Welcome to Spaceflight Observer

Episode 7: Walking Forward, Looking Back

On this special installment we look back at Space Shuttle Discovery's arrival at The Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center and revisit a poignant moment that took place as Space Shuttle Discovery was being brought into it's new home that did not get a lot of press and sadly may get lost somplace in history.  We're honored to talk about that moment with one of it's participants, recording artist and spaceflight advocate CraftLass. We discuss the event, the future of spaceflight the United States in the post shuttle era, and a special occurrence that happened on April 19th that, in some sense,  we were all a part of. 

Guest - Craftlass - CraftLass.Com

Host: Gene Mikulka  

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Episode 6: Rockets, Dragons, and Steely Eyed Missile Men 

Anthony Fitch was among those present at  Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for the launch of an Atlas V carrying the the Advanced Extremely Hi Frequency Number 2  (AEHF) communications satellite and has returned with stories of the launch and about how the entire  AEHF constellation will help out not only the US Military but our allies in the future. We then stay in in the general vicinity to discuss the second launch of Space Exploration Technologies  Falcon 9 booster  carrying  the first commercial payload bound for the International Space Station. There was an announced delay in that launch until May 19th and the team speculates when it will take place. We quickly discuss the shooting of the SaturnV Being displayed at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration in Huntsville, Alabama. Then note the passing of  Retro Officer and  "steely eyed missile man" John Llewellyn who coined the phrase "The Trench"  in the old Mission Control Room. 

Panel Members: 

Eryn Biesner - Barrios Technogies 

Anthony Fitch  - Outpost Fitch.com

Host:  Gene Mikulka

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Episode 5: A Penny 4 NASA

NASA gets a a half penny per tax payer, thats .005% of the entire United States National Budget.  John Zeller is trumpeting an idea, that was first put forward by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, how about allocating a whole penny of your tax dollar for NASA? John  has started a web site, Penny4NASA.org,  and is asking for your support. The Spaceflight Observer Team with all hands on deck  discuss the Penny4NASA effort and why our space program is in a malaise in general. While John's organization has reached the required signatures for the White House Petition, you can still make your voice known via the petition posted on his website though Change.org.

Guest - John Zeller - penny4nasa.org

Penny4NASA Petition on Change.org

Panel Members: 

Eryn Biesner - Barrios Technogies 

Anthony Fitch  - Outpost Fitch.com

Amy Shira Teitel - AmericaSpace, VintageSpace, Discovery News

Host:  Gene Mikulka

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Episode 4: All About ATV

A profile of the European Space Agency's Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) with Eryn Beisner contractor with Barrios Technology and visiting vehicle officer a at NASA's Johnson Spaceflight Center. Eryn describes the mission of the ATV and NASA's role in supporting the flight of ATV 3 for the International Space Station.

Guest: Eryn Beisner

Host: Gene Mikulka

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Episode 3: It Doesn't Take a Rocket Scientist

After a bit of an unexpected lull and a few setbacks, Spaceflight Observer is back and we trust you are back with us! This installment features a dynamic guest fresh from her presentation at SpaceUP Houston. Eryn Beisner, is a contractor working at NASA's Johnson Spaceflight Center in Houston, Texas but has been a long time space advocate. In this evening's discussion she shares how she started down the path of a space career, and conveys the message that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to do rocket science. And that you too can make a difference in your space program. 

Guest: Eryn Beisner

Host: Gene Mikulka

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Eryn's Discussion at SpaceUP Houston 2012 - The Case for Space

 Episode 2: Moon Base Lunacy

 This past week, United States Republican Presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich had a lot to say about NASA's future direction by proposing a permanent lunar settlement by the end of his second term if elected. Gene Mikulka and Amy Teitel debate the wisdom of a permanent lunar settlement by the year 2020, and the impact that the proposal may have on the presidential race. Also Amy and Gene discuss NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuStar) to be launched on March 14.

Guest: Amy Teitel

Host: Gene Mikulka              

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Links -

Via Vintage Space, 28 January 2012 -"On Newt Gingrich On the Moon" 

Via Chicago Tribune, 25 January, 2012  ""Gingrich Calls for Moon Base, Space Contests"

Via Space Policy OnLine, 27 January, 2012 - "Romney's Turn to Lay Out Space Goals Scott Pace Heading Romney's Team

Via Cable News Network , 30 January, 2012 -  A Moon Colony Is A Waste of Money

Via Universe Today - 29 January, 2012  - NASA's New Eyes In The Sky 

 Via CalTech and NASA - NuStar Official Website  

Episode 1 The Strange Case of Phobos-Grunt

For the first episode the team examines the Failed Russian Phobos sample return mission, Phobos-Grunt, and the controversy around who may be responsible for the probe's demise. Then we turn back the clock to revisit one of the more interesting stories of 2011, Mars 500.

Guest - Amy Teitel

Host: Gene Mikulka

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Links -

Via ITAR-TASS - 16 January, 2012 Rogozin Puts Investigation in Phobos-Grunt Crach Under Personal Control 

Via Slate - 11 January, 2012 "The US Didn't Shoot Down Russia's Mars Probe, But It Could Have. 

Via - Russia Behind the Headlines 18 January, 2012 - Phobos-Grunt Fall Resulted in Controversial Statements of Russian Officials

Via - TV Novosti - 19 January 2012 What Really Happened to Russia's Mars Probe?

Via - Russian Space Web - 17 January, 2012 - A Plausible Scenario for the Phobos-Grunt Failure Emerges 

Via - Space.Com - 21 January, 2012 Russian Mars Probe Crash Sets Off Conspiracy Theories

Via NASA Kennedy Space Center - 13 March, 2000 - (PDF)  Report on Project Management in NASA by the Mars Climate Orbiter Mishap Investigation Board