Talking Space

On this episode, we invite back Elizabeth Howell as we talk about last week's decision to place shuttles in Cape Canaveral, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Chantilly, Virginia/Washington DC; and New York City, New York. We talk about a press conference with Assistant Administrator of the Office of Strategic Infrastructure, Houston being upset about not getting a shuttle, and out opinion on their locations. Thank you as well to James Cook, Scott Orshan, and @Aries419 for sending us your input. We then discuss the allocation of Endeavour's Canadarm to a lucky Canadian institution and predict where it might go. Lastly, we talk about a story which fooled Mark a few weeks ago, but makes for some entertainment this episode. Be sure to check out Elizabeth Howell at the Ottawa Business Journal by visiting http://obj.ca and at her own site, Pars3c, at http://pars3c.com Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Elizabeth Howell Show Recorded - 4/17/2011

On this episode, we discuss the postponement of the STS-134 launch which we briefly mentioned last week. We also talk about some debris which avoided the ISS, sending its crew to safety onboard their Soyuz. We continue with our correct speculations last week about the SpaceX announcement of the Falcon Heavy. Following that, we move onto some big anniversaries, including the 30th anniversary of STS-1 and the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's 1st flight aboard Vostok-1. We speculate where the shuttles will go once they retire, and then reveal the announcement of where they'll go. Be sure to listen to find out their final resting places. We end with our reflections of 50 years in space and what Gagarin's flight meant to us. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 4/10/2011

On this episode of Talking Space, Sawyer returns from his two week absence. We start with Mark's adventures covering the upcoming STS-134 Space Shuttle mission at the Kennedy Space Center and learn more about the crew, the payload, and the preparaitons for this mission. Next we move on to discuss the first images returned from a spacecraft orbiting Mercury. We talk about what we believed would be the Falcon 9 Heavy rocket announcement, and it turns out, as of April 5th, the announcement of the vehicle was made. We were right on the money! Find out about it in the show. We move on to the lack of signal from our rover friend Spirit and discuss the retirement of Burt Rutan. We then move onto NASA's song contest, and finally discuss how NASA and Victoria's Secret come together. To vote in NASA's song contest, please visit: https://songcontest.nasa.gov Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 4/3/2011 *Note: Two images were inserted here. To view these

This week we share the microphone with Frank Morring Jr., Senior Editor at AVIATION WEEK, and a journalist for 35 years, specializing in aerospace for the over 20 years. Frank joined AVIATION WEEK in 1989 as a defense/space reporter and senior space technology editor. In 2007 he was named deputy managing editor/space, responsible for coordinating space coverage across all bureaus and publications. Frank began his career working for his hometown daily in Huntsville, Alabama, and moved to Washington in 1979 as correspondent for the Birmingham Post-Herald. He later covered the Cold War Pentagon for Scripps-Howard News Service. Frank received a degree in comparative literature from Dartmouth College. Read Frank's articles at http://www.aviationweek.com/ Host This week: Gina Herlihy, Panelists: Mark Ratterman & Gene Mikulka

Elizabeth Howell from the Ottawa Business Journal and the award winning Pars3c Spaceflight blog joins Mark Ratterman and Gene Mikulka in this weeks Talking Space Installment. Don't worry, Sawyer Rosenstein and Gina Herlihy will be returning! Grist for this week's mill includes Coverage of STS 134 preparations at the Kennedy space Center along with two unfortunate events; the first fatal accident at Launch Complex 39A and the discovery of an illegal controlled substance just shy of the KSC secure area. The MESSENGER spacecraft became the first robotic emissary from Earth to go into orbit around Mercury. We discuss MESSGNGER's mission and the implications for planetary science going forward. An agreement was forged last week that commits the European Space Agency to supporting International Space Station operations through 2020. The panel discusses the implications for that agreement, what it means for the Station going forward and possible future international agreements between

On this episode of Talking Space, we continue our look at the STS-133 mission including the 2nd spacwalk, Obama's call to the shuttle and station crew, and her last days in space. Then, we hear from Gina on her STS-133 launch adventure reporting for us including her interview with the first Pilot of Discovery on STS-41-D. Then, we discuss the progress of Endeavour on STS-134. Following that, we say as much as we can about the US Air Force's 2nd X-37 B, their reusable spacecraft, which successfully launched on March 5th, as well as the failed launch of the Glory satellite and what we know so far about the cause of the accident. Lastly, we go into a conversation about NASA's future and its budget. Gina's pictures and videos are available at http://talkingspaceonline.com Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 3/6/2011

On this special STS-133 edition of Talking Space, we discuss the successful launch of Discovery on her final flight, STS-133. We discuss the mission as well as hear some interviews from @CraftLass from her time at the STS-133 NASA Tweetup 1.0 in November and discuss them. Then, we hear from Gina Herlihy who was down at the Kennedy Space Center. Expect more from Gina on next week's STS-133 mission-specific show. Thanks to the following people for their interviews: @PhylisBanner @Thenasalady @phiden @Smith5SE @Camilla_SDO and @CraftLass To view the photo of Robonaut waving Discovery goodbye, visit http://bit.ly/flDepW The winning song for the contest, as you will hear in the outro music, is "Blue Sky" by Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Please note: The outro music is copyright Big Head Todd and the MonstersTalking Space is in no way associated with the group or their associated record company and the audio clip is used under Fair Use. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratt

On this episode of Talking Space, we begin by preparing for the launch of STS-133 on Thursday, February 24th at 4:50pm EST and discuss its mission and payload. We then spend some time on the ISS talking about spacwalks, Japanese commanders, and humanoid robots to aid in crew morale...we kid you not. We then mention the reallocation of $287 million dollars from NASA's budget creating an intense conversation on budgets. We finally end on a happy note with plenty of puns as we discuss the launch of the aerosol-measuring satellite, Glory, launching from Vanderburg Air Force Base on February 23rd at 5:09am EST. Please note: The outro music is copyright Bruce Springsteen and Columbia Records. Talking Space is in no way associated with Columbia 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 - 2/21/2011

On this Valentines episode of Talking Space, we lovingly start with, once again, STS-133 and how for once it has not been delayed but an official date is set for February 24th...for now. We then discuss the Stardust-NExT mission, formerly Deep Impact, as it passed close by to Tempel 1, the same comet in which it crashed into in 2005. We then discuss keeping Endeavour flight ready through 2017 as well as its possible commercial use. The big story, however, is the release of NASA's proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Budget. Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 2/14/2011

On this episode, we bring on special guest Amy Teitel. Amy is an aspiring author and the creator of her blog, Vintage Space, where she discusses her views as well as little known facts about some of the classic as well as current space missions. We ask her about some of those opinions as well as bringing up shuttle, landing systems, and even the infamous one-way trip to mars. To visit Amy's blog, please check out: http://vintagespace.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter as @astVintageSpace Host this week: Mark Ratterman. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Elizabeth Howell Show Recorded - 1/30/2011

On this episode, we have special guest Elizabeth Howell, author of the website "Pars3c", join the team. We begin with more STS-133 news, followed by the official announcement of STS-135. Following that, we move out to the ISS where the Russians performed their 27th spacewalk. Following that, we get into heavy business, discussing the launch of the Delta 4 Heavy as well as JAXA's HTV-II. Lastly, we discuss the youngest person to ever discover a supernova and how they did it. To visit Elizabeth's blog, please go to http://pars3c.com and be sure to follow her on Twitter @howellspace Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Elizabeth Howell Show Recorded - 1/23/2011

On this episode, we talk a lot of rockets! We start by discussing the stringer issue on STS-133. After discussing its launch date, we move on to another way it can be delayed. Lead spacewalker and STS-133 astronaut Tim Kopra was injured while riding his bicycle. We then talk about Mark Kelly asking for a backup while he tends to his injured wife, Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Following that, we talk about the Soyuz TMA-21, now being named Yuri Gagarin. Listen to find out why. We then go into a tough debate on the proposed Heavy Lift Vehicle. Lastly, we discuss the board of directors at a spaceport in New Mexico and antimatter in thunderstorms. Would you go on a one-way trip to Mars? Why or why not? Send us an email at mailbag@talkingspaceonline.com or visit the Contact Us page on our website. You can also send it to us on Twitter as @talkingspace or on Facebook at http://bit.ly/talkingspacefb. Below is the video discussed by Mark. This video was made by NASA Goddard Flight. To download these types of s

On this episode, we finally have the entire team back at the same time to make this episode. We begin with more delays of STS-133, which was no surprise to any of us. We then become surprised by the findings of an earth-like core on the moon as well as organics, the basic building blocks of life, found on Mars back in the 1970s by the Viking landers. We then offer our condolences and well wishes to the victims of the Tuscon, Arizona shooting which injured Representative Gabrielle Giffords, the wife of NASA astronaut and commander of STS-134, Mark Kelly (@ShuttleCDRKelly). Rep. Gifford's brother-in-law, Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) is currently commanding Expedition 26 on-board the ISS, bringing up the question of what to do if a family emergency occurs when you're 200 miles above the earth. To visit Brian Shiro's blog post regarding the moon's core, please visit: http://bit.ly/dJ2ZQb To check out all of the projects occuring in the Zooniverse, including Old Weather, please check out: http://zooniverse.org

On the first episode of season 3 and of 2011, the team, through the magic of editing, has come together once again to discuss a year in review, hilighting the major stories in space of 2010, as well as our own personal favorites. Plus, we throw in a few of our own predictions for the new year. Be prepared for great things to come this season. We have some fun things planned for you, the listener, that we think you'll enjoy so stay with us through the year. To visit ISSWave, please visit http://isswave.org or check them out on Twitter as @ISSWave Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 1/4/2011 and 1/5/2011

On this episode, we talk about OpenLuna Foundation OpenLuna is a volunteer organization. They welcome and encourage participation. The OpenLuna Foundation was founded to return mankind to the moon through private enterprise. Listen to our conversation with Paul Graham, President/ Chairman of the Board and Debi-Lee Wilkinson VP of Membership/Development & board member. OpenLuna is innovative and open source. Yes! Open Source. This is a show you'll want to download, save and listen to several times. They joined us to talk about……… “Your Moon, Your Mission, Get Involved!” http://openluna.org/ And on twitter Follow OpenLuna @OpenLuna Hosts this week: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman and Sawyer Rosenstein Special Guests: Paul Graham and Debi-Lee Wilkinson of OpenLuna Foundation Show Recorded – 10/2010 & 12/19/2010

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 #NA

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/scie

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

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 h

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