Episode 406-A: LCROSS the Universe

On the first part of this episode of Talking Space, we conduct our first interview of 2012 with LCROSS's flight software lead, a software engineer for Northrop Grumman, musician, and public speaker Emory Stagmer. We discuss what his job entails as well as what he has done on past spacecrafts. We get into a unique story on how the LCROSS mission was almost lost. We also discuss the 50th anniversary of John Glenn's historic flight as the first American to orbit the earth. Lastly, we discuss a little bit about SpaceUp...but, there's more to the story.

The interview with Emory is being broken up into two parts. Part two will be released Wednesday, February 29th, 2012, with the continuation of SpaceUp and some more great stories including a tale of tribble tossing. 

For more on Emory, follow him on Twitter as @VAXHeadroom and also be sure to check out his music website which includes some of his previous speaking engagements, UnTied Music.

Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, and special guest Emory Stagmer

Show Recorded - 2/20/2012

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Episode 405: They Became Astronauts, ASCAN You

On this episode of Talking Space, we begin round one with an overpressurization of a Soyuz capsule, delaying the next manned launch to the International Space Station and discuss the Soyuz "era of reliability". We then move on to a record number of candidates applying for NASA's next class of ASCANs, or astronaut candidaates. Round two begins with the continued adventures of Phobos-Grunt. We then move on to a petition for a stamp honoring the Pluto-mission, New Horizons. We then take a closer look at the Vega, and not the car model. On our third and final round, we discuss the progress of man-rating the Atlas V rocket. We then discuss a public service announcement made by comedian and pundit Stephen Colbert promoting ISS research. We finish off with a course correction and some fun facts about the Jupiter-bound spacecraft, Juno. 

To sign the petition for a New Horizons USPS stamp, visit http://chn.ge/w88LBn

To see Stephen Colbert's public service announcement, visit http://youtu.be/HX_GZiNog_I

Also, to see when the International Space Station will be visible, visithttp://spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/

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

Show Recorded - 2/6/2012

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Episode 404: Destinations, Debris, and Declassifications

On this episode of Talking Space, we begin our first trip around the table with our insights into Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's (R) plan to have a permanent lunar base by the end of his 2nd term. We continue on with the first female cosmonaut to fly since the Soviet Union collapsed. We then move on to a look at the Liberty rocket. Continuing onto our second round, we look at safety risks regarding the ISS and if the current plan for crew evacuation in an emergency is adequate. We then move onto a boat crash carrying sensitive rocket parts. On our final go-around, we discuss more space debris news including everybody's favorite defunct satellite, Phobos-Grunt. We then continue on with the declassification of military satellites and lastly a look at robotic refueling in space. 

Talking Space also remembers the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger (STS-51L), and Columbia (STS-107) during NASA's day of remembrance. To read Wayne Hale's post regarding the crews and their legacy, visit http://waynehale.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/what-would-rick-and-gus-and-dick-want/

To check out Astronomy FM, visit http://astronomy.fm

To see the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) as discussed in the episode, click here.

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

Show Recorded - 1/30/2012

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Episode 403: The "Ebb" and "Flow" of Spaceflight

On this episode, sticking with the new format, we discuss the recent WGS-4 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. We then proceed to how Opportunity, which is beginning its 8th year on Mars, will be spending the winter. We continue on with more on Phobos-Grunt and its demise. On our second go-around, we discuss how we're taking a look in realtime at snowfall amounts. We then proceed to the naming of GRAIL-A and B, which just recently began orbiting the moon. We then move on to the groundbreaking for the exhibit which will house Space Shuttle Atlantis. On our final round, we discuss sea turtles being rescued at Cape Canaveral, a sci-fi movie made in space, and some space junk guidelines.

For information on NASA's Precipitation Measurement Missions, check out their Twitter account,@NASA_Rain or their website http://pmm.nasa.gov/GCPEx/blog

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

Show Recorded - 1/23/2012

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Episode 402: The Sky is Falling...Again!

On this episode, we return to our regular news show...except with a new round-table format, where the panelists find stories that are interesting to them and rotate sharing them with the team to discuss. On this episode, we cover the special announcement of SpaceX delaying their February 7th launch to the ISS. We then move on to the big story of the week: the Phobos-Grunt reentry and discuss where it landed and other debris-related stories. We then move on to a girl who snuck into a Russian rocket manufacturing facility. On our second go-around, we discuss Mars Science Laboratory's engine burn, and then stories involving both the blackness of space and the color of our own galaxy. On our third and final go-around, we discuss some information about Orion, satellites aiding in tsunami studies, and a new estimate of planets in our galaxy.

To learn more about space debris, listen to Episode 337

To see the website of the girl who snuck into the rocket facility (in Russian) visit http://lana-sator.livejournal.com/160176.html#cutid1

Also, feel free to let us know your thoughts on the new format by contacting us!

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

Show Recorded - 1/16/2012

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