Dr. Leik Myrabo, Associate Professor of Engineering Physics at the Rensselear Polytechnic Institute (RPI), was the guest for this edition of The Space Show. Dr. Myrabo focused on beamed energy propulsion, what it is, how it works, its potential for space access, safety issues and more. Dr. Myrabo spent considerable amount of time explaining that we have reached a point in time where chemical rockets have reached or are at least very near their peak in enhancements and development, thus beamed energy propulsion holds the promise of being able to replace these rockets in the not so distant future. We talked about how with visionary leadership, management, and infrastructure development, orbital reusable space vehicles might be designed using beamed energy propulsion rather than as a chemical rocket vehicle. His discussion of this subject near the end of the program was an eye opener and I hope that those interested in the orbital reusable vehicle business and space entrepreneurs hear what Dr. Myrabo has to say about this subject. Dr. Myrabo also talked about the coming important conference, ISBEP3 from Oct. 11-14 of this year at RPI, as well as his new book to be released in a few months by Apogee Press, "The LTI-20 Lightcraft Technical Manual." Dr. Myrabo explained that the power plant for the beamed energy propulsion units could be placed in space, on the Moon, or on Earth and the fuel on board the vehicle could be something as benign as water! He discussed the well-deserved excitement surrounding Space Ship One and its people, Burt Rutan, Paul Allen and the others that have made it a huge success so far. Dr. Myrabo clearly has plausible, alternative, safe, and cost-effective technologies to begin accessing space. His work on beamed energy and laser propulsion is monumental and for sure, you will not want to miss this Space Show program.
Guest
The Space Show
