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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Norman Gerstein, Friday, 11-7-08 (72.74MB; download) -- Guest: Norman J. Gerstein was the guest for this special Space Show program. Mr. Gerstein was deeply involved in Rover/NERVA and we discussed these programs in detail. He was part of the KIWI-TNT team and involved in the cleanup by picking up the debris with a wheelbarrow and tongs. Norm described these programs in detail along with the nuclear rocket which we compared to chemical rockets. Norm made it very clear that one needs a mission to do these programs. Another way of saying it, is to make sure there is a need. Since there was no need (no mission), the programs were cancelled. Today, a nuclear rocket exists for a manned mission to Mars, but listen to what he says about the probability of such a mission anytime soon. One way to not need the nuclear rocket would be to go to Mars by launching from the Moon as the nuclear rocket would not be advantageous for use in going to the Moon. You will find this discussion most interesting. Our discussion also led us to Norm's analysis and conclusions regarding the SSTO and its feasibility. Norm also suggested that a nuclear rocket might be launched from a suborbital position but this was not something that was highly sought after. Later in the show, we talked about the need or the mission for manned space flight. Norm was in agreement with many other Space Show guests this year in saying it was hard to make the case for manned space flight and the silver bullet for manned space flight remains elusive at best. Again, a discussion you will not want to miss. We talked about radiation, nuclear power plant accidents, waste storage and reprocessing, hybrid autos, electric cars, space solar power, and solving our energy crisis as a priority. Norm told us about his preference for vehicles using natural gas plus other ideas he had suggested over the years. We also discussed Norm's idea for a 200,000 ton manufacturing press. The Russians have a 75,000 ton press, so this would clearly be the largest. He thinks it could be a private sector business and would capture large scale manufacturing work from around the world. Reactor pressure containers and other high-end uses would benefit from a single sheet without welds. After listening to this discussion, tell us what you think. Many other topics were discussed including due diligence, running numbers for a comprehensive due diligence analysis of a project of interest. You can send your comments or questions to Mr. Norman Gerstein by using ngerstein@comcast.net.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sat, 08 Nov 2008 15:28:01 UTC
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Open Lines, Tuesday, 11-4-08 (56.07MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. David Livingston hosted an Open Lines Space Show program for this election night special program. The first segment featured my personal thoughts, opinions, and analysis regarding space solar power (SSP). If you want to know what I really think about SSP, listen to what I have to say about it. As this was election night, we talked some with the listeners about the election, about how space might fair with the new administration and Congress, and what U.S. space policy might be like in coming years. Several callers shared their views with us regarding SSP as well as space elevator, NASA, civil space, humans to Mars, NewSpace, and more. One listener sent in an email about the next possible NASA administrator. Toward the end of the program, we discussed space policy, nuclear weapons, and a host of related subjects. These are discussions you will want to hear even if you want to question or challenge the caller or me. If you do have questions for any of the callers, send them to me and I will forward them to the caller you want to receive your input. Please use drspace@thespaceshow.com for all questions and comments for this show. On behalf of all listeners, we sincerely wish President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden a good term in office for all of America. We have our share of problems and we will require skilled, competent, and wise leadership over the coming months and years, not just for space, but for all matters facing our nation.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:32:44 UTC
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Paul Breed, Monday, 11-3-08 (42.27MB; download) -- Guest: Paul Breed of Unreasonable Rockets was the guest for this Space Show program. Please visit his blog http://unreasonablerocket.blogspot.com/ for more information. We started our discussion with Paul talking about the history of Unreasonable Rocket as to how he started it, how he got his son interested in working with him building rockets, and even why he named the company as he did. We also talked about his efforts to compete in the Lunar Lander Challenge over the years up to the current year and why he did not enter this year. You will find his story and experiences to be most interesting. We also talked about rocket testing and the facilities he used. Paul told us where the facilities are that he uses, he described them and the cooperative effort in building and maintaining them, and other facilities close by. In fact, we discussed some of the alt.space and armature rocketry infighting that resulted in the two rocket test centers. Paul's operation is very transparent and he even put all his AST papers, permits, and filings on the website. In response to his disclosures about his rocket and AST, he was asked about ITAR issues since one does not know who may or may not be seeing or reading this material. Paul said he posts everything in public domain and textbooks or other books used are all public domain so he does not have ITAR issues. We also discussed engineering and science education, out-of-the-box thinking and behavior, the necessity, or not, of having an advanced graduate degree, such as a doctorate, or more hands-on experience building and operating things. This is a very important part of our discussion, so listen carefully to what Paul has to say about this subject as well as our engineering education in general in the country. There is much to this interview that you will want to hear and I am sure that Paul Breed will be back on The Space Show as his work and projects continue. If you have a question or comment for Paul, please email him at Pau@rasdoc.com. You will have to comply with his spam filter ID process if you want to engage Paul Breed with a question or discussion. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:39:54 UTC
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Dr. Sam Dinkin, Sunday, 11-2-08 (42.70MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. Sam Dinkin was the guest for this Space Show program. We started our Q&A with Sam with an update on his start-up, Space Shot. Here, Sam took us through the game, its current status, and then, in response to a listener question, he did a "lessons learned" from starting this business. This is a must hear discussion and is applicable to more than just Space Shot. We also talked about space in the future. Sam mentioned that, in his opinion, we would likely develop the oceans first, including aquaculture and then develop habitable aerostats. On the latter point, he received several listener questions about the physics and engineering needed to have a functioning aerostat habitation at about 100,000 feet. Listen to what he said and see what you think regarding this futuristic vision. We also talked about future launch prices and how they might come down in price and over what time. Given that Sam is a PhD economist, we turned our attention to the concerns we all have about our economy, the global economy, and what it all means for space. In addition, I asked Sam for likely economic influences with our presidential candidates and if we could expect major differences from either. Listen to his analysis. You will find it interesting. Dr. Dinkin said he was most optimistic for the future of space, but one of the things he learned from his Space Shot experience was that there really was no hurry to settling space and that would likely unfold on its own time frame, much the way settlers settled the New World from Europe and the West. If you have a follow up question or comment for Dr. Sam Dinkin, please send it to sam@dinkin.com.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:13:35 UTC
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Brian Hanley, Friday, 10-31-08 (75.66MB; download) -- Guest: Brian Hanley was the guest for this Space Show program addressing the issue of bioterrorism. Our far ranging discussion covered not just the subject of bioterrorism and its agents such as anthrax, but how the health care system and public health are primary biodefense. As you will hear, natural disease is a far greater killer than bioterrorism has yet been, and a greater killer than wars also. Brian explained in some detail the risks we face because of our current public health system. We discussed the anthrax attacks, anthrax as a weapon, and listeners asked about likely targets: metropolitan cities, medium sized cities, or small town America. Listen to what he had to say about this. Mr. Hanley discussed bioterrorism attacks in recent years to put them in perspective. One listener asked him if he ever thought our world would be free of this threat or it was here to stay. Sad to say, here to stay was the response. I believe you will find his history of disease and its impact on society to be most interesting, also, the weak points for spreading disease in society now. Toward the end of the program, Brian introduced us to what he calls the Potemkin Perimeter. The former Russian Minister, Grigori Potemkin's Villages were not real but were designed to impress the Empress during the Crimean War. Brian compares this to the legislative and DOJ efforts regulate research work and prosecute offenders in order to impress the public that "action is being taken". He warns that these are counterproductive. Listen to his analysis and see what you think. You can contact Brian Hanley with your comments and questions using the email address, brian.hanley@ieee.org. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:32:02 UTC
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Dr. Gregory Berns, Tuesday, 10-28-08 (43.54MB; download) -- Guest: Dr. Gregory Berns, chair of Neuroeconomics and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, was the guest for this Space Show program to talk about his new book, " iconoclast: A neuroscientist reveals how to think differently." Parts of Dr. Bern's research on this subject for his book was conducted by studying the developing NewSpace community. In fact, Chapter Seven is titled "Private Spaceflight-A Case Study of Iconoclasts Working Together." Here, he uses space tourism, rocketry, and spaceflight participants to illustrate specific cases of iconoclasts. Not only will you want to hear this discussion, this book, in particular this chapter, are must-reads for The Space Show audience. In our discussion with Greg, we talk about not only what an iconoclast is, but the character makeup needed for one to be an iconoclast. He defines an iconoclast as a person who does something that others say can't be done and then he goes on to say three functions are necessary for the person to demonstrate or validate being an iconoclast: perception, fear response or management/containment, and social intelligence. Each of these characteristics are discussed during this show, but another element is needed as illustrated by the case of Howard Armstrong who has the credit for developing FM radio and more. This additional factor is the ability to sell the idea to others. Listen to the Armstrong story followed by a comparison with Bill Gates. See what you think of these two people as iconoclasts. We had several callers and we talked about being different, not with the program or movement, something that kids are teased about, but that adults in the developing space community are accused of all too frequently. Iconoclasts are different, they are not usually "belongers" to anything, so showing them in the different light portrayed by Dr. Bern can be reassuring as was mentioned by our listeners. This was a comprehensive discussion of this subject, both as applied to space businessmen and women, but also in other business, artistic, and development communities. If you have a question or comment for Dr. Gregory Bern, please send it to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com and I will forward it to our guest.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:11:37 UTC
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Louise Riofrio, Monday, 10-27-08 (41.51MB; download) -- Guest: Louise Riofrio was the guest for this Space Show program. We started our discussion with out-of-the-box cosmology theories on the speed of light. She postulated theories about this represented by the equation, GM+TC^3. Check out her blog/website ( http://riofriospacetime.blogspot.com ) for details on this theory and the rest of her cosmology research. Louise talked with us about space and time being the same and said we were hardwired to equate space and time. Do not miss this discussion. We spent about half the show discussing cosmology and physics with Louise, including peer review and out-of-the-box theories and what happens to them given mainstream efforts to toe the line for the status quo. See what you think of this discussion and the experiences that our caller John, Louise, and I bring to the table. During the middle of the program, we switched to the subject of the positive pressure spacesuit as Louise has developed a model of it and often models it at various space conferences. She is also working with parties at NASA and parts of her spacesuit may be used on the new lunar spacesuits being developed for our return to the Moon and lunar settlement. Louise describes how a positive pressure spacesuit works, how it differs from a traditional spacesuit, and how the helmet and visor will work on the spacesuit she is developing. We also talked about some of the problem areas of such a spacesuit and what is being done to compensate for the weak points. She explained movement in the suit, sweating, and punctures and damage to the suit. Other topics we discussed included educational outreach for science and space and teaching kids STEM subjects as Louise does it using unusual methods and tools. She also talked with us about her part in the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and additional space shuttle flights. Toward the end of the show when we were engaged in some light hearted discussions, Louise mentioned the reality of a three dimensional prototyping machine or, as they would say on Star Trek, a replicator. She talked about having seen shoes made by such a machine and action figure toys. We spent several minutes talking about this device and the progress being made to actually make these machines commercial. Louise also brought to our attention the need for a huge GEO communications satellite for high bandwidth for future cell phone conversations. Listen to what she says about this and what it would mean for our future phone capabilities. I asked her if she could compare such a large GEO COMSAT and antenna dish to a GEO solar power satellite array and the answer was no, we are still too far away from the SSP structure which would have to be many times large than what she was talking about for a COMSAT. Check out this URL to see Louise modelling her spacesuit: http://bp2.blogger.com/_SjBd7nY9Kp0/Rosgr1FW3pI/AAAAAAAAARY/4iomNEJKz2Y/s1600-h/2Jul07.jpg. If you want to send a comment or question to Louise Riofrio, do so through her website using the comments section. Make sure you mention you heard her on The Space Show. You can as always send your comments and questions for her to me in care of drspace@thespaceshow.com. Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:37:35 UTC
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William Grahame, Sunday, 10-26-08 (39.89MB; download) -- Guest: William Grahame was the guest for this Space Show program to discuss hypersonic R&D, programs, and flight. We began the discussion with a short summary of some of the existing or better known hypersonic and scramjet programs including Hi-Fire, Blackswift, and Falcon. We talked about development of these vehicles needing to come from the military side of things, not civil or the private sector. We also talked about educating the public as to why hypersonic vehicles are important and how the press is probably not that aware of their importance. Bill went through several projects in some detail and we also compared hypersonic potential to suborbital potential. Toward the end of the program, Bill outlined his own idea for a passenger hypersonic vehicle for Point A to Point B transportation. You can contact William (Bill) Grahame with your questions or comments by using his email address wegdrg1@cox.net.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:06:03 UTC
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Space Cynics Discussion on SSP, Saturday, 10-25-08 (40.69MB; download) -- Guests: The Space Cynics, Shubber Ali, Tom Olson, Dr. John Jurist, and Dr. David Livingston, came together for this conference call round table discussion on the topic of the day, Space Solar Power (SSP). In keeping with the true Space Cynics fashion, this was a hard-hitting program addressing some of the fundamental challenges facing SSP and why the Cynics do not share the joy of seeing a future SSP world as do those promoting it. As we started the discussion, Shubber outlined three basic areas that we addressed: technical challenges, economic and political (policy) challenges, and those challenges represented by substitute technology. All of us were in agreement that the technical challenges can be met over time and with sufficient funding and R&D. All the Cynics believe that substitute technologies here on Earth will typically give the economic and policy advantage to terrestrial power over SSP. Furthermore, the economic, political, and policy challenges ahead for SPP are formidable and likely to prove much harder, complex, and costly to resolve than many of those promoting SSP believe will be the case. Since many listening to this discussion will not agree with some or even all of the points made, should you choose to reply, comment or question what you hear, please do so factually. For example, if you are going to report or comment that the launch cost will be $200/kilo to GEO or some other very low rate , tell us how that happens so we can respond factually. If you are talking theoretical, please provide the support and basis for your theory. Another interesting point offered in this discussion came up when we talked about the need for low cost space access. Shubber made the point that the military does not really want cheap and easy access to space by the general public, thus it's unlikely that there will be any government action taken to significantly change the way we access space. I believe we should give some serious consideration to this as a real potentiality. In another part of the SSP discussion, we discussed new launch technology, mag lift, the space elevator, and SSP as an economic driver for these possible launch technologies. See what you think of the comments offered up by the Cynics. Here, I differ a bit from my fellow Cynics. I want to hear more about the advanced and different propulsion ideas to examine their merit, economic potential, etc. I want to apply real comprehensive due diligence to what I hear and I am hoping to have some of these advanced and out of the box propulsion and lift concepts discussed by their promoters on The Space Show. Watch the newsletter for this type of future programming. We also discussed upcoming reports suggesting that we may run out of terrestrial energy by the end of the century. I personally withhold judgment until I see the report(s) mentioned on the show, but the other Cynics do not, as of now, subscribe to resource limitation theories as presented or described in this discussion. I hope to do a full Space Show program about one particular energy report once it is made public. This Space Cynics show will also post on The Space Cynics blog site at http://spacecynic.wordpress.com. If you want to ask a question, offer a comment, or provide information for your position, theory, or anything else, please do so as a comment to the Cynics blog for all to read once the show is posted on Cynics . Any email I receive at The Space Show for this particular discussion will be posted in full on the Space Cynics blog as we Space Cynics blog are very transparent. Your comments, challenges, theories, information, and critiques are most welcome by us all and we look forward to hearing from you over at Cynics. And please remember, the Tuesday, Nov. 4th Space Show program is an Open Line discussion by me on my own personal feelings about SSP based on my interviews and contacts with many of those working to make SSP a reality. As you will hear on that show, I Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:25:22 UTC
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Scott Cassell, Friday, 10-24-08 (57.92MB; download) -- Guest: Scott Cassell was the guest for this Space Show program exploring the relationship and synergy of our oceans with space. Our discussion with Scott started off by focusing on the Humboldt Squid, which is as much a foreign life form to humans as anything that may be encountered on or off this planet. You must hear Scott describe this mollusk in detail, including its behavior, characteristics, appearance, and its unusual proliferation across oceans into areas where it previously never used to be found. We continued our discussion of not just the squid, but other extremophiles and we did some extrapolation to space and learned about space scientists coming to see Scott's work in their off-hours as the relationship is clearly understood and valued even if not yet formally so by NASA or JPL. We spent a considerable amount of time comparing environmental and life support systems in a sub and in the ocean as compared to what is required for space travel and habitation. We talked about space tourism as a driver for favorable space policy, regulation, and interest, yet there is a noticeable absence of undersea tourism despite the fact the technology is here and available. See if you concur with the explanation Scott puts forth during this discussion. Unusual ocean features such as extremophiles, hydrothermal vents, and more were discussed. Scott also brought us current with the reality of fishing problems and what it is doing to the oceans and the food supply chain. When you hear him, you might decide to modify some of your seafood habits. A listener asked why the presidential candidates talked about space, but never mentioned the oceans. Again, do not miss what Scott Cassell had to say about this situation. Caller Reda asked about the funding going to space and also to the study of the oceans. It should not be one or the other, both domains need R&D and study. The three of us discussed this situation in detail. Toward the end of the program, Scott talked to us about the importance of learning lessons and not repeating history and that we need to learn right here on Earth and with the oceans and then take the lessons with us to space so we don't make the same mistakes over and over again. In many ways, the oceans are our school ground. Scott described his Undersea Voyager Project which is very important and in many ways similar to the "Teacher In Space" program. Visit http://www.underseavoyager.org/ for more details about this fascinating project and your ability to participate. If you want to contact Scott with questions, comments, or if you are seeking information about his project, please do so through his website at info@underseavoyager.org or fill out the form at www.underseavoyager.org/contactus.html. The Space Show thanks Reda Anderson for introducing us to Scott.
Selected by: David Livingston [ stations ], Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:15:36 UTC
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+for+details+on+this+theory+and+the+rest+of+her+cosmology+research.++Louise+talked+with+us+about+space+and+time+being+the+same+and+said+we+were+hardwired+to+equate+space+and+time.++Do+not+miss+this+discussion.++We+spent+about+half+the+show+discussing+cosmology+and+physics+with+Louise%2c+including+peer+review+and+out-of-the-box+theories+and+what+happens+to+them+given+mainstream+efforts+to+toe+the+line+for+the+status+quo.++See+what+you+think+of+this+discussion+and+the+experiences+that+our+caller+John%2c+Louise%2c+and+I+bring+to+the+table.++During+the+middle+of+the+program%2c+we+switched+to+the+subject+of+the+positive+pressure+spacesuit+as+Louise++has+developed+a+model+of+it+and+often+models+it+at+various+space+conferences.++She+is+also+working+with+parties+at+NASA+and+parts+of+her+spacesuit+may+be+used+on+the+new+lunar+spacesuits+being+developed+for+our+return+to+the+Moon+and+lunar+settlement.++Louise+describes+how+a+positive+pressure+spacesuit+works%2c+how+it+differs+from+a+traditional+spacesuit%2c+and+how+the+helmet+and+visor+will+work+on+the+spacesuit+she+is+developing.++We+also+talked+about+some+of+the+problem+areas+of+such+a+spacesuit+and+what+is+being+done+to+compensate+for+the+weak+points.++She+explained+movement+in+the+suit%2c+sweating%2c+and+punctures+and+damage+to+the+suit.++Other+topics+we+discussed+included+educational+outreach+for+science+and+space+and+teaching+kids+STEM+subjects+as+Louise+does+it+using+unusual+methods+and+tools.++She+also+talked+with+us+about+her+part+in+the+Alpha+Magnetic+Spectrometer+and+additional+space+shuttle+flights.++Toward+the+end+of+the+show+when+we+were+engaged+in+some+light+hearted+discussions%2c+Louise+mentioned+the+reality+of+a+three+dimensional+prototyping+machine+or%2c+as+they+would+say+on+Star+Trek%2c+a+replicator.++She+talked+about+having+seen+shoes+made+by+such+a+machine+and+action+figure+toys.++We+spent+several+minutes+talking+about+this+device+and+the+progress+being+made+to+actually+make+these+machines+commercial.++Louise+also+brought+to+our+attention+the+need+for+a+huge+GEO+communications+satellite+for+high+bandwidth+for+future+cell+phone+conversations.++Listen+to+what+she+says+about+this+and+what+it+would+mean+for+our+future+phone+capabilities.++I+asked+her+if+she+could+compare+such+a+large+GEO+COMSAT+and+antenna+dish+to+a+GEO+solar+power+satellite+array+and+the+answer+was+no%2c+we+are+still+too+far+away+from+the+SSP+structure+which+would+have+to+be+many+times+large+than+what+she+was+talking+about+for+a+COMSAT.++Check+out+this+URL+to+see+Louise+modelling+her+spacesuit%3a+++http%3a%2f%2fbp2.blogger.com%2f_SjBd7nY9Kp0%2fRosgr1FW3pI%2fAAAAAAAAARY%2f4iomNEJKz2Y%2fs1600-h%2f2Jul07.jpg.++If+you+want+to+send+a+comment+or+question+to+Louise+Riofrio%2c+do+so+through+her+website+using+the+comments+section.+Make+sure+you+mention+you+heard+her+on+The+Space+Show.++You+can+as+always+send+your+comments+and+questions+for+her+to+me+in+care+of+drspace%40thespaceshow.com.&feed=&guid=&title=Louise+Riofrio%2c+Monday%2c+10-27-08&url=http%3a%2f%2farchived.thespaceshow.com%2fshows%2f1044-BWB-2008-10-27.mp3){kind=link}