Guest:  Robert (Bob) Zimmerman; Multiple discussion topics but lots of time devoted to Starship, delays in the launch license process, and the FAA role in the delays.  Many other topics came up so I refer you to the Tags which you find below as a summary guide to this discussion.

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Tags:  Bob Zimmerman, Behindtheblack.com, SpaceX Starship, FAA safety review for launch license, Boca Chica launch license delays, Biden policy, Tumlinson view on not going against administration, potential Artemis delays, Artemis discussion in general, does the country value space question, Musk fights back, VARDA discussion, lunar and Mars lava tubes, a lunar helicopter possibility, multiple FAA policy and delay comments from listeners, Lurio on the FAA and regulation delays, Biden administration FAA conspiracy comments, Lurio on Varda matters, India's space program, Lurio on future US-Indian private space cooperation, nuclear propulsion, listener news update on nuclear propulsion, SLS economics.

We welcomed Bob Zimmerman back to the show for a 2-hour 7 minute detailed and controversial discussion, especially re the FAA and Starship launch license delays for Boca Chica. We jumped right into the discussion about Starship, FAA delays in the launch license, the role of Fish and Wildlife in the delay process and should the delay continue the possible delays it might cause in the Artemis return to the Moon program.  Please listen to the discussion, it was long with other topics being inserted in the middle, plus when Dr. Lurio called later in the show, this delay discussion, the concern over regulations, the role of SpaceX and Musk, were gone over again based on the Lurio commentary.

Additional topics for this program focused on the recent comments by Rick Tumlinson on TSS and on other forums about Musk needing to be more cooperative with the Feds and not so outspoken in an attack mode.  I asked Bob if he thought Musk should curtail his behavior as Rick suggested.  Listen to the comments and let us know what you think by posting on our blog?  The same for the Lurio comments on the same subject. In addition, Artemis may be at risk since Starship is the key to the human lander. If SpaceX is delayed in bringing the lander to market, that will hurt the Artemis schedule.  At one point during the discussion, Bob said that congress did not care about Artemis.

The developments with the company VARDA and FAA regulations were an important part of the discussion.  Dr. Lurio also commented on the VARDA situation.  We talked about their moving some operations to Australia, but their current orbiting vehicle cannot get a return to Earth license.  Don't miss this part of the discussion, then post your comments about it on our blog.  Lunar and Martian lava tubes were talked about along with the Indian space program and U.S. private sector cooperation.  Before ending, listener Joe inquired about nuclear propulsion possibilities.  Before signing off another listener checked in with us with updated nuclear propulsion information.

Please post your comments/questions for Bob on our blog for this show.  You can reach Bob through me or his site which you need to regularly visit, www.behindtheblack.com.