Gene J. Mikulka
@genejm1017.bsky.social
Founded the Talking Space Podcast in 2009.
Immersed in spaceflight since the Apollo days, Space Advocate and lovebird Dad. All Opinions are mine alone and don't reflect the position of the podcast. https://www.talkingspaceonline.com
Immersed in spaceflight since the Apollo days, Space Advocate and lovebird Dad. All Opinions are mine alone and don't reflect the position of the podcast. https://www.talkingspaceonline.com
Pinned
Gene J. Mikulka
@genejm1017.bsky.social
· Feb 17
For the final time with both of the girls, Maxine 🦅(who flew into eternity today 2/16/2025) and Emerald 🦜wish all peace. Fly high, my little bald eagle, fly high. #TheDailyLovebird (Video recorded 22 November, 2018)
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
In a recent SETI Live episode, Simon Steel, Deputy Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute, spoke with Dr. Caitlin Ahrens, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, about how Artemis II prepares the way for the next generation of lunar missions. 🧪 🔭 👩🔬
Learn more:
Learn more:
Back to the Moon
www.seti.org
February 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM
In a recent SETI Live episode, Simon Steel, Deputy Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute, spoke with Dr. Caitlin Ahrens, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, about how Artemis II prepares the way for the next generation of lunar missions. 🧪 🔭 👩🔬
Learn more:
Learn more:
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
#PPOD: Astronomers have captured images of a star other than the Sun in enough detail to track the motion of bubbling gas on its surface. The images of the star R Doradus were obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in July and August 2023. 🧪 🔭
February 17, 2026 at 4:03 PM
#PPOD: Astronomers have captured images of a star other than the Sun in enough detail to track the motion of bubbling gas on its surface. The images of the star R Doradus were obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in July and August 2023. 🧪 🔭
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Russell Schwartz (B.S. ’22, mathematics, B.S. ’22, computer science) is taking space exploration into the future as a senior perception software engineer for Astrobotic.
He developed robotics and navigation systems for the upcoming Griffin-1 mission to the moon ⤵️ 🧪 🔭
He developed robotics and navigation systems for the upcoming Griffin-1 mission to the moon ⤵️ 🧪 🔭
From ‘Math Nerd’ to Mission Engineer | College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences | University of Maryland
Inspired by a college internship, Russell Schwartz (B.S. ’22, mathematics, B.S.
go.umd.edu
February 17, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Russell Schwartz (B.S. ’22, mathematics, B.S. ’22, computer science) is taking space exploration into the future as a senior perception software engineer for Astrobotic.
He developed robotics and navigation systems for the upcoming Griffin-1 mission to the moon ⤵️ 🧪 🔭
He developed robotics and navigation systems for the upcoming Griffin-1 mission to the moon ⤵️ 🧪 🔭
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
In my latest for @space.com, here's (at least part of) how planets get their organic chemistry starter kits: 🧪
Astronomers discover chemicals that could seed life in the core of a developing star
An organic molecule called methanimine was found scattered throughout a dense clump of gas and dust 554 light-years away.
www.space.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:35 PM
In my latest for @space.com, here's (at least part of) how planets get their organic chemistry starter kits: 🧪
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Astronomers have used #NASAWebb—most powerful infrared telescope to date—to search for brown dwarfs at very low masses in a nearby nebula that contains newborn stars.
Join Dr. Kevin Luhman (Penn State) for a discussion on the surprising aspect of these new brown dwarfs on Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. ET. 🔭
Join Dr. Kevin Luhman (Penn State) for a discussion on the surprising aspect of these new brown dwarfs on Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. ET. 🔭
Discovering the Least-Massive Brown Dwarfs Known with the James Webb Space Telescope
Stars exist across a wide range of masses, some more massive than the Sun and some less massive. If a star is less massive than roughly 8% of the Sun's mass, or 80 times the mass of Jupiter, its center is too cool to sustain hydrogen fusion. These stars...
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Astronomers have used #NASAWebb—most powerful infrared telescope to date—to search for brown dwarfs at very low masses in a nearby nebula that contains newborn stars.
Join Dr. Kevin Luhman (Penn State) for a discussion on the surprising aspect of these new brown dwarfs on Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. ET. 🔭
Join Dr. Kevin Luhman (Penn State) for a discussion on the surprising aspect of these new brown dwarfs on Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. ET. 🔭
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Jupiter bonanza scheduled for JWST starting this Friday 🔭 - woo hoo! The teams are calling on amateur astronomers to assist with context imaging of the Solar System's largest planet.
Starting this Friday, four separate #JWST programmes will be exploring physical processes in Jupiter's atmosphere and ionosphere. We're asking amateur astronomers to help provide context imaging over the next few weeks to understand how the atmosphere is changing with time. #planetaryscience
February 17, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Jupiter bonanza scheduled for JWST starting this Friday 🔭 - woo hoo! The teams are calling on amateur astronomers to assist with context imaging of the Solar System's largest planet.
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
🔭🧪
Starting this Friday, four separate #JWST programmes will be exploring physical processes in Jupiter's atmosphere and ionosphere. We're asking amateur astronomers to help provide context imaging over the next few weeks to understand how the atmosphere is changing with time. #planetaryscience
February 17, 2026 at 6:26 PM
🔭🧪
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Usually, we move a satellite out of the way of space debris. But what if we could prevent collisions by moving the debris instead? Meet OMLET: laser-based collision avoidance from the ground: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
February 17, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Usually, we move a satellite out of the way of space debris. But what if we could prevent collisions by moving the debris instead? Meet OMLET: laser-based collision avoidance from the ground: www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
NASA is targeting 19 February to start the second Wet Dress Rehearsal for the #ArtemisII lunar spaceflight.
NASA Eyes Next Wet Dress Rehearsal for Artemis II - NASA
NASA is targeting Thursday, Feb. 19, as the tanking day for the second wet dress rehearsal ahead of the agency’s Artemis II test flight.
www.nasa.gov
February 17, 2026 at 4:33 PM
NASA is targeting 19 February to start the second Wet Dress Rehearsal for the #ArtemisII lunar spaceflight.
Via #NASA - NASA Image of the Day - Launch of Crew -12, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 - www.nasa.gov/image-detail...
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 Launch - NASA
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, ESA ...
www.nasa.gov
February 17, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Via #NASA - NASA Image of the Day - Launch of Crew -12, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 - www.nasa.gov/image-detail...
Via #NASA - Expedition 74 Expands to Seven as Science Speeds Up - www.nasa.gov/blogs/spaces...
Expedition 74 Expands to Seven as Science Speeds Up - NASA
The seven-member Expedition 74 crew is in its first full week together aboard the International Space Station following Saturday’s arrival of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission. The orbital septet is resum...
www.nasa.gov
February 17, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Via #NASA - Expedition 74 Expands to Seven as Science Speeds Up - www.nasa.gov/blogs/spaces...
Via #NASA - NASA Advances High-Altitude Traffic Management - www.nasa.gov/centers-and-...
NASA Advances High-Altitude Traffic Management - NASA
High-altitude flight is getting increasing attention from sectors ranging from telecommunications to emergency response. To make that airspace more
www.nasa.gov
February 17, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Via #NASA - NASA Advances High-Altitude Traffic Management - www.nasa.gov/centers-and-...
Via #NASA - Artemis II: The Ground Teams Powering NASA's Moon Mission - www.nasa.gov/podcasts/cur...
Artemis II: The Ground Teams Powering NASA's Moon Mission
Explore epic equipment that makes Artemis II possible—the mobile launcher, crawler-transporter, and Pegasus barge—and meet people working behind the scenes.
www.nasa.gov
February 17, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Via #NASA - Artemis II: The Ground Teams Powering NASA's Moon Mission - www.nasa.gov/podcasts/cur...
Via #NASAEarthObseratory - Home Reef Adds On science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-...
Home Reef Adds On - NASA Science
The Tongan volcano expanded its mid-Pacific real estate during its latest eruptive phase.
science.nasa.gov
February 17, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Via #NASAEarthObseratory - Home Reef Adds On science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
17 Feb: New Moon at 12:02 UT (now). Start of lunation 1276
🌟 The next few days remain a great time for evening #stargazing. Download The Evening Sky Map (PDF) (skymaps.com/tesm/) and enjoy exploring the Universe with just your eyes, binoculars or a telescope! 🔭
#space
🌟 The next few days remain a great time for evening #stargazing. Download The Evening Sky Map (PDF) (skymaps.com/tesm/) and enjoy exploring the Universe with just your eyes, binoculars or a telescope! 🔭
#space
February 17, 2026 at 12:02 PM
17 Feb: New Moon at 12:02 UT (now). Start of lunation 1276
🌟 The next few days remain a great time for evening #stargazing. Download The Evening Sky Map (PDF) (skymaps.com/tesm/) and enjoy exploring the Universe with just your eyes, binoculars or a telescope! 🔭
#space
🌟 The next few days remain a great time for evening #stargazing. Download The Evening Sky Map (PDF) (skymaps.com/tesm/) and enjoy exploring the Universe with just your eyes, binoculars or a telescope! 🔭
#space
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
From 2-3 March there will be a Total Lunar Eclipse. With at least some part visible from Asia, North/South America, Australia, New Zealand. Not visible from Europe apart from the very eastern edge. 🔭 🧪 www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/luna...
Total Lunar Eclipse on March 2–3, 2026 – Where and When to See
Total lunar eclipse on March 2–3, 2026: Where and when is the Blood Moon visible and what will it look like? Visibility map, animation, and local times.
www.timeanddate.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:13 PM
From 2-3 March there will be a Total Lunar Eclipse. With at least some part visible from Asia, North/South America, Australia, New Zealand. Not visible from Europe apart from the very eastern edge. 🔭 🧪 www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/luna...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Under 6 months until Europe has a brilliant view of a Total Solar Eclipse. I'll see 90% Partial from Newcastle. While rest of UK can see over 90%. Totality visible from Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, Russia. 12 August 2026. 🔭 🧪 www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/sola...
Total Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026
Total solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12, 2026: Where and when is the Sun eclipse visible? Path map, animation, and local times.
www.timeanddate.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Under 6 months until Europe has a brilliant view of a Total Solar Eclipse. I'll see 90% Partial from Newcastle. While rest of UK can see over 90%. Totality visible from Greenland, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, Russia. 12 August 2026. 🔭 🧪 www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/sola...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Recently had the opportunity to reunite with some fellow NASA ASCAN Interviewees for an up-close tour of KSC + SLS/ Orion on Launch Pad 39B #ArtemisII
Putting together some thoughts, but here’s a sneak peek.
#PlanetarySci 🔭🧪🚀🌔
Putting together some thoughts, but here’s a sneak peek.
#PlanetarySci 🔭🧪🚀🌔
February 17, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Recently had the opportunity to reunite with some fellow NASA ASCAN Interviewees for an up-close tour of KSC + SLS/ Orion on Launch Pad 39B #ArtemisII
Putting together some thoughts, but here’s a sneak peek.
#PlanetarySci 🔭🧪🚀🌔
Putting together some thoughts, but here’s a sneak peek.
#PlanetarySci 🔭🧪🚀🌔
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Venus has lava tubes! That's so cool!
Or hot. Venus is a sucky place to live, but is super amazing for science.
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/venus-has-...
🔭 🧪
Or hot. Venus is a sucky place to live, but is super amazing for science.
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/venus-has-...
🔭 🧪
Venus has lava tubes!
A long undersurface tunnel discovered in old NASA data
badastronomy.beehiiv.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Venus has lava tubes! That's so cool!
Or hot. Venus is a sucky place to live, but is super amazing for science.
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/venus-has-...
🔭 🧪
Or hot. Venus is a sucky place to live, but is super amazing for science.
badastronomy.beehiiv.com/p/venus-has-...
🔭 🧪
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
National Radio Astronomy Observatory plans to build 15K sq. ft. learning center. The project will be an expansion of its Very Large Array site west of Socorro.
via Albuquerque Business First
https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2026/02/04/nsf-nrao-to-expand-in-new-mexico.html
via Albuquerque Business First
https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2026/02/04/nsf-nrao-to-expand-in-new-mexico.html
National Radio Astronomy Observatory plans to build 15K sq. ft. learning center - Albuquerque Business First
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory selected a New Mexico architecture firm to design a new nearly 15,000-square-foot learning center at its Very Large Array site, with features that include roof...
www.bizjournals.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:17 PM
National Radio Astronomy Observatory plans to build 15K sq. ft. learning center. The project will be an expansion of its Very Large Array site west of Socorro.
via Albuquerque Business First
https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2026/02/04/nsf-nrao-to-expand-in-new-mexico.html
via Albuquerque Business First
https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2026/02/04/nsf-nrao-to-expand-in-new-mexico.html
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
How are stars born? ✨ With the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers are peering more deeply into star-forming regions than ever before to reveal the nuances of the processes.
Webb: Transforming Our Understanding of Star Formation
YouTube video by Space Telescope Science Institute
youtu.be
February 17, 2026 at 3:07 PM
How are stars born? ✨ With the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers are peering more deeply into star-forming regions than ever before to reveal the nuances of the processes.
#JAXA Awards Rakuten Mobile $71.9 Million to Advance Satellite-Terrestrial 5G Integration - Via #SatNews news.satnews.com/2026/02/16/j...
JAXA Awards Rakuten Mobile $71.9 Million to Advance Satellite-Terrestrial 5G Integration – SatNews
news.satnews.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:25 PM
#JAXA Awards Rakuten Mobile $71.9 Million to Advance Satellite-Terrestrial 5G Integration - Via #SatNews news.satnews.com/2026/02/16/j...
Via #UniverseMagazine.com #NASA Administrator Wants to Meet with #Roscosmos Counterpart - universemagazine.com/en/nasa-admi...
Head of NASA wants to observe Soyuz launch
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said he wanted to meet with Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov to discuss possible cooperation.
universemagazine.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Via #UniverseMagazine.com #NASA Administrator Wants to Meet with #Roscosmos Counterpart - universemagazine.com/en/nasa-admi...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Congratulations, Babak Tafreshi, for being named National Geographic Explorer at Large! 👏
news.nationalgeographic.org/national-geo...
Babak is author of many amazing pics of our observatories 🧵👇
Image 1: Sunset over the VLT
🔭 #flashback
news.nationalgeographic.org/national-geo...
Babak is author of many amazing pics of our observatories 🧵👇
Image 1: Sunset over the VLT
🔭 #flashback
February 17, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Congratulations, Babak Tafreshi, for being named National Geographic Explorer at Large! 👏
news.nationalgeographic.org/national-geo...
Babak is author of many amazing pics of our observatories 🧵👇
Image 1: Sunset over the VLT
🔭 #flashback
news.nationalgeographic.org/national-geo...
Babak is author of many amazing pics of our observatories 🧵👇
Image 1: Sunset over the VLT
🔭 #flashback
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Orienspace's Peng Haomin says the company is preparing for its next Gravity-1 solid rocket launch after Spring Festival and is also preparing for an IPO. Company will choose the right time to make the application. Source: m.chinanews.com/wap/detail/z...
February 17, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Orienspace's Peng Haomin says the company is preparing for its next Gravity-1 solid rocket launch after Spring Festival and is also preparing for an IPO. Company will choose the right time to make the application. Source: m.chinanews.com/wap/detail/z...