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)
Emerald Lucille Lovebird 🦜 is in her condo, about to be covered up for the evening. She wishes all, peace 🕊️ #TheDailyLovebird
December 16, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Emerald Lucille Lovebird 🦜 is in her condo, about to be covered up for the evening. She wishes all, peace 🕊️ #TheDailyLovebird
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
🧵 NSF is reducing external review requirements and eliminating routine expert panels, citing staff shortages that this administration implemented. This change expands program officer authority. But the solution to flawed accountability isn't less public accountability.
NSF plans to streamline merit review to heal self-inflicted staffing wound www.science.org/content/arti...
NSF pares down grant-review process, reducing influence of outside scientists
Memo cites overburdened staff, but some say move also aims to elevate White House priorities
www.science.org
December 16, 2025 at 12:33 AM
🧵 NSF is reducing external review requirements and eliminating routine expert panels, citing staff shortages that this administration implemented. This change expands program officer authority. But the solution to flawed accountability isn't less public accountability.
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Telemetry analysis "suggests that the MAVEN spacecraft was rotating in an unexpected manner when it emerged from behind Mars. Further, the frequency of the tracking signal suggests MAVEN’s orbit trajectory may have changed." science.nasa.gov/blogs/maven/...
NASA Continues MAVEN Spacecraft Recontact Efforts - NASA Science
NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) mission team, in partnership with the agency’s Deep Space Network, continues recovery activities after
science.nasa.gov
December 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Telemetry analysis "suggests that the MAVEN spacecraft was rotating in an unexpected manner when it emerged from behind Mars. Further, the frequency of the tracking signal suggests MAVEN’s orbit trajectory may have changed." science.nasa.gov/blogs/maven/...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
I chose inflammation and avian intelligence as my two beats in health and science reporting class. Learned that chickens get depressed. It horrified me to think of how we treat them. Lately I have been watching seagulls opening shellfish and in play. We have NO idea the level of consciousness.
Why Did Consciousness Evolve? Exciting Research on Bird Brains
YouTube video by Anton Petrov
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I chose inflammation and avian intelligence as my two beats in health and science reporting class. Learned that chickens get depressed. It horrified me to think of how we treat them. Lately I have been watching seagulls opening shellfish and in play. We have NO idea the level of consciousness.
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
tell
me
bout it
lobby
me
bout it
lobby
December 15, 2025 at 4:37 PM
tell
me
bout it
lobby
me
bout it
lobby
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
NSF now planning to let POs largely decide what gets funded, and to send PIs reviews that are only 3-5 sentences long. They don't have to use outside reviewers (except maybe 1) and don't have to convene panels. (1/5)
NSF pares down grant-review process, reducing influence of outside scientists
Memo cites overburdened staff, but some say move also aims to elevate White House priorities
www.science.org
December 15, 2025 at 11:45 PM
NSF now planning to let POs largely decide what gets funded, and to send PIs reviews that are only 3-5 sentences long. They don't have to use outside reviewers (except maybe 1) and don't have to convene panels. (1/5)
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
A 3200-megapixel eye to the sky for the first time! 👀
On April 15, the LSST Camera captured its first images of the night sky. Hundreds of staff watched as the very first pixels from a complete NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory appeared on screen! 🎉 #RubinRecap2025 🔭🧪
On April 15, the LSST Camera captured its first images of the night sky. Hundreds of staff watched as the very first pixels from a complete NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory appeared on screen! 🎉 #RubinRecap2025 🔭🧪
December 15, 2025 at 9:20 PM
A 3200-megapixel eye to the sky for the first time! 👀
On April 15, the LSST Camera captured its first images of the night sky. Hundreds of staff watched as the very first pixels from a complete NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory appeared on screen! 🎉 #RubinRecap2025 🔭🧪
On April 15, the LSST Camera captured its first images of the night sky. Hundreds of staff watched as the very first pixels from a complete NSF–DOE Rubin Observatory appeared on screen! 🎉 #RubinRecap2025 🔭🧪
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Terry Lowry, Sr. STEAM Education Specialist at the NSF NRAO, has been named the 2025 VSTE Honor Award recipient by the Virginia Society for Technology in Education.
Congrats, Terry!
https://vste.org/News/13571199
#Astronomy #AstroEdu #SciEdu
Congrats, Terry!
https://vste.org/News/13571199
#Astronomy #AstroEdu #SciEdu
December 15, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Terry Lowry, Sr. STEAM Education Specialist at the NSF NRAO, has been named the 2025 VSTE Honor Award recipient by the Virginia Society for Technology in Education.
Congrats, Terry!
https://vste.org/News/13571199
#Astronomy #AstroEdu #SciEdu
Congrats, Terry!
https://vste.org/News/13571199
#Astronomy #AstroEdu #SciEdu
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
A great and legendary science reporter for the NYT has passed away. Can't begin to count how many of his articles I read. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/s...
John Noble Wilford, Times Reporter Who Covered the Moon Landing, Dies at 92
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:49 AM
A great and legendary science reporter for the NYT has passed away. Can't begin to count how many of his articles I read. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/s...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Researchers in the Space Research Institute shape how satellites operate, use gravity experiments to improve energy storage on Earth, and find what we can learn from sci-fi. Our work proves space isn’t the final frontier in paradigm-shifting research — it’s a bridge. b.gatech.edu/4oRPfON
December 15, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Researchers in the Space Research Institute shape how satellites operate, use gravity experiments to improve energy storage on Earth, and find what we can learn from sci-fi. Our work proves space isn’t the final frontier in paradigm-shifting research — it’s a bridge. b.gatech.edu/4oRPfON
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Now the story can be told: Impulse Space let Starfish Space's software take autonomous control of its Mira satellite to execute a rendezvous with another satellite - demonstrating new capabilities in orbit. www.geekwire.com/2025/starfis...
Startups team up to demonstrate satellite rendezvous using Starfish Space’s navigation system
Starfish Space and Impulse Space say they've pulled off an in-space satellite rendezvou using Impulse's spacecraft and Starfish's software.
www.geekwire.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Now the story can be told: Impulse Space let Starfish Space's software take autonomous control of its Mira satellite to execute a rendezvous with another satellite - demonstrating new capabilities in orbit. www.geekwire.com/2025/starfis...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Space Telescope Science Institute staff took part in the Annual Mayor's Christmas Parade in Baltimore this weekend. Floats included replicas as the Hubble, James Webb and Nancy Grace Roman space telescopes.
December 15, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Space Telescope Science Institute staff took part in the Annual Mayor's Christmas Parade in Baltimore this weekend. Floats included replicas as the Hubble, James Webb and Nancy Grace Roman space telescopes.
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
NASA lost contact with MAVEN, which is orbiting Mars, on Dec 6, but now have recovered a fragment of tracking data suggesting it was rotating in an unexpected manner and its orbital trajectory may have changed after emerging from behind Mars. 1/2
December 15, 2025 at 6:03 PM
NASA lost contact with MAVEN, which is orbiting Mars, on Dec 6, but now have recovered a fragment of tracking data suggesting it was rotating in an unexpected manner and its orbital trajectory may have changed after emerging from behind Mars. 1/2
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
2/2 MAVEN is one of 4 Mars orbiters that relay signals back to Earth from the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. Others are NASA's MRO and Mars Odyssey and ESA's Trace Gas Orbiter. NASA's arranging for addl passes by those while troubleshooting MAVEN. science.nasa.gov/blogs/maven/...
December 15, 2025 at 6:04 PM
2/2 MAVEN is one of 4 Mars orbiters that relay signals back to Earth from the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. Others are NASA's MRO and Mars Odyssey and ESA's Trace Gas Orbiter. NASA's arranging for addl passes by those while troubleshooting MAVEN. science.nasa.gov/blogs/maven/...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Dr. Nancy Grace Roman is known as the "mother of Hubble." She was the first female executive at NASA and became the first Chief of Astronomy. The telescope named in her honor will launch by May 2027. 🔭
It's very important that you pursue that dream to devote your life to studying the cosmos #shorts
YouTube video by Space Telescope Science Institute
youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Dr. Nancy Grace Roman is known as the "mother of Hubble." She was the first female executive at NASA and became the first Chief of Astronomy. The telescope named in her honor will launch by May 2027. 🔭
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Search for Life Should Be Top Science Priority for First Human Landing on Mars, Says New Report astrobiology.com/2025/12/sear... #astrobiology #Mar
Search for Life Should Be Top Science Priority for First Human Landing on Mars, Says New Report - Astrobiology
A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars
astrobiology.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Search for Life Should Be Top Science Priority for First Human Landing on Mars, Says New Report astrobiology.com/2025/12/sear... #astrobiology #Mar
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Keck Observatory: Astronomers Discover the First Gravitationally Lensed Superluminous Supernova keckobservatory.org/sn-2025wny/
Astronomers Discover the First Gravitationally Lensed Superluminous Supernova – W. M. Keck Observatory
keckobservatory.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Keck Observatory: Astronomers Discover the First Gravitationally Lensed Superluminous Supernova keckobservatory.org/sn-2025wny/
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Spies Solar Wind ‘U-Turn’ science.nasa.gov/missions/par...
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Spies Solar Wind ‘U-Turn’ - NASA Science
Images captured by NASA’s Parker Solar Probe as the spacecraft made its record-breaking closest approach to the Sun in December 2024 have now revealed new
science.nasa.gov
December 15, 2025 at 3:52 PM
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center: NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Spies Solar Wind ‘U-Turn’ science.nasa.gov/missions/par...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Why will #NASARoman map millions of galaxies and reveal bubble-like cosmic voids? The details of these voids can tell us more about the mysterious force known as dark energy that is causing the universe’s expansion to accelerate: https://bit.ly/4p9sDKI 🔭 🧪
December 15, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Why will #NASARoman map millions of galaxies and reveal bubble-like cosmic voids? The details of these voids can tell us more about the mysterious force known as dark energy that is causing the universe’s expansion to accelerate: https://bit.ly/4p9sDKI 🔭 🧪
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Be an advocate for science. Applications for the AAS 2026 Congressional Visits Day are now open. In partnership with AAPT, we are bringing scientists to DC April 13–15 to meet with legislators. Training is provided—no policy experience required. Apply by Feb 1: aas.org/applications...
Applications Now Open for Congressional Visits Day 2026 | American Astronomical Society
Advocating for science comes down to effective communication. The main steps here are determining your message, developing a communication strategy, and identifying your member of Congress.
aas.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Be an advocate for science. Applications for the AAS 2026 Congressional Visits Day are now open. In partnership with AAPT, we are bringing scientists to DC April 13–15 to meet with legislators. Training is provided—no policy experience required. Apply by Feb 1: aas.org/applications...
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Today we’re celebrating 10 years since Tim Peake's historic Principia mission. 🧑🚀
Tim spent 186 days in space, landing back on Earth on 18 June 2016. 🌍
Watch some of the highlights from his mission.
Tim spent 186 days in space, landing back on Earth on 18 June 2016. 🌍
Watch some of the highlights from his mission.
December 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Today we’re celebrating 10 years since Tim Peake's historic Principia mission. 🧑🚀
Tim spent 186 days in space, landing back on Earth on 18 June 2016. 🌍
Watch some of the highlights from his mission.
Tim spent 186 days in space, landing back on Earth on 18 June 2016. 🌍
Watch some of the highlights from his mission.
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
The number of active satellites in orbit has now passed the 14000 mark according to my estimates:
December 15, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The number of active satellites in orbit has now passed the 14000 mark according to my estimates:
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
#OnThisDay 1️⃣0️⃣ years ago, 15 December 2015, Tim Peake🇬🇧 became first British @esa.int astronaut and second British citizen in space on his #Principia mission to the International Space Station.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @daraobriain.bsky.social @cmdr-hadfield.bsky.social @ukspaceagency.bsky.social
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @daraobriain.bsky.social @cmdr-hadfield.bsky.social @ukspaceagency.bsky.social
Tim Peake's rocket launch and thumbs up - Blast Off Live: A Stargazing Special - BBC
YouTube video by BBC
www.youtube.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:33 PM
#OnThisDay 1️⃣0️⃣ years ago, 15 December 2015, Tim Peake🇬🇧 became first British @esa.int astronaut and second British citizen in space on his #Principia mission to the International Space Station.
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @daraobriain.bsky.social @cmdr-hadfield.bsky.social @ukspaceagency.bsky.social
www.esa.int/Science_Expl... @daraobriain.bsky.social @cmdr-hadfield.bsky.social @ukspaceagency.bsky.social
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Heartbreaking. 😔
Rob Reiner, who directed such beloved Hollywood classics as 'This Is Spinal Tap,' 'Stand by Me' and 'When Harry Met Sally' after starring in the trailblazing sitcom 'All in the Family,' died Sunday along with his wife, Michele, in their Brentwood home. bit.ly/48UWXSi
December 15, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Heartbreaking. 😔
Reposted by Gene J. Mikulka
Long March 12A first flight delayed. New date TBA.
Two weeks on from Zhuque-3, we'll get China's 2nd orbital launch and landing attempt, this time by the Long March 12A from state-owned CASC. Airspace closure notices indicate a launch window of 0154 - 0414 UTC, Dec. 17.
December 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Long March 12A first flight delayed. New date TBA.