Yesterday's Space Show wasn't liveblogged because I couldn't get it to work. It appears that the reason might have been that they were experimenting with video mode of delivering the show.
I have just listened to the recorded show and it was all about fuel depots. It is a tough problem. Like a lot of things, it is a lot easier said than done. I haven't studied the program, and I don't know that I will do that. It may be better to listen to it yourself, if interested.
Summary statement: 1) Depots warrant further investigation. Steep tech curves, though. Money for promising programs than he has heard about. 2) Promising, but lot of incremental demonstrators could answer a lot of questions- medium size steps needed. Need to get answers soon, should be taking steps now which aren't expensive now. 3) need a balance between concepts and doing something. Worry about tendency to make hardware too soon, precludes pathways that could be beneficial. 4) life science realities- don't know how biology fits into these other questions 5) delta v for plane changes are expensive; but attractiveness of depots are rising with respect to size of vehicle. Physics- no show stoppers, looks like economic problem. 6) Need alternatives, don't get into big rush. 7) Chemical propulsion too limiting- nuclear propulsion should be looked into.
Al Fin: "Cowboy Commentary", aka "Eat your veggies" The Flag banner is posted in order to defy those who would make patriotic symbols illegal or disreputable.
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