for commercial flights because it creates disruptive sonic booms. NASA's experimental X-59 plane will research how to turn those booms into "sonic thumps," about as loud as a slamming car door. Lead pilot Nils Larson explains how the X-59 could usher in the next era of commercial supersonic flight.

Episode 165Dec 17, 2025

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 165: Sailing the Solar System

A solar sail uses light particles from the Sun to move through space without needing a single drop of fuel. NASA is demonstrating the lightweight technology that could open doors to low-cost missions to deep space.

Episode 164Dec 3, 2025

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 164: Simulating Moon and Mars Dust

To build habitats on the Moon and Mars, first we need to simulate lunar and Martian soil on Earth. We got the dirt on regolith simulants.

Episode 163Nov 19, 2025

Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Episode 163: NASA's Centennial Challenges Prize Program

NASA’s Centennial Challenges Program Office awards citizen solvers prize money to address some of the toughest problems in exploration.