Bob Zimmerman reports on the latest space news during regular weekly slots (usually Tuesday and Thursdays) on the John Batchelor radio program. See the iTunes free Podcast for links to the latest shows.

This week, Bob came on the show on Tuesday, Thursday, and tonight Friday.

Tuesday was two segments:

Segment 1: commercial space:
1. Falcon 9 static fire test a success. Launch on Friday.
2. Antares hot fire test a success. Antares launch in about 6 weeks.
3. India launched 7 satellites on one rocket on Monday.
4. The House passes bill renaming Dryden Center after Neil Armstrong.

Segment 2: science:
1. A comet might hit Mars in October 2014.
2. Captain Kirk names one of Pluto’s moons!
3. New orbital data has revised the risks of Apophis hitting the Earth.
4. Mammoth Cave now longer than 400 miles.

Thursday was one segment:
1. China has scheduled its next manned mission for this summer.
2. The investigation into the recent Sea Launch failure finds problem but also reveals friction between Russia and Ukraine.
3. Update on Falcon 9 launch and sequestration.

Friday (to be aired tonight) one segment:
1. Dennis Tito’s proposal to send a married couple in a fly-by of Mars.
2. Cave exploration, on Mars, on the Moon, and on Earth.

Update: On tonight’s show,  he will also discuss the SpaceX Dragon problems in orbit after its launch today.

Update Mar.3.2013: Bob says the Friday show included only the Dragon discussion plus talk about Curiosity’s computer problems. The Tito and cave exploration segment will probably be broadcast on Monday.