Talking Space

Episode 409: Launch Madness

On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss a piece aired on the CBS program "60 Minutes" about SpaceX and discuss our thoguhts on that as well as getting test subjects into a seven-person crewed mockup of the Dragon capsule. We then discuss China's plan for a female astronaut, or taikonaut, and when they might fly. We then talk about the FAA's involvement with Virgin Galactic's activities in the Mohave Desert and other private companies. On our second go-around, we discuss some Russian activities going on. We then discuss a look for fossils on Mars. We then discuss how a satellite that was declared lost might not be after all. On our final trip around the table, we learn a little bit about what's going on with NuSTAR and its status. We then move on to a launch of 5 rockets in 5 minutes. Lastly, we talk about Boeing and all-electric spacecrafts. To see the SpaceX story on 60 Minutes, visit http://cbs.com/60minutes Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 3/19/2012

Episode 408: Green Pigs...In...Space

On this episode of Talking Space, we begin with the announcement of NASA's prolonged dependcy on Russia's Soyuz rocket as well as some other NASA budgetary news. We then discuss the new Angry Birds: Space which is working in cooperation with NASA. We then discuss a satellite aimed at helping with the ozone layer as well as Earth's weather. On our second go-around, we discuss SpaceX's possible use of launch pad 39A. We then talk about a 'maglev' train to space. Next the topic turns to a new X-plane which has an added safety feature. On our final trip around the table, we discuss a debris tracking system by Lockheed Martin. We then talk about whether artifacts dating back to the Apollo era belong to the astroanuts or the government. Lastly, we discuss a laser able to detect important features on exo-planets. To view the trailer for Angry Birds: Space, visit http://youtu.be/lxI1L1RiSJQ Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 3/11/2012

Episode 407: Commercial Crafts and Cracked Codes

On this episode of Talking Space, we begin with tests of SpaceX's Falcon 9 as well as NASA's Orion capsule. We then discuss some commerical spaceflight regulations regarding the FAA. On our second trip around the table, we discuss hackers getting into NASA's systems, what they accessed, and how it happened. We then discuss some NASA budgetary news with hearings currently going on surrounding the subject. Then, we discuss some solar weather. On our final round, we discuss a NASA-designed biocapsule that could detect an ailment and automatically release medication to treat it. We then talk a little bit about Neil DeGrasse Tyson who has a new book out. Lastly, we take a look into ways of determining information about exoplanets. You can read the full hacking report in PDF form by clicking here (or if you are listening on iTunes, visit http://talkingspaceonline.com) Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 3/5/2012

Episode 406-B: The Tale of the Tossed Tribbles

On the second part of this episode of Talking Space, we continue our first interview of 2012 with LCROSS's flight software lead, a software engineer for Northrop Grumman, musician, and public speaker Emory Stagmer. We continue where the show left off with a story about SpaceUp and tribbles. We then discuss a little bit about Emory's music career and delve into the world of tech of years goneby, incuding what a VAX is. We then discuss the current status of some of his satellites as well as discover the computing power which these million dollar machines run on. We finish off with the way that Emory began his unique transition to becoming a software engineer and gives tips on how you can be the next software engineer. For the video regarding the "tribbles" visit youtu.be/7ayyisF5FOM (credit: ThinkGeek) To listen to the entire version of "Water on the Moon" and to download a copy, visit the LCROSS website at http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/mission.htm For more on Emory, follow him on Twitter as @VAXHeadroom and also be sure to check out his music website which includes some of his previous speaking engagements,UnTied Music. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Emory Stagmer Show Recorded - 2/20/2012

Episode 406-A: LCROSS the Universe

On the first part of this episode of Talking Space, we conduct our first interview of 2012 with LCROSS's flight software lead, a software engineer for Northrop Grumman, musician, and public speaker Emory Stagmer. We discuss what his job entails as well as what he has done on past spacecrafts. We get into a unique story on how the LCROSS mission was almost lost. We also discuss the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's historic flight as the first American to orbit the earth. Lastly, we discuss a little bit about SpaceUp...but, there's more to the story. The interview with Emory is being broken up into two parts. Part two will be released Wednesday, February 29th, 2012, with the continuation of SpaceUp and some more great stories including a tale of tribble tossing. For more on Emory, follow him on Twitter as @VAXHeadroom and also be sure to check out his music website which includes some of his previous speaking engagements, UnTied Music. To read the LCROSS Flight Director's blog, visit http://bit.ly/ADLcem Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Emory Stagmer Show Recorded - 2/20/2012

Episode 405: They Became Astronauts, ASCAN You

On this episode of Talking Space, we begin round one with an overpressurization of a Soyuz capsule, delaying the next manned launch to the International Space Station and discuss the Soyuz "era of reliability". We then move on to a record number of candidates applying for NASA's next class of ASCANs, or astronaut candidaates. Round two begins with the continued adventures of Phobos-Grunt. We then move on to a petition for a stamp honoring the Pluto-mission, New Horizons. We then take a closer look at the Vega, and not the car model. On our third and final round, we discuss the progress of man-rating the Atlas V rocket. We then discuss a public service announcement made by comedian and pundit Stephen Colbert promoting ISS research. We finish off with a course correction and some fun facts about the Jupiter-bound spacecraft, Juno. To sign the petition for a New Horizons USPS stamp, visit http://chn.ge/w88LBn To see Stephen Colbert's public service announcement, visit http://youtu.be/HX_GZiNog_I Also, to see when the International Space Station will be visible, visithttp://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/ A BRIEF NOTE: This episode was recorded before the announcement of the passing of astronaut Janet Voss. Talking Space remembers her and has her family in our thoughts. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 2/6/2012

Episode 404: Destinations, Debris, and Declassifications

On this episode of Talking Space, we begin our first trip around the table with our insights into Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's (R) plan to have a permanent lunar base by the end of his 2nd term. We continue on with the first female cosmonaut to fly since the Soviet Union collapsed. We then move on to a look at the Liberty rocket. Continuing onto our second round, we look at safety risks regarding the ISS and if the current plan for crew evacuation in an emergency is adequate. We then move onto a boat crash carrying sensitive rocket parts. On our final go-around, we discuss more space debris news including everybody's favorite defunct satellite, Phobos-Grunt. We then continue on with the declassification of military satellites and lastly a look at robotic refueling in space. Talking Space also remembers the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger (STS-51L), and Columbia (STS-107) during NASA's day of remembrance. To read Wayne Hale's post regarding the crews and their legacy, visit http://waynehale.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/what-would-rick-and-gus-and-dick-want/ To check out Astronomy FM, visit http://astronomy.fm To see the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) as discussed in the episode, click here. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 1/30/2012

Episode 401: Curiosity About Curiosity

After a long hiatus, Talking Space returns with a special look at the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL), also known as Curiosity. Through Gene and Mark, both of whom were at the launch, we learn a little bit about Curiosty and its mission. We also hear from many members of the MSL team who give some facts and looks into Mars, the rover, and a day in the life both on Mars and for the team on Earth. Clips in this episode include: Michael Meyer: lead scientist Mars Exploration Program, John Grotzinger: project scientist, MSL, as well as others who were associated with individual experiments onboard the rover such as ChemMin, MASCAM, and SAM. For more on the MSL mission, visit the mission page at http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/ [Two images were inserted here. To view them, please visit http://talkingspaceonline.com] Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman SPECIAL NOTE: Our regularly scheduled news shows return next week Show Recorded - 1/8/2012

Episode 345: Sparking 'Curiosity' in Space Science

On this episode of Talking Space, we change our format slightly. For our main topics, we discuss the return of the Expedition 29 crew to Earth after 167 days in space. We then move on to the upcoming launch of the Mars Science Laboratory, also known as Curiosity. We also discuss the issue of its main fuel source: Plutonium. We then discuss the new, finalized NASA budget. Although it saves something important, many other important items are cut. We finish off our main topics with YouTube's Space Lab, where students ages 14-18 can devise an experiment which could be performed onboard the ISS. The two winning submissions will actually be flown into space and flown aboard the space station. On our newest segment, where we round up stories we couldn't cover in depth, we mention the congressional medal  handed out to some space heroes, a NASA facility which is not only a great place to work, but safe, an extended Mercury mission, a new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Neutral Buoyancy lab being repurposed, and the return of Science Channe's hit show Meteorite Men. For more information on YouTube Space Lab, to submit your video, or to check out their educational playlist, visit http://youtube.com/spacelab Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 11/21/2011

Episode 344: 100 'Miles' Above the Earth

On our 100th episode of Talking Space, we invite on a very special guest, and the only guest to date to appear on the show 3 times, the one and only Miles O'Brien. We begin with the recent Mars 500 mission, in which astronauts spent over 500 days simulating a trip to Mars. We ask him if this is a valuable tool and discuss actually getting to Mars in the future. After the successful launch of the Soyuz on November 6th, 2011 at 11:14pm EST carrying 3 astronauts to the International Space Station, we talk about the era of Soyuz and what this means for the United States and talk about where we'll go in the future. We move on to the failed Phobos-Grunt mission launched by Russia and discuss that as well as its future as space debris and if Earthlings need to break out their crash helmets. We then talk about Miles' trip to earthquake-ravaged Japan and takes a look at how it is now for PBS.

For more on Miles, feel free to check out his website: http://milesobrien.com

You can also check out some of his clips on his YouTube channel, http://youtube.com/milesobrien

You can also take a look at other clips for PBS by visiting http://pbs.org and clicking on PBS NewsHour or Frontline.

Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman with broadcast journalist and PBS correspondent Miles O'Brien

Show Recorded - 11/14/2011