Talking Space Podcast: Celebrating Our 17th Year of Podcasting!

Episodes

329
June 19, 2026

Episode 1804: On A Quesst

When the Russian crew on board the ISS decided to perform an unusual procedure on the station’s Zvezda module, it caused quite an agreeable break in the routine of the day on board the orbiting laboratory. The crew on the US segment entered an emergency evacuation posture aboard their Crew Dragon, but all returned to normal after a few hours. The team discusses what happened and why. The astronauts for the Artemis III mission were introduced to the world at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Housto...
Episode 1804: On A Quesst
Talking Space
Episode 1804: On A Quesst
328
June 4, 2026

Episode:1803 Things That Go Boom in the Night

The Talking Space Team Discusses the May 26 NASA Press Conference on it’s Lunar Base and Artemis III progress, The SpaceX Starship 12 flight and the explosion of Blue Origin’s New Glenn
Episode:1803 Things That Go Boom in the Night
Talking Space
Episode:1803 Things That Go Boom in the Night
327
May 1, 2026

Episode 1802: Fly US To The Moon

The full Talking Space team gathers around the microphone once more to share their thoughts and reactions to the Artemis II lunar flyby and how the 10-day mission was perceived back on Earth, especially those who seldom think about NASA. The panel examines next steps for the Artemis program, reviews highlights from NASA’s recent Ignition event, weighs whether a new space race with China is underway, and considers what the future may hold given the implications of the 2027 NASA Budget. Australia...
Episode 1802: Fly US To The Moon
Talking Space
Episode 1802: Fly US To The Moon
326
April 4, 2026

Episode 1801: Artemis II: Moonbound

Just days before the first human mission to the Moon in 53 years, Talking Space returns to discuss preflight activities and changes to the Artemis program.
Episode 1801:  Artemis II: Moonbound
Talking Space
Episode 1801: Artemis II: Moonbound
325
July 25, 2025

Episode 1703: Stopping the Space Shuttle Rustlers

In 2012, following the end of the Space Transportation System program, NASA faced the monumental task of finding permanent homes for the three remaining Space Shuttle Orbiters—so that their incredible stories could be preserved and shared with the public. After a lengthy and sometimes contentious selection process, the three operational orbiters—Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour—along with the prototype Enterprise, were officially retired and transported to their new homes amid much celebratio...
Episode 1703: Stopping the Space Shuttle Rustlers
Talking Space
Episode 1703: Stopping the Space Shuttle Rustlers
324
July 2, 2025

OSIRIS-APEX and the 2026 NASA Budget: A Discussion with Dr. Dani DellaGiustina

Episode 1702 -- The OSIRIS-APEX mission, an extension of the wildly successful OSIRIS-REx mission, is set to rendezvous with Asteroid 9942 Apophis in April 2029. This mission takes full advantage of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which still has plenty of fuel and is totally healthy after delivering samples from Asteroid Bennu to Earth on 24 September, 2023. OSIRIS-APEX will closely observe Apophis as the asteroid makes a remarkably close flyby of Earth, coming within 32,000 kilometers (20,000 mi...
OSIRIS-APEX and the 2026 NASA Budget: A Discussion with Dr. Dani DellaGiustina
Talking Space
OSIRIS-APEX and the 2026 NASA Budget: A Discussion with Dr. Dani DellaGiustina
323
March 24, 2025

A Fleet for Lunar Science

Episode 1701: Talking Space returns after a hiatus to discuss the landing attempts by the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. First a successful soft landing of the Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost 1 mission on the plans of Mare Crisium. Then a much more perilous landing attempt for the Intuitive Machines "Athena" lander, trying to land its suite of science and technology demonstrations closer to the Lunar South Pole than any other mission to date, with some mixed results. Along with Blu...
A Fleet for Lunar Science
Talking Space
A Fleet for Lunar Science
322
Nov. 9, 2024

Episode 1614: Talking Space Retrospective, Part 2

This time, our entire on-air team (as it existed on Sept. 19, 2023) again reminisces in Part 2 of the Talking Space retrospective about audience feedback, launch anomalies, podcast burnout, and more!
Episode 1614: Talking Space Retrospective, Part 2
Talking Space
Episode 1614: Talking Space Retrospective, Part 2
321
Oct. 13, 2024

Episode 1613: Talking Space Retrospective, Part 1

This time, our entire on-air team (as it existed on Sept. 19, 2023) reminisces about how Talking Space got started back in the earliest days of podcasting. Plus, much more!
Episode 1613: Talking Space Retrospective, Part 1
Talking Space
Episode 1613: Talking Space Retrospective, Part 1
320
Aug. 18, 2024

Episode 1612: EPA, TCEQ Cite SpaceX for Starbase Clean Water Act Violations

EPA, TCEQ cite SpaceX with Starbase Clean Water Act violations. Talking Space has an in-depth analysis of the CNBC story and the SpaceX response.
Episode 1612: EPA, TCEQ Cite SpaceX for Starbase Clean Water Act Violations
Talking Space
Episode 1612: EPA, TCEQ Cite SpaceX for Starbase Clean Water Act Violations
319
July 13, 2024

Episode 1611: Dissimilar Redundancy

NASA has tried to get Extra Vehicular Activity Number Ninety underway since June 13th. The first attempt was thwarted by a space suit comfort issue, the second by a water leak that created a blizzard of ice inside the Quest airlock. Are the Shuttle-Era Extra Vehicular Mobility Units (EMU) or space suits finally showing their age? Also, what about Collins Aerospace and their recent withdrawal from their NASA contract to build the next generation of space suits for the ISS and the Artemis Lunar Pr...
Episode 1611: Dissimilar Redundancy
Talking Space
Episode 1611: Dissimilar Redundancy
318
July 8, 2024

Episode 1610: How GOES-U?

Truly a GOES fest, with GOES-U Falcon Heavy launch audio and a total of FOUR launch day interviews by our own Mark Ratterman at KSC, including the NWS director.
Episode 1610: How GOES-U?
Talking Space
Episode 1610: How GOES-U?
317
June 28, 2024

Special Episode 1609A: Boeing's Starliner is NOT in Peril.

“Starliner Stuck In Space!!!”, “Starliner Stranded at the ISS!!”, “Space-X To Rescue Starliner Crew!!!” These were the various outrageous headlines being thrown around by various space media outlets this week, concerning the Boeing Starliner Mission and its progress. None of these sensational headlines are true, the ship and crew are in good condition but the media claims that the Starliner mission is in a grave situation, remain. In this special edition of Talking Space, Gene Mikulka and Heath...
Special Episode 1609A: Boeing's Starliner is NOT in Peril.
Talking Space
Special Episode 1609A: Boeing's Starliner is NOT in Peril.
316
June 24, 2024

Special Report: Starliner Status as of June 23, 2024

A quick special report on the status of the joint NASA/Boeing Starliner Mission based on a Blog Post prepared by NASA and Boeing for our listeners.
Special Report: Starliner Status as of June 23, 2024
Talking Space
Special Report: Starliner Status as of June 23, 2024
315
June 18, 2024

Episode 1609: Double Stars Rising

After years of development, testing, disappointment, and perseverance,  NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Willams took Boeing's CST 100 Starliner to the International Space Station for its first flight with a human crew. The team discusses all f...
Episode 1609: Double Stars Rising
Talking Space
Episode 1609: Double Stars Rising
314
May 17, 2024

Episode 1608: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

This episode's got it all: geomagnetic storms causing brilliant auroras in equatorial latitudes, Starliner valve causing both delays and controversy -- and more! Have a listen, won't you?
Episode 1608: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
Talking Space
Episode 1608: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait
313
May 6, 2024

Episode 1607: Staying Healthy in Space -- Unpacking the GEARS Experiment

In this episode: Two GEARS scientists discuss the recent GEARS experiment, space hygiene, and coping with the health challenges of long-duration missions.
Episode 1607: Staying Healthy in Space -- Unpacking the GEARS Experiment
Talking Space
Episode 1607: Staying Healthy in Space -- Unpacking the GEARS Experiment
312
April 27, 2024

Episode 1606: Delta 4 Heavy Recap; Coping with Mars Sample Return Budget

We have a new Talking Space team member, Heather Smith; an update of the Mars Sample Return mission status from NASA as a response to the IRB; and the latest on the final Delta 4 Heavy flight.
Episode 1606: Delta 4 Heavy Recap; Coping with Mars Sample Return Budget
Talking Space
Episode 1606: Delta 4 Heavy Recap; Coping with Mars Sample Return Budget
April 8, 2024

Episode 1605: Getting the NAC of Things

Is the NASA Advisory Council (NAC) system becoming unglued? During the NAC Science Committee meeting on March 21st, there were significant questions about the Primary NAC and its ability to deliver recommendations to NASA's leadership expeditiously.
Episode 1605: Getting the NAC of Things
Talking Space
Episode 1605: Getting the NAC of Things
311
March 23, 2024

Episode 1604: Starship Flight 3 Recap; Safely Watch the April 8 Solar Eclipse

We have all the latest on Starship Flight 3, the last Delta IV Heavy and the fate of LC-37, and the upcoming April 8th total solar eclipse. And much more!
Episode 1604: Starship Flight 3 Recap; Safely Watch the April 8 Solar Eclipse
Talking Space
Episode 1604: Starship Flight 3 Recap; Safely Watch the April 8 Solar Eclipse
310
March 8, 2024

Episode 1603: IM-1 Lander Mission Recap; Interview with Launch-Viewing Rookie

We review the successful Intuitive Machines IM-1 lunar lander mission, and Mark interviews award-winning artist Agnes Garbowska for her impressions of the IM-1 launch -- her first in-person launch experience. And, mucho space news...
Episode 1603: IM-1 Lander Mission Recap; Interview with Launch-Viewing Rookie
Talking Space
Episode 1603: IM-1 Lander Mission Recap; Interview with Launch-Viewing Rookie
309
Feb. 21, 2024

Episode 1602: IM-1 Lunar Lander Launches Successfully; Deep Cuts at JPL a Heartache

Join us for a rollercoaster of emotions as we discuss the joy of the successful launch of the Intuitive Machines IM-1 Lunar Lander, as well as the heartache of the massive layoffs of employees and contractors at JPL.
Episode 1602: IM-1 Lunar Lander Launches Successfully; Deep Cuts at JPL a Heartache
Talking Space
Episode 1602: IM-1 Lunar Lander Launches Successfully; Deep Cuts at JPL a Heartache
Feb. 8, 2024

Episode 1601: Taking Non-Traditional Space Companies and Artisans From Concept to Launchpad: A Conversation With Chantelle Baier of 4Space.

Welcome to the First Talking Space of 2024! The Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission is the second flight of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) missions. Its purpose is to have commercial entities be responsible for sending NASA science paylo...
Episode 1601: Taking Non-Traditional Space Companies and Artisans From Concept to Launchpad: A Conversation With Chantelle Baier of 4Space.
Talking Space
Episode 1601: Taking Non-Traditional Space Companies and Artisans From Concept to Launchpad: A Conversation With Chantelle Baier of 4Space.
Dec. 28, 2023

Episode 1515: What Do Aussies Think About Space?

First off, apologies are in order for our extended absence from your podcast-hungry ears. We try our best to record on a consistent basis, but sometimes there’s a perfect storm of Life Events getting in the way for the Talking Space team when it come...
Episode 1515: What Do Aussies Think About Space?
Talking Space
Episode 1515: What Do Aussies Think About Space?