space solar power (SSP)

Guest: Dr. Jordin Kare. Topics: Laser launch, power beaming, space elevator, laser weapons, Mockingbird. Dr. Kare returned to The Space Show for updates with laser launch systems and more. We learned about the beam module approach and his work to win the NASA Climber Challenge through his company LaserMotive (www.lasermotive.com). We also discussed heat exchanger propulsion and the use of different materials for the exchanger such as Silicon Carbide. As a result of listener questions, we discussed the laser for use with the space elevator and Dr.

Guest: Taylor Dinerman. Topics: New NASA Administrator, DOD space policy, space weaponization, ITAR, Space Pearl Harbor, Obama space policy challenges, COTS, RLV. Taylor Dinerman returned to The Space Show to discuss DOD/Military space policy for 2009 and beyond. However, we started off by announcing the Obama choice for NASA Administrator, Retired AF Major General Scott Gration. Taylor spent most of the first segment discussing General Gration and what this might mean for NASA and various NASA programs including COTS.

Guest: Mike Snead was our Space Show guest today to discuss his recently released energy study, "The End of Easy Energy and What to Do About it." To get your copy of this report, visit http://www.mikesnead.net/ and click on the SSP white paper link on the left side of the page. During our discussion, Mike took us step by step through his research, analysis, and conclusions regarding energy issues facing our nation and the world between now and the end of this century.

Guests: First Hour: Bob Dickman and Dr. Paul Nielsen. Second Hour: Open Lines Bob Dickman, Executive Director of AIAA, and Dr. Paul Nielsen, Director & CEO of SEI, were the guests today for the first hour to discuss the upcoming AIAA 47th Aerospace Sciences Meeting including The New Horizons Forum & Aerospace Exposition in Orlando, Florida from January 5-8, 2009. In talking with Bob Dickman and Dr.

Guest: Dr. Ben Bova was the guest for this Space Show program to discuss his new book, "Mars Life." Our discussion went in and out regarding "Mars Life," politicians and the importance of space, political leadership, how politicians view science fiction writers, and much more. We talked a lot about the need for political leadership and the comprehensive understanding of why space is so important and what its potential benefits are and what they mean for us all. We also talked in-depth about space solar power and as you will hear, I put the economic questions to Dr.

Guest: Thalia "ad.astra" Kohls was our guest for this show to discuss alt.space and NewSpace from an outsider's perspective. Thalia shared with us her views and experiences in communicating with NewSpace participants on blogs and in other venues and you will hear why she is critical of this community. I too have shared many of her experiences and commented on them during the show. We also spoke about engineering, science, and inspiring space projects like humans to Mars. Thalia expressed the view that she was not very optimistic about seeing a return to the Moon in her lifetime.

Guest: Dr. David Livingston hosted an Open Lines Space Show program for this election night special program. The first segment featured my personal thoughts, opinions, and analysis regarding space solar power (SSP). If you want to know what I really think about SSP, listen to what I have to say about it. As this was election night, we talked some with the listeners about the election, about how space might fair with the new administration and Congress, and what U.S. space policy might be like in coming years.

Guests: The Space Cynics, Shubber Ali, Tom Olson, Dr. John Jurist, and Dr. David Livingston, came together for this conference call round table discussion on the topic of the day, Space Solar Power (SSP). In keeping with the true Space Cynics fashion, this was a hard-hitting program addressing some of the fundamental challenges facing SSP and why the Cynics do not share the joy of seeing a future SSP world as do those promoting it.

Guest: Open Lines was the basis for this two hour Sunday Space Show program. Many topics were discussed with callers, those on chat, and through email, including the economic problems and the impact on space, Space Cynics and the recent set of posts regarding Masten Space Systems (http://spacecynic.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/in-space-can-anybody-smell-t…), Space Solar Power (SSP), the NASA Administrator, and more.

Guest: Dr. Nader Elhefnawy had his debut appearance on The Space Show today in order to discuss his recent Space Review articles. Please check out http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1220/1 and http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1199/1. Our discussion was wide-ranging with excellent listener questions challenging our guest and his theories/perceptions or, in some cases, agreeing with our guest.