|
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.
You can listen anytime you like to any guest that has been on The Space Show or its predecessor, Business Without Boundaries, using Windows Media Player.
|
| Broadcast
792 (Special Edition) |  Listen to the show! | | Aired on July 20th, 2007 | | Guest: Dr. Alan Binder |
| Dr. Alan Binder was the guest for this Space Show program. Dr. Binder started the program out by honoring today, July 20, for the Apollo 11 Moon landing and the Viking 1 landing on Mars. The first segment of the show is devoted to his telling us about these programs, especially Viking as he was one of the PI's on the Viking program. You will certainly want to hear his first hand experiences with Viking. In addition, he talks about data analysis and the need for it after a mission but the problems within NASA concerning data. Don't miss this discussion. During the balance of the program, Dr. Binder talked with us about the likely capability of NASA being able to complete the VSE and take us to the Moon. He is not optimistic on this point and tells us why throughout the program. To illustrate the point, he tells us about the Lunar Prospector Mission and what went on behind the scenes with him and NASA. Furthermore, he recommends listeners interested in learning about NASA and what it was like doing a successful commercial program within NASA that they read his two books, "Moon Quake" and also "Lunar Prospector: Against All Odds." Both books are available on Amazon.com or through your favorite bookstore but if you want an autographed copy, order it through Ken Press in Tucson at area code 520-743-3200 or email ken@kenpress.com. Tell Ken you heard Dr. Binder regarding the book on The Space Show. You can also find these books through is website which is www.lunar-research-institute.org/. Alan fielded many listener questions about commercial lunar missions, closing a commercial lunar biz plan, potential lunar competition from China, India, and Asia in general and much more. One listener asked him about a possible space race with Asia, another emailed in that the Asian countries are far from committing the financial resources needed for a manned lunar program so mostly likely its all rhetoric coming from these other nations. Alan provided interesting perspectives and opinions on these and other comments. Dr. Binder also talked about his proposal which would substantially change NASA in a DARPA type program for space development. The new NASA would contract with private companies for space development R&D the way DARPA contracts with private companies for defense issues. We talked about the chances for this type of revision to be made to NASA in the coming 2008 elections. Don't miss what he has to say about this. We also talked about why we should go to the Moon in light of recent Space Show programs and why it would be in the interest of America to go to the Moon much quicker. This question was also taken from an earlier Space Show program. I told Alan that since answers are not forthcoming on these questions, I am beginning to think that collectively we are getting the space program we all deserve. Alan disagreed so you will want to hear what he has to say in response to my comments. This is a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Binder on NASA, its abilities, programs, lunar commerce and development and much more. If you want to send Dr. Binder a follow up question or comment, please do so through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com.
|
| About our guest... |
Dr. Alan Binder
Dr. Alan Binder is author of both "Lunar Prospector: Against All Odds" "Moon Quake" which is a science faction book published by Apogee. He is also the Director and Founder of the Lunar Research Institute in Tucson, AZ and a Lunar and Planetary Scientist with over 40 years of experience working in the NASA and European Space Programs. He was a Principal Investigator on the 1976 Viking Mars Lander Missions which made the first successful unmanned landings on Mars. He was the Principal Investigator of the NASA sponsored Lunar Prospector Mission which was launched to the Moon on January 6, 1998 and conducted a 19 month orbital mapping mission of the Moon and was the Principal Investigator of the Lunar Prospector Data Analysis program that was conducted under his leadership. This unmanned lunar mapping program started by Dr. Binder in 1989 as a philanthropic effort when he founded the Texas based, non-profit, tax exempt company, Lunar Exploration, Inc. (LEI), whose charter was to define, promote and find support for the Lunar Prospector Mission. This goal was reached in 1995 when NASA chose Lunar Prospector to be the 3rd mission in its new, low cost Discovery Program of Lunar and Planetary Missions, after which, LEI was dissolved. Dr. Binder then formed LRI in Arizona to carry on with the flight and scientific phases of Lunar Prospector and to expand the research program beyond the limited charter of LEI. Dr. Binder taught and did lunar research for 10 years in Germany at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, the University of Kiel and the University of Muenster (he speaks German fluently and some Spanish). Dr. Binder has a BS in Physics and Mathematics from Northern Illinois University, a Ph.D. in Geology and Planetary Science from the University of Arizona and Habilitated (became qualified to be a Professor in the German University System) at the University of Kiel. He is a Member of the Board of Space Education Initiatives, Inc. and the Board of Governors of the National Space Society. Dr. Binder has published over 80 scientific papers in the open literature.
|
|
|
[ Return to the main page ]
NOTICE: The views and comments expressed on The Space Show by its guests, callers, and listeners belong to the maker. The Space Show and its host serve only as a platform and are not responsible for other's comments or view. All topics discussed on The Space Show are primarily for educational purposes.
Streaming audio requires Microsoft Windows Media Player or compatible audio player
For technical support please contact the webmaster: Webmaster@TheSpaceShow.com
Website and audio content are for personal use only and protected by U.S. copyright law.
For more information e-mail Dr. David Livingston: DrSpace@TheSpaceShow.com
© Copyright 2001 - 2010 David Livingston. All Rights Reserved.
|
