Off-Nominal

Two friends, two beers, and a casual conversation about space. That’s the tagline, and the show genuinely delivers on that promise. Jake Robins and Anthony Colangelo (who also hosts Main Engine Cut Off) turn space industry talk into something that feels like overhearing a great bar conversation between two very well-informed people. The vibe is relaxed and explicitly rated—they swear occasionally and let conversations wander in productive directions. With 234 episodes since 2017 and a 4.8 rating from 84 reviews, the audience is devoted if not massive. Episodes typically run 60 to 90 minutes and feature guests from across the space industry, from engineers to entrepreneurs to journalists. Recent episodes have tackled everything from the so-called 40 percent rule in aerospace to SpaceX’s latest Starship developments. The show works as a complement to more formal space podcasts—it fills the gap between hard news and the kind of opinionated, speculative discussion that makes the space community fun to be part of. If you like your space commentary unfiltered and served at a comfortable pace, Off-Nominal hits a sweet spot that more polished shows often miss.