Guest: Robert (Bob) Zimmerman. Topics: Bob Zimmerman covered a wide range of topics from commercial space to ground based telescopes. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm. We welcomed Bob Zimmerman back to the show for this two hour discussion. Bob started the first segment with an overview of commercial space progress to date in 2014 which includes Space X Falcon 9 launch, Orbital's launch to the ISS, the recent Virgin Galactic demo test plus other events. SLS came up again and unfortunately took up time throughout the show. As you will hear me say, I am sick of the pro and anti-SLS comments on the show and really need an SLS break as I imagine most listeners do as well. Unfortunately, callers and email questioners kept bring it back to our focus and Bob was not shy on commenting on SLS as he wants it cancelled. We talked some about Virgin Galactic and XCOR, then I asked about Dream Chaser given the news it has been seeking international partners to continue the project. Bob was next asked about the Chinese policy and their lunar lander. He started comparing the Chinese program of today to the early Soviet Union program and suggested that like all space programs, they will make a significant contribution to changing the culture of the country. We talked about the new Omnibus 2014 Budget Bill before congress and the increases to NASA, planetary science, commercial crew and more. As we neared the break, Bob in Berkeley asked Bob the guest to opine on Inspiration Mars and Mars One. Doug from S. California called with multiple questions before the break, starting out asking about Bob's comments on the negatives for taking government money and wanting to know if that applied to Space Act Agreement recipients. His last question directed to Bob and me was based on our being part of the space media and about influencing policy, culture, programs, etc. Bob's and my response continued into the second segment. During the second segment, Trent chatted in from Australia, then Dave called in from Chicago to asked about the J2X engine. Bob and I talked some more about making a policy impact, then I asked Bob for key issues that will emerge for the balance of the year. He talked about Russia competing with private companies, HSF and Dragon, astronomy, ground based telescope improvements, and NASA science programs. At the end, I asked about the new mission for Kepler Space Telescope to have it continuing doing useful and productive research for the rest of its life. Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog and visit Bob website often, http://behindtheblack.com. You can reach Bob through his website or through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com.
Guest
The Space Show
