On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss SpaceX's Dragon capsule and its return to Earth, as well as the scheduled departure of the next crew to the space station, and why their launch day will be different from the rest. We then discuss everyone's favorite term in the United States: sequester. We discuss the impacts it will have on NASA, and specifically public outreach. We then get an update on Astronaut Abby's campaign. On our second trip around the table, we discuss the amazing new information released by ESA's Planck spacecraft on some exciting info on cosmology and the early universe. We then discuss Voyager leaving the solar system...or did it? We then talk about the interesting case involving an arrest, IT information, and China. On our third round, we discuss Jeff Bezos' effort to recover Saturn V engines from the ocean floor. We then talk about the meteor seen streaking across the Eastern United States. Lastly, we discuss Angry Birds invading the Kennedy Space Center.

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

Show Recorded - 3/25/2013

On this special episode of Talking Space, we talk to Abigail Harrison, also known as Astronaut Abby on Twitter. Abby is a teenager with a passion for space, who is planning to be the first person on Mars by 2030. We discuss with Abby her special trip to Russia and then to Kazakhstan to see the launch of theSoyuz TMA-09M spacecraft carrying 3 crew members to the ISS, including her mentor ESA astronaut LucaParmitano. We discuss how she met Parmitano and how her whole adventure came about. We talk about what she'll be doing overseas, as well as what she'll be doing when she returns to the states. We talk about her plans to take her experiences and make it a learning experience by talking to teachers and classrooms about her experiences and promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.

To support Abby's trip and outreach efforts, visit http://www.rockethub.com/projects/22119-share-the-adventure-astronaut-abby-soyuz-space-launch

For more on Abby, visit her blog http://astronautabby.com and be sure to check her out on Facebook andTwitter. You can also follow along with her mission on Twitter using the hashtag #SoyuzAdventure.

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

Show Recorded - 3/18/2013

On this episode of Talking Space, we return from our two week break refreshed and ready to cover the latest space news. We discuss SpaceX's CRS-2 launch, the minor issue that occurred, and how they handled the issue from a media relations point of view. We then discuss a bit of corrupted data on the main computer aboard the Mars rover Curiosity and what that means for MSL. On our second trip around the table, we discuss Dennis Tito's plan to send a couple on a journey of a lifetime-to orbit Mars by 2018. We then discuss some space debris news, and how a Challenger Center is getting involved. We then talk about the Google Science Fair, what it is, and how you can get your child involved. On our final trip around the table, we answer three listener questions. M. Scott Worthington asks us about Pluto, Evan Burton asks us about space shuttle facts, and Buck Field asks us about faster than light, or FTL, travel and its feasibility.

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

Show Recorded - 3/11/2013

On this episode we talk about asteroids. In particular the one affecting Russia and of course the flyby of 2012 DA14. Next up or down as the case may be, a Proton rocket launch failure and a Sea Launch Zenit rocket launch failure causing loss of their payloads. The 21st Century Ground Support Systems upgrade at Kennedy Space Center gets some time on this episode too. Will the work done and planned at KSC benefit government or commercial users or both?

Watch the video titled "Dave Travels - Episode 11 NASA Space X" by NASASocial SpaceX CRS1 Launch attendee David Bankston @TravelsDave

Also enjoy the great information from the (NHMFL) National High Magnetic Field Lab Check your community and others around you to see what riches are there to be discovered. Expand your knowledge like the NHMFL did for Mark.

Show recorded - 2/18/2013

On our very special 150th episode of Talking Space, we welcome on 7-time shuttle flier and author of the new book "Spacewalker" Astronaut Jerry Ross. In our interview we discuss the reason behind the new book, discuss some of his funniest moments, and the effects of launch on him and his family. We then discuss if there was any animosity in the astronaut office for his record number of flights, and talk about how his work as a trainer in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab helped him walk better in space and train better. We ask about some spaceflight aspects, including what happens to the crew members when you perform an engine burn. We then discuss the difference between the orbiters, and the difference between Mir, the beginning of ISS, and where it is today. We then get into the serious matter of how Mr. Ross was affected by the Challenger disaster and what a large role he played in Columbia's final mission in 2003. We finish off talking about his views on the future of NASA and we ask a listener-submitted question about biology.

To purchase Jerry Ross' book, "Spacewalker: My Journey in Space and Faith as NASA's Record-Setting Frequent Flyer" on Amazon, visit http://amzn.to/11HgK2E

A book and an episode not to be missed!

Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Gina Herlihy and Mark Ratterman with special guest 7-time shuttle-flier and author Astronaut Jerry Ross.

Show Recorded - 2/11/2013

On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the continued controversy around Iran's reported launch of a monkey into space. We also discuss the announcement about who they announced would be their first human candidate. On our second trip around the table, we do some quickie stories covering a Red Bull Stratos update, a look at the Axe/Lynx Apollo commercials, and a woman who wants to be the first adult film star in space. We then discuss some news involving the Dream Chaser and Lockheed Martin. Then we discuss the next NASA Social. On our final trip around the table, we talk about some videos from astronaut Chris Hadfield about life in space. We then discuss how the ISS crews are now "good to grow." Lastly, we discuss the batteries that were in the trouble-ridden Boeing 787 Dreamliner and how they relate to the ISS.

Chris Hadfield's videos:

Washing your hands: http://youtu.be/9Z2KNDGNnlc Clipping your nails: http://youtu.be/xICkLB3vAeU

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

Show Recorded - 2/4/2013

On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss Iran's claims of having launched a monkey into space, and discuss whether we think it happened or not. We then discuss the new guy on the block of asteroid mining: Deep Space Industries, and discuss what they're doing and what it means. On our second trip around the table, we discuss the Intrepid Museum crowdsourcing photos of Enterprise for a temporary exhibit. We then discuss an editorial written about the SLS, and look at if it's still worth building and flying. Next, we discuss some updates on the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM). On our final trip around the table, we get somber and discuss the deadliest space accident that few have heard about: Intelsat 708. Lastly, we discuss NASA's Remembrance Week, honoring the crews of Apollo 1, STS-51L Challenger, and STS-107 Columbia. We discuss what they would think of where our space program is today.

To submit your pictures of Enterprise, visit http://photos.intrepidmuseum.org/14493787

To view the Google+ Hangout about RRM, visit http://youtu.be/WMV5j0w9VfA

To read the article on Intelsat 708, visit http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/Disaster-at-Xichang-187496561.html

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

Show Recorded - 1/28/2013

On this episode of Talking Space, we recap the CCiCap press event which took a look at the major players in manned commercial spaceflight and their current goals and objectives. We then discuss a promotion from Axe/Lynx which will allow 22 people the chance to fly on a suborbital flight. On our second trip around the table, we discuss Bigelow Aerospace's future inflatable room for the ISS. We then talk about some amazing videos released by NASA, including spacecraft burning up on reentry. On our final trip around the table, we discuss possible plans to replace the Soyuz and the effect on the lifespan of the ISS. We then talk about the White House's response to the petition to create a Death Star and how $850,000,000,000,000,000 has to do with it. Lastly, we hilight some Talking Space episodes you might've missed that are certainly worth a listen.

To sign up for the Axe Apollo contest, visit http://axeapollo.com Reminder: we are in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Axe/Lynx.

For the NASA Earth Observation videos that Mark discussed, visithttp://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/Videos/CrewEarthObservationsVideos/

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

Show Recorded - 1/14/2013

On this episode of Talking Space, we return with our 1st news show of 2013. We begin by discussing Chris Hadfield's twitter encounters, including with Captain Kirk. You can follow him on Twitter as @Cmdr_Hadfield. Then we discuss NASA's many plans to visit an asteroid, including having one orbit the moon. On our second trip around the table, we discuss Neil Armstrong's "one small step" quote based on new evidence from a BBC documentary. We then discuss the 112th Congress's last attempt at funding for NASA and how the dreaded fiscal cliff will affect the future. Following that, we look at some interesting videos released by NASA's Juno spacecraft team on YouTube. On our final trip around the table, we look at China's possible second attempt at satellite targeting a.k.a. creating thousands of pieces of debris. Lastly, we discuss more White House petitions related to space...somehow.

To view the video on JunoCam and to see the rest of the playlist, visit http://youtu.be/5dQeMwRSKkk

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

Show Recorded - 1/7/2013

On the first episode of 2013 and our 5th season of shows, we welcome back for the 5th time the Associate Program Scientist for the International Space Station and friend of the show Dr. Tara Ruttley. We discuss many experiments you might not have heard of currently going on aboard the International Space Station and some results of experiments we've discussed before. We talk about the connection between the Curiosity rover on Mars and ISS science. We discuss the science returned by Dragon and if the freezer failure affected the science. We also discuss the upcoming year long flight to the station and the scientific benefits. We discuss the fate of the spiders from the YouTube SpaceUp contest which we supported. We get a follow up on a fire experiment that was recently performed and get some teasers of results to come. Lastly, we hear about Dr. Ruttley's favorite experiements.

For updates on the science going on aboard the station, visit http://www.nasa.gov/iss-science or follow them on Twitter: @ISS_Research

Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Mark Ratterman and special guest Dr. Tara Ruttley

Show Recorded - 12/17/2012