Alfred Zaehringer was the guest for this Space Show program. Mr. Zaehringer focused on rocket economics during the program, explaining in detail why it is difficult and maybe impossible to substantially lower the cost of getting to LEO, the Moon, or anyplace in space. Mr. Zaehringer afforded Space Show listeners a unique opportunity to hear a different perspective, one that is steeped in science, engineering and rocket know-how. We discussed commonly perceived lunar, LEO, and other space development projects, all of which fell to the sword of launch and rocket economics as explained by Alfred Zaehringer. Alfred did say that we need to be focusing on using space for transportation, i.e, going from one city to another or even another country by using rockets to save time, and also on space tourism. These ventures need to be done by the private sector, not NASA. When asked what he would do as the NASA Administrator, he said he would close some of the offices, carry out lots of consolidation, end the planetary science and exploration program by turning it over to universities, stress space tourism and space transportation. He also would focus on building, flying, and testing vehicles. Mr. Zaehringer's comments and interview are sure to raise eyebrows and temperatures as he says things that are not very popular and that run contrary to popularly held beliefs, opinions, and ideas. When asked for his thoughts about the Bush space policy initiative, he stated it was more political than substantive and that we do not have the technology, the vehicles, the know-how, the experience to take us back to the Moon and it will be very costly to return to the Moon. He does favor a heavy lift vehicle but separate from shuttle components and infrastructure. Alfred covered many other topics ranging from space property rights to the space elevator and more. You will certainly want to hear what he has to say and give some thought to his comments and perspectives. He knows rocket science and economics so one must carefully consider the information he shared with us tonight.
Guest
The Space Show
