Guest: Gwynne Shotwell. Topics: SpaceX, their goals, mission, & launch vehicles. 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. For those listening to archives using live365.com and rating the programs, please email me as to why you assign a specific rating to the show. This will help me bring better programming to the audience. We welcomed Gwynne Shotwell, President & Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX back to the show for an hour discussion & Q&A from the listeners. During the first hour segment of this 72 minute program, Ms. Shotwell started out with me asking questions prior to opening the program to the listeners. I inquired about using Brownsville, TX as a spaceport, SpaceX qualification requirements & timelines to fly sensitive USAF costly spy satellites to orbit, reusability, the possible use of Falcon & Dragon for a lunar mission, and fast tracking Dragon for HSF given the problem with Russia, the Crimea, and the Ukraine. Gwynne told us about New Dragon and modifications to it and theCRS-3 Dragon contamination concerns for the upcoming launch on March 30. About 20 minutes into the discussion, I opened it up for listener emails and phone calls. I did have some audio issues with the toll free line so I apologize in advance for them but all the callers were clear and understandable as the problems concerned the toll free line ringing. Listner questions addressed launch pad modifications for larger rockets, the SpaceX Raptor, reusability, possible payload penalties with reusability, propulsive landings, and reusable launch vehicle trajectories. One listener asked our guest about possible markets for the bigger Falcon heavy lift launcher, Falcon XX. We learned that this size rocket was for human transportation to Mars. Gwynne fielded several questions about Falcon and Dragon on lunar missions. While not opposed to lunar missions, SpaceX does not want to be distracted from their primary objective which is Mars. Another listener asked about pricing and secondary payloads, the launch abort system, then I asked about SpaceX near term challenges and longer out challenges to 10-11 years from now. Our guest was asked about berthing and when SpaceX would dock with the ISS. Later in the segment there was a question about competition in the launcher industry, if SLS was viewed as competition, using a Falcon for a Europa or Titan mission, & the difference between Air Force requirements and special NASA requirements. As the segment was drawing to a close, a high school student asked about internships at SpaceX. Gwynne also talked about how valuable & important their relationship with NASA has been and how NASA has been a large part of their success. In the very short second segment, I went over the upcoming Space Show schedule and let the audience know several dates when there would be no programming due to Easter & my personal schedule. Please post your comments/questions on The Space Show blog.
Guest
The Space Show
