Cosmic Careers on Podcast with Alastair Browne

Cosmic Careers: Conclusion - Space is Our Neighborhood

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2280512/fan_mail/new] This is the conclusion of the book and the last episode of this series, but don't skip it.  There are a lot of points to cover here.  Two being examples of two different people, with different skills, being able to apply them to the space movement.  One is an engineer, the other is a seamstress. There is a mis-spoke here, where I said "gravity" when I meant" zero gravity" (about the drop tower), but I decided to leave it as is since it is a hassle to change it, and I didn't have the time.  However, I didn't say what kind of gravity, so you can interpret it any way you want. In the end, Veronica and I discussed a few of the jobs in the Appendix.  This lists 41 jobs that can and will be used in space, but there are many more that cannot be imagined right now.  We will probably use ALL the skills from Earth because we want to keep our quality of life.  B.T.W., did you notice I mentioned Bear Biologist?   Here it is, the promise of the coming space movement, for all humanity, including YOU! Now all you have to do is go out and buy the book, Cosmic Careers, either on the net (hint, you can get it on amazon at a VERY reduced price) or order it at your local bookstore. I shall return! Alastair Browne

Cosmic Careers: Chapter Ten - Settling Mars

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2280512/fan_mail/new] This is the final Chapter, and the ultimate in settling near-Earth space, the planet Mars.  It won't be easy.  It is 40 million miles away, at its closest point to Earth, and there is the problem of radiation.   It is estimated that it will take nine months to travel to Mars at its closest point to Earth, and we need new technology to speed up this journey.  Not only that, there is loads of Cosmic radiation which we do not know how to deal with, both on the way and settling the red planet. Can we do this?  Yes, if we have the determination and are willing to find ways to deal with these problems.  Such ways do exist, and we have the technology and know-how to do so. Next podcast will be the Conclusion of this book. Above illustration courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.  Used by permission.

Cosmic Careers: Chapter Nine - Settling the Moon

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2280512/fan_mail/new] Settling the Moon will be very vital as we progress out into space.  Not only will we settle there, we will have to build up an industrial society and establish a scientific base, to explore the Moon and the surrounding space environment. As we settle on the Moon, we will have to have a strong lunar economy, for the Moon has to pay for itself, and it will.  There are many valuable minerals on the Moon to mine, lunar regolith containing these minerals along with providing radiation shielding for habitats and O'Neill space colonies, along with simply growing crops for food. There is also plenty of water on the Moon, so that will not be a problem. The Moon can become a powerful export economy, providing resources, and manufactured goods for space stations, habitats, and manufacturing plants. It will also provide badly needed resources for Earth. Yes, the Moon will first be settled slowly, and it will become a multi-trillion dollar economy. Above illustration courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.  Used by permission.

Cosmic Careers: Chapter Eight - Space Tourism

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2280512/fan_mail/new] Extreme tourism has been going on for a while, from climbing Mount Everest to going down to the Titanic, but now there is a new one, venturing into space.  Well, not exactly new, because it's been going on for a few years, and it will get bigger.  From suborbital space, to orbiting the Earth, to orbital space hotels and staying on the Moon, it's all coming!   What people don't realize is that this is not just a luxurious excursion for the wealthy, but the way to space for all humanity.  As tourist space vehicles and hotels get more comfortable an cheaper, it will spinoff to the space sector for the migrants and workers space by cheaper, safer, and more comfortable launch systems and space habitats. Listen and hear for yourself, and think about how you can become involved.  Space tourism is a whole new world opening up, for everyone, tourist or not. Above illustration courtesy of Adobe Stock Images.  Used by permission.

Cosmic Careers: Chapter Seven - Constructing Habitats

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2280512/fan_mail/new] Note:  The above illustration of the Torus Colony’s Interior is by Don Davis, and is found in The Public Domain Review.  It reflects the essay concerning O’Neill Space Habitats, and can be found on the website https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/space-colony-art-from-the-1970s/. This illustration is in the Public Domain. When working in space, you have to live in space.  In the last podcast, I have discussed the dangers to zero gravity on bone deterioration, but there is a way around it.  Live in a space habitat with Earth gravity.  Impossible!  No, indeed.  First, artificial gravity is produced when a habitat rotates, spins around.  This is what our habitats would do. But wait, there's more.  We wouldn't live in a habitat with walls.  We would live in a habitat in forests, gardens, parks, flowing rivers and lakes, farms, and everyone could have a home, just like on Earth.  In fact, this would be better, because you can shape it any way you like. The late Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill proposed this, habitats several miles long, settling on the interior, with windows for sunlight, producing your very own paradise.  These habitats could house anywhere from 10 thousand to 400 thousand people.  These are known as O'Neill Space habitats, named after the inventor.  Want to know more?  Listen!