When were Space Ships first invented?

Summary

Who Smarted? - Episode Summary: "When Were Space Ships First Invented?"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
• Host/Author: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
• Release Date: June 25, 2025
• Description: An engaging and humorous educational podcast designed for kids and families, blending trivia, fascinating facts, and storytelling to ignite curiosity and a love for learning.

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Mission to the International Space Station (ISS)

[00:00 - 01:03] The episode kicks off aboard the fictional spaceship USS Smarty Pants, hosted by Captain Trusty and his first officer, Number One. Their mission? Delivering ice cream to the astronauts aboard the ISS. This playful scenario sets the stage for exploring real-world space concepts.

Captain Trusty [00:22]: "Blast off. Oh, boy. Smarty pants. For today's mission, we're heading to the International Space Station, AKA the iss..."

Key Points:

• ISS Overview: The ISS is described as a "research vessel orbiting Earth," emphasizing its role in scientific experiments.
• Logistics in Space: Highlighting the challenges astronauts face, such as limited storage space and the absence of resources like cows for dairy, necessitating regular supply missions.

Understanding the Edge of Space

[01:03 - 01:57] Captain Trusty poses a trivia question to engage young listeners on how far the edge of space is.

Captain Trusty [01:09]: "Smarty Pants, do you know how far above Earth sits the edge of space? Is it A, 80 to 100 kilometers, B, 220 to 250 kilometers, or C, more than 500 kilometers?"

Key Points:

• Answer: A, 80 to 100 kilometers (50 to 62 miles) above Earth.
• Explanation: likens the distance to an hour-long drive on a highway, making the concept relatable for kids.

Historical Overview: Sputnik and Vostok 1

[02:10 - 07:57] A mishap with the spaceship's control panel sends Captain Trusty and Number One back in time, allowing them to explore pivotal moments in space history.

1. Sputnik – The First Artificial Satellite

   • Trivia Question: "Do you know the name of the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth?"
   • Answer: B, Sputnik.
   • Context: Launched by the Soviet Union in 1957, Sputnik marked humanity's entry into space exploration.

   Captain Trusty [03:19]: "Smartypants, do you know the name of the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. Is it A, Explorer, B, Sputnik, or C, Skynet?"

2. Vostok 1 – First Manned Spaceflight

   • Yuri Gagarin’s Achievement: In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space aboard Vostok 1.

   Captain Trusty [07:12]: "Smarty pants, is that true? Did the space shuttle ever go to the moon? The answer is no."

   • Spacecraft Details: Described as a small, spherical capsule where Gagarin orbited Earth in approximately an hour and a half.

   Captain Trusty [07:39]: "The spaceship had very few controls and there was no way to slow down."

Apollo 11 and the Moon Landing

[07:57 - 11:17] The duo continues their journey forward in time to the historic Apollo 11 mission.

1. Apollo 11 Mission:

   • Trivia Question: "Why is Apollo 11 important? Is it A, the first spaceship to reach the moon, B the first spaceship to land on the moon, or C the first spaceship to orbit the moon?"
   • Answer: B, the first spaceship to land on the moon.
   • Significant Achievement: Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the lunar surface.

   Captain Trusty [08:26]: "Apollo 11 from the United States... Neil Armstrong was the first to walk on the moon."

2. Spacecraft Mechanics:

   • Description of the command module orbiting the moon and the lunar module landing, facilitating the historic moonwalk.

   Captain Trusty [09:57]: "Enjoy. That's one small slice for man, one."

Evolution of Spacecraft: Space Shuttle and Soyuz

[10:02 - 11:24] Returning to the present-day mission, the conversation shifts to the development of spacecraft over the decades.

1. Space Shuttle:

   • Trivia Question: "What's the name of NASA's main spaceship of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s?"
   • Answer: B, the shuttle.
   • Features: Reusable design, capacity for seven passengers, equipped with living quarters and a cargo bay instrumental in building the ISS.

   Captain Trusty [10:23]: "The shuttle was the first reusable spaceship and it was much more roomy."

2. Soyuz Spacecraft:

   • Trivia Question: "Do you know what [Russia’s main spaceship] is called?"
   • Answer: A, Soyuz.
   • Details: Introduced in 1967 and still in use, Soyuz can carry three people and serves as the primary transporter to the ISS post-Shuttle era.

   Captain Trusty [11:24]: "The Soyuz can hold up to three people and its living quarters are about the size of a large van."

SpaceX Dragon and Modern Spacecraft

[14:46 - 15:32] After navigating through time-travel challenges, Captain Trusty interacts with a SpaceX Representative, shedding light on modern advancements in space travel.

SpaceX Representative [14:46]: "Thanks for the ice cream, guys. We love this stuff."

Key Points:

• Dragon Spacecraft: A modern vehicle developed by SpaceX, distinct from NASA’s government programs.

• Features: Resembles the Apollo capsules but with advanced technology and the capacity to hold seven people.

  Captain Trusty [15:13]: "What government space program do you think makes the Dragon spacecraft? The United States, Russia or China? If you said the U.S. you're close. But NASA doesn't make the Dragon. No government space program does."

• Private Sector Role: Emphasizes the shift from government-only programs to significant contributions from private companies like SpaceX in space exploration.

Future of Space Exploration: NASA's Artemis Mission and Beyond

[16:00 - 17:05] The narrative progresses into future missions, highlighting upcoming milestones and international collaborations.

1. Artemis Mission:

   • Objective: To land the first woman and the first person of color on the moon.
   • Collaboration: Involvement of the European Space Agency and SpaceX in designing spacecraft components.

   Captain Trusty [16:10]: "NASA's Artemis mission plans to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon."

2. International Efforts:

   • Global Participation: Countries like China, India, and Japan are also advancing their own moon exploration projects.

   Captain Trusty [16:26]: "Other countries, such as China, India and Japan also have their own moon exploration projects. Wow."

3. Spacecraft Innovations:

   • Orion Spacecraft: NASA’s new vehicle designed to utilize both new technology and familiar components from previous missions.

   Captain Trusty [16:26]: "NASA's new spaceship called Orion, will blast to the moon using both new technology and components similar to the space shuttle and Apollo spacecraft."

Key Takeaways:

• Technological Advancements: Ongoing innovation is making space travel more efficient and inclusive.
• Collaborative Efforts: International partnerships are crucial for the success of future missions.
• Accessibility of Space: Encourages young listeners to dream about participating in space exploration someday.

Conclusion

[17:05 - End] Captain Trusty wraps up the episode by acknowledging listeners and providing credits, reinforcing the educational and entertaining nature of “Who Smarted?”.

Captain Trusty [17:12]: "Who Smarted? We're so glad we can put a big smile on your face and lots of fun facts in your brain."

Credits:

• Writers: Dave Beamia Beaudry
• Voices: Adam Trex Davis, Jenna Holodeck, Hoban, Shafield Chastain, Eleanor Pernas, Jerry Colbert
• Technical Direction: Josh
• Music: Brian Spaced Out Suarez
• Production: Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert

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Highlights and Educational Insights:

• Engaging Storytelling: The use of a fictional mission makes complex space topics accessible and entertaining for kids.
• Interactive Learning: Trivia questions encourage active listening and participation.
• Historical Context: Provides a chronological journey through key milestones in space exploration.
• Future Prospects: Inspires curiosity about upcoming missions and technological advancements in space travel.

Notable Quotes:

• Captain Trusty [00:22]: "Smarty pants. Welcome aboard the USS Smarty Pants."
• Captain Trusty [03:57]: "It's time for another whiff of history and science on We Built this City."
• Captain Trusty [08:26]: "Apollo 11... Neil Armstrong was the first to walk on the moon."
• SpaceX Representative [14:46]: "No government space program does [make the Dragon]."

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"Who Smarted?" successfully blends humor with education, making learning about space both fun and memorable for young audiences. Whether it’s through time-travel adventures or engaging trivia, each episode aims to spark a lifelong interest in science and history.

Transcript

[Captain Trusty]

And now it's time for who's smarted?

[Number One]

10, 9, 8.

[Captain Trusty]

Psst. Smarty pants. Welcome aboard the USS Smarty Pants. As you can hear, we're counting down to a launch. You better buckle up.

[Number One]

Four, three, two, one.

[Captain Trusty]

Blast off. Oh, boy. Smarty pants. For today's mission, we're heading to the International Space Station, AKA the iss, which, as you, as you probably know from our episode on the iss, is a research vessel orbiting Earth. And why are we going to the iss?

[Number One]

Why?

[Captain Trusty]

We're delivering a very important item.

[Number One]

Ice cream.

[Captain Trusty]

That's right, Ice cream. As you may have also heard on our episode on the iss, astronauts there don't have much room to store food such as ice cream. And they certainly don't have cows to help make it so. The crew of the ISS relies on spaceships like the USS Smarty Pants to deliver meals to them.

[Number One]

Captain, we've reached the edge of space. I'm powering down the rockets.

[Captain Trusty]

Thanks, Number One. Smarty Pants, do you know how far above Earth sits the edge of space? Is it A, 80 to 100 kilometers, B, 220 to 250 kilometers, or C, more than 500 kilometers? The answer is A, only 80 to 100 kilometers, or 50 to 62 miles. Think of any place that's about an hour away from your home, using a highway. Believe it or not, you're closer to outer space. But unfortunately, to get there, you have to go up. Up, up, up, up. Fighting gravity. And that requires hundreds of thousands of gallons of rocket fuel. Oh, and the right spaceship. Number One?

[Number One]

Yes, Captain Trusty?

[Captain Trusty]

What's with the music?

[Number One]

Oh, this is We Built this City by the Band Starship.

[Captain Trusty]

No, no, no, no. I wasn't talking about the Band Starship. I meant an actual spacecraft.

[Number One]

Gotcha.

[Captain Trusty]

And I love viewing the Earth from space. Number One, can you dim the lights so we can see it better?

[Number One]

Yes, Captain. Dimming the lights now.

[Captain Trusty]

Uh, Number One, what was that?

[Number One]

Uh, nothing. Nothing at all. Let me try dimming those lights again. We are at 80% dim.

[Captain Trusty]

Ah, yes. Seeing the edge of Earth never gets old. It's so. Uh, Number One?

[Number One]

Yes, Captain Trusty?

[Captain Trusty]

Where's the International Space Station and all the satellites? There should be thousands orbiting Earth. But I can't see. Oh, no, wait. No, wait. There's one. Hmm. There's something odd about that tiny satellite. It looks like a ball with four long antennas.

[Number One]

Uh, looks cool to me.

[Captain Trusty]

Wait a second. I know that satellite. It was the first one ever launched into space. Smartypants, do you know the name of the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth. Is it A, Explorer, B, Sputnik, or C, Skynet? The answer is B, Sputnik.

[Number One]

Well, what do you know? You can discover all kinds of things when traveling by spaceship.

[Captain Trusty]

But Sputnik launched in 1957 and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere in 1958. How am I looking at. Oh, wait a second. Number one, did we somehow go back in time?

[Number One]

Remember when we ordered a new control panel for the USS Smarty Pants?

[Captain Trusty]

Yes.

[Number One]

Well, there's lots of new buttons and knobs on it. And when I pushed the one that I thought was for the lights, I accidentally sent us back in time. I'll just turn it forward.

[Captain Trusty]

Oh, and along the way, we can explore space travel. Smartypants, how crazy were the early spaceships? What are we flying now? And where are spaceships headed in the future? It's time for another whiff of history and science on We Built this City.

[Number One]

Whoops, wrong button. Here we go. Who's smarted? Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science? Or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. But who's smarting? Smarted.

[Captain Trusty]

Psst. Hey, smarty pants. You know how much we love sharing super cool facts here on who Smarted, right? Well, I've got another super cool fact for you. The podcast Snoop and Sniffy is absolutely awesome. Now get this. Snoop and Sniffy are these brilliant dog detectives who help kids like you level up your sleuthing skills. We're talking problem solving, deductive reasoning, the whole nine yards. And they do it by going on the most hilarious crime solving adventures you've ever heard. One day they're meeting magic cockapoos. Magic cockapoos? Smarty pants. The next, they're rumbling with something called the Barking Bandit. They explore ghost trains, they time travel. I mean, there is never a dull mystery with these two furry detectives. So here's what I want you to do. Help everyone's favorite dog detectives crack their cases each week by listening to Snoop and Sniffy. You can find them on Apple, Spotify, @gokidgo.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Trust me on this one, Smarty pants. Your brain is going to love the workout on Snoop and Sniffy. Narrator's space journal entry 61713. The USS Smartypants is orbiting Earth. But in the past, thanks to a combination first officer new control panel issue.

[Number One]

Not making excuses, but it could have happened to anyone, right?

[Captain Trusty]

Anywho, it's the year 1957.

[Number One]

Now 1961, sir.

[Captain Trusty]

Oh, 1961, eh, smarty pants? Do you know what space achievement took place in 1961? Was it the first dog in space? The first person in space? Hello. Or the first person on the moon? If you said the first person in space, you're right. In 1961, a man named Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space. He was from the same country that launched the first satellite. Smartypants. Do you know the name of that country? Is it A, the usa, B, China, or C the Soviet Union? The answer is C, the Soviet Union. Today, most of this country is Russia.

[Number One]

If this Yuri fellow was the first person in space, that must mean he rode on the first manned spaceship, right?

[Captain Trusty]

Right. The first manned spacecraft called Vostok 1 looked like a ball attached to a can with Gagarin sitting in the ball. The ball was eight feet or two and a half meters in diameter, not very big. It's like sitting in the middle of your parents bed with the head and footboards being the edges of the spacecraft. Gagarin went around the planet once. Smarty pants. About how long do you think that took? Was it a 24 hours, b 4 hours and 15 minutes, or c an hour and a half? The answer is C. Vosok one went so fast it took just an hour and a half to go around the world.

[Number One]

Whoa.

[Captain Trusty]

The spaceship had very few controls and there was no way to slow down. So when Gagarin came back to Earth, he had to eject himself and parachute down before the capsule crashed. Okay, number one, let's move ahead in time.

[Number One]

Aye, Captain. We are now entering the summer of 1969. Whoops, wrong button again. I am not good at this.

[Captain Trusty]

Smarty pants. Do you know what happened in the summer of 69? Here's a hint. 1. Take us to the moon.

[Number One]

Hi, Captain. The button placements are not very intuitive. Here we go. Approaching the moon, sir.

[Captain Trusty]

There it is. Apollo 11 from the United States. Smarty pants, why is Apollo 11 important? Is it A, the first spaceship to reach the moon, B the first spaceship to land on the moon, or C the first spaceship to orbit the moon? The answer is B. After blasting off from Earth on top of a massive rocket, three astronauts traveled all the way to the moon in a cone shaped command module about the size of a large car. The command module orbited the moon while the four legged lunar module landed. Smarty pants, do you know the name of the first person to set foot on the moon? Is it A, Neil Armstrong, B Buzz Aldrin, or C Michael Collins? While all three were on Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong was the first to walk on the moon. Uh Houston, we have a visitor. Looks like a pizza shaped spacecraft. Oh hey guys, it's just me, the trusty narrator, along with my button challenged first officer and thousands of smarty pants from the future. Don't mind us. Okay, but now you've got me hungry for pizza. We've been flying in space for over three days. Oh number one, any chance we can beam down a pizza for them on it? Enjoy. That's one small slice for man, one.

[Narrator]

Giant pie for mankind.

[Captain Trusty]

Yeah, I think we better go.

[Number One]

Good idea Captain Trusty. Back to the future. This is not my day. Hold on, here we go. Returning to Earth early 2000s.

[Captain Trusty]

And there's the International Space Station.

[Number One]

And I see some larger spaceships too.

[Captain Trusty]

They look like airplanes. Smarty pants, what's the name of NASA's main spaceship of the 80s 90s and early 2000s? Is it a, the bus, B, the shuttle, or C, the space plane? The answer is B, the shuttle. The shuttle was the first reusable spaceship and it was much more roomy. It could hold up to seven passengers with a cockpit, living quarters and a place for experiments. It also had a massive cargo bay with which helped in the construction of the iss.

[Number One]

It must have been nice to take the shuttle to the moon.

[Captain Trusty]

Hmm smarty pants, is that true? Did the space shuttle ever go to the moon? The answer is no. In fact, nobody has gone to the moon since the Apollo lunar program ended in 1972. The shuttle stayed close to Earth conducting space research and after the ISS was built, delivering people to and supplies.

[Number One]

And what about that spaceship ahead of us? It looks a bit like the first spaceship, the Vostok.

[Captain Trusty]

That's Russia's main spaceship which first launched in 1967 and is still in use today. Smarty pants, do you know what it's called? Is it A Soyuz, B, Gemini or C Yeltsin? The answer is a Soyuz. The Soyuz can hold up to three people and its living quarters are about the size of a large van. After the shuttle program ended in 2011, the Soyuz was the main transporter of people and supplies to the iss. And that brings us to today, Number one, heading home.

[Number One]

Haha, got it. We're back baby.

[Captain Trusty]

Let's go deliver this ice cream and then head a bit into the future.

[Number One]

The future. Captain Trusty, Why?

[Captain Trusty]

You'll see right after this quick break and a word from our sponsors. Hey friends, Trusty here now. You know the only thing I love more than adventure is not going on an adventure and hanging in my backyard, eating pizza with Chet and the woe girl.

[Number One]

Whoa.

[Captain Trusty]

And there's something magical about finally making your space feel like yours. For me, it started with chairs. I used Wayfair to find the perfect chairs for my backyard sketch. Stylish, affordable, and honestly, way more comfortable than I expected. And that's the thing about Wayfair. It's not just a place to buy furniture. It's a one stop shop for creating the home that you've been dreaming about. Whether you're sprucing up your patio, planning backyard hangouts, or just upgrading your morning coffee spot, Wayfair has everything. Dining sets, lounge chairs, fire pits, string lights, you name it. Plus, the shopping experience is super easy. And they even have free shipping. And on the big stuff. So this summer, make your space your oasis. You and your family deserve your own little Paradise. Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop a huge outdoor selection that's W a Y F A I R.com Wayfair Every style, every home. Hey, smarty friends. Trusty here. I grew up on the Smurfs Saturday mornings, cereal in hand, glued to the screen. So yeah, I cannot wait for this. Smurfs is back. And this time, it's bigger, bolder, and bursting with magic. Blue magic. When Papa Smurf is taken by two seriously evil wizards, it's up to Smurfette, voiced by Rihanna, to lead the rescue mission into the real world. Along the way, the Smurfs discover that saving the universe means trusting something they've never relied on before. Magic. The music. All new. Rihanna. Cardi B. DJ Khaled. Yes, please. And the cast is stacked. James Corden. Daniel Levy. Sandra oh. Octavia Spencer. Kurt Russell, John Goodman. Honestly, it's wild. It's got everything. Laughs, heart, music, and that classic Smurf spirit that I've loved forever. It's perfect for the whole family or anyone who remembers what it felt like to believe in a little blue world full of hope. Just like I did. Smurfs hits theaters July 18th. I'll be there. Hope you will, too. And now back to Whosmarted.

[SpaceX Representative]

Thanks for the ice cream, guys. We love this stuff. And we were afraid we'd have to wait until the next Dragon delivery.

[Number One]

Did you say dragons in space?

[SpaceX Representative]

No. That's the name of a spacecraft that brings cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station. It looks a little like the old Apollo space capsule, but can hold seven people. It's also full of modern technology and touch screens.

[Captain Trusty]

It's pretty sleek and smarty. Pants, what government space program do you think makes the Dragon spacecraft? The United States, Russia or China? If you said the U.S. you're close. But NASA doesn't make the Dragon. No government space program does. Sorry, it was a trick question.

[SpaceX Representative]

Since the shuttle program ended, private companies have been building spaceships. And the Dragon comes from an American company called SpaceX.

[Captain Trusty]

But NASA and other government agencies are still building spacecraft. Number one, let's head a little bit into the future.

[Number One]

To the future. Ooh, how do you like that first try?

[Captain Trusty]

Nice job, number one. But don't get cocky.

[Narrator]

Houston, we're seeing a pizza shaped spaceship.

[Captain Trusty]

Oh, hi. Don't worry about us. It's just the trusty narrator, first officer and a bunch of smarty pants from the past here to watch another milestone in space exploration.

[Narrator]

You've come to the right place. NASA's Artemis mission plans to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon. But that'll be the mission after ours. We're just the first humans since 1972 to go around the moon.

[Captain Trusty]

And smarty pants, that mission is scheduled to happen very soon. With the help of the European Space Agency, NASA's new spaceship called Orion, will blast to the moon using both new technology and and components similar to the space shuttle and Apollo spacecraft. SpaceX will also help out designing the spacecraft that will land on the surface. Other countries, such as China, India and Japan also have their own moon exploration projects. Wow.

[Number One]

I hope their control panels are less confusing than mine. But it all sounds very exciting.

[Narrator]

It certainly is. Maybe your smarty pants can join us someday.

[Captain Trusty]

I'm sure some of them would love to. Right, smartypants? Okay, number one, I think it's time to take this starship home.

[Number One]

Aye aye, captain. Whoops.

[Captain Trusty]

A big shout out to Lachlan in Liberty Hill, Texas. Thanks for listening to who smarted to and from school every day. Smarty pants, we're so glad we can put a big smile on your face and lots of fun facts in your brain. This episode, Spaceships was written by Dave Beamia Beaudry and voiced by Adam Trex Davis, Jenna Holodeck, Hoban, Shafield Chastain, Eleanor Pernas and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh. In space, no one can hear you, Han. Our associate producer is Max Kamaski. The theme song is by Brian Spaced Out Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.