From Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars, explore the world of human spaceflight with NASA each week on the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists and engineers who make it possible.
On Episode 413, NASA’s International Space Station Program Manager Dana Weigel and Director of the International Space Station and Commercial Spaceflight Divisions Robyn Gatens reflect on more than 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station and discuss how the orbiting laboratory is paving the way for Artemis, the Moon, and eventually Mars. This episode was recorded December 3, 2025.
Transcript
Joseph Zakrzewski
Houston We Have a Podcast. Welcome to the official podcast of the NASA Johnson Space Center, Episode 413: Low Earth Orbit and Beyond. I’m Joseph Zakrzewski and I’ll be your host today. On this podcast, we bring in the experts, scientists, engineers, and astronauts all to let you know what’s going on in the world of human space flight and more.
For more than 25 years, humans have lived and worked aboard the International Space Station, a remarkable feat of engineering, international collaboration and human perseverance. Since the beginning of continuous human habitation on November 2, 2000 the International Space Station has not only been a home in space, but also a laboratory, proving ground and training platform that continues to shape humanity’s journey beyond Earth.
Today, we’re joined by two leaders who know the station inside and out, Dana Weigel, NASA’s International Space Station Program Manager here at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and Commercial Space Flight divisions at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Dana and Robyn have dedicated decades to NASA helping to design, operate and grow the International Space Station Program, while fostering the partnerships that keep it thriving.
In this episode, we’ll reflect on the history and evolution of the International Space Station, discuss the critical roles of partnerships, both international and commercial, and explore how the station is paving way for Artemis, the Moon, and eventually Mars.
Let’s get started.
Joseph Zakrzewski
Dana, Robyn, welcome back to Houston We Have a Podcast. I’m excited to talk …