Gandhinagar: “16 Sunsets” is a new, independent podcast that tells the story of the Space Shuttle program, from its conception in the 1960s to its final mission in 2011.
The podcast is produced by Rami Tzabar, Andrew Luck Baker and hosted by Kevin Fong, a space enthusiast who grew up during the Shuttle era. He also hosted the acclaimed BBC podcast “13 Minutes to the Moon,” which explored the Apollo missions.
The podcast positions the selection of astronaut group 8 within the context of the rising prominence of the Space Shuttle program. The Shuttle was being presented to the public as the next step in human spaceflight, and the diverse astronaut class reflected the forward-thinking image that NASA was cultivating at the time.
The title “16 Sunsets” is directly linked to the speed at which the Space Shuttle traveled while in low Earth orbit. Because the Shuttle was orbiting the Earth at such a high speed, approximately 17,500 miles per hour, astronauts on board would witness 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets within a single 24-hour period.
This phenomenon occurs because the Shuttle was completing an orbit of Earth much faster than the Earth rotates on its axis. As a result, astronauts would see the sun rise and set multiple times as they circled the globe.
The Genesis of the Podcast
The podcast emphasizes that during this era, NASA was seen as an almost mythical organization, having achieved the extraordinary feat of landing humans on the moon. By selecting a diverse group of astronauts to participate in the Shuttle program, NASA was suggesting that it was not only pushing the boundaries of technology, but also of social progress.
For host Fong, who was a child during this period, the presence of astronauts from different backgrounds instilled a sense of hope and optimism about the future. He recalls that seeing astronauts who “looked like everybody else in society” fostered the belief that “anything at all was going to be possible”.
The Interviews
The “16 Sunsets” aims to share the personal stories of these astronauts by featuring interviews with members of group 8. These interviews were about individual experiences, challenges, and contributions to the Space Shuttle program.
Gerald (Gerry) Griffin: A flight director during Apollo and later a NASA director and influential figure on Capitol Hill.
John Aaron: Known for his sharp intellect and contributions to mission success, Aaron played a crucial role in developing the Shuttle’s computer architecture.
Chris Kraft: Described as “hilarious” and “outspoken,” Kraft provides insights into the pragmatic decisions and compromises necessary to bring the Shuttle program to life.
Bob Krippen: A particularly significant interview is with Bob Krippen, the pilot of the first Space Shuttle mission, STS-1. Krippen’s firsthand account of this historic and incredibly risky flight sheds light on the audacity and challenges of the early Shuttle program.
Astronaut Group 8
A central focus of “16 Sunsets” is Astronaut Group 8, selected in 1978, which marked a significant shift towards diversity in NASA’s astronaut corps. Interviews with members of this group include:
Sally Ride: The first American woman in space, Ride’s inclusion in the program was a groundbreaking moment.
Kathryn D. Sullivan : Another pioneering astronaut, Sullivan was the first American woman to perform a spacewalk.
Jeff Hoffman: Hoffman’s contributions to space exploration include multiple Space Shuttle missions and work on the Hubble Space Telescope.
Mike Mullane: Known for his candid and humorous accounts of his experiences, Mullane offers valuable insights into the astronaut experience.
Other Astronauts
The podcast also features interviews with other astronauts who played important roles in the Shuttle program, including
Charles (Charlie) Bolden: A former Space Shuttle commander and NASA administrator, Bolden brings a wealth of experience and perspective.
Don Pettit: A veteran astronaut known for his long-duration missions on the International Space Station, Pettit provides insights into the scientific research conducted during the Shuttle era.
Bob Stewart: Another experienced astronaut, Stewart’s contributions to the program include multiple Space Shuttle missions.
Key Themes Explored in the podcast
- The audacity and risk of the Shuttle program: The unprecedented nature of launching a crewed vehicle without prior un-crewed testing, emphasizing the inherent dangers of the program. Interviews with astronauts like Bob Krippen, the pilot of the first Shuttle mission, offer firsthand accounts of the immense challenges and risks involved.
- The fragility of the Shuttle: The inherent fragility of the Shuttle, particularly its dependence on thousands of heat-resistant tiles. The discovery of missing tiles on the first mission, as described by astronauts, underscores the delicate balance between success and disaster that characterized the program.
The cultural and social impact of Astronaut Group 8: Considerable attention to the significance of Astronaut Group 8, selected in 1978. This group, which included Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, represented a new era of inclusivity in space exploration. The podcast explores the impact of this representation on society, particularly on young people who saw themselves reflected in the faces of these astronauts.
Musical Score
Adding another layer of depth to the podcast is the return of Hans Zimmer’s studio, who composed the score for “13 Minutes to the Moon.” The music captures the emotional resonance of the story, amplifying the feelings of hope, awe, and tension that permeate the Shuttle era. Fong explains the process here…
Sharing the Story’s Essence: This briefing involves a deep dive into the story of “16 Sunsets,” exploring its key themes, emotional nuances, and narrative arc. The creators likely articulate their vision for the podcast, emphasizing elements like the audacity of the Space Shuttle program, the inherent fragility of the spacecraft, and the inspiring impact of a diverse astronaut corps.1
Translating Emotion into Music: The composers at Zimmer’s studio then take this information and translate it into a musical score. They aim to capture the emotional core of the story, using music to amplify the feelings of hope, awe, and tension inherent in the narrative.1
Iterative Process: This process is likely iterative, with ongoing communication and feedback between the podcast creators and the composers to ensure the music aligns perfectly with the story’s trajectory
Fong describes the process where music effectively becomes “the musical expression of everything that I’ve tried to describe in this podcast.” He says the composers’ ability to translate his spoken words and emotional descriptions into a powerful sonic landscape that enhances the listener’s experience.
After 13 Minutes, this is the next thrilling journey