Today In Space

Welcome to the show! Alex brings you the history of mankind's exploration of the Red Planet, Mars. He goes through the decades and explains how we got to Mars, what we did wrong and what we did right. He also briefly describes the scientific findings that have changed our perception of Mars. Enjoy the history of Mars Exploration through the decades in a "Lightning Round". "Hyperfun", "Maccary Bay", "Raw", "RetroFuture Clean", "Son of a Rocket" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Enjoy a moment with Astronaut Scott Kelly, before he takes off into Space for his year long mission THIS FRIDAY! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4RyD18qyjA Space Links: MER- Spirit & Opportunity Overview http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/mer/index.html#.VQjcRWZAmhw   Pictures taken by Spirit & Opportunity http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/gallery.cfm?Category=Spacecraft&Mission=MER&ImageOf=0   MSL Curiosity Rover:

Welcome to the Opinion Panel: These are the opinions of the people involved, and that's it. - just trying to have some fun!   Alex and John talk about the influence of music in their lives and talk about the band Public Service Broadcasting and their album "The Race for Space". The two also talk about what life was like as a full-time musician growing up, how music listening technology changed as they grew up. Rambling ensues, as always. Enjoy! Space Links: Public Service Broadcasting: http://www.npr.org/2015/02/15/385549238/first-listen-public-service-broadcasting-the-race-for-space http://publicservicebroadcasting.net/#hero  

Alex and the Assistant talk about what's happened in Space since the last episode, with a little talk of Space Business as well. This episode is dedicated to Leonard Nimoy and the lasting impression he left on all of us - LLAP   SCHEDULE CHANGE! I will be releasing podcast episodes every other week from now on. Need more time for research!   Thanks for your understanding, Enjoy the show!   Space Links: Commercial Crew Program: (Massachusetts): http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/CCPInteractiveMap/documents/CCP/CCP_state_fact%20sheet_508_Massachusetts.pdf   SpaceX Launch (3/1/15 - ABS 3A & Eutelsat 115 West B): http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/03/01/falcon-9-launches-two-all-electric-communications-satellites   NASA turns 100 (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIRc_aIGEWc&list=PLiuUQ9asub3Qq1AQRirDI-naOwo1H5gaB&index=0   3 EVA (spacewalks): Explaination of breathing 02 before spacewalk: https://twitter.com/AntonAstrey/status/569160972776148992 EVA(1) https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacesta

In this episode, Alex goes over the MarsOne mission and answers questions from the listeners. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show! Image Credit: Mars One Please subscribe and thank you for listening! REMEMBER: Subscription is free - you don't have to pay for it. Image Credit: Aspiring Martians Source: Mars One Space Links: Time-Line of the mission: http://www.mars-one.com/mission/roadmap Short version of  MarsOne: http://tech.co/mars-one-startup-humans-to-mars-2023-2012-08 Explanation of the Technology and WHAT will be used: http://www.mars-one.com/mission/the-technology Simulation Outpost Alpha: Tech, Complexity, Location & Architecture http://www.mars-one.com/mission/simulation-outpost What Parents tell their kids when they plan to die on Mars http://motherboard.vice.com/read/mars-one-finalists-die-on-mars?utm_source=mbfb MarsOne loses TV deal http://spacenews.com/mars-one-loses-television-deal/ Technology contracts with MarsOne http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_24694059/lockheed

This is the Weekly Update of the podcast, where Alex updates you on things that have happened in Space, in orbit or on Earth this past week.  Alex and the Assistant are back on for this week's update and they close the show with more talk about Moon business. TOPICS for this Episode: Click on the photos for more info! SpaceX Splash-lands the Dragon, completes CRS-5 Brings back over 4,000lbs of scientific data to Earth Image Credit: SpaceX SpaceX launches DSCOVR on it's first Deep-Space mission - 4th times a charm! Extreme Weather prevents landing attempt of the First-Stage on the Autonomous Spaceport Droneship Image Credit: SpaceX   ATV-5 returns to Earth in a Blaze of Glory after a successful mission End of ATV (Cargoship/Laboratory/Space-tug) missions opens up room for Orion Image Credit: ESA   Mind-Maps of the science behind the first 1-Year mission on the ISS Space Links: http://www.nasa.gov/content/one-year-mission/#.VOEemMaM5BJ http://www.nasa.gov/content/twins-study/#.VOEx6caM7y9 http://w

This is the Supplemental Episode of the podcast, where Alex talks about more philosophical, side-mission topics like life in his world.  Or, more likely, gives him a chance to talk about things NOT Space and *try* to be funny. But of course he tries to bring it all back to Space in the end.  In this episode, Alex talks about his time in NYC for the Patrice O'Neal benefit, starts a brand new segment and talks about why "Reaching for the Impossible" is so important.    Photos from the Patrice O'Neal Benefit Photos from the Conditions in New England

In this week's episode, Alex and the Assistant hangout and watch the live coverage of the DSCOVR launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9. While they wait, the two talk about Moon business and eventually aliens. The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch of DSCOVR has been scrubbed and will launch on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015 @ 6:05PM ETwith a backup for Wednesday, February 11th, 2015 @ 6:03PM ET You can watch it here on NASA-TV http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#.VNlHl8aM7y8   SpaceX DSCOVR Mission Patch Space Links: Moon Business http://www.redorbit.com/news/space/1113327032/private-firms-exploring-moon-mining-02031 http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0L715F20150203?irpc=932 Great inforgraphic by Space.com about how SpaceX will land the Falcon 9 http://www.space.com/28167-spacex-risky-reusable-rocket-landing-infographic.html?cmpid=514648_20150208_40132816&adbid=564536686210596866&adbpl=tw&adbpr=15431856

EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible On this weekly update Alex does another Lightning round to go over some of the many things that have happened in Space since the last episode. This week's Lightning Round mixes electronic synth & beat loops as well as some disco-era baselines accompanied by the intuitive GarageBand Drummer Nikki.   She's not real...but she plays like she's real. Topics for this EP: Click the images for the link to the topic, and see underneath for extras! Inflation Deflated Image Credit: ESA/Planck Collaboration. Acknowledgment: M.-A. Miville-Deschênes, CNRS – Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris-XI, Orsay, France What the hell is a CubeSats?! Image Credit: Clyde-Space.com Figure 1: Pumpkin 1U CubeSat Structure with Clyde Space Solar Panels. NASA's SMAP Launches Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls Z-1 Prototype Suit - To infinity, or just beyond? Image Credit: NASA. This new spacesuit prototype from NASA might reinvent the ways astronauts experience space. Whe

Welcome to the Weekly Update of Today In Space! EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible Topics: The mission to put an Astronaut (Scott Kelly) and two Cosmonauts in space for a year. NASA & the team will check the effects of microgravity with identical twin Mark Kelly (who will be on the ground supporting the mission). http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/watch/a-historic-space-mission-for-identical-twins-388472387515?cid=sm_TW http://www.universetoday.com/118388/president-obama-salutes-nasa-astronaut-kelly-and-1-year-iss-mission-at-state-of-the-union-address/ NASA astronaut Scott Kelly stands as he is recognized by President Barack Obama. Astronaut Scott Kelly will launch to the International Space Station and become the first American to live and work aboard the orbiting laboratory for a year-long mission. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls   The effects of microgravity on the human body http://www.space.com/20730-human-body-spaceflight-weird-facts.html Credit: "Inside my Sleep Pod - it serves as my bedroom, recording

EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible Welcome to a special bonus episode of Today in Space! In this episode, Alex talks more about himself and his experiences with college. This episode features the first "Lightning Round", a little experimental piece that could make it's way to being a regular segment. Let me know what you think, email the show at todayinspace.net/contact Topics: UPCOMING: Jan 26, 2015 - Asteroid 2004 BL86 Flyby-Stargazing Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The Mars 'Opportunity' rover - new real-color panorama of Mt. Tribulation & 'robotic amnesia' Opportunity’s view from Cape Tribulation Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell Univ./Arizona State University UPDATE: Ceres Approach by Dawn - March 6, 2015. More info on Ceres Ceres Interior: Cutaway view of Ceres showing the differentiated layers of the asteroid. Last Update: 29 Mar 2011 Credit: NASA/ESA/STScI Last edited UPDATE: Orbital Sciences new Rocket Engines (RD-181's) for Antares and an overview of the manufacturing deal Energia (Russia)

EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day everyone. We celebrate a leader who cared about the people and showed us all how to peacefully protest. Today in Space, Alex and the Assistant talk about: The first attempt at landing a rocket after 1st stage seperation by SpaceX's Falcon9 The mystery of the Beagle-2 on Mars - found after 11 years New Dawn mission images of Ceres as it approaches The guys also talk about the success of Boston this week, from Patriots to the UFC at the Garden. Enjoy! Space Links: SpaceX Vine of Falcon 9 attempted landing on DroneShip https://vine.co/v/OjqeYWWpVWK Beagle-2 Found on Mars 11 years later http://www.universetoday.com/118190/beagle-2-found-on-mars-after-an-11-year-hunt/ http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30784886 New Images of Ceres from Dawn http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/dawn-delivers-new-image-of-ceres/#.VL1eMUfF-Ag

SPOILER ALERT! We will ruin these movies for you (Movies listed Below)   Alex has John back on the podcast so they can talk about their favorite Space-Related Movies and other things that happen to pop-up during the episode. Alex also opens with what happened Today in Space: The ISS alarm about a possible leak that occurred @ 4AM EST this morning and what we know What the ESA's Huygens Probe has accomplished and what we know about Titan because of it Enjoy! EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible Spoiler: Movies that will be ruined for you (Not in order) Total Recall Armageddon Chronicles of Riddick Interstellar Star Trek Aliens Apollo 13 SPACEBALLS NO Star Wars   Serenity Gravity Wrath of Kahn Europa Report Alien The Fifth Element Galaxy Quest E.T. Elysium Space Links: http://www.universetoday.com/118175/ammonia-leak-on-the-iss-forces-evacuation-of-us-side-crew-safe/ Links to tweets I refer to in this podcast:  @NASA https://twitter.com/NASA/status/555353675418599424 @fcain https://twitter.com/fcain/status/5

EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible Today In Space, Alex brings updates from SpaceX's CRS-5 mission and the science that they'll be doing up in Space. He also talks about four different events in Space, from the years 1820, 1986, 1997 & 2005 that happened on January 12. Thanks to the friends who tried to keep me out tonight - love you all! But this shit is real. Enjoy! Space Links: http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/12/7531133/spacex-falcon-9-barge-returns-to-port-damaged http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/SpaceX_CRS-5_factsheet.pdf

EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible Alex dubs the CRS-5 Launch video (since he missed the live launch). He also talks about the cold weather, the student scientists who got a second chance, and things to come with the show! Enjoy! link to the Launch Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7x-SumbynI&index=27&list=WL Space Links: http://www.spacex.com/falcon9 http://www.universetoday.com/117914/student-scientists-get-second-chance-to-fly-experiments-to-iss-aboard-falcon-9-after-antares-loss/ https://twitter.com/MarsWxReport/status/553189526487965698/photo/1

EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible Alex and the Assistant talk about the aborted CRS-5 mission today and what caused the engineers to stop the launch. They also talk about fear and anxiety and how to deal with it. Enjoy! The next launch attempt of the Falcon9 rocket and CRS-5 mission is slated for 4:47AM ET this Saturday (January 10th). You can watch coverage of it here Image Credit: SpaceX http://www.spacex.com/webcast/ Space Links: http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/liftoff-aborted-spacex-attempt-historic-landing-delayed-n280391 http://www.space.com/28174-spacex-aborts-falcon9-rocket-launch.html?cmpid=514648 Russian Moon Base Plans http://www.business2community.com/space-science/russian-firm-plans-build-lunar-base-project-costs-estimated-9-4-billion-01113995 SpaceX | Grasshopper 325m Test | Single Camera (Hexacopter) - youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGimzB5QM1M

EXPLICIT MATERIAL Possible Today In Space, Alex introduces the new assistant to the show. The two go over the Big Bang, what it is and how we know about it. Alex then goes into the controversy with the Bicep teams study on Inflation and what the Standard Cosmological Model is - as it relates to the Big Bang. Enjoy! And don't forget to check out the SpaceX Launch tomorrow (01/06/15) at 6AM EST here http://www.spacex.com/webcast/ I'll be covering the launch with the Assistant tomorrow and it should be out by 7PM Space Links: New Spyder telescope launched from balloon in Antarctica  http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/01/03/science/big-bang-to-be-investigated-from-balloon-in-antarctica.html?referrer= Arguments against bicep - dust in calculations http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/09/23/science/space/study-confirms-criticism-of-big-bang-finding.html Planck mission http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Planck/Planck_reveals_an_almost_perfect_Universe The standard cosmological model - Lambda CDM expl

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! EXPLICIT MATERIAL Welcome to the 16th episode of Today In Space. Thank you to everyone for listening and subscribing, and I'm looking forward to bringing you more of what is new, today in Space! Here is Part 2 of the the "Opinion Panel" featuring Brian Folan. Alex and Brian talk about the Scientific Method, String Theory, Theoretical Physicists, "Armageddon", "Gravity", and real-life Zombie Brains. Enjoy!   Space Links: http://www.spacex.com/news/2014/12/16/x-marks-spot-falcon-9-attempts-ocean-platform-landing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_in_spaceflight http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/poisoners/ Brian had brought this article up to discuss, but considering I didn't read it before-hand, I really didn't have any right to give my take on it. So I cut that part of our conversation out. But, both me and Brian did have problems with this article for different reasons but the general consensus was that we don't agree with the way this article leads people on -

EXPLICIT MATERIAL POSSIBLE In Part 1 of this Two Part episode, Alex has Brian Folan (artist/musician out of Providence, RI) on the show to discuss Dark Energy. This episode is part of the "Opinion Panel" where Alex brings people who are interested in space and science to come on and give their opinion. The idea is to get people who aren't involved in science to "ask questions" and talk about Space. This is the first try. Enjoy! From "What is Dark Energy?", to "How do we know there is Dark Energy?", Alex and Brian sit down and talk about this crazy mystery that is supposed to make up 68% of the Universe. Relax, listen and enjoy! If you want to check out Brian Folan's music, go to Brian4ever.bandcamp.com Topics in this Episode: Dark Energy, Dark Matter, the Composition of the Universe, Planck Telescope,  Space Links: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/planck/news/planck20130321.html#.VKGyBkACHQ http://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/what-is-dark-energy/

EXPLICIT MATERIAL POSSIBLE The Sierra Nevada Corporation Dream Chaser flight vehicle is readied for 60 mph tow tests at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on Aug. 2, 2013 Credit: NASA/Ken Ulbrich Alex talks about the postponing of SpaceX's CRS-5 mission to resupply the ISS and also talks about some other private companies and what they are doing to help bring the cost down for space travel and help make it safer. The companies discussed are Sierra Nevada Corporations (SNC) Space Systems and Blue Origins, LLC. Blue Origin’s pusher escape system rockets the Crew Capsule away from the launch pad, demonstrating a key safety system for both suborbital and orbital flights. Credit: Jeff Bezos, Blue Origins, LLC. Dream Chaser launches on an Atlas V rocket in this artist's conception. Credit: Mark Maxwell Over=head view comparison of the Space Shuttle (Right) and the Dream Chaser aircraft (Left) In the spirit of Christmas, Alex also demonstrates how the "horse-whinny" is done in that Christmas song - "Sleigh R

EXPLICIT MATERIAL Alex brings you the information you should know as New Horizons makes its approach to Pluto and it's moons. Alex explains the history of why Pluto became classified as a "dwarf planet" in 2006. Learn a little bit about the mission & what to expect during the time until New Horizons reaches its closest approach to Pluto on July 14, 2015. Also, Alex goes over the different data the science team is planned to gather during their time at Pluto. An artist's drawing shows the New Horizons spacecraft as it nears Pluto. The moon Charon is in the distance Image Credit: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwes In 2005, this image from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope was used to identify two new moons orbiting Pluto. Pluto is in the center. The moon Charon is just below it. The newly discovered moons, Nix and Hydra, are to the right of Pluto and Charon. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, H. Weaver (JHU/APL), A. Stern (SwRI), and the HST A drawing of the solar system shows Pluto's tilted