Dr. Alan Binder was the guest for this Space Show program. Dr. Binder started the program out by honoring today, July 20, for the Apollo 11 Moon landing and the Viking 1 landing on Mars. The first segment of the show is devoted to his telling us about these programs, especially Viking as he was one of the PI's on the Viking program. You will certainly want to hear his first hand experiences with Viking. In addition, he talks about data analysis and the need for it after a mission but the problems within NASA concerning data. Don't miss this discussion. During the balance of the program, Dr. Binder talked with us about the likely capability of NASA being able to complete the VSE and take us to the Moon. He is not optimistic on this point and tells us why throughout the program. To illustrate the point, he tells us about the Lunar Prospector Mission and what went on behind the scenes with him and NASA. Furthermore, he recommends listeners interested in learning about NASA and what it was like doing a successful commercial program within NASA that they read his two books, "Moon Quake" and also "Lunar Prospector: Against All Odds." Both books are available on Amazon.com or through your favorite bookstore but if you want an autographed copy, order it through Ken Press in Tucson at area code 520-743-3200 or email ken@kenpress.com. Tell Ken you heard Dr. Binder regarding the book on The Space Show. You can also find these books through is website which is www.lunar-research-institute.org/. Alan fielded many listener questions about commercial lunar missions, closing a commercial lunar biz plan, potential lunar competition from China, India, and Asia in general and much more. One listener asked him about a possible space race with Asia, another emailed in that the Asian countries are far from committing the financial resources needed for a manned lunar program so mostly likely its all rhetoric coming from these other nations. Alan provided interesting perspectives and opinions on these and other comments. Dr. Binder also talked about his proposal which would substantially change NASA in a DARPA type program for space development. The new NASA would contract with private companies for space development R&D the way DARPA contracts with private companies for defense issues. We talked about the chances for this type of revision to be made to NASA in the coming 2008 elections. Don't miss what he has to say about this. We also talked about why we should go to the Moon in light of recent Space Show programs and why it would be in the interest of America to go to the Moon much quicker. This question was also taken from an earlier Space Show program. I told Alan that since answers are not forthcoming on these questions, I am beginning to think that collectively we are getting the space program we all deserve. Alan disagreed so you will want to hear what he has to say in response to my comments. This is a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Binder on NASA, its abilities, programs, lunar commerce and development and much more. If you want to send Dr. Binder a follow up question or comment, please do so through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com.
Guest
The Space Show
