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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
943 (Special Edition) |  Listen to the show! | | Aired on May 12th, 2008 | | Guest: Robert Zimmerman |
| Guest: Robert Zimmerman was the guest for this program to discuss his new book about the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), "The Universe In A Mirror: The Saga of the Hubble Space Telescope and the Visionaries Who Built It." This is an excellent book, a must read for those of you who want to know more about the HST. Having read the book and after talking to Bob, it's easy to realise that there is still much to learn about HST's history, from CCD cameras to mirrors and NASA contracting. The information in the book about the mirror error and how it got so far through the system is fascinating. We talk about this on air. Bob also talked about the personalities involved, Spitzer, O'Dell, and others. Listeners asked questions about the upgrades that will soon be made to Hubble and the likelihood of the project being cancelled at some point in the future. Listen to why Zimmerman thinks Hubble is bullet-proof and see if you concur. During our discussion about Hubble and his excellent book, Bob spoke about the inspiration derived from Hubble and he received some listener questions about this issue. You will want to hear this discussion. His early history of Hubble, some of the engineering issues and even comparisons with NASA issues that led to the Challenger accident are all there and you will want to hear what he has to say because the mirror problem was part of the same system that led to Challenger. Later in the show, we talked about presidential space policy and politics, the private sector versus NASA for space transportation and advancements in the field, market makers such as Bigelow, and the need to have human exploration over virtual reality or anything else. Bob kept repeating over and over during this show how the debate has already been concluded. The answer is Americans want to go to space. Do you agree? Listen and let us know your thoughts. In response to listener questions, Bob did not think that the space policy of either of the presidential candidates could kill the space program and he even went so far as to say that even a President Obama would find it very difficult and challenging to dismantle NASA or substantially weaken the space program. Among the many reasons for his thoughts included the jobs involved in various congressional districts which would not be put at risk by members of Congress. You can learn more about Bob Zimmerman at his website, http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze3cxxp/zimbib.htm. If you want to send him questions or comments or inquire about his book, use zimmerman@nasw.org. |
| 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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