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.

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Broadcast 860 (Special Edition)	Listen to the show!
Aired on December 26th, 2007
Guest: Dr. Robert W. Farquhar
Guest: Dr. Robert Farquhar. Dr. Robert Farquhar was the guest for this Space Show program. Our interview jumped right into the frying pan as we asked Dr. Farquhar for his thoughts on the current VSE. As we discovered, Dr. Farquhar would prefer to visit a NEO in preparation for going to Mars, rather than return to the already-explored Moon. As part of preparing for a manned NEO visit, there would need to be lunar orbital missions and extensive use of the Sun-Earth L2 libration point as the primary hub for future human space activities. Our ensuing discussion with Bob goes into some detail on this perspective and how such a space program would serve us better than the current VSE. When asked specifically what he believed the chances were for a new presidential administration to approve a manned NEO visit rather than continuing on with plans for a lunar outpost, he said he was 100% confident that a NEO mission would prevail in a revised VSE. You will want to hear his comments and analysis on this subject. We also talked about deep space missions to the Centaurs and Kuiper Belt Objects, important future robotic lunar missions, and the possible impact of other national space programs going to the Moon, such as those from China, India, ESA, and Russia. I asked Bob if he believed China and India would announce a manned NEO mission if the U.S. changed the VSE to visit NEOs rather than the Moon. Due to the increased challenges and difficulties involved in putting humans on a NEO, Bob felt other national space program could probably handle getting to the Moon but not much more than that. This is a very interesting discussion you will want to hear. Other listeners asked Bob what one would do on a NEO, why go to one, and what about going directly to Mars without first including a manned NEO mission. Again, you need to hear this discussion. In addition to talking about the L2 libration point, a listener asked him about the other LaGrange points, L1, L3, L4, and L5. Bob also told us about a paper he has written regarding going to Mars suggesting three steps forward and then a stumbling block. In this case, the stumbling block is the Moon . On this program, Bob continually voiced concerns about the misplaced focus spent on returning to the Moon rather than doing what he feels and believes is much more interestingpriv such as going to NEOs and Mars. You can send your comments or questions to Dr. Robert Farquhar to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com and I will be happy to forward them to him.

About our guest...

Dr. Robert W. Farquhar
Dr. Robert W. Farquhar is an Executive for Planetary Exploration, KinetX, Inc. He has his Ph.D in Astronautical Sciences, Stanford University (1969),an M.S .in Engineering, UCLA (1961), and his B.S. Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois (1959). His experience includes Co-Investigator, Stardust-NExT Mission, 2007-Present; Mission Director, New Horizons Mission, 2002-2006; Mission Manager, MESSENGER Mission, 1999-2006; Mission Director, CONTOUR Mission, 1998-2002; Mission Director, NEAR Mission, 1990-2001; Program Manager, NASA’s Discovery Program, 1989-1990; Flight Director, ISEE-3/ICE Mission, 1983-1987; Study Manager, Halley’s Comet Mission, 1981; Mission Definition Manager, ISTP Program, 1978-1990; Flight Dynamics Manager, ISEE-3 Mission, 1972-1982; Mission Definition Manager, Lunar Polar Orbiter, 1973-1975 and Study Manager, Cometary Explorer, 1972-1975. He has received numerous awards and honors and he has been on the following committees: Charles A. Lindbergh Chair (National Air &Space Museum) 2007, AIAA Fellow 2004, NASM Trophy for Current Achievement 2002, NASA Medal for Exceptional Engineering Achievement (NEAR) 2002, Tycho Brahe Award (The Institute of Navigation) 2001, Laureate Award for Space (Aviation Week & Space Technology) 2001, Space Pioneer Award (National Space Society) 2001, Baltimorean of the Year (Baltimore Magazine) 2000, The John V. Breakwell Memorial Lecture 1998, Member of International Academy of Astronautics 1996, Laurels for 1996 (Aviation Week & Space Technology), Asteroid #5256 named Farquhar 1992, NASA Medal for Exceptional Engineering Achievement (ISEE-3/ICE) 1988, Distinguished Visiting Professor (Japan’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science) 1987, Fellow of American Astronautical Society 1986, Letter of Commendation from President Ronald Reagan 1984, Dirk Brouwer Space Flight Mechanics Award (American Astronautical Society) 1984, Moe Schneebaum Memorial Award (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) 1984, Laurels for 1982 (Aviation Week & Space Technology), Mechanics and Control of Flight Award (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) 1981, Distinguished Alumnus Award (University of Illinois) 1980, NASA Exceptional Service Medal (ISEE-3/ICE) 1979, Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration (National Academy of Sciences) 2003-2005. In addition, he has over 100 selected publication in various reviewed journals.

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