Guest: Eric Wetzel. Eric Wetzel, Andrews Space, Inc. was the guest for this Friday Space Show program. We began the show by discussing the Andrews Space COTS proposal and several other unique Andrews projects. Unfortunately, Mr. Wetzel was unable to share much information with us because the Andrews COTS entry is still confidential and proprietary, but we did get the basics. From there, listeners asked him various engineering, space policy, and political policy questions. For example, he was asked to compare the differences between how Boeing, a very large company, and Andrews, a much smaller company, both deal with ITAR issues. This is an interesting discussion, don't miss it. Eric was also asked about the current debate within segments of the space community regarding going to a NEO rather than going to the Moon first as part of the VSE . We addressed this issue from a cost and engineering perspective. I asked him many questions about the lessons learned about living on the Moon and their applicability to living on Mars, which has a very different environment. Again, this is another must-hear discussion. Later in the show, the subject of safety came up in regards to carrying out safety and reliability in vehicles to the last possible 9. This took us into the area of cleanrooms and manufacturing versus the approach Space X is trying to perfect in regards to manufacturing in less than a cleanroom environment. This too was a fascinating discussion with lots of support and encouragement for the Space X approach although the verdict is still out. Listeners then returned to the safety issue and wanted to know what added costs are involved in making a vehicle or project safer. Then questions were asked about commercial jets, comparing them to a fighter aircraft or B-52 and a C5A, and the safety standards for both aircraft. This was a really fun and interesting conversation and Eric very helpful and informative in keeping us grounded in reality and understanding the situation. I then asked him about applying these standards to new rockets being built, especially those rockets built by New Space for space tourism. This is yet another discussion in this two hour program that you will not want to miss. You can reach Eric with additional comments and questions by sending them to me at drspace@thespaceshow.com or by using the contact form on the Andrews website, http://www.andrews-space.com/contact.php. If you use the info email address or the contact form on his webpage, please reference The Space Show for Eric in the subject line/area
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