SPEXcast

This week on SPEXcast we talk about news from the 34th Space Symposium, political intrigue behind Europa Clipper, and the admission of defeat by the Russian space company ILS. You can check out additional links and references at https://blog.spexcast.com/53-nasa-new-administrator-omega-europa-clipper.

This week on SPEXcast, we sit down with Dan Mitchell and Matt Glazer, two RIT students and alumni who worked on RIT Space Exploration's High Altitude Balloon program. We talk about some of the scientific payloads that go onto the balloon platform, as well as the history of prior launches and past accomplishments. You can check out additional links and references at https://blog.spexcast.com/spex-hab4 .

This week on SPEXcast, we discuss the recent Iridium-5 launch and fairing recovery efforts. We also dive into Tiangong-1 re-entry and the history of space station deorbits. Blue Origin announced their decision to focus on BE-3 for their upper stage on New Glenn. You can check out additional links and references at https://blog.spexcast.com/noaa-controversy-new-glenn-evolution-tiangong-1-re-entry .

This week on SPEXcast, we discuss the recent release of the public report on the CRS-7 incident. We also cover the exciting new from Satellite 2018, including updates from key space industry executives. Orbital ATK also unveiled their Mission Extension Vehicle, which they intend to use to provide on-orbit maintenance and mission life extensions. You can check out additional links and references at https://blog.spexcast.com/crs-7-report-satellite-2018 .

This week on SPEXcast, we interview Christian Davenport, staff writer for The Washington Post, and author of the new book, 'Space Barons: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos'. We ask him what inspired him to tell this story now, and for his insight into industry trends like the shift from Journey to Mars back to the Moon. You can check out a written version of the interview and additional links and references at https://blog.spexcast.com/space-reporter-chris-davenport .

This week on SPEXcast, we delve into illegal cubesats, Blue Origin's plan for a cislunar economy, as well as Elon's thoughts on Starman and the Falcon Heavy launch. Show notes and references can be found at our blog, https://blog.spexcast.com/mit-new-space-sxsw-conference

Engineering space to be useful to humans is hard work. Today on SPEXcast we sit down to discuss two space satellite networks, GOES and StarLink, and how they help humanity during our day to day lives. But we’re also covering two examples of the challenges of space engineering, the VA241 anomaly on Ariane V and new delays and cost overruns for JWST.

It's SPEXcast's birthday! Two years ago, some college students released their first ever podcast. 45 episodes later, SPEXcast reminisces on the start of the show, our top 3 favorite episodes, and the process that goes into each episode.

SPEXcast sits down with Holly Griffith, Vehicle Systems Engineer for ECLSS on Orion Program in Safety and Mission Assurance and a former Shuttle flight controller. We ask her about her experiences sitting in on the return to flight launch of the Shuttle in 2005, her most stressful day on the job, as well as her new work on Orion. We also geek out over her Star Wars fandom, and discuss her mission to encourge women to join STEM fields. Check her out on social media @absolutspacegrl

SPEXcast sits down with SPEX alumn, Anthony Hennig, to discuss the proposed changes in the FY2019 NASA budget. We delve into the WFIRST cancelation, the future of humanity's continued presence into space, and cuts to the Office of Education. We also delve into the Head of the ESA's reactions to the FH launch.