The Space Show hosted by: Dr. David Livingston

Dr. David Livingston

The Space Show focuses on timely and important issues influencing the development of outer-space commerce and space tourism, as well as other related subjects of interest to us all.

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Broadcast 174 (Special Edition)	Listen to the show!
Aired on December 3rd, 2003
Guest: Robert Zimmerman
Robert Zimmerman, an award winning science writer and noted space historian, was the guest on this Space Show program. Mr. Zimmerman started our discussion with the importance of history from Apollo 8 and as recounted in his excellent book, Genesis. We also spoke about the differences in risk taking, adventure, and the importance of freedom from the days of Apollo 8 and our trips to the Moon to our present time. He showed how this change in freedom and the switch in rolls between Russia and the U.S. regarding freedom for the astronauts and more has significantly contributed to the stagnation of the American space program. We also talked about the value of space stations being used, without much trouble, as space ships that could take us to Mars and other places. Limiting them to a space station is somewhat like squandering resources, but it has to do with NASA control and the discussion we had regarding freedom. This discussion is highlighted in his most recent boo, Leaving Earth, which we also discussed in detail. Mr. Zimmerman spoke about much more, including visionary leadership for our space program and the possibility of President Bush announcing a bold plan to return to the Moon later this month. We also talked about the UN Outer Space Treaty, the entrepreneurial space businesses, the X-Prize and what NASA should really be doing for developing alternatives to the Shuttle for space access. Robert Zimmerman has among the finest historical sense of our space program and how to build on that history to become space-faring as anyone I have ever met or talked with about these issues. His brilliance and creativity come through very strongly on this program. I urge everyone to listen to what Mr. Zimmerman has to say as understanding our history can only facilitate our development of space commerce, tourism, a return to the Moon and on to Mars. I look forward to having Mr. Zimmerman back on the Space Show as a frequent guest.

About our guest...

Robert Zimmerman
Robert Zimmerman is a well known and respected space historian and author. He posts regularly at his new website, http://behindtheblack.com, on space, science, and other matters relating to cultural and political issues. Mr. Zimmerman is also an award winning author. His most recent book, THE UNIVERSE IN A MIRROR: THE SAGA OF THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE AND THE VISIONARIES WHO BUILT IT (Princeton University Press) was just released in paperback. The book tells the poignant tale of the men and women behind the telescope, and how many had to sacrifice careers and family to get it built. It also describes in detail the importance of Hubble both scientifically and culturally. More than any other instrument sent into space, the Hubble Space Telescope reshaped the human perception of our place in the universe. Robert's previous book, LEAVING EARTH: SPACE STATIONS, RIVAL SUPERPOWERS, AND THE QUEST FOR INTERPLANETARY TRAVEL, is a must read! It describes in detail the history of manned space flight, post Apollo. Thus, it includes a lot of information about the Soviet/Russian space program that is unknown to most Americans. In 2003 American Astronautical Society awarded LEAVING EARTH the Eugene Emme Award as that year's the best space history for the general public. Mr. Zimmerman has also authored GENESIS, THE STORY OF APOLLO 8 (published by Four Walls Eight Windows in 1998), telling the family and political tale behind the first human journey to another world, and THE CHRONOLOGICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DISCOVERIES IN SPACE (published by Oryx Press, now ABC-CLIO, 2000), a detailed reference book describing what was accomplished on every space mission beginning in October 1957 with Sputnik and continuing through December 1999. His work is published regularly in such magazines as SCIENCE, ASTRONOMY, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, INVENTION & TECHNOLOGY, FORTUNE, AD ASTRA, AMERICAN HISTORY, STARDATE, and many other major magazines. In 2000 he was co-winner of the David N. Schramm Award, given by the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society for Science Journalism. He can be reached at zimmerman at nasw dot org.

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