Episode 417: Release the Fire-Breathing 'Dragon'

On this special episode of Talking Space, Mark and Sawyer travel down to the Kennedy Space Center to cover the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule. Discussed in this episode is the events leading up to the first launch attempt, the scrub itself at T-0.5 seconds on the first attempt, and the reactions to the scrub. You'll also hear stories of some of the launch attendees as well as hear directly from members of SpaceX and NASA talking about the launch, their companies, and more.

Clips in this episode include NASA's Director of Commercial Spaceflight Development Phil McAlister, NASA Manager, Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Alan Lindenmoyer, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, and SpaceX Co-Founder and CEO Elon Musk.

To view a photo fo the Falcon 9 on the launch pad taken by Talking Space's Sawyer Rosenstein, visit http://twitpic.com/9miche

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

Show Recorded - 5/21/2012

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Episode 416: A Six Pack of Thrust

On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the busy week of launches including the first launch of the week, a manned Soyuz launch to the ISS, as well as the last of the week being SpaceX. We then move on to a large dose of space shuttle retirement news including the final power down of Endeavour, the de-mating of Enterprise from the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, and the ways that the museums owning those two vehicles are raising money for their exhibitions. We then continue on to another of Mark's shuttle retirement interviews from the Kennedy Space Center, and in fact we get two of them this week. This week Mark gives us SCA Flight Engineer Larry LaRose and United Space Alliance Senior Aerospace Technician Richie Van Wart. Following that we answer a listener question regarding future engines. We conclude with another space junk story and how the "asteroid" Vesta may not in fact be an asteroid.

A special thank you to Joe Haberthier for sending in his listener question. You can send yours in as a written question or a .mp3 to mailbag@talkingspaceonline.com or by visiting our Contact Us page on our website. 

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

Show Recorded - 5/14/2012

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Episode 415: What's 'Mine' is 'Ores' in Space

On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the reasons for another delay of the SpaceX launch to the International Space Station, now scheduled for May 19th. We then discuss the upcoming Soyuz launch carrying 3 new crew members to the ISS. After discussing a recent Atlas V launch, we talk about Planetary Resources, a company with some big-name backers who are planning to mine Near Earth Asteroids, or NEAs. We talk about our thoughts on the success and benefits of the new program. Following that, we discuss a company's plan to create scotch in space. We then discuss a very unique blog post on the late astronaut Janet Voss. Finally, we continue our space shuttle retirement coverage with an interview with a member of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft crew.

To read the blog post on Janet Voss, visit http://wiki.nasa.gov/cm/blog/ISS%20Science%20Blog/posts/post_1328802418652.html

Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Mark Ratterman and special guest Craft Lass.

Show Recorded - 5/7/2012

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Episode 414: Space Shuttle Shuffle Special

On this special episode of Talking Space, we take a look at the events surrounding the retirement of the Space Shuttle Discovery and the relocation of Enterprise. We begin with Mark's recounting of his week at the Kennedy Space Center and the events surrounding the preparation and departure of Discovery. We then get a brief look into Discovery's arrival at the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport as well as the transfer ceremony of Enterprise from our correspondent Craft Lass. From there, we move to Enterprise's arrival in New York City where Craft Lass looks at the flyover of New York and Sawyer takes a look at the official ceremony at John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

Special thanks to the following people for their interviews: Stephanie Stilson, Discovery Flow Director; Sen. Charles Schumer (NY-D); Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy; Joe Engle, Enterprise Test Pilot; SCA Pilot Bill Rieke; Astronaut Mario Runco; and Susan Marenoff-Zausner, President-Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum. 

Click on the images below to see a full-sized version and to get the full effect. More images are available on our "Photo Album" page.

Space Shuttle Discovery mounted atop a modified Boeing 747 flies off into the sunrise after departing KSC. Credit: Mark RattermanSpace Shuttle Enterprise taxiing to its parking spot in front of the grand stands set up at the airport as a pilot holds the American flag out the window. Credit: Sawyer Rosenstein

Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Mark Ratterman and special guest Craft Lass.

Show Recorded - 5/1/2012

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