It was September 9, 2009; aka 09/09/09.

That was the easy-to-remember air date of the first episode of Talking Space. The Space Shuttle era was ending. As far as most of the public was concerned, that represented the death knell for the U.S. Space Program. But Gene, Mark and Sawyer knew better, and they were trying to figure out how to best spread the word that all was not lost.

Thus, Talking Space was born. And what a ride it’s been.

In Part 2 of this retrospective (Part 1 can be found here), the team reveals:

• The role of audience feedback – pros and cons, and the methods by which we receive it (and don’t, despite our best efforts);
• Our social media follies;
• The behind-the-scenes scrambles to cover launch anomalies;
• The proven importance of dissimilar redundancy, as well as interoperability;
• How we’ve dealt with the occasional bouts of podcast burnout over the last 15 years, because sometimes we just get tired, you know? And sometimes, Life just gets in the way. Those are the times we’re glad we’re not doing this podcasting stuff alone.

And we also talk about how much we value feedback from you, our listeners – even when you let us know you do not particularly agree with us.

Be sure to let us know your thoughts on the topics we discuss. You can always reach us at mailbag@TalkingSpaceOnline.com .

Show recorded 09-19-2023.

Host: Larry Herrin

Panelist(s): Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, Sawyer Rosenstein and Dr. Kat Robison

Podcast Editor: Larry Herrin

It was September 9, 2009; aka 09/09/09.

That was the easy-to-remember air date of the first episode of Talking Space. The Space Shuttle era was ending. For most casual observers, that represented the death knell for the U.S. Space Program. But Gene, Mark and Sawyer knew better, and they were trying to figure out how to best spread the word that all was not lost.

Back then, there were basically only three places to publish a podcast: iTunes, Yahoo and your own website (probably made with Wordpress). Apple didn’t launch its first standalone Apple Podcasts mobile app until 2012. The app was later pre-installed with iOS beginning October 2014.

Now, you can listen to Talking Space on any of what seems like dozens of available podcast aggregation apps.

So, as our gift to you, you get to hear us talk about ourselves for a change – like it or not. Yay!

This time around, our entire on-air team (as it existed when this episode was recorded on September 19, 2023) lets their collective hair down to celebrate and reminisce about how Talking Space got started back in those Wild West days of podcasting. We also discuss how each of us came to find a way to be a part of it. We’ll reveal the "challenging" episodes, the ones that caused us joy, the occasionally stressful times, and the often very rewarding times.

Listen in as we share behind-the-scenes stories of covering historic events, interviewing legendary astronauts, and navigating the ever-evolving world of space exploration.

Discover how Talking Space has grown and adapted over the years, embracing new formats and audiences while staying true to its mission of delivering in-depth analysis and commentary. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the podcast, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the passion and dedication that drives the Talking Space team.

Don't miss Part 1 of this engaging and nostalgic look back at the past 14 years of Talking Space.

And then, stay tuned for Part 2, coming soon, where the conversation continues!

Be sure to let us know your thoughts on the topics we discuss. You can always reach us at mailbag@TalkingSpaceOnline.com .

Show recorded 09-19-2023.

Host: Larry Herrin

Panelist(s): Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, Sawyer Rosenstein and Dr. Kat Robison

Podcast Editor: Larry Herrin

Environmental regulators are beginning to clamp down on Starbase. The big question is: Do these enforcement actions have enough significance to force the FAA to delay launch activities at Boca Chica?

Some troubling headlines appeared on CNBC.com on Monday, August 12, 2024 concerning SpaceX’s alleged issues regarding compliance with environmental regulations that govern their activities at the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

The story by Lora Kolodny alleges that “Elon Musk’s SpaceX violated environmental regulations by repeatedly releasing pollutants into or near bodies of water in Texas, a state agency said in a notice of violation focused on the company’s water deluge system at its Starbase launch facility.

“The notice from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) last week came five months after the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 office, which covers Texas and surrounding states, had also informed SpaceX that it violated the Clean Water Act with the same type of activity.”

SpaceX finally submitted an application for an Industrial Wastewater Individual Permit on July 1, 2024. It was later revised, and the revised application was submitted August 14, 2024.

Beginning at 45:20 of this episode we discuss the following: SpaceX posted a response on X in the afternoon of August 12. It dubbed the CNBC story “factually inaccurate,” and revealed additional interesting information that was previously unknown to us.

We’re devoting this looonng episode (sorry!) to an analysis of these developments, and Eric Roesch is back with us to help give it all the once-over. And you know that wherever Eric is, a controversial, SpaceX-related environmental issue can’t be far behind. Among the topics we’ll discuss:

• What exactly happened here?
• The classic question: What did SpaceX know, and when did they know it?
• Do these enforcement actions have enough significance to force the FAA to delay launch activities at Boca Chica?
• How much worse can SpaceX make it by continuing to use the water deluge system before a permit is issued?
• What are the potential consequences for these violations? Could anyone actually go to jail?
• In SpaceX’s response post on X, why don’t some of SpaceX’s assertions make sense?
• Why did the FAA on Monday (the same day the CNBC story broke) cancel previously scheduled public hearings on the new draft Environmental Assessment for Boca Chica which requests a higher launch cadence and use of a bigger, more powerful and louder version of Starship than is currently in use?

Please be sure to let us know your thoughts on the topics we discuss. You can always reach us at mailbag@TalkingSpaceOnline.com. You now have a way to easily send us a voice recording that we may use on the show: just click on the blue microphone icon at the bottom right of any page at TalkingSpaceOnline.com.

Show recorded 08-13-2024.

Host: Larry Herrin

Panelist(s): Heather Smith and Eric Roesch (Gene Mikulka, Mark Ratterman, Dr. Kat Robison and Sawyer Rosenstein will return)

Podcast Editor: Larry Herrin

TalkingSpaceOnline.com episode page photo credits:

Boca Chica OLM water deluge system test on July 27, 2023: SpaceX/X