Guest: Dr. Jeff Bell; Topics: Elon Musk Mars plans, humans to Mars and more. Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.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. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.
We welcomed back Dr. Jeff Bell for this 2 hour 3 minute discussion without a break. As you will hear, Dr. Bell was very critical of the plans announced by Elon Musk for going to Mars. In addition, he was critical of wanting to go to Mars, Mars settlement, and many other things as well. Much of Jeff's criticism was rooted in the history of rocket development including the Soviet Union efforts with the N1 rocket, Sergei Korolev, along with the Saturn 5. Bell's criticism was based on engineering and science plus many other things.
Listeners asked him many questions and some were very critical of what he was saying. He was asked about the importance of inspiration and if he thought Musk and his Mars plans were inspiring A listener cited a caller on the Open Lines show the day before. Jeff downplayed inspiration, spoke against the H-1B visa and Silicon Valley, plus he said there was no shortage of technology workers and indirectly suggested a push for STEM jobs was not necessary. Don't miss all of what he had to say on this topic.
Another topic discussed was the recent explosion of the Falcon 9. Bell had much to say about the helium tanks and the possibility of design flaws causing the problem. He was asked about the possibility of sabotage per the recent Washington Post article but he said there would likely be design flaws with the helium tank. Later in the show, listener Jerry from Florida took Bell to task for saying that the helium tanks were made of carbon composite when in fact they are made of titanium with an overwrap of carbon composite. Jerry then suggested listeners listen to archived Bell programs so that Bell perspectives could be put in their proper place. Jerry was making a subtle suggestion that Bell was not accurate in what he talked about. Jeff replied to Jerry that he said they were wrapped in the carbon composite material & he claimed he did not say they were completely made of carbon composite. Listen to what our guest said about the helium tanks and the Falcon 9 explosion and decide for yourself what Bell said or did not say and if Jerry's comments were accurate or not.
Listener Adrian went after Bell big time. He did not like what Bell was saying about going to Mars or the Musk plans and was upset that Bell referred to space enthusiasts and supporters of the Musk plan as space cadets so he took Jeff on and resorted to calling Jeff some names. Jeff replied but that was not sufficient for Adrian so he fired back with yet another note. This latter note was mean spirited and full of name calling and shy on the issues. Don't miss this exchange as I read most of Adrian's email on air.
As the program was about to end, I left the Mars, Falcon 9, SpaceX and Musk topics to ask Bell about the water plume announcement on Europa and the Europa Clipper Mission. We did not have much time to talk Europa but as to be expected, Jeff had opinions on Europa. Listen to what he said, you might be surprised.
Please post your comments/questions on TSS website for this archived program. You can reach Dr. Bell through me.
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