Episodes
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Episode 1201: Dragon, Arriving
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
On this special episode of Talking Space, we devote the entire episode to the successful launch of Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station.
The crew successfully launched in their Crew Dragon capsule on Demo-2, marking the first time humans have launched from the US since the end of the shuttle program in 2011.
We go through the differences between Space Shuttle and Crew Dragon all the way from the suit-up room to orbit.
We discuss the origins behind the spacecraft's name, Endeavour, along with a stow-away. We also talk about the small, New Jersey group that played a major role in the design of one of the aspects of the capsule.
Then it's a look at their mission so far and what's to come. Plus, we've heard so many people try and take credit for the commercial crew program, so how did we get to Demo-2?
Finally we reflect on the significance of the launch during a time of civil unrest and amidst a pandemic.
Show recorded 6-7-2020
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.
Monday Jan 28, 2019
Monday Jan 28, 2019
In this special edition of Talking Space, we talk to the man who was for many years was the voice of Shuttle Launch Control at the Kennedy Space Center, Mr. Hugh Harris.
Born in December of 1932 he served as an information specialist with the US Army from 1952 until 1954 and graduated from Western Reserve University in Ohio in 1956. Mr. Harris worked as a reporter for a metropolitan daily newspaper, a magazine writer for Standard Oil, and a radio personality at WMTR in Morristown, NJ.
According to his NASA bio, He started his NASA career in 1963 as an information officer at what was then the Lewis Research Center, in Cleveland Ohio ( Now the John H. Glenn Research Center). He was promoted to Chief Public Affairs Officer in 1968 and was transferred to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in 1975. ten years later he assumed the role of Deputy Director of the KSC Public Affairs Office.
Harris Earned NASA’s Equal Opportunity Medal in 1979 and was awarded Exceptional Service Medals in 1985 and 1988. He’s also earned a Distinguished Service Award. form the SPacecoast Chapter of Federally Employed Women for 1978-79
Harris retired from NASA in April of 1998 but still volunteers on occasion at the Public Affairs Office. He is the author of the e-book: Challenger an American Tragedy where he recounts his observations of that fateful day in January 1986, and the events thereafter.
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
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
Tuesday Jan 23, 2018
Episode 1001: New Season for New Space
Tuesday Jan 23, 2018
Tuesday Jan 23, 2018
Talking Space is turning 10 seasons old...yet most of the topics involve new space surprisingly!
We begin focusing on SpaceX first with the return of CRS-13 and a look-ahead to the Falcon Heavy static fire test. Of course, we address the mystery behind the secret Zuma payload. Did it safely make it to orbit, did it come crashing back to earth, or is there something we're not being told? We get an ISS update including a preview of two spacewalks.
Next in our launch round-up, it's ULA with their NROL-47 mission and SBIRS GEO 4. Then it's over to India for a successful return of the PSLV plus a look at whether India could disrupt the international launch game. We also check out some smaller companies and their big impacts like RocketLab's Electron.
Then it's over to China whose rocket didn't blow up but still sent pieces crashing into the ground near crowded villages. Can the US partner with a country that just throws away rockets near people? We weigh in.
Lastly we remember two amazing astronauts in Bruce McCandless III and John Young who recently passed away.
Show recorded 1-16-2018
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelist: Gene Mikulka
Monday Jan 08, 2018
Episode 917: Houston, We Have a Special: Part 2
Monday Jan 08, 2018
Monday Jan 08, 2018
The final part of our exciting two-part special has us sitting in front of an Orion mock-up chatting with astronauts and project leads.
On this episode of Talking Space, we go into Building 9 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. While there we talk with NASA astronaut Steve Bowen in front of a full-scale mock-up of the Orion capsule that astronauts like Steve use to train everyday. We talk about how the astronaut corps has changed since the end of shuttle. Plus, hear how he used the full-scale mock-ups in the building such as the full International Space Station, a space shuttle trainer, and more.
Next we hear from Jimmy Spivey, the Assistant Director for Orion in the Flight Operations Directorate at Johnson. We get an insight into the progress of the Orion program, how delays from ESA affect the training. We also go into what it takes to train the crew and to coordinate between mutliple NASA centers and countries. We also hear about how Orion and SLS integration is being tested. Most importantly, we hear what he has to say to the nay-sayers who think Orion and SLS will never fly.
We also discuss many of the other cool things in the building, including a full-scale BEAM module, s SARJ, and how Sawyer and Robin entered a fish bowl. All this in the final episode of Season 9. Later this motnh, stay tuned for the debut of Season 10!
Talking Space would like to thanks Brandi Dean and the team at NASA Johnson Space Center's Office of Communications for their assistance with both parts of this special.
Show recorded 12-18-2017
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein
Panelists: Gene Mikulka, Kat Robison and special guest spaceflight contributor for WIRED Magazine Robin Seemangal