The Space Show
The Space Show
The Space Show focuses on timely and important issues influencing the development of outer-space commerce, space tourism,space exploration and space development. The Space Show is committed to facilitating our becoming a space-faring nation and society with a growing and self-sustaining space-faring economy. The Space Show also focuses on other related subjects of interest to us all.
Station feed:  Created by: David Livingston |
Created on: 12 May 2005 Language: English |
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Matt Hancher, Wednesday, 3-26-08 (36.63MB; download) -- Guest: Matt Hancher. Matt Hancher was the guest for this special Wednesday Space Show program. We began our discussion with an explanation of the Yuri's Night global celebrations. For more information on this event, please visit their main web page www.yurisnight.net. From their website, you can find where the parties are located in the United States as well as around the world. If you find there is no party near you, you can start one. Just follow the instructions on the website and add your party's information. After Matt explained the origins of Yuri's Night and we discussed the organization and its parties on the large scale, we focused on the party to be held at NASA Ames in Mountain View, CA (near San Francisco). Matt told us about the event, the programs, and there were several listener questions asking about the event, bringing children to NASA Ames, the possibility of an Ames tour, and much more. As we learned, there will be no Ames tours but you will want to hear about the other positive aspects of this event hosted at Ames. To visit the NASA Ames Yuri's Night website, go to http://sf.yurisnight.net/. Matt also told us more event information would be added to the site as we get closer to April 12. From this site, you can purchase your tickets and find out more about what is planned for this 12 hour party on April 12, 2PM-2AM PDT! You will want to hear about the entertainment, the installations, and much more as Matt takes us through the event details for this particular Yuri's Night celebration. Later in the show, we turned to topics related to Matt's robotic work and his background in this field. We discussed state-of-the-art technologies in robotic development, we talked about both robotic and a human space program and how to more successfully blend the two together to capitalize on the strengths of both, not just focusing on one or the other. We also fielded questions and discussed robotics in education, even the best path of study in high school for those wanting to study robotic engineering in college. In response to a question about the best high school path, Matt said to focus on physics and calculus, but do extra things to give you an edge as you enter college. If this field of study interests you or someone you know, you will definitely want to hear what Matt has to say. Another topic we touched on was the line between robotics and animatronics as used in movies. Matt had some very interesting stories to tell us about working with movie stuntmen and people who design and make animatronics and he clearly defined the line between robots and animatronics. This is a fascinating discussion you will not want to miss. If you have questions or comments about the Yuri's Night celebration at NASA Ames, please send them to info@yurisnightbayarea.net. If you have questions for any other Yuri's Night event, use info@yurisnight.net. If you have questions or comments for Matt, please put The Space Show in the subject line and use Matthew.D.Hancher@nasa.gov.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:36:45 UTC
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Steven Milloy, Tuesday, 3-26-08 (38.94MB; download) -- Guest: Steven Milloy, founder of JunkScience.com (www.junkscience.com), was the guest for this program. Steven started out telling us how and why he started JunkScience.com. This is an interesting story about agenda driven and controlled financing of science projects and experiments, so don't miss it. From this topic we went to the topic of aerial spraying, DDT, and real vs. imaginary science behind such government or NGO programs. Again, this is an important discussion. If anyone would like a copy of the Bay Area spraying article that I referenced in the show, please let me know by email and I will send it to you. The next topic Steve discussed at length was global warming. We talked about many different aspects of global warming, what it means, carbon credits, CO2, water vapor, economic controls, the proper reading of graphs, and much more. Both the listeners and I asked him why so many scientists have signed on to the global warming consensus that carbon dioxide produced by human activity cause it. Don't miss what Steve has to say about this important issue, an issue which is the most popular discussed issue on junkscience.com. I know that this discussion will be upsetting to listeners who disagree with Steve and myself. For future shows, I would be willing to present information representing the "consensus" point of view so if you would like this, please email me with your guest suggestions. Note also that when global warming comes up on the show with many guests, again the consensus of comments is in support of anthropogenic global warming and the guests state it as a matter of fact without being challenged by either listeners or myself. Thus, Steve represents only a handful of guests that have been on the show that have represented the contrarian view regarding humans causing the warming. This important subject has been given airing on both sides of the issue. Still, Steve presents the contrarian facts and view forcefully so some listeners will find this to be controversial, possibly even upsetting. As I support what Steve and many climate scientists say, some listeners will also find my comments on the subject to be controversial. Again, I invite your guest suggestions on this topic regardless of your point of view. Other issues discussed on the show dealt with space and rocket engineering, the Mars Rock, STEM education in the United States, China and India industrial pollution and economics, and much more. A listener asked Steve if he would consider starting a similar site for JunkEngineering. Steve invited all suggestions and comments, and liked the idea of JunkEngineering. If you are interested, please send your suggestions, comments, and questions to him at junkman@junkscience.com.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:30:07 UTC
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Michael Potter, Monday, 3-24-08 (37.35MB; download) -- Guest: Michael Potter, documentary film maker, was the guest for this show to talk with us about his new documentary film, "Orphans of Apollo: The Battle of the Mir & the New Space Revolution" (see www.orphansofapollo.com for more information). Mr. Potter told us the story of his documentary, the origin of the name "Orphans of Apollo," and we spoke at length about the cast of characters involved in working to buy the Mir Space Station from Russia for a commercial venture. You will hear about personalities, strategies, grand dreams, and plans. Don't miss it! Listeners asked Michael many questions, including looks forward as well as telling us what space would have been like today had Mir been purchased by this group of entrepreneurs and financiers. You will find this view most interesting. Other listeners asked about the attitudes of those interviewed about their efforts to buy Mir. For example, are there regrets because they were unsuccessful? Are there solid ideas as to what could have been done differently, for example, to be more partnership oriented with NASA? Was the business plan for MirCorp sound, were there good ROI projections and marketing plans? Michael can answer all these questions and he does on this show. Another listener asked him if he thought the ISS might go up for sale commercially when its NASA and space agency life is declared over. Don't miss what Mr. Potter has to say about this. How about spending $1.00 for the ISS? Any takers? Michael knows the answer! The schedule for theaters playing Orphans will soon be available on the website, but if listeners want information about the film, the schedule, or pricing when the DVD becomes available later in the year, visit this site and fill out the email form : www.orphansofapollo.com/contactus.htm. In addition, if you have comments or questions for Michael Potter, please use this form. In the subject line, please reference The Space Show radio program Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:08:02 UTC
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Dr. Mike Neufeld, Sunday, 3-23-08 (36.20MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. Michael Neufeld. Dr. Michael Neufeld was the guest for this Easter Sunday Space Show program. Dr. Neufeld is the chair of the Space History Division of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and author of the biography, "Von Braun: Dreamer of Space/Engineer of War." As today's program is on what would have been the 96th birthday of Von Braun, having a discussion on his life was most appropriate. We discussed Von Braun's Nazi past and Dr.Neufeld was clearing up myths and rumors, providing us with factual history regarding Von Braun. Many listener questions came in about Von Braun's Nazi background and its influence on the American space program. Several listeners were interested in Von Braun's focus, humans versus robotics, and one question toward the end of the program even asked how Von Braun might see things today given the VSE and tight NASA budgets. You will want to hear this discussion. There were listener questions about the V2 rocket program, the Von Braun relationship with Walt Disney, Bonestell, Carl Sagan, O'Neill, Korolev, and more. Dr. Neufeld also talked about Von Braun in context with Goddard and his earlier work, as well as the secrecy of the Soviet program versus the openness of what Von Braun was doing with our program. We talked about early influences in the life of Von Braun and Dr. Neufeld said without a doubt the primary early influence was Herman Obrecht. He then followed with the details of Von Braun's formal education and academic degrees. One listener asked about Von Braun influencing the behavior of space advocates and space cadets, as was discussed in the program a few days ago with Dr. John Jurist . Dr. Neufeld agreed, but added it was more than just Von Braun and Heinlein, these influences included Willy Ley, Colliers Magazine, Walt Disney, Arthur C. Clarke, and others. You will want to hear what says in response to this question. We also talked about unity within the German rocket team, the Army's role, Sputnik, Explorer 1, and the early days of the Marshall Spaceflight Center. We discussed Von Braun's decision to move from Huntsville to work at NASA Headquarters. Yet another listener aske d d about President Eisenhower and his relationship with Von Braun. In this part of the program, you will hear myths and rumors dispelled and a factual, well researched Von Braun history. I urge all listeners to get a copy of this book and read it as it is a comprehensive history of one of the most important and famous pioneers of the American, and in fact, world, space program. Clearly, it shows the complexity of the man, the good and the bad. If you have questions or comments for Dr. Neufeld about his book or Von Braun, you can email them through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com or use his public Smithsonian email address, NeufeldM@si.edu. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:57:18 UTC
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Dr. John Jurist, Friday, 3-21-08 (51.67MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. John Jurist was the guest on this program to discuss his hypothesis as to why space cadets behave as they do. His paper, "Dorky Space Cadets: An Hypothesis," can be found on the Space Cynics site as of March 13, 2008, http://spacecynic.wordpress.com/2008/03/13/ . Click on the link provided to Space Cynics and scroll down to his article starting with "Dorky." During our discussion today, Dr. Jurist explained how he created the hypothesis and what types of research, tools and methodologies he used to formulate his theory. He received many listener questions asking him about the appropriateness of using regret analysis. On the other hand, he also received several comments and questions from spacers suggesting that they had experience with others using regret analysis and also other means to formulate their space related behavior. Dr. Jurist compared space cadet behavior to the behavior of those advocating other causes and I joined in with examples from the CF community, which I know only too well. John's comparisons are most interesting and relevant. Dr Jurist also spoke about trash talking and putting others down within the space community, rather than being more supportive of different efforts and approaches. This is a must-hear discussion. One listener brought up the idea of failed expectations because of policy and political leaders, not because of technology or engineering barriers. Another brought up ego as an issue among other characteristics which could explain some of the actions which, as Dr. Jurist point out, appeared to be destructive behavior. Yet other listeners pointed out the contributions made to the developing space industry, especially space tourism, by space cadets and advocates. So, clearly the proposed hypothesis does not work for all circumstances. Listen to how Dr. Jurist responds to this set of questions. The last segment of the show was dedicated to Open Lines. I started this segment with a brief comment about a recently received email saying that the archive file size of Space Show programs was too large. Please listen to these few minutes as I explain how shows are archived, uploaded, etc. One listener called in asking about my MBA focus when I did my MBA work and also what I did to provide a space education for my sons as an explanation of why they know so much and are interested in space today though space is not their primary focus in their life. I explain what I did years ago when my sons were young, to teach them about space and the difference between science fiction and reality. Another listener sent in a note about how to choose a space studies graduate program when he finishes his undergraduate work in a few years. I pointed out to this listener that things were changing rapidly and what I say today may not be relevant in four or five years regarding existing academic programs. However, I did talk about specific science and engineering programs versus interdisciplinary space studies programs both in the States and abroad. If you have follow up questions for Dr. Jurist about his hypothesis, please send your emails to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com and I will forward them to him.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:38:56 UTC
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Dr. Phil Chapman, Tuesday, 3-18-08 (44.27MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. Phil Chapman. Dr. Phil Chapman returned for this special Space Show program dedicated to the memory of Sir Arthur C. Clarke who passed away today. As it turned out, Dr. Chapman knew Sir Arthur, so for the first part of the program, we talked about Arthur Clarke and Phil shared his experiences with him with us. If you have not yet seen it, Arthur Clarke recorded a video for his "Last Message To Earth" recorded on his 90th birthday this past December. You can and should watch this YouTube video located at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qLdeEjdbWE. As we started our discussion with Phil, we focused on space solar power (SSP). Arthur Clarke's message led us to this discussion as one of Clarke's wishes in his final talk was to get off fossil fuels and to develop a clean source of energy. SSP does do this, assuming it can be made to work both technically and economically. In this segment, Phil explains some of the basic reasons for SSP and I drilled him on some of the basic objections to SSP, especially economic objections. Don't miss this first segment of this two hour program. We continued our discussion on SSP throughout the show, but Phil also talked about the need to pursue other forms of energy. Among the other forms of energy discussed included ethanol, natural gas, methane, nuclear, and terrestrial solar. Phil received a few questions about nuclear, so he spent considerable time on this subject and explained some of the new work being done on nuclear power and why its far safer than older systems, making it a must for serious energy production. He also spent considerable time talking about methane options. These are discussions that you will want to hear. Dr. Chapman also took the opportunity to compare the potential benefits of SSP with terrestrial solar. As explained to us, SSP has clear benefits and advantages over terrestrial solar. When Dr. Chapman talked about launch costs, he explained how we need to get the cost down below $2500/KwH for power, but we are a long way from reaching that goal right now. In the context of lowering launch costs, he was asked for his ideas on how to do this and if he supported the idea of the space elevator as a way of accomplishing the lower launch costs. Listen to what he says on this subject and the space elevator. We also talked about the need for political leadership to bring about the development of SSP systems. If you have a comment or question for Dr. Phil Chapman, please send it to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com and I will send it on to Phil. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:53:49 UTC
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Robert Zimmerman, Monday, 3-17-08 (47.15MB; download) -- Guest: Robert Zimmerman. Robert Zimmerman returned to The Space Show and we started our discussion mentioning what was happening with the current Shuttle Endeavor flight. This led Bob to mention that Endeavor was going to be the back-up safety shuttle for the Hubble repair mission which is planned for late August of this year. As Bob has a new book coming out this May, "The Universe in a Mirror: The Saga of the Hubble Space Telescope and the Visionaries Who Built It," we embarked on a comprehensive discussion of the Hubble Space Telescope, its original mirror problems and resolution, the upcoming repair mission, and the potential life expectancy of Hubble after the current repairs are made. Many other topics came up for discussion including the private sector, the VSE, NASA, funding issues, our recent satellite shoot down and U.S. space policy, and much more. Toward the end of the program, we embarked on some controversial subjects as Bob espoused a strong belief in space freedom for everyone, suggesting that when settlements are established in space, the space settlers themselves will rebel against many of the regulations and prohibitions now in place regarding space access. Bob talked a lot about competition during this program and when asked about space access for third world countries and countries without the means to get to space, he said if they wanted it bad enough, they need to get their house in order and compete for it like India and other nations have and are still doing. Another important topic for today's program included a discussion about humans travelling to Mars. Here, I referenced a review of a recent book about the subject by Dr. Don Rapp and a Space Review article of today's date. We also read a post from the Space Cynics site regarding our current economic problems and what this may mean for space development, I asked Bob if he thought our space program could be seriously damaged or derailed by our current economic woes and a possible recession. Don't miss this discussion. I have no doubt that many of you who listen to this show will be very supportive of what Bob is talking about and many of you will be on the launch pad with your own ballistic missile ready to fire off for comments deemed "offensive." Lots of listener questions asked Bob about many space topics so this is a must hear program. You can visit Bob's website at http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3cxxp/zimbib.htm. His email address for your comments and questions can be found at the bottom of his main website page and is zimmerman@nasw.org. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:14:45 UTC
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Chris Carberry, Sunday, 3-16-08 (48.69MB; download) -- Chris Carberry, the new Executive Director of The Mars Society was the guest for this Sunday Space Show program. We started out by discussing the new Mars Society and his personal and organizational goals for the organization under his leadership. Increasing both membership and funding are high priorities, as is getting ready for the 11th Annual Mars Society Conference to be held in Boulder, CO from August 14-17, 2008. Chris went through the list of many of the keynote speakers and the special programs planned, plus he described the Mars Project, full details are available on their website at http://www.marssociety.org/portal/MPC. Listen to what he has to say about this project and how you can participate and contribute. As the new Executive Director, he asked for comments, suggestions, even help in changing the course of the Mars Society to be even more effective than it already is. He welcomes your email as well as your questions and comments at info@marssociety.org and carberry@marssociety.org. Among the many listener questions Chris received, one was about colonizing the Earth and mastering the skills needed in space here on Earth first. This led to my mentioning an early 90's book about going into space by first creating ocean settlements. In the last segment of this two hour program, we discuss space policy and the presidential campaign. Chris told us about space advocate access to the two parties and the three presidential candidates. He told us how important it was for us all to communicate our views on space and Mars to the candidates and members of Congress. Whether it is by letter with a real signature on it or by the Mars Society fax tool I mention on air all the time, it's important that we let the candidates know that we care about space. In response to other questions, he suggested frequent use (in moderation) of the Mars Society fax tool and even referencing previous letters in order to keep a dialogue going. He reminded us that even if we have a larger participation by the space community, we are still but a blip among all the groups that want to influence policy since space is not that broadly based throughout our population. Earlier in the show, Chris was asked challenging questions about why Mars and why now. This is a show you will want to hear in its entirety given the variety of questions and issues discussed. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:39 UTC
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Per Wimmer, Friday, 3-14-08 (50.72MB; download) -- Guest: Per Wimmer. Per Wimmer of Wimmer Space and Wimmer Financial was the guest for this Space Show program. During the first segment, we discussed basic business requirements for entrepreneurial space businesses and start-up companies to follow when seeking venture capital or other financing. Mr. Wimmer grouped these requirements into three main areas focusing on: making early returns for the business and establishing cash flow, quality management teams, and a quality market analysis. He spent considerable time explaining each of these categories and answering numerous listener questions about them. You will find this discussion interesting, revealing, and most relevant, so don't miss what Mr. Wimmer had to say about this important topic. For example, he defined what he meant by "cash flow" and what the company should do with it, he also defined the term "quality management team" and responded to several questions about company management. He answered questions about market studies and pro formas, ROIs, and assumptions. As a result of a listener question asking him about the choice for VC capital, Mr. Wimmer outlined the ideal sources for capital for a start-up space business. We asked him about various Wimmer Space Projects and here we learned much and got a glimpse of how he shares and gives back to the community. Mr. Wimmer was also asked about his future spaceflights and whether he would have time to conduct any experiments during a suborbital mission. He said he wanted to make his time in orbit useful and he invited listeners to email him with any experiment suggestions. Later in the show, a listener asked him about his travels and the way people around the world regard space and what he does, including wanting to go to space. His answer was quite interesting and surprising. It seems space captivates people everywhere, regardless of nationality, location, economics, education, etc. Again, you will want to hear this discussion. He was asked about China in space and how China in space was viewed in Europe. Don't miss his response, but this question led to another about his and other future space travelers having fear or being very brave to go to space. Mr. Wimmer talked about the right stuff mentality, the fact that the early pioneers are higher risk-taking people than average and that they like being part of a pioneering wave. This group welcomes roughness, is educated, knows the risks, and takes them on. This line of questioning came about as a result of a listener asking him about any physical or medical requirements he and others must meet in order to be a space tourist. He said there are essentially none, but as we know, the FAA AST is developing spaceflight participant medical guidelines that will likely become the standard everywhere. In response to another listener question, Mr. Wimmer discussed a little about how the Danish school system treats space in the science classroom. Toward the end of the program, he was asked if the current economic mess the U.S. and other countries are in can slow down, or even derail space development. He said economic conditions could definitely slow down space development, especially in the private sector, as risk capital has dried up. Areas of China, Asia, and India are still strong as is the Middle East, which is collecting record oil income. The subprime problems here in the States have made things worse. As we concluded the program, please note his final remark and message to us all. It's very appropriate for now and into the future. You can learn more about Per Wimmer by visiting http://www.wimmerspace.com/ and http://www.wimmerfinancial.com/script/site/default.asp. If you have a question or comment for Per Wimmer, please send it to him through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com or use info@wimmerspace.com. If you use the latter address, please reference The Space Show in the subject line of your email. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:15:35 UTC
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Dr. Roger Launius, Tuesday, 3-11-08 (37.13MB; download) -- Dr. Roger Launius returned as the guest to The Space Show for this important, interesting, and fun program. We started our discussion asking if NASA itself might find that it is an artifact worthy of being collected by the Air and Space Museum. While this was a tongue-in-cheek question, it took us right to the point about the future for the VSE, NASA programming, its budget, and its programming. Don't miss his response! Listeners asked Dr. Launius several questions about the Smithsonian, their collection, tours, even tours to the undisplayed items. One listener asked about space art in the museum, such as by Alan Bean and other well-known space artists. Again, don't miss this discussion as Dr. Launius explained to us a bit of the inner workings at the Air and Space Museum as to what items are deemed collectable, how an item is chosen to represent history, and more. This is a fascinating look behind the scenes at the Smithsonian. Next, we discussed the VSE and manned vs. human space exploration. Dr. Launius referenced his new book along with co-author Dr. Howard McCurdy and published earlier this year, "Robots in Space: Technology, Evolution, and Interplanetary Travel." One listener asked if robots could do what human can do on the Moon or on Mars, or even inspire and motivate others. Don't miss what he had to say about this important issue! As part of this discussion, Dr. Launius mentioned the need for new activities for humans to do in space that justified the high dollar cost and the risk. He said that we definitely needed to lower the cost of space access in order to make human spaceflight more valuable. When asked about the possibility of a commercial silver bullet as the driver for human spaceflight, he admitted that he did not know what it was. We did talk about space tourism and, like many of us, Roger wants to go to space too. We also talked about the human work on the shuttle and the ISS. This is an important discussion that you will not want to miss. Later in the show, a listener from Austin asked about the development of a space cadet wax museum. This was a first for both Roger and me, but I immediately received much email in support of the idea. As we tossed the idea around for a few minutes, we liked it. Let us know what you think of such an idea after you hear this discussion. Also in the last segment of the show a listener asked what the Smithsonian was doing for outreach to Generation Y, a group we have been talking about often in recent shows. You will want to hear what he has to say about outreach. Dr. Launius was also asked how he thought NASA would fare in the next administration. One thing he did say was he suspected there would be an increase in NASA activities for Earth science. However, he was not sure if new funding would be given NASA or if the existing NASA budget is simply divided up differently. If you have questions or comments for Dr. Launius, you can send them to him at launiusr@si.edu.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:43:26 UTC
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