The Space Show hosted by: Dr. David Livingston

Dr. David Livingston

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 1375 (Special Edition)	Listen to the show!
Aired on June 7th, 2010
Guest: Robert Zimmerman
Guest: Robert Zimmerman. Topics: Falcon 9 successful launch, U.S. Space Policy, Bat fungus and caves. We welcomed back Robert Zimmerman to talk all things space policy. We started our first segment with a discussion on the successful Falcon 9 launch on June 4, 2010. Bob said it was exhilarating to watch and we all had high praise for Space X. Our guest talked at length about the need for the private sector to continue with these successes to lower the cost of space access. Listeners asked our guest to comment on the impact of the successful launch on the administration's space program and Bob said it was probably not that much given the layoffs coming from the cancellation of Constellation as well as shuttle are far more significant and represent a potential disaster. Toward the end of this segment, listener Patrick asked about other space programs with different companies and he was also interested in the impact of the Falcon 9 on the Russians and Chinese . In our second segment, we talked about the side effects of the cancellation of the return to the Moon per the comments made during the Friday European space policy program. Bob said the U.S. has a lousy reputation for cancelling programs and international cooperation. Marshall called in with a question about the Apollo astronauts commenting on the administration's program and wondered how valuable such comments and opinions were. Later in this segment, another listener asked about the ISS and the possible participation in it by South Korea and China. We concluded this segment with a discussion about Orbital Science and its efforts to provide cargo transportation to the ISS. Our third final long segment started with listener Jack asking about ITAR reform. Listener Charles entered into a vigorous debate with Bob regarding the administration's space policy program. This is a must listen to discussion. The debate ended up with an agreement that we are definitely in uncertain times. Other listeners sent in questions wondering what type of compromise between Congress and the administration might unfold and Bob speculated on the potential for compromise and the likelihood for going to continuing resolution. Listener Peter sent in the URL for the earlier mentioned Dr. Harrison article. You can download the article at www.rightsidenews.com/2010060210427/editorial/the-chasm-between-apollo-and-the-gulf.html. Jerry called in to defend the Obama program suggesting it would be a pipe dream to think that shuttle would be extended. Bob debated with Jerry that the administration plan does not reduce overall costs and they talked about the recent GAO report on Constellation. I stepped into this particular discussion by referring to the printing press comments made on an earlier Classroom show by Dr. Hertzfeld and suggested that since the printing press money was in full force anyway, it was a matter of choice as to what it was being used for and could be used for space, the point made by Dr. Hertzfeld. But let me be clear, nobody including Henry recommended or believes that printing press money should be used for anything including space. If you have not done so, you should listen to Lesson 9 on the Classroom from June 1. In the remaining minutes of the show, Bob updated us on the strange bat fungus problem that is spreading. Bob did a good job in explaining the fungus, what it is doing to a specific species of bats and the caves where they live and how the fungus has spread beyond the East Coast. We will continue to follow this strange problem with Bob when he is a guest on the program. If you have questions or comments for Bob Zimmerman, you can find his email address near the bottom of his website, http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3cxxp/zimbib.htm which is zimmerman at asw dot org or you can forward it to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com.

About our guest...

Robert Zimmerman
Robert Zimmerman is a well known and respected space historian and author. He posts regularly at his new website, http://behindtheblack.com, on space, science, and other matters relating to cultural and political issues. Mr. Zimmerman is also an award winning author. His most recent book, THE UNIVERSE IN A MIRROR: THE SAGA OF THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE AND THE VISIONARIES WHO BUILT IT (Princeton University Press) was just released in paperback. The book tells the poignant tale of the men and women behind the telescope, and how many had to sacrifice careers and family to get it built. It also describes in detail the importance of Hubble both scientifically and culturally. More than any other instrument sent into space, the Hubble Space Telescope reshaped the human perception of our place in the universe. Robert's previous book, LEAVING EARTH: SPACE STATIONS, RIVAL SUPERPOWERS, AND THE QUEST FOR INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL, is a must read! It describes in detail the history of manned space flight, post Apollo. Thus, it includes a lot of information about the Soviet/Russian space program that is unknown to most Americans. In 2003 American Astronautical Society awarded LEAVING EARTH the Eugene Emme Award as that year's the best space history for the general public. Mr. Zimmerman has also authored GENESIS, THE STORY OF APOLLO 8 (published by Four Walls Eight Windows in 1998), telling the family and political tale behind the first human journey to another world, and THE CHRONOLOGICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DISCOVERIES IN SPACE (published by Oryx Press, now ABC-CLIO, 2000), a detailed reference book describing what was accomplished on every space mission beginning in October 1957 with Sputnik and continuing through December 1999. His work is published regularly in such magazines as SCIENCE, ASTRONOMY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, INVENTION & TECHNOLOGY, FORTUNE, AD ASTRA, AMERICAN HISTORY, STARDATE, and many other major magazines. In 2000 he was co-winner of the David N. Schramm Award, given by the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society for Science Journalism. He can be reached at zimmerman at nasw dot org.

[ 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