The Orbital Debrief
Orbit Audio
A weekly transmission from low Earth orbit.
Join Zack as he beams down cosmic insights, science headlines, and out-of-this-world pop culture commentary straight from his orbiting ship (DB-1) above Earth. Each episode, Zack is joined by TOD, his lovable, wisecracking sidekick with a new quirky obsession every week (think TARS meets trivia night).
From the latest space missions and scientific breakthroughs, to the most mind-bending sci-fi movies, The Orbital Debrief explores where science fiction meets science fact; With a healthy dose of curiosity, humor, and cinematic flair.
Strap in! It’s smarter than your average podcast... but way more fun.
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Top 10 The Orbital Debrief Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Orbital Debrief episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Orbital Debrief for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Orbital Debrief episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Transmission 04 - Terraforming 101: How to Ruin Another Planet
The Orbital Debrief
05/14/25 • 26 min
Terraforming: the ultimate cosmic home renovation. In this episode, we dig into what it is, how it might work (if science fiction politely becomes science fact), and whether reshaping entire planets is visionary... or just interstellar hubris. From altering atmospheres to engineering ecosystems, we explore the wild theories, real technologies, and big ethical questions behind humanity’s dream of turning dead worlds into second homes.
TOD’s obsession this week: Planetary Interior Design... He’s been binge-watching Extreme Makeover: Solar System Edition and insists every planet needs mood lighting, geothermal spa zones, and just a splash of lava for ambiance. Mars is getting a skylight.
Send TOD a transmission! (fan mail)
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If you enjoyed the ride, rate, review, and subscribe. It keeps us in your feed... and keeps TOD from launching his solo podcast: “Quiet Screaming: A Todcast.”
TOD: “Episode one is just 43 minutes of me judging humanity’s decision-making.”
Catch you next orbit. Bring oxygen. And snacks. Definitely snacks.
Transmission 03 - Quantum Weirdness: Why Reality is Probably Broken
The Orbital Debrief
04/29/25 • 35 min
Superposition. Entanglement. The Observer Effect. Let’s unpack the strangest facts of quantum physics... and what it might mean for space, time, and our fragile understanding of reality.
TOD’s Weekly Obsession: Schrödinger’s Cat & Quantum Merchandising
This week, TOD is designing a full fashion line based on quantum uncertainty. Think: reversible hoodies labeled “Alive/Dead,” glow-in-the-dark mugs that only reveal themselves when observed, and a cologne called Waveform Collapse.
Send TOD a transmission! (fan mail)
___________________________________________
If you enjoyed the ride, rate, review, and subscribe. It keeps us in your feed... and keeps TOD from launching his solo podcast: “Quiet Screaming: A Todcast.”
TOD: “Episode one is just 43 minutes of me judging humanity’s decision-making.”
Catch you next orbit. Bring oxygen. And snacks. Definitely snacks.
Transmission 02 - The Moon is not boring: Why everyone’s racing back.
The Orbital Debrief
04/22/25 • 36 min
From Apollo nostalgia to futuristic moon bases, we explore the revival of lunar ambition; and why our dusty, crater-packed neighbor is suddenly the hottest real estate in the solar system.
Between NASA’s Artemis program, China’s long-term lunar plans, and a growing list of private players, the Moon is having a moment... and it’s not just for the science.
TOD’s Episode Obsession: Lunar Real Estate & Property Development... (He’s started a fake startup called “Moon&Co.” and is working on a brochure for crater-view condos and luxury domes with solar flare shielding and artisanal oxygen.)
Send TOD a transmission! (fan mail)
___________________________________________
If you enjoyed the ride, rate, review, and subscribe. It keeps us in your feed... and keeps TOD from launching his solo podcast: “Quiet Screaming: A Todcast.”
TOD: “Episode one is just 43 minutes of me judging humanity’s decision-making.”
Catch you next orbit. Bring oxygen. And snacks. Definitely snacks.
Transmission 01 - How to Not Die in Space: The Real Dangers of the Final Frontier
The Orbital Debrief
04/15/25 • 31 min
In our debut episode, Zack (your host) and TOD (his sardonic, protocol-obsessed companion) explore the very real dangers of the final frontier: vacuum exposure, cosmic radiation, rogue wrenches, microgravity meltdown, and the existential horror of becoming your own satellite.
From real NASA incidents to sci-fi flubs, we break down how not to die in orbit, and what it actually takes to survive up here.
TOD’s Episode Obsession: Emergency Protocols & Space Safety Drills... He’s laminated 47 checklists, renamed himself “TOD-911,” and now insists we run surprise decompression drills during mealtime.
Send TOD a transmission! (fan mail)
___________________________________________
If you enjoyed the ride, rate, review, and subscribe. It keeps us in your feed... and keeps TOD from launching his solo podcast: “Quiet Screaming: A Todcast.”
TOD: “Episode one is just 43 minutes of me judging humanity’s decision-making.”
Catch you next orbit. Bring oxygen. And snacks. Definitely snacks.
FAQ
How many episodes does The Orbital Debrief have?
The Orbital Debrief currently has 4 episodes available.
What topics does The Orbital Debrief cover?
The podcast is about Sci-Fi, Nasa, Space, Astrophysics, Educational, Astronomy, Podcasts, Technology, Science, Physics and Nerdy.
What is the most popular episode on The Orbital Debrief?
The episode title 'Transmission 04 - Terraforming 101: How to Ruin Another Planet' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Orbital Debrief?
The average episode length on The Orbital Debrief is 32 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Orbital Debrief released?
Episodes of The Orbital Debrief are typically released every 7 days, 3 hours.
When was the first episode of The Orbital Debrief?
The first episode of The Orbital Debrief was released on Apr 15, 2025.
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