Broadcast 2613

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • helix-space the space show sponsor

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • space settlement progress

The Space Foundation Conference

Feedback: What did you think of this show?: 

Guest:  Thomas (Tom) Olson.  Topics:  2015 in review, 2016 space events, best and worst space events of the year.  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.  For those listening to archives using live365.com and rating the programs, please email me as to why you assign a specific rating to the show. This will help me bring better programming to the audience.  We welcomed back Tom Olson for his traditional annual year in review show, this time for the year 2015.  During the first segment of our 1 hour 45 minute discussion, I asked Tom to start off with the worst space event for 2015 rather than the best.  Interestingly, he said it was the fact that another year has gone by without our flying people to space, either orbital or suborbital.  This opened up a discussion about disappointments in the suborbital industry other than for Blue Origin which got the best grade along with SpaceX for their landing their rocket back on the pad after making it to space.  As for the best, Tom mentioned several "bests" during the show but started out with the new commercial space legislation recently signed into law, specifically the part about funding commercial crew and U.S citizens being able to extract resources from asteroids.  He spoke about the launch industry in general saying this was a near record year with 87 total launches.  He talked about the ISS extension to 2024, commercial projects on the station and he said it would be better to design a commercial station properly than to try and commercialize the ISS.  Tom then mentioned several entrepreneurial companies worth noting and watching including Planet Labs, Spire, Made In Space, also Sierra Nevada with the continuation of its Dream Chaser space vehicle.  Listener Robert asked if his views on space solar power had changed in 2015.  Tom said no but listen to his explanation.  I asked Tom for the top space leaders of 2015.  He had trouble naming a few other than Bezos and Musk.  He said there were no heroes.  All of the space men and women were heroes.  Jeff from Denver asked Tom if he changed his mind on SLS/Orion from previous years. Again, Tom said no but listen to his full explanation. Another listener asked him if he thought 2016 presidential politics would influence space policy.  Again, he answered with a no.  Ft. Worth John called to talk about artificial gravity experiments that were needed, Falcon 9 landing the 1st stage successfully, plus he asked when the Falcon Heavy would fly.  In the second segment, Luis from Venezuela asked Tom about small scale laser beaming of power from powersats to landers and assets on the lunar surface.  Next up was Dr. Lurio who put in a plug for Made In Space for a 2015 outstanding company award, then he talked about XCOR, responding to some of the recent management changes in the company plus the comments Tom was making about the company.  Tom further addressed Made In Space and mentioned a 3D bioprinter.  Here is the link to the story he mentioned about the bioprinter, http://medcitynews.com/2015/08/watch-out-organovo-biobots-launching-new-....  Tom spoke more about the Bigelow ISS BEAM Module experiment for later in 2016, then talked about the success of deep space exploration, JPL, and more.  He mentioned running water on Mars, Cassini and Titan photos, New Horizons and Pluto and the Dawn Mission to Ceres.  He also gave credit to Rosetta and the Comet 67P mission , then commented on the disappointment about the delay in the Insight Mars mission.  Tom mentioned Putin's reorganization of the Russian space industry to just Roscosmos, then he said the weirdest event of the year was the exoplanet discovery of the mysterious dimming in light value with some in the media reporting the possible discovery of alien ruins (see http://news.discovery.com/space/alien-life-exoplanets/has-kepler-discove...).  Near the end of the program, Tom talked at length about important changes in the New Space Business Plan Competition.  A listener then asked him about space films for 2015 and Tom commented on The Martian and television science fiction programming.  He also mentioned the twins study on the ISS was nearing its end and Scott Kelly had set a record for the most time spent in space by an American astronaut. Before the show ended we talked about one way trips to Mars, Mars One and then Tom predicted that Mr. Musk will get to Mars before NASA. He concluded by saying that 2015 was an inspiring year for space on all fronts.  Please post your comments/Questions on TSS blog above.  Happy New Year to all of you.  Keep it safe, have a great celebration and I wish you all a terrific 2016!  Thank you again for your Space Show support.

 

Tags: 

Guest: 

WARNING: Using Disqus Comments on the Space Show:

To ensure your comments do NOT get caught in the Disqus automatic spam filter systemplease login to your Disqus account or create a verified/approved Disqus account.

Posting multiple URL links WILL TRIGGER the Disqus automatic spam filter system.

29 Dec 2015 Thomas A. Olson
Your Amazon Purchases Helps Support TSS/OGLF (see www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm)

The Space Show Toll Free Number is only available on live broadcast programs. Please call 1-866-687-7223

Sponsor Banner

  • helix-space the space show sponsor

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • The Space Foundation Conference

  • space settlement progress

  • The Space Foundation Conference