{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/5f4389f9e0d0e44f3c79a062/663c0e8bf5bc740012a100a2?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"STP193 - Tracking Stations and Delta Launches - with Dan Kovalchik","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/5f4389f9e0d0e44f3c79a062/1715211658927-9ca8abd56e98cdb09816f87c84f9979e.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Ever wondered what life might be like on a remote part of the world while tracking spacecraft and communicating with them? Ever considered the dangers of being in a blockhouse close to a rocket launch as it explodes? Well our guess this week has some stories for you. We speak to Dan Kovalchik who started working on tracking stations and eventually became the Systems Administrator for the Delta launches, a job he held for 21 years. He has a new book out called ‘Days of Delta Thunder’ so we caught up with him to have a chat.</p><p><br></p><p>Dan Kovalchik:</p><p><a href=\"http://www.rangerat.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.rangerat.com/</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kovalchik-43311880/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-kovalchik-43311880/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Days of Delta Thunder:</p><p><a href=\"https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Still-As-Bright/Christopher-Cokinos/9781639365692\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.amazon.com/Days-Delta-Thunder-Dan-Kovalchik-ebook/dp/B0D1SCJ8HN</a></p><p><br></p><p>Delta II Launch Failure: 1997</p><p><a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTmb3Cqb2qw\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTmb3Cqb2qw</a>&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Full show notes: <a href=\"https://spaceandthingspodcast.com/podcast/iipr8znurppofdacwh63nc5c87nidh\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://spaceandthingspodcast.com/podcast/iipr8znurppofdacwh63nc5c87nidh</a></p><p>Show notes include links to all articles mentioned and full details of our guests and links to what caught our eye this week.</p><p><br></p><p>Image Credits: 30th Space Wing Public Affairs</p><p><br></p><p>Space and Things:</p><p>X:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.twitter.com/spaceandthings1\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.twitter.com/spaceandthings1</a></p><p>Instagram:<a href=\"https://open.acast.com/shows/5f4389f9e0d0e44f3c79a062/episodes/%C2%A0https://www.instagram.com/spaceandthingspodcast\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">&nbsp;https://www.instagram.com/spaceandthingspodcast</a></p><p>Facebook:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/spaceandthingspodcast/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.facebook.com/spaceandthingspodcast/</a></p><p><br></p><p>Merch and Info:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.spaceandthingspodcast.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.spaceandthingspodcast.com</a></p><p>Patreon:&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.patreon.com/Spaceandthings\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.patreon.com/Spaceandthings</a></p><p><br></p><p>Business Enquiries:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:info@andthingsproductions.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">info@andthingsproductions.com</a></p>","author_name":"And Things Productions"}