Charles “Charlie” Camarda is an American engineer and NASA astronaut who flew into space aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-114. He served as Senior Advisor for Engineering Development at NASA Langley Research Center and as Senior Advisor for Innovation in the office of the Chief Engineer at Johnson Space Center. In this Astro Ben Podcast interview, Charlie talks about the importance of high-performing teams in solving complex challenges, and we find out whether he really is afraid of heights and enclosed spaces.
They also cover his astronaut application, launch, docking with the ISS, an EVA first, sleeping in space, how going to space changed his perspective, diversity in the space industry and what the landing was really like.
What you will hear in this episode
Charlie’s story, and the power of internships
How confident Charlie was in his astronaut application
Claustrophobia and a fear of heights
What kept Charlie going through hard times
What it was like on the Shuttle, and what launch involves
Docking with the ISS, and an EVA first
Whether Charlie managed to sleep in space
How going to space changed his perspective
The importance of diversity in the space industry
Whether Charlie would go to space again
What the landing was really like
The power of teams
Follow Charlie Camarda
Charlie Camarda website | Charlie on X | Charlie on Instagram
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More episodes: The Galactic Gal on becoming a space influencer | Dan Klopp on the spacesuits behind NASA’s EVAs | All Astro Ben Podcast episodes
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