284K
Downloads
325
Episodes
A Free and Open Exchange of Ideas and Opinions on All Things Space: Now at https://talkingspaceonline.com!
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
Wednesday Dec 11, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the dire state of planetary science at NASA. We look at both an article and a video by Bill Nye of the Planetary Society which lay out what the future of planetary science is, or shall we say isn't. We then mention the winners of the Axe/Lynx Apollo contest who will be going to space, and some interesting demographics about the group. We then talk about one team making a name for themselves in the race for the Google Lunar X Prize called Moon Express. We then take a look at another space podcast which should be added to your regular listening in addition to Talking Space called Omega Tau. On our second trip around the table, we take a look into a private venture aiming for Mars. We then look at the new endeavor which astronaut Mark Kelly is involved in which would brings passengers to near-space in a balloon. We finish off talking about one six-year-old's petition which gives hope for the future of spaceflight and humanity.
To listen to Omega Tau, check out http://omegataupodcast.net/
To sign the petition to help a six-year-old get more money to NASA, visit http://1.usa.gov/1hFmpNA
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Emily Carney, Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 12/9/2013
Listen Now:
Friday Dec 06, 2013
Friday Dec 06, 2013
On this episode we discuss the multiple launch attempts by SpaceX of the SES-8 satellite. Frustration at lack of information provided by SpaceX to the press gets considerable attention from the Talking Space panel. Will it change when crew launches begin? We sure hope so. Did you know Kimbal Musk, brother of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk started a blog in November of 2005? It is named “Kwajalein Atoll and Rockets” http://kwajrockets.blogspot.com/2005/11/kwajalein-and-rockets.html - Kimbal Musk also has a twitter account @kimbal though most of his recent tweets are not SpaceX related.
Comet ISON got our attention, now we say goodbye as its first trip around the sun did not end as so many hoped. Sorry but no incredible December holiday views of ISON are expected. Here is a link to the SDO Mission Blog and the post from November 29, 2013 describing the challenge that observing sun grazing comets presents. http://sdoisgo.blogspot.com/2013/11/where-was-comet-ison.html
On December 1, 2013 at 1730 UTC China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched a Long March 3B carrying the Chang’e-3 lander/rover to the moon. It was a welcome surprise to find @CCTVnews (China Central Television) provided live streaming coverage of the launch. They also requested participation from social media! The multiple camera views, commentary and length of coverage from prior to launch to after payload separation were appreciated by spaceflight enthusiasts eager to follow along. The European Space Agency is supporting Chang’e-3 to the moon. See this link to read more http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Helping_China_to_the_Moon
Emily brings us an introduction to her article on SpaceFlight Insider about the 30 years of spaceflight participation by European Space Agency. You’ll appreciate ESA even more for their contributions to manned spaceflight, exploration and certainly the International Space Station. Also we talk about the Spaceflight Insider Team and hear that “we ain’t seen nothing yet” regarding future plans. Here is the link to Emily’s December 1, 2013 ESA article http://spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-news/european-space-agency-celebrates-30-years-of-manned-spaceflight-looks-toward-the-future/
The Kepler Space Telescope is in the news again. A new plan may allow Kepler to reacquire its pointing ability and continue searching for exoplanets. Some great reading material is available for FREE from NASA. They have ebooks available supporting Kindle and other ebook readers. How about their most recent title"NASA's First A:Aeronautics from 1958-2008" Go to http://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/ to find your next great read.
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman. Guest Panelist: Emily Carney from our partner The Spaceflight Group http://spaceflightinsider.com/
Show
recorded 12/02/2013
Sunday Dec 01, 2013
Sunday Dec 01, 2013
Monday Nov 25, 2013
Monday Nov 25, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we talk about the successful launch of MAVEN on its way to Mars, and look at some amazing facts behind the mission, including cost. We then discuss the successful launch of 29 satellites at once from the Wallops Flight Facility. We then discuss some little known info about theMorpheus Lander. On our second and final trip around the table, we listen to a question asked at the MAVEN press conference by a reporter from the Travel Channel and try and answer it about NASA. We then look at how robots are playing a role in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. To finish off, we review the Science Channel special "The Challenger Disaster" looking at Richard Feynman's role in the Rogers Commission report.
For more on the Challenger docudrama, visit http://science.discovery.com/tv-shows/the-challenger-disaster
We want to hear your opinion on two different stories! You can email us at mailbag@talkingspaceonilne.com, tweet us @talkingspace, or post it on our wall at http://facebook.com/talkingspace
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 11/18/2013
Friday Nov 15, 2013
Friday Nov 15, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we talk about the recent launch and return of crew members from the ISS, as well as their special cargo, the Olympic torch. We discuss the torch and whether this is symbolic or just a big publicity stunt. The, we talk about India's Mars Orbiter Mission, how much it cost, and if the cheap price tag means less science. Then, we talk about some great articles to read and charities to donate to by looking at Scott Carpenter. On our second trip around the table, we tackle four stories, including some private space. We start with a TV deal between Virgin Galactic and NBCUniversal to cover the first SpaceShipTwo launch. We then go into our continual in-depth look at all things space junk and debris with the reentry of GOCE and how photos and social media helped find out where it actually crashed. We then look at the interesting background of one of the 2013 Astronaut Class members. To finish it off, we answer a listener letter about our discussion of the Falcon 9R a few episodes back and if it really is cost-effective or not.
Thanks again to Clark for sending in the letter. You can send in your thoughts on anything we discussed by email to mailbag@talkingspaceonline.com, on Twitter @talkingspace or on Facebook atfacebook.com/talkingspace
For the article on Scott Carpenter, visit http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-110213a.html
As well, you can find the Astronaut Scholarhisp Foundation at http://astronautscholarship.org/
For the video on Christina Hammock in Alaska, visit http://youtu.be/ar1V0t2HF28
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 11/11/2013
Listen Now:
Thursday Oct 31, 2013
Thursday Oct 31, 2013
Thursday Oct 24, 2013
Thursday Oct 24, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space we discuss release of the Cygnus capsule from the ISS and an upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9.1 Dragon launch. Also the most recent test flight of the SpaceX Grasshopper and the reusability it may provide.
Sierra Nevada readies for a drop test of their Dreamchaser test vehicle. Did you hear about the concern raised on twitter that the Near Earth Object discovered Oct 8th could hit earth on a future pass in 2032. Odds are 1 in 63,000 of a hit from this 1300 ft long object. Gene says don't worry, rest easy and check the facts from sources like NASA or the B612 Foundation.
Want to be part of the Mars Artic 365 Mission? Crew of 6 volunteers will spend 365 days at Flashline Mars Artic Research Station at Devon Island near Resolute in Nunavut, Canada. See http://ma365.marssociety.org/ for all the details.
There has been a launch delay of a Minotaur 1 from Pad 0B at Wallops Flight Facility due to the US Government shutdown. Original launch date was Nov 4 and is now scheduled for Nov 19. Also a Delta IV was scheduled to launch on Oct 23 but is being delayed to look into possible problems following an Oct 2012 Delta IV launch due to reduced thrust the second stage RL10B-2 engine.
How about a sleeping trip to the Red Planet? Well the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts Program announced 2013 Phase I and II Selections. One of which included a proposal from Spaceworks Enterprises Inc. for research on a "Torpor Inducing Transfer Habitat For Human Stasis To Mars".
See http://goo.gl/gBGnce for links to all selections.
Jellyfish born in space have difficulty adapting when returned to earth. Swimming does not come naturally in 1 G following birth in microgravity. Sawyer brings us the story "Debugging a Live Saturn V". Take a few minutes and read this for yourself from the memoirs of a Saturn V "Rocket Scientist", it is phenomenal!
http://www.zamiang.com/posts/2013/10/13/red-team/
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Member: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 10/21/2013
Thursday Oct 17, 2013
Thursday Oct 17, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the earth flyby of JUNO. All's well that ends well but the spacecraft dropping into safe mode made for a tense departure from earth outbound for its rendezvous with Jupiter in 2015. Gene refers to an article (linked here) by Ken Kremer detailing JUNO's return to full operation. To see the fun series of video's by Bill Nye teaching all about JUNO Watch "Why With Nye" http://missionjuno.swri.edu/why
DARPA proposes an experimental spaceplane, the XS-1 and it sounds good to us. Space based reality shows? Really, seriously? Well the NBC network and Virgin Galactic are behind it so stay tuned.... Roscosmos has a changing of the guard, with problems the past couple of years it sounds necessary.
We comment on a listener letter and cover a lot of ground about STEM and our ideas of how it can positively change lives.
LADEE is in orbit with some interesting science ahead. We remember Dr Mike Wargo who championed the moon at NASA HQ
We touch on the greatness of Astronaut and American hero Scott Carpenter.
He passed away on 10 October 2013 in Boulder Colorado.The web site http://scottcarpenter.com/ will reintroduce you to to this "Steely-Eyed Rocket Man"
Godspeed, Scott Carpenter
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 10/14/2013
Thursday Oct 10, 2013
Thursday Oct 10, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we take a deeper look into the effects of the government shutdown on NASA and the US space program as a whole. We then look deep into commercial space with Cygnus' recent docking and the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9.1, which may or may not have had a malfunction depending on who you ask. We also look at a recently announced lawsuit between Orbital Sciences and the Virginia-based organization running the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport or MARS. We then look at Juno's near pass of Earth this week, even though you can't find out about it on NASA.gov. On our second trip around the table, we look at the newly renamed shuttle Independence, which was the model that was originally at the Kennedy Space Center and is now at Space Center Houston. Lastly, we dive into the new movie "Gravity" and take a spoiler-free look at the fuss surrounding the movie and give your our opinion on it.
Also, we are proud to announce our partnership with the Spaceflight Group! This means we'll be able to provide you with more stories and more interviews with the people making the news and other amazing behind-the-scenes people. Please check them out at http://spaceflightinsider.com and like them on Facebook by clicking here!
For mroe info on Juno, visit http://missionjuno.swri.edu (Works even during the government shutdown)
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 10/7/2013
Listen now:
Monday Sep 30, 2013
Monday Sep 30, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the launch of Orbital Science's Cygnus resupply vehicle on its demo flight to the ISS and a minor issue it hit. We then talk about the next crew going up to the ISS and look at the "resolution" for the minor failure aboard the previous Soyuz. On our second trip around the table, we look to see if Curiosity really did find methane on Mars or not. We then get right back into a hot topic on this show: Plutonium-238. On our final trip around the table, we look at some launches coming from Asia, including China and preparations by North Korea. Lastly, we discuss a follow-up to last episode's story about the use of LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 09/23/2013