Today In Space

First off - we hope you are well. Wishing you all the best in the coming weeks to months of our 'new normal'. Talking a little about how I've handled the past week...which feels like a month. Sharing some things that have worked for me in the hopes it helps even one person for the better. A big theme of this week is that when reality gets f&#ked up science can help, but it takes time for 'good' science to happen.  Lot's of exciting stuff to discuss from out lab AG3D Printing. Found a purpose to help create an option to help our front line heroes - Doctors, nurses, emts, special needs and residential staff, fire safety, police, restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores. Very humbled and honored to be a part of the big innovation movement growing between healthcare and makers of all kinds. So many people looking to help and we're starting to see the focus of the needs from healthcare. More to update on next episode - follow along @ag3dprinting on instagram! If you find yourself looking for an expert on s

We're back in Boston from our trip to San Diego - what a time to travel...No symptoms to be concerned of yet. I am alive, and have some stories about my adventure. I talk about the strange world we live in and my thoughts as a scientist.  There's some talk about SpaceX and their Starlink 5 mission and we share our 10 Binge-worth Space Movie list (created in part by YOU the listeners!). And we explore the idea of how the Coronavirus may affect the Space Industry in the near future... We again are asking YOU the listeners what we can do for you - what are you looking for from Today In Space as we all enter the social distancing period. We'll all be spending ALOT of time in the near future on our phones and computers - so hit us up with how we can help in these strange, strange times.  Be well - stay safe and healthy. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and Live Long and Prosper my friends... Starlink 5 Launch for SpaceX https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/03/13/falcon-9-starlink-5-mission-status-center/ NASA,

This week Today In Space is on-the-road in San Diego, California. Yes, that means we dared to travel with the insanity of the COVID-19 mania. I share my thoughts and observations traveling from Boston to San Diego and how this has affected things. And of course, my thoughts on how a scientific mindset can help reduce anxiety and hysteria given the situation. It's not the end of the world, but things are weird for sure. And they've just begun in the US. On a lighter note - we have lot's of SpaceX news to share (links for more info below). From Starship updates to Demo2 news, as well as a few other exciting topics - SpaceX is on the move and making progress.  Live long and prosper my friends - and don't forget to wash your hands! Official Spotify Playlist of the Podcast is now up! The Space Mix https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5VOVEhz32C0efPE1KEMCGY?si=iGH58OoqQditCvcAXqUK4w Make sure to give it a like and share with others! - send us any requests to add to the playlist! @todayinspacepod on instagram or emai

To start of March of 2020, we are going to discuss the Balance. The balance of life as a human being, science, and making human life interplanetary. In all three of these, failure plays a major role. When you view failure through the right lens, things can change for you.  In this episode, we discuss how I had a reminder of how failure can be viewed to make you better, if you can only separate yourself from the emotion of it. Our latest attempt at 3D printing the Mandalorian Helmet didn't have the results we wanted, but it reminded me failure is part of the journey. It's also something SpaceX has figured out as a way to develop space technology more rapidly than ever before, like the Starship and Falcon 9. 3D Printing Organs: https://singularityhub.com/2019/05/07/new-progress-in-the-biggest-challenge-with-3d-printed-organs/ 3D Printing Houses: https://youtu.be/gVUlbpZS0Rc Made In Space - ISS First 3D print in Space: https://madeinspace.us/capabilities-and-technology/additive-manufacturing-facility/ Footag

Welcome to the Commercial Crew Review on Today In Space, where once a month we review the latest with SpaceX and Boeing as they continue to develop NASA's next options to send American Astronauts from American soil once again. We’re closing out February with a Commercial Crew Review. Spacex and Boeing had lots going on with #crewdragon getting ready for #demo2 (their first human crewed mission) and CST100 Starliner updates from the independent review of the latest robotic test flight.  Get caught up by listening to our last Commercial Crew Review on episode TIS182 on your favorite podcast app: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3EK84gfpb4O6onN2ijp58L?si=kSS8XMQeTmyJeIvB09tECQ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/today-in-space/id943279351?i=1000463449337 Watch on our Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/UipMBuO2Tnk Links from this episode: SpaceX related: https://www.engadget.com/2020/01/19/spacex-crew-dragon-astronaut-launch-second-quarter/ https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/sc

Audio issues resolved - we're back for another episode to run a thought experiment on the idea of 'why a space force is necessary'. With the Space Force being created as the 6th branch of the US military, there's been a lot of jokes (I've laughed at a few). But the Space Force could very easily become a much larger part in humanities day to day. There are lots of possibilities - a Space Arms Race to a technological transformation that brings human expansion to Lunar and Martian colonies. I've been noticing a trend lately that has the recipe for major change and progress...let's hope it's in the best interest for all of us. Starship Update - Nosecone https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1230276876930863105 Starlink 4 launched - Falcon 9 B1056.4 didn’t land RIPhttps://youtu.be/8xeX62mLcf8 USSF Enterprise SATCOMhttps://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article/2087406/ussf-signs-vision-for-single-integrated-satellite-communications-enterprise Article - Why having a space force is necessary - Imprimishttps://imprimis.hills

On this episode, I break down some of the major space news that happened since the last episode. We're bringing Orbital News into 2020 on some major rocket fuel! Astronaut Christina Koch returns to earth after record breaking time in space https://www.americaspace.com/2020/02/06/christina-koch-returns-to-earth-after-longest-ever-spaceflight-by-a-woman/ https://www.space.com/record-breaking-astronaut-christina-koch-female-space-records.html Solar Orbiter launches aboard the ULA's Atlas V rocket on its way to capture the Sun's poles for the first time https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/solar-orbiter-launch-takes-solar-science-to-new-heights Voyager 2 Is back online after some troubleshooting from Earth, 11.5 billion miles away http://www.todayinspace.net/podcast/spacex-amp-boeing-make-progress-voyager-2s-interstellar-research-tis171/2019/11/7 What caused the problem and how did they fix it? https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/news/details.php?article_id=117 https://www.inverse.com/science/nasa-brings-voyager-2-ful

There's a lot covered on this podcast - from the latest bill proposed for NASA's long term goals, to changing my life around my food allergies...it's all about balance. I may have found a balance to living a happy life with those allergies, but NASA has not found a balance to surviving it's relationship with politics. Unfortunate and the ultimate uncontrollable variable in the equation for success with NASA.  I have some ideas (some new, some old and now reinforced) on how NASA can strategically place itself in a good position to be resistant to the distracting variable of political interest and influence on our collective long term space progress. "House Introduces NASA Authorization Bill that Emphasizes Mars over Moon" SpaceNews.com (Jeff Foust) https://spacenews.com/house-introduces-nasa-authorization-bill-that-emphasizes-mars-over-moon/ Bill H.R. 5666 - NASA Authorization Bill https://science.house.gov/imo/media/doc/NASA_AUTH_01_xml.pdf

Welcome to our newly revamped segment for 2020 called the People of Science where we breakdown the common misconception of what someone in science is like. Let's be honest, when I say that someone is a person of science, or a scientist what do you think of? Probably someone in a lab coat, maybe holding a beaker of some neon colored liquid. Maybe safety glasses on, if you're lucky? On this week's episode - we're talking about Astronomer and Astrophysicist Vera Rubin who is responsible for the discovery of Dark Matter Haloes which expands our search to understanding the mystery of 'dark matter'. Learn a bit about the life and person behind the scientist on this week's episode. Vera Rubin's voice was done by Sara. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-a-neutrino/ https://www.space.com/vera-rubin.html?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com Neil DeGrasse Tyson on Dark Matter https://youtu.be/lr-DB3Z_5_c Preview of Vera Rubin's book Bright Galaxies, Dark Matters http

Welcome to the Commercial Crew Review on Today In Space, where once a month we review the latest with SpaceX and Boeing as they continue to develop NASA's next options to send American Astronauts from American soil once again. On this episode, we're going to review the successful Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort test for SpaceX. This test was a MAJOR milestone in the commercial crew program.  Crew Dragon Launch Escape Demonstration https://youtu.be/mhrkdHshb3E?t=1036 SpaceX Booster Death Fall - IFA  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4soghyssxQ&t=385s Stephen Marr Image of Falcon9 Explosion from IFT https://www.facebook.com/stephen.marr.14/posts/2643781058992349 Elon Musk & NASA Discuss Successful In Flight Abort Test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggxhLa2xJOA&feature=share https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerodynamic_force https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/a24735688/spacex-go-searcher-rescue-ship-astronauts/ Guardian Angels https://www.acc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/199118/g

The Bachelor...in Space? So it seems, after the latest from the first commercial investor of a SpaceX Starship, Yusaku Maezawa is now planning a romantic getaway (and accompanying dating show) to go with the #dearMoon mission. Or are they not sending artists around the moon anymore? Things are confusing, and space will be weird in the near space future.  This week Alex does a thought experiment on when commercial space can go too far...send us your ideas and thoughts! todayinspacepodcast@gmail.com @todayinspacepod on twitter and instagram /TodayInSpacepodcast on facebook https://twitter.com/SpaceForceDoD/status/1217255506894606336 https://twitter.com/yousuck2020/status/1217662377367224320 https://mz.abema.tv/en.html P.S. - Apologies on any weird voice modulation this episode. Down a microphone and didn't notice the issue until after I recorded. Totally listenable - just sounds a little like we added a Tron filter towards the end. Working on it!

First podcast of the year meets first rocket launch of the year with SpaceX's Starlink 2 launch aboard a Falcon 9 (which attempted a landing on the droneship 'Of Course I Still Love You'). During this launch hangout we talk about the details behind the launch of 60 Starlink satellite that will be part of a constellation that will later provide affordable worldwide 5G internet coverage to all. The controversy? Unknown to seemingly everyone before launch, the reflectivity of the Starlink solar panels at certain periods of the day is ruining ground based astronomers images of the stars. I try to sift through the facts and provide a balanced point of view on this. Is SpaceX doing enough to help with this? Is this the end of Astronomy as we know it? Listen to find out! Hope you have a great week! Another episode next week - feel free to hit us up with any questions or ideas for future episodes! @todayinspacepod on twitter and instagram /TodayInSpacepodcast on Facebook @todayinspace on TikTok todayinspace.net

Getting real on this episode to talk about my personal balance as we enter the next decade and the start of a new year. Instead of celebrating all of the things I did this past year that were awesome, I usually find myself looking back at what I can improve. It's not always in the most positive mood, but I always try to focus on what I can do to make things better. This podcast has been a huge source of improvement for me and came into my life at my lowest point - right before I accomplished one of the hardest things in my life. Quitting a pack a day cigarette habit. But I really just transferred my addiction to something productive. Sometimes thats great, and sometimes the same old habits come back in other ways that don't include going outside to smoke. I've learned it's a mindset - not just a physical addiction. What I learned about my addictive mindset is if applied properly it can help me achieve my greatest goals. But it is a double edged sword and needs consistent discipline to keep in line. I talk abo

In the intro for this episode, we start with my thoughts on the close of 2019 and the start of 2020. There's a-lot to look forward to and reflect on. Boeing's CST-100 Starliner returns to Earth safely landing in White Sands base in New Mexico after an anomaly getting into orbit to dock with the International Space Station. I also share my thoughts on some lessons I've learned from this year, specifically perspective. How emotion can filter how we see reality. Then I intro the second part of our NASAsocial tour of the Veggie lab with Trent Smith and Dr. Gioia Massa

On this week's episode we enter NASA's Veggie Lab and hear about their plans for growing plants in space for the ISS. This work prepares us to move forward to Cislunar space and then on to a sustainable food source at scale with Lunar and Martian Colonies. Get a sneak peak at NASA's plan to be able to grow and provide a diverse yet targeted supply of crops to sustain humans traveling the next stages of the final frontier. This whole trip was amazing, and if we hadn't seen rockets in person this would be #1. Thank you NASA Social! You'll also learn how we first learned we could eat in space, what we plan to plant in space for the future, as well as our speaker Ralph Fritsche's thoughts on the Martian's depiction of growing food on Mars.  Fun episode! Looking forward to a Boeing CST100 Starliner launch on Friday Dec 20th, 2019 at 06:36AM currently. Can be watched live at boeing.com/starliner. Go Commercial Crew! Have a great week space people! We'll see you right after Christmas with part two from inside the V

Here is another installment from the NASA social event we went to last week for the SpaceX CRS-19 Launch. This week, we have a very special tour of the VAB, or Vehicle Assembly Building in Florida. We had the best tour guide we could ever hope for, Greg Hale, who worked at the VAB during the Space Shuttle Era and had so much knowledge and stories to share that even if you are just listening I think you'll get A TON from it. I was completely baffled and honestly speechless at the VAB. The sheer magnitude of the building which was created to assemble some of the most important space technologies of all time - Saturn V and Space Shuttle. And soon to be the Space Launch System. Quite an episode. Hope you enjoy! I know I did.  Such an amazing opportunity - thanks NASA Social! Models for the 3D models we used for the NASA Social: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:221799 https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1802512  

After the SpaceX CRS19 launch to send the Dragon Spacecraft to the International Space Station, we had an impromptu podcast as soon as we got off the podcast with some of the remaining NASA Social peeps. Unfortunately, due to the nature of launching rockets, the launch on Wednesday was scrubbed for Thursday and some of the amazing people on this trip had to return home. But, with those remaining, we had the chance to share our reactions post-launch which is really cool considering for most of us it was our first launch! Hear what we all had to say and learn where you can follow these amazing people online! JACK PHAN @JackPhan TERESA MOON @teresamoon3 ANDREW CANTINO @tectonic orbitalindex.com ERIN VEST @swordandsnore CHRISTINA ROWLAND @stinaeroland ANDREW PRESSLEY @yoandrewp ELENA SALAZAR @elenacsalazar ZAC HALL @apollozac 9to5mac.com HALEY HARRISON @__Stellaaaar SUSAN MALLETT @sbmallett @capaerospace ANGELA DiLORETO @AngelaMDiLoreto VICTORIA HEATH @planetarynomad @victoria_heath7 CHRIS EDENS @guywithgolden gu

Hey there Space People! Here in sunny (and warm) Florida avoiding the triple threat snow storms in Boston and getting ready for the SpaceX CRS-19 launch. Today was a nice relaxing day getting prepped for this amazing opportunity from the NASA Social program and I can't help but think back to where this all started. And I mean BACK to the origins of why I podcast. It's amazing to look back and see how the earliest memories of what I wanted to be when I was a kid has somehow manifested itself into this show and this launch coverage coming up on Wednesday. Absolutely crazy! Live Stream will be up on our Youtube Channel on Wednesday for the launch and watch for some live streaming tests tomorrow for some prelaunch coverage. HERE WE GO!!!!

On this episode, which I have recorded for a third time, covers the latest on SpaceX's Starship testing as well as some news on the costs of the Commercial Crew Program for NASA's options on sending humans into space again, without the aid of Russia and their Soyuz capsule (which costs $87 million per Astronaut).  I also talk about my thoughts on WHY SpaceX is so disruptive in the Space Industry and how they make it possible to be immune to the ever-changing winds of government funding and political parties in charge.  I have recorded this multiple times because so much happened on the same day of recording, we just had to scrap it and start over. With Thanksgiving coming up next week, we've got a longer episode to help tide you over until December, when I will be in Florida capturing the CRS-19 mission for SpaceX thanks to the NASAsocial program. Enjoy your holiday America! Stay safe everyone - we'll see you in December! If you'd like to learn more about the history of the Space Program get these two books!

On this episode I share my thoughts on an article we received from a listener (thank you Rachel!) about one of the oldest Star's in our known universe that registers as older than the universe...How is that possible? Is science not perfect? How can the magical art of science be wrong? IT'S OVER 9000??!! This brings up one of my favorite parts of science. That it is not perfect. In fact, what science does in my opinion is allow us to disseminate reality. And even then, we can only truly guess within a range of uncertainty. No, not the feeling of not knowing the answer - but scientific uncertainty. Scientific and statistical error. Always been a part of science - but we rarely talk about it, and it seems we only do when it's convenient (like when a Star can read older than the universe). And while science can produce answers with reasonable certainty and with small tolerance - when it comes to space that error can seem unimaginably large. What's the tolerance on the age of the universe at 16 billion years? Eve