Talking Space

On this episode of Talkling Space, the regular gang is dealing with illness and traveling on the road. However, Mark Ratterman comes to the rescue with a phenomenal interview about something this show has become known for: space debris. Mark interviews Alex von Eckartsberg, who recently returned from the Sixth European Conference on Space Debris in Darmstadt, Germany. Alex discusses some shocking numbers about how bad our debris problem is. Also discussed is the current means for trying to avoid debr...

On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss some ISS news, including the return of the Expedition 35 crew, which occurred during the recording of the episode. We then talk about the emergency repair that occurred onboard, as well as about Chris Hadfield and his as well as Canada’s current and possible future contributions to the station. On our second trip around the table, we discuss an auction of some pretty important space memorabil...

On this episode of Talking Space, we return from a technology issue the previous week with a delay of the next Orbital launch and look into why. We then discuss some interesting comments made by NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, who announces his frustration with NASA’s budget and where we’re going next. We then discuss a video with a look at commercial spaceflight, if it can be called that. On our second trip around the table, we discuss the success of the X-51A, aka the Waverider. We th...

On this special episode of Talking Space, we discuss the maiden voyage of Orbital Science’s Antares rocket. Our very own Gene was in Wallops Island, VA and recounts his experience. We discuss the pre-launch festivities, the launch scrubs prior to Sunday’s successful launch at 5pm EDT, as well as the way Orbital handled their media relations. We also discuss the future of Orbital as well as their fellow COTS member, SpaceX. We also compare the two companies and rockets and look at the...

On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss the deorbit of the Russian Progress vehicle. We then go into an in-depth discussion into the reason why Gene was unable to join us tonight-the demo launch of Orbital Science’s Antares rocket from Wallops Island. We discuss the flight, the COTS program, and our thoughts on it. We then discuss a cool little camera doing some big science. On our second trip around the table, we discuss the proposed 2014 NASA budget. We look at where it’s going, a p...

We talk plenty this show including the Soyuz TMA-08M launch and rendezvous. The ISERV- First Light pictures from the ISS can be seen at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/servir/iserv_130325.html. SpaceX CRS2 landing and future plans for crew launch. Here is a link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujX6CuRELFE&feature=youtu.be to the Spa...

On this episode of Talking Space, we discuss SpaceX’s Dragon capsule and its return to Earth, as well as the scheduled departure of the next crew to the space station, and why their launch day will be different from the rest. We then discuss everyone’s favorite term in the United States: sequester. We discuss the impacts it will have on NASA, and specifically public outreach. We then get an update on Astronaut Abby’s campaign. On our second trip arou...

On this special episode of Talking Space, we talk to Abigail Harrison, also known as Astronaut Abby on Twitter. Abby is a teenager with a passion for space, who is planning to be the first person on Mars by 2030. We discuss with Abby her special trip to Russia and then to Kazakhstan to see the launch of theSoyuz TMA-09M spacecraft carrying 3 crew members to the ISS, including her mentor ESA

On this episode of Talking Space, we return from our two week break refreshed and ready to cover the latest space news. We discuss SpaceX’s CRS-2 launch, the minor issue that occurred, and how they handled the issue from a media relations point of view. We then discuss a bit of corrupted data on the main computer aboard the Mars rover Curiosity and what that means for MSL. On our second trip around the table, we discuss Dennis Tito’s plan to send a couple on a journey of a lifetime-to orb...

On this episode we talk about asteroids. In particular the one affecting Russia and of course the flyby of 2012 DA14. Next up or down as the case may be, a Proton rocket launch failure and a Sea Launch Zenit rocket launch failure causing loss of their payloads. The 21st Century Ground Support Systems upgrade at Kennedy Space Center gets some time on this episode too. Will the work done and planned at KSC benefit government or commercial users or both? Watch the video titled “