On this episode of Talking Space we discuss ATV4 (named Albert Einstein) which departed the ISS on 28 October. Burning up on re-entry is only part of the final objectives to be met by this cargo carrier launched by ESA on 5 June 2013. Sawyer has a Washington Post story about research and papers published by the Principal Investigators indicating the real prominence of the research done at our International Space Station.ISS Science - Could You Choose Just One? Countdown on ISS Science Blog A Lab Aloft http://blogs.nasa.gov/ISS_Science_Blog/2013/10/18/could-you-choose-just-one-top-international-space-station-research-results-countdown/Sierra Nevada Corporation Dream Chaser ETA (Engineering Test Article) flips while landing during its maiden free flight drop test. Gene talks about this the rest of the otherwise successful test flight. The NASA Orion capsule has been powered on for the first time continuing to prepare for Exploration Flight Test-1 mission targeted to launch in 1 year. http://www.nasa.gov/content/nasas-orion-spacecraft-comes-to-life/index.html#.UnGvFhBGZswSpaceX works toward a summer 2014 test of the SuperDraco launch escape system from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 73 seconds into its flight. NASA Lunar Laser Communications Demonstration (LLCD) completes first test laser data communication link via earth ground stations to the LADEE spacecraft in orbit around the moon. http://esc.gsfc.nasa.gov/267/271.html

"Defending Earth from Asteroids" gets our attention thanks to Neil deGrasse Tyson and a panel of 5 Astronauts.Gene hits the highlights of this American Museum of Natural History and Association of Space Explorers (ASE) co-hosted event. In addition to moderator Neil Tyson were 5 former Astronauts: Tom Jones, Rusty Schweickart, Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, Ed Lu and Soichi Noguchi. To see the video of this presentation follow this B612 Foundation link http://b612foundation.org/newsroom/video-gallery/#/defending-earth-from-asteroids-with-neil-degrasse-tyson

A cartoon in a national newspaper compares the Affordable Care Act launch to loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger. We call it beyond distasteful, wrong and hope you'll read an article by Emily Carney from SpaceFlight Insider to hear her reactions, http://spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-news/astronauts/editorial-its-still-too-soon-for-those-affected-by-the-challenger-tragedy/

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

Show Recorded 10/28/2013