Robert Zimmerman returns to The Space Show to provide us with an in-depth analysis of the Bush space policy program. In exploring this policy, Zimmerman talked at length about NASA management and its management methodology over the need to be more engineering focused. In addition to the Bush space policy program, we discussed the situation regarding the Hubble Space Telescope and the stated plans by NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe to let Hubble decay and return to Earth rather than risk the lives of astronauts to repair, modernize, and maintain the telescope in its orbit. Zimmerman goes into the background of this decision, focusing on what the astronomical community itself suggested to NASA over the past few years. Zimmerman, like most thoughtful people, wants to see the Hubble continue operating and he discussed a few options that might allow Hubble to continue in service. We talked about what the loss of Hubble would mean to the United States as well as the world and in fact all of humanity. During the Special Edition portion of the interview with Robert Zimmerman, we discussed weapons in space in light of articles hitting the news earlier in the day about the United States actually starting to deploy space-based weapons as part of a satellite system. Mr. Zimmerman pointed out that these programs with the military have been part of the space program since it began and not just with the United States. Zimmerman said that it was important to keep space commercial and civilian oriented, thus not allowing space to become the dominated by the military. As always, Robert Zimmerman provides Space Show listeners with important information and insights regarding our move toward expanding space commerce, developing space tourism, and becoming space-faring.
Guest
The Space Show
