Listener
5USD
PER MONTH
PER MONTH
Renews every month by card
- Your name on the supporters list
- Ad-free episodes
180 supporters
Mark EllisPodcast Orbita Space and science
A space podcast that is never boring.
I am a physicist by training and a storyteller at heart. Every two weeks I explain one topic about space, from missions and planets to the people who build the rockets. Your support keeps it ad-free and independent.
01 Tiers
Pick how close you want to be.
Each tier includes the rewards of the tiers below it. Pay by card every month, or pay upfront by bank transfer or USDC. Mark gives 10% off when you pay for 3 months or more.
Show prices for card every month or one upfront payment
Crew
10USD
PER MONTH
PER MONTH
Renews every month by card
- Everything in Listener
- Episodes one day before release
- Your name in the thank-yous at the end of an episode
- A vote on episode topics
160 supporters
Pilot
25USD
PER MONTH
PER MONTH
Renews every month by card
- Everything in Crew
- Your question for the guest in every episode
- Behind the scenes recordings
52 supporters
Commander
100USD
PER MONTH
PER MONTH
Renews every month by card
- Everything in Pilot
- An online call with Mark once a quarter
- An Orbita mug sent by post
10 supporters20 spots left
The price is what you pay: Backfolk adds no fee and Mark covers the payment method fees. Upfront periods and the upfront discount are set by Mark for each tier. We send a reminder 7 days before an upfront period ends.
02 One-time support
Not every month? Say thanks once.
Liked an episode? Send any amount from 1 USD once. No tier, no renewal, and it still goes straight to Mark.
Choose an amount
USD
10.00 USDNothing added at checkout
Three ways to pay
Every month
Upfront, -10%
Upfront, -10%
Card
Also Apple Pay and Google Pay. Renews every month until you stop it in your Backfolk panel. Support stops before the next payment.
Bank transfer
One payment for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. From 3 months Mark gives 10% off. We remind you 7 days before it ends.
USDC on Polygon
From your own wallet for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months: Mark's share to his wallet and Backfolk's 5% commission in a second transfer, confirmed together. Together they make exactly the price.
0%fee for you: you pay exactly the tier price
10%Mark's upfront discount, for 3 months or more
0held by Backfolk: payments go to Mark's account
Mark in his home studio
The setup
20 hof work behind one episode: research, recording, editing and graphics
03 About me
I have been looking up since I was a kid.
On Podcast Orbita I explain space in a way you can enjoy on your commute.
Every two weeks I publish an episode on one topic: missions, planets, rockets and the people who build them. Once a month I invite a guest who knows the topic first hand.
Podcast Orbita is ad-free for supporters and has no sponsors who pick the topics. Your support lets me spend more time on each episode and invite guests from all over Europe.
50+ episodessince 2024
Every two weeksalways on Thursday
A guest every monthwho knows the topic first hand
Ad-freeand a day early for supporters
Where your support goes100% of your support
04 Episodes and updates
Listen first. Back it after.
The most popular episodes are free for everyone. Supporters get them ad-free and a day early, plus updates only for their tier.
Episode 47 / 52 min / 2026-08-06
How satellite networks work
Thousands of small satellites, one network around the planet. How they talk to each other, who builds them and what happens when they come down.
12:40 / 52:00
Episode 47 / Most popular
How satellite networks work
52 MIN2026-08-06
Episode 50 / Live
Live anniversary show with listeners
74 MIN2026-09-17
Episode 44 / Guest
A woman in orbit: talking to an engineer
61 MIN2026-06-25
Episode 39
Why rockets come back to Earth
48 MIN2026-04-16
The full archive, 50+ episodes since 2024, is free on Spotify, YouTube and in podcast apps. Supporters get every episode ad-free and a day early in their Backfolk panel.
SpotifyYouTubePodcast appsBackfolk panel, ad-free
Updates from Mark
1 public, 2 for supportersPublic
2026-10-22
The Moon mission series is coming in 2027
Six episodes with guests who work on missions to the Moon. Here is the plan for the series and how you can send questions for the guests.
We record from January to June 2027, one Moon episode a month next to the regular ones. Send your questions for the guests in the comments under this update. We read all of them and pick the best ones for each episode.
Crew and above
For supporters from 10 USD
2026-10-08
Vote: the next two topics
Pilot and above
For supporters from 25 USD
2026-09-24
Behind the scenes: recording episode 50
05 Plans
What is next for Orbita.
2026-09 Completed
50th episode
An anniversary episode recorded live with listeners.
Q1 2027
Moon mission series
Six episodes with guests who work on missions to the Moon.
Q2 2027
A live show with listeners
The second live recording, with questions from supporters.
Topics for the coming months
People going back to the MoonSmall satellites and who builds themHow we search for life on MarsSpace junk in orbitTelescopes that see the farthestYour questions, a special episode
06 FAQ
Good to know.
How does monthly support work?
By card, your support renews automatically every month until you stop it. By bank transfer or USDC, you pay upfront for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months, and 7 days before the period ends we email you a reminder with a link to renew.
How much do I save by paying upfront?
Mark gives 10% off when you pay for 3 months or more. The upfront discount is set by each creator. The Crew tier costs 27 USD for 3 months instead of 30 USD, and 54 USD for 6 months instead of 60 USD.
How can I stop my support?
In your Backfolk panel, under Supported by me. Card support stops before the next monthly payment. Support paid upfront ends after the period you have paid for.
What does Backfolk charge?
Nothing to you. You pay exactly the tier price, 10.00 USD for a 10 USD tier. Mark pays Backfolk a 5% commission from each payment and covers the payment method fees.
When will I get my reward?
Digital rewards come right after payment. The Orbita mug for the Commander tier ships in March 2027, and we will ask for your address before then.
Podcast Orbita
Keep Orbita on air.
402 people already back every episode. Join them from 5 USD a month, or send a one-time thanks.