Episodes
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Episode 1108: The Path to #LaunchAmerica – In Flight Abort
Wednesday May 27, 2020
Wednesday May 27, 2020
With astronauts set to return to space from U.S. soil for the first time in almost nine years, Talking Space is going back through the archives to bring you never-before-heard episodes on what it took to get to the historic Demo-2 launch in May 2020.
For this episode, we go back to January 2020 when SpaceX tested the in-flight abort capabilities of their Crew Dragon capsule. Hear what it sounded like from launch to explosion...to a surprise after the intentional destruction of a Falcon 9 booster.
Here's what it's like to root for a rocket to blow up.
This episode also includes an EXCLUSIVE sit-down with the Demo-2 crew. Shortly after the abort test, 15 media members sat down and talked with the crew of Demo-2 ahead of their mission. The audio has never been released in its entirety...until now. Hear it inside this episode.
Show recorded 2-21-2020
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelist: Gene Mikulka
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Episode 1107: The Path to #LaunchAmerica - Demo-1
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
With astronauts set to return to space from U.S. soil for the first time in almost nine years, Talking Space is going back through the archives to bring you never-before-heard episodes on what it took to get to the historic Demo-2 launch in May 2020.
For this episode, we go back to March 2019 for the Demo-1 mission. This was the uncrewed version of the Demo-2 mission, instead with a "test dummy" onboard, even if SpaceX doesn't call it that.
Hear the sound of the launch, as well as hear of the significance of this mission from the heads of the Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center.
We'll also hear from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine on why more innovation is happening now than during the entire Apollo program.
Show recorded 3-2019
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelist: Gene Mikulka
Thursday Feb 21, 2019
Episode 1104: Mars Done?
Thursday Feb 21, 2019
Thursday Feb 21, 2019
After examining the current launch log book and going over some significant breaking news with the Mars Exploration Rover Mission and NASA's current lunar aspirations, the team discusses the latest findings from the New Horizons mission. We then celebrate the naming of the European Space Agency's Exomars mission rover. The ExoMars set for a 2020 launch attempt will be called the Rosalind Franklin after the British chemist who helped discover the true nature of the structure of Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. Is the Mars One colonization effort finished after its bankruptcy filing or is it simply attempting to respawn? The team does its best to find out. In the final segment, Mark Ratterman observes the passing of one of the Apollo Program's unsung heroes and we ask help in seeking out anyone who may have had an impact on Apollo's success to tell their story on the program. We also mark the untimely passing of space flight historian and good friend, Kate Doolan.
Sunday Jan 27, 2019
Episode 1101: China Has Landed On the Moon, Whither America?
Sunday Jan 27, 2019
Sunday Jan 27, 2019
The Talking Space Team says hello to 2019 with a wrap up of 2018 launch activities and a very spirited discussion of what the future may bring in the area of commercial space launch here in the US with new major players coming on the field. How will they fair against the international commercial launch services companies long term for new business?
We’ll travel with New Horizons spacecraft to Ultima Thule and recap the flyby that occurred New Years Day 2019 and update about the mission’s progress. We also fly out to check on the progress of the OSIRIS-REx mission orbiting the Asteroid Bennu, and the Mars Insight mission.
We then review China’s and humanity’s first landing on the lunar far side and discuss the implications of this historic moment. However, does it mean that China is now the lead in space or is it an exaggeration? Also, we examine how China handled the coverage of the mission thus far.
All this and more in this first edition of Talking Space for 2019.
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein, Panel Member Gene Mikulka
Friday Oct 05, 2018
Episode 1009: To the Moon, Elon!
Friday Oct 05, 2018
Friday Oct 05, 2018
On this episodes we may be mentioning routine launches but it's anything but routine as we return for a news round-up.
On this episode we begin our launch round-up with some past and present SpaceX launches, including the Telstar-18V launch and the upcoming first RTLS mission from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. We also check in on our rover friends on Mars, Opportunity and Curiosity. One remains silent while the other deals with a data glitch.
We then move on to the ISS to discuss the recent Japanese cargo vehicle launch, the HTV, aboard an H-IIA rocket. This HTV vehicle, however, has a unique return capability. Hear all about it in the episode. Then, it's what we're calling "hole-gate". A look at the history behind the hole discovered on a Soyuz, how NASA and Russia handled it, and who really could be behind it. We also congratulate Japan on their first successful landing on an asteroid, and why members of the OSIRIS-REx team are watching closely.
Then we get into the big announcement from SpaceX of design changes to the BFR as well as the first private citizen to pay to fly aboard it. Elon Musk is saying 2023 but is that realistic or is it just "Elon Time"? We give our opinions and our thoughts on where the program should go.
Lastly it's a story you'll only hear on Talking Space, about NASA 502. The research plane flying in and out of the airport in Gainesville, Florida, where our own Mark Ratterman works. Find out why a NASA plane from California is in Florida and studying Hurricane Florence and why it has an odd disk underneath it.
For more information on the UAVSAR instrument, visit https://uavsar.jpl.nasa.gov/.
[An image gallery was inserted here. To view it visit http://talkingspaceonline.com]
Show recorded 9-23-2018
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelists: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Episode 1006: Commercial Crew Concerns
Monday Jul 23, 2018
Monday Jul 23, 2018
This episode of Talking Space takes you to all the major launches, some launches which may be facing unexpected delays, and the launch of a kickstarter based on a great book.
We begin with our launch round-up, featuring a record-setting docking to the ISS, two launches in 24 hours in China, as well as the undocking of the final Orbital ATK Cygnus to the ISS...or is it the first Northrop Grumman Cygnus? Plus Rocket Lab is looking for a new launch site. We look at the possible sites and where we think it may go. We then look at the commercial crew program. We hear from NASA side, from those at Boeing and SpaceX, as well as a shocking report from the GAO about when they believe both companies will actually fly.
We then also look at the newest nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA, along with a performance review so far on new administrator Jim Bridenstine.
Finally we discuss Gen. Chuck Yeager, a look back at his biography and where he's at now, including a kickstarter for a documentary about his historic career and life.
Also be sure to vote for us in the 2018 Podcast Awards! Voting is open until July 31st. https://www.podcastawards.com/
To view more info on the GoFundMe, check out https://www.gofundme.com/yeager-file.
To see Gen. Yeager on "What's My Line" check it out on YouTube https://youtu.be/04Tywtn5UJI
Show recorded 6-15-2018
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelists: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman
Wednesday Jun 20, 2018
Episode 1005: #SaveOppy?
Wednesday Jun 20, 2018
Wednesday Jun 20, 2018
From launch rates to renamings and of course two major announcements from the red planet, it's another jam-packed Talking Space.
We begin with our launch round-up, including China, Japan, and two manned missions. We discuss the return of Expedition 55 and the launch of Expedition 56 and what will make that mission unique. Then we look at SpaceX's recent launches, including their first ever Block 5 launch and what that means. We also look at their future launch plans including launch sites and a staggering number being put out for a launch rate.
We discuss what's going up on SpaceX's CRS-15 mission including more about our favorite creepy face, as well as the OA-9 launch from Orbital ATK, who is getting a new name. Orbital ATK has been acquired by Northrop Grumman to become Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, and what's behind that deal.
Then we travel to Mars, where we look at the Opportunity rover, or try to as its blanketed by a massive dust storm. Is it dead? Not just yet. Hear from some of the scientists working on the MER program and what they're saying about this unprecedented storm. Plus while staying on Mars, did Curiosity find life? Not exactly, but we discuss a major find from the Mars Science Laboratory.
We finish with a congrats to the Juno team and two fond farewells.
Show recorded 6-14-2018
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelist: Gene Mikulka
Saturday May 12, 2018
Episode 1004: 'InSight' into NEAF
Saturday May 12, 2018
Saturday May 12, 2018
What do you get after one month away? A boat load of news and some amazing interviews for our return from spring break.
We begin looking at the launches of the last month from all corners of the globe. We check out many of the major launch providers and their most recent missions. We also discuss the recent improvements in the quality of their webcasts and our thoughts on what that means for outreach.
We also discuss the announcement of two new NASA managers. First, NASA's new head of science and of course, the recently confirmed NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. We discuss our opinions so far on both of them and what we hope for the future.
Of course we discuss NASA's next Mars lander which is now on its way, Mars InSight, however we get some "insight" from one of the people who worked on it at this year's Northeast Astronomy Forum, or NEAF.
At NEAF, we also hear from the authors of "Bringing Columbia Home" about the recovery efforts after the 2003 Columbia disaster. Plus we bring you an amazing story of a young girl from Cosovo who's taking the US by storm promoting astronomy outreach.
We also have to give a special shout-out to the ESA team working the Bepi Colombo Twitter account, @ESA_Bepi, on taking our wacky suggestion of needing a cute mascot. Make sure to check it out and tweet them if you love it.
Show recorded 5-2-2018
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelists: Gene Mikulka and Kassy Tamanini
Monday Mar 12, 2018
Episode 1003: Creepy Face in Space
Monday Mar 12, 2018
Monday Mar 12, 2018
50 Falcons, falling stations, private ISS, the dreaded NASA budget and a lot of hate mail...all in one episode!
On this episode of Talking Space, we begin with our launch round-up including GOES-S, the 50th Falcon 9 launch, and the return of three crewmembers from the ISS and the preparations for the next launch later this month. Then it's onto a creepy talking head that'll be soon heading to the ISS, as well as another space station, Tiangong-1, that could fall pretty much anywhere as professionals track it and amateurs buy umbrellas. Next it's the dreaded NASA budget review, including a meeting with NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot and congressional budget officials. In this is the discussion of potentially privatizing the ISS, getting NASA out of low earth orbit, and dealing with NASA's "leaning tower of KSC".
We finish up with the Areceibo Radio Telescope getting new owners, a chance to get your name on the Parker Solar Probe, and a much-needed clarification segment. In this segment, we discuss and clarify all of our points regarding Falcon Heavy after some heated feedback on our last episode. Also be sure to stay past the outro music for a fun surprise.
To read Kat's published paper, click here.
To get your name on NASA's Parker Solar Probe, click here.
Show recorded 3-7-2018
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelists: Gene Mikulka and Kat Robison
Monday Feb 19, 2018
Episode 1002: Falcon Heavy Finally Flies
Monday Feb 19, 2018
Monday Feb 19, 2018
7 years...5 blocks...27 engines...2 booster landings...one spectacular Falcon Heavy launch. All that in this episode of Talking Space.
On this very special episode of Talking Space, we discuss the successful demonstration flight of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket. The launch took off February 6th, 2018 at 3:45pm ET followed by the two side boosters landing a short time after. The core stage attempted to land on a barge but failed, and we'll explain why.
Our own Sawyer Rosenstein was there, so be ready to immerse yourself in the sounds of 27 engines firing at once, and be prepared to get startled by six simultaneous sonic booms.
In addition to that, we discuss our thoughts on the payload, Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster car with a dummy named "Starman" inside aimed for a mars orbital insertion distance without the insertion. You'll get our honest opinions on why some of us like the payload and others don't. In addition, Sawyer goes into everything that happened from L-1 until after the liftoff. Hear what it's like to go inside the pad, see more media at the press site than in at least 3 years if not more. You'll also hear both the good and bad of how the media was handled.
Lastly, we break down the numbers compared to other launch vehicles and see how powerful Heavy really is, and how those numbers led to a war of words on Twitter amongsome major private space companies.
In the show we discuss the comparison between its announcement and its launch. To hear our initial reactions from 2011 right after it was announced, check out a special blog post with a segment from our very own show back in Season 3 by visiting the blog page on our website or clicking here.
To read the thread between Doug Ellison and Elon Musk on Twitter, click here
For the TechCrunch article on what it was like to be there, check out their site here.
[A photo gallery was inserted here. To view it visit http://talkingspaceonline.com]
Show recorded 2-12-2018
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelists: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman and Kat Robison with special guest Falcon Heavy