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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Paul Lithgow, Monday, 8-31-09 (32.78MB; download) -- Guest: Paul Lithgow. Topics: aerospace engineering, micro & nanosatellite technology, Comtech AeroAstro opportunities. The Space Show sat down with Comtech AeroAstro President Paul Lithgow at the recent SmallSat Conference at Utah State University in Logan, Utah for this interview. We were joined by Space Show friend and One Giant Leap Foundation Board Member, Dr. John Jurist. I first learned of Comtech AeroAstro at the most recent Responsive Space Conference and arranged to meet Mr. Lithgow during SmallSat and talk small satellite and space security business with him. This program is a one hour program designed to fit the KKNW 1150 AM Monday show requirements. During our discussion with Mr. Lithgow, we covered many topics including career opportunities, especially for college graduates, with Comtech AeroAstro, as well as the business and market for micro and nano satellites. Aerospace engineering was an important topic as was space policy, the role of space in our national security, and the importance of STEM education and our need to turn out more engineers. Comtech AeroAstro is a great example, a terrific role model of the type of space company you hear me talk about frequently on The Space Show that I meet at SmallSat and Responsive Space. As you will hear during our discussion with Mr. Lithgow, not only does the company do the engineering and make the products, they understand the business, the markets, financing, and all the components required to be a successful commercial space business. You will also want to hear what Paul had to say about regulation creep, mission failure concerns, and risk tolerance. While this is a short interview in terms of time, its action packed with important information. It’s a program you will not want to miss. If you have a question or comment for Paul Lithgow, or if you want to learn more about Comtech AeroAstro, send an email to info@aeroastro.com . Please make sure you reference The Space Show with Mr. Lithgow in the subject line of your email. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:37:34 UTC
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Dr. George Nield, Sunday, 8-30-09 (43.43MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. George Nield. Topics: personal spaceflight regulations, Office of Commercial Space Transportation within FAA, launch license. Dr. George Nield returned to The Space Show to update us on changes in space policy and regulation per the AST. For more information, visit their website at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/ . Dr. Nield told us about the many changes and developments within the FAA and AST since his last appearance on the show in the summer of 2008. We also talked about the potential impact of the Augustine Panel on the work of the AST, the increase in the number of companies working with AST on some part of the license process, the administrative costs of acquiring a launch license, the difference between a launch license and an experimental permit, and much more. Dr. Nield explained the two pronged approach and mission of AST including ensuring protection of the public, property, and the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch or reentry activities as well as to facilitate U.S. commercial space transportation. One listener question that came in during the second segment dealt with the question of how high is space. Listen to the discussion and what Dr. Nield said because the AST is not charged with being concerned with altitude. This question led us to understanding the law, the use of rocket propulsion, and the requirement that the engine thrust be greater than the lift. As we approached the end of the second segment, the role of human spaceflight and commercial spaceflight was discussed in terms of being inspirational, and leading to more STEM education. As part of this discussion, Dr. Nield suggested that public/private partnerships for space development offered much promise. In the final segment of today's program, Dr. Nield discussed the Lunar Lander Challenge and the new rules making it different this year from previous years. Charles called the show to ask him about AST's interest in non-human spaceflight. You won't want to miss this discussion. Toward the end of the program, I asked George about the recurring obstacles or challenges he comes upon in terms of resisting commercial space development and human spaceflight. I'm sure you will find the examples he provides us of such challenges, plus my comments regarding some of the press questions at the recently held NASA/ATK press conference after the aborted Ares 1 five segment SRB test of last week, very interesting. If you have comments or questions for Dr. George Nield about today's show or the AST, please see the contact information at the AST website, www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/contact/ . You can also send your comments in care of me at drspace@thespaceshow.com and I will forward them to Dr. Nield. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:29:17 UTC
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Dr. Leik Myrabo, Friday, 8-28-09 (60.73MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. Leik Myrabo. Topics: Lightcraft, Beamed Energy Power, low cost space access. Dr. Leik Myrabo returned to The Space Show for this program to discuss beamed energy propulsion (BEP) as well as his new book recently published by Apogee, "Lightcraft Flight Handbook LTI-20." This book is available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/1926592034?tag=onegialeafou-20 . The book is co-authored by Dr. John Lewis. Your purchase through Amazon partners using the URL above helps The Space Show. During the first segment, we discussed the Lightcraft Technology Company and the basics of BEP. This led us to a discussion about possible weapons in space issues and Dr. Myrabo said that there would have to be international regimes and policy in order to regulate BEP and account for every jewel of energy transmitted this way. You do not want to miss this discussion. Toward the end of this segment, Dr. Myrabo discussed the boost phase, the need for a sunbelt location and the beamed energy range at White Sands. In the second segment, Dr. Myrabo said that a million watts of energy was needed to lift one kilo off Earth. This is another discussion you will want to hear. We also talked about the costs of going commercial which he broke down as $10-20 million for Phase 1 and $50-60 million for Phase 2. Listen to his discussion for the full details on these costs. A listener asked him about scaling up BEP to do large scale projects. He responded that there were engineering challenges, but all of the challenges used today's physics, nothing futuristic, and that engineering challenges can be met. He cited some examples you will want to hear. I also asked him about his work with the U.S. Air Force and the Brazilian Air Force. Leik received listener questions about some of the futuristic human factors mentioned in the book and Dr. Myrabo pointed out that much of this came from student contributions as more than 200 students have worked on this project from 1992-96. In the third segment, we talked about crew safety for the Lightcraft vehicle in his book and possible methods to allow humans to sustain very high G loads. The subject of using purified water for cooling came up regarding the cooling required for the rectennas and the outside perimeter of the vehicle modelled in the book. One listener suggested lithium and this led us to a green discussion and a more technical exchange about rockets and the air breathing engine that Dr. Myrabo focuses on for his research and book. In the fourth segment, we continued the coolant discussion. I asked Dr. Myrabo about the feedback and reception his ideas receive at space conferences and elsewhere. His response was very interesting and you won't want to miss it. Toward the end of the program, I asked him about SUSTAIN. STEM education and inspiring students was a topic of discussion given the vast experience Dr. Myrabo brings to the table involving teaching graduate and undergraduate students. For more information, please visit his website, http://www.lightcrafttechnologies.com . If you have a comment or question for Dr. Leik Myrabo, email him through the website or at lmyrabo@lightcrafttechnologies.com . Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:59:11 UTC
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Open Lines, Tuesday, 8-25-09 (54.47MB; download) -- Guest: Open Lines with David Livingston. Topics: Augustine Panel, space policy, economics. Tonight was an Open Lines program. We started out discussing the preliminary Augustine Panel report, national space policy, and my recent visit to ATK to find out first hand about the Ares 1 rocket. In addition, I talked about media bias and cited a few examples in the space media. This discussion took up most of the first segment. We started Segment 2 with a call from Marshall regarding an article in an Oklahoma paper about the Japanese astronaut on the ISS not changing clothes while on the station. This led to a discussion about washing clothes in space, a space washing machine, and a high school space project about a washing machine for microgravity that I saw at an X Prize Cup event. Charles then called the show and updated us on the N-Prize as well as the new details for this year's Lunar Lander Challenge. You can see the information about the Lunar Lander Challenge by following the instructions I provided on the show for visiting www.hobbyspace.com. Charles also answered the listener's question about the Russian engines and multiple small nozzles versus one large nozzle. Listen to what Charles had to say about this. As we moved to Segment 3, a question came in regarding the deficits being piled up in the country right now and why that would adversely impact space companies per a comment I said in the first segment. This led me to doabout a 25 minute quasi-Econ 101 lecture on deficits, inflation, printing money, tax policy and investing. I apologize in advance for running off on this subject and since it was off the top of my head, I did ramble. However, its an important topic and all of us should be able to understand how our current economic situation will likely impact space development, both in the private and the civil space program. If you would like a program on this subject, I will organize my thoughts much better and see if I can bring on an economist to help us examine what is happening and then apply this to businesses that have risk and need to attract capital. If this type of program interests you, please let me know. Also, if you have someone to suggest as the guest for this program, please forward your suggestion and contact information for this person to me. Throughout the show I encouraged people who continually invite themselves to be guests on the show to call in and tell us about themselves and their work. Unfortunately, they do not call in which is too bad. Again, the path for being on the show if you invite yourself is to first call and tell us about yourself and work in an open lines program. Many have done that and that is the path for being a guest in this situation. If you have any questions or comments about this Open Lines program, please contact me at drspace@thespaceshow.com. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:34:01 UTC
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Greg Meholic, Monday, 8-24-09 (44.41MB; download) -- Guest: Greg Meholic. Topics: Tri-Space Model of the Universe, Faster-than-Light Travel, advanced propulsion theories. Greg Meholic returned to The Space Show to discuss the Tri-Space Model of the University and much more. In Segment one, we started out by talking about light. Specifically, luminal space and superluminal space. Our discussion went deeper into understanding space time and out of the box theories supporting the possibility of faster-than-light travel. While this was a technical discussion, I'm sure you can follow it and Greg is available to answer your questions or comments. In Segment 2, we talked about gravity and inertia. Greg talked about three possible causes for gravity 1) it may be the inherent property of matter; 2) the Mach Principle of gravity/inertia: 3) the Tri-Space theory where gravity/inertia is actually related to a local disturbance. Listen to Greg's full discussion regarding gravity. Perhaps this type of out of the box thinking will lead to solutions or tools for reducing gravity and changing the way and economics of how we access space. In fact, I asked Greg just how these theories could become mainstream science and over what period of time. You do not want to miss his response to my series of questions. Another listener wanted to know the implications of the Tri-Space Model for the Pauli-exclusion principle. Again, do not miss his response. Toward the end of this segment, Greg was asked about how to do Earth to LEO with reduced costs. He said we were likely stuck with chemical rockets for another 50 to 100 years but he also mentioned nuclear rockets which were strongly recommended on the program. Other ideas were mentioned such as the space elevator, SSP, and more. See what you think of his opinions on this subject. In Segment 3, we continued discussing ways to reach LEO and mag lift was brought up. One of Greg's comments had to do with the amount of energy needed to power a mag lift system and any trades that might be compared with bigger and heavier chemical rockets. Additional discussion was offered regarding the Pauli principle in that Greg suggested that in the Tri-Space model, it might be possible for gravitational effects to be apparent in both luminal and superluminal space. Toward the end of this segment we talked about fusion and its progress, plus its place in the Tri-Space model. Greg called to our attention the website, www.scribd.com where you can upload your own paper for others to read. Not all papers on the site are for science, space, physics, etc. and not all are reviewed though Greg's papers are reviewed. Under the research category you will find subcategories for science, engineering, math and more. If you have a question or comment for Greg Meholic, please send it to him at orionstar2209@yahoo.com. Make sure you reference Space Show in the subject line to keep your note away from the spam folder. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:37:21 UTC
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Dr. Paul Hardersen, Sunday, 8-23-09 (44.18MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. Paul Hardersen. Topics: K-12 space education, STEM education, UND Space Studies programs. Dr. Paul Hardersen, Associate Professor of Space Studies, returned to the Space Show in order to discuss the new K-12 space education outreach program and more. In the first segment, we discussed the K-12 program and other Space Grant and space educational programs designed for the K-12 grades. At one point during the discussion, Dr. Hardersen said next year they would probably limit the programs to grades 8-12 as they were more appropriate. You will hear why this is so during this discussion. We discussed the need for STEM education in middle and high school, space education, and problems with today's students. At one point, Paul used the term "equation deficient" to describe many of the students in middle and high school. Later, Paul was asked if there was any direct relationship to students coming to Space Studies from these outreach or STEM programs. You will want to hear what he said about this. He was also asked about the space interest among the students doing an undergraduate minor in Space Studies at UND. His comments on this issue may surprise you. In the second segment, we talked about NASA and Space Grant. Dr. Hardersen described the NASA EPSCOR program to us, the type of research it funds, and then we talked about the overall NASA educational budget. What you hear may surprise you again! The specifics of the North Dakota Space Grant program were outlined and Space Grant funding was explained along with the different funding categories available. To learn more about North Dakota Space Grant, please visit www.nd.spacegrant.org/. Toward the end of this segment, we brought up the observatory at UND Space Studies. You can find out more about it, the various telescopes and the rules the students adhere to in using the observatory by visiting .www.observatory.space.edu/. In addition, Paul talked about the different telescopes and the courses that are requirements for students if they want to use the telescopes. He also explained the Internet Telescope Network with UND, South Dakota, Israel, Utah, and other states. In the third segment, Paul brought us up to date on the Space Studies program at UND, including changes made to the curriculum, especially the 501 Class. The subject of post-docs came up and funding graduate students so don't miss this as you might be able to benefit from these programs. The admission standards were described and he was asked about the possibility of a PhD program for Space Studies. He said they were on track for the doctoral program, perhaps by the fall of 2010. Paul mentioned revisions to the Capstone program and Orientation so don't miss this discussion. If you have any questions or comments for Dr. Paul Hardersen or if you want to know anything about UND Admissions or Academics, you can contact him at Hardersen@space.edu. In addition, you can send your UND questions to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:18:35 UTC
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D. K. Sachdev, Friday, 8-21-09 (60.09MB; download) -- Guests: D. K. Sachdev, Roger Williams. Topic: Satellites – everything you always wanted to know. Our guests today were D.K. Sachdev, President of SpaceTel Consultancy and Adjunct Professor at George Mason University, along with Roger Williams, Managing Director of Technical Publications for AIAA. We started our program with Mr. Williams who was only with us for the first ten minutes of the show. Mr. Williams spoke with us about the AIAA publication effort, the categories, books, and series, plus the reviewed journals. We then switched to talking to Professor Sachdev about his book, "Success Stories in Satellite Systems." I initially asked D.K. what makes a satellite system successful and what leads to the most failures. Were they technical and engineering failures or management failures? DK said that most problems resulted from a mismatch in the reality of the market from expectations and planning. He also mentioned over-engineering of the satellite. This is an important discussion, don't miss it. We also talked about ITAR and he offered some very interesting specific observations that you will want to hear. Toward the end of the first segment, we talked about satellite system mergers and XM Radio. In the second segment, we led off talking about the Syncon system which was the first GEO system. Harold Rosen wrote this chapter, it’s a must read! During this segment, we also discussed other early satellites and systems, talked about the politics behind which system gets developed from the early days to now. At the end of this segment, we addressed the issue of latency and the concept of psychological delay was introduced to us. In the third segment, we started with clarifications for psychological delay and how to mitigate it in satellite communications. Future telecommunications were addressed in this segment as was the issue of high launch costs and television channels on satellites. In the fourth segment, we started out talking about Earth/Ground Stations, their economics, the types, the needs, and how they work and are staffed. D.K. explained the two basic types of stations and how they differ, plus we talked about their costs and ongoing operating and maintenance fees. Later in this segment, we talked about terrain fade for satellite and television reception and the economics behind mitigating it by using larger dish antennas. At the end of this final segment, we talked about security risks for satellites including radiation, debris, and jamming. Please visit D. K. Sachdev's website, http://members.cox.net/dksachdev/SPACETEL3/index.htm . If you have questions or comments for D.K. Sachdev, contact him at dksachdev@spacetelconsult.com or http://members.cox.net/dksachdev/SPACETEL3/contact.html .
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:43:41 UTC
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Dr. John Brandenburg, Tuesday, 8-18-09 (50.60MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. John Brandenburg. Topics: Planetary protection, NEO's, science fiction, government policy, short warning period. Dr. John Brandenburg was our returning guest for this program to discuss his latest science fiction novel written under his pen name, Victor Norgarde, "Asteroid 20-2012 Sepulveda: The Cosmos Plays Hardball. " You can purchase this book from the One Giant Leap Foundation Amazon Partners website, www.amazon.com/dp/1438978855?tag=onegialeafou-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1438978855&adid=0XZEGSFRR01E74NNK1N2& or by visiting www.onegiantleapfoundation.org and click on books on the menu on the left side. In Segment 1, Dr. Brandenburg put forth the theme of the book which is that a Mexican-American astrophysicist, Alicia Sepulveda, discovers a NEO and figures out its headed for Earth, specifically, Los Angeles and Southern California. As governments find out about it, they hold back the information from the public yet there are people and groups that start to find out about it. As Dr. Brandenburg points out, the book is full of agendas for space and he says he basis this on his real work in the space field as a scientist and his involvement with Mars Observer and Clementine. Later in this segment, he brought up the fact that JPL, which is the hero agency in the story, actually has the legal right to license missions to Mars. I asked him many questions about this comment as I had not heard of this so don't miss this discussion. Dr. Brandenburg said he purposely provided a short warning period for the asteroid hit, one year, as he wanted to show what would likely happen with government and people in trying to come up with solutions, strategies, possibly even widespread evacuations such as all of Los Angeles or major parts of Southern California. He said it’s a "what if" type of book. In Segment 2, the issue of the Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967 came up since it outlaws nuclear weapons in space and using a nuke to destroy or deflect the asteroid is part of the story. Dr. Brandenburg shares some of the story and debate within the book about the need to use the nuclear weapon and the opposition by some governments and people. At one point in this segment, he told us about a conversation between the British Minister of Defense and the U.S. with the British MOD wondering if the OST was a suicide pack! A listener question pointed out that anything could be a weapon and a weapon could also be used for peaceful purposes. Dr. Brandenburg discussed this with us and said this understanding was part of the story in his book. Later in this segment we learned that John included information about the possible electro-magnetic pulse that would result from using a nuke in space as he wanted to make the story as real as possible. We also talked about his personal experiences being involved in two Florida hurricane evacuations. Listen to what he said about being involved in two real evacuations and then you can predict how he covered the possible evacuation of Los Angeles given the NEO headed directly for it. Toward the end of this segment, John again pointed out that in his story there is an attempt for the government to control the population and government agendas seldom have anything to do with the truth. In Segment 3, John talked about how advanced we are today with technology and space developed resources that could be applied to a real incoming object to deflect or destroy it before hitting Earth. He felt we could absolutely handle the problem, even with short notice. He even included the Space Shuttle as a resource as he considered it a heavy lift reserve vehicle. He also said other nations had rockets and space assets that they could bring to bear on the problem so it was not just the U.S. We then shifted the conversation to his thinking on the priority planetary protection should have within the NASA budget. As you will hear, he values human spaceflight for the future o Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:17:32 UTC
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AIAA Space 2009, Monday, 8-17-09 (42.14MB; download) -- Guests: Bob Dickman, Robert Wilson. Topics: AIAA Space 2009, NASA, JPL, Spitzer Space Telescope Project, space science missions. Our guests for this Space Show program included Bob Dickman, Executive Director of AIAA and Robert K. Wilson, manager of the Spitzer Space Telescope Project. Our primary focus was to discuss the upcoming AIAA Space 2009 Conference at the Pasadena Convention Center, Sept. 14-17, 2009, in Pasadena, Ca. In Segment 1, General Dickman introduced us to AIAA and the Space 2009 conference. We talked about the registration as well as some of the main features of the conference including Education Alley, the Pickering Lecture, various keynote and luncheon speakers, and the networking opportunities available at the conference. Robert Wilson spoke with us about technical aspects of the conference, the International Year of Astronomy and its relationship to Space 2009 and more. We also talked with Mr. Wilson about the Spitzer Space Telescope, space telescopes in general, and Spitzer programs at Space 2009. Mr. Wilson described the Spitzer mission to us and talked about going from cold science to warm science since the supply of the cryogenic helium was used up as planned. In Segment 2, our guests addressed Space 2009 and the Augustine Panel results. While the was no planned session or panel specifically addressing the Augustine analysis and conclusions, people doing keynotes and participating on panels are involved in the Augustine process and this information will be discussed at AIAA. Questions came in from listeners about infrared telescopes versus optical telescopes and the coloring of pictures and images we see from both types of telescopes. You don't want to miss this discussion as its most informative. Other listeners asked about the submission of papers to an AIAA conference and peer review. This year 400 out of 600 papers were accepted. Both Bob and Robert explained the process so if you are considering submitting a paper to AIAA, you will want to be aware of their requirements and the process. Toward the end of Segment 2, Bob went over the various costs for different groups for attending this conference. In addition, we talked about the benefits of becoming an AIAA member. If you are not already a member, I certainly recommend that you become one. In Segment 3, we started off with a listener question from Fargo, ND. that asked how the cost benefit of science missions was determined. The listener wanted to know how the scientists determine if a science mission was worth the costs which are hard dollars spent versus the return which usually consists of scientific information/data. Both our guests responded to this question and this is a discussion you definitely need to hear. Our guests talked about how money was spent, what part of the mission costs go to space and what part stays here on Earth for payroll, manufacturing, etc. I then inquired if there was any bad science, a science mission that flopped in terms of the information learned or returned to the scientists. Listen to the reply to this question by both of our guests. As we neared the end of the program, we talked about Space 2010, the Call for Papers and the Abstract due date. Most likely the Call for Papers will come out in October of this year with abstracts due early next year so if you are interested, its not too early to start planning your topic and research. You can get more information and register online for this conference at www.aiaa.org. If you have questions or comments you can visit the Contact page on the AIAA website, www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=293. You can also send your questions or comments to Bob Dickman at bobd@aiaa.org. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:20:47 UTC
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DAve Ketchledge, Sunday, 8-16-09 (58.69MB; download) -- Guest: Dave Ketchledge. Topics: "Rocket Science," nuclear power, space policy, space education. Dave Ketchledge was our guest to discuss his new book on CD, "Rocket Science." You can order this book and find out more about it by visiting his website, www.rocketengineer.bravehost.com/. During Segment 1, Dave talked about the need for space engineering and rocket education, how his book fills this need, and what it means for future engineers in all disciplines, not just those related to space. He focused on the nuclear industry in his engineering examples. In Segment 2, we talked about more specifics, engine gimbling, guidance technology, subsonic flight as well as supersonic rocket flight characteristics. In Segment 3 which was extended by half an hour, we talked about the use of nuclear power for space and went into some detail about NERVA and VASIMIR, and radiation issues. Toward the end of this segment, we talked about space policy, writing to members of Congress, and the preliminary findings of the Augustine Panel. Caller Kelly was with us there was concern expressed for the future of the human spaceflight program in terms of national U.S. space policy. If you have questions or comments for Dave Ketchledge, please email him at sketchledge@sbcglobal.net. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:14:33 UTC
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