Guests: Dr. Madhu Thangavelu, Jonathan Messer; Topics: Madhu's Fall 2017 Space Design Studio class, student projects, space trends, returning to the Moon & 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 to the program Professor Madhu Thangavelu with his Fall 2017 Design Studio class student, Jonathan Messer. During this two segment 90 minute broadcast, we talked about the latest Design Studio class but also space policy, returning to the Moon, commercial space and other topics and trends. We started out by having Madhu introduce us to his USC design class which he spent time summarizing for us. Please visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CiHeWWWDH5JvFVX051rKDvWWsKBpAV4d/view?usp=sharing to download the report from the Fall 2017 class.
After Madhu's introduction to the program, with turned to Jonathan Messer to discuss his sub-orbital point to point transportation class project. Jon described it for us, talked about the future for sub-orbital point to point transportation. We also talked returning to the Moon policy with Jon who said we needed a full system for returning to the Moon. Such a full system would include the lunar lander and an essential landing pad.
Marshall gave us a call to talk about challenges including the ISS, ISRU, and maintenance and repair for the lunar habitat. Jon talked about SSTO possibilities plus 2STO and said that for today, logistics were missing. Don't miss all of what he said on this subject. He also talked about the necessity of a needed enhanced launch rate, ITAR, and other issues needing resolution. Propulsion came up and we learned that Jon liked the British Reaction Engine Sabre concept. Our guest had lots to say about propulsion and why the Sabre engine model. Before the break, Freemont John called to talk ISRU, 3D printing of lunar materials and other topics.
Kim was our first caller in the second segment. She asked Madhu about lunar concrete. Madhu replied by talking about the Hawaii Pisces project and volcanic material for their version of lunar concrete. Don't miss all of what our guest said on this topic. Madhu used the opportunity to talk with Kim about the coming ISDC Conference in Los Angeles later in May 2018.
I asked our guest Jon if he supported the space corp idea. He said yes but this was an involved discussion including a big vision expansion of space corp by Madhu. Be sure to listen to all of what we talked about on this subject as it took up most of the balance of the second segment.
Both our guests provided us with good closing remarks to make sure you hear them. Please post your comments/questions on TSS blog for this show. You can reach Professor Thangavelu through his USC faculty website or me. Jonathan Messer can be reached through me.
The Space Show
