Guest: John Strickland; Topics: Personal experience seeing the Starship Demo Test Flight at Boca Chica, U.S. energy policy and energy requirements, Space Solar Power, using GEO for SSP, SSP power delivery numbers, SSP compared to ground based solar, Nuclear Thermal Propulsion, nuclear electric power
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We welcomed John Strickland back to the show to tell us about his experience seeing the Starship Demo test at Boca Chica a few days ago. John was very detailed in sharing his experiences which covered about the first third of our program. Don't miss all of what he said he saw, heard, and felt from his vantage point on nearby Padre Island. Feel free to ask John questions about his experience by posting on our blog. In addition, since John will be at the upcoming ISDC event, I suggest you introduce yourself to him and you can ask your questions in person. He will also be selling his books there, books he described during this show but were also featured on past Space Show programs with John.
As we moved away from John sharing his Boca experience with us, he talked about the possible Environmental litigation against the FAA to stop future Starship launches from Texas pending a full EIR. Several listeners sent emails about this as the subject turned out to be a quality mini-Space Show discussion. The discussion included John talking about the pros and cons for moving future launches to KSC as SpaceX has or will soon have full Starship launch capability there as well as Texas. Let us know your thoughts about both the litigation against the FAA and SpaceX moving Starship launches to KSC. Post your thoughts and comments on our blog.
Listener Todd sent in a note asking John about energy in and from space to Earth, specifically SSP and/or nuclear. John spent most of the rest of the show talking in support of SSP from GEO and against the current U.S. energy policy with takes energy away from the country when it is needed. John's comments on this topic were scattered around during this part of today's program so listen carefully to get all of what John was saying and talking about. He did a good job of connecting the dots for SSP compared to ground based solar as well as wind power. While he supported nuclear power for Earth and space, he spent more time providing us with numbers and facts in support of SSP. Note that much of John's pro SSP commentary additionally focused on problems he saw with our national energy policy and he was none too short of words to let us know why he thought that was bad for the country and for space.
The balance of the program mostly focused on SSP. Fremont John called to bring up the long overdue NASA SSP report. Ajay sent in a note supporting solar but more so nuclear saying nuclear was essential for us. Ben in Denver sent in a complicated and possibly controversial email on politicians and energy which I edited on the fly due to length. At the end of the program, Tim called in to say there was no urgency for SPP, that is why nothing was happening. Time sent in a last minute email with an inquiry about the Stanford Torus.
Please post your comments/questions for this show on the blog. Meet John at ISDC and check out his books. You can reach John through the NSS website or me.
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