Guest: Robert (Bob) Zimmerman; Topics: Space 2019 review, Boeing problems for 2019, lunar return, 2020 space events, SpaceX, suborbital, Blue Origin and more.
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We welcomed Bob Zimmerman back to the program for a two segment 2 hour 4 minute 2019 wrap-up, a look at 2020 for commercial and planetary space, returning to the Moon, Boeing problems and more. Once again I used the break between the first and second segments to read sponsor messages. If you want sponsor information for 2020, please email drspace@thespaceshow.com. We thank our sponsors as we would not be doing The Space Show without their gracious support. Remember too we are still in our 2019 campaign to fund the coming year on The Space Show. We need your support so please donate to The Space Show via PayPal at the top of our website or by making out a check to One Giant Leap Foundation at P.O. Box 95, Tiburon, Ca 94920.
We started our discussion with Bob talking about the Apollo 8 flight around the Moon on Christmas Eve a very long time ago. Bob talked about his book on the subject and the new audio version. If you have not read his definitive story of Apollo 8, you should so or better yet, listen to the new audio version. Bob describes the book and tells us all how to get a copy. We also got information about the person reading the audio version. Don't worry, its not Bob reading it though he did provide the introduction.
After talking about Apollo 8 given Christmas Eve being just a day away from this program in 2019, Bob jumped into the Boeing mess and it is a mess. 2019 was not a good year for Boeing culminating so far with the letting go of their CEO as announced earlier today. Boeing problems are series, especially with the 737 Max but also with what happened to Starliner on the recent demo mission. Bob and I were later joined by listener David N. in Phoenix who lives part time in Seattle and has family and friends working for and associated with Boeing going back decades. David N offered lots of information about cultural problems, issues resulting from the McDonald Douglas Boeing merger, management, the relocation of the Boeing HQ offices from Seattle to Chicago, engineering issues and much more. Our Boeing conversation was comprehensive, even resulting in a later in the show second call from David N to add to the Boeing story of woe. We talked extensively about the Starliner demo problem. Don't miss this discussion. We would like to know what you think or know about what might be going on with Boeing, including the cause of the recent CST 100 problem dealing with communications, the wrong orbital insertion, over use of fuel, but safe return to Earth. In fact, since Boing and NASA applauded the mission as a success due to other experiments carried out, you might want to comment on how it could be a success when the primary purpose of the launch, to dock with the ISS, could not be accomplished.
After Boeing, Bob talked about the upcoming SpaceX launch abort test which appears to have been delayed until Jan. 11. Bob had lots to say about the SpaceX program and Dragon, including the fact that he thinks they are very close to being operational. Don't miss his comments. In the same conversation, a listener asked Bob if NASA might be rushing things and showing a bit of Go Fever regarding the crew flights. Bob responded by talking about accepting risk, comparing risk today to Apollo, the Saturn 5 and even the Shuttle. He also talked about our Soyuz contract expiring and that it would be difficult to renew it for lots of reasons, including political reasons. Comment on what Bob had to say by posting on our blog.
As we neared the end of Part One, a listener asked Bob on the odds of our landing on the Moon in 2024. This prompted a long and somewhat detailed response from Bob on returning to the Moon, how we are doing, the timelines including 2024, Artemis, the Gateway, commercial lunar lander development, a manned landing and our readiness with the technology to make it happen. While he thought it was possible to make a 2024 landing, he was skeptical. Bob also brought up the political nature of the 2024 date. Don't miss this final topic and discussion for the first segment of tonight's program.
After sponsor messages, we took up Segment 2 and started with the second call from David N. This time this David brought up software development by SpaceX and Tesla. Bob had few positive things to say about Tesla which he said he does not follow that much and then turned to SpaceX. Bob and David N then talked about the Texas SpaceX site, Boca Chica. Bob mentioned their testing, the need to buyout land owners in the area due to launch risks and he talked about the Raptor engine.
After David's call, I asked Bob about the bankruptcy of Vector, the up and coming small launcher company in Tucson. Bob talked about the Vector issues and problems, the fact that it was an all American company that NASA and others wanted to work with since the others were not totally US.
After Vector, Carol in Seattle sent in a note to inquire about suborbital for 2020. Bob spoke about both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic. As we were about to move on, one of Bob's Behind The Black readers sent him a note to inquire if in 2020 he would be having a face to face meeting about space with President Trump. I will let you listen to Bob's reply to Willi plus my addition suggesting if I had the opportunity, I would put all of the candidates, regardless of party or ideology, on TSS to talk space and technology. Comments are welcome, just post them on our blog.
Our next caller was Ft. Worth John. He commented on top Boeing management, Artemis, SLS and its unmanned and manned flight schedule. After John's call, Bob talked about planetary missions for 2020, what appears to be lots of water ice in the mid latitudes of Mars and inactive Martian glaciers. Bob paused on this topic to take the last phone call of the show and for 2019 with Bob as the guest.
Our caller was none other than Dr. Lurio, author of the Lurio Report. Charles wanted to talk about Boeing Starliner but had missed the first part of our program. Charles mentioned Boeing cultural issues as well. With Charles still on the line, our last email came in from Burton in Montreal wanting to know if the Europa Clipper might see Falcon Heavy take over rather than SLS. Burton's note was short so I read it in full on the air. Listen to what Bob said in response to Burton.
Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog for this show with Bob Zimmerman. You can reach Bob through me or his website, www.behindtheblack.com.
Merry Christmas Listeners. I hope you have a terrific holiday with friends and family. And remember, The Space Show is depending on your financial gift giving this year for a strong broadcasting year in 2020. Thank you.
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