Today In Space

It's a busy week in space this week! Launchapalooza is upon us with 5 rocket launches planned for the weekend - SpaceX, ULA, RocketLab, and Astra We also have to discuss the Falcon9 B1049 because it has broken the latest threshold for reusability, and we discuss how fast the team is turning these rockets around for flight.

Finally, its time for a design review of the 3D printed Galileo Rocket. We've learned so much from iteratively designing this model rocket, and we've found some hidden treasures along the way. We think we've found a way to help us spread love & science to schools & communities that are cutting budgets and losing STEM programs. Follow Launchapalooza: https://www.space.com/four-rockets-launching-four-days-august-2020.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Falcon_9_first-stage_boosters#B1049

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_(Star_Trek)

Hey there Space People! Apologies for the week off - life and COVID finally got the best of me and needed to take care of myself. Now that I've been tested and hydrated again we're back! I share my thoughts on getting tested with THE SWAB and how nobody really knows anything about this virus (including myself). I also share my thoughts on the 'New Hope' of the space industry (and possibly humanity) of SpaceX& NASA finally working together and ending the culture war that's plagued the industry for at least 10 years.

I relate the only way I can - by sharing stories of my younger-more-angsty-self learning to be an Aerospace Engineer experiencing the Old Space vs New Space 'culture war' in real time. Just wanted to reflect on my experience 10 years later at the end of an era which values teamwork and an open private-government partnership to tackle the next generation of human spaceflight for NASA.

Elon Musk Biography by Ashlee Vance: https://amzn.to/2Q5DOVR

Elon Musk on the 'NASA' resistance for early SpaceX: https://youtu.be/8P8UKBAOfGo

What a crazy week! Not just for the world around us slipping into madness, but the incredible things happening in the Space Industry! A new hope on the horizon after NASA Astronauts Bob Benhken and Doug Hurley return to Earth on the Crew Dragon capsule. SpaceX continues development on Starship with a hop down in Boca Chica, and we have some flight hardware to show you! As always, be well - and let us know what your favorite part of the Demo 2 mission recovery was! Did you learn anything new? todayinspace.net @todayinspacepod - instagram, twitter /todayinspacepodcast - facebook @todayinspace - tiktok Crew-2 will reuse Falcon9 and Crew Dragon from Demo2 https://www.facebook.com/152489854767383/posts/3781482731868059/?d=n Demo2 Departure & Recovery Broadcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl2jo1bSxl8 - Departure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-l6f4wcv2I - Splashdown Words from Elon Musk after the Demo2 mission completion https://www.instagram.com/p/CDcUMMijI2x/?igshid=bfk2d8vumzpf Crew-1 Mission https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Crew-1

Starship SN5 150m (500ft) launch from SPadre Cam https://youtu.be/OjPzfGrfUgg

We had a LIVE Launch Hangout for the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover from Cape Canaveral in Florida from the comfort of the podcast studio. A beautiful day to launch to the Red Planet, and both NASA and ULA had nominal launch. Big shoutout to everyone involved in changing the game plan of preparing a rover to go into space, and still be able to succeed - even with a coronavirus outbreak.

You can watch the full NASATV broadcast here - lots of good info (and interviews!)

https://youtu.be/JIB3JbIIbPU Thanks everyone who joined in on chat! Great hearing from you - and thanks for the questions!

More on the Galileo Rocket project next week! We're making progress!

It was a busy week in space this week! Lots to talk about - China is off to Mars with it's first rover, SpaceX successfully achieved another level of reusability capabilities, the return date for Demo-2 and Astronauts Bob & Doug is official (and soon!). And we have a progress update on our Galileo rocket project after our first design session. Next one is this coming Sunday - follow us on facebook at Today In Space Podcast to get an update when we do. Join us! I also decided to expand on a previous idea from the podcast, the scientific ladder of ideas. The same way that scientific ideas go from a hypothesis to a theory can also help us get better at filtering through the bullshit information in our daily lives. It's helped me, and if it helps even one other person - it's worth sharing! Have a good week - be well! SpaceX Double Fairing Recovery: https://techcrunch.com/2020/07/20/spacex-successfully-launches-anasis-ii-satellite-and-breaks-booster-turnaround-record/ Plaque onboard Perseverance https://www.instagram.com/p/CCsBkQQhHpy/?igshid=tw59dt1po56q

Return date for Demo-2 Crew from ISS:

https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a33349499/bob-behnken-douglas-hurley-astronauts-return-earth/

Tianwen-1 - China's ambitious mission to Mars https://www.space.com/china-tianwen-1-mars-mission-launch.html

This week we're covering the Perseverance Rover aka Mars 2020 Rover mission. Learn more about this incredible feat of engineering, including when it's expected to launch, some of the challenges the team has faced, and of course the science we're expected to see if and when this mission is successful.

I compiled all my favorite facts and information on WHY this mission is important. It's primed to blow us all away when it gets to the surface of the Red Planet - and we wish NASA and the United Launch Alliance luck launching on time under these pandemic conditions. They've worked hard to get us to this point! Good luck! Launch Window: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/timeline/launch/launch-windows/

NASA team video on Perseverance mission (lots of great information): https://youtu.be/yIWyFX0uxoc

NASA Fact Sheet - Perseverance Rover: https://mars.nasa.gov/files/mars2020/Mars2020_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Mars Sample Mission Return Overview (NASA): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PVjj0PEPMA

Antonio Paris research on Martian Lava Tubes (on Earth): https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2004/2004.13156.pdf

NASA Technology onboard Mars 2020 Mission: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/mission/technology/

Mars 2020 Perseverance Press Kit: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press_kits/mars_2020/launch/

This week has been crazy and busy - not only with all that's happening in the Space Industry, but in each of our lives. So I sat down and shared my thoughts on some of the things we've got going on and what we're following in Space. First - an update on the Rocket Project 2020! Voting is underway for us to name our first 3D printed model rocket. Head over to our instagram page @todayinspacepod to vote! We also take out some of our model rockets we'll be launching and comparing our rocket to.

Second - we have to talk about mind and body balance. It's more important now than ever. I share what I've been up to - and a space movie for you in case you need an escape! Spaceship Earth on Netflix! All about Biosphere2 - which brings up a potential flaw in the idea of humans living on other planets. A cautionary tale for sure.

Third, preliminary news that the Europa Clipper mission, to explore the subsurface ocean of one of Jupiters most unique moons gets surprising launch flexibility thanks to Congress actually working together? I know, a strange world we live in.

And finally, we discuss Rocket Lab's anomaly and loss of payload that occurred on July 4th - a loss and a setback, but also a change to grow and change for the better. SpaceX went through it before, and clearly has come out the other side. Lots to talk about! Hope you stay safe and healthy - be well. Alex

This episode is a recap of the live Launch Hangout for the SpaceX launch of GPSIII-SV03 mission for the Space Force. It was the first mission that SpaceX has done for the new branch of the military, as the Space Force is starting to take over some of the responsibilities of the Air Force during this transition period. As we found out during the launch, GPSIII-SV03 was dedicated to the memory of Col. Thomas G Falzarano, who unexpectedly passed away in May. We close this episode listening to part of the video made by Air and Space Force members close to the late Col. Falzarano. Its a reminder that going to space is never a single individual or a robotic rover - it takes village of dedicated people. Enjoy and be well - until next week, spread love and spread science.

It's finally summer - which means our Model Rocket Project is starting! We're designing a 3D printed rocket - and we want you to be involved! Using our 3D printing lab AG3D we're going to be making our own model rockets and you get to be involved in almost every step in the process. I'm super excited about the project and even more excited that the idea came from one of our listeners! (Thanks Steve). I'm doing a little research and will be introducing ways for you to engage and be a part of the process. Feel free to reach out to us on social (@todayinspacepod) or by email ([email protected])

In the meantime, I want to learn from you! Anyone out there already make their own model rockets before? What was your favorite part? Design? What was the biggest challenge you faced? Very excited to get started and to have you a part of this rocket project. HERE WE GO! Let's learn together! Have a great week! Be well

SpaceX Starship SN5 getting ready in Boca Chica, Texas (NASA Spaceflight Stream 6/24/2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQpoj62KUnQ

SpaceX was able to change the space world by launching American Astronauts Bob & Doug with the Demo 2 launch. It took 10 years and lots of hard work.

I quit a pack a day cigarette addiction after 7 tries to 'quit', and 5 years of replacing the habit and rewiring my brain with podcasting and 3dprinting.

How long will it take us to make real change in the world? What can we do to be in this for the 'long haul'? How does addiction relate to changing the world? Well, I relate the only way I can, with my own experiences.

Hope you enjoy the rant of an episode. Thanks for listening and being a part of this space science podcast!