Search results for

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Bruce Bleakly, the executive director of the San Diego Aerospace Museum, about the life of Evelyn Trout. Trout broke several flight endurance records and she was the first female to complete an in-flight refueling operation. She died at the age of 97.

Mark O'Connor has spent quality time as a Nashville fiddler, a rocker with The Dixie Dregs, and as a classical violinist. His new CD, In Full Swing, jumps into jazz with the help of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and vocalist Jane Monheit. NPR's Liane Hansen talks with O'Connor about his varied career and the Hot Swing Trio.

She reflects on the career of author Norman Mailer, who turns 80 today.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews two new series: ABC's Dragnet, and NBC's Kingpin. Both premiere Sunday.

For decades, scientists have searched for plants containing disease-fighting compounds. Some powerful cancer drugs are derived from a flower that grows in the forests of Madagascar. But experts say the oceans, teeming with life, might be a better place to search. As NPR's Eric Niiler reports, researchers are now scouring the seven seas in hopes of finding the next blockbuster drug.

Talk of the Nation/Science Friday host Ira Flatow joins host Steve Inskeep to talk about how NASA has adapted since the 1986 Challenger disaster.

Troubleshooters are expected to scrutinize the shuttle Columbia's auxiliary power units, which help provide power to the orbiter's steering mechanisms during descent -- a task that requires highly flammable fuel. NPR's Howard Berkes joins host Steve Inskeep to talk about the role APUs play in reentry and why their redesign had been on NASA's to-do list. (This is a repeat from earlier in the show.)

Florida Senator Bill Nelson flew on the last shuttle mission before the 1986 Challenger explosion and joins host Steve Inkseep to share his perspective as a former astronaut and Floridian.

NPR's Andy Bowers reports from Palmdale, Calif., where the space shuttle Columbia was upgraded in 2001. Palmdale is near Edwards Air Force Base, which was the original landing site during the space shuttle program's infancy. It is still the alternate landing site.

Today President Bush was called upon for the second time to comfort a nation in mourning. He telephoned the families of the lost astronauts and then addressed the nation from the cabinet room. (This is a repeat from earlier in the show.)