Broadcast 382 (Special Edition)

Robert (Bob) Richards was the guest for this Space Show program. We began the interview talking with Bob about his having founded the Space Generation Foundation, Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), and the International Space University (ISU). We discussed his interest and focus on education for everyone but especially for younger people and getting them to realize fulfillment of their dreams, including their space dreams. We then shifted our discussion to the subject of ITAR and Bob shared with us his first hand experiences with ITAR matters, including getting back his own technology which the State Department said was restricted through the ITAR regime. This was a problem because Bob is from Canada and his company, Optech Incorporated is a Toronto based company. After our comprehensive ITAR discussion, we talked about the Optech lidar technology program and the coming 2007 Phoenix Mars Mission. We also talked about the Space Exploration Vision and how it is seen from outside the United States. We also discussed completing the International Space Station and flying the space shuttle and a new heavy lift vehicle derived from shuttle components. As a result of several questions from a listener, the discussion shifted to the entrepreneurial spirit of those making space development happen and will the U.S. or any other government interfere with these efforts to keep space national rather than international for everyone. Bob talked about this issue, our caller also continued to state his case as to why he thinks governments, including the U.S. government will not permit space to be for everyone. This is an interesting and unique discussion that you will not want to miss. Toward the end of the program, we talked about the coming International Lunar Conference to be held later this month in Toronto, CA. This is a global meeting of the minds and energy that are making the return to the Moon happen. You can find out more about this conference and even make reservations for attending it by visiting www.ilewg.org/ILC2005. For more information about Bob, visit www.robertdrichards.com and from there you can e-mail him, visit the Optech site and the other websites for the organizations that he has helped to create. Don't miss this exciting show from a true space leader.