returning to the Moon

Guest: David Woods. Topics: Gemini manned missions, Apollo, space capsule technology and more. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.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.

Guest: Dr. Cameron Smith. Topics: Interstellar human spaceflight, space settlement, our distant human future. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.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.

Guest: Open Lines with Dr. David Livingston. Topics: We discussed a wide range of space topics from Mars colonization to radiation issues, UFO files, the SpaceX-AF litigation, the Nixon space policy and much more. Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program.

Guest: Pat Duggins. Topics: Mars, "Trailblazing Mars," space policy. We welcomed Pat Duggins, the news director for Alabama Public Radio to the show to discuss his new book, "Trailblazing Mars: NASA's Next Giant Leap." Please note that you are invited to comment, ask questions, and rate this program on the new Space Show blog, http://thespaceshowoutsidethebox.blogspot.com. His book is available at the One Giant Leap Foundation website and if you order it from OGLF, Amazon will make a contribution to The Space Show.

Guest: OPEN LINES: Topics: China & U.S. debt, capital for NewSpace, VSE, low cost space access, business fundamentals, Phoenix Lights, UFOs. This was a busy Open Lines program as a result of the last minute cancellation by our Nigerian guest who was to talk about the African space program. In opening this Open Lines show, several topics were put on the table including the composition of the lunar surface, China and its concern over financing the U.S. deficit by purchasing government bonds and what this may mean for the U.S. and our interests in space development.

Alan Boyle, science editor and author of the Cosmic Log blog, returned as a guest for this Space Show program. Our discussion with Alan covered many topics including space journalism ethics and controls, COTS, the VSE and returning to the Moon, and competition for the Moon with other ideas for visiting an asteroid or Mars. We also discussed fusion energy, the X Prize Cup, air shows, Bigelow Aerospace, inflatable structures and NASA’s plans for them, the ISS and onboard ISS science experiments, Blue Origin and Jeff Bezos, and much more.

Rick Sterling was the guest for this Space Show program. He came in at the last minute as a standby when the regularly scheduled guest was unavailable and The Space Show thanks Rick for standing in and for a job well done. We spent a good portion of the program talking about the alternative hardware program for returning to the Moon, Direct 2. Rick explained Direct 2, answered listener questions about this program, including some engineering questions about first and second stages, engines, fuel, the political and budget realities of the program for returning to the Moon and more.

Dennis Wingo returned to The Space Show for this program. We discussed on orbit construction and its economics, its applications, and how to do it profitably with the private sector. We also discussed heavy lift, its application with the Vision regarding returning to the Moon and going on to Mars. Dennis also brought to our attention new developments and discoveries on the Moon regarding the findings and conclusions as stated in his recent book, "Moonrush. " Mr. Wingo stressed the need for visionary capitalists for developing segments of the space private sector.

Robert Zimmerman returned to The Space Show to update us on the latest news and developments. Mr. Zimmerman had completed studying the full text of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 (H.R. 3752) and was not encouraged by its full contents. He reviewed all of this legislation on the program, showing why t may be a limiting piece of legislation, despite the provision that permit space tourists to fly by signing an informed consent document. Mr. Zimmerman updated us on the space mood in Congress and around the country.

Hu Davis was the guest for this Space Show program. Having worked with NASA and the Apollo program, and now with Starcraft Boosters, Mr. Davis talked to Space Show listeners about the importance of returning to the Moon to stay and why we should be developing lunar resources. Mr. Davis also addressed issues relating to the space vision proposed by President Bush, why we should be more focused on going back to the Moon to stay and develop it rather than on using the Moon as a stopping off or training point for going on to Mars and beyond. We also talked to Mr.