Episode 345: Sparking 'Curiosity' in Space Science

On this episode of Talking Space, we change our format slightly. For our main topics, we discuss the return of the Expedition 29 crew to Earth after 167 days in space. We then move on to the upcoming launch of the Mars Science Laboratory, also known as Curiosity. We also discuss the issue of its main fuel source: Plutonium. We then discuss the new, finalized NASA budget. Although it saves something important, many other important items are cut. We finish off our main topics with YouTube's Space Lab, where students ages 14-18 can devise an experiment which could be performed onboard the ISS. The two winning submissions will actually be flown into space and flown aboard the space station. On our newest segment, where we round up stories we couldn't cover in depth, we mention the congressional medal  handed out to some space heroes, a NASA facility which is not only a great place to work, but safe, an extended Mercury mission, a new exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the Neutral Buoyancy lab being repurposed, and the return of Science Channe's hit show Meteorite Men. For more information on YouTube Space Lab, to submit your video, or to check out their educational playlist, visit http://youtube.com/spacelab Host this week: Sawyer Rosenstein. Panel Members: Gina Herlihy, Gene Mikulka and Mark Ratterman Show Recorded - 11/21/2011