Broadcast 654 (Special Edition)

Dr. Al Harrison and Dr. Jim Pass were the special guests for this Space Show program. We began our discussion by having Dr. Pass provide us with a working definition for the subject and field of astrosociology. We continued with this definition when we came back from the first break as Dr. Harrison shared some of his experiences with the discipline through his academic career. Listeners asked questions about sociological issues as well as human factors psychology issues regarding long term space flight, space settlements, and related issues. We then discussed how this discipline is being received within segments of the space community including NASA, the large aerospace industry/contractors, and the developing and emerging entrepreneurial segment. We talked about how essential these issues are if we are to become space-faring, if we are to go to Mars and live in space and spend time in space but yet these issues are not yet being studied to the degree that is necessary. Dr. Harrison gave us some good information and insights regarding NASA and the subject and Dr. Pass filled us in regarding the other areas. Interestingly, Dr. Pass spoke about how difficult it is for the space sector to be considered as part of overall sociology in the larger context of the field although he did say its changing and he was able to report progress in this area since the last time he was on The Space Show. Other subjects came up for discussion including SETI and astrosociology, the work that Dr. Harrison has done regarding the UFO phenomenon and his History Channel documentaries on the subject. In response to one question from a listener, Dr. Harrison explained that his UFO work had not interfered with his academic work and in fact, just the opposite. To learn more about astrosociology, visit www.astrosociology.com. Make sure you check out the Virtual Library on the website as Dr. Pass has his and other papers posted here. This is a a first class website that is the launching point for delving into astrosociology. Toward the end of the program we talked about astrosociology becoming part of STEM education and the importance of this. Both Dr. Harrison and Dr. Pass are available by email for your comments and questions. Please contact Al Harrison at aaharrison@ucdavis.edu. Please contact Jim Pass at jpass@astrosociology.com.