|
The Space Show focuses on timely and important issues influencing the development of outer-space commerce and space tourism, as well as other related subjects of interest to us all.
You can listen anytime you like to any guest that has been on The Space Show or its predecessor, Business Without Boundaries, using Windows Media Player.
|
| Broadcast
1220 (Special Edition) |  Listen to the show! | | Aired on September 8th, 2009 | | Guest: Dr. James A. Dewar |
| Guest: Dr. James Dewar. Topic: nuclear rocket, breaking the taboo, private space development and industrialization. Dr. James Dewar was our guest to discuss his new Apogee published book, "The Nuclear Rocket: Making Our Plane Green, Peaceful and Prosperous." This book and his earlier book, "To The End Of The Solar System: The Story of the Nuclear Rocket," will soon be on the One Giant Leap Foundation book page as an Amazon partner. Buying these books from the One Giant Leap Amazon link allows Amazon to financially support The Space Show. Please see .www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/books.htm. In Segment 1, Dr. Dewar provided us with an overview of the nuclear rocket and its history. We talked about the potential, its high ISP, and the basics of how the nuclear rocket works plus why its safe. Our caller asked about the old records and what was available to use in starting the program again versus what would have to be done from scratch. As you will hear, lots of files and records were lost but there still exists data from Los Alamos and other research locations and companies. I asked Dr. Dewar what would be changed with modern engineering and he suggested many thing but focused on slush hydrogen. We also talked about the Rover/NERVA project the tensile strength of graphite and how that was improved upon. In this segment, Dr. Dewar introduced us to the idea of breaking the taboo and using the nuclear rocket to launch to LEO from Earth. He talked about the lifting potential of the nuclear rocket based on 1968 Rocketdyne tests. In Segment 2, our caller asked Dr. Dewar to explain his Space Charter Authority (SCA) concept. Don't miss this discussion. We also asked Dr. Dewar how the nuclear rocket led to peaceful and green programs. Again, don't miss this discussion. Later in this segment and at the start of Segment 3, the issue of fear and concern regarding nuclear came up, especially in the context of the nuclear bomb/weapons programs with Iran, North Korea and others. Also in the final segment, Dr. Dewar stressed the need to do the necessary studies as part of the process to move forward with developing the nuclear rocket program including the policy programs essential to supporting it. In this segment, Jim described the NASA free launch program as an incentive to involve lots of people and inspire the public to participate and benefit from the nuclear rocket program. We talked about a literature search for nuclear rocket papers in recent conferences which Dr. Dewar pointed out usually addressed going from LEO to Mars. Breaking the taboo to go from Earth to LEO with the nuclear rocket is the program Dr. Dewar outlines in his book. If you have questions or comments for Dr. Dewar, please email them to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com and I will forward them to him. |
| About our guest... |
Dr. James A. Dewar
James A. Dewar worked exclusively on nuclear policy issues in the Atomic Energy Commission and its successor agencies, the Energy Research and Development Administration and the Department of Energy. Such included nonproliferation and export control, nuclear testing and verification, international, environmental, nuclear fuel cycle, intelligence and technology transfer from the nuclear weapons complex. He held a Q clearance, with Sigma access, as well as many intelligence clearances. He graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 1966 with a BA, the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin in 1968 with a MA and Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas in 1974 with the PhD. He began his government career and interest in nuclear rocketry in 1969 as a summer intern in NASA.
|
|
|
[ Return to the main page ]
NOTICE: The views and comments expressed on The Space Show by its guests, callers, and listeners belong to the maker. The Space Show and its host serve only as a platform and are not responsible for other's comments or view. All topics discussed on The Space Show are primarily for educational purposes.
Streaming audio requires Microsoft Windows Media Player or compatible audio player
For technical support please contact the webmaster: Webmaster@TheSpaceShow.com
Website and audio content are for personal use only and protected by U.S. copyright law.
For more information e-mail Dr. David Livingston: DrSpace@TheSpaceShow.com
© Copyright 2001 - 2010 David Livingston. All Rights Reserved.
|
