Today In Space

Welcome to the Opinion Panel:

These are the opinions of the people involved, and that's it. - just trying to have some fun!

Alex and John talk about the influence of music in their lives and talk about the band Public Service Broadcasting and their album "The Race for Space".

The two also talk about what life was like as a full-time musician growing up, how music listening technology changed as they grew up.

Rambling ensues, as always.

Enjoy!

Space Links:

• Public Service Broadcasting: http://www.npr.org/2015/02/15/385549238/first-listen-public-service-broadcasting-the-race-for-space http://publicservicebroadcasting.net/#hero

Alex and the Assistant talk about what's happened in Space since the last episode, with a little talk of Space Business as well. This episode is dedicated to Leonard Nimoy and the lasting impression he left on all of us - LLAP

SCHEDULE CHANGE!

I will be releasing podcast episodes every other week from now on. Need more time for research!

Thanks for your understanding, Enjoy the show!

Space Links:

• Commercial Crew Program: (Massachusetts): http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/CCPInteractiveMap/documents/CCP/CCP_state_fact%20sheet_508_Massachusetts.pdf
• SpaceX Launch (3/1/15 - ABS 3A & Eutelsat 115 West B): http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/03/01/falcon-9-launches-two-all-electric-communications-satellites
• NASA turns 100 (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIRc_aIGEWc&list=PLiuUQ9asub3Qq1AQRirDI-naOwo1H5gaB&index=0
• 3 EVA (spacewalks): Explaination of breathing 02 before spacewalk: https://twitter.com/AntonAstrey/status/569160972776148992
  • EVA(1) https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2015/02/21/first-of-three-spacewalks-complete/
  • EVA(2) https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2015/02/25/virts-wilmore-finish-second-spacewalk/
  • EVA(3) https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2015/03/01/virts-and-wilmore-complete-spacewalk-trilogy/
• Remembering Leonard Nimoy: http://www.nasa.gov/content/nasa-remembers-leonard-nimoy/index.html#.VPiWhsZAmhw
• 3D printed parts and other scientific experiments from space returned with Dragon: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/dragon_returns_research/index.html#.VPiXFsZAmhw
• 100 Days in Space: https://twitter.com/AstroSamantha/status/572742939891392512 https://twitter.com/AstroTerry/status/572530973809745920

In this episode, Alex goes over the MarsOne mission and answers questions from the listeners. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Image Credit: Mars One

Please subscribe and thank you for listening! REMEMBER: Subscription is free - you don't have to pay for it.

Image Credit: Aspiring Martians Source: Mars One

Space Links:

• Time-Line of the mission: http://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap

• Short version of MarsOne: http://tech.co/mars-one-startup-humans-to-mars-2023-2012-08

• Explanation of the Technology and WHAT will be used: http://www.mars-one.com/mission/the-technology

• Simulation Outpost Alpha: Tech, Complexity, Location & Architecture http://www.mars-one.com/mission/simulation-outpost

• What Parents tell their kids when they plan to die on Mars http://motherboard.vice.com/read/mars-one-finalists-die-on-mars?utm_source=mbfb

• MarsOne loses TV deal http://spacenews.com/mars-one-loses-television-deal/

• Technology contracts with MarsOne http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_24694059/lockheed-martin-space-systems-partners-mars-one-lander

• http://www.space.com/16907-what-is-the-temperature-of-mars.html

This is the Weekly Update of the podcast, where Alex updates you on things that have happened in Space, in orbit or on Earth this past week. Alex and the Assistant are back on for this week's update and they close the show with more talk about Moon business.

TOPICS for this Episode: Click on the photos for more info! SpaceX Splash-lands the Dragon, completes CRS-5 Brings back over 4,000lbs of scientific data to Earth

Image Credit: SpaceX

SpaceX launches DSCOVR on it's first Deep-Space mission - 4th times a charm! Extreme Weather prevents landing attempt of the First-Stage on the Autonomous Spaceport Droneship

Image Credit: SpaceX

ATV-5 returns to Earth in a Blaze of Glory after a successful mission End of ATV (Cargoship/Laboratory/Space-tug) missions opens up room for Orion

Image Credit: ESA

Mind-Maps of the science behind the first 1-Year mission on the ISS Space Links:

• http://www.nasa.gov/content/one-year-mission/#.VOEemMaM5BJ
• http://www.nasa.gov/content/twins-study/#.VOEx6caM7y9
• http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/02/11/spacex-launches-dscovr-satellite-deep-space-orbit
• http://www.spacex.com/gallery/crs-5-mission-january-2015
• http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2015/02/Final_goodbye

This is the Supplemental Episode of the podcast, where Alex talks about more philosophical, side-mission topics like life in his world. Or, more likely, gives him a chance to talk about things NOT Space and *try* to be funny. But of course he tries to bring it all back to Space in the end. In this episode, Alex talks about his time in NYC for the Patrice O'Neal benefit, starts a brand new segment and talks about why "Reaching for the Impossible" is so important.

Photos from the Patrice O'Neal Benefit

Photos from the Conditions in New England

In this week's episode, Alex and the Assistant hangout and watch the live coverage of the DSCOVR launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9. While they wait, the two talk about Moon business and eventually aliens.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch of DSCOVR has been scrubbed and will launch on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015 @ 6:05PM ETwith a backup for Wednesday, February 11th, 2015 @ 6:03PM ET You can watch it here on NASA-TV http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#.VNlHl8aM7y8

SpaceX DSCOVR Mission Patch

Space Links:

• Moon Business http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113327032/private-firms-exploring-moon-mining-02031 http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0L715F20150203?irpc=932

• Great inforgraphic by Space.com about how SpaceX will land the Falcon 9 http://www.space.com/28167-spacex-risky-reusable-rocket-landing-infographic.html?cmpid=514648_20150208_40132816&adbid=564536686210596866&adbpl=tw&adbpr=15431856

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On this weekly update Alex does another Lightning round to go over some of the many things that have happened in Space since the last episode.

This week's Lightning Round mixes electronic synth & beat loops as well as some disco-era baselines accompanied by the intuitive GarageBand Drummer Nikki.

She's not real...but she plays like she's real.

Topics for this EP: Click the images for the link to the topic, and see underneath for extras!

• Inflation Deflated

Image Credit: ESA/Planck Collaboration. Acknowledgment: M.-A. Miville-Deschênes, CNRS – Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris-XI, Orsay, France

• What the hell is a CubeSats?!

Image Credit: Clyde-Space.com Figure 1: Pumpkin 1U CubeSat Structure with Clyde Space Solar Panels.

• NASA's SMAP Launches

Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

• Z-1 Prototype Suit - To infinity, or just beyond?

Image Credit: NASA. This new spacesuit prototype from NASA might reinvent the ways astronauts experience space.

When Falcon Heavy lifts off later this year, it will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world by a factor of two. Thrust at liftoff is equal to approximately eighteen 747 aircraft operating simultaneously.

NASA's Proposed Budget For 2016 Source Space.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration Space Links:

• http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2015/01/31/cosmic_inflation_evidence_still_not_in.html
• http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Planck/Planck_gravitational_waves_remain_elusive
• http://www.space.com/19003-nasa-z1-future-spacesuit.html
• http://www.universetoday.com/118126/elon-musk-and-the-spacex-odyssey-the-path-from-falcon-9-to-mars-colonization-transporter/
• https://blogs.nasa.gov/smap/
• http://www.satnews.com/story.php?number=309270661
• http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/Agency_Fact_Sheet_FY_2016.pdf
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CubeSat
• http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0L715F20150203?irpc=932
• http://www.space.com/28436-nasa-europa-mission-white-house.html
• http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113325854/esa-calls-off-search-for-philae-020215/#tMOTfF4SlscMbyuT.99

Welcome to the Weekly Update of Today In Space!

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Topics:

• The mission to put an Astronaut (Scott Kelly) and two Cosmonauts in space for a year. NASA & the team will check the effects of microgravity with identical twin Mark Kelly (who will be on the ground supporting the mission). http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/watch/a-historic-space-mission-for-identical-twins-388472387515?cid=sm_TW http://www.universetoday.com/118388/president-obama-salutes-nasa-astronaut-kelly-and-1-year-iss-mission-at-state-of-the-union-address/

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly stands as he is recognized by President Barack Obama. Astronaut Scott Kelly will launch to the International Space Station and become the first American to live and work aboard the orbiting laboratory for a year-long mission. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

• The effects of microgravity on the human body http://www.space.com/20730-human-body-spaceflight-weird-facts.html

Credit: "Inside my Sleep Pod - it serves as my bedroom, recording studio, and twitter zone while on the Space Station. pic.twitter.com/Mw7FeHVB"

• The Blizzard of 1978 recap from the Assistant (who experienced it first-hand)

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Welcome to a special bonus episode of Today in Space!

In this episode, Alex talks more about himself and his experiences with college. This episode features the first "Lightning Round", a little experimental piece that could make it's way to being a regular segment. Let me know what you think, email the show at todayinspace.net/contact

Topics:

• UPCOMING: Jan 26, 2015 - Asteroid 2004 BL86 Flyby-Stargazing

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

• The Mars 'Opportunity' rover - new real-color panorama of Mt. Tribulation & 'robotic amnesia'

Opportunity's view from Cape Tribulation Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell Univ./Arizona State University

• UPDATE: Ceres Approach by Dawn - March 6, 2015. More info on Ceres

Ceres Interior: Cutaway view of Ceres showing the differentiated layers of the asteroid. Last Update: 29 Mar 2011 Credit: NASA/ESA/STScI Last edited

• UPDATE: Orbital Sciences new Rocket Engines (RD-181's) for Antares and an overview of the manufacturing deal Energia (Russia).

Image of an Antares rocket rolling out to the launch pad at Wallops Island, Virginia. The rocket's two AJ26 engines will be replaced by RD-181 engines. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky

At the end, Alex talks about his theory of perspective and reference frame and why it is so important after he couldn't find Comet Lovejoy...even with a star map.

Enjoy & Thanks for listening!

CORRECTION:

Ceres is being approached by the Dawn Mission, while Charon & Pluto are being approached by the New Horizons mission. If I mentioned that after Ceres, it will see Pluto...I was wrong.

Space Links:

• Ceres: Overview https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Dwa_Ceres
• Giant Asteroid Is Headed Our Way, But NASA Says No Worries http://ht.ly/HHc7Q
• Orbital Sciences Contract for New Antares Engines http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/01/22/orbital-sciences-signs-contract-for-new-antares-engines/
• NASA to hack Mars rover Opportunity to fix 'amnesia' fault http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30642548
• Star Map and Info on Comet Lovejoy http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/spot-comet-lovejoy-tonight-122920141/

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Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day everyone. We celebrate a leader who cared about the people and showed us all how to peacefully protest. Today in Space, Alex and the Assistant talk about:

• The first attempt at landing a rocket after 1st stage seperation by SpaceX's Falcon9
• The mystery of the Beagle-2 on Mars - found after 11 years
• New Dawn mission images of Ceres as it approaches

The guys also talk about the success of Boston this week, from Patriots to the UFC at the Garden. Enjoy!

Space Links:

• SpaceX Vine of Falcon 9 attempted landing on DroneShip https://vine.co/v/OjqeYWWpVWK
• Beagle-2 Found on Mars 11 years later http://www.universetoday.com/118190/beagle-2-found-on-mars-after-an-11-year-hunt/ http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30784886
• New Images of Ceres from Dawn http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/dawn-delivers-new-image-of-ceres/#.VL1eMUfF-Ag