On this episode, we orbit around Atlantis and her final flight signifying the end of the 30 year space shuttle program. We discuss the current status of STS-135, as well as listening to some updates from the NASA personnel working on the mission and the true importance of the mission. We then listen to Charlie Bolden’s comments on NASA’s future endeavors. Following this, we discuss a program on CNN: “Atlantis: The Final Frontier”. After that, we discuss an article which “ruffles Gene’s feathers” in The Economist. We also mention another article talking about America’s space program and if it really matters. Lastly, we discuss an article by “Bad Astronomer” Phil Plait giving his view on NASA’s shuttle program.

Don’t forget to tune in to our live launch coverage of STS-135. Coverage begins on Friday, July 8th at 10:30am EDT/14:30 UTC with launch scheduled for 11:26 am EDT on http://astronomy.fm

Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka, and Mark Ratterman

Show Recorded - 7/3/2011