Guest: Robert (Bob) Zimmerman; Multiple topics for this show. Please refer to the tags/key words for a short but accurate topic and subject matter summary. The key words and tags are repeated for your convenience below.
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Tags/Key Words: Bob Zimmerman, space science, Hubble Space Telescope, lunar and Martian rovers, Chinese lunar rover object, National Space Council meeting, private sector space station, U.S. space priorities, fate of ISS ground controllers with private space stations, commercial 8 meter space telescope, FAA and NEEPA, SpaceX Pad 39A modifications, Falcon Heavy, Starship, Rocket Lab launches at Wallace Island, Rocket Lab flight termination system, Dragon backup for electrical failures, Dream Chaser for 2022, Blue Origin, SpaceX and engineering, space tourism for 2022, ISS and tourism, Bob's video game based on his sci-fi book Pioneer, SpaceX rovers to Mars, SpaceX to the Moon before NASA, Artemis, launch rate for 2021 and 2022, SpaceX and Starship flights for 2022, China and Russia re the United States, China's hypersonic glide nuclear weapon.
We welcomed back to the show Bob Zimmerman for a two part discussion over 1 hour 36 minutes. We started the first part of the discussion with a focus on NASA science. Bob chose two projects to talk about, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the rovers on both Mars and the Moon. Regarding HST, Bob said it was now fully operational, he explained the problems it has had recently and the risk that Hubble might fail at anytime with backups to keep it running. He said that Hubble had numbered days left to live. He described in detail where Curiosity was, where it was headed, for what purpose and on what time line. Bob
Regarding the lunar and Martian rovers, he spent considerable time talking about Curiosity and its progress. Listen for the details. He hinted that Perseverance was not yet doing much and was in a type of no or very low risk mode of operations. Bob also mentioned the Chinese rover seeing some strange rock on the back side of the Moon. He explained why it would take a few days to get closer to it for clearer photos. Bob mentioned the Chinese Martian rover as well.
Bob introduced us to the topic of the possibility of a commercial 8 meter space telescope to be built by private investors using Starship. He had much to say about the potential 8 meter mirror when Marshall called to say how hard that would be to make. Bob said no, talked about the space telescope mirror lab at the Univ of Arizona and their capabilities. He had a lot to say about manufacturing capability and that the 8 meter mirror was not that much of a technical challenge. He said much would depend on the progress of Starship Super Heavy becoming operational.
Bob was asked about the FAA status of the Boca Chica Starship development site. Listen for all the details as Bob was very thorough in discussing the issues, NASA, FAA, NEEPA for space, even the Pad 39A modifications at the Cape which might require a brand new EIR. Bob then mentioned the challenges for Rocket Lab to use the launch site at Wallops island given the FAA was probably slow walking approval of their flight termination system. Listen to what he said about their system, the success it has had with launches elsewhere, and who might be behind the slow walking of the approval process.
A listener sent in an email asking about the ISS ground controllers when commercial space station become operational. This listener also wanted to know if Dragon had a backup electrical system in case of failure. Bob had interesting things to say about this, especially when he got into the lightening towers now standard at launch pads. In addition, our listener wanted to know what the Dream Chaser plans were for 2022.
Before our break, Bob talked about Musk and the SpaceX manufacturing process, citing examples as to why it was so important for SpaceX and others, especially for mass production. He was critical of Blue Origin for not getting the manufacturing process, BE4 engine delays and probably not being able to be made in mass causing delays for ULA. He had much to say about Blue Origin not facing and solving these problems. Don't miss this discussion.
Space tourism for 2022 came up just before the break. He talked about suborbital, orbital, Russians, he ISS, Blue Origin, Virgin plus some related issues. I'm sure you will have questions on what Bob said so do post them on our blog for this show.
Upon from the break, Bob spent a few minutes on his sci fi book "Pioneer" and how it is being turned into a video game with a launching Kickstarter project Jan. 18. he said there was a website for it, www.pioneerspacegame.com. Right after Bob's mention of the game, I read an email by listener Gary that led to questions for Bob about Artemis and the possibility of using Starship to do lunar direct and bypass Artemis and the Gateway. Bob had much to say on this subject, was skeptical but listen to all of his comments. You will be glad you did.
As we were coming near the end of the show, I asked Bob for a big surprise for 2022. He did surprise us by talking about the probability of the launch rate for 2021 being a global record with 2022 even surpassing 2021. He talked about new small launchers with dedicated mission capability for smallsats, along with an expected commercial launch industry record setting boom. Before leaving the subject, he stressed the importance of SpaceX Starship 2022 routine tests ad flights.
Bob concluded the discussion by talking about China and Russia, the Russian ASAT test and why he thought Russia did it. Don't miss what he said. As for the Chinese hypersonic glide nuclear missile, he said it was fake news but again, listen to all of what he said on the subject.
Please post your comments/questions for Bob Zimmerman on our blog for this show. You can reach Bob through me or Bob through his website www.behindtheblack.com.
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