Guest: Scott Cassell was the guest for this Space Show program exploring the relationship and synergy of our oceans with space. Our discussion with Scott started off by focusing on the Humboldt Squid, which is as much a foreign life form to humans as anything that may be encountered on or off this planet. You must hear Scott describe this mollusk in detail, including its behavior, characteristics, appearance, and its unusual proliferation across oceans into areas where it previously never used to be found. We continued our discussion of not just the squid, but other extremophiles and we did some extrapolation to space and learned about space scientists coming to see Scott's work in their off-hours as the relationship is clearly understood and valued even if not yet formally so by NASA or JPL. We spent a considerable amount of time comparing environmental and life support systems in a sub and in the ocean as compared to what is required for space travel and habitation. We talked about space tourism as a driver for favorable space policy, regulation, and interest, yet there is a noticeable absence of undersea tourism despite the fact the technology is here and available. See if you concur with the explanation Scott puts forth during this discussion. Unusual ocean features such as extremophiles, hydrothermal vents, and more were discussed. Scott also brought us current with the reality of fishing problems and what it is doing to the oceans and the food supply chain. When you hear him, you might decide to modify some of your seafood habits. A listener asked why the presidential candidates talked about space, but never mentioned the oceans. Again, do not miss what Scott Cassell had to say about this situation. Caller Reda asked about the funding going to space and also to the study of the oceans. It should not be one or the other, both domains need R&D and study. The three of us discussed this situation in detail. Toward the end of the program, Scott talked to us about the importance of learning lessons and not repeating history and that we need to learn right here on Earth and with the oceans and then take the lessons with us to space so we don't make the same mistakes over and over again. In many ways, the oceans are our school ground. Scott described his Undersea Voyager Project which is very important and in many ways similar to the "Teacher In Space" program. Visit http://www.underseavoyager.org/ for more details about this fascinating project and your ability to participate. If you want to contact Scott with questions, comments, or if you are seeking information about his project, please do so through his website at info@underseavoyager.org or fill out the form at www.underseavoyager.org/contactus.html. The Space Show thanks Reda Anderson for introducing us to Scott.
Guest
The Space Show
