Guests: Rachel Tillman, Al Treder; Topics: The Viking Mars Missions & The Viking Mars Missions Education & Preservation Project. Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.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 both Rachel Tillman and Al Treder to the show to discuss The Viking Mars Missions & The Viking Mars Missions Education & Preservation Project. During the first half of our 1 hour and 52 minute program, Rachel introduced us to The Viking Mars Missions & The Viking Mars Missions Education & Preservation Project along with her background and connection to the Viking missions. Rachel then told us about the upcoming July 16 event to celebrate Viking's 40th anniversary in Denver. The event will be at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum from 10AM-4 PM. You can learn more about this event at their website, www.thevikingpreservationproject.org. Rachel told us an interesting story about getting the unused VK3 lander which she has on loan to the Seattle Museum of Flight which is displaying it. Later in the show, we talked about the lander, specs, and other details associated with it. We then had some phone line issues with Al's cell phone so we took an early break to resolve those issues.
Upon return from our early break, Jack in New Mexico sent in an email about the Viking team's expectation for finding life on Mars. Our guests had much to say about this and throughout our program. Jude emailed in a note asking about asking what are we still learning from the Viking mission & did we benefit more from the scientific advancement or the engineering. Al said the engineering but listen to all of what he said in response to Jude.
Marshall called with an excellent question. He wanted to know how one picks the project engineers when you know nobody can solve the problems. Al answered in question in the context of his being hired to work on the Viking project. Don't miss what he had to say in response to Marshal's question. Al then talked about the engineering culture for Viking and not knowing fear.
Andy Chaikin called to talk about his being an intern on the Viking project which he wrote about in his book, "Passion For Mars." Andy offered us interesting insights and comments regarding Viking so again, don't miss what he said during his phone call.
B John's email wanted to know if any follow up missions to Viking had been planned. Rachel said yes, discussed some of the plans and then suggested that the lack of funding was a major reason why the missions never materialized. We then fielded additional emails and listener phone calls. One listener wanted to know if there was a focus on the launch vehicle during Viking as there is with the NewSpace and commercial space sectors today. Rachel had interesting things to say about this so don't miss her comments.
I asked Rachel just how big the VK3 lander was since she got it as a young girl. Of course you can see the lander at the Museum of Flight in Seattle as its on display there in a protected exhibit. We next got an email from Burton in Montreal who wanted to know the size of the Viking fairing. Neither of our guests knew the answer and I could not find it with a brief web search. I sent Burton's note to Rachel and when we get the answer, I will post it on the blog.
As the program was drawing to a close, a listener asked about the AP news story saying that within a decade China would be going to Mars with a "rover" mission based on Viking. Of course Viking was not a rover but regardless of that, both our guests commented on the Chinese plan and the state of space politics. International cooperation was then discussed, especially back in the Viking day with the Soviet Union. Listen to what our guests had to say about Soviet-US interactions "back in the day!" Both our guests offered us closing comments you want to hear.
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