Episodes
Friday Sep 20, 2013
Episode 529: A Commercial Success
Friday Sep 20, 2013
Friday Sep 20, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the return of the Soyuz TMA-08M. Although the crew returned safely, there was a major flaw with the craft. We then take a look at Orbital Science's first attempt to send its Cygnus resupply craft to the International Space Station aboard its Antares rocket. On our second trip around the table, we discuss Voyager reaching interstellar space, but is that actually leaving the solar system? We then go into the debate over who gets the famous pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center and where the battle is going now. On our final trip around the table, we discuss the new, affordable Epsilon rocket launched from Japan. Finally, we look at some harsh comments about the future of the ISS.
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 09/16/2013
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Friday Sep 13, 2013
Episode 528: Cosmonaut Needed
Friday Sep 13, 2013
Friday Sep 13, 2013
On this episode Sawyer and Gene discuss the LADEE launch via the Orbital Minotaur V rocket and the upcoming Orbital Cygnus cargo test flight to the ISS via the Antares rocket. Also discussion of the $44 billion budget estimate by DOD, NASA and GAO for the cost to launch government satellites through 2018. Gene talks about the interview of former NASA manned spaceflight director Chris Kraft by Eric Berger of the Houston Chronical. A Cosmonaut gets out of the program, anyone else want out of the space program?
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka (Mark Ratterman deleted due to time constraints)
Show Recorded 09/09/2013
Wednesday Sep 04, 2013
Episode 527: Relaunching Atlantis-Part 2
Wednesday Sep 04, 2013
Wednesday Sep 04, 2013
On this very special two-part episode celebrating four years of Talking Space, we continue our talk with PGAV Destinations, the company behind the design and building of the space shuttle Atlantis exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. We go into the story behind the shuttle reveal, and the simple theater tricks used to make a lasting impression. We also discuss the interactive exhibits and learning tools from simulators to tires to slides. Also mentioned is some of the last-minute additions to the exhibit, including the first model of the space shuttle designed by Max Faget. We also focus on the people of the shuttle program and how they were highlighted in the exhibit. Lastly, we look into all of the hooray moments and all of the "oops" moments of the build, plus much more!
For more info on PGAV Destinations, visit http://www.pgavdestinations.com/
For more info on the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and to buy tickets, visit http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman Special Guests FromPGAV Destinations: Vice President and Project Manager Emily Howard, Exhibit Designer Doug Nickrent, Graphic Designer Amanda Yates, Architect Dave Myers
Show Recorded 08/21/2013
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Wednesday Aug 28, 2013
Episode 526: Relaunching Atlantis-Part 1
Wednesday Aug 28, 2013
Wednesday Aug 28, 2013
On this very special two-part episode celebrating four years of Talking Space, we talk with PGAVDestinations, the company behind the space shuttle Atlantis exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. In this first part, we discuss how they got the space shuttle and their reactions to finding out what they'd be building. We then go in depth into the behind-the-scenes of the building surrounding the shuttle. This includes discussions on the design of the outside of the building, the large model solid rocket boosters and external tank, the structure of the building, and how you get a shuttle in the building, safely, on an angle, suspended above the ground. Also, we find out how you maintain the shuttle now that it's on display and "keep the good dirt and get rid of the bad dirt", plus much more!
Stay tuned for Part 2 next week where we go inside the actual exhibit and look at the reveal, the exhibit itself, and everyone's favorite parts.
For more info on PGAV Destinations, visit http://www.pgavdestinations.com/
For more info on the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and to buy tickets, visithttp://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
A close-up of Atlantis inside the exhibit with scorch marks visible on the
thermal blanket. Credit: Sawyer Rosenstein
To view all images related to this episode, visit http://talkiingspaceonline.com
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman Special Guests From PGAV Destinations: Vice President and Project Manager Emily Howard, Exhibit Designer Doug Nickrent, Graphic Designer Amanda Yates, Architect Dave Myers
Show Recorded 08/21/2013
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Thursday Aug 15, 2013
Episode 525: Six Degrees of Space Station
Thursday Aug 15, 2013
Thursday Aug 15, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we start by tie everything in to the ISS. We begin with a discussion on whether or not the ISS will make it past its current planned deorbit date, and not because of age, but because of budget and politics. We then discuss how the world isn't going to end as the sun's poles flip. We then discuss an upcoming conference which we've talked a lot about in the past, the 100 Year Star Ship Symposium, and look at some of this year's topics. On our second trip around the table, we discuss a system that tracks space debris and how the sequester is set to shut it down eminently. Mark then takes us on a quick trip with three stories in three minutes. On our final trip around the table, we discuss some new updates with Reaction Engines and single stage to orbit systems. We then look at Elon Musk's new "Hyperloop" system which could revolutionize high speed rail systems. We finish off with how lasers and communications are making their way to the ISS.
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 08/12/2013
Thursday Aug 08, 2013
Episode 524: Space Shuttle for Sale
Thursday Aug 08, 2013
Thursday Aug 08, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we begin with the news of Deputy Administrator Lori Garver's departure from NASA and discuss who may be next to fill the position. We then discuss the successful launch of the HTV-4 to the space station as it "screamed" into the sky. We also go into detail about some of the unique items it's bringing to the ISS. We then talk about the development of the X-56A and NASA's role in it. On our second trip around the table, we discuss an image released by the Ames Research Center which caused some controversy as the funding of the project was investigated. We then talk about a new control center which opened at the Marshall Space Flight Center, which at one point was threatened to be shut down. On our final trip, we talk about the Orion capsule passing its PDR, but an article in the Houston Chronicle says that it may be grossly over budget, and we're not talking a few million dollars more, here. Finally, we discuss a space shuttle replica available on eBay for the bargain price of $350,000 and who we think should buy it.
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 08/5/2013
Wednesday Jul 31, 2013
Episode 523: Returning Through the 'Cosmos'
Wednesday Jul 31, 2013
Wednesday Jul 31, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we return from our two-week summer hiatus to bring you the news of our absence. We start with a discussion of the rapid, four-orbit approach the next ISS resupply vehicle took, Progress 52. In the conversation, we discuss the recent spacesuit failure which resulted in astronaut Luca Parmitano's spacesuit filling with water. Sticking with Russia, we discuss the latest findings of the Proton rocket failure back on July 1st, and talk about the future of Russian rockets and their current reliability. We then discuss some vibration tests that will shake things up in the science world, which came as a result of Ares 1-X. On our second trip around the table, we discuss Lori Garver's comments at the NewSpace convention about going to an asteroid as well as bringing up some budget woes. We then move on to looking at the first trailer for the reboot of the "Cosmos" series. This version with Neil DeGrasse Tyson will air on Fox, but do we think it'll stand up to the original, or can it even be compared? Lastly, we reflect on the Apollo 11 anniversary with some great space pictures.
To view the fluid structure video Mark discussed, visit http://youtu.be/7cdPBjsoa_k
To look at the lunar images, specifically the image Mark referenced, visithttp://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo9/lores/as09-20-3064.jpg
Host this week: Gene Mikulka. Panel Members: Mark Ratterman and special guest CraftLass
Show Recorded 07/29/2013
Thursday Jul 11, 2013
Episode 522: Stories Launched Straight from the Pad
Thursday Jul 11, 2013
Thursday Jul 11, 2013
On this special episode of Talking Space, Mark Ratterman interviews Andy Scheer, a spacetweep from Merrit Island, FL also known as @apacheman Andy is husband to Jen Scheer @flyingjenny and father to their new baby, Fara. Starting in July 2000 Andy worked at Kennedy Space Center Pads 39B and 39A. He was part of the PRSD Power Reactant Storage and Distribution Shop team working on Orbiter Fuel Cell Systems and ground support equipment at the launch pad. We talk about the shuttle days plus his earlier work with the US Army, Cessna Aircraft Company and current employment with SpaceX at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Also Andy tells us his thoughts and some tips about the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex “Atlantis Exhibit”.
Since no meetup would be complete without fun with fellow spacetweeps we talk about the Endless BBQ.
Host this week: Mark Ratterman with a segment by Sawyer Rosenstein. Special Guest: Andy Scheer
Show Recorded 07/6/2013
Thursday Jul 04, 2013
Episode 521: The Powerfully Patriotic Atlantis
Thursday Jul 04, 2013
Thursday Jul 04, 2013
On this special, patriotic episode of Talking Space, Sawyer and Mark head to Florida for the grand opening of the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex. On top of walking you through the exhibit, we talk with the people who worked on the exhibit, designed it, organized it, and astronauts who flew on the shuttle. You'll hear what the grand opening sounded like and what the exhibit sounds like, including the grand Atlantis reveal. Interviews include KSCVC COO Bill Moore, KSCVC's Andrea Farmer, astronauts Bill Readdy, Ken Ham, and Jim Halsell, and more!
To view the image taken by Michelle Ham during the STS-124 launch, visit https://twitter.com/spacechelle/status/343521922002333696/photo/1
[TWO IMAGES WERE INSERTED HERE. TO VIEW THEM, PLEASE VISIT HTTP://TALKINGSPACEONLINE.COM]
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Member: Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 07/2/2013
Thursday Jun 27, 2013
Episode 520: Blinded by the Flights
Thursday Jun 27, 2013
Thursday Jun 27, 2013
On this episode of Talking Space, we begin by discussing IRIS, the next solar mission, and a little bit of a status update on the company launching it, Orbital Sciences. We then take a look at the recent spacewalk on board the ISS in preparation for a new module and look at the future of the station. We then talk about the relation between an UAV taking off from an aircraft carrier and the GOES-13 satellite. On our second trip around the table, we discuss a solar plane making its trip across the country and what that means for the future of aviation. We then discuss China's Shenzhou 10 mission concluding and if we have anything to fear with China. We then discuss how you can get your name on a spacecraft heading to Mars, as well as your haiku. On our final trip around the table, we discuss a crowd-sourced message being sent light years away. Finally, we talk about chocolate in space, but not just any chocolate.
Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman
Show Recorded 06/24/2013