On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the beginning of science for the Mars Science Laboratory, or Curiosity. We discuss the use of the ChemCam's laser to examine its first sample, and talk about how the rock felt about it through its Twitter account. We then discuss the next discovery-class mission NASA has in store for 2016, and it involves the red planet. We then discuss the X-51A's recent test flight and how soon we can see 1 hour flights from New York to London. We then continue discussing the end of an era as Endeavour and Atlantis meet nose-to-nose for the last time as they each prepare to go their separate ways later this year. We then discuss the recent spacewalk performed on the ISS and another upcoming EVA this month. Lastly, we hopefully put an end to the much-talked-about Saturn V blueprint topic as we receive an email from listener Donald. Thank you Donald for sending in your email!

To read the tweets of the rock Coronation on Mars, follow @N165Mars

To view the article discussed in the listener email, visit http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_07_23_2012_p22-477250.xml

Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Member: Gene Mikulka

Show Recorded - 8/20/2012