Jim Benson, founder and CEO of SpaceDev, a publicly traded space development and exploration company, was the guest for this edition of The Space Show. Mr. Benson discussed SpaceDev projects and its long term plans for its private space program through 2015 and longer. We talked about the importance of having a business background when managing a space company, we talked about the early history of SpaceDev and the barriers put in the SpaceDev path by NASA. My observation was that these barriers forced Jim and SpaceDev to develop their private sector plans for company growth and prosperity.

Jeff Birks, UK space enthusiast and policy expert, joined The Space Show to discuss the Mars rovers, Beagle 2, British and European space policy, attitudes in the UK and across Europe regarding space development and exploration and more. He also provided us with his insights on the proposed President Bush space policy for returning to the Moon and on to Mars, the Chinese space program, and more. Included in the discussion are low cost launch options, new launch technologies including updates on anti-gravitic research, nuclear propulsion, and more. Mr.

Laura Woodmansee, author of Women Astronauts, joined the Space Show to discuss women in space as astronauts and in other related fields. Ms. Woodmansee cited numerous careers involving women in space, including museum curator, artist, and even a nun! It was a most interesting and informative discussion. Ms. Woodmansee was asked about the differences between men and women in space, if any, and the paths taken by each gender to create a career in space.

Curt Newport is the author of Lost Spacecraft: The Search for Liberty Bell 7. Mr. Newport talks about the effort to recover the Mercury program space capsule flown by Gus Grissom. Both his experience and reaction to seeing Liberty Bell 7 on the ocean floor are remarkable. In addition, Mr. Newport talks at length about finding things in the ocean, working on projects from plane crashes to the Challenger accident. Join us as we explore innerspace as well as outer-space with Curt Newport.

Tom Olson, co-founder of The Colony Fund, returns to The Space Show to update us on progress with The Colony Fund and to take a look at 2003 and 2004 from the commercial space perspective. Tom discussed the importance of the X-Prize, RLV and the suborbital industry, the regulatory issues which he believes will see great improvement for 2004. We talked about the aftermath of the Columbia accident and what any possible NASA reorganization might be like and what it means for space commerce and the private sector.

Jim McDade returns to The Space Show to discuss the leading space events of 2003 and to look ahead to 2004 for space development. Mr. McDade discusses the importance of space in the main news stories in the United States for 2003 and the same for the top news stories in China for 2003. He discusses Mars and challenge to get robotic missions to Mars, using Beagle 2 as an example. Mr. McDade explains why human missions are so much more likely to succeed in a space mission than a robotic mission, using several of the Apollo missions as an example.

Sam Burbank, science writer and documentary filmmaker was the guest for this edition of The Space Show. Mr. Burbank discussed the making of space documentary films, National Geographic, and the importance of space development. We also talked about the importance of Mars Analog sites here on Earth, why the Earth is actually a better training ground for going to Mars than the Moon, and why going to Mars with humans has little to do with first going back to the Moon with humans, which is also very important. Mr.

Rick Tumlinson joined the Space Show for this special program to discuss space policy, the return to the Moon, the importance of this 100th anniversary of powered flight and the Wright Brothers, space advocacy, Mars, and more. He told the true and accurate stories of the end of Mir and the Lance Bass effort to go to the ISS. Rick put forth his ideas for space access, commercial space, redesigning NASA with a new mission and lean and mean operational status. Rick Tumlinson is a visionary space leader and this is an important program with valuable information and insights.

Watts Wacker, one of the most celebrated and influential minds and futurists in modern business, was the guest on this Space Show program. Mr. Wacker examines the trends that may lead us to enhanced space development, space tourism, and a even a return to the Moon with humans as well as sending humans to Mars. We talked about what would be required from society as well as government to make these developments happen. We talked about the business of futurism, how it works, what is analyzed and evaluated to determine trends, influences, and impacts upon society and governments. Mr.

Guenter Wendt, the guest on this Space Show program, is the author of "The Unbroken Chain" and was the pad leader during Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs. Mr. Wendt talked about his experiences with our space program, what he perceives to be the problems with today's space program and how best to move forward with a revised space program for the United States and the world. Mr. Wendt also talked about the importance of education and making sure that those still in school know that they can have solid opportunities for working and developing space programs and being in space. Mr.