Shubber Ali returned for this special Space Show program which was extended to 2 1/2 hours. We began our discussion with Shubber by asking him for his take on the VSE. the lunar launch architecture designed to take us to the Moon, and the time period for the program. Shubber wasted no time in taking us through the complicated political world surrounding the VSE and letting us know why he does not think it will happen. This led to a discussion about space advocacy, space support, commercial space business ventures and how Shubber would talk about these subjects to bright visionary young adults that have tuned the VSE and Mars out for a variety of reasons as documented by recent market studies. One listener called in to challenge some of what Shubber was saying and Shubber and Meghann had an important and spirited conversation. You will not want to miss it. We then spoke about multiple topics including space blogs, the lack of accountability in what people say and write and why it is destructive to this developing industry when rhetoric and writings are far from anything real. Shubber discussed the recent Chinese anti-satellite test and the idea of a rekindled space race with China to facilitate our program for returning to the Moon. He also asked hard questions about why we are going back to the Moon, is the VSE a sustainable commercial and economic program, can it survive the test of our political system and thinking of taxpayers today in light of mounting federal deficits, rising costs, inflation, etc. There were many callers to this program wanting to challenge Shubber Ali on what he was talking about and his conclusions so I believe this to be a must hear show, probably one that has the potential to anger you as it did some of the callers. Shubber is also working on a new book and he updated us on what the book was about, its timing and when it would likely be on the market. Toward the end of the program, Shubber was asked about the importance of continuing the space development program if for no other reason to be able to save humanity in face of damage or catastrophe for Earth by moving off planet to the Moon or even Mars. Again, you will not want to miss this discussion. Shubber Ali welcomes all comments and questions so email him at spacecynic@mac.com. If you want to follow his posts as well as the posts of the other three authors on the Space Cynics blog, visit http://space-cynic.blogspot.com/.
Guest
The Space Show
