Space Solar Power

Guest: Dr. John Jurist was the guest on this program to discuss his hypothesis as to why space cadets behave as they do. His paper, "Dorky Space Cadets: An Hypothesis," can be found on the Space Cynics site as of March 13, 2008, http://spacecynic.wordpress.com/2008/03/13/ . Click on the link provided to Space Cynics and scroll down to his article starting with "Dorky." During our discussion today, Dr. Jurist explained how he created the hypothesis and what types of research, tools and methodologies he used to formulate his theory.

Guest: Dr. Phil Chapman. Dr. Phil Chapman returned for this special Space Show program dedicated to the memory of Sir Arthur C. Clarke who passed away today. As it turned out, Dr. Chapman knew Sir Arthur, so for the first part of the program, we talked about Arthur Clarke and Phil shared his experiences with him with us. If you have not yet seen it, Arthur Clarke recorded a video for his "Last Message To Earth" recorded on his 90th birthday this past December.

Guest: Per Wimmer. Per Wimmer of Wimmer Space and Wimmer Financial was the guest for this Space Show program. During the first segment, we discussed basic business requirements for entrepreneurial space businesses and start-up companies to follow when seeking venture capital or other financing. Mr. Wimmer grouped these requirements into three main areas focusing on: making early returns for the business and establishing cash flow, quality management teams, and a quality market analysis.

Guest: Dr. Jeff Bell returned to the Space Show for a two hour controversial discussion on many important topics. This is a program you will not want to miss. For example, did you know that we might soon see the cancellation of the human spaceflight program? Listen and see if you agree with Dr. Bell and his analysis. We also talked about the much needed human factors research which is not being done as well as other problems with NASA along with its focus on the VSE/Aries 1. Dr.

Guest: Taylor Dinerman. Taylor Dinerman returned to The Space Show in order to discuss U.S. space policy, the current U.S. plans to shoot down a malfucnctioning U.S. spy satellite, and much more. During our first segment, we discussed the plans to use a U.S. Navy SM-3 missile to bring down the spy satellite, NRL- 21/USA 193. This prompted several listener questions about possible Outer Space Treaty violations, space debris, and why is this OK when the anti-satellite test that China performed in early 2007 was not ok?

Guests: Dr. Charles Lundquist, 1st hour; Dr. David Livingston, 2nd hour. Dr. Charles Lundquist was the guest for the first hour of this Space Show program. He was one of the original team members who launched Explorer 1, America's first satellite in space, on Jan. 31, 1958. Listen to Dr. Lundquist tell the story of Explorer 1, his work with the Von Braun team, the Army Ballistic Missile Center at the Redstone Arsenal and much more. Dr. Lundquist tells us some fascinating stories as we walk back in time with him as he helped make history that evening fifty years ago. Dr.

Guest: Dallas Bienhoff. Dallas Bienhoff returned to The Space Show in order to update us and provide new information on the possibility of orbital fuel depots. This important discussion takes up the first segment of the show because such a depot would be applicable for returning to the Moon, visiting a NEO, going to Mars, or focusing on Earth imaging if that is the direction the next administration prefers when it takes office in January 2009.

Dr. Wendell Mendell returned to The Space Show for this program. Dr. Mendell started the discussion looking back over his 40 plus years of being with NASA and discussing how things have changed within the organization and based on my question, with the American public regarding space issues. I asked about his thoughts with the various NASA administrators that he has known and then we turned our attention to the main topic of the evening which focused on changes at NASA based on the VSE. Dr.

Dr. John Mankins was the guest for this special Space Show program. We began the interview by asking Dr. Mankins what would be needed to transform space to a more ordinary component of our terrestrial economy. This discussion led us to a detailed discussion regarding energy from space and space solar power. Dr. Mankins took us through ground infrastructure, the launch component, alternative launch possibilities, the space component with satellites, and the economics of power.

Howard Bloom was the guest for this special program to discuss the importance of having a space vision, the idea of a "killer application" for inspiring the public regarding space, and a four point program that could form the basis for the needed space vision. The four point program he discussed includes biofuels, space solar power, lunar development, and going to Mars. We talked about economics and several listeners asked questions about the economics and the priority of SSP or the other components of the program before having developed affordable and routine LEO access.