Guests:  Chris Carberry, Rick Zucker;  Topics:  Humans two Mars, the Explore Mars, Inc. upcoming summit, Affordable Mars Workshop & more.  Please direct all comments and questions regarding specific Space Show programs & guest(s) to the Space Show blog which is part of archived program on our website, www.thespaceshow.com.  Comments and questions should be relevant to the specific Space Show program. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are a violation of our copyright and are not permitted without prior written consent, even if for your own use. We do not permit the commercial use of Space Show programs or any part thereof, nor do we permit editing, YouTube clips, or clips placed on other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted, but the quote must be cited or referenced using the proper citation format. Contact The Space Show for further information. In addition, please remember that your Amazon purchases can help support The Space Show/OGLF. See www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.

We welcomed Chris Carberry and Rick Zucker to our 90 minute discussion.  During the first segment, I asked our guests about three recent topics discussed on The Space Show that were relevant to humans going to Mars.  The three topics included planetary protection, why go to Mars first rather than learning and proving out technology by first returning to the Moon, and where was there a viable policy for humans to go to Mars?  We spent most of the first segment addressing these three areas.

On the topic of planetary protection, Chris had some interesting things to say.  The subject is taken seriously, it is continually discussed and he and others see it as an evolving issue.  He believed that there would have to be risk adjustments and modifications as more information about humans to Mars becomes known.  He also said that were humans permitted to go to Mars but only to places of little or no interest, one would have to determine if it was worth doing a human Mars mission to such a location.  This was a fascinating discussion, don't miss it.

As for the Moon, as I said to Dr. Benaroya on Sunday, Mars advocates do not see the Moon as an essential first step for going to Mars.  While Mars first advocates do not oppose going to the Moon, they say by landing humans on the Moon, the risk is that the program to Mars gets sidetracked, maybe even for decades.  Chris advocated cislunar development without landing on the Moon.  As I suggested to our Sunday guest, Mars first advocates believe that if the goal is to go to Mars and they say that is the goal, then one should go to Mars, not some other destination.

Regarding the absence of a Mars policy, both Chris and Rick talked about how the issue for humans to Mars has been improving along with more and more interest in congress as confirmed by their recent legislative blitz.  Our guests also referenced the upcoming third edition of the Affordable Mars Report, out in about two weeks, as further evidence of a humans to Mars policy that is evolving for the better each year. 

During this segment, our guests talked about the upcoming Humans 2Mars Summit planned for May 17-19 at GWU in Washington, DC.  Several of the main speakers and events were discussed.  You can find out more about this event and the free streaming of it by visiting http://h2m.exploremars.org. 

Before the segment ended, Bonnie in Atlanta wanted to know if Explore Mars was reaching out to the presidential candidates. Our guests talked about their outreach activities in this area plus they said that after their big May event, they would have teams going to congress for more legislative educational efforts for the eventual humans to Mars mission.  The final questions of the segment dealt with our TRL for going to Mars at this time, plus a time line for a realistic launch date for a humans to Mars mission.  Do not miss what our guests said in response to these questions from Ben who was in Vancouver.

In the second segment, our guests told us more about the Humans2Mars Summit event and the free event live streaming.  We were surprised to learn that Dr. Robert Zubrin will be attending this year and speaking at the event.

Edmund from the UK sent in an email asking about an international focus at the Explore Mars event and for the organization.  Chris addressed the Explore Mars international focus plus he said they had speakers talking about ExoMars.  Our guests referenced the ISS station agreement as a model for sustainable international space participation.  Since speaking to congress was again mentioned, I asked if Explore Mars advocates ever addressed the China ban when speaking with congressional staffers. 

Todd in San Diego sent in a note inquiring about he economic benefits for the public for a publicly financed humans to Mars mission.  Both Chris and Rick responded to Todd.  Let us know what you think.  Post your reply to this question in the comments section of the archived program on TSS website. 

Don't miss the concluding comments and summary statements offered by each guests.  Please post your comments/questions in the comments section for this archived program.  You can reach Chris and Rick through me or the Explore Mars website.