The Talking Space Team says hello to 2019 with a wrap up of 2018 launch activities and a very spirited discussion of what the future may bring in the area of commercial space launch here in the US with new major players coming on the field. How will they fair against the international commercial launch services companies long term for new business? 
We’ll travel with New Horizons spacecraft to Ultima Thule and recap the flyby that occurred New Years Day 2019 and update about the mission’s progress. We also fly out to check on the progress of the OSIRIS-REx mission orbiting the Asteroid Bennu, and the Mars Insight mission. 
We then review China’s and humanity’s first landing on the lunar far side and discuss the implications of this historic moment. However, does it mean that China is now the lead in space or is it an exaggeration? Also, we examine how China handled the coverage of the mission thus far. 
All this and more in this first edition of Talking Space for 2019. 
Host: Sawyer Rosenstein, Panel Member Gene Mikulka

Episode 1101: China Has Landed On the Moon, Whither America?

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In this episode: Two GEARS scientists discuss the GEARS experiment, space hygiene, and coping with the health challenges of long-duration missions.

Episode 1607: Staying Healthy in Space: Unpacking the GEARS Experiment

Welcome to another episode of Talking Space, where we bring you the latest updates on space exploration and technology. In this episode, we're excited to introduce our new team member, Heather Smith, who brings her passion for space to our discussions. Welcome, Heather!
The episode kicks off with news about Slovenia signing the Artemis Accords. These accords outline best practices for sustainable space exploration and Slovenia is the third European country to sign them in less than a week, closely following Switzerland and Sweden.
Next, we delve into the Mars Sample Return Mission. This ambitious mission aims to bring back samples from Mars to Earth. However, escalating costs and potential impacts on other missions have presented challenges. What will the mission team do to cope with a much lower budget and still retrieve the samples? The answer lies within this episode.
We also bring you updates on the upcoming crewed flight test of the Boeing Starliner. The spacecraft, aptly named Calypso, has already participated in the first two orbital flight tests. We eagerly look forward to its launch, planned for May 6th. Talking Space plans to be there!
Wrapping up the episode, we present an enlightening interview with Rosa Banuelos, a Boeing Senior Communications Specialist for the Starliner program,  and Steven Siceloff, NASA's Commercial Crew Program and ISS Program Lead Public Affairs Officer at Kennedy Space Center. Steven and Mark also provide interesting insights into the Atlas V rocket, the vehicle that will carry Starliner to space.
Please be sure to let us know your thoughts on the topics we discuss. You can always reach us at mailbag@TalkingSpaceOnline.com. You now have a way to easily send us a voice recording that we may use on the show: just click on the blue microphone icon at the bottom right of any page at TalkingSpaceOnline.com.
 
Show recorded 04-21-2024.
 
Host: Larry Herrin
Panelist(s):  Mark Ratterman, Heather Smith (Gene Mikulka, Dr. Kat Robison and Sawyer Rosenstein will return)
Podcast Editor: Larry Herrin
Delta 4 Heavy NROL-70 poster – website photo credit: NRO

Episode 1606: Delta 4 Heavy Recap; Coping with Mars Sample Return Budget

Is the NASA Advisory Council (NAC) system becoming unglued? During the NAC Science Committee meeting on March 21st, there were significant questions about the Primary NAC and its ability to deliver recommendations to NASA's leadership expeditiously so they can be acted upon by NASA Leadership. That wasn't the only thing on the minds of NASA's scientists and advisors. The Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory are profoundly impacted by NASA's austere FY 24 and FY 25 budget constraints, and one of the two missions may face cancellation. Also, the significant demands placed on NASA's Deep Space Network were of major concern. We report on what was said and offer analysis.  
The Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission was officially declared completed when, as predicted, the robotic Odysseus lunar lander did not respond to a "wake-up" call on March 23rd. Larry Herrin and Mark Ratterman talked with Chantelle Baier, CEO of 4Space, who facilitated one of the commercial payloads on the IM-1 mission, to wrap up her experiences on the flight and discuss future endeavors. See Jeff Koons Moon Phases web site to explore the details of his art, exploring themes of connectivity and acceptance.
NASA extended its call for new astronaut applications through April 16th and Mark Ratterman highlights what the US Army is doing to encourage applicants in its ranks. 
After the joint Boeing Space/NASA press conferences last week highlighting the upcoming first crewed flight test of the CST 100 Starliner, some words were put out on social media by some prominent individuals in space advocacy berating Boeing Space. In a commentary, Gene Mikulka poses a question: Can't we wish Butch Wilmore and Sunni Williams well and forget about wearing our corporate t-shirts for a little while?
Finally, Space exploration lost two giants this past week, and we look back on the lives and contributions of former astronaut General Thomas P. Stafford and former Johnson Spaceflight Center Director  George W.S. Abbey. 
All this and more, on this episode of Talking Space!
Host: Larry Herrin
Panel Members: Gene Mikulka &  Mark Ratterman - Dr. Kat Robison and Sawyer Rosenstein will return.

Episode 1605: Getting the NAC of Things

We have all the latest on Starship Flight 3, the last Delta IV Heavy and the fate of LC-37, and the upcoming April 8th total solar eclipse. And much more!

Episode 1604: Starship Flight 3 Recap; How to Safely Enjoy the Eclipse

We review the successful Intuitive Machines IM-1 lunar lander mission, and Mark interviews award-winning artist Agnes Garbowska for her impressions of the IM-1 launch -- her first in-person launch experience.

Episode 1101: China Has Landed On the Moon, Whither America?

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