Guest:  Robert (Bob) Zimmerman; Topics:  A review of space happenings for 2016.  Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com.   Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.

We welcomed Bob Zimmerman back for this end of 2016 space event look back program.  For the first segment of our 2 hour 1 minute program, Bob focused on the Trump space landing team changes.  We talked about two articles, one from the Wall St. Journal and the other from Eric Berger;  Here are the respective URLs you should review:    

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/12/peter-thiel-now-leading-the-fight-for-commercial-space-in-trumps-nasa and www.wsj.com/articles/thiel-others-push-for-trump-nasa-team-expansion-1482263645. 

Bob continued talking about commercial space.  Another example he cited was One Webb securing $1.2 billion in financing from private Japanese sources.  By the way, note that we started the show talking about the Swiss Space bankruptcy.  We also mentioned that this was likely due to the bizarre attempt to kill the Swiss Space founder.  We hope the founder fully recovers from the brutal attack that drenched him in gasoline and attempted to burn him up.

Bob talked about the new class of small sat launchers about to enter the market and why it was significant.  He mentioned two companies, Planet Labs and Vector Space.  The SpaceX return to flight was delayed so Bob talked about that as well, even the loss of a commercial customer due to the delay.  Bob updated us as to the SpaceX accident investigation on the loss of the Falcon 9. 

Additional time was spent discussing the space landing team for the Trump transition.  Bob suggested that new members being added to the team indicate a possible commercial space focus for the new administration.  Next, we got a call from John Hunt who wanted to challenge and disagree with Bob regarding SLS.  Their debate on SLS took us through the balance of the first segment.  However, before the segment ended, we talked movies including the National Geographic Mars series and the new movie just opening, Passengers.

In the second segment, Bob talked about Apollo 8 and his still current book documenting the mission and the Christmas event flyby of the Moon with the crew reading Genesis from the Bible.  Marilyn then sent in a note asking about making money with humans in space. Don't miss what Bob said about this subject.  Part of his response focused on products developed for space used in everyday commerce here on Earth.  LED lights were one such item Bob mentioned along with infrared sensors.

We talked about other national space programs including the Russian and Chinese programs.  Harry then sent in a note asking Bob what he thought was the most important space event or news story for 2016.  Bob said it was rocket reusability as it was a big game changer.  Don't miss all of what he had to say on this topic including the upcoming reuse of space capsules. 

Dr. Charles Lurio called to discuss the Wall St. Journal and Eric Berger articles on the new members being added to the Trump space transition team or landing team.   After the Lurio call, Tim sent us an email about the best way to start a space entrepreneurial business.  Dr. Doug from S. California was our last caller.  He focused on Public Private Partnerships and his Lunar Cots project. Bob and Doug had an interesting conversation.  When Doug mentioned some ideas for international cooperation, Bob said he did not support international cooperation in space projects.  He said we did not need a Kumbaya moment in space and he also explained his reasoning.  Out of respect & honor for Bob not wanting an international space project Kumbaya moment, I played a few bars of the famous Kumbaya My Lord  song by the Seekers.  All in all, Bob and Doug had an interesting give and take discussion so don't miss it.  They also briefly talked about the ESA Lunar Village idea .  Before the show ended, I asked Bob what we should focus on for early 2017.  Bob again talked about the SpaceX return to flight & the emergence of the actual Trump administration policy on space.

Please post your comments/questions on The Space Show blog which is part of this show's archive page on our website.  Check out Bob's website, www.behindtheblack.com. You can reach Bob through his website or me.