In this episode of the RedMars Podcast featuring Secret Launch Codes, AstroJake and a friend dive into one of those perfectly random yet surprisingly deep conversations. We bounce from solar radiation and how it bends, breaks, and boosts radio signals… to cows roaming Texas (don’t ask, just listen). Then we swing out to the Lagrange points and the missions that could live there, talk through muscle wires and shape-memory Nitinol, and nerd out on antenna geometries and why certain shapes actually work better in space and on Earth.

It’s equal parts chill hangout and technical brain fuel — the kind of episode where you learn something new without even trying.

In this episode, I share my journey of building a dual-band ham radio antenna using a Nitinol rod — covering both 2 meters and 70 centimeters. I dive into why DIY in ham radio is such a powerful part of the hobby, from experimenting and learning to building gear that truly fits your needs. Ham radio isn’t just about talking — it’s about creating, tinkering, and exploring. I want to inspire more people to get hands-on with their radios and discover the fun of building your own antennas and equipment.

In this episode of The RedMars Podcast, I share more of my ham radio journey as I’m learning the ropes. I talk about a wild moment when the International Space Station (ISS) was rotated 180 degrees after a Russian Soyuz spacecraft fired its thrusters—proving once again how critical communication is, and how ham radio has even played a role in space safety. I also share some updates from my own radio life, like realizing I needed a programming cable to set up my handhelds (rookie mistake, but we’ve all been there!). Join me as I explore the ups and downs of getting started in amateur radio, from space stories to practical lessons, all while keeping it real.

I share my experience taking the Technician Class license exam and how I got into ham radio. From curiosity to preparedness, discover why radio is more than a hobby—it’s a skill that connects, teaches, and prepares us for the unexpected.

From the crackle of a Geiger counter to the quiet pulse of an ultrasound, this episode explores how we detect the invisible. I dive into the science of radiation — cosmic, ionizing, non-ionizing — and how it’s measured in space. We’ll talk about Geiger counters aboard spacecraft, sonar and why it doesn’t work in space, and how ultrasound waves are used not just in medicine, but even in space operations.I also share the chilling story of the Demon Core, a real-life radiation accident during the Manhattan Project that changed the way we handle nuclear material forever.And then… I bring it all home. In a personal twist, I reveal something new on the horizon for me and my family — using the very same invisible waves we’ve been talking about.This one’s about radiation, waves, and signals in the silence — both out there in the stars, and right here on Earth.🔬 Topics Covered:Types of radiation: ionizing vs non-ionizingGeiger counters in space explorationWhy sonar doesn’t work in spaceHow ultrasound helps us detect lifeThe true story of the Demon CoreA surprise at the end of the Video!🛰️ Stay curious, and keep looking up.#RedMarsLabs #SpaceTechnology #Radiation #Ultrasound #DemonCore #AstroJake #SpacePodcast #NewBabyReveal #SpaceScience #InvisibleWaves

🎙️ Stranded on the Moon: The First RedMars Mission!You’ve just crash-landed on the Moon. Your systems are failing. There’s no one around.But you’re not giving up. With your onboard ESP32-S3 module and a few salvaged components, you’re going to build a beacon—and send an SOS signal across the void.Welcome to the first mission from RedMars Labs, where I, Jake (aka AstroJake), walk you through the vision behind my new line of space-inspired electronics kits designed for makers, students, and explorers alike.🔧 In this episode:The concept behind the Lunar Mission KitHow you’ll use Morse code, LEDs, and the ESP32-S3 to simulate a real space emergencyMy journey as a solo engineer with real experience in the space industryA sneak peek at the CubeSat frame I’m designing for future missionsWhy RedMars Labs is more than a brand—it’s a hands-on movement🛒 Kits available now on Etsy!🌐 Learn more at: https://redmars.com/redmars-labs🚀 Learn to build. Build to explore.🔴 This is RedMars Labs.

Time to catch up! What is to come?- Development Kits (IoT, Robotics, Beck-End Servers)- Core Flight System (cFS)- CubeSats!Etsy Store (Products coming soon! - https://www.etsy.com/shop/RedMarsShop?ref=shop_profile&listing_id=1343575134)

Been a while since we have caught up and have some big things in the works! Watch this video to learn about our builder kits to help those learn and get hands on with RedMars Labs doing electronics and Programming!www.redmars.com/RedMars-labs for more details and to keep up with what is going on!