{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/69ebcfb8d2febdbec95a3c40/6a4451b86a72c54c8d29637f?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Walk Off","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/69ebcfb8d2febdbec95a3c40/1782862012983-12567721-7400-421c-97a1-0ba3079d9584.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>In this episode of Vytal Sines, Paul Wizikowski and Ryan Cristelli sit down with Michael López-Alegría (MLA) – U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductee, former NASA astronaut, and Axiom Space Chief Astronaut – to unpack a lifetime of extreme moments:</p><p>Surviving the “nightmare scenario” of free-flying in space with only a SAFER pack</p><p>10 spacewalks building the International Space Station (and why Russian EVAs are “single A vs. the majors”)</p><p>The Overview Effect and how seeing Earth from orbit permanently changes you</p><p>What it was really like living through Mir’s fires and collisions in Russia’s Star City</p><p>How he went from being against commercial human spaceflight to commanding AX‑1, the first private astronaut mission on SpaceX Dragon</p><p>Why commercial partners like Axiom Space, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic are now essential to NASA’s future</p><p>The future: commercial space stations, moon missions, AI companions in deep space, and maybe even testing a new spacesuit on orbit</p><p>If you care about space exploration, ISS, Artemis, commercial crew, Axiom Space, and real astronaut stories—this is your episode.</p><p><br></p><p>Learn more about Michael Lopez-Alegria:&nbsp;</p><p>• https://x.com/CommanderMLA</p><p>• https://www.axiomspace.com/team/michael-lopez-alegria</p><p><br></p><p>Timestamps</p><p>00:00:00 – Cold open: “Nightmare of all nightmares” EVA scenario</p><p>00:00:25 – Intro: What is Vytal Sines &amp; who is Michael López-Alegría?</p><p>00:03:38 – Apollo 11 on the beach: the childhood spark for spaceflight</p><p>00:04:59 – From Naval Academy to test pilot: the path to NASA</p><p>00:07:11 – Not selected the first time: why “rejected” astronauts may be better</p><p>00:10:33 – Flying the U‑2 and seeing Earth’s curvature in a pressure suit</p><p>00:16:01 – First shuttle mission lessons: lens caps, time pressure, and humility</p><p>00:28:09 – The Overview Effect: how space changes how you see humanity</p><p>00:31:37 – Mir, fires, collisions, and living on a former “enemy” base</p><p>00:36:25 – NASA vs. Russian spacewalks: “Single A vs. the majors”</p><p>00:39:30 – SAFER jetpack: testing the rescue system and IMAX shot from orbit</p><p>00:47:01 – Life on ISS: weekends, movies, family calls, and future Mars isolation</p><p>01:01:40 – Leaving NASA &amp; fighting for commercial crew in Washington, D.C.</p><p>01:04:37 – Building Axiom &amp; commanding AX‑1: the first private astronaut mission</p><p>01:18:48 – The future: commercial stations, the Moon, suits, and “feeling lucky”</p><p><br></p><p>Vytal Sines is co-hosted by Paul Wizikowski &amp; Ryan Cristelli. Recorded here on Earth with Stories from the edge of absurd. Media production by Vytal Space LLC.</p><p><br></p><p>Have a mission that requires excellence? We often serve as an agency of record or strategic extension of internal communications and marketing teams. Please email or call us to start a conversation.</p><p>go@vytalspace.com</p><p>(321) 800 3789</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Vytal Sines on Social Media:</p><p>X – https://x.com/vytalsines</p><p>Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/vytalsines</p><p>Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/people/Vytal-Sines/61588712127793/</p><p>YouTube – http://youtube.com/@vytalsines</p><p>Website - https://www.vytalspace.com/</p>","author_name":"Vytal Sines"}