Talking Space

Talking Space

By Gene Mikulka ,Mark Ratterman, Dr. Kat Robison, Larry Herrin, Heather Smith, and Sawyer Rosenstein (emeritus),NewsScienceNews Commentary
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Talking Space episodes

  • Episode 605: From To and About Space

    On

    this episode Sawyer and Mark cover a wide variety of topics and catch up on
    some news we promised to share like the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture from
    October 2013 titled “The Chelyabinsk Meteor: Can We Survive a Bigger Impact?” http://youtu.be/Y-e6xyUZLLs   Another
    video to check out is one from the NASA YouTube channel titled “2013 Astronaut
    Class Talks STEM at Smithsonian Air and Space Museum” Don’t miss what Astronaut
    Candidate Anne McClain (@Astroannimal on twitter) has to say about believing in
    yourself. The link to the video takes you to 36:38 with Leland Melvin speaking,
    then Anne McClain. http://youtu.be/7-iCm9S53Jo?t=36m38s 

    What

    would Google want with a NASA hanger at Moffett Federal  Airfield? #NASA continues to connect with
    participants with a first ever Photo #NASASocial at Goddard SpaceFlight Center.
     Remember to keep up with NASASocial news
    at http://www.nasa.gov/connect The Great Moonbuggy Race has transitioned to
    something new, read more about The NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge. It’s
    coming up at the US Space and Rocket Center April 10-14 2014 Learn more at http://www.nasa.gov/roverchallenge/home/index.html#.Uvrmsfnw8VU

    How

    about 16 Cubesat’s from 9 states selected by NASA to fly from 2015-2017. Our
    new topic (maybe first of its type for Talking Space) is numismatist. If you
    are one then you already know about the collectable coin celebrating the
    European Space Agency and 50 years of space cooperation. They are a limited
    edition run from 500 to 10,000 coins depending on denomination. Leland Melvin
    announces his retirement and Sawyer shares a quick interview with him from an
    event back in July 2012. President and COO of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell was
    recently appointed to the FAA Management Advisory Council. The Astronaut Hall
    of Fame has selected two astronauts for induction in 2014. Congratulations to
    Jerry Ross and Shannon Lucid.

    Winding

    up this show is an interview with RocketSTEM Executive Director and Founder, Chase Clark. Here are the links for your convenience to vote for RocketSTEM
    at the FedEx web site. Your vote supports them in the competition to
    receive  a $25,000 small business grant
    from FedEx. Please vote daily through Feb 23.

    http://www.rocketstem.org/

    https://www.facebook.com/RocketSTEM

    http://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/Gallery/Detail/7163199e-1591-4b95-9dce-18edc7725104

    49 min
  • Episode 604: TDRS from a Spaceflight Insider

    On this episode of Talking Space, we welcome The Spaceflight Group's Jason Rhian to discuss his trip to see TDRS-L launch. Along with talking about the launch and TDRS-L, we discuss some other experiences he had while at the Kennedy Space Center including some insider information on Dreamchaser as well as a "look" at Orion. We wrap things up with a happier look at NASA's Remembrance Week.

    For more on The Spaceflight Group, visit http://spaceflightinsider.com and follow them on Twitter@SpaceflightGrp and like them on Facebook 

    Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Member: Gene Mikulka with special guest Jason Rhian of The Spaceflight Group

    Show Recorded 1/27/2014

    50 min
  • Episode 603: Rousing Rosetta

    On this episode of Talking Space, the ship runs a little light, as Gene and Sawyer start with the wake-up of Rosetta after 31 months of hibernation, and we talk about the ambitious goals this mission has set. We then talk about the newest approved NASA budget and is it really a "hip hip hooray" like some are saying? We then start round two with a look at ESA's service module for Orion and rumors of a possible delay. We give the facts and weigh in our thoughts. We finish off with an interesting topic and one almost certain to cause debate: Should NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center have been renamed after Neil Armstrong, and should any others be renamed. We finish off with a special segment from Mark who interviewed ULA TDRS-L Mission Integrator Bryan Bauerlin.

    Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Member: Gene Mikulka with Mark Ratterman and his guest ULA TDRS-L Mission Integrator Bryan Bauerlin 

    Show Recorded 1/20/2014


    58 min
  • Episode 602: The Social Space Station
    On this episode of Talking Space, our first news show in 2014, we discuss a whole bunch of commercial news. We discuss Virgin Galactic's latest test flight of SpaceShipTwo, SpaceX's most recent launch of Thaicom 6 aboard a Falcon 9 v1.1, and Orbital's Antares launch bringing Cygnus to the ISS. In regards to Orbital, we also look at the man behind the name of this particular Cygnus capsule, C. Gordon Fullerton. We then look at National Geographic's upcoming live two hour show from the International Space Station and what in particular they plan on doing that excites us the most. We then talk about the recent announcement extending the life of the space station until 2024. Finally, Mark brings us a special follow-up interview with NASA's Social Media Manager and Deputy Manager John Yembrick and Jason Townsend. 
    For more on NASA Socials, visit http://www.nasa.gov/connect

    Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Emily Carney, Gene Mikulka, with Mark Ratterman and his guests NASA's Social Media Manager John Yembrick and NASA's Deputy Social Media Manager Jason Townsend

    Show Recorded 1/13/2013


    1 hr 3 min
  • Episode 601: Viva NASA Viva Florida

    This Episode of

    Talking Space brings you a recording from August 7th 2013 at the Alachua County
    Library Headquarters branch in Gainesville, FL. The presenter is Peter Chitko
    from NASA Kennedy Space Center. Peter Chitko is employed by NASA as the
    Mechanical Division Engineering Technical Integration Manager.  In 1983, he joined NASA at the Kennedy Space
    Center, which was the launch site and preferred landing site for NASA’s Space
    Shuttles, so, with 30 years of experience, he has a wealth of information about
    Florida history and space travel.

    Mr. Chitko’s

    presentation at the Alachua County Florida Library added the very interesting
    aspect of spaceflight to the theme “Viva Florida 500”. Viva Florida 500 is a
    statewide initiative to highlight the 500 years of historic people, places and
    events in present-day Florida since the arrival of Juan Ponce de León to the
    land he named La Florida in 1513. While Florida’s Native American heritage
    dates back more than 12,000 years, Spain’s claim in 1513 began a new era. 2013
    marks 500 years of history and diverse cultural heritage in Florida – a claim
    no other state in America can make – and Viva Florida 500 promotes the place
    where the world’s cultures began to unite and transform into the great nation
    we know today as the United States of America. The Viva Florida 500
    commemoration is ongoing throughout 2013, and includes hundreds of events
    statewide. The goal is to promote 500 years of Florida’s history – its people,
    places and cultural achievements – and this important milestone in American and
    Florida history.

    My apologies for

    the moments you miss here with this audio only recording. Mr. Chitko played
    several videos of key events from the Apollo program. Unfortunately the
    acoustics of the conference room we were in, made that audio (on my recording)
    difficult to understand. However I think you will find Mr. Chitko easy to
    understand and I ask you to let your mind’s eye fill in the pictures or video
    you have certainly seen before. Mr. Chitko will be telling us about the space
    race, about the Apollo Program and a little about what is ahead for NASA.

    I want to thank

    Mr. Peter Chitko of NASA Kennedy Space Center and the Alachua County Library
    for permission to record this presentation. Several of us there felt this was
    an outstanding presentation from an extremely knowledgeable speaker. Thank you
    NASA for sharing your best with communities far and wide.

    During the last

    two minutes of this recording you'll hear the question I asked Mr. Chitko and I
    think you'll find his answer well worth waiting for.

    http://www.aclib.us/archer/blog/nasa-expert-peter-chitko-presents-history-space-aug-7-two-locations

    http://www.vivaflorida.org/

    Host: Mark

    Ratterman

    Show Recorded

    08/07/2013

    55 min
  • Episode 542: 'Tis the Seasons

    On this episode of Talking Space, we close out 2013 and Season 5 by looking back at some of our favorite moments from our first 5 seasons on the air, both from the show, from personal experience, and from space news in general. Enjoy moments from shuttle launches to exhibit openings to some words from past episodes that have a totally new meaning all these years later. We hope you enjoy listening back to our last 5 seasons as we've had making each and every episode so far.

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


    Show Recorded 12/23/2013

    57 min
  • Episode 541: The Jade Rabbit and the Bunny Girl

    On this episode of Talking Space, we take an in-depth look at the issue with the coolant pump aboard the International Space Station, the first spacewalk to repair it, and its affect on the Orbital Science launch that was scheduled for earlier this month. We then talk about ESA's Gaia spacecraft, which plans to create an in-depth map of our Milky Way galaxy. We then talk about China's successful landing of its rover on the moon, about a publicity snafu, and how it has connections going all the way back to Apollo 11 in 1969. Lastly, we address a disgruntled listener letter which is in favor of cutting planetary science, and we give our reasons why we think NASA and planetary science should still be, and is, alive and kicking.

    To read the congressman's letter to the President, visit http://bit.ly/1edPFGd

    To read Wayne Hale's "It's Our Choice, Really" visit http://ephemeris.sjaa.net/0909/b.html

    This is the last news show for Season 5! Don't miss a special look back at 5 seasons of Talking Space and space news on Tuesday, December 31, followed by a very special Apollo-related episode to kick off Season 6.

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


    Show Recorded 12/23/2013

    49 min
  • Episode 540: ISS Science Update 6

    On this episode of Talking Space we talk with Liz Warren,

    Ph.D. from NASA ISS Program Science Office Communications Integration at
    Johnson Space Center.

    We learn about the upcoming Orbital Sciences CRS cargo

    launch and experiments (some from students) it will take to the ISS. We also
    hear about some of the effects of microgravity on the human body.  Liz says we need to keep our people healthy
    in space and learning how to do that has brought home some very valuable science
    that applies to life here on earth too.

    Some experiments have an educational component to them

    like the NanoRacks-NCESSE-Falcon Student Spaceflight Experiment Program. With
    17 experiments involving thousands of students on the ground. This is the 5th
    opportunity the student spaceflight program has participated in. Some of their
    experiments investigate fungal growth, antibiotic efficiency, seed germination,
    bacterial growth and space radiation. Did you know that bacteria grow faster in
    microgravity? Having a space station to fly to makes science experiments like
    we’ve been talking about possible by students in grades 5-12. Pretty
    incredible!

    We learn that it is rather fun to train astronauts. Liz

    describes them as overachievers, wanting not just to do their best but to do a
    job better than the next guy. The astronauts want to get really good results
    for the Principal Investigators. From research in space there have been changes
    in Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamins by the US Food and Drug
    Administration (FDA) that affect bone loss. There are medications now on the
    market from research in space that can help patients affected by bone loss due
    to chemotherapy.

    While we were talking about the ISS, gravity came up. The

    Hollywood movie starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney named “Gravity” that
    is. So do you think science fiction has a place in our discussion about ISS
    science?

    Please watch and share this video Liz spoke of. The

    stories told will touch, inspire and change how you look at the ISS and
    research done there. Please, please, please share this video. We’ve only begun
    to see the International Space Station’s “Benefits For Humanity”.

    Benefits For Humanity: In Their Own Words http://youtu.be/HhsaKTFz0TM


    NASA ISS Program Science Office web page - www.nasa.gov/iss-science/

    Phone (281) 244-6187 email [email protected]


    Host this week: Mark Ratterman. Panel Members: Gene

    Mikulka, Emily Carney.

    Special Guest: Liz Warren, Ph.D. ISS Program Science

    Office


    Show Recorded 12/15/2013

    1 hr 3 min
  • Episode 539: Moon, Mars and Maybe Beyond

    On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the dire state of planetary science at NASA. We look at both an article and a video by Bill Nye of the Planetary Society which lay out what the future of planetary science is, or shall we say isn't. We then mention the winners of the Axe/Lynx Apollo contest who will be going to space, and some interesting demographics about the group. We then talk about one team making a name for themselves in the race for the Google Lunar X Prize called Moon Express. We then take a look at another space podcast which should be added to your regular listening in addition to Talking Space called Omega Tau. On our second trip around the table, we take a look into a private venture aiming for Mars. We then look at the new endeavor which astronaut Mark Kelly is involved in which would brings passengers to near-space in a balloon. We finish off talking about one six-year-old's petition which gives hope for the future of spaceflight and humanity.

    To listen to Omega Tau, check out http://omegataupodcast.net/

    To sign the petition to help a six-year-old get more money to NASA, visit http://1.usa.gov/1hFmpNA

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


    Show Recorded 12/9/2013

    Listen Now:

    1 hr 1 min
  • Episode 538: To Launch or Not To Launch Is that The Question?

    On

    this episode we discuss the multiple launch attempts by SpaceX of the SES-8
    satellite. Frustration at lack of information provided by SpaceX to the press
    gets considerable attention from the Talking Space panel. Will it change when
    crew launches begin? We sure hope so. Did you know Kimbal Musk, brother of
    SpaceX CEO Elon Musk started a blog in November of 2005? It
    is named “Kwajalein Atoll and Rockets” http://kwajrockets.blogspot.com/2005/11/kwajalein-and-rockets.html - Kimbal Musk also has a twitter account @kimbal though most of his recent
    tweets are not SpaceX related.

    Comet

    ISON got our attention, now we say goodbye as its first trip around the sun did
    not end as so many hoped. Sorry but no incredible December holiday views of
    ISON are expected. Here is a link to the SDO Mission Blog and the post from November
    29, 2013 describing the challenge that observing sun grazing comets presents. http://sdoisgo.blogspot.com/2013/11/where-was-comet-ison.html

    On

    December 1, 2013 at 1730 UTC China National Space Administration (CNSA)
    launched a Long March 3B carrying the Chang’e-3 lander/rover to the moon. It
    was a welcome surprise to find @CCTVnews (China Central Television) provided live
    streaming coverage of the launch. They also requested participation from social
    media! The multiple camera views, commentary and length of coverage from prior
    to launch to after payload separation were appreciated by spaceflight enthusiasts
    eager to follow along. The European Space Agency is supporting Chang’e-3 to the
    moon. See this link to read more http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/Helping_China_to_the_Moon

    Emily

    brings us an introduction to her article on SpaceFlight Insider about the 30
    years of spaceflight participation by European Space Agency. You’ll appreciate ESA
    even more for their contributions to manned spaceflight, exploration and
    certainly the International Space Station. Also we talk about the Spaceflight
    Insider Team and hear that “we ain’t seen nothing yet” regarding future plans.
    Here is the link to Emily’s December 1, 2013 ESA article http://spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-news/european-space-agency-celebrates-30-years-of-manned-spaceflight-looks-toward-the-future/

    The

    Kepler Space Telescope is in the news again. A new plan may allow Kepler to reacquire
    its pointing ability and continue searching for exoplanets. Some great reading
    material is available for FREE from NASA. They have ebooks available supporting
    Kindle and other ebook readers. How about their most recent title"NASA's First A:Aeronautics from 1958-2008" Go to http://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/ to find your next great read.

    Host

    this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman.
    Guest Panelist: Emily Carney from our partner The Spaceflight Group http://spaceflightinsider.com/

    Show

    recorded 12/02/2013

    1 hr 6 min

About Talking Space

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A Free and Open Exchange of Ideas and Opinions on All Things Space. If it's above the Kármán Line, it's on our radar. Now at https://talkingspaceonline.com!