Broadcast 250 (Special Edition)

Dr. Humboldt Mandell, Jr., the senior Research Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research and the principal investigator for the Mars Deep Drill project, was the guest on this edition of The Space Show. Dr. Mandell spoke extensively about why a human to Mars mission is important. He was asked if we have the science and technology to go to Mars to which he replied that we did, he talked about why going to Mars does not need us to first return to the Moon, and he stated that going to Mars and living there in some sort of settlement or colony would be as safe as being here on Earth. Dr. Mandell said that while the Space Exploration Initiative and Vision as proposed by President Bush is better than what we have had before given we have not had such a proposal before, he believes it is spread over too long a time period and that adversely impacts the credibility of the program. He thinks we should be going to Mars much sooner than the proposal suggests. Dr. Mandel continued his Mars discussion by pointing out that the Moon is not a good analog for going to Mars, even the 3 day trip to the Moon is not applicable to what will be experienced going to Mars. He also said that there were good analog places right here on Earth that should be used for learning how to go Mars. Dr. Mandell was asked about robotic missions to Mars rather than humans and I also asked about sending animals to Mars instead of humans to learn about the long term medical issues facing the crew that eventually goes to and returns from Mars. Regarding the animal question, he pointed out that it would probably be more costly to set up an animal project going to Mars than it would be to send humans to Mars. Dr. Mandell also spoke about the Mars Deep Drill project, NASA, space commerce, lunar commerce and tourism, space access, alternative launch technologies such as the space elevator and beamed or laser propulsion, and the Nasa program at various universities, NASA Means Business. Dr. Mandell also spoke about his work on how to change the minds and hearts of Americans regarding space exploration and development. He explained why doing this is non-partisan and quite different from what a political party or campaign does to get people to vote for a specific candidate. Though many other subjects and issues came up and were discussed in some detail, toward the end of the program Dr. Mandell told us about his experiences working with the two Texas governors and their space positions and knowlege. First, he worked with Democratic Governor Ann Richards and then he worked with Republican Governor George Bush. His experiences of working with each are fascinating to hear and I urge you to listen to this program for the many important things said by this guest, in addition to hearing his comments compare and contrast experiences regarding space matters with Governors Richards and Bush.