Talking Space

Episode 309: ...Quoth Discovery, Nevermore

On this episode of Talking Space, we continue our look at the STS-133 mission including the 2nd spacwalk, Obama's call to the shuttle and station crew, and her last days in space. Then, we hear from Gina on her STS-133 launch adventure reporting for us including her interview with the first Pilot of Discovery on STS-41-D. Then, we discuss the progress of Endeavour on STS-134. Following that, we say as much as we can about the US Air Force's 2nd X-37 B, their reusable spacecraft, which successfully launched on March 5th, as well as the failed launch of the Glory satellite and what we know so far about the cause of the accident. Lastly, we go into a conversation about NASA's future and its budget. Gina's pictures and videos are available at http://talkingspaceonline.com Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 3/6/2011

Episode 308: To Tweetfinity...And Beyond

On this special STS-133 edition of Talking Space, we discuss the successful launch of Discovery on her final flight, STS-133. We discuss the mission as well as hear some interviews from @CraftLass from her time at the STS-133 NASA Tweetup 1.0 in November and discuss them. Then, we hear from Gina Herlihy who was down at the Kennedy Space Center. Expect more from Gina on next week's STS-133 mission-specific show. Thanks to the following people for their interviews: @PhylisBanner @Thenasalady @phiden @Smith5SE @Camilla_SDO and @CraftLass To view the photo of Robonaut waving Discovery goodbye, visit http://bit.ly/flDepW The winning song for the contest, as you will hear in the outro music, is "Blue Sky" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Please note: The outro music is copyright Big Head Todd and the MonstersTalking Space is in no way associated with the group or their associated record company and the audio clip is used under Fair Use. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, and Gina from the road as well as interviews by @CraftLass

Episode 307: The Glory Days of Talking Space

On this episode of Talking Space, we begin by preparing for the launch of STS-133 on Thursday, February 24th at 4:50pm EST and discuss its mission and payload. We then spend some time on the ISS talking about spacwalks, Japanese commanders, and humanoid robots to aid in crew morale...we kid you not. We then mention the reallocation of $287 million dollars from NASA's budget creating an intense conversation on budgets. We finally end on a happy note with plenty of puns as we discuss the launch of the aerosol-measuring satellite, Glory, launching from Vanderburg Air Force Base on February 23rd at 5:09am EST. Please note: The outro music is copyright Bruce Springsteen and Columbia Records. Talking Space is in no way associated with Columbia Records and the audio clip is used under Fair Use. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 2/21/2011

Episode 306: Love at First Launch

On this Valentines episode of Talking Space, we lovingly start with, once again, STS-133 and how for once it has not been delayed but an official date is set for February 24th...for now. We then discuss the Stardust-NExT mission, formerly Deep Impact, as it passed close by to Tempel 1, the same comet in which it crashed into in 2005. We then discuss keeping Endeavour flight ready through 2017 as well as its possible commercial use. The big story, however, is the release of NASA's proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Budget. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 2/14/2011

Episode 305: A New Look on

On this episode, we bring on special guest Amy Teitel. Amy is an aspiring author and the creator of her blog, Vintage Space, where she discusses her views as well as little known facts about some of the classic as well as current space missions. We ask her about some of those opinions as well as bringing up shuttle, landing systems, and even the infamous one-way trip to mars. To visit Amy's blog, please check out: http://vintagespace.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter as @astVintageSpace Host this week: Mark Ratterman. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Elizabeth Howell Show Recorded - 1/30/2011

Episode 304: A Discovery Launch is

On this episode, we have special guest Elizabeth Howell, author of the website "Pars3c", join the team. We begin with more STS-133 news, followed by the official announcement of STS-135. Following that, we move out to the ISS where the Russians performed their 27th spacewalk. Following that, we get into heavy business, discussing the launch of the Delta 4 Heavy as well as JAXA's HTV-II. Lastly, we discuss the youngest person to ever discover a supernova and how they did it. To visit Elizabeth's blog, please go to http://pars3c.com and be sure to follow her on Twitter @howellspace Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Elizabeth Howell Show Recorded - 1/23/2011

Episode 233: Go With the Flow

Mark Ratterman attended the final roll out of Orbiter Vehicle 103, known as the Space Shuttle Discovery and describes his experiences while at the Kennedy Space Center. He also had the opportunity to speak with Stephanie Stilson, NASA Flow Director overseeing Discovery's processing operations, a duty she has had since December 2000. Mark also attended the arrival of Space Shuttle External Tank Number 122 and helps to tell it's interesting story. Other items discussed include the change of command on board the International Space Sation, The return home of Expedition 24, JAXA having issues selling space on the it's KIBO module on board the ISS, ESA and SpaceX announcing delays, The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter taking a nap, and the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity turning into a Meteorite Hunter! Two pictures were inserted here. To view them, please visit http://talkingspaceonline.com Host this week: Gene Mikulka Panel Member: Mark Ratterman.

Episode 232: Lights, Camera, AMS

On this special episode, Gene sits down with Mark to discuss his recent expedition to the Kennedy Space Center for the arrival of the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer 2 (AMS02). Mark discusses its purpose aboard the ISS as well as talks with some of the members of the AMS02 team and the crew of STS-134 who will be bringing AMS02 to the ISS aboard space shuttle Endeavour on the final space shuttle flight. For more information on AMS02, visit their website at http://www.ams02.org Two images were inserted here. To view them, please visit http://talkingspaceonline.com Panel Members this week: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 9/18/2010

Episode 230: Happy Birthday Talking Space!

Are you 1...STOP! This episode, our 43rd episode ever, the 30th of this season, marks the one year anniversary of the Talking Space Podcast. On our birthday episode, we discuss how NASA's sending drones to spy on hurricanes, as well as the processing of Discovery. We then go on to discuss a possible crew announcement for 135, and then how the Russians are unhappy aboard the ISS with their lack of a shower. We then discuss the DM2 motor test, and Mark compares it to the Challenger accident with some surprising facts you might not have known! Lastly, we discuss NASA's new solar probe, how Denmark is planning to launch a rocket, and we then discuss our thoughts on Talking Space's 1st birthday. To add to the nostalgia, Gene regains the hosting seat as he had for the first episode we ever did released on 09/09/09. Host this week: Gene Mikulka. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Mark Ratterman, and Sawyer Rosenstein Show Recorded - 9/6/2010

Episode 229: Tribbles...in...SpaceUp

On this humorous episode, the gang discusses the progress of STS-133, some maintenance on the crawler transporters, and the pending demolition of Launch Pad 39B, first used for the space shuttle on January 28, 1986. We then move on to discuss how NASA is helping out Chilean government in discussing the survival of the 40 trapped miners. We also discuss Kepler's findings of two exoplanets transiting one star. To wrap it up, Sawyer discusses his meeting with TJ Creamer at the Intrepid. As well, Gene recaps his time representing the Talking Space Podcast at SpaceUp DC held at George Washington University...oh yeah, and the tribble fights. Astronaut and friend of the show Tom Jones discussing NASA's role in the miners rescue on Fox News can be seen on their website To find out if an astronaut will be visiting a location near you, check out CollectSPACE's site For more information on Project Calliope, visit http://projectcalliope.com. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 8/30/2010