Extraordinary Humans (Season 2) Season 2 Episode 10 George Aldrich

Extraordinary Humans (Season 2) episode 10, titled "George Aldrich," introduces us to a remarkable man who possesses a unique sense of smell that has made him a sought-after expert in the world of NASA.

George Aldrich has an extraordinary and highly specialized talent. He is a "nasalnaut," a member of the team responsible for certifying the smell and taste of every item that astronauts take into space. For over 40 years, Aldrich has been working for NASA, conducting smell tests on everything from food and personal hygiene products to the materials used within the spacecraft.

During the episode, we are given a glimpse into the world of smell and how Aldrich's nose has helped improve the lives of astronauts. We learn about how the process of identifying, testing and approving everything that goes into space is extremely meticulous and how Aldrich's work helps ensure the safety and comfort of astronauts.

We are shown the training process for "nasalnauts," which is rigorous and requires volunteers to go through a battery of tests to determine their olfactory abilities. Aldrich underwent the same training over four decades ago and has since been essential in the development of this program.

The episode also takes us through Aldrich's daily life and how his gift for smell has impacted it. Aldrich shares with us that he can identify smells that others can't, such as the smell of coffee that has been left in a cup for hours, and how it has sometimes been a blessing and a curse. We see how he uses his sense of smell to determine the freshness of food and how it impacts his shopping practices.

Further into the episode, we are given a glimpse of Aldrich's work outside of NASA. Aldrich has been able to use his gift to help people in various industries such as perfume makers and the car industry. His expertise in smell has been invaluable in developing better air filtration systems and improving the performance of airbag sensors, which rely on the presence of chemicals to inflate when needed.

Overall, "George Aldrich" is an extraordinary episode that gives us an insight into the often-overlooked sense of smell, and how it has played a critical role in the lives of astronauts. It brings to light the work of unsung heroes, such as Aldrich, who have helped shaped the world through their unique abilities and contributions.