DARPA

Guest: Michael Belfiore. Topics: DARPA, space and technology research and development. Michael Belfiore returned to The Space Show to discuss his new book, "The Department of Mad Scientists: How DARPA Is Remaking Our World, from the Internet to Artificial Limbs." This book is available on the One Giant Leap Foundation (OGLF) website as an Amazon partner, www.amazon.com/dp/0061577936?tag=onegialeafou-20. Remember, if you buy the book from the OGLF site, Amazon makes a contribution to The Space Show/OGLF.

Guest: Gary Hudson: Topics: Risk taking, launch vehicles, flight safety test program, space tourism. We started our discussion with guest Gary Hudson regarding the COTS program, the Augustine Panel, and Unfunded Space Act Agreements. Gary described why he believes that COTS should be a more competitive and open process. You definitely want to hear what he has to say. This discussion led to an exchange with listeners as well as the host regarding the way in which bad engineering projects continue to grow, get funding, and be implemented.

Guest: Dr. Neville Marzwell. Topics: Space Solar Power, power beaming, leadership, public & private sector risk buy down, Elon Musk, electric cars. Dr. Neville Marzwell was the guest for this Space Show program to discuss his Space Solar Power (SSP) presentation from the December 2008 ATWG Conference. Dr. Marzwell's power point presentation, "The Technical Challenges for Space Solar Power" can be sent to you upon receiving your request. It’s 20 MB so to send it, I will need to use a large file transfer service, so let me know if you would like a copy of this PowerPoint.

Guest: Sharon Weinberger, author of "Imaginary Weapons," was our guest for the first hour followed by a half hour of Open Lines. Sharon provided us with the history of her research regarding her book and we began our discussion with nothing less than the hafnium 5 kiloton hand grenade. From this point, we discussed how such projects are funded, the dream of an isomer bomb, DOD and DARPA standards, and much more. At different points in the discussion, we extrapolated to NASA and space expenditures using Ares 1 and other space projects.

Dr. John Mankins was the guest for this special Space Show program. We began the interview by asking Dr. Mankins what would be needed to transform space to a more ordinary component of our terrestrial economy. This discussion led us to a detailed discussion regarding energy from space and space solar power. Dr. Mankins took us through ground infrastructure, the launch component, alternative launch possibilities, the space component with satellites, and the economics of power.

Dr. Alan Binder returned as the guest for this Space Show program. Alan began the interview with updates and clarification regarding his Lunar Prospector project. This developed into a discussion about NASA and the public space program and how best to get into space. Alan believes the private sector is most suited for the job, would like to see NASA become like a DARPA and is strongly supportive of the entrepreneurial space community. He is less supportive of the large aerospace industry and he tells why. Based on his own work and experiences, Dr.