A Space Show OPEN LINES Discussion covering multiple timely topics.

Open Lines Discussion are ready!

The program began with introductions and discussions about space settlement, including challenges and opportunities in the trillion-dollar market. The group explored various space-related topics including NASA’s stance on space settlement, recent UAP hearings in Congress, and updates on the Artemis missions, while also addressing technical issues with the Space Show’s format and programming. The conversation ended with discussions about military aircraft technology, Ajay’s art exhibition, and NASA’s budget situation, including potential funding cuts and future plans for space exploration.

After early program announcements by David, John Jossy introduced Alan Linton, a software engineer from Waterloo, Canada interested in space development, and mentioned the diverse perspectives and opinions that could be expected during the discussion. David then highlighted the presence of various participants, including AJ, known for his space vision plans and connections, and John Hunt, interested in UAPs and physics.

In response to one of my questions, Alan discussed the decline in Canadian participation in space-related activities, which he attributed to factors other than politics. I emphasized that space enthusiasts tend to transcend political boundaries and remain interested in space exploration regardless of political changes. I also made an early announcement re our recent website problems involving the issue of website scraping from China, where 20-30 IP addresses from Alibaba created a denial of service attack by overwhelming our website. The Space Show will soon be implementing Cloudflare filtering to address this for the future.

Turning the mic over to John and Alan, they introduced his new YouTube channel focused on space settlement interviews, having already interviewed John Jossy and Ruben from France. The group discussed space settlement challenges, with Alan identifying launch costs and robotic mining as major obstacles, while suggesting that space settlement could be a trillion-dollar market if homes could be sold to the million people interested in living in space.

We discussed NASA’s current stance on space settlement, with Marshall noting that government bureaucracy and the small size of the space lobby make significant policy changes unlikely. Bill shared that early speculation about Elon Musk’s involvement with the administration leading to government support for Mars efforts did not materialize. The conversation then focused on NASA’s announcement of potential life signs on Mars, with Bill and others agreeing that this was driven by scientific analysis rather than an attempt to hinder Mars and space exploration. The discussion concluded with updates on NASA’s Viper mission with Blue Origin, which is scheduled for the first quarter of next year, and the group acknowledged that while the discovery of life on Mars would be exciting, it would likely not significantly impact plans for human colonization.

We switched over and discussed the recent UAP hearings in Congress, where witnesses shared experiences of unidentified aerial phenomena, including military encounters and classified programs. John Hunt explained that the hearings were led by junior House members and focused on protecting witnesses from reprisals, though he noted that senior officials like the Secretary of State and National Security Advisor could influence disclosure. I expressed frustration about the lack of meaningful progress on UAP disclosure despite presidential promises, while John Jossy suggested changing the subject as the UAP topic had become exhausted. I asked John why he does not like the UAP topic. Do listen for his response.

Moving to another topic, we started talking about the Artemis II mission being moved up to February 2024, with most agreeing it will likely proceed as scheduled but could face minor delays. Concerns were expressed about the Artemis III mission in 2027, particularly regarding SpaceX’s HLS lander’s stability on the moon and the need for multiple refueling, even suggesting it may not succeed by 2028. Bill proposed considering Blue Origin’s Mark II lander as an alternative to SpaceX’s HLS, noting its better center of gravity and design for early Artemis missions. I raised concerns about the lack of tangible progress and testing timelines for both SpaceX and Blue Origin’s hardware, emphasizing the need for clear business plans and testing schedules before investing in such ambitious projects. I suggested that we need less uncertainty if that is possible.

The group discussed space settlement and lunar habitats, with John Jossy explaining that National Space Society defines a settlement as biologically self-sustaining and permanent for families, while current lunar habitats are considered outposts due to rotating crews. The discussion explored Al Globus’s proposal for low-radiation habitats in low Earth orbit, but John Jossy confirmed there are no current plans or market interest in this concept, citing the need for real estate and safe habitats. I mentioned the Musk challenges with launch site logistics and supply lines, which led to the abandonment of Kwajalein Island as a launch site.

We also talked about military aircraft and space technology, especially stealth. John Hunt explained that the F-22 and B-21 serve different missions, with the F-22 focused on air-to-air combat and the B-21 on bombing, and described plans to upgrade the F-22 with technologies from the F-35 as a stopgap until the F-47 becomes operational. The discussion then shifted to the feasibility of drones flying on the moon, with Ajay explaining that while traditional flight is impossible due to lack of atmosphere, hopping movements could be achieved using engines like Draco, though with limited flight duration. John Jossy shared a link to Intuitive Machines’ lunar hopper technology.

We then turned to Ajay’s art exhibition, which is currently on display until October 4th and the Zoom video is archived on Substack from Tuesday. I reported that Ajay had given a compelling 5-minute presentation connecting his art and vision for space exploration to NASA leadership during a recent Senate hearing simulation. Ajay discussed offering a 30-40% discount on the paintings, with the gallery retaining their 20% commission plus $500 per wall. Several members expressed interest in purchasing paintings. I identified several favorites including a Mars painting and Native American piece. Marshall praised Ajay’s ability to convey complex space concepts through visual art, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to Marshall’s office decor.

Nearing the end of the program, we discussed NASA’s budget situation, with Bill updating that the NASA budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee for science, was a cut from the previous year’s total but better than the proposed 50% cut. A key development was Sean Duffy directing NASA to move forward with the House figure. I made a fundraising pitch for the non-profit Space Show, and the conversation ended with discussion of upcoming guests and potential appearances. For our Substack listeners and viewers, given that The Space Show is a nonprofit, we launch an end of the year fund raising campaign around Thanksgiving. We promote donations to PayPal, Zelle and check. If you like what we do, please donate and help us out. If you are a federal tax payer, you get a tax deduction for your gift. See the PayPal button on the right side of our home page, www.thespaceshow.com.

Thank you.

Dr. Space

Special thanks to our sponsors:Northrup Grumman, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless Entertainment

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