Guest: Jim Lewis. Topic: Animals in space based on his documentary film, "America's Animal Astronaut Heroes." Please direct all comments and questions regarding Space Show programs/guest(s) to the Space Show blog, http://thespaceshow.wordpress.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 back Jim Lewis to this 90 minute discussion on the documentary film project his company is completing, "America's Animal Astronaut Heroes." For those of you on Facebook, search for the title and LIKE the page for additional information. In our first segment, Jim told us how this project came to be as well as why it was targeted it for kids. We talked about various animals that had been to space, including the Soviet dog Laika which Jim said was a one of the Soviet wild dogs taken off the street. I think you will find interesting the reason why the Soviets chose wild dogs off the street for space experiments. We also talked about a project, Rats with Hats and fruit fly experiments. Jim got several questions asking about taking pets to space on space settlement missions as well as taking animals for feedstock. Later in the segment, we got into talking about the chimps that NASA sent to space and here, Jim had many chimp stories. In addition, Jim talked about fish in space and getting seasick in their aquariums. Marshall called in to talk about taking chickens and goats to space (the latter for goat's milk). Another question dealt with wondering if the animals liked being in space. Don't miss his answer to this question. Then we went back to mice and rat stories and the chimps. Jim also mentioned the frog-tadpole and toadfish experiments. Listeners wanted to know about small animal commercial experiments on the ISS. Before the segment ended, listeners asked about a future time when service dogs might be welcome on board to help a blind or deaf spaceflight participant, settler, or crew member. In the second segment, Jim said the most favorite animals were the space monkeys Abel and Baker. At one time, Baker was getting 200-300 letters from fans a day! In talking about our future in space, Jim said that animals were still pioneering for humans in the future. We talked about animals having gone to space from ESA, India, Russia, etc. We also talked about NASA rules as compared to potentially different rules on a private launch to a private space station. Near the end of the program, Jim updated us on space activities in Florida and along the space coast. SpaceX was a huge positive sign, plus many aviation companies have moved in to take advantage of the skilled workforce no longer involved in space work. Please post your comments/questions on The Space Show blog above. You can reach Jim Lewis through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com.