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