Broadcast 1207 (Special Edition)

Guest: Dave Ketchledge. Topics: "Rocket Science," nuclear power, space policy, space education. Dave Ketchledge was our guest to discuss his new book on CD, "Rocket Science." You can order this book and find out more about it by visiting his website, www.rocketengineer.bravehost.com/. During Segment 1, Dave talked about the need for space engineering and rocket education, how his book fills this need, and what it means for future engineers in all disciplines, not just those related to space.

Broadcast 1197 (Special Edition)

Guest: Dr. Paul Spudis. Topics: Return to the Moon, VSE Mission Statement, lunar science, NASA, Mars, U.S. public and space exploration. Dr. Paul Spudis returned for this special two hour program to discuss why we should return to the Moon. In Segment 1, Dr. Spudis talked about the Moon as a transitioning resource and our training ground for how we can learn to live and settle in space. He said that the way the VSE has evolved, its gotten away from the true mission of our return to the Moon. This is a discussion that you must hear and its repeated throughout this two hour show.

Broadcast 1194 (Special Edition)

Guest: Open Lines with Dr. David Livingston. Topics: Media interviews and privacy, NASA, Ares 1 and pork, Iran, How to be a guest on The Space Show. This two hour program was an Open Lines program divided into three segments. During the first segment, I covered a few topics and issues that I thought needed airing and discussing. For example, for listeners wanting to contact me or ask a question, please use drspace@thespaceshow.com, do not send me messages through Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

Broadcast 1175 (Special Edition)

Guest: Open Lines. Topics: North Korea, Iran & SCUD Missiles, private space contractors, Flagships, return to the Moon, Kool Aid. Tonight was an Open Lines discussion covering several topics with listeners both through email and phone calls. I outlined some topics for possible discussion including what constitutes Kool Aid in the space world (based on an experience I had via email with a friend earlier in the day), the Augustine Panel presentations coming up, Direct 3.0, a possible new focus for NASA which included developing low cost space access for civil use, and more.

Broadcast 1083 (Special Edition)

Guest: Rand Simberg was the guest for today's Space Show program. Our discussion started by mentioning that Richardson had withdrawn his name from consideration for Secretary of Commerce in the Obama administration. We talked about this for a few minutes as there were some possible space ramifications to his appointment and now with his withdrawal. We then moved on to the issue of comparing COTS and Shuttle as was done on the RocketsandSuch blog and copied over to the Space Cynics site per our discussion last week.

Broadcast 1080 (Special Edition)

Guest: Jim Muncy returned for this Space Show program to discuss space policy in 2008 and its transition to 2009. We talked about the current Administrator Dr. Griffin and his efforts to remain at NASA plus what this would mean for continuing with the VSE and Aries as planned. Jim also mentioned some important public sector 2008 milestones, including the Zero G contract, the recent Cargo Resupply Services Contract, and improvements in DOD and Space Command.

Broadcast 1056 (Special Edition)

Guest: Ross Tierney was the guest for this in-person taped interview conducted here in Cocoa Beach on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008. This was a very hard-hitting interview with Ross about Direct 2, its technology, its likelihood of being adopted by NASA as an alternative to Ares 1, and more. I asked Ross why we should have confidence in Direct 2 when it was basically a PowerPoint presentation given that it has not yet undergone any metal bending, any development or testing. I asked why there would not be design problems with it as there are with Ares and the NASA selected hardware.

Broadcast 1055 (Special Edition)

Guest: Dr. David Livingston. On this Space Show program, I provided listeners with a comprehensive report on how to see a Space Shuttle flight, why see one, what they are like in person, where to see the launch from, what wildlife is in the area including birds and alligators, and much more. If you have any questions about seeing a Space Shuttle launch, what to expect, how to prepare for one, or if you have comments or questions, let me hear from you at drspace@thespaceshow.com.

Broadcast 1040 (Special Edition)

Guest: Robert (Bob) Scaringe was the guest for this Space Show program to discuss the long-term goals which are needed for the public support of our space policy. Bob has defined the type of both short-term and long-term goals needed to create more grassroots support of our space policy. Referencing several studies from the public, he shows that such grass roots support is currently not there to take the NASA budget to a 1% of the federal budget, which would allow for research and the types of programs and goals that he talks about in his AIAA paper and presentation.

Broadcast 1034 (Special Edition)

Guest: Open Lines was the basis for this two hour Sunday Space Show program. Many topics were discussed with callers, those on chat, and through email, including the economic problems and the impact on space, Space Cynics and the recent set of posts regarding Masten Space Systems (http://spacecynic.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/in-space-can-anybody-smell-th...), Space Solar Power (SSP), the NASA Administrator, and more.