14 Best Astronaut Podcasts to Listen to (2026)

NEW from the BBC's space podcast: A revolutionary telescope and the tiny flaw that almost destroyed the dream. Hubble transformed our understanding of the universe. Maggie Aderin tells the dramatic story of one of the most ambitious scientific instruments ever built - and how it almost ended in disaster. Already delayed by years and millions of dollars over budget, the Hubble Space Telescope is finally ready to launch and change history. It has been heralded as a window on the universe, and promises to answer the most fundamental questions ever asked: How did it all begin? Where are we going? Are we alone? But little does Nasa know that the curvature of one of its mirrors is off by the equivalent of one-fiftieth of the width of a human hair. The result? Blurry images. It will need to be repaired in space! Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music. 13 Minutes is the space podcast from the BBC World Service, telling epic space stories. It's produced by the BBC Audio Science Unit. Previous seasons: Season 1: 13 Minutes to the Moon. The first Moon landing. In the final dramatic 13-minute descent to the Moon, the Apollo 11 mission came close to going badly wrong. Communication was breaking down, technology was failing and fuel was running out. This is the story of how the first Moon landing was saved. Presented by Kevin Fong. Season 2: Apollo 13. Apollo 13 should have been the third Moon landing, but after an explosion, it almost ended in tragedy. Told by the people who flew it and saved it. Presented by Kevin Fong. Season 3: The Space Shuttle. A sci-fi dream that changed spaceflight forever. From the boldest test flight in history to one of Nasa's darkest days the Challenger disaster. Space scientist Maggie Aderin tells the awe-inspiring story of the programme that brought triumph and tragedy. Season 4: Artemis II. Artemis and the return to the Moon. As Nasa returned to the Moon for the first time in more than half a century, we followed the mission with a new episode every day. Four astronauts on a spacecraft called Orion - looped around the Moon. They went further from Earth than any human in history. The story of Artemis II is told by space scientist Maggie Aderin, British astronaut Tim Peake, and US space journalist Kristin Fisher. more

From Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, explore the world of human spaceflight with NASA each week on the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists and engineers who make it possible. more

Kathy Sullivan - the first person to both walk in space and dive to the deepest point in the ocean - explores the human condition through the life journeys of her guests, people from all walks of life and levels of fame whose stories will inspire, inform and amuse you. Along the way Dr. Kathy Sullivan shares her own stories of lessons learned, obstacles overcome and crazy moments from her unique career in space, the deep sea, government and business.  more

The history of rocketry and space exploration.

'16 Sunsets' is a captivating 10-part podcast series that explores the dramatic history of NASA's Space Shuttle program, crafted by the award-winning team behind '13 Minutes to the Moon.' Hosted by renowned space storyteller Kevin Fong and featuring music by Christian Lundberg from Hans Zimmer's Bleeding Fingers Composers' Collective, the series recounts the birth of the Shuttle era through the eyes of those who built and flew it. From the Shuttle's audacious first flight in 1981 with Commander John Young and rookie Bob Crippen to the intricate technical challenges it faced, the podcast delves into the political, engineering, and cultural forces that shaped its inception. With over 40 interviews from NASA veterans and personal insights from Fong—who witnessed the Shuttle era firsthand—'16 Sunsets' captures the spirit of innovation and the human stories behind the missions, revealing the profound impact of the Space Shuttle on our understanding of human spaceflight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

Podcast from Mike Massimino and Garrett Reisman. Every week they discuss the bizarre, crazy, and surprising world of being 2 Funny Astronauts more

A relaxed conversation with those on the cutting edge of science and technology - hosted by Britain's first astronaut Helen Sharman - Presented by Imperial College London and Saab more

Welcome to 'Your Space Journey,' an interview series that takes you on an exhilarating voyage through the vast realm of space exploration. In this captivating series, we bring you in-depth conversations with the leaders of space exploration, including astronauts who have ventured beyond Earth, brilliant scientists who unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, and ingenious engineers who design cutting-edge spacecraft. Join us as we delve into their awe-inspiring stories, remarkable achievements, and captivating visions for the future of space exploration. more

Welcome to A Heart for Space, a podcast hosted by cardiologist, astronaut, and speaker Dr. Eiman Jahangir that explores the journeys of those who push beyond conventional limits to inspire you to pursue your own extraordinary dreams.Drawing from his own path—from immigrating to the United States as a young child to pursuing the astronaut dream for more than two decades—Dr. Jahangir leads thoughtful conversations with remarkable guests about perseverance, ambition, and the mindset required to achieve meaningful goals. Blending personal storytelling with practical insight, A Heart for Space invites you to strap in as we embark on this adventure beyond the stars, exploring what it truly takes to turn possibility into tangible reality.For more information visit https://AHeartForSpace.com more

Meet the space makers as we journey across Europe and into the cosmos to build a future beyond Earth alone. From astronauts to space doctors, engineers and mission controllers, ESA Explores goes behind the scenes of Europe's greatest adventure yet. more

AMERICA'S RETURN TO SPACE - News and Information on America's space program - Artemis Return to Moon and on to Mars. Space X Crew Missions to the International Space Station and our unmanned scientific satellites and rovers on Mars. Listen Twice Monthly! With Emmy Award broadcast journalist David Denault with reports from John Gomez and Dawn Meyer, space coast news editor. more

Stories From Space Podcast With Matthew S Williams is an examination of the past, present, and future of human spaceflight. Throughout the series, we'll examine the breakthroughs that revolutionized our understanding of the Universe and our place in it.We'll take a look at the brave individuals who work tirelessly to advance the frontiers of our understanding. We'll analyze the time-honored concepts that are getting closer and closer to realization. And we will talk to the esteemed people who continue to push the boundaries of the unknown.There are some fascinating stories up there. Listen up! more

Step inside The Airlock Module Podcast , where analog astronaut Yuki Nishimura explores the human side of space exploration. Each episode dives into real stories from Mars simulation crews, scientists, and engineers, uncovering how life in isolation, teamwork, and innovation prepare us for the stars and teach us about life on Earth. more

Straight from NASA itself, explore the daily activities, scientific experiments, and crucial maintenance tasks carried out by USA astronauts and researchers all in four minutes or less. Stay updated with the freshest news from space, learning how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the International Space Station, continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge and technology every day.An ElectraCast Production. more