Guest: Dr. Robert (Bob) Zubrin. Topics: The 16 Annual Mars Society Convention, radiation, HSF to Mars, Mars One, Inspiration Mars. 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. 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. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE AND WOULD LIKE TO BE A ROVING REPORTER FOR THE SPACE SHOW WITH CELL PHONE REPORTS, PLEASE EMAIL ME. We welcomed Dr. Robert (Bob) Zubrin back to the program to discuss the upcoming Mars Society 16th Annual Conference, Mars human spaceflight, Inspiration Mars, Curiosity, RAD, radiation levels, Mars One and much more. For more information about the conference, visit http://www.marssociety.org/conventions/2013. For information about The Mars Society, visit http://www.marssociety.org/home. During our one hour discussion with Dr. Zubrin, we started our talking about the main conference speakers including Dennis Tito and Dr. Steven Squyres, among others. In talking about Dennis Tito coming to the conference, we spent time discussing the Tito Inspiration Mars mission. Bob had much to say about this mission, the likelihood of mission success, radiation issues, equipment and life support issues, and more. In talking about radiation and the Curiosity RAD findings, Bob had much to say about NASA and their willingness to do a Mars HSF mission. We took several listener emails and a call about radiation & even the use of nuclear propulsion to shorten the transit time for less radiation exposure for the crew. Bob suggested that if we had nuclear propulsion, he would not increase the transit time (listen to his reason why which has to do with orbits & a free return to Earth), but he would increase the payload to take additional spare parts & life support equipment as he said equipment failures were a major risk factor on such a mission. Bob talked some more about successes in the private sector, including SpaceX. He was also asked if SLS was necessary and he said he believed in more than one source for a launch vehicle and he supports heavy lift. He also talked about the importance of government infrastructure and launch services for the future. Don't miss this discussion. Later in the segment, Bob talked about the Mars Society 365 Mission (see http://ma365.marssociety.org). Bob described this mission, why it is so important & why we should support it. Jane emailed a question about Bob's National Review article we mentioned, "Remembering Ploesti," from August 3 (http://nationalreview.com/node/355074/print) and after extrapolating to today, wondered if humanity was ready for human spaceflight to Mars. Bob provided us with an exceptional response to Jane's question and comment so please listen and take note of what he said. I believe it to be very important. As the program was ending, Ben wanted Bob to clarify his position on choosing either the Moon or Mars. Don't miss this response. Bob left us with concluding comments to do something and support something. Please post your comments/questions on The Space Show blog. You can email Bob through his website or me.
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