#326 - Chasing Aliens - Daniel Lavelle

A little later than planned, here’s our conversation with astrophysicist and author Dr Jillian M. Scudder about her new book The Universe: A Graphic Guide, illustrated by Lily Fossett. We talk dark matter, , Cosmic Noon, and the challenge of explaining the entire universe without losing the wonder. The second October Episode to follow shortly. Image Credits: Ohio State University and Lily Fossett

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/