Guest: Michael Mackowski. Topics: Space Advocacy past, present, and in the future. 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 Michael Mackowski to The Space Show to discuss his book "Adventures in Space Advocacy," space advocacy in history through to the future, spacecraft model building and much more. During the first segment of our 90 minute program, Michael talked about growing up as a "child of Apollo" and being inspired by our early space program. He went on to get an EE degree and to work in the industry. He said it was an exacting time, especially when the Galileo Jupiter mission finally happened. He talked about the start of organizations such as L5, The Planetary Society, AIAA, and his own early ventures into space advocacy which are detailed in his book, available at Amazon at www.amazon.com/Adventures-Space-Advocacy-Personal-Activism/dp/151156491…. He talked about moving, heading to Phoenix and engaging in space advocacy once again after a brief pause when he was in Washington, DC. This led us to a discussion about individual advocacy efforts as compared to group or organizational efforts. Michael was asked how he has sold human spaceflight to a general audience, his most receptive audience, and lobbying congress. Our guest spent some time discussing the challenges in advocating human spaceflight to the general public so don't miss this discussion. Space tourism came up as a probable kick starter once the industry starts commercial operations. Michael thought that space tourism could provide a crucial boost for industry support even outside the space community. In the second segment, we talked about Michael's interest in spaceflight models. If you visit his website, www.space-city-mike.net, you can click on scale models on the right side menu bar (http://space-city-mike.net/modeling). Michael described the industry, licensing challenges, specialty model builders and more. He also talked about using models in the form of make and take kits when talking to young students about space. Model building through 3D printing was discussed, then I switched the topic to inquire about his success in outreach with adults and children. He said 5-7th grade was the best group to talk with as high school was probably too late. As for speaking to adult groups, he said it was usually about entertainment but that it seldom produced advocacy action on the part of the adults hearing the talk. I seconded that experience given my talks with adults on space this and that. Near the end, we talked trends, the increasing influence of social media, passion, and connecting pace to our future. Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog above. You can reach Michael though his website or me.
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