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 246 (Special Edition)	Listen to the show!
Aired on August 3rd, 2004
Guest: Robert Zimmerman
Robert Zimmerman, best selling author and space historian, returned to The Space Show for this program. Mr. Zimmerman discussed the important roll that Russia is now playing in our space program and how Russia is actually making it possible to continue with the manned space program and the ISS. We talked about what this means for NASA, the United States, and the top level of NASA administrators. He believes that the top level of NASA administrators and people within our government do not realize what has happened vis a vis what the Russians are now doing to keep our program afloat and what the significance is of this development for our space program and nation. We also talked about the contribution to space by the former USSR and now Russia, with Mr. Zimmerman stating that perhaps their most important contribution has been in the area of space medicine for long term space flight for humans. Mr. Zimmerman went behind the scenes to share with us views about space and its importance in the coming election, with either candidate that may win the election, and with the Aldridge Commission report. He talked about the present NASA culture and how that is a stumbling block for moving forward to a productive space program. He also suggested that what happens with NASA and the public program is now becoming irrelevant because of what is going on within the private sector as depicted by Space Ship One, the X-Prize, the Canadian X-Prize entries and more. He cited comments made by NASA after the successful June 21, 2004 Space Ship One flight about how NASA was happy for the success and ready to work with Scaled Composites, etc. regarding this new technology, when in fact NASA is not working with Scaled Composites and the technology and engineering behind Space Ship One is proprietary. As is always the case with Mr. Zimmerman, he is hard hitting and to the point. Mr. Zimmerman also showed Space Show listeners why the Hubble program and its now questionable future is actually a metaphor for all of NASA and what it is doing. Be sure to hear this program. If you want to contact Mr. Zimmerman, you can do so through drspace@thespaceshow.com or visit his website at members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3cxxp/zimbib.htm.

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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