Guest: Dennis Wingo; Topics: The LEAG Conference, returning to the Moon and what it will take to do so, space visionary leadership and much more. 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 back Dennis Wingo to the show for a one hour 39 minute one segment power packed discussion about the Moon, returning to it, commercial space and more. Dennis started the discussion by summarizing the LEAG Meeting of last week regarding returning to the Moon and a new policy shaping up to include lunar return. Most of our discussion dealt with the LEAG and issues discussed as part of the three panel several day program. Check it out at www.lpi.usra.edu/leag. Also discussed in the context of LEAG and our potential upcoming lunar policy was the first meeting of the National Space Council (NSC) with VP Pence in charge. Dennis shared his thoughts with us both as to LEAG and the NSC so don’t miss his commentary.
An additional topic Dennis covered in response to a question was the international makeup of LEAG. He said Russia, ESA, China and others were there and made presentations. Don't miss what he said about them, especially the ESA Lunar Village and the Chinese. We took listener email questions and a call. Tony wanted to know what Dennis thought would be the first commercial product sold from the Moon for in space use. Dennis mentioned propellant as a strong front runner but said there were other potential products. The Google Lunar XPrize came up as did robotic lunar exploration, especially in the polar regions. I also asked Dennis about the emerging small launcher industry and mentioned Rocket Labs re Moon Express. Dennis said they were not credible for getting significant payloads to the Moon. Again, don't miss all of what he said about the small launchers and the Moon. One more theme for the show that kept coming up was competition for the U.S.
Kim called from Mexico. Dennis and Kim had a great exchange covering several lunar topics, including terrestrial analogs for the Moon. Later, Dennis was asked about The Deep Space Gateway (DSG) and the Program of Record (POR) which included SLS and the DSG orbital configuration that is not optimally located but listen to Dennis to get a clear picture of the DSG project. This discussion was followed by another email from Tony, this time asking about roll up space solar panels. I then asked Dennis who the space or the return to the Moon leaders were or were there any such leaders. Sherry in Boston asked about the traditional NASA history of saying positive things about commercial space but not really supporting it. Dennis had much to say about this with NASA, visionary leadership, the role of advocates and more. Don't miss it. Private space stations came up including the privatization of the ISS as well as a possible station by Bigelow and/or Axiom.
Human spaceflight came up. Dennis said as soon as the Dragon and CST 100 were flying, human spaceflight would take off. He said flying those human rated capsules with Americans back in space will prove to be milestone events and change things. We then talked cislunar infrastructure and transportation needs.
As our program had been lunar focused, I ask Dennis to describe the role of those wanting to go to Mars while we spend time dealing with the Moon. Dennis had much to say about the Mars budget and our own $20 trillion deficit. Don't miss it.
Toward the end of the show, we had a good, a passionate discussion on risk for the private industry and human spaceflight. Don't miss what Dennis said in response to my comments and listener questions. Let us know what you think about risk. It was interesting that just after the show ended, I got a note from a listener (not listening to this show) condemning the take more risk position that Dennis and others suggest. What do you think about human spaceflight risk? Should we leave it in the hands of the private's? Let us know your thoughts on TSS blog. Dennis offered concluding comments about vision and the importance of us all in promoting the vision and getting it done.
Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog for this show. You can reach Dennis Wingo through me and his blog site, https://denniswingo.wordpress.com/tag/dennis-wingo.
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