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
The SLS Core Stage is 100% full with liquid hydrogen, reaching that step without the leaks experienced in the first Wet Dress Rehearsal. Core stage LOX also full. Upper stage in progress.
nasa.gov/blogs/missio...
nasa.gov/blogs/missio...
February 19, 2026 at 6:40 PM
The SLS Core Stage is 100% full with liquid hydrogen, reaching that step without the leaks experienced in the first Wet Dress Rehearsal. Core stage LOX also full. Upper stage in progress.
nasa.gov/blogs/missio...
nasa.gov/blogs/missio...
At 2:00 I'll break off from the WDR and join the "Space Operations Update " press conference on the findings of the Boeing Starliner CFT mission from 2024. Here's the link via NASA's YouTube Page. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gene...
Space Operations Update (Feb. 19, 2026)
Agency leaders are discussing the findings of investigations into the 2024 crewed test flight of Boeing Starliner to the International Space Station.
For NASA's blog and more information about the mi...
www.youtube.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:55 PM
At 2:00 I'll break off from the WDR and join the "Space Operations Update " press conference on the findings of the Boeing Starliner CFT mission from 2024. Here's the link via NASA's YouTube Page. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gene...
Via the NASA video stream: Good view of the #ArtemisII Space Launch System Rocket on LC-39B #WDR - www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KYh...
February 19, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Via the NASA video stream: Good view of the #ArtemisII Space Launch System Rocket on LC-39B #WDR - www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KYh...
February 19, 2026 at 6:49 PM
NASA Update as of 1:23 PM EST on the #ArtemisII #WDR - Looks like the ICPS is in fast fill -
February 19, 2026 at 6:38 PM
NASA Update as of 1:23 PM EST on the #ArtemisII #WDR - Looks like the ICPS is in fast fill -
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Wheels on the Moon
December 11, 1972 - Apollo 17
Here's a full-res crop of a photo remastered from the original film showing perhaps the clearest view of the make-up of the LRV's wheels in their operating environment.
Electric cars in 1972. And it folds. And it's not on Earth.
December 11, 1972 - Apollo 17
Here's a full-res crop of a photo remastered from the original film showing perhaps the clearest view of the make-up of the LRV's wheels in their operating environment.
Electric cars in 1972. And it folds. And it's not on Earth.
February 19, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Wheels on the Moon
December 11, 1972 - Apollo 17
Here's a full-res crop of a photo remastered from the original film showing perhaps the clearest view of the make-up of the LRV's wheels in their operating environment.
Electric cars in 1972. And it folds. And it's not on Earth.
December 11, 1972 - Apollo 17
Here's a full-res crop of a photo remastered from the original film showing perhaps the clearest view of the make-up of the LRV's wheels in their operating environment.
Electric cars in 1972. And it folds. And it's not on Earth.
Via NASA - SLS FIll Status as of 1:30 PM EST - #WDR #ArtemisII
February 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Via NASA - SLS FIll Status as of 1:30 PM EST - #WDR #ArtemisII
Via NASA Current fill status as of 1:28 PM EST
February 19, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Via NASA Current fill status as of 1:28 PM EST
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
"Farrar: xAI is reportedly burning $1 billion of cash per month. SpaceX’s cashflows were reportedly $1 billion-$2 billion last year, so it is clear SpaceX can’t fund xAI itself. That means an IPO to raise tens of billions of dollars is even more important" www.satellitetoday.com/finance/2026...
The Opportunities and Risks of SpaceX's xAI Deal and Data Center in Space Ambitions
Analysts weigh in on the opportunities and risks for SpaceX with the xAI acquisition and its data center in space constellation plan.
www.satellitetoday.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:24 PM
"Farrar: xAI is reportedly burning $1 billion of cash per month. SpaceX’s cashflows were reportedly $1 billion-$2 billion last year, so it is clear SpaceX can’t fund xAI itself. That means an IPO to raise tens of billions of dollars is even more important" www.satellitetoday.com/finance/2026...
February 19, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Update Via NASA on the #ArtemisII SLS #WDR
February 19, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Update Via NASA on the #ArtemisII SLS #WDR
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Would be great if there was, say, a published architecture for Golden Dome somewhere that could be looked at to see if/where Canada would fit in
breakingdefense.com/2026/02/cana...
breakingdefense.com/2026/02/cana...
Canada is still interested in Golden Dome. What can it bring - and how could it fall apart? - Breaking Defense
President Donald Trump says Canada wants to take part in Golden Dome. Here's what Ottawa can bring - and how it might work.
breakingdefense.com
February 19, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Would be great if there was, say, a published architecture for Golden Dome somewhere that could be looked at to see if/where Canada would fit in
breakingdefense.com/2026/02/cana...
breakingdefense.com/2026/02/cana...
So, in the middle of the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal, NASA is holding a news conference on the final report for the Boeing Starliner CFT mission with like nanoseconds' notice. This isn't a "good look."
With very little notice, NASA is having a news conference today (Feb 19) at 2:00 pm ET to discuss findings from the investigation into what happened with Boeing Starliner's CFT in 2024. With Isaacman and Kshatriya. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@NASA/streams
February 19, 2026 at 5:59 PM
So, in the middle of the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal, NASA is holding a news conference on the final report for the Boeing Starliner CFT mission with like nanoseconds' notice. This isn't a "good look."
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
With very little notice, NASA is having a news conference today (Feb 19) at 2:00 pm ET to discuss findings from the investigation into what happened with Boeing Starliner's CFT in 2024. With Isaacman and Kshatriya. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@NASA/streams
February 19, 2026 at 5:53 PM
With very little notice, NASA is having a news conference today (Feb 19) at 2:00 pm ET to discuss findings from the investigation into what happened with Boeing Starliner's CFT in 2024. With Isaacman and Kshatriya. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@NASA/streams
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
February 19, 2026 at 3:14 PM
I posted this earlier, but here's what NASA is doing today with the Artemis II Space Launch System Rocket, and why this launch rehearsal is so important.
So what IS a "Wet Dress Rehearsal?" Here are some #NASA graphics that explain what the test is all about and why it's important to the success of Artemis II.
February 19, 2026 at 5:48 PM
I posted this earlier, but here's what NASA is doing today with the Artemis II Space Launch System Rocket, and why this launch rehearsal is so important.
For those following, here's NASA's milestone list for today's Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal. www.nasa.gov/blogs/missio...
Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: Countdown Begins - NASA
The countdown for the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal is underway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
www.nasa.gov
February 19, 2026 at 5:46 PM
For those following, here's NASA's milestone list for today's Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal. www.nasa.gov/blogs/missio...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
No joke, this is a necessity in this firing room. It’s freezing in here. I feel like a modern-day Bob Cratchit:
February 19, 2026 at 5:41 PM
No joke, this is a necessity in this firing room. It’s freezing in here. I feel like a modern-day Bob Cratchit:
12:30 PM EST Update Via NASA on the #ArtemisII #WDR -
February 19, 2026 at 5:41 PM
12:30 PM EST Update Via NASA on the #ArtemisII #WDR -
February 19, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
February 19, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Via #NASA - Current fill status as of 12:03 PM EST www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KYh...
February 19, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Via #NASA - Current fill status as of 12:03 PM EST www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KYh...
And the official word from NASA on the communications issue as of 11:45 AM EST: problem solved.
February 19, 2026 at 4:55 PM
And the official word from NASA on the communications issue as of 11:45 AM EST: problem solved.