256: Herb Baker

Casual Space

Herb Baker, NASA veteran and author of From Apollo to Artemis: Stories From My 50 Years With NASA, takes us back to a time where growing up near NASA meant working near the “Manned Spacecraft Center,” and running films to the TV station for Apollo missions. Herb took what started as a “fun job” into an unforgettable 42-year career working on the Shuttle, Space Station, and Orion programs. Herb grew up surrounded by astronauts’ families, watched history happen right in his backyard, and even got to see his mom play a key role in saving Skylab—a story that will absolutely make you smile.

Herb’s adventures working for NASA are pretty incredible—like riding in a helicopter flown by a Vietnam vet to deliver news footage, running around Mission Control like he owned the place, and learning that astronauts’ biggest fear isn’t danger... it’s letting their teammates down. You’ll hear just how much NASA’s mission and people have meant to him.

Herb’s stories bring NASA’s history to life in a way that feels personal, real, and so inspiring. If you’ve ever looked up at the stars and dreamed big, this one’s for you.

Guest Bio: Herb Baker retired from NASA in 2017 after 42 years of service. He spent most of his career at the Johnson Space Center (JSC), supporting the Space Shuttle, Space Station, and Orion Programs. Herb also worked at the Kennedy Space Center and NASA Headquarters. His final position was Manager of the Operations Support Office at JSC, where he oversaw support for Mission Control, astronaut operations, and NASA’s aircraft operations. Today, Herb serves as an Officer on the Board of Directors for the NASA Alumni League-JSC and dedicates his time to promoting STEM education through organizations like the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and Space Center Houston. He is a frequent speaker on human spaceflight and the author of From Apollo to Artemis: Stories From My 50 Years With NASA.

Connect with Herb: Want a signed copy of From Apollo to Artemis? Head to herbbaker.space. You can also find it on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Check his website for updates on upcoming book signings and events.

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