Talking Space

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.

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 231: Around the World in 47 Minutes

On this episode, we go all around the world in 47 minutes. We start off discussing Discovery as she Endeavours towards the lost city of Atlantis...or as it seemed after the water main break at KSC. We then discuss it's payload, Robonaut 2, as well as the recent Progress docking to the ISS. Mark then talks about NASA sending up its pieces to the ISS via the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). We then move on to policy and some comments made by congressman and former NASA administrators alike. Lastly, how can $17.38 cents push a launch all the way until 2011? Find out by listening. For the article written on The Hill, please click here. [Link available at talkingspaceonline.com] The articles discussing the comments of Congressman Gordon and former NASA administrator Griffin can be found by clicking each of their names respectively. [Link available at talkingspaceonline.com] Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 9/12/2010

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

Episode 228: Rock 'n' Roll Maneuver

After returning from an unannounced two week vacation, it's Guy's Night Out as Gina was unable to join us. We start off recapping the ISS repair of the broken ISS ammonia pump. We then move on to some shuttle news as we discuss the processing of Discovery for her final flight: STS-133, as well as some washers in the External Tanks (liquid fuel tanks) constituting some x-rays. Ending the shuttle conversation, we discuss the STS-133 tweetup. We then discuss a fun little story about picking out wake-up music for the final two shuttle flights, so either vote or write your own! We then discuss a little policy including Deputy Administrator Lori Garver voicing her opinion on Constellation, the FAA getting involved in private space travel, SpaceX completing its Dragon capsule drop test, and a new program called Open Luna. To vote for a wake-up song or to submit your own, visit http://songcontest.nasa.gov For more information on Open Luna, visit http://openluna.org/ Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 8/23/2010

Episode 227: Long Distance Voyagers

Pull up your chairs for some travelers tales from both Gina Herlihy and Mark Ratterman. Gina visited the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton, Virginia and describes her exploration through the museum. Mark was one of the lucky attendees at the International Space Station (ISS) NASA Tweetup hosted by NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The guest speaker was ISS Expedition 23 Astronaut T.J. Creamer. Mark offers insights into the event and discusses some of his other discoveries and meeting some old friends of the podcast. Mark also offers some of his  thoughts on the "27 Seconds " exhibit at the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum in New York. The team also discusses the failed ammonia cooling pump on the ISS and an analysis of the first spacewalk in support of removing and replacing the broken pump.  Other topics include the announcement by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation to create their own heavy lift rocket and the Mars Exploration Rover " Spirit" will it come back to life after this winter season on Mars or has it lost all of it's "nine lives"? Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein.  Panel Members: Gina Herlihy Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman Show Recorded on 8/8/2010

Episode 226: Are Near Earth Objects 'Rusty'?

On this episode, we invite on special guest, Apollo 9 astronaut and founder of the B612 foundation as well as a member of the Association of Space Explorers, Rusty Schweickart. Having logged thousands of hours in high performance jets as well as having performed an EVA (a spacewalk), Rusty comes on to discuss his role in the future of asteroids and their potential of impacting the earth, as well as working to avoid an impact if necessary. Also discussed was the future of manned space flight, where humans should go next, as well as other countries participation in the hunt for asteroids. Rusty's foundation, the B612 Foundation, is located online at http://www.b612foundation.org/ He has also authored the preface to the Association of Space Explorer's book The Home Planet, which is available on Amazon. Host this week: Gina Herlihy. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, Sawyer Rosenstein, and special guest Russell "Rusty" Schewickart Show Recorded - 7/26/2010

Episode 225: The Greatest Feat in Human History

On this episode, we discuss the 41st anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, which occurred on the release date of this show, July 20th in the year of 1969. We focus on one question throughout the whole program. What impact did the Apollo program have on your life? Not only does our panel answer, but we have some special interviews with those that worked on the program: Joe Blondin who worked on the Saturn V guidance ring, and Sara Howard who worked on the Saturn V's S-IC stage. As well, we open up our twalk.in lines to some of our listeners who gave their imput. Thanks Russ Dale, Todd Cecilio, and Kathy O'Brien for participating! Also, thank you Aaron Cunningham for writing us the letter. What impact did the Apollo program have on your life? We want to hear! Send them to us at mailbag@talkingspaceonline.com or on Twitter or Facebook. A picture was placed here. To view it, please visit http://talkingspaceonline.com to view it. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman as well as our participants from twalk.in and those who wrote letters and were interviewed. Show Recorded - 7/18/2010