Chris Hadfield’s Fictional Universe Is Rooted in Real Space History

Chris Hadfield’s Fictional Universe Is Rooted in Real Space History

Author: Scientific American October 8, 2025 Duration: 10:52
 What happens when a real-life astronaut turns to fiction? In this episode, Chris Hadfield shares how decades of spaceflight and global diplomacy inspired his latest novel, Final Orbit, a cold war thriller packed with historical intrigue and technical precision. Host Rachel Feltman dives into Hadfield’s creative process and the eerie parallels between past and present geopolitics. Recommended Reading Final Orbit, by Chris Hadfield. Mulholland Books, 2025 Science Quickly is a Signal Awards finalist! Support us by casting your vote before October 9 at the following link: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?utm_campaign=signal4_finalists_finalistnotification_092325&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio#/2025/shows/genre/science E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover! Discover something new every day: subscribe to Scientific American and sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter. Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura and Kylie Murphy. Shayna Posses and Aaron Shattuck fact-check the show. The theme music was composed by Dominic Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you want to stay on top of the latest science news but don't have hours to dig through journals? That's the space where Science Quickly lives. Each episode is a compact, engaging conversation designed to fit into your daily routine, whether you're commuting or just taking a break. Host Rachel Feltman brings her sharp curiosity and a journalist's eye to every topic, joined by other seasoned reporters from Scientific American who are out there talking to the researchers on the front lines. You'll hear more than just headlines; this podcast delves into the how and why behind fascinating discoveries, from quirky animal behaviors to groundbreaking climate tech and the inner workings of the human brain. The tone is conversational and often witty, making complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. It’s a variety show in the best sense, meaning you might explore a deep dive on neutrino detection one day and the science of a perfect cookie the next. Tuning in regularly feels like having a direct line to the most interesting developments, explained by people who are genuinely excited to share them. For anyone with a budding interest in how the world works or a long-time science enthusiast looking for a efficient update, this series from Scientific American consistently delivers substance and surprise in a manageable format.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Science Quickly
Podcast Episodes
GLP-1 drugs are entering a new chapter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:39
In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s associate health editor Lauren Young joins host Kendra Pierre-Louis to talk about how the story of GLP‑1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro is evolving. W…
Nuclear doubts, bigger hail, and new clues about aging brains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:20
In this episode of Science Quickly, we cover the record release of global emergency oil reserves amid escalating conflict, a breakdown of why nuclear experts say Iran was not close to building a nuclear weapon, new resea…
How RFK, Jr.’s beliefs echo a troubling ideology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for protecting the health of the American people. But over the past year, it has taken several steps that critics say undermine that very objective. In toda…
The Traitors and the science of sneaky lies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
In this episode of Science Quickly, we dive into the psychology of deception through the deliciously twisty lens of The Traitors, exploring why humans are surprisingly bad at detecting lies and what science says about it…
Measles outbreak, AI in warfare, sped-up global warming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:38
In this episode of Science Quickly, we cover a few important updates on the measles outbreaks in the U.S. We also look at how governments are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for military action, including…
Michael Pollan explores consciousness, AI and the brain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:11
In this episode of Science Quickly, journalist Michael Pollan joins Scientific American’s Bri Kane to unpack why consciousness is so hard to define in a discussion that explores what brain science, artificial intelligenc…
A tech journalist, some hot dogs and an AI hoax [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:31
In February the BBC’s Thomas Germain became the world’s “best tech journalist at eating hot dogs”—at least, that’s what ChatGPT and Google Search’s “AI Overview” were telling Internet users for a while. Germain achieved…
A teen, an algorithm and the race to stop poaching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:45
In this episode of Science Quickly, freelance wildlife writer Melissa Hobson investigates how a 17‑year‑old’s breakthrough artificial-intelligence-based gunshot detector could transform antipoaching efforts by giving ran…
The science behind polyamory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:14
In this episode of Science Quickly, we explore what research reveals about polyamory, how multipartner relationships actually function and why communication and consent are central to making them work. Anthropologist Reb…