Talking Space

Episode 242: Tanks Again

On this episode, we talk about STS-133 tanking test and rollback to the VAB. The launch of Soyuz TMA-20 with Expedition 26 crew members Dmitry Kondratyev, Catherine Coleman and Paolo Nespoli. We kick around some ideas wondering about the loss of communications from the mission control center outside of Moscow to both the Soyuz and the ISS. Then we reminisce about @NanoSailD :( Moving on to another bit of bad news we cover the failure of the JAXA Venus Climate Orbiter "AKATSUKI" (Planet-C) to enter orbit around Venus. Ending on a high note, NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy or SOFIA completed its' first of three science missions. AKATSUKI's first shots of Venus: http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/topics/2010/1210.shtml Bill Nye the Science Guy visits NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, CA home to SOFIA: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/SOFIA/bill_nye_visits_daof.html Late news: NASA Hosts Planet-Finding Tweetup in California's Silicone Valley. For Information about the #NASATweetup visit: http://www.nasa.gov/tweetup Hosts this week: Sawyer Rosenstein, Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 12/19/2010

Episode 241: Puff, the Magic Dragon/Falcon 9

On this episode, we start by discussing the delay, once again, of Discovery on STS-133, which is now scheduled for No Earlier Than February 3rd, 2011. We then go on to discuss our main topic, which was the successful launch and re-entry of the Falcon 9/Dragon Capsule launched by SpaceX from Florida on December 8th at 10:47am EST. Included are the team's remarks as well as audio from the post-splashdown news conference with SpaceX founder Elon Musk. Once again, we congratulate them on their successful test. We then move on to discussing the recent discovery and controversy over life found in California which can live on Arsenic, an element which is lethal to all known living creatures. Lastly, we discuss the return of the US Military's X-37B which spent 200 days in space doing work undisclosed to the public. Also, be sure to check out a holiday gift idea Mark has at the end. To visit the Yahoo! story discussed in the show, please visit http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20101208/sc_yblog_thelookout/scientists-poking-holes-in-nasas-arsenic-eating-microbe-discovery To see Felisa Simon-Wolf's Blog, check out http://www.ironlisa.com/ and for Dr. Rosie Redfield's post, check out http://rrresearch.blogspot.com/2010/12/arsenic-associated-bacteria-nasas.html To order Wings in Orbit, please check out http://shopnasa.com/store/product/6604/-Wings-In-Orbit-Hard-Cover/ Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 12/9/2010

Episode 240: We're #1...Well, NASA Is

On this episode, we start by discussing the new launch date and time for Discovery. As well, we predict whether or not the shuttle will launch in December or during its next launch attempt, in February. We then move on to discussing the Expedition 25 mission aboard the International Space Station after landing in the high deserts of Kazakhstan. We then move on to talk about NASA's new position as first in social media. We then discuss astronaut Leland Melvin who has a new position at NASA in the education department. Gene and Sawyer had a chance to interview him, and you'll hear clips from the interview. Lastly, we discuss Sawyer's trip to Meteor Crater as well as a tribute to Leslie Nielsen. To check out the rankings in social media, please visit the L2 Think Tank at http://l2thinktank.com/?page_id=8358 Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 11/28/2010

Episode 239: All I Want for Christmas is my Two SRBs to Ignite

First, I'd like to extend a special thank you to Gene Mikulka for performing the editing. On this episode, we discuss the never-ending delays of the space shuttle Discovery. Stay tuned to our STS-133 Live Launch Coverage page to find out all of the latest information on the launch. We then continue to discuss the recently released Inspector General reports released by NASA. We then discuss some posts made by Wayne Hale on his blog, as well as the recent launches of the Minitaur IV nd the Delta IV rockets. Lastly, we discuss Gina's amazing time at the Astronaut Hall of Fame and their annual Autograph Show benefiting the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Also, a special thank you to Gene Mikulka for performing the editing while Sawyer was away. To visit Wayne Hale's Blog, please visit: http://waynehale.wordpress.com/ To learn more about and to help out the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, please visit:http://www.astronautscholarship.org Here is a video describing FASTSAT as mentioned in the show (You must have flash player, which is available for download for free at http://adobe.com/flashplayer VIDEO INSERTED HERE. To view this video, please visit http://talkingspaceonline.com Host this week: Gene Mikulka. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 11/21/2010

Episode 238: Who's a Cute Little Black Hole?

On this episode, we discuss the troubles preventing Discovery from flying on her final voyage. We talk about the cracks discovered in the external tank and what this could do to a launch date. We also discussed the recent Expedition 26 spacewalk aboard the International Space Station. We then delve into more space policy dilemmas as well as budgetary issues for the James Webb Space Telescope, the replacement for the aging Hubble Space Telescope. Lastly, we talk about some amazing finds by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory finding a newborn black hole. Host this week: Gene Mikulka. Panel Member: Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 11/15/2010

Episode 237: Jinx! You Owe Me a Launch!

After the long delay, which we apologize for, we are back! On this show, we begin by discussing the recent success of the Deep Impact spacecraft on its EPOXI mission where it had its closest encounter ever with Comet Hartley 2. From there we move on to our discussion about Discovery's final flight: STS-133. Although we haven't been able to bring you our live launch coverage, we still have some great clips for you as well as discussions about the mission itself, the crew, the payload, and more. Special thanks to Mark Ratterman, Gina Herlihy, and CraftLass for being down at the Kennedy Space Center and getting the interviews and clips for us. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, and special guest CraftLass Show Recorded - 11/8/2010

Episode 236: Talking Space Tries

On this very special episode, we invite on special guest Mike Mullane: Air Force Colonel, veteran of 3 space shuttle flights, and author of Do Your Ears Pop in Space and 500 Other Surprising Questions about Space Travel as well as his astronaut memoir, Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut. We discuss the details his memoir as well as his personal experiences in space flight. We also discuss the fact in which Col. Mullane few aboard STS-41 D, the maiden voyage of the space shuttle Discovery as we approach STS-133-her final fight. This is an episode not to be missed! To purchase Mike Mullane's books on Amazon, Do Your Ears Pop in Space and 500 Other Surprising Questions about Space Travel and Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut, click on the title of the book and it will redirect you in a new window. [Note, links are attached here. To view them, please visit http://talkingspaceonline.com] For more information on Mike Mullane, visit his website: http://mikemullane.com Host this week: Gene Mikulka. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Mark Ratterman, Sawyer Rosenstein, and special guest Col. Mike Mullane Show Recorded - 10/14/2010

Episode 235: Stop, Drop, and Suborbital Flight

On this episode, the team discusses the successful launch and docking of the new digital Soyuz TMA-01M carrying the Expedition 25 crew to the International Space Station for a 5-1/2 month stay aboard the orbiting complex. We then discuss the successful drop test of the VSS Enterprise, or Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo and its implications for the future of commercial flight. We then indulge on a lengthy discussion regarding the belief that NASA should design its own spacecraft, not congress, as well as going into a brief history of the shuttle as we get into budgetary discussions. Lastly, after talking about the new Obama-approved future of NASA, we finally go out of left field and discuss the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) grants being issued for research into private space flight and space ports. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 10/10/2010

Episode 234: And We're ARF

On this episode, the whole team of four is back in action. First, we discuss Mark's visit to the Assembly and Refurbishment Facility (ARF) for the final mating of the External Tank and Solid Rocket Boosters for STS-134 scheduled for launch in February 2011. Many former members as well as astronauts were there for the occasion and we have audio clips from them, as well as the team's reaction. We also discuss the passing of NASA's budget. However, it's not appropriated yet, so it is still unofficial. We discuss our reactions to what is actually in the budget. We then move on to the finding of a "Goldilocks Zone" planet possibly able to harbor life. As well, we wish NASA a happy 52nd birthday and congratulate our good friend Miles O'Brien on his new job as the science correspondent for the PBS News Hour. Please note: The outro music is copyright Thin Lizzy and Vertigo Records. Talking Space is in no way associated with Vertigo 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 - 10/3/2010

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.