Guest: Marsha Freeman. Topics: GLEX 2012 Conference, Russian Federal Space Agency Interviews, China, space policy, Euro & U.S. economic issues. You are invited to comment, ask questions, and discuss the Space Show program/guest(s) on the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.com. Comments, questions, and any discussion must be relevant and applicable to Space Show programming. Transcripts of Space Show programs are not permitted without prior written consent from The Space Show (even if for personal use) & are a violation of the Space Show copyright. We welcomed back Marsha Freeman to discuss the GLEX 2012 Conference, her interviews with the head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, Vladimir Popovkin, plus other space news, the Chinese program, or domestic & European economic crisis, and more. We started our first segment with a discussion about the Russian space program, their lunar plans, their thoughts on our commercial space efforts, lunar probes, tourism, and more. Marsha talked about budget priorities and how best to fit in or prioritize space programs & efforts. She talked about the impact on Russia regarding the U.S. led European Ballistic Missile Defense System plus the Russian concept for their Strategic Defense of Earth proposal. Marsha informed us about other talks at GLEX, Mike Griffin, AIAA, and leadership. She also commented on the fact that many at GLEX & in other venues, in talking about the commercial/private space efforts, while supporting these efforts make the distinction that great countries do great things, especially in space. She stressed great things as being the responsibility of the nation. Don't miss her comments on this topic. For our second segment, we certainly ventured into some controversial policy and opinion areas with our guest going all out & not holding anything back. We started with questions about the Chinese space program. Here, Marsha had much to say that included comments on the U.S. policy toward China. She was asked about the plans to use a Soyuz to do lunar tourism. We talked some more about ISS and our guest was asked about the proposed NASA center closure plan being discussed. Marsha expressed strong opinions on the base closure idea so don't miss her comments. We then started talking policy & asked for her thoughts on various NASA administrators that she had spoken with over the years. She told us stories about Charlie Bolden, James Webb, Tom Paine and Mike Griffin. Marsha next spoke about vision & shared her thoughts with us on several outspoken space visionary leaders. I asked her if she had ever met with the President Obama or his science advisor. She said no and then had much to say about presidential science advisors in general & specifically she had much to say regarding the current science advisor. She was also asked about the problem space enthusiasts seem to have in connecting with the general public to have better space policy & funding. Marsha disagreed with my question, pointing instead to economic issues that need resolution before space can resume its rightful place of leadership in our national policy. Many of you may find her comments a bit controversial but remember, on The Space Show we air all sides of the issues. Don't hesitate to let us know your thoughts on the many issues Marsha talked about by posting them on the blog. Marsha linked the Eurozone economic crisis to what happens in the U.S., our space program & more. She repeatedly called for government restructuring, recommending a specific path that she believes will be most beneficial for the nation. Do you agree? In conclusion, she did say that out of crisis can come wide & beneficial changes. She also said we needed to start our space program with an incremental & common sense approach to lunar development. Please post your comments/questions on our blog. If you want to email our guest, send your note to me & I will forward it.
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